Nelsonville council seeks settlement with business owner

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NELSONVILLE, Ohio — Nelsonville City Council appears to be working toward a settlement with a local insurance agent whose parking lot was allegedly blocked by city picnic tables at the direction of former City Manager Scott Frank.

In its Feb. 13 meeting, council heard the first reading of an ordinance that authorizes Sappington “to pay $7,500 in the matter of D.L.”

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Sherman told the Independent that “D.L.” stands for David Loge, a Nelsonville-based insurance agent. Sherman said the payment represents an out-of-court settlement between Loge and the city for an instance where, Sherman alleged, the former city manager “placed all of the city’s picnic tables in [Loge’s] parking lot, blocking access to his business.” 

In emails exchanged between council members on Dec. 18, 2022 and obtained by the Independent, former council member Cory Taylor called discussions with Loge and his attorney related to the lawsuit “an attempt to undermine Scott [Frank].”

Sherman responded, “I would like to here the other side of the story and see the body cam footage we at least owe that to the tax payers” (sic). 

Taylor replied that Loge and his attorney should talk with the city’s lawyers. In response, Sherman wrote, “Wow that is awesome. You are employed by the citizens of this city and owe them better then this” (sic).

Taylor replied, “This is a frivolous lawsuit meant to hinder the city. No different than the Greg Smith (and alike) debacle. You would see that if you would realize they have simply tried to use you. Have you not figured that out yet, with all your so-called friends that keep turning their backs on you! Yet the ones that don’t, you turn your back on them.”

Taylor added that Loge’s lawsuit “only slows down the progress we have been making.”

Taylor resigned from council on Jan. 7, one day after the council accepted Frank’s resignation, writing in his resignation notice that there “is a cancer still in the city.”

Frank and Loge both declined to comment Tuesday. 

Council also discussed its two vacancies Monday night. Neither Council President Tony Dunfee nor Clerk of Council Susan Harmony have received any letters of interest, they said. 

After three weeks, the council may appoint people to fill the vacancies; Dunfee said he would not move to appoint anyone without council approval. He suggested the positions stay open indefinitely and encouraged those interested to send letters of interest to him (tdunfee@cityofnelsonville.com) or Harmony (councilclerk@cityofnelsonville.com).

Additional reporting by Dani Kington.

Nelsonville City Council meets every other Monday of each month. Its next regular meeting will be Monday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. in Nelsonville City Council Chambers, 211 Lake Hope Drive. Find more at cityofnelsonville.com.