By 1812Blockhouse; Press Releases from Senators Portman and Brown
On Tuesday, the offices of U.S. Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown announced that the US Department of Transportation had awarded the City of Mansfield a nearly $7.5 million federal grant through the FY 2022 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program.
The program provides funding for surface transportation projects of local and regional significance. Previously, this program has been funded at $1 billion per year. Thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Senator Portman spearheaded, Senator Brown helped write and pass, and which was signed into law last November, annual funding levels have been increased to $1.5 billion. Between the IIJA and the FY 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the RAISE grant program has been funded at $2.25 billion for this year.
The funds for the project will go toward rebuilding the downtown Mansfield streetscape.
More…City of Mansfield, Downtown Mansfield, Featured, Funding and Grants
By 1812Blockhouse
On Tuesday afternoon, a statement was released on social media by the City of Mansfield about the proposed development at the current Dawson Ridge Par & Pub. It reads in part:
“There has been a lot of conversation surrounding the redevelopment of Dawson Ridge Par & Pub, and also a lot of misinformation spreading. Due to this the developer, Nathan Whittaker, is rescinding his request for the rezone with the intent of meeting with the community to let the community dictate how he moves forward. Nathan’s intent from the beginning has been to offer affordable home ownership to the citizens of Mansfield, and he still intends to do so.
In conjunction with Councilwoman Stephanie Zader and developer, William Barber of Blue Door Construction Company, Whittaker will be working with the community to find the best solution for the redevelopment of this property. Anyone with questions, concerns, or a desire to be a part of the conversation can reach out to Councilwoman Zader at [email protected].
More…City of Mansfield, Featured, Planning, Proposed Developments
By 1812Blockhouse
The Water Treatment Plant for the City of Mansfield has shared an overview of operations during 2021, providing citizens with answers and information about how their drinking water is purified, distributed, and monitored.
The Water Quality Report emphasizes that Mansfield’s drinking water met all applicable quality standards during that period. It then sets out to answer a set of basic questions concerning the system and the water it produces.
Many Mansfielders may be unaware that water in the system is obtained from two sources – surface water from Clearfork Reservoir, and well water from ten municipal wells. The water from those places is combined in almost equal quantities to create the source that is then purified and sent out.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
The following press release has been issued by International Association of Fire Fighters Local 266:
“During a recent general membership meeting, Mansfield Professional Fire Fighters approved a resolution to rescind their confidence in Fire Chief Steve Strickling.
“Mansfield firefighters are dedicated to keeping the citizens of Mansfield safe. This is our job, our calling, and we can no longer stand idle while Chief Strickling jeopardizes this community’s safety,” said Matt Shafley, president of IAFF 266, the organization representing Mansfield firefighters, said in a news release Thursday.
The “Vote of No Confidence” comes after months of poor decision-making, ineffective policy implementation, and workplace discrimination, all of which have led to an all-time low in employee morale. “Mansfield citizens deserve to know that when it comes to their safety, they are being protected by the very best. Our firefighters strive to provide that level of service. Unfortunately, Chief Strickling lacks the trust among firefighters and has created a work environment that is so toxic that he can no longer lead our department and provide the public safety standards this community deserves.”
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By 1812Blockhouse
Operation S.OS., which stands for “Save Our Streams,” takes place on Saturday in North Lake Park.
You are invited to join in as litter and debris is removed from the stream that runs from North Lake Park through Middle Park.
Volunteers are asked to bring and wear durable work gloves, waterproof boots, and insect repellant. All volunteers who participate will be entered into a drawing for prizes as a part of the 26th Anniversary Earth Stewardship Celebration.
The event begins at 9:00 AM at North Lake Park in Mansfield.
You can register at 419.755.9702 or via email at: [email protected].
By 1812Blockhouse
More than one Ohio community is looking these days at laws on the books concerning the discharge of fireworks.
Some are taking the extra step of considering legislation to opt out of regulations included in Ohio House Bill 172 which was passed late last year. Such a move would allow those cities to continue following their existing fireworks ordinances.
The bill allows Ohioans to legally discharge commercial grade fireworks on private property, and then only on some 20 designated holidays. Opting out, which is allowed under the bill, means that current bans can continue.
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By 1812Blockhouse
The large, free public parking area on the east side of North Main Street, across the street from Richland Carrousel Park, is about to gain a twin.
