Whitehall’s proposed pit bull legislation has been temporarily leashed by its sponsor, Councilwoman Jackie Thompson.
The council member made the announcement at the April 15 meeting that she will be honing the ordinance to address concerns presented by City Attorney Mike Shannon.
Shannon declared it unconstitutional at the April 8 committee meeting, saying that it does not allow for due process or an appeals board.
However, Thompson’s proposal to tighten up the noise ordinance with more stipulations regarding noisy dogs received its first reading.
She wants animal owners to not allow their pets out between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. without supervision in order to keep them quiet.
Some council members stated that they know residents who keep outside dogs for protection. Councilman Wes Kantor noted that he’s been told by police officers that they like some barking dogs, as they alert officers to a problem.
Bexley Animal Control Officer Becky Shope addressed council sharing how, with an animal control officer, Bexley’s ban on pit bulls has been successful.
She said that one of the worst pit bull attacks she ever saw happened in Whitehall where a family’s pet mauled a little girl.
"Her only crime was changing the channel on the television," Shope said.
Members of Boy Scout Troops 861, 124 and 826 presented the flags prior to the meeting.
Shaun Mallory of 861 gave the color guard commands. He is a freshman at Whitehall Yearling High School. Troop 861 meets at the Cafe on Yearling, 124 meets at the Lutheran Church on Collingwood, and 826 meets at the Reynoldsburg VFW on Waggoner.
City Treasurer Chuck Underwood was impressed by the youths, and offered to help any scout with merit badge projects.
Mayor John Wolfe said that the work at Lamby Lane Park has begun. The fencing is out, and being installed in the right-of-way of two homes on Etna at Maplewood to hopefully deter unwanted foot traffic which has escalated crime in the area. He said that the tennis court pavement would soon be removed, and the area seeded for additional playground.
The mayor also announced that a new director for parks has been hired, and will begin work soon. James Sekiel will be relocating from the Cleveland area to take the job held by Terry Gee.
Service Director Ray Ogden noted that work will start on Siegman Avenue this week, and would be about a four-week project. The street project on Etna between Hamilton and Country Club roads will begin April 28 and continue for about three days.
The next council meeting will be May 6. There will be a public hearing on a request to allow a drive-through at the Tim Horton’s to be located at 3965 East Broad.
