By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com

In an emotional response to the events of the last week, concerned community members Shawna Bates and Angie Johnson gave a presentation to the Galion City Council that came straight from the heart. They informed the Galion City administration of the formation of a new group in town: W.A.G. Your Tail. W.A.G. stands for We Are Galion (Tigers).

Johnson summed up the need for this group very simply, “I see a community in pain.” She recounted her experiences growing up in Galion and being the victim of abuse at the hands of bullies, which ultimately led to her making an attempt on her own life. Bates also shared that her own son has had similar experiences.

“What can we do?” was the rhetorical question posed by Bates.

Although early days in the formation of the W.A.G. Your Tail group, but the stated mission is to create environments where kids who are suffering from bullying can go and find support. This may be in the form of youth hang out areas where like-minded kids can hang out in their free time. Bates and Johnson also proposed something of a “sticker program”. This would be where local businesses in support of the group can post a sticker logo in the shop window stating their support. Kids that happen to find themselves in trouble can seek refuge in one of these businesses, and have an avenue to alert the proper authorities if necessary.

“I’d just like to thank the ladies tonight for coming forward on behalf of many of the kids in the community,” council member Thomas Fellner said, “Please come to us to see what we can do for you.”

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In legislation, the first power cost adjustment (PCA) was calculated under the new guidelines. It was calculated that the city had been slightly undercharging. The total price for the previous six months was $5,064,846, and Galion undercharged by $73,370. The calculation spit out a recommended PCA of .0002, but the city elected to set it at 0. This still represents a slight increase, which should help make corrections over the next six months. Dan Butte, of the utilities department, stated that the increase to 0 would be sufficient as they anticipate some over collections over the next six months. The rise in the PCA will raise the cost of power $.16 per 1000 kilowatt hours. The average household uses 700 kilowatt hours per month.

The Put Option in place for the central hotel received some revisions, with the group Licking Economic Action Development Study (LEADS) wishing be added to the Put Option. The group was involved at the financial level, but had previously not been listed on the option. This will in no way change the city’s equity position. It simply adds another name to the acquisition lineup should Galion use its first refusal option to decline.

City Council repealed Chapter 769 of the municipal codified ordinance. This was the section that dealt with tattoo parlors. The reason for this is that Galion’s ordinances on the subject were passed so long ago that they are now quite outdated. This coincides with the fact that the Ohio Revised Code has complete coverage of this subject, and demands that local health boards enforce the state code anyway.

Mayor Tom O’Leary rounded off the night by previewing Wednesday’s Parks committee meeting. There will be a presentation about the Church Street closure, and Galion Depot Inc. will present a plan to use the state capital funds on their facility.