Despite the winter weather, Indian Lake legislators’ thoughts are on sunny summer days and warm July nights, when there’s nothing better than speeding across blue water or casting a lure where the fish are biting.
Unfortunately, like many similar areas in Ohio, Indian Lake has a weed problem. A problem the government intends to correct, and several presented their plans and concerns at the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon Friday.
Amber Fagan, chamber president, organized and hosted the sold-out event.
After enjoying lunch provided by the staff at Cranberry Resort in Huntsville, the roomful of residents and business owners heard from seven area officials, most focused on cleaning up the lake.
“If (the lake) isn’t usable, people won’t come here,” State Rep. Nino Vitale (R-Urbana) said. “There’s money available. We just have to fight for it.”
The other state representative in attendance, Jon Cross (R-Kenton), agreed there’s “plenty of money in Ohio,” and emphasized their commitment to make this a priority.
“We have to figure out the science,” he said, “then we’ll solve the weed issue for good.”
Glen Cobb, chief of the Division of Parks & Watercraft, was the final speaker for the event. He commented, “It used to be a challenge mowing grass on the land. Now we’re mowing the lake.”
According to Cobb, part of the solution involves hiring three weed harvesters, the first time they’ve brought in so many. The company taking care of spraying, AQUA DOC Inc., will provide maps of the areas they’re spraying to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the private sector. Then they’ll all join together on cutting and watershed.
Cross stressed the importance of residents refraining from spraying their own chemicals.
“Don’t panic this summer!” he said. “We’ll be okay. Maybe we won’t get every weed, but we’re going to get boats on the water.”
Indian Lake residents will have an opportunity to learn more at a planning meeting with AQUA DOC, the ODNR, watershed officials and all other key people at a date to be determined in March. The Indian Lake chamber will provide more information on its Facebook page once it’s available.
Also covered at the luncheon:
• Logan County Commissioner Paul Benedetti told of a plan to improve rural broadband around the lake and throughout the county using some if not most of the $8.4 million the county received from the American Rescue Plan Act. This federal funding is a one-time offering to be doled out over a four-year period.
Though originally intended for infrastructure, Benedetti said, “The goal posts keep changing as to what we can use it for.”
He hopes the full board will decide how much of the money will go toward broadband in the next few months.
Not only do the schools and parents need this, Benedetti anticipates it could lead to more remote workers choosing to live at the lake.
• Fagan announced plans for fireworks on Labor Day weekend in addition to the 4th of July.
• Attendees also heard from Randy Chevalley with the Ohio Department of Transportation District 7. Though many road and bridge improvements are on the way, he anticipates none will lead to road closures this year. He said they’ll spend $5.5 million on Logan County road work in 2022.
Lack of money is a problem, and much of that can be blamed on COVID-19, Chevalley related.
Since ODOT money comes from gas taxes and lockdowns resulted in more people staying home, the department found itself down 33 percent at one point. At their last check, in October, they were still down 7 percent. But prices on equipment and materials were up, including an increase in the cost of asphalt from $175 per cubic yard to $250.
With that in mind, Chevalley said, “Buy gas. Keep moving. Get out and have fun!”