Matt Straker revealed to Zanesfield Village Council why he painted the bodies of two wrecked automobiles pink — what he didn’t do was commit to a date they would be removed from the lawn of a property in the center of town.
He told council at the Monday meeting that Mary Cooksey — one of the few village residents who supports him in his effort to “stand his ground” against the village leaders — recently told him “the only thing she would have done differently is to paint the cars pink with daisies on them.” So he did just that on July 21.
The first of the two vehicles appeared nearly a year ago on the lawn of the building, which once was a town hall among other uses. Since then, a second vehicle was added; a plastic Santa Claus was put at the helm; and now the new paint scheme.
Mr. Straker contends he bought the property in 2014 to settle a lawsuit; and former mayor, Mike Coder, who is now council president, and the solicitor, Matt Chamberlain, promised the village would help him address a drainage ditch that runs beneath the property.
Mr. Chamberlain acknowledged that there were discussions during mediation of the lawsuit, but said he made it clear no promises were being made.
“I clearly said to you that neither the mayor nor I have the authority to bind the village to anything,” the attorney said.
Read complete story in Tuesday’s Examiner.
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