Ashland County government to observe Juneteenth as paid holiday in 2022:
Kathy Jan Elkins Ross:
You’re listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what’s happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. Today – Things are about to pick up in terms of selecting the leaders on Mansfield City Council. In fact there’s a final “Talk the Vote” session, election preview stories, and a “Meet the Candidates” event coming up soon. You still have time to make your voice heard before the Nov. 2 election.
Before we begin,
We’d like to take a moment to thank our Sponsors at First Federal Community Bank. Today, First Federal Community Bank wants you to meet Travis Smith, Assistant Vice President in Commercial Banking, as he continues to help Mansfield area business owners and investors expand their business or start a new one. Travis thrives on being a resource for the community to explore all of their business banking needs through a collaborative approach. Together you’ll talk about the resources available to meet your goals. First Federal Community Bank looks forward to collaborating with more local business, owners and investors soon. Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC.
You still have time to make your voice heard before the Nov. 2 election. The election will determine the makeup of roughly half the members of City Council. Voters will pick leaders in the 1st, 3rd and 5th wards, as well as an At-large seat. And at the Richland Source we think Mansfield residents should care a lot about local elections. Keep in mind the city council is responsible for spending our local tax dollars. And the next City Council will make choices on how to spend another $10 million in federal American Rescue Plan dollars.
They’ll also make decisions around dry dams, economic development, trash hauling/dumping, homelessness solutions, recreational opportunities (yes, skate parks, too!) and much more. To that end, our final “Talk the Vote” session will be today at 6 p.m. in the 6th Ward at the SC Event Center. It’s your chance to tell us what you want to hear candidates talking about as they campaign for your vote. It’s the sixth and final in a series of hour-long listening tour stops we’ve done around the city. As always, candidates can attend, but their job at these events is to simply listen. And yes, there will be refreshments!
We’ve also expanded our Source family “Talk the Vote” this year with events in Ashland and Knox counties, talking to residents in those communities about issues important to them. And as we finish the final “Talk the Vote” session in Mansfield, we’ll spend the next few days talking to all eight City Council candidates about the things you’ve told us in the last six weeks. That series starts Thursday, Oct. 21 and continues through Sunday, Oct. 24. Then finally on Monday, Oct. 25, we’ll cap off our pre-election coverage at Idea Works in downtown Mansfield with our “Meet the Candidates” event.
All eight candidates have been invited to participate. You can register for “Meet the Candidates” by using the link in our show notes. We’re also working on a plan to livestream the event on the Richland Source Facebook page. So there you have it. We have a lot to do in the next eight days. There are some important decisions to be made. Don’t sit on the sidelines or behind your keyboard. Join us in helping the City of Mansfield make decisions that stretch into the future.
Next, some local history. Did you know that the first law enforcement canines in Ashland were purchased for $100 in 1897? They were two bloodhounds and were used to run down escaped felons or burglars. They also received a lot of public admiration.
Today Ashland’s K-9s are trained to detect narcotics and perform patrol tasks like building and area searches, tracking, evidence recovery, handler protection and criminal apprehension. The unit has also successfully collaborated with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and other surrounding law enforcement agencies.
Next, From Ashland Source – Last week Ashland County government announced that they’ll be observing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for the first time starting in 2022. Juneteenth represents the official end of slavery in the United States,
Ashland County Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution on Thursday. This means that every year on June 20th county government offices will close. Since Juneteenth falls on a Sunday next year, the holiday will be observed that Monday. The announcement comes nearly four months after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. The majority of states recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or a day of recognition, like Flag Day. And most of those states hold celebrations. Recognizing it as a paid holiday, however, received attention in 2020 amid the county’s reckoning over race following the death of George Floyd.
The day became a paid holiday in Ohio as soon as President Biden signed the law in June. Ohio government offices closed June 18 this year, since the holiday fell on a Saturday. Juneteenth is the first federal holiday added since 1983, the year Martin Luther King Day was established. To learn more about the significance of Juneteenth visit our full story in our show notes or at ashlandsource.com.
Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Kathy Jan Elkins Ross of Mansfield. Kathy was born in 1957 in Mansfield. Family was first in her life and she loved each of them but especially her beloved daughter and “grand blessings”. Possessing a servant’s heart, she was happiest when she was giving to others. Kathy had many treasured friendships and attended Berean Baptist Church. She volunteered her time and many talents at her daughter’s schools over the years. Kathy never knew a stranger and was a very inquisitive woman. She enjoyed crafts, flowers, shopping and giving to others.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Glen, her daughter, grandchildren, mother, sister, brother, sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; and of course her grand-dog, Loula. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Kathy’s life.
