SOUTH POINT — South Point Mayor Jeff Gaskin said the village will be cracking down on stop sign and speeding offenses in coming weeks.

“I’ve asked the police department to pay extra attention,” he said at Tuesday’s meeting of council.

He said those violating the law within South Point’s residential areas are creating a greater danger than on the highway outside of the village.

“There’s a difference in speeding on the highway, where nobody’s walking and there are no kids on bikes,” he said.

He said warnings would not be made and citations will be issued.

“There will be no warnings,” he said. “This is your warning. They’re going to start writing tickets.”

Gaskin said that plans for any additional revenue brought in by the village will be announced later.

When the village conducted such a campaign in 2017, the $15,000 in funds raised were put to use upgrading the playground at the park, including installing handicapped-accessible equipment.

In other business, the council:

• Approved, in a 6-0 vote, the sale of three police cruisers

• Heard from police chief Chris Mahjer, who said his department had worked with other law enforcement agencies in a recent drug bust in Rome Township, in which $30,000 in money and weapons were seized. Mahjer said the suspects had originally been targeted in South Point.

• Heard from village administrator Russ McDonald, who spoke of a recent visit by the Department of Environmental Protection to the village’s water and sewage systems. He said no violations were cited, but recommendations were made to establish more wells and to increase pumping ability.

McDonald also said work is complete on the clarifier replacement project at the sewer plant and that the replacement of a generator is now under way.

McDonald said there are also plans to rebuld the tower at the sewer plant, repaint center lines on Solida Road, North Kenova Road and Commerce Avenue, redo blacktop at the sewer plant and replace several 35 mph signs in the village.

He said the department has also applied for grants for additional projects.

• Heard from Gaskin, who said the village has put $200,000 into the Star Ohio investment fund, as was approved at last month’s council. Gaskin said the money can be withdrawn in a day’s notice, if needed, and the investment will allow the village to make $13.97 a day.

He said the village has enough to invest more, and is considering potentially tripling the amount put into the fund.

Gaskin also spoke in favor of the gas tax, which is under debate in Columbus, stating he felt it was necessary to pay for infrastructure projects in communities like South Point.

“There’s no other way to make money,” he said.

• Heard a reminder to village resident with outstanding sewer bills that service can be turned off. Gaskin said several reminder notices were recently mailed by village clerks to customers.

 

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