Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 10/25/24.
We also talked with special guest Jeff Gottke, President of the Area Development Foundation.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
Topics included:
- A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city. He shares the progress of these projects:
- Mansfield Road
- Moving Lime, making it available for farmers
- Mayor Starr gives updates on other projects for the City:
- Demolition Work has begun on the Splash Pad for Riverside Park
- Harmony Playground
- Water Meter and Flood Plane Elevation Study on the West End
- Water Line inventory for EPA compliance
- Courthouse and Police Station Design Requests
- Mayor Starr shares an update in the City Auditor’s in the City Auditor’s Position and the appointment of a permanent auditor. Paul Mayville has been sworn in and is working hard with his team to find the best systems for the city.
- Mayor Starr shares updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
- The dedication of “Liberty Plaza” at American Heritage Park, 10/28 at 10am
- Collective Bargaining Agreement with Ohio Civil Service Employees Association
- Training and certifications for city employees
- Pay Grades for the workforce
- Servitus Event
- Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
- Recognition for Lieutenant Rex Young from the Ohio Attorney General’s office for scenario-based training
- Service Call Stats for September
- Community Advocate stats for September
- Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department.
- Swearing In Ceremony
- Fire Prevention Week Annual Open House
- Daylight Savings Time ends 11/3. It is a good time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors.
- Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr is joined by Jeff Gottke, President of the Area Development Foundation for our Spotlight. Jeff talks about several businesses that have recently closed in Mount Vernon – Big Lots and Ride Aid Pharmacy. These are corporate chain stores.
- Jeff Gottke, President of the Area Development Foundation talks about a projected decline in Ohio’s population. He shares the trends that we are seeing in the city of Mount Vernon. He shares stats on our aging population and birth rates.
He shares that we should focus on 3 things:
1. keep building housing that is a mix of types and price points
2. quality of life issues (parks, restaurants, retails, downtown attractions, outdoor activities)
3. attracting and retaining young people and young families
- Jeff Gottke, President of the Area Development Foundation talks about his trip with Knox Pages to Sherwood, Oregon to gather information about how an Intel plant impacted an area that is similar to Mount Vernon. The project is called “Intel – Beyond the Chip”.
- He talks about the main goals of this trip.
- He shares what the group has discovered so far and who they have been talking to in this community.
- He also shares the information that the group wants to share with our city administration and also with the residents of our community.
- Mayor Starr and Jeff Gottke, President of the Area Development Foundation talk about the upcoming Comprehensive Plan update on 10/29 at 5:30pm at The Woodward Opera House.
- The public was asked to provide feedback on things they treasure about Knox County and identify specific spots around the county that need to be replicated or improved.
- 1,200 participants
- 10,000 different pieces of data
- They have a robust data set.
- This data will be presented to the public with 10 principles with goals under each principle.
- A panel discussion with experts on rural growth will happen at 6pm.
- After the panel, stations will be setup around the Woodward Theater in the hallway where the public can view the data and provide their feedback.
- The next step will be to put all feedback into a draft plan that will then be presented to the public.
- There will be 4 different opportunities for residents to public input.
- Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shares a list of events on the November Calendar:
– Leaf Pickup for the City (and instructions)
– Trick or Treating is October 31, 5:30pm – 7pm
- Mayor Starr shares his immediate goals for November:
– Comprehensive Plan Engagement – go to togetherknox.org and participate in sharing feedback
– City Budget Process
– Ironing out issues in the Auditor’s Office, updating software and simplifying the bill paying and payroll procedures
– Election Day is Tuesday, 11/5 – Mayor Starr encourages everyone to vote
To stay in touch with the City, go to:
- Website – http://www.mountvernonohio.org
- Facebook – The City of Mount Vernon
- X – CityMV1805
- YouTube – The City of Mount Vernon
- LinkedIn – City of Mount Vernon, Ohio
Rise and Shine 
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