Current undeveloped and unused land at the southwest corner of South Mulberry Street and Park Avenue West is set to become a large public parking facility after legislation was passed Tuesday night by Mansfield City Council.
Mansfield City Engineer Bob Bianchi shared project details with Council members, which center on the creation of a 29 space lot with landscaping and new lighting. The 180 by 90 foot area is currently owned by First English Lutheran Church, which sits across Mulberry. The lot would be leased from the church for $1 a year for ten years.
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By 1812Blockhouse
Each year, the chief executive of the United States, Ohio, and many local Ohio communities will take the time to share an overview of what has taken place over the previous calendar year.
These “State of” talks take verbal form and, in the case of the City of Mansfield, written form.
In such speeches and writings, attention is paid both to accomplishments in office as well as objectives for the coming months. This is true for the recently-released 2021 State of the City shared by Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, an 11 page document that centers on highlights from each City department.
The 2021 State of the City can be read below.
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By 1812Blockhouse
In Ohio, a “boulevard” typically refers to a street which has been enhanced by the addition of greenery or flowers, one which often boastsa central grassy lawn between two sets of houses with large setbacks. In Mansfield, say the word “Boulevard,” or more particularly “Boulevards,” and thoughts immediate go to the area of town immediately to the east of South Park.
Today, we’re sharing details of The Boulevards, an area of 100-plus-year-old homes that is protected by the City of Mansfield through its historic preservation ordinance.
More…City of Mansfield, Everything You Always Wanted To Know About, Featured, Mansfield History
By 1812Blockhouse
The increasing number of cases of COVID-19 in the Mansfield and Richland County communities is having an impact in various settings, including schools, businesses, and local government.
On the latter note, the City of Mansfield is taking steps to protect its workforce and visitors by issuing new requirements to enter into and access city offices.
The Mansfield City Building has been largely open to the public since it reopened its doors on January 25 following a period of closure due to virus levels. Now, with a recent rapid rise in infections, the City Building will have new entrance requirements.
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By 1812Blockhouse
In a social media announcement on Tuesday afternoon, the City of Mansfield announced that it is again closing its Utility Collections office to the public.
The announcement shared:
“Because of issues involving the current state of the pandemic, the City has closed its Utility Collections office to access by the public/customers via the lobby and the drive-up window at least through the end of this week.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker has announced Operation S.O.S. (Save our Streams) as a part of the City of Mansfield’s Stream Outreach Program for the year 2021.
Litter, debris, and illegal dumping are ongoing problems. Such items can stop water flow in storm drains and cause flooding. This same litter and debris can enter into drains thereby entering streams and affecting water quality. Accumulation can also reflect to visitors just how much pride is in the Mansfield community.
Area residents, groups, and organizations are invited to meet City representatives us at North Lake Park on Saturday, June 26 at 9:00 AM to clean up the stream at North Lake Park going south. More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse from the North End Community Improvement Collaborative
The North End will have some aquatic fun to partake in come later this summer, as the City of Mansfield plans to install splash pads at North Lake and Johns Parks.
“I think the opportunity to put splash pads at North Lake and Johns represents an opportunity to provide a service to an underserved area of the city,” said Mark Abrams, Manager of the City of Mansfield Parks and Recreation Department. “A lot of kids who live in those areas don’t have access to transportation to get to the public pool at Liberty (park), so this will give them the opportunity to participate in some aquatic activities where they might not have been able to.”
Abrams said the splash pads will be located in the two parks which are both located in residential areas and within walking distance to those who live in the neighborhood. More…
From the City of Mansfield:
Due to water main repairs it will be necessary to close sections of the following roads while work is being completed.
Poplar Street from Marion Avenue to Glessner Avenue
The road has been closed and is expected to reopen by the end of the work day on June 11. Construction signs will be posted at the work site. Traffic is advised to plan an alternate route to avoid possible delays. No traffic will be permitted to pass through. More…
By 1812Blockhouse, City of Mansfield
The City of Mansfield Fire Department is planning a fire hydrant flow testing and flushing program starting June 7.
The program will continue thru-out the summer until all hydrants have been tested and flowed. Personnel will begin testing and flushing hydrants in the southern part of Mansfield and work their way out north to the airport.
Testing will normally be conducted between 9 AM and 4 PM. Citizens may experience temporary low flow pressure or water discoloration. During times of testing, hydrants could be left open and continue to flow until testing is complete. More…
