Furl P. Williams, Community Leadership and Service Acknowledged!
When I first came to Lima in the last '70's, I was soon introduced to a man who had a long and admired history of community service and who would continue that service for two more decades as President of Lima City Council. He was still in that position when I was first elected Mayor in 1989. And I am proud to say that Furl was a friend and source of wise counsel. Current Council President John Nixon and I agreed that Furl's life and service should remain a living memory and we recommended that City Council name the soon-to-be-completed water reservoir as the "Williams Reservoir." The members of Lima City Council unanimously approved a resolution this past Monday effecting that name. It is a resolution that I signed with much enthusiasm!
Three links will provide you with some historical insight into the life and times of Furl P. Williams:
The first couple are the Lima News stories reporting on Council's action:
http://www.limaohio.com/news/name-55879-reservoir-williams.html
http://epaper.limaohio.com/OLIVE/ODE/LIMANEWS/LandingPage/LandingPage.aspx?href=TE1BLzIwMTAvMTAvMjY.&pageno=MQ..&entity=QXIwMDEwNA..&view=ZW50aXR5
The second is a set of remarks delivered at the Council meeting by Bluffton University's Professor of History Perry Bush, who has been researching and writing about Lima and Allen County's social and economic history.
http://www.cityhall.lima.oh.us/dept/local/Perry%20Bush%20remarks.pdf
As we approach the November election, it is good to be reminded that our community has benefitted from the courage, integrity and actions of men and women who provided public leadership during previous difficult times!
High Speed Rail: The Lima region will benefit from a fully built high speed passenger rail system
For years, the City of Lima has worked consistently and vigorously to support the planning and now the construction of a high speed passenger rail service in the Midwest and in the nation. We shall continue to do so, because it will benefit both freight and passenger rail interests. Economic development will be stimulated with this investment, and jobs will result. There are several items I would like to share in this regard:
First, until very recently, high speed passenger rail was supported in Ohio on a BI-PARTISAN basis. As recently as 2006, the Ohio Senate voted UNANIMOUSLY with all 33 of Ohio's Senators voting in support of obtaining federal funding for the construction of the Ohio Hub system, beginning with the 3-C corridor, from Cleveland to Columbus to Cincinnati. This link documents the resolution that was adopted: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/res.cfm?ID=126_SCR_30
Second, the November 2 election will have a bearing on where Ohio goes with respect to high speed passenger rail. A summary provided by All Aboard Ohio provides pertinent information for your consideration.
http://freepdfhosting.com/bd2d18def6.pdf
Third, while we certainly live in Lima, Ohio, USA, it is vitally important that we understand that we live in global world with stakeholders that are making decisions for long term competitive advantage, not just short term political reasons. In this regard, I found of interest the following article at Yahoo's AP link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101026/ap_on_bi_ge/as_china_engineering_marvels_2
As I said, the City of Lima remains a vigorous advocate for the full implementation of the Ohio Hub plan and the Midwest Regional High Speed Passenger Rail system. Please join in active support of these investments for our region, state and community!
Economic Development: A Public & Private Responsibility
For the past two decades, Lima and Allen County have benefitted from a public and private sector commitