Packard encourages COVID vaccine, shares poster idea
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
6th Ward Councilman Dennis Packard (left) discussed his idea of promoting the Covid-19 vaccines through a poster campaign during the City Council session on Dec. 28. Photo by Patrick Keck.
SCIOTO COVID vaccines are being carried out by the hundreds in Scioto County each day and Portsmouth 6th Ward Councilman Dennis Packard wants the public to not just support it, but to actively promote it.
During his first report as a Council member on Monday, Packard suggested citizens create posters that encourages their neighbors to take the vaccine when it is their turn.
Portsmouth Polar Plunge slated for Friday
PORTSMOUTH With a year like 2020, many are ready to take the plunge into 2021.
The 20th Annual Portsmouth Polar Plunge will take place January 1, 2021. A parade to the Court Street landing will start at the American Legion Post 23 on Court Street at 11 a.m., with the plunge following at noon. Funds raised this year will benefit the Jim Saddler Fund at the American Legion.
“Sam Simon started it 20 years ago, but it has been for a great cause,” Portsmouth- Scioto County Visitors Bureau, Executive Director, Kim Bauer said. “Some years it has 20 people others it has 70. It just depends.”
Council increases city employees’ salaries in final 2020 session
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
Portsmouth City Council assembled for the final time this year on Monday, passing all seven items on their agenda.
PORTSMOUTH Mayor Kevin Johnson struck the gavel slightly after 7:20 p.m. to adjourn the City Managers’ session Monday, concluding both the meeting and the year for Portsmouth City Council.
A considerable portion of the meeting was spent in executive session, a 32-minute closed doors discussion regarding employee pay, before attending to the seven items on their agenda.
Those items were subject to several amendments, starting with a modification of the pay period for a code enforcement spreadsheet. That money, $240 per month, will go to Shawnee State University through an agreement until June instead of May as previously listed in the legislation.
Haas, citing First Amendment, says no to Rebel flag ban
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
PORTSMOUTH- A discussion item in the past two Portsmouth City Managers sessions seems like it will remain in that status following a response from City Solicitor John Haas.
Haas received an inquiry from 2nd Ward Councilwoman Charlotte Gordon during the Nov. 23 meeting regarding the presence of Confederate flags on city property, more specifically on the city-owned campgrounds by the riverfront.
He said then that he would need time to review the legal merits of prohibiting the symbol, which would’ve been made part of the city’s policy for campers, but sensed there would be First Amendment implications.
Competing visions of Rebel flag shared at City Managers
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
Gerald Cadogan of the Portsmouth Unity Project feels that its Band Together mural s message, pictured here off of Market Street, is challenged by the Confederate flag s presence on city property. Photo by Patrick Keck
PORTSMOUTH Earlier this week, conversation surrounding confederate flags during a prior Portsmouth City Managers’ session caught the attention of a national organization dedicated to its descendants and proponents of its history.
John Anson, Ohio Division Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, addressed the matter of banning its presence on city properties in a letter sent to City Clerk Diana Ratliff where he urged no action to be taken.