Stay updated with breaking news from டயானா ர்யாட்லிஃப். Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
Gary Jenkins, high school student continues active 3rd Ward campaign By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com PORTSMOUTH — Most people his age have their attention set on their homework assignments, prom, and the epic highs and lows of the high school experience. Gary Jenkins does that as well, plus considerations for what will make Portsmouth a better place to live. Improving the city’s infrastructure, promoting economic development, and advocating for zoning and code enforcement upgrades are the central tenants of his 3rd Ward candidacy. If elected, the Portsmouth West High School senior would be what City Clerk Diana Ratliff says would be the youngest council member since at least 1980.
Council share vision on Market Square pavilion By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth City Council took an early step Monday night in its ambitious Master Plan following extensive public comment and deliberation among city government officials. At the request of Community Development Director Tracy Shearer, the council went ahead with authorizing the submittal of a grant application due June 1 and accepting that grant and obligations if funded. Council first toiled with the notion of tabling the resolution before all six council members voted in favor. With this vote, the city could receive up to $40,782 through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks Grant, money of which would go to the Market Square Pavilion.
Several appropriations on council agenda By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com Portsmouth City Council will meet for the first time in April at the Shawnee State University Ballroom starting at 6 p.m. on Monday. PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth City Council will reconvene for the first time this month on Monday, a meeting with 11 items on its agenda and multiple appropriations at stake. Starting with third reading, the council will review two pieces of legislation focused on renewable energy and a possible lease agreement for a museum. The former would allow the voters of Portsmouth a say in whether or not the city should adopt a Wholesale Electricity Purchase/Renewable Energy Program. As City Manager Sam Sutherland said in a letter, Athens and Chillicothe have enacted similar systems and the council would still need to draft legislation depending on the vote.
Pay increase for city employee debated again - Portsmouth Daily Times portsmouth-dailytimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from portsmouth-dailytimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Council reviewing legislation for food delivery charges, renewable energy portsmouth-dailytimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from portsmouth-dailytimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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.
Portsmouth West student announces 3rd Ward candidacy By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com Gary Jenkins, an 18-year-old Portsmouth West High School student, is running for the 3rd Ward seat in the 2021 Primaries. Interested candidates for City Council, where 2021 races include the 1st, 3rd, and 5th wards, have until Feb. 3 to file a petition at the Scioto County Board of Elections office on the first floor of the courthouse. Photo courtesy of Gary Jenkins. PORTSMOUTH — Candidates for Portsmouth City Council must meet a list of requirements in order to be eligible for the position. Upheld by the city charter, these candidates need to have lived in the city for three years and be a resident of their respective ward for six months, while state law sets the minimum age for all council candidates to be at least 18 years of age.
Council increases city employees’ salaries in final 2020 session By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com Portsmouth City Council assembled for the final time this year on Monday, passing all seven items on their agenda. PORTSMOUTH — Mayor Kevin Johnson struck the gavel slightly after 7:20 p.m. to adjourn the City Managers’ session Monday, concluding both the meeting and the year for Portsmouth City Council. A considerable portion of the meeting was spent in executive session, a 32-minute closed doors discussion regarding employee pay, before attending to the seven items on their agenda. Those items were subject to several amendments, starting with a modification of the pay period for a code enforcement spreadsheet. That money, $240 per month, will go to Shawnee State University through an agreement until June instead of May as previously listed in the legislation.
Court security, code enforcement in Council’s final 2020 session By Patrick Keck Portsmouth City Council will close out its 2020 meetings on Monday at the Shawnee State University Ballroom. Photo by Patrick Keck. PORTSMOUTH- Monday’s Portsmouth City Council will conclude 2020, a year marked by the nomination of three new Council members, passed measures, and the occasional fervent debate. This meeting, held at the Shawnee State University Ballroom, will be 6th Ward Councilman Dennis Packard’s first since his Dec. 14 nomination and focus on seven legislation items. Council will start with a 3rd reading of a code enforcement spreadsheet, an ordinance that has tabled and failed to surpass the three-reading rule previously. With its passage, City Manager Sam Sutherland would be authorized to enter an agreement with SSU to create monthly digital visualizations of complaints and citations related to code enforcement.
Competing visions of Rebel flag shared at City Managers By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com Gerald Cadogan of the Portsmouth Unity Project feels that its "Band Together" mural's message, pictured here off of Market Street, is challenged by the Confederate flag's presence on city property. Photo by Patrick Keck PORTSMOUTH — Earlier this week, conversation surrounding confederate flags during a prior Portsmouth City Managers’ session caught the attention of a national organization dedicated to its descendants and proponents of its history. John Anson, Ohio Division Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, addressed the matter of banning its presence on city properties in a letter sent to City Clerk Diana Ratliff where he urged no action to be taken.