(Posted March 21, 2023)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Mount Sterling has a new village council member.
Ross Anderson was sworn into office at the March 13 council meeting. He replaces Rob Longcoy who resigned in February due to a move outside village limits. Anderson will fill the remainder of Longcoy’s term which expires at the end of 2025.
Anderson was one of two village residents who expressed interest in filling the vacancy. The remaining council members interviewed both candidates before making their selection for the appointment.
This is Anderson’s first time serving in a public office. He has resided in Mount Sterling since 2012 and previously worked for a local auto dealership for 24 years before returing in 2017. He is originally from Circleville.
“I love this little town, and I love the people in this little town,” Anderson said about Mount Sterling. “Everyone I’ve ever met is very accommodating and very nice. I thought it would be good to do something with the local people to get to know them better.”
Anderson said he has no specific agenda going into the position on council. He simply wants to help where he can and make constructive use of his free time.
“Being retired, I have extra time to work with the (village council) committees,” he said, adding that he is a good listener.
Arbor Day/Earth Day Celebration
Also at the March 13 meeting, council member Becky Martin announced several events coming up at Mason Park, including an Arbor Day/Earth Day event coordinated by council’s new tree and beautification committee.
The event is set for 10 a.m. April 21 at the park and is open to the public. Following a flag raising, Mayor Marci Darlington will read a proclamation, and a representative from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will talk briefly about the importance of trees.
The village has already planted a couple of Sterling Silver linden trees at the park. Tom Byrne, Mount Sterling’s village administrator, will explain their significance and share facts about the village’s oldest tree. Approximately 100 students from Madison-Plains Local Schools’ third-grade classes will take part in the event. The students will help to place mulch around the new trees.
After the public portion of the event, the students will be treated to lunch, goodie bags filled with games, flower seeds, and coloring pages, and a viewing of Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax” at the Mount Sterling Community Center.
The Arbor Day/Earth Day celebration is one of the steps the tree and beautification committee is taking toward earning Tree City USA status for the village. The group also is committing to planting additional trees at Mason Park and around the community.
Other Park Events
Other events coming up at Mason Park include a junior high softball tournament hosted by Madison-Plains Local Schools on April 22. The tourney serves as a fundraiser for the Mount Sterling Eagles Youth League and the school district’s softball program.
A pre-school graduation is set for May 12. As part of the ceremony, the students parade around the park on decorated bikes.
The village’s parks and recreation committee will launch their movie night series on May 27. Movies also will be shown on the last Saturday of June, July, and August. Show time is dusk. Movie titles will be announced as the dates approach.
Martin also provided an update on planned improvements to the park. Several new swing options should be installed in time for use this spring or summer. They include a tandem swing, a swing for mothers/fathers and babies, and options that are handicap accessible.
“We also hope to have enough money (this year) to build a dog park,” Martin said, adding that later improvement phases will include installation of a walking path, rest rooms, and a water feature. “We are working diligently to get more grants to make things happen.”
Martin said the committee welcomes input from the public. The group also hopes to establish a Friends of the Park group to coordinate fundraisers.
Committee Meetings
The following are the dates and times for recurring village council committee meetings. All are subject to change, take place at village hall, and are open to the public.
• Water/Wastewater–Second Wednesday at 8 a.m.
• Nuisance and Abatement–First Monday at 8 a.m.
• Finance–First Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
• Safety/Block Watch–First Tuesday at 6 p.m.
• Parks and Recreation–Second Monday at 5 p.m.
• Streets–Second Monday at 6 p.m.
• Planning/Zoning–Fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m.
• Records Retention–First Friday at 8 a.m.
• Tree/Beautification–Recurring meetings to be determined. The next meetings are April 6 and April 13.
Andy Drake, chair of the records retention committee, said he is seeking additional village residents to serve on the committee. The group meets monthly to sort old village information and records.
Joyce Phillips, chair of the nuisance and abatement committee, said former council member Craig Hix is returning to the group. She is looking for one additional person to join the committee. She noted that the group is working with the Nazarane Church to coordinate a three-day community cleanup at the end of April.
For more information about the village council committee duties or joining a committee, call village hall at (740) 869-2040.
