Plans are continuing in preparation of the nation’s 250th anniversary in Norris City. That and more was covered at Monday night’s monthly village board meeting. Joe Skaggs was absent as he and his wife continue to recover from an auto accident. Kevin Pettijohn was also absent.
Mayor Skip Land says enforcement is increasing around the park and playground.
Last fall, people were going over there to the park, putting their dogs in the ballfields, closing the gate while they sat around a picnic table and not cleaning up after them. I guess last week we had some people do the same thing with the playground, shut the playground and let two dogs run loose while they sat around a picnic table and talked. So we’re gonna keep a closer eye on that. Prior to the dogs in the playground, I saw two bicycles and they’ll tear that rubber, dog paws will do the same thing on that rubber and it’s extremely expensive so we need to put a stop to that.
Jamie Sauls has resigned from the village prompting leaders to place Braidon Edwards as the new animal control officer. Board member Wayne McKenzie sung the young man’s praises.
You know, I gotta say one thing about Braidon and I’ve noticed him, I was gonna say something at the last meeting. He gets out of that truck and has his hard hat and his yellow nearly every time. Very seldom do I see him without, I can always pick him out and I’ve heard other people talk about him. I just want to give him…and he also, if he sees something laying in the road, he’ll pick it up, throw it in the back of his truck and drive off. Some days you don’t say enough about some people, sometimes you say too much about other people, but I just think Braidon deserves an attaboy.
The mayor says he’s continuing the fight to get yards and properties cleaned up.
In the last month, I’ve dealt with 17 houses on grass, 5 houses on demolishing and cleaning up trash. Dustin has issued citations to one person that’s not cleaned up. We’ve delivered notices to two others that if they don’t clean up; they’re working on it. Police is going to help me monitor the grass and trash but we’re going to do a city wide clean up this year.
Land says it’s the usual suspects.
Additionally, Mayor Land says he’s been working with the EPA regarding two situations, one being a sewage leak and the other on Bond Holdings regarding proper cleanup of the former hardware store and lumber company.
In old business, the board responded to resident Spencer Harrison’s letters. Mayor Land also gave updates on the Griffth house on Johnson Street saying the owners had offered to give the deed. Demolition should cost around $8,000 and then the village could sell the lot. Additionally, Land says there are a handful of other properties he’s working to take control of so the city can clean up and sell the lots.
On the July 18th celebration, the board received an update from Norris City Chamber representatives Ashley Garlick and EmmaLee Williams. Garlick says there will be inflatables, a softball tournament, free food including hotdogs, chips, sno-cones, and some barbecue from WP Meat Company, vendor fair, face painting and other activities for kids. The question remains on whether to get locals trained to shoot a village fireworks display. There is concern over weather, wind, and the location of the fireworks. If the village signs off on doing fireworks, there will be a break at 2-3pm and then in the evening live entertainment and activities until the fireworks. A 20-minute show would run about $4,000 to $5,000 according to Garlick. The board voted to move forward with plans and giving fire chief Troy Dagley the responsibility of making the call as to whether it was safe to shoot fireworks. Board member Wayne McKenzie was the lone no vote.
The board also discussed ordinance reviews, removing a wall in the Chamber building, an e-bike ordinance, but no action was taken. The board adjourned at 8:10pm and will next gather at 7pm on June 8th.