Mays, Wick resign from West Alex Village Council

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WEST ALEXANDRIA —Two members of the West Alexandria village council announced their resignation effective immediately at a regular council meeting on Monday, July 20.

David Mays, a council member for 12 years, and Jim Wick, a member for the last five years, both read letters of resignation to the council at the end of the July 20, meeting.

Mays read the following statement council: “Being on council and working with some of the members of council has been a satisfying experience but it has become clear my participation on this legislative body has been seriously marginalized and made ineffective by recent decisions of this body. And with the dilution of the immunity laws governing elected officials those decision and other actions could be detrimental to my families’ resources and or integrity. For these reasons and other reasons, I find the time has come for me to withdraw my participation as a council member. I am grateful, very grateful, to have been able to serve the people of West Alexandria for the past 12 years. I hope the village is successful in the future.”

Wick’s statement noted: “To the Mayor and the village of West Alexandria, I, James E. Wick, have made the decision to resign my position as a member of the West Alexandria Village Council effective immediately. I no can no longer hold this position and put myself and my family in a situation that could — would — be a disadvantage to my health and what I believe in for the betterment of our village. The last five and a half years has been a great learning experience for me. I certainly hope the remaining members will use their experience for the betterment of the village in the future.”

Mays and Wick both stated the only comments they wished to make at the time of the meeting were the letters they read aloud to council.

Mayor Carol Lunsford thanked both Wick and Mays for the years of service they have provided the village. No time table was set to find a replacement for the two council members.

In other business:

• Council discussed an assessment to be placed on every person who owns a lot in the village to pay $48 a year to keep street lighting at current levels.

• Police Officer Josh Kaczmarek informed council K-9 Max had a training accident which required dental surgery with a cost around $2,300 which will paid for out of the Trust Fund.

• Fire Chief Jeff Shafer was granted permission from council to sell 4,000 feet of fire hose he says the department no longer needs.

• It was noted during the meeting the water tower is still leaking.

• An ordinance was passed to make adjustments to financial records. The reason for the adjustment was $300 worth of damage to the firehouse from a lighting strike and the EMS receiving a $6,000 grant.

• Three resolutions were passed for the readings for grant applications for the Ohio State Capital and Local Transportation Grants, the wastewater plant, and finishing out the south main street project were two of the possibilities for grants.

• Council accepted a resignation from the fire department and two from the EMS.

• Council approved two new volunteers for the EMS, one will be the station’s third paramedic on the roster.

• The EMS reported two people currently in EMT classes and the possibility of three more starting classes in August. It was noted some of the people taking classes were firefighters wanting to be cross-trained.

The next West Alexandria Village Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.

By Austin Schmidt

[email protected]

Reach Austin Schmidt at 937-683-4062 or [email protected]

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