Council consents to license renewals

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SIDNEY —Sidney City Council posed no objections at Monday’s meeting to any of the city’s annual liquor license renewals.

City Manager Mark Cundiff told council after a review of liquor permit holders was completed by the Sidney Police Department, nothing alarming or unusual was found to object to the renewal of permits. Council exhibited silence on the matter, indicating consent for permit holders to move forward.

Gateway Arts Council Executive Director Ellen Keyes and President Chris Gibbs presented council with an update on the organization’s programs and upcoming events. Keyes told council the Gateway Art Council’s mission is to promote the accessibility, creation, presentation, and preservation of artistic and cultural resources for the benefit, enjoyment, and enrichment of the Shelby County Community.

Keyes said some of what they do to accomplish their mission is to offer arts programs at all Shelby County Schools, annually give grants to other arts organizations, partner to provide art to at-risk youth, operate an art gallery, provide musical instruments to students, and have performing and visual arts programs.

A goal, Keyes said, of the organization is to help Shelby County children to progress through music. Council member Steve Wagner asked if they were looking for donated instruments. She said even though they would prefer to be able to give newer musical instruments to students, they would gladly accept any unwanted used instruments, as well.

Keyes said as part of their youth education program again this year they will have a Lego design competition in June. She said a major concern they have, due to the expense involved to purchase Legos, is if they will have enough Legos for every child wanting to come in and create. When asked about donations by Council member Ed Hamaker, Keyes said they would happily accept donations.

Gibbs and Keyes talked about the overwhelming success of their performing arts series. They said people come from counties all over Ohio to attend their shows. They said they have too many people wanting a ticket and not enough to seats sell. Gibbs said it is a good problem to have and that they need a bigger venue. In an attempt to cut down the waiting list, they and will be adding matinees this year.

In other business, council praised the Sidney Fire Department for their great work on the large building fire on North Ohio Avenue on the evening of April 17. Hamaker told Fire Chief Brad Jones the Sidney Fire Department and the other fire departments did a “fantastic job.”

Cundiff echoed his sentiment that they did a great job and said it could have been much worse. He reminded council that Jones was out of town on vacation during the fire and praised Jones’ on the training of his department. He said there was no loss of life and were fortunate to have had the help of the other departments.

Council member Darryl Thurber praised Jones and asked if the older fifth fire truck was used in the fire. Jones said it was used, but because it’s pump is not in the best shape they fed it from another fire engine. Jones said they believe about 360,000 gallons of water was used on the fire.

Vice Mayor Mardie Milligan said they did a great job and questioned if the gas line that was struck on the outside of the building was up to code. There was not an immediate answer, other than when Mayor Mike Barhorst said the gas lines have all been replaced and were new.

Council member Janet Born asked about the future of the burned building. Jones said he knew there was a restoration company on site, but assumed it will be up to the insurance company as to what will happen next.

Barhorst thanked Parks and Recreation Director Duane Gaier for all his work over the last weekend dealing with the shelter houses being painted by the Honda group at Tawawa Park, the civil war re-enactors at Brookside Park and the tree planting acknowledgement with Trecycle fundraiser organizer Brent Devitt, who biked through Sidney during his 340 mile cycling adventure.

Gaier said he joined Devitt, with a few others, for part the chilly ride on Saturday morning. He reported the civil war re-enactment training went well and that four shelter houses and 30 picnic tables were painted, as the group had more time than anticipated.

In addition, council also held an executive session for pending or imminent court action and to consider the purchase of property for public purposes. No action was taken when they emerged from the executive session.

By Sheryl Roadcap

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4823.

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