City sees results from clean-up efforts

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

During its meeting Monday evening, Van Wert City Council voted to prepare legislation for a $1,000 donation to the Van Wert County Humane Society and to allow left-hand turns from Court Street onto Main Street, heard updates on efforts to crack down on code violators within the city, and also learned more about a delegation to the city from Van Wert’s Sister City of Sumoto, Japan.

Finance Committee Chair Joi Mergy asked to have legislation prepared to donate $1,000 to the Van Wert County Humane Society for a cat-neutering program in Van Wert. The request was unanimously approved by City Council, although financial concerns remain, since less than $5,000 in unappropriated funds remain in the General Fund.

The proliferation of cats within the city has been a matter of concern for City Council and Mayor Jerry Mazur’s administration for several months.

The Humane Society will use the donation, as well as other donated funds, to neuter stray cats found in the city in an attempt to reduce the future cat population.

Streets and Alley Committee Chair Steve Trittschuh also requested that an ordinance be prepared allowing left-hand turns from Court Street onto Main Street in downtown Van Wert. Council also unanimously approved that request.

Mayor Mazur and City Law Director John Hatcher both spoke on city efforts to crack down on code violations within the city. Hatcher said 16 cases have been filed in Van Wert Municipal Court against several city property owners for junk and weed violations, as well as more serious structural and safety problems.

The law director also noted that several building owners who have been cited into court for code violations are starting to clean up their properties. Those who don’t do so face a $250 fine, plus court costs, while those who correct the problem will have all but $25 of the fine suspended.

The mayor also talked about a delegation arriving in Van Wert from Sister City Sumoto, Japan, this Thursday evening. The group will tour a number of area locations during its three-day visit, including Central Insurance Company and its Fire Museum, Brumback Library, the Van Wert County Courthouse, Van Wert Municipal Building, The Kenn-Feld Group, the Van Wert County Regional Airport, Smiley Park, and Van Wert High School and the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.

The group will then leave Sunday morning.

During his report, Judiciary and Annexation Committee Chair Jon Tomlinson noted he has received no concerns related to a liquor license request from a new pool hall business locating in downtown Van Wert. That request will eventually be forwarded to the Ohio Liquor Bureau for final action.

Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming noted that work is on schedule for the South Washington Street reconstruction project, while work at the Franklin Park site has been completed.

Tomlinson also noted that the Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation board is currently working with consultant Bill Marshall to seek a city-county economic development director. He also noted the Van Wert County Board of Commissioners is also continuing to work on a land bank proposal that could eventually help the county with low-cost loans.

The next meeting of the board is at 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 2.

City Council also learned that Tony Crawford, a flight instructor and member of the Indiana Air National Guard, will be appointed to the Airport Authority board, while Council President Pete Weir said a problem with the audio on City Council meeting recordings has been corrected.