MOUNT VERNON – The city began efforts to find a new facility for its municipal court and will soon hear about the condition and longevity of the Plaza Building.
The Justice Center Facilities Committee met for the first time last week, Mayor Matt Starr told the Mount Vernon News.
“We will be hearing from a structural engineer on the status of the Plaza Building. We continue to look at other possible locations for the ideal place for the municipal court,” Starr said.
Street Department
Road work was completed using 12 tons of hot mix asphalt. Starr said the city could have used cold patch, but it is far less superior to hot mix.
Part of the work was performed at East Hamtramck and North Division streets. Catch basin repair work also was done by Street Department crews.
The city also received another 200 tons of salt last week.
“Hopefully we will not have to use it until next year,” Starr said. “But we’re ready just in case.”
Civil Service
Civil Service Administrator Tony DeIuliis announced that a Civil Service examination for maintenance workers will be held at 6:30 p.m. on April 6 at the Knox County Career Center cafeteria.
Applications for the test will be accepted until 1 p.m. on April 1. They can be mailed to 40 Public Square, Room 203, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 or dropped off there in person.
Potential applicants with questions can visit the city’s website, Starr said, at mountvernonohio.org under the Jobs heading. A job description, Civil Service application and examination application can be found on the site.
People who are fans of Mike Rowe and the TV series "Dirty Jobs" will be interested in this position, he said.
“It’s one of those jobs that’s not glamorous, I would say, but it keeps the town running, one of those positions that makes the town sparkle,” Starr said.
It gives applicants a chance to work with their hands, he said.
Natural gas choices
Letters for Constellation Energy were sent out to Mount Vernon homeowners in the natural gas aggregation program city voters approved in 2011.
The city’s consultant negotiated a price for natural gas for a 12-month period.
“If customers do not wish to take advantage of these prices, they have to opt-out,” Starr said.
Customers have three options to opt-out: call, go online or mail the pre-addressed, stamped envelope.
Independence Day fireworks
The mayor has been in contact with the city’s fireworks vendor to begin planning for the Fourth of July celebration. A contract is being worked out. The city also is working with the Ariel Foundation Park Conservancy on the logistics and events for the evening.
