By Jordan Studer
CCN Correspondent

CRESTLINE — At the Crestline Village Council meeting Monday evening, a few items of business were up for discussion.

The first was a reading of Resolution 18-14, regarding the authorization and directing of the village administrator to advertise for competitive bids on improvements that need to be made on Thoman Street, from Main Street to Diamond Street, as well as Thrush Avenue, from 300 feet west of Henry Street to Seltzer Street.

The resolution reads that the bids should not exceed $168,000. The village had been awarded a $70,000 grant for the project from the Ohio Public Works Commission.

A concern was brought up by council member Allen Lafferty regarding the issue of having enough money to cover the remaining cost of the project.

Village Administrator Rob Ratliff assured council that there are enough funds to cover the remaining cost of the project. Ratliff explained that when applying for the grant received, there had to be proof shown that remaining funds were available to see the project through.

Despite attempts made by Ratliff and Mayor Allen Moore to soothe the worries mentioned, council had split votes on the matter, and the matter was tabled until the June meeting.

Another reading and vote of Ordinance 3211 also took place to allow the transfer of General Fund Monies to the Pool Fund. The ordinance was approved.

In other council business, during the time allotted for voters and taxpayers to address the council, Anthony Horning, Co-Founder & Vice President of Emmanuel’s Bread, a non-profit organization, presented a request.

Horning explained how his company, who focuses on “feeding the hungry with food, faith, and hope,” has recently taken over the BackPack Program at Crestline School System and has reached out to Crestline St. Joe’s and need funding.

To show council how important the BackPack Program is to the students of the community, Horning presented some statistics.

“The national average shows that anything above 40 percent of poverty level is considered an extreme need school. St. Joe’s is at 60 percent. Crestline School System is at 99.28 percent,” Horning explained.

The BackPack Program focuses on preparing nutritious meals and snacks to be sent home for the weekend with students that are under the poverty level. Horning explained that 188 students currently are served, but the number is expected to grow.

Due to the increasing number of students expected, Horning and his company desired to see if any money is available to help fund the weekend meal packs given out, containing two breakfast meals, two lunches, two dinner meals and two snacks.

“What we are trying to do is ask for funding,” Horning said. “The city did at one-point help with the BackPack Program previously, so I’m just asking for any type of funding whatsoever that you can deem possible.”

In other business, it was reported by the Parks, Playgrounds, and Resources Committee Chairman Bev Payne that the Crestline Pool is looking for nine lifeguards and four concessions stand workers for the 2018 season. Payne also reported that there has been talk of the possibility of bringing Crestline Safety Town back to life, but no further information was presented.

It was also brought up by Ratliff regarding a project to be conducted in the Avita property to expand parking. Ratliff explained that further meetings will occur to retrieve all details necessary to move forward.

Lafferty, also the Tree Commission Chairman, shared that the village has been presented with an “exciting opportunity” to host Tree City USA in April 2019.

Lastly, on Thursday, May 24, a village town hall meeting will be held for the community to meet Crestline Village Administrator Rob Ratliff. The intention of the night is for the community to ask questions and get answers while discussing the long-term outlook for the village.

According to Ratliff, suggestions and solutions to any problems brought up are welcomed and even encouraged.

The meeting will be in the Village Hall from 6-7 p.m. For more information on the event, and future events, visit the Crestline Ohio Facebook page.