Increased demolition, abatement budget requested for code enforcement
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
Determinations for when to demolish homes beyond repair like these often comes down to costs said Code Enforcement Officer Andy Gedeon. Increased that budget to $150,000 would allow for more demolitions to take place.
PORTSMOUTH — A drive through Portsmouth reveals many condemned homes, some awaiting the decision of a teardown in the sum of thousands of dollars.
Many of these homes are vacant- some leaving the city or the state, retaining the property but not keeping it up which have in some instances become locations for illicit behavior.
City considering building a new code enforcement division
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
PORTSMOUTH — To boost its response to code enforcement matters in the city, CE officer Andy Gedeon and City Engineer Nathan Prosch proposed multiple changes to the department before Portsmouth City Council Monday.
In the past few weeks, Gedeon, Prosch, City Manager Sam Sutherland, and City Solicitor John Haas have been discussing what can be done to improve the department’s abilities.
“As we all know, we have been battling a big fight with code enforcement,” said Sutherland during the City Managers session that evening. “I believe we finally got something to put to writing.”
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City Board of Health congratulates former Environmental Director, look for new one
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
Now former Portsmouth City Environmental Health Director Andy Gedeon (left) discussed his new role during the Feb. 20 city organizational meeting. Photo by Patrick Keck.
PORTSMOUTH — When he leaves the Portsmouth City Health Department, Andy Gedeon will continue serving the city but his co-workers say he will be missed.
The news was delivered during the city Board of Health Zoom meeting Wednesday night, where a resolution celebrating the former Environmental health director for his service.
“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years,” said Health Commissioner Chris Smith, Gedeon being his first hire. “When we came on, there was a lot of distrust between the city and the health department. Ten years later, we have an excellent working relationship with the city and most of that is thanks to the hard work of Andy.”
Portsmouth 2021 and beyond: Digital needs, interns in demand from city departments
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
1st Ward Councilman Sean Dunne (right) and fellow Portsmouth City Council members listened to reports from varying city departments during Saturday’s organizational meeting. Photo by Patrick Keck.
PORTSMOUTH — City departments discussed their work, plans, and needs during Saturday’s organizational meeting held at Shawnee State University. The work ranged from public health missions to infrastructure, but common themes did emerge in terms of their wants in the new year.
Many departments took the opportunity to explain their needs to boost its digital capabilities, the potential hiring of interns to assist in data collection and increasing their physical office space.