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On Thursday, May 13, I vetoed ordinance 7-21, an ordinance to adopt a proposed change to the Fire Merit Commission. Existing rules from Title 19 prohibit anyone who serves on the Fire Merit Commission from serving on another board or commission. This rule, which has been followed in recent history by others, created a situation in January 2021 where an appointee was refused admittance to the Fire Merit Commission because they also serve on the Muncie Redevelopment Commission. Two different board appointments are strictly prohibited in the Fire Merit rules.
Dale Basham, who is now the Fire Merit Commission president, resigned from his board position with the Human Rights Commission because the rules are clear. You cannot serve on two boards per Title 19. Mr. Basham, who is a retired teacher and administrator with Muncie Community Schools, felt that he should follow the rules and he did not seek a special exception for himself. In recent years, another person wanted to
Commissioners pass anti-hate resolution
XENIA Greene County Commissioners recently passed an anti-hate and violence resolution.
The resolution declares the violence and intimidation seen in today’s world against people because of their race, creed, or gender is not acceptable, and harassment of any ethnic group because of their ethnicity should not be tolerated. It urges all residents of Greene County to be mindful and respectful of all with whom they interact.
Sugarcreek Township resident and Sugarcreek Cares co-founder Denise Moore contacted Greene County Commissioner Rick Perales and requested the resolution to denounce hate and violence against Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). She said the resolution as passed fell short of her ultimate goal.
PEORIA History was made Tuesday night as the first woman and the first Black person was sworn in as Peoria s mayor.
Rita Ali beamed broadly as the oath of office was administered to her by newly elected City Clerk Stefanie Tarr, who then handed her the gavel while the room erupted in applause. I would be remiss if I did not mention the historic meaning of today. The city has elected its first woman after 185 years, Ali said, before noting she was also the first Black person to wield the mayor s gavel.
Her election, she hoped, would break down barriers and prejudices.
PEORIA In two weeks, the city of Peoria could make history by having the first city-run land bank in the state.
The council had the first reading Tuesday of a measure that will create the land bank that would manage the vacant, abandoned and tax-delinquent properties within the city limits.
Council members could give final approval to the measure at their next regular business meeting on May 11.
They initially had been asked to approve the measure Tuesday after a single night of discussion. However, multiple members wanted more community input and a public meeting is expected next week, though a date has not yet been set.
Tim Shelley / Peoria Public Radio
PCCEO will receive $290,000 in South Village TIF funds to initiate the first phase of the MacArthur Highway Corridor Plan.
City council approved the funding to be used for pre-development activities such as environmental and engineering analysis, community outreach, and coordination of partners.
First district councilmember Denise Moore said PCCEO comes with a proven track record of development on Peoria’s Southside.
“They’ve already built in this city, and particularly on the Southside more than 175 houses.and once again they have stepped up to the plate to say they would lead the development of this project,” said Moore.