It was standing-room-only at the Sept. 5 Ontario City Council meeting as the family and friends of Doris Carr were present to hear the proclamation changing the name of Spring Village Park to Doris Carr Park.
Carr passed away last year but has not been forgotten by so many who knew her. Mayor Larry Collins was joined by Doris’ husband, David Carr, and their children Doug Carr, Derek Carr and Deena Carr Maness. Mayor Collins presented the family with a color copy of the sign to be placed in the park at a future date.
Doris Carr’s three sisters were also present, traveling from Kentucky and North Carolina to witness the naming of the park. As the proclamation was read, family members and long-time friends were moved by the special remembrance of Doris.
Pastor Tony Viscioni of Ontario Free Methodist Church also spoke about Doris Carr who was a member of the church for over 40 years. “Doris always signed all of her communications with everyone the same way: ‘I love you but Jesus loves you more,” shared Viscioni.
Other council business included a discussion of the Walker Road and Lex-Springmill intersection traffic issues which council members will be addressing on Sept. 18 when they go out to the area and view the traffic situation in person before looking into options and recommendations.
Council member Michelle Webb suggested the consideration of a crosswalk on Lex-Springmill where it crosses over State Route 309. Currently pedestrian crossing is not allowed but people are crossing it back and forth between the mall and other businesses. Webb would like the city engineers to consider putting in a crosswalk.
Council member Mark Weidemyre updated the council on the business park progress. “The site will be cleared over the next three months and architects are working on drawings,” he said.
Several ordinances were passed, including No. 13-32 which authorizes the Service-Safety Director to advertise for competitive bids for the Mabee Road water tower repair and repainting project.
Another passing ordinance determined the results of a speed limit study on parts of Park Avenue West, justifying a reduction of the current speed limit, and is requesting that the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation lower the speed limit to 45 mph.
The final ordinance passed authorized the contribution of $5,000 to the Ohio State University of Mansfield campus towards the cost of an area-wide sanitary sewer study.
