NELSONVILLE, Ohio – Nelsonville City Council adopted a resolution Monday night to recognize a young lifeguard for her heroism.
The council adopted Resolution 2294 on first reading to recognize Nelsonville Aquatic Center lifeguard and Nelsonville-York High School rising senior Ciara Dexter “for her heroic service in saving a young child from drowning.”
According to the resolution, Dexter was on lifeguard duty and saved “a small child” from drowning in the swimming pool. The city had prepared Dexter a plaque for her life-saving service.
“Whereas such selfless sacrifice and service is commendable and should be recognized, and whereas the city of Nelsonville would like to recognize this for her heroic service, and to thank her for her selfless service and dedication for the community,” the resolution stated. “The city therefore thanks her for her service and dedication to her community.’
Council Vice President Nancy Sonick said she would make arrangements to present Dexter with the city’s recognitions.
Additionally, the council unanimously passed Ordinance 40-24 on second reading, which sets a requirement for certain city officers to be bonded, and establishes those bond amounts.
The council also passed 6-1 Ordinance 41-24 on second reading, which amended the 2024 appropriations ordinance for purchases within the fire and police departments. Councilman Johnny Flowers voted against the ordinance, on the basis that it did not contain enough information in regards to the purpose of expenditures — despite being told what they were.
“I’d still like to see what that’s what the money is, for even though I trust it’s for legitimate things,” Flowers said. “I just think voting on stuff — especially money — is something that we need to appropriate with the knowledge of what it’s for.”
He expressed a desire to see notes in the line item transfers, stating the purpose of appropriations, such as “boots” or “training.”
Nelsonville Police Chief Devon Tolliver read the NPD’s latest monthly report. In May, the NPD:
- Responded to 347 calls for service.
- Made 37 traffic stops.
- Issued 14 citations.
- Issued three parking citations.
- Investigated five crashes.
- Made 26 criminal arrests.
- Made nine warrant arrests.
The council also entered into a nearly hour-long executive session Monday night to discuss personnel and legal matters, as well as to consider the purchase of property.
The council still faces a legal battle over the composition of its membership.
The latest entry in the Ohio Fourth Court of Appeals Case filed by former council members Rita Nguyen and Sue Powell against council members Gregg Clement, Tony Dunfee and Opha Lawson (as individuals) appeared on June 3; a failure of service against Lawson.
In the suit, Law Director Jonathan Robe is not representing the city — including Clement, Dunfee and Lawson as council members. Instead, an attorney from the city’s insurance carrier, Thomas Spyker, represents the city.
According to the case docket, the most recent fillings on behalf of the city are dated May 28. The filings, by Spyker, included a reply in support of its motion to strike Nguyen and Powell’s motion for a temporary restraining order/injunction, and a reply in support of a previous motion to dismiss.
In Spyker’s reply in support of the respondents’ motion for a TRO/injunction, he requests the court strike Nguyen and Powell’s motion for injunctive relief. In his reply in support of a previous motion to dismiss, he claims that Nguyen’s claims should be “rejected as blatant gamesmanship;” and that Powell “lacks standing” to bring forth her writ of quo warranto.
Both Nguyen and Powell were present at Monday night’s meeting, asking questions of the council, as members of the public.
Nelsonville City Council meets every other Monday of each month. Its next regular meeting will be Monday, June 24 at 7 p.m. in Nelsonville City Council Chambers, 211 Lake Hope Drive. Meetings are also livestreamed on YouTube. Find more at cityofnelsonville.com.
This story has been updated since initial publication to include a link to a copy of an ordinance, received after publication, obtained by the Independent via a public records request.
