Mansfield City Council OKs $1.4 million request for two new fire trucks:
Ashland approves $71.8 million in appropriations for 2022:
Paul E. Bauman:
An update on Mansfield’s plan to purchase new fire trucks. Alomar Davenport joined in a Mansfield City Council unanimous vote Tuesday evening to approve a $1.4 million purchase of two new fire trucks. But, the 4th Ward representative, currently in his second month as chair of council’s finance committee, made it clear that he didn’t appreciate the fact local lawmakers had so little time to review the request. Davenport said he was especially concerned that legislators were being asked to approve a $1.4 million purchase, and the public had zero say.
We mentioned earlier this month that the Board of Control gave “consensus” approval to on Jan. 25, but still had to determine the best way to pay for the two trucks. The decision had to be fast-tracked after fire department Chief Steve Strickling was notified that the company that manufactured the new trucks was planning a 7.5-percent price increase starting February 1.
Strickling said company officials told him they would hold the trucks for MFD at the lower price, pending council approval. He said the trucks would arrive in about 16 months fully equipped, save for a hydraulic rescue tool, radio and computer. Mayor Tim Theaker said Finance Director Linn Steward was still examining the best financial options for the city.
Strickling, joined by Scott Arnett from the finance department, told council on Tuesday that his department plans to finance the purchase over 10 years and will pay for it from his capital equipment budget. But Strickling also made sure the council knew that he wasn’t trying to back them in a corner with the potential purchase. The chief said his department’s capital budget can make an estimated $160,000 annual payment over the next 10 years for the trucks, a line item fueled by fees the department charges to transport patients. Arnett said the city had received a quote from about a 10-year loan, and expected to receive another this week. Interest rates were lower than he had anticipated.
Now, some local history. Did you know that the Ashland-born Joseph D. Moody was a dentist and served as president of the Historical Society of Southern California? Moody was born in Ashland in 1841, attended school here, and in 1861, he enlisted in the 42nd Ohio Infantry of which regiment James A. Garfield was colonel. For nearly a year, he acted as Garfield’s private secretary. Serving for 37 months, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, an mustered out with that rank.
After leaving the service, he studied dentistry in Dalton, Ohio, and later completed his course in the Chicago Dental College. After twenty years in Illinois he and his family moved to Los Angeles where he built up a large and lucrative practice. Moody was prominently identified with Sunday School work, and was for a number of years superintendent of Sunday School work in Southern California. He served as president of the Southern California Dental Association, lectured in the Dental Department of USC and was a member of the Los Angeles Academy of Science.
He became a member of the Historical Society of Southern California in 1893, was elected one of the Directors of the Society in 1894, and was President for two years. He contributed a number of valuable historical papers which were published in the Society’s collections, among them, “Echoes from the American Revolution.” Some African Folk Lore,” “How a Woman’s Wit Saved California,” “Some Aboriginal Alphabets” and “Sequoyah.”
Next, From Ashland Source. Ashland’s City Council unanimously approved the city’s 2022 spending plan during Tuesday’s meeting. The $71.7 million in appropriations reflects an accumulation of all the city’s funds, including its general fund, capital improvements, police, fire, sanitation and debt services.
Finance Director Larry Paxton said the city budgeted $5.8 million for construction projects in 2022, including the reconstruction of Claremont Avenue between Baney and Smith roads, renovating the hydropillar at Baney Road, providing upgrades to the police and fire stations and several others. The budget includes refinancing and paying off a chunk of debt totaling $1.8 million from the city’s water plant. The city’s 243 employees are also now eligible to receive up to 4% wage increases, which resulted in a bump to the city’s overall budget. Mayor Matt Miller noted that the city also saw higher health insurance costs this year.
Councilman Dan Lawson praised the city’s fiscal management, and mentioned last year’s roads that did not get paved would likely get completed this year. And Council president Steve Workman echoed Lawson’s praise and mentioned an article that highlighted the city’s placement on a shortlist of Ohio’s Top 10 economically strongest smaller cities.
Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember the life of Paul Bauman, of Mansfield. Paul was born in 1932 in Hannibal, Ohio and was a Korean War Navy veteran; owner and self-employed truck driver; and a member of St. Johns United Church of Christ and VFW Post 3494 in Mansfield. Paul will be remembered for his strong work ethic throughout his life.
He stayed busy cutting firewood until the last year of his life and was constantly getting in trouble with his girls for working on his roof. He is survived by four daughters, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a sister. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Paul’s life.
