Ashland - Last night at the Bob and Jon Archer Auditorium at the Ashland High School, the state of the city of Ashland address was held by Ashland City Mayor Matt Miller, and the Ashland City Council, Ashland City School Board President Steve Paramore, and the Ashland City School Board. They talked about the talked about last year's financials, and how the year went for the schools and school board. Ashland City Councilman Steve Workmen started off with the welcome, and then John Teevan for invocation, and then Ms. Angela Woodard for the pledge elegance.
Ashland City Mayor Matt Miller's Address
Ashland City Mayor Matt Miller started off by welcoming everyone, to the City Council, and to Seve Paramore and the Ashland City School Board. Plus the thanked them for letting for using Bob and Jon Archer Auditorium again for this year's annual Ashland City's Address. He told the audience that; "Our great school board is certainly is a great quality of life in this great community." He also stated that he has been hearing from people how well the city has change the city around, and love the changes, and the improvements that are being made. And the reason's why it's happening is because in spirit to move our community forward. "You don't look far in other communities where local government's, or state certainly or even national government are so busy fighting with each other they are virtually accomplishing nothing."
"Our vision is, our city is the safest city around." We want to live here because we're safe, we're affordable, fun. He even brought up about the Christmas parade, as people has come from miles around just to see our parade and fireworks, and even now our brand new Candy cane trail. We just ordered the dye for the town creek for Saint Patrick's Day. "We've even ordered a brand new twisted colored slide for the Brookside Pool this summer, and also a heater for those young cold people. You know those zoo animals we have at the put-put gulf course? Well, we are getting some more added to the course as well this summer. They are coming from another put-put gulf course that was sold, and closed down that a person had bought the animals and Ashland Matt Miller got word and asked if they can buy them from him and, asked him to name his price which was affordable for the city to buy.
I have been getting calls from other local government's and other communities and wondering how we do this, or how we are doing that? "We are performing at our highest levels"
said; Ashland Mayor Matt Miller. Then he brought the audience attention to a special guest that he invited just a few moment ago by via phone call, and that special guest was Ashland Police Division Officer Soren Oskia who saved a 3-year-old's life by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until Ashland Fire Department (EMS) arrived on scene at a residence house on Cottage Street on January 8, 2024 roughly around 9:10 p.m. The audience responded by giving him around of applause and a standing of ovation.
Finances
The financial state of Ashland is 13% increase, and 2nd real state taxes have gone up 4%, and have we have collected 70 million dollars for the community, (income tax) are up 2 1/2% which is 20 million dollars, which they increased their income half of their income more than last year, which was 1% cross the county. So the budget is 76 million actually and at the end of 2023,
Sink Holes
The sink holes near E. Main Street where JR's Exhaust used to by right across from Dairy Queen, the culverts are washed away from all the heavy rain we've had they just could not take it anymore they need replaced. And so does the ones under east main street, so it will have to be closed, but only one lane will be closed at time when they start. So you all do not have to worry, you can still get your ice cream at Dairy Queen. That project is a 1 1/2 million to 1.4 million dollar project, but the city will borrow a 1 million grant to get the project done. Also the also culvert project is out on West Main Street near Broad Street, which some of you might have noticed an old bridge between some houses does sit on that. Well the county is in charge of that area, so they are reopenable. But the construction will start right after Memorial Day through Labor Day, so some of you will have to find another way around that area.
Police Division
We are now fully staffed with of 32 officers, and we are planning on 4 more part time officer just for traffic enforcement, cause we've been hearing complaint's from area residence of people speeding down their streets in area's of 25 M.P.H zones that are possibly doing 50 M.P.H. So we are going to have to start writing speeding tickets, really don't want to as we have been slacking in the past. But since our town has grown, and getting more people downtown people just need to slow down and be careful. We also install new dash cams in our into our patrol vehicles, and also printers so it will be easier for our officers. We also have added more newer new patrol vehicles to the fleet, as we've replaced the old ones with new ones like with two new pick-up trucks, and SUV's.
Fire Department
The Ashland Fire Department has added 37 members to their fully staff to the stations, and is now looking to add one more and then that will be a total of 38 members of Firefighters and Paramedic personal on staff. They have had 4,800 calls, which they are up from 2023. They are still going to be relacing the current Tower50 which is a 1996 vehicle, and has been unreliable vehicle sometimes, so they are waiting on the new one which cost from anywhere from 1.3 to 1/2 million dollars to replace tower 50. They have done some facial repairs, and outside repairs to the main station as well.
Ashland Transit
We have now 10 transit vehicles, and we are still applying for a 1.3 million dollar grant to help us build a build to store our vehicles, and where our employee's can be at on 3rd street and Union.
Steve Paramore
Ashland High School Superintendent
Schools Reconfigurations
Beginning next year 2025-2026 Paramore said; " Reagan Elementary School will serve all pre k through first grade students in the districts." And all second grade and third grade, teachers will attend Edison Elementary School before funnel into Taft intermediate school. " Your Not A Reagan Kid, Your an Ashland Arrow! " said; Paramore. Community partnership who has donated over $770,000 received of the past year. All that money went to help to physical improvements improvement's for the buildings and the facilities. The new baseball facilities are going to be opening this March, with a whole new press box, back stop, dugouts, thanks to generous donations.
Comments