GMS students learn civic duty at council meeting

GALION — Galion City Council and other city officials took extra time to explain various procedures and ordinances to their visitors.

Students from Galion Middle School attended Tuesday evenings Galion City Council meeting to learn more about government.

GMS social studies teacher Troy Yunker said the students attended as a bonus assignment, which they attend any civic meeting for. The students are learning about the Roman Republic in class and were in attendance to learn more about civic duty.

Yunker said he wanted to convey to the students that Galion is their city and they should know and understand how the decisions are made for the city’s citizens. He was pleased with the turnout and hoped it would inspire other students to come in the future.

City officials, such as Galion Mayor Tom O’Leary explained items such as executive session, ordinances between city offices and departments.

Also during the meeting, Terry Gribble of the Galion YMCA gave an update on the Galion pool and splash park. He said more than 20,000 people used the splash park, an increase since the year before.

Council also passed an ordinance to come into compliance with the State of Ohio, by approving the ordinance amending all other ordinances with language regulating firearm use in the city limits.

Ohio legislators approved an ordinance that does not allow individual cities to make ordinances regulating firearms in its city limits.

Law director Thomas Palmer said the ordinance passed by council says any statewide ordinance passed by Ohio legislators will go into effect for Galion, so council will not have to pass similar individual ordinances in the future.

Palmer told council cities such as Cincinnati and Columbus are suing the State of Ohio over the statewide ordinance.

Council also hosted the first reading of the 2020 annual budget and passed two union contracts with law enforcement employees after an executive session. An FOP-OLC agreement was made with lieutenants with the Galion Police Department and an OPBA agreement was made with patrol officers and dispatchers.