By Lindsey Rowland
lrowland@wbcowqel.com
When legislation amending pool pass language came to Galion City Council on Tuesday, council members ultimately decided to send the legislation back where it came from.
The issue of wording as it pertained to a family pass came to the forefront at the last Galion City Council meeting when it became known that two women in a relationship and their children were denied a pass because they didn’t meet the definition of family according to city regulations.
In the past, for the sake of guidelines for the passes, a family was defined as a mother, father, and three kids, with $5 paid for each additional child. This has since been altered to being defined as two adults and an unlimited amount of children. What was discussed, then, was if there should be a cap once again placed on the number of children, as well as what certain situations, such as a grandparent raising children or foster care circumstances, that might require proof of custody.
Ultimately, council decided that, because the changes wouldn’t be implemented until next summer, there isn’t a rush and thus the bill was sent back to the Parks and Recreation Committee for consideration. That committee was reminded that any legislation needed to be inclusive and that, in the end, it comes down to helping local kids and families enjoy the swimming pool.
The meeting was opened by local resident Howard Morral, who addressed the council about his concerns with statements made about the Westmoor Sewer Project, claiming that the amounts of dirt and concrete that were reported weren’t accurate. As someone who has lived in the area and knows it inside and out, Morral asked that greater care be taken to portray what is happening in the area more accurately.
Further discussion touched on reviewing the numbers of appropriations made to Ohio Heartland Community Actions and the Parks and Recreation branch, well well as the announcement of the following events:
On Sept. 9 at 6 p.m., the 4th annual fundraising banquet for Together We Hurt, Together We Heal will be held at the Galion Free Methodist Church and will feature speakers Jenny and Ryan Yu, as well as “19 Kids and Counting” star Josh Duggar.
On Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 8:30 a.m. there will be held the elected officials bus tour put on by the Soil and Water Conservation District. The tour will leave from the district headquarters and will tour the rural area to showcase all of the strides being taken in the area. Interested parties should call by Oct. 18 to reserve a spot.
An ODOT meeting will take place at 5 p.m. this Thursday in the Galion City Council Chambers.