Area pastors to facilitate 'Who is My Neighbor?' virtual discussion

Three area pastors will helm a virtual discussion on race relations in January.

An upcoming webinar, “Who is My Neighbor?” will be presented on Jan. 17 as part of a faith-based community’s response to racism.

The Rev. Mark Hammond of St. Vincent de Paul Church, Pastor Gavin Cole of the Apostolic Christian Church and the Rev. Scott Elliott of the Congregational Church will provide short presentations and field questions from the virtual audience.

The goal is so that everyone knows their neighbors in Mount Vernon and Knox County and can become closer neighbors, they said.

Wastewater educational flyers

Mount Vernon began sending out educational flyers with utility bills to help residents understand the need for potential rate hikes.

“We basically are coming up with a public information series to reach the customers to talk about all things wastewater,” Mayor Matt Starr said.

Local residents need to know the three main reasons for a rate increase, which include the lifespan of the infrastructure that requires replacement of some things, he noted. The second reason is rising costs of chemicals and the cost to get them delivered.

“And then the third reason is for the federal mandates for treating our wastewater to reduce phosphorus before we release it into the Kokosing River,” Starr said.

Boards and commissions

Starr has been working on developing an onboarding process for the 27 boards and commissions within city government, including 60 members appointed through the city. Some appointees are named by other villages, non-governmental agencies or school districts; with paid staff from the city, Knox County and local businesses also holding seats.

“My goal is to use this as a beta to develop an employee onboarding program, because that's something that is lacking as well,” Starr said.

The effort will help when the city hires a human resources director or manager, so that person will not have to start from scratch.

Streets Department

Drivers worked 70.5 double-time hours and used 118.9 tons of salt during the snowstorm that hit Mount Vernon on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The drivers worked many hours away from celebrating the holiday with their families.

Another 200 tons of salt was ordered.

“We've also done some cold patching up some potholes and would like to remind the citizens if they see a pothole, we can fill it with a cold patch,” Starr said.

Local residents can report those potholes at 740-393-9501.