Council members see progress

A year ago city voters changed the face of Marietta's City Council.

David White, R-1st Ward, Randy Wilson, R-2nd Ward, Jon Grimm, R-3rd Ward, and Harley Noland, D-at large, joined incumbents Tom Vukovic, D-4th Ward, Kathy Shively, D-at large, and Andy Thompson, R-at large, at the council table.

"There have been some challenges, and we've had some frustrations," Grimm said. "But on the whole, I think we've gotten some things done."

Grimm said he's feeling "very optimistic" about the ongoing effort to improve the municipal court after Ohio's 4th District Court of Appeals' ruling on a lawsuit filed against the mayor and council by citizen Butch Badgett in October 2006 ordered the council, Municipal Court Judge Janet Dyar-Welch and Badgett to work together on developing suitable court facilities.

"We're taking steps toward getting things done, and all parties are agreeing on where we need to go," Grimm said. "I would like to see the municipal court issue resolved by the end of this term, although it would be naive to absolutely say that will happen."

He said council's decision to allow Washington County to handle the city's residential permitting beginning in January is a good economic move for Marietta that will provide better efficiency and help spur economic development.

White also believes council has made progress with the municipal court issue.

"When elected to council, I saw two groups that were very polarized," he said. "But since then we've seen a lot of consensus and we're moving forward. I'm very hopeful we'll have something for city voters to approve by the end of (2009) on that issue. I think we'll see some very tangible progress on the court."

White also cited as positive the move to combine the city's cemetery, recreation and lands, buildings and parks departments under one public facilities umbrella.

"Another positive is the flood mitigation effort for both the 1st and 2nd ward areas," he said.

That project, which will result in the installation of "duckbill" check valves to help prevent flooding in low-lying areas of the city's south side, is currently under way.

Vukovic said he's had to adjust to being a member of the minority party after serving with five other Democrats on the previous council. Now there are four Republicans and three Democrats.

"I think the previous council did the same things this council is doing as far as the municipal court issue, talking about space issues for the court. That's not a new exercise," he said. "What we're doing now is just a lot of nuts and bolts. It's not rocket science."

Vukovic, who has been a councilman for more than a decade, said previous councils were ready to build a new municipal court facility, but the issue was petitioned to ballot and voters defeated the project.

"We could have built it for $4.2 million," he said. "Now it will cost more."

Vukovic voted against turning residential permitting over to the county.

"I disagreed with that because it takes away local government control," he said. "And it will be more difficult for us to make changes. Giving the process to the county doesn't mean things will be easier."

But Vukovic said some positive things have occurred in 2008, too.

"The (Historic Harmar) Bridge was reopened to pedestrian traffic, and both parties on council worked on that," he said.

"This council also has agreed to take care of issues at Lookout Park," Vukovic added, noting upgrades to the tennis courts and plans to install new restroom facilities and a water fountain at the park.

Shively, a 15-year veteran of council, is happy that the mandamus lawsuit has been settled.

"But it's sad that things had to get to that point," she said, agreeing that past councils could have had the project completed.

"I think for the most part we're now working together toward a common goal," Shively added.

As chair of council's police and fire committee, she noted that council assisted the Marietta Fire Department in obtaining a $200,000 grant to provide air masks and other breathing equipment.

"That was a significant amount," Shively said.

"But I hated to see the loss of the city recreation department as a stand alone department this year," she added. "I understand the departments (cemetery, lands, buildings and parks, and recreation) were combined to save money, but now the new department is looking for pay raises. I don't think there will be a great savings."

Shively expects council will work a lot harder in 2009.

"We'll have a lot on our plates in the next year," she said.

Wilson, who chairs the employee relations committee, said his first year on council has gone quickly.

"But it's also been a good learning process," he said.

In contrast to Shively, Wilson believes the consolidation of three city departments into one public facilities entity was a major accomplishment for council.

"Also, transferring the residential permitting process to the county, which begins in January, was a big step, and our engineering department will be able to be more focused on other projects," he said. "And negotiations with the city's bargaining units (police, fire and teamsters) went very well, without costing the city extra money."

In 2009 Wilson wants to make certain that the Front Street resurfacing and pedestrian safety project is completed before the Ohio Department of Highways begins renovation work on the Washington Street Bridge in mid June.

"I also want to see us do something about the upgrade of fencing at Mound Cemetery next year," he said.

Member Comments

View Comments: | 1-7 | Post a comment

Contrarian
01-02-09 7:34 AM »Report Abuse	Indian, not sure if you can spell "incoherent," but it's a synonym for Indian.
hockeypuck
12-31-08 9:15 PM »Report Abuse	Never fear, Vuk & Shive will give plenty of nothing again this year. Just give them time.
Indian
12-31-08 3:31 PM »Report Abuse	Hear their...wow, cannot type
Indian
12-31-08 3:30 PM »Report Abuse	"HEAR"
Indian
12-31-08 3:29 PM »Report Abuse	Taking baby steps and doing as little as possible seems to be the pattern here. One year down; hope they can get started soon. Cannot wait to here there campaign promises this time. Talkers ,not doers.
lynn45750
12-30-08 10:33 PM »Report Abuse	she always does...unless it was her idea.
hockeypuck
12-30-08 8:25 PM »Report Abuse	Yeh, Shive, there will be a lot on your plate. You will probably vote no on everything.

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