LIMA — At Monday’s meeting, Lima City councilors congratulated three area basketball teams on the completion of successful seasons and said the positive effect of the success is something residents need to keep moving in the community.
Lima Senior finished runner-up in the boys Division I high school basketball tournament over the weekend, and Lima Central Catholic took home the Division III crown. The Allen County Sharks also won the state title in adult Special Olympics basketball. Councilors discussed the profound effect the success had on the community and said they would like for that to continue on in other city endeavors.
“I saw lots of people talking that never would have had reason talk to each other,” said Councilwoman Ann Miles. “It brought the community together.”
While Lima Senior’s effort came up just short of giving Lima a hat trick, Councilman Jesse Lowe said the team should be proud of its accomplishments.
“I saw some heads hanging,” Lowe said, “but there was no reason to hang their heads.”
Councilman Todd Gordon said that everyone should use the community reaction to the success to keep the community moving in a positive direction.
“I don’t think these kids realize the profound effect that they had on the community,” Gordon said. “We are community leaders, elected officials. These kids had more of an effect on people than we have. It shows the difference anyone can make.”
A former councilwoman was recognized for her contributions to the community after her death in February.
Former 5th Ward Councilwoman Frances Napier died in Burleson, Texas. She was 73. Napier was a councilwoman for more than 10 years in the city and also had served on the Lima City Board of Education. She also had served with several other community organizations, including Lima Allen Council on Community Affairs, Head Start, and the League of Women Voters.
In other business, the council approved several ordinances securing funds for projects or allowing for the city to apply for more funding.
An ordinance was authorized for the issuance of $10,000 from the Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund for use as overtime for special operations with the Police Department. Chief Kevin Martin said the money will be used in helping the Police Department be more proactive in solving violent crime issues throughout the city.
Another ordinance was approved allowing the city to apply for a $62,55o grant from the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Local Government Safety Capital Grant to replace outdated safety equipment at the Police Department.
The council also approved applying for a $31,296 grant from the Ohio Local Government Safety Program for purchasing four self-containing breathing apparatus for the Fire Department.
