“Lucas is best known as a quiet, peaceful village,” stated Mayor Todd Hall. When asked what about Lucas he was most proud of, he was quick to respond that Lucas has one of the smallest public school systems in Richland County. That enables the teachers to provide excellent one on-one attention to their students.
Hall added that in 2010 the village was fortunate enough to receive approximately $164,000 in grant money through a program called Safe Routes to School. The program is supported by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The majority of the funds were used to improve sidewalks surrounding the elementary school and high school, providing those students within walking distance a safer commute. Pedestrian Heads for crosswalks as well as red rubber mats that are directly embedded into the road surface, a safety feature that aides the blind were also installed. Additional educational materials were also purchased.
“Bike Night”, a bike safety awareness program, that was originated by school superintendent Steve Dickerson also benefited from the grant monies. The program educates children about bike safety. The children can bring their bikes to Bike Night and get their brakes, tires and chains inspected as well as receive a free bike helmet.
The mayor also noted that Hamilton’s One Trip, a family owned convenience store located on Main Street, reopened three years ago after a brief closing. The gas station provides propane, lottery tickets and various snacks and beverages and a variety of deli-style sub sandwiches.
Besta Fasta Pizza is a favorite restaurant with locals.
Lucas is also home to Central Ohio EMS Training, www.centralohemstraining.com, which provides EMT/Paramedic training.
Hall added that Lucas residents and visitors can enjoy Lucas’s Monroe Township Park, “a very nice and well-maintained recreational park.” Owned and maintained by Monroe Township and located at the corner of Lucas and Perrysville Road, the park provides all the amenities for family fun and recreation from swings to basketball courts.
Like many communities, Lucas has experienced budget cuts, most recently losing funding made available to them from a permissive sales tax in which the funds were previously earmarked for road repair. Lucas has overcome the loss of funds with frugal spending and budgeting plan, enabling them to maintain necessary road repairs.
Hall is in his second term as mayor and is a lifelong resident of Lucas. Hall lived in Mansfield for about six years, moving back to Lucas with his wife and sons in the spring of 2000.