‘The time has come’: City WTP to be demolished in 2025
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
PORTSMOUTH When it comes to getting water to the city and a fair share of county residents, the Portsmouth Water Treatment Plant has held that responsibility for more than 70 years.
On Wednesday, the
Daily Times joined Director of Water Filtration and City Manager Sam Sutherland in a tour of the facility just east of the New Boston Walmart.
“I know it might be hard to see, but there are a lot of areas of the facility that are in bad shape,” he said, serving in the department for the past 32 years.
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.
Dunne votes against “problematic” purchase of $265,000 armored vehicle
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
1st Ward Councilman Sean Dunne (right) voted against an ordinance which would’ve appropriated $265,000 in the purchase of an armored vehicle for the Portsmouth SWAT, Police and Fire Departments on Monday evening. Photo by Patrick Keck.
PORTSMOUTH Portsmouth City Council failed to pass legislation Monday evening which would have appropriated $265,000 from the city’s General Fund for the purchase of an armored vehicle.
Despite having a majority of the votes, 3-1 in favor, the missing fourth vote prevented the passing of the measure. Such was the case earlier this year when a 3-2 vote ended an attempt to decriminalize marijuana possession.
Council holding interviews for 6th Ward vacancy
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
Portsmouth City Council, pictured here during its Nov. 9 meeting, will hold its second-to-last meeting of the year on Monday. Photo by Patrick Keck.
PORTSMOUTH In its penultimate session of 2020, Portsmouth City Council will convene on Monday evening to discuss eight items on its agenda and the open 6th ward seat.
The seat has remained vacant since the unfortunate passing of Thomas Lowe last month and there are now four applicants- James D. Jordan, Kenneth “Rich” Scarberry, Dennis Packard, Susan Reed- vying for the position.
In its closing remarks during the Nov. 23 session, Council and other city political figures shared their condolences to Lowe’s family who had held the seat since the 2015 election and renowned throughout Sciotoville.