MANSFIELD, Ohio — Mansfield resident Linda Jones addressed Mansfield City Council during their regular meeting Tuesday evening, saying that there’s often gunshots fired from the house across from hers on South Foster Street.
“I call [the police],” she told council. “They have somebody who stands outside and watches and then catches the cops, and, of course, the cops never get to go in.
“We live straight across the street and watch drug deals left and right, and I was just wondering if something could actually get done,” she said.
Law Director John Spon asked if she had spoken with any law enforcement officers. She responded, “I had one cop that called me back and they told me that city policing would be getting a hold of me and I’ve not heard anything,” she said.
Spon said, “I’ll make a personal effort to go talk with the assistant chief and chief to see what I can do.”
Sixth Ward Councilwoman Garnetta Pender, who represents her ward, echoed Spon’s sentiments and gave Jones her card if she needs further assistance.
Safety Service Director Lori Cope announced later on during the meeting that Jones was able to connect with Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz that evening and made him aware of the situation.
Pothole damages
Carline Curry also addressed council about a separate issue. She said that she had previously submitted a claim for damages that were done to her car when she hit a pothole on Bowman Street in April.
She said council approved a check for $250 in response to her claim, adding, “I have way more extensive damage to my car than that and I didn’t feel that was fair, so I asked them to resubmit [the claim] to the finance committee.”
She’s now asking council to reconsider the claim in the hopes of receiving more money to cover the cost of the damages. She said she has over $1,000 worth of damages.
Though she has insurance, she said, “I haven’t talked to my insurance about it. If I turn it into my insurance, my insurance rates are going up, and I don’t feel that I should be paying additional costs because of the negligence of the city not repairing potholes.”
Council President Phil Scott recommended that her claim be re-considered at the next claims committee meeting.
South Park update
Mark Abrams, Mansfield Parks Department manager announced that last Friday, the department received bids for the new pavilion to be built at South Park, noting, “We received a bid from Adena Corporation that was acceptable and so we will be moving forward with project starting on or about Oct. 12.”
He said the project should be completed by the end of December.
Mansfield Home Value and Family Protection Act
Council also heard the first reading of the Mansfield Home Value and Family Protection Act.
“Its purpose is to protect the residential home values or apartment values or multi-living facilities from the intrusion of any type of business activity, which has not been consented to by the city of Mansfield through its zoning and ordinances,” explained Spon.
