At the Jan. 21 Lucas Village Council meeting, Mayor Todd Hall swore in council elected and continuing council members as well as a position vacated last year by Judd Cook. Council also heard an update on Dollar General and concern about a traffic camera.
Lucas resident Rick Gruver voiced interest to the mayor some time ago and when Mayor Hall approached him again, Gruver said he would still like to serve on council. Gruver let the council know he will be retiring from the military in April, but until then he might miss some of the council meetings. The council unanimously approved Gruver’s membership on council.
Mayor Hall notified council that the first location for the Dollar General is no longer an option. Due to the issue of an easement that belongs to the adjoining business which cuts into the land Dollar General would have required, as well as a drop-off at the back of the current J&J Super Value Market, the contact for Dollar General withdrew his offer for that location.
“Rather than withdraw the idea altogether, he found another piece of property that works better for him,” explained Hall. “That piece of property sits right next to the existing Super Value, where Dan Simmering has a residence today along with a barn. He made Mr. Simmering an offer that’s been accepted.”
Due to the zoning for this property, a meeting has been set to apply for a variance on Simmering’s property. The mayor is hopeful this deal will go through and they will soon see construction activity for Dollar General.
Resident Harold Hamilton, who works at the Marathon gas station, came to the Tuesday meeting to voice his and the new owner’s concerns over the placement of the speed camera by the gas station. The station has seen a drop in business since the placement of the camera near their location and has requested it be moved.
