SHELBY — Doris Payne-Biglin left behind a legacy of “faith, love and perseverance,” Shelby Mayor Steve Schag said last week.
The first woman elected mayor in the City of Shelby, Payne-Biglin passed away April 2 at the age of 91. She served as mayor for two terms.
When Shelby City Council met Monday evening, Schag and At-Large Councilman Steve McLaughlin each shared remarks about their time serving under Payne-Biglin’s leadership.
Both Schag and McLaughlin served together on council during the mid-1990s. Payne-Biglin’s tenure as mayor ran from 1996 to 2001.
“When I think of mayor Doris Payne-Biglin, I think of the care she exhibited for her fellow citizens and her passion in public service,” Schag said Monday. “She was a natural people person and she had a very personal touch in fulfilling the role as mayor of Shelby.”
McLaughlin offered similar sentiments while recalling his time getting to know Payne-Biglin during the 1995 election.
“She (Payne-Biglin) was a mentor and a good friend,” he said Monday.
Flags of the United States and State of Ohio will continue to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds in Shelby until Wednesday at sunset.
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Kokosing Construction awarded 2025 paving program
During his report to council, Shelby Project Coordinator Joe Gies announced Kokosing Construction was the lowest bidder for the city’s 2025 paving program.
Bids for the project were opened on March 20. Kokosing’s bid of $454,778.80 came in under the project’s estimated cost of $482,565, Gies said.
Streets scheduled to be paved once warmer weather arrives include Second, Third, Oak and Summit streets, as well as McKinley Drive and Forest Drive.
Funding for the project comes from the city’s paving funds, which are generated by a 0.2-percent income tax — renewed during the May 2023 primary by Shelby voters. In 2024, the street paving income tax levy generated $617,000.
The city will continue to collect the tax until 2028.
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
In other action Monday night, Schag proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Shelby.
The city’s proclamation is similar to those which have been declared in several other governing bodies across the county, including the Richland County Board of Commissioners.
“Richland County Children Services does do wonderful work year-round and probably most of their work is sort of unseen and unsung,” the mayor said. “This month (April) is always an opportunity for us to bring awareness to child abuse within Richland County.”
Richland County Children Services investigated more than 1,100 cases of child abuse, neglect and dependency last year. Anyone can contact the agency’s Child Abuse Report Hotline by phone at (419)-774-4100.
Wear Blue Day will occur statewide on Wednesday to spread awareness on the important issues of child abuse, neglect and dependency. Local businesses, offices, schools, agencies, factories, retail outlets and media partners are asked to wear blue to show unity against child abuse and neglect.
