The city of Grove City has decided to help out the band.
At the Sept. 15 meeting, Grove City Council approved a measure to grant the Grove City High School marching band nearly $7,000 for band uniforms. The money will be taken from the community development fund.
The Greyhounds marching band has been invited to perform in the Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship Jan. 1-3, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. They were one of 16 bands from the country invited to attend.
Some residents questioned whether the city should fund band uniforms, as normally they are funded through the school or band boosters.
Grove City Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage said this grant would promote Grove City.
"It is important to promote Grove City, especially on a national stage," said the mayor. "I think it is appropriate to spend the money on the band."
Stage explained that in 1988, council passed a measure that allows the city to collect a motel and hotel tax.
"We tax those who pass through our community to promote the city," said Stage.
The money generated from the transient tax goes toward events such as the Grove City alumni weekend, the Balloons Off Broadway and the Harvest Days event. Stage clarified that money to promote the city does not come from the general fund, contributed by taxpayers.
Councilman Michael Uhrin said council had worked on the ordinance over a month before coming to the conclusion to support the band. Councilman Larry Corbin said there should be additional guidelines that determines how much money the city would give to schools in a similar situation. He also said grants should be available to other bands, such as Central Crossing.
The band jacket, that band members will wear at the Fiesta Bowl, will have the Grove City logo stitched onto the sleeve.
Grove City Band Director George Edge said he appreciates the city’s support over the years.
"Hopefully we promote Grove City in a wonderful light," said Edge.
In other news
•Grove City Service Director Darryl Hughes said the city may be looking into new ways to keep local roads safe for drivers in the winter.
He put a bid out for salt and the lowest price came in at $148 a ton.
"That is triple the price of salt last year," said Hughes.
Hughes said the city still has some salt left over from last year and it would work if there was a mild winter, though they cannot count on that.
•In the mayor’s report, Stage said that the State of the City address will be postponed until March or April.
It was scheduled for October, but Stage said there was not enough concrete information about the Town Center plan.
"We were going to unveil the downtown project, but too much information keeps coming in and getting changed," said the mayor.
The city will announce the State of the City at a later date.
•At the next council meeting, on Oct. 6, council will vote on a measure to appropriate $275,000 from the general fund for the relocation of a portion of Haughn Road.
The city is working with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio on the improvement project. The work fits into phase two of the overall State Route 665 interchange and corridor improvement projects.
Council is also expected to vote on an ordinance to set aside $32,750 for engineering costs for the Grove City Road reconstruction project.
