MOUNT VERNON – When Mel Severns joins the Mount Vernon City Council in January for a two-year term, he plans to prioritize safety, infrastructure, jobs and housing.
Severns won election to an at-large seat in the November municipal election after being named to fill the spot that Tanner Salyers qualified for on the ballot. The Mount Vernon members of the Knox Republican Committee picked Severns to run after Salyers resigned from council and withdrew his name from the council race when he was appointed the Knox County recorder.
The Mount Vernon Nazarene registrar will take his seat after attending council meetings for months and meeting with city officials. He’s heard that the water, sewer, electrical and other service lines beneath streets and sidewalks are past due for upgrades.
“It is long and expensive work, it disrupts traffic patterns, and yet we have to improve these services to keep our city in good condition. The city must continue to make budget provisions each year for these upgrades,” Severns said.
The city resident has seen paving every summer. Its brick streets also need repairs, which should continue as time and budgets permit. State and federal grant funds have helped with these projects, he said.
Housing options can increase through tax incentives and abatements. The Community Reinvestment Area’s passage will help, Severns said.
“I do not have all the answers, but we must continue to promote Mount Vernon, Ohio, as a safe, walkable community – a place where people can live and raise a family. We need apartment housing in addition to a broad price range of single dwelling houses,” he said.
The city should annex land that becomes available to develop for housing and other city needs, which just happened off Gilchrist Road.
Jeff Gottke and the Knox Area Development Foundation are working to bring high-paying jobs to the city, which will increase housing needs. That should be supported through smart legislation and taxes, Severns said.
He doesn’t have information about alleged morale problems in the Mount Vernon Police Department.
“In general, and it’s the way I operate in my position at MVNU, communication lines need to be open with employees, and it takes teamwork for the operation to run smoothly and effectively,” he said.
He’s met with Police Chief Robert Morgan for an introduction to personnel and police operations.
“We have to continue pressing forward even though the future is uncertain. It may take some calculated risks, but err on the side of being fiscally cautious. We must stay within projected budgets and keep working to improve our city for our residents,” Severns said.
