NELSONVILLE, Ohio — On Monday, Feb. 2, the statutory Nelsonville City Council met briefly in The Lodge at Hocking College to address concerns about social media comments and to appoint a public information officer.
Before entering executive session, Council President Dan Sherman Sherman addressed Nelsonville residents.
“I don’t want anyone to think that we are not doing anything,” Sherman said. “We’re making plans for the infrastructure and there is no point in putting forth ordinances until we are in our seats. We have been denied access to the building by the police chief, and when this is resolved, we can start having our meetings at city hall. Hopefully, this won’t be too much longer.”
Council Member Sue Powell followed with remarks of her own.
“There’s been a lot of talk this past week or 10 days, a lot of information on social media, and I just want the citizens to know that what we’re facing is a legal issue. It’s not two personality conflicts, it’s strictly a legal issue,” Powell said. “For this to be resolved, we have to wait until the courts make their decision.”
Powell is referring to the ongoing situation wherein Nelsonville has two city councils.
One group is operating under the city charter and argues that the other group has no offices to hold — because it repealed the ballot initiative that created those offices, which were based upon the abolishment of the city charter. But the election took place anyway, and those candidates received election certificates.
The council also appointed Greg Smith as temporary clerk of council and public information officer for the statutory council. He had been volunteering as a clerk. He told the Independent in an email Jan. 28, “Since the city refused to send out notices of the elected council I help them getting notices out to comply with ohio Sunshine laws.”
Smith said his brother, Glenn Smith, abstained from voting on Greg’s appointment.
“i am a volunteer, I will never submit a request for pay as a clerk or PIO, as soon as this mess is over, they can hire a clerk,” Smith said in an email.
Mayor Jonathan Flowers also addressed the council, expressing support for Nelsonville Fire Chief Harry Barber.
“As mayor of Nelsonville, I would like to put my full support with Fire Chief Harry Barber,” Flowers said.
Flowers then highlighted a local group aimed at supporting small businesses.
“It’s a group called Rooted in Nelsonville, and it’s for businesses that want to help promote businesses on the square and in Nelsonville,” he said. “As the mayor, I am all about getting businesses and bringing business back to Nelsonville,” Flowers said. “That’s my main focus, to get out, shake hands, talk to people, talk to business owners, and take care of businesses in Nelsonville.”
He also discussed plans to promote local businesses, including distributing flyers on the train and offering tours of the city.
“I’d be willing to help them in any way,” Flowers concluded. “I just feel like that’s my job.”
The council then briefly entered executive session before adjourning.
The statutory council’s next meeting is Monday, Feb. 16 at The Lodge at Hocking College, 15770 SR 691, Nelsonville. The charter council will meet next Monday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville.
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