Rick and Carol Hemphill received the 2023 Residential Beautification Award from the West Liberty village council Monday. Pictured, from left: Trent Spriggs, Joanna Hostetler, Jill McKelvey, Rick and Carol Hemphill, Cindee Boyd. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
The West Liberty village council covered a lot of ground during their last regular meeting September, Monday, the 25th.
Before the official start of the meeting, West Liberty Mayor Jill McKelvey, councilmembers Trent Spriggs and Joanna Hostetler, and clerk Cindee Boyd presented the 2023 Residential Beautification Award to Rick and Carol Hemphill.
The Hemphills moved to from Bellefontaine to West Liberty in 1987. Carol worked at the Discovery Center and Rick was an attorney but both are retired now. It’s given them time to focus on landscaping their home on east Columbus Street. Not just improving its curb appeal, but adding charm to their backyard sanctuary as well.
“It’s a place to get away from everything, even in the middle of town,” Carol said. “This is our respite area.”
A block from the Hemphills finds you in downtown West Liberty, where you’re sure to notice another visual point of interest: the color pink. Once again, the village is participating in Pink Out, which uses the color along with organized events to bring awareness to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. (See related story for complete details).
In the regular meeting, the council discussed the possibility of hiring a company called Bug-A-Boo Pest Control out of Covington to spray for mosquitoes. Councilmember Jayne Griffith spoke to an administrator from Jackson Center who told her about their success with Bug-A-Boo.
Bug-A-Boo typically sprays twice a month during the summer, and Jackson Center paid about $300 each time. The council believes it will cost West Liberty a little more than that.
Still, as councilwoman Jeanette Zerkle pointed out, “People are asking if there’s something we can do.”
Next, the council will get a quote and move forward with getting this taken care of by summer 2024.
Sept. 21, Zerkle attended the monthly safety meeting, which specifically focused on mental health and the increase in suicide, especially among young people.
“The statistics were quite staggering to me,” Zerkle said. “There’s been a 40 percent increase in young girls committing or attempting suicide. And alcohol is one of the main contributors leading to depression.”
With that in mind, she expressed her concern about the change to the West Liberty community if they allow alcohol to be sold there. She was referring to a petition to place the issue on the Nov. 7 general election ballot. According to Zerkle, the ballot refers to “spirits,” which, she pointed out, means hard liquor.
“I’m opposed to alcohol in our town because of what it brings with it—crime, property damage, suicide, accidents and fighting,” she said. “The problems it brings outweighs the benefits.”
McKelvey pointed out it’s considered taboo to discuss mental health in America, but, Zerkle added, “That stigma is lifting.”
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. If you or a loved one needs help, simply dial 988.
In other action Monday night:
• According to Griffith, the 2024 West Liberty calendars should be ready soon and are “absolutely beautiful.” Money made from calendar sales will go toward repairs on the Columbus Street bridge, which has been closed for a decade now. In addition to fundraiser efforts, the village needs letters of support from the community in applying for a TAP grant. They hope, one day, to reopen the bridge to bicyclists and pedestrians.
• The council approved almost $4,000 in brake repairs on the fire department engine. In addition, the department will need 17 new air packs at $8,000 each and a $60,000 compressor station, which comes to $225,000.
Fire Chief Darin Leach is applying for a FEMA grant to cover that—as well as one for a new fire engine at $800,000—but, unfortunately, those are highly competitive. The council will look into other ways to raise money and may earmark profits from the Moonshade Eclipse festival on April 8, 2024.
• An employee shift will take place in October, leading to a job opening. Shane Freehauf, who was head of the street department, will become a full-time operator for the water/wastewater department. Current second employee Mark Nelson will move into Freehauf’s position.
Street superintendent Jim Detrick is working on a job description to fill the spot Nelson is leaving. When that’s ready, interested applicants can find the information on the village website. They will have until Oct. 13 to apply.
• Residents are encouraged to check the mywestliberty.com and the newsletter for detailed information and a checklist regarding the West Liberty aggregation enrollment.
• The North U.S. Route 68 corporation sign has finally been moved to include South Union Mennonite Church.
• With Airbnbs and short-term rentals being more and more appealing, Scott Woodruff, code enforcement officer, has discussed changing the ordinance to include those in residential areas. The council will look into it.
• In conjunction with the Lions Club’s plans to buy a new sign, the council will explore the possibility of a large, village-inclusive sign listing churches, clubs and businesses.
• McKelvey will ask the local Boy Scouts troop if they can help replace the downtown American flag holders and posts. They also need to research the best price for the new ones. However, they decided to keep what they have through Veteran’s Day, then research the best price and make this a project for 2024.
• C&M Laser Works made customized brackets for the village troop banners. WL-S students have volunteered to help install them on Oct. 18.
• Some discussion was given to making health insurance fair to single and married employees. McKelvey recommended offering the same single plan to everyone with the option to increase to a family benefit package.
• The Lions Club has been named the October Business of the Month and will be recognized in the opera house at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16. Nominees for the November honor are LeVan’s Excavating, Healing Arts and Jennings Farley & Seeley Funeral Home.
• In the parks and recreation update, an environmental science class from WL-S will winterize Ricketts Park on Wednesday, Oct 17. The department is also seeking quotes for permanent cornhole boards at Lions Park. Once those are installed, players would just need to bring their own bags.
• With regard to the street committee, Detrick said they need to move the guardrail at County Road 5 because it was hit again. He also asked the council to set up a special meeting to discuss recycling issues.
The next West Liberty village council meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m.