It was an emotional night at the Dec. 17 Grove City council meeting as members said farewell to Mayor Cheryl Grossman, Council President Richard Lester and Councilman Richard "Ike" Stage.
While Stage is stepping down as chairman of the finance committee and will be filling the vacated mayoral position, he was still recognized as an integral part of the council.
"He has earned the respect of the council, the staff, and the residents of Grove City," said Councilwoman Maria Klemack-McGraw. "His dedication to the city will continue with a new capacity as mayor."
Outgoing Mayor Grossman will be vying for a seat at the House of Representatives in the 2008 elections.
Grossman ran for city council in 1993 and became the mayor of Grove City three years later.
"The city has enjoyed great progress and tremendous growth in her 12 years as mayor," said Lester. "I wish her much success in future endeavors."
Grossman received a plaque and a Buckeye tree in her honor. The tree will be planted at Gantz Park with a dedication to her public service.
Lester said he has mixed emotions about his departure from council, but thanked everyone for "putting up with him."
"He has had a profound impact on Grove City and will remain as a model to which all can aspire to be," said Klemack-McGraw.
Grossman and council presented Lester with a resolution to commend his service to Grove City.
"It has been a pleasure working with him and we are leaving the city in a very good shape for the future," said Grossman.
In other news
•Council recognized and honored the Bishop Ready High School football team for their outstanding 2007 season.
Head coach Larry Wolf said that in the 45 years as a football program (the last 10 of which he has been a coach) this is the winningest single season to date.
"This is a special accomplishment for the outstanding group of kids we have," he said.
The Silver Knights, winners of the Central Catholic League, were the top seed in the Division V playoffs and Region 19 champions.
They went 12-2 on the year.
•A new project, called the Legacy Grove is in the works for the walking trail at Fryer Park says Grove City Parks and Recreation Director Kim Conrad.
"It is just in the beginning stages, but it is something we wanted to be able to present tonight," she said.
The plans involves making four areas of groves of trees, and each area would have a kiosk to recognize the years since 1852 when Grove City was introduced, as well as all the city council members at the time.
"The Historical Society has agreed to help write information for the kiosks, going all the way back through history," Conrad said.
The kiosks will not just give past information, it will also entail current events.
"It will be nice to walk around the lake and reflect on the past and look forward to the future," said Conrad.
She added that since the Legacy Grove is in its initial stages, she cannot give an estimate, but does not anticipate it being a huge cost project.
