By Kimberly Gasuras

Bucyrus City Council heard during its regular council meeting Tuesday evening that athletic equipment at a city park was in need of attention.

Local resident Bill Kennedy wants to see the tennis courts at Aumiller Park upgraded and repaired.

“There were six, now there are only two and they are in disrepair,” Kennedy told council.

Kennedy said he knows there are six beautiful tennis courts at Bucyrus High School but the courts at the park are accessible to more children and adults.

“Only one of the two courts has a net,” Kennedy said.

Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser said Kennedy is known as “Mr. Tennis” around town and was instrumental in facilitating the newer courts at the Bucyrus High School.

“We refurbished the basketball court at the park and since then, the number of people using it has skyrocketed,” Reser said.

Reser said the city could not fit the repair of the tennis courts at the park into this year’s budget, but is hopeful the work will be done in the coming year.

Also at the meeting, Gary Frankhouse, director of the Crawford Partnership, informed council about the importance of the partnership and asked for continued support from the city.

Frankhouse said that several local companies are hiring new employees, including Bucyrus Rail, formerly Transco, which recently purchased the Ohio Locomotive Crane building.

“They are adding 40 new jobs,” Frankhouse said.

Council approved ordinances for various appropriations and a transfer of funds along with a resolution to allow the Ohio Department of Transportation to make repairs to the bridge at Route 4 North and U.S. Route 30 from an over-height truck accident.

Council member Mark Makeever asked to be updated on the situation with fire chief Jay Keller, and later in the meeting, council adjourned into executive session to discuss the employment of a public employee.

After the meeting, Reser stated that there is an agreement with Keller and his attorney, Adam Stone, not to speak publicly, at this time, about the issue.

Council committee meetings will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday in council chambers at Bucyrus City Hall. The next council meeting is Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.