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Around the Neighborhood

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As Mayor of Byesville, I have always tried to be accommodating. Sometimes to a fault, if you listen to my wife. I have had my back broken because of donkey basketball for the youth at Meadowbrook. Spent countless time, money, and energy over the years because I thought it was important.

Meetings, boards, auctions, charity events, they have become part of what I do on behalf of the village. More than anything else, I do weddings. Not that I ever started out to do any, but over the years I have done quite a few. Outdoors, indoors, on motorcycles or even friar tuck garb. I think over the last 11 years, I have done 585, with only 13 divorces that I know of. Not a bad string of being there. Only twice have I been a few minutes late (because I couldn't find the place), and only once did I forget and got called out at the last minute. More fodder for my wife to quit doing so much, as I don't charge for this service.

Over the years, I have developed a system of calendars, beepers and phone messages to make sure I don't forget appointments. Well, the perfect storm happened last Saturday. As I have been out all week with oil and gas business and this new fangled phone was dead again, I was on my own. I had a charity event my wife wouldn't let me forget about and come Saturday morning I was volunteered to be the auctioneer as the other had canceled. So, I did it and the advocacy center for the youth did quite well.

The thing I didn't do was preside at the Hewison/Stillion wedding. My mistake and try as they might all my backups couldn't get a hold of me. I have been stood up and waited afternoons for couples to show up and they didn't (without calling), but never have I done it myself. So, I have been beating myself up all weekend for my mistake. I really feel bad about it and would like to publicly apologize for my error. Sorry!

On the village front, I met with council candidates Bill Albright and Mel Eubanks on Thursday and had a great discussion about the current levy issue and other matters before council and the village. We discussed these matters at the police station with Chief Hornak present and asked him for his views on the matter. I am glad all took the time out of their schedules to sit down and discuss their views.

As council has adopted the rules of order and other matters relating to how business is conducted, this was a great opportunity to discuss with others that may or may not be on council next year as to how we do operate. I did add that most of my dealings with council were through the council president as that was generally the way legislation and budget matters were presented in an orderly fashion to the council as a whole.

Over the years, I have been blessed with some exceptional people at the position. Willard Tipple was like the uncle you always turned to when you needed advice and he had a way of getting things accomplished. These past four years, I have had Margo Johnston. She has the pulse of council and generally knows if things are going to happen or not. She has been an active member sitting in on the CIC board and working with the administration on a number of matters. She has been unflappable even when things get hectic. She called the other night and was the most excited she has been in a long time. Seems she has to have neck surgery two days before Halloween. She didn't seem as concerned about getting her vertebrae fused as she was over someone taking over the parade matters. I volunteered and told her not to worry about it. Like all the other mayors, I am willing to step up and do my part. You just get well.