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"AROUND OUR TOWN"
By Mayor Chuck Haney

AQUATIC NUMBERS HIGH; GOLF COURSE BUSY

Believe it or not, we are in the first of August, and the city mowing machines are still active in the parks, golf course, airport, etc.

While it has been Hot and Humid that combination has been good for the Chillicothe Aquatic Center where numbers are very good. "Based on the numbers, I have I feel pretty good that we will surpass the 2009 season total by the time the July numbers are turned in," said Josh Norris, assistant parks director.

Constitution-Tribune, July 23, 2010

Already more than 13,000 persons have been through the Aquatic Center doors since opening day, May 31. Opening day Monday, May 31, brought 377 paid admissions to the center and that does not count the punch passes and season passes sold. Opening day is estimated easily at 420. In the month of June, which also was one of wettest months in recent years, the total was 7,562 persons (that number includes paid admissions, season passes, punch cards). In July, the total so far was 5,402. The total for the season counting the lone day in May tops 13,000 admissions to the Center. The biggest day for attendance may end up being opening day. The largest single day in June was 426 persons on June 6 and the largest day in July through the writing of this column was July 14 with 374.

Norris also asked that I mention to those persons enjoying other facilities in Simpson Park that they are welcome to come to the Aquatic Center concession stand and make purchases during pool hours.

Persons are also reminded of the city policy on use of shelter houses the park system. Advance reservations for a date and time to be used for any shelter house should be made by calling 660-646-4424 and leaving your name and date and time requested. Someone in the parks system will return your call and book the requested shelter house if not already reserved.

Entering the month of August presents a change to the parks department. The Mudcat collegiate baseball season is complete at Shaffer Park, and the parks crew will ready it for fall work and a touch up from a busy summer season and use by the Mudcats.

Photo/Butch Shaffer

Meanwhile the Danner Parks and recreation area will return from near silence in the way of sports activities and use recently to very busy days and evenings. Chillicothe High School girl's tennis, boy's soccer, and girl's softball resume. Also the Green Hills Golf Course will again be the host practice and meet site for the girl's golf program.

C-T Photo/Paul Sturm

Norris has reported that the parks department (primarily the summer help) has repainted all the lamp posts in Simpson with a new coat of black paint. The next major event for Simpson Park will be the 26th annual Chautauqua in the Park to be held the second weekend of September.

At the Green Hills Golf Course, the months of July and August will mark the busiest months of the year for not only regular league play but also the general public. There were also a host of tournaments including the "Big Three" in the Chillicothe Elks Lodge, AYBF (Farmers' Electric Cooperative fundraiser) and Knights of Columbus as well as the upcoming Green Hills Open and the Green Hills Course Improvement Tournament that was held in June. The Tuesday and Thursday night golf league numbers are up, as well as the morning Seniors League, according to Manager Dave Mapel.

Photos/Green Hills Golf Course

The members of the city council met the newest member of the Chillicothe Police Department at its last regular Monday meeting in July. Curtis Hays and his wife Rachel were officially introduced to the council and the news media. Hays began work that evening.

The Chillicothe Fire Department also has a new employee. He is 24-year-old Eric McKenzie of Salisbury. McKenzie began work this week as a Fire Fighter/Paramedic and will be introduced to the city council at its August 9 meeting.

The codes enforcement office wanted to point out that signs promoting or publicizing events and programs for non-profit groups through the use of temporary signage is being permitted. Reference is made to such events as banners or signs at the fence at Citizens Bank & Trust on Washington are permitted. The banners may go up in advance of the event and taken down the day after the event; however, a permit is required. Persons, business places, or organizations with questions in regard to signs or temporary signs or banners may contact the codes enforcement office at 660-646-5636 or the Chamber office. [Read complete notice here.]

A second meeting for the fire training center committee and fire/ambulance department expansion committee will be held beginning at 10:30 a.m. on August 10. The committees met for approximately four hours about three weeks ago with the engineering and architectural firms. There will be a major renovation and large addition to the current fire/ambulance building on Second Street as well as a new fire training center and police department target practice area. The building and grounds is on city property south of the Donaldson Company. Members of the committee include fire department personnel, police department, city officials and representatives from the engineering and architectural firms.

The police department SPIDER unit has been undergoing training to combine their new equipment into their response. The training is rather extensive and has been made a little more complicated because of the heat and the wet and swampy conditions at the firing range. It re-emphasizes the need for a modern firing range for the department, said Chief Rick Knouse.

The street department continues to do street repairs, clean-up after storms and pot hole repairs. The department also completed new paint markings on Business 36 east and painted new turn arrows as well as painting crosswalks and turn lanes in the downtown area.

NOTE: The Mayor's August column was written on July 28 or a week in advance because of the mayor being on vacation.