By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Blakeslee Village Council heard a presentation from Gary Best of the Edon American Legion Post 662 in regards of putting up banners honoring village military veterans at its council meeting on Thursday, July 10.
In almost every community in Williams County, there are banners already put up on light poles and Best wanted to see Blakeslee do the same.
“There were a lot of people that I didn’t realize they were in the military,” Best said. “So we started to put up military banners and we had a lot of people come forward. We are up to 171 banners in Edon and there are 177 light poles located in town.”
The banner which costs $100 each will honor veterans with their photo, along with their military branch service with years served along with war honors and accolades.
Best distributed an order form to council members to draw interest. “I tell you that our banners have received a lot of compliments because they are seven-foot tall,” added Best. “We are very proud of them and we want the veterans from Blakeslee to be recognized.”
He also mentioned the banners will be installed by Edon American Legion members and displayed throughout the village from April until November. They will be then stored during the winter months.
“The only requirement is they had to go through boot camp and get an honorable discharge,” said Best. “
Order forms are available at Best Insurance in Edon. Checks for the banners can be mailed to Gary Best, Edon American Legion Post 662, P.O. Box 124, Edon, Ohio 43518.
Concerns regarding speeding vehicles driving through the village was brought up and council discussed several options of enforcement including the installation of a permanent speed limit signal which costs $9,000 and having the village police vehicle outside and visible so drivers can slow down within the limits.
Village Fiscal Officer Courtny Osborn reported she had received correspondence from Thomas A. Thompson, of Bish, Butler, & Thompson, LTD, Bryan regarding the recent passage of House Bill 331 by the Ohio General Assembly creating a new process in addition to the existing procedure for the dissolution of a village per section 703.33 of the Ohio Revised Code.
“It’s a newly created Ohio Revised Code (House Bill 331) and it requires that once in every ten years and in the year following every federal census,” said Osborn.
“Every village in the state will be evaluated to determine if they should be considered for dissolution by the voters.”
The clerk’s report was approved with receipts totaling $2,415.78 and expenditures totaling $2,950.79. The minutes from the June 4 meeting was also approved.
The ext council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 6 at 6 p.m.