As you may have been aware drug activity is a serious issue for us. I am pleased to let you know that with Police Chief Moore our city police department is taking an aggressive approach to disrupt stop and go traffic at drug houses. Recently 691/2 S. Hickory and 125 S. Watt were raided. If you suspect drug activity near you please call the Drug Task Force at 775-1208, the Police Dept. at 773-1191 or me at 772-2254 to report the activity. These investigations do take time but without your information it takes even longer. Any reports or complaints to me are always turned in to the appropriate person under my name.

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    City Council passed legislation to purchase the computers for the police cruisers. I have pushed for this legislation very hard. These computers will make it safer for the officers but they also will allow officers to do their reports in the cruiser in the neighborhood – not at the station. I look for them to be installed in early 2010.

    Senior Home Inspection Program (S.H.I.P.) is a free home safety program available to all residents of Ross County over the age of 60. It has been in place for about 3 years now but this is the first year that it is receiving funding from Adena. Deputy Weber does a security assessment of your home. Assistant Fire Chief Steve Barnes does a safety assessment and will provide fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and flashlights if needed. Representatives from the Area Agency on Aging will do a health assessment, and Shawnee State occupational therapy students will look for dangerous areas such as slippery rugs and dark areas and provide solutions for these problems. The visit takes approximately 30 minutes. If you or someone you know is over the age of 60 and has not taken advantage of this home inspection program, I encourage you to do so. To arrange a visit, call Deputy Dave Weber at the Ross County Sheriff's Office at 773-1186.

    If you own a camper and your waste tank needs emptied you can take the camper to the Renick Ave. waste water treatment plant and there is a place where you can empty your tank for FREE. You can call 774-1223 for more information.

    The new transit facility at the corner of E. 7th & Watt St. is now 66% complete. It is scheduled to be open next spring. Plans are in the works to install sidewalks from the tracks on S. Watt St. around the corner along E. 7th St. to the Sunrush property.

    As we enter the fall season please try and get your yard waste to the curb as soon as possible. When leaf pickup begins the City no longer accepts yard waste. Your branches, and bagged yard waste should be picked up during the week it is put out. If you feel it has been missed please call the Service Dept. at 773-2700 and turn in your address.

    The Nuisance Officer is working hard to stay on top of complaints, especially the tall grass. I you have an issue please call me at 772-2254 or email it to me and I’ll see that it turned in. As always all complaints go in under my name - you remain anonymous.

    The sewer line extension that is needed along South Sugar St. should be installed by the end of October.

    The sidewalk, curb and gutter improvements for the south end of Jackson Ave. is now out for bids. Tentative construction is expected to start in November. The ½ of the block from Adams towards Washington is scheduled to be done first (hopefully work will begin in the early fall) with the 2nd ½ to be done shortly afterwards.