The Lexington Senior Civic Center, also known as the Depot, was recently awarded a $10,000 grant by the Home Savings Charitable Foundation.
Mayor Eugene Parkison displayed the check at Monday evening’s council meeting.
Village Administrator Aaron Wiegand noted, “Brenda [Wilson] and her staff did wonderful work in securing a donation from the Home Savings Charitable Foundation.”
Wilson, the Depot’s director, stated that she applied for the grant on behalf of the Depot in September of 2013.
“Scott Finn [Home Savings Charitable Foundation assistant vice president and senior branch manager] drew my attention to the grant,” said Wilson. She stated that Finn worked with her through the application process and she submitted the application near the end of October.
The day before Christmas, Wilson was given the exciting news that the Depot would receive $10,000. “I was really excited and did my little happy dance,” she said.
The Depot was established in 1943 and serves seniors ages 55 and over. As stated on the village website, the mission of the Depot is to assist Richland and surrounding counties to help and support all seniors and residents by providing services, information and resources, and opportunities.
Wilson explained that the donation will “pick up the slack” in any program that may need additional funding. “We may use the money to upgrade the laptops and help with the meal and trip costs,” she said.
In other news, council members unanimously voted Bob Jarvis as council president and Adam Gongwer as parliamentarian.
Also, the 2013 Light Up Lexington residential winners received recognition. Neal Frazen earned third placed, Eric Tomlinson and Bob Bianchi tied for second place, and Mike Hathaway earned first prize.
During the Administrator’s report, Wiegand commended the Village employees for their dedication during the dreary weather. “Today we had a sewer back up on Oxford Drive and we had guys out in this -5 degree weather pumping sewage out a manhole to make that clear for the residents.”
He added, “For us on the budget side we’ve had a bad start to the plowing season, but our crews and our team members have done an exceptional job.”
Council members proceeded by passing a resolution declaring the intent of the village to sell property no longer needed through an internet auction.
Wilson explained that under Ohio law, the village is required to submit notifications when there are unwanted and/or unneeded equipment. This is done through an annual internet auction.
Last year, the village sold an old police cruiser to a gentleman from Alabama, said Wilson.
“[The auction] has been quite lucrative for us in the past,” said the mayor. Earned monies from the auction are distributed to the departments from which the equipment was taken. For instance, if a police car is sold, the money is given to the police department.
The date for the next auction has yet to be determined. The items will be listed on www.govdeals.com.
Lastly, the next council meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 21 in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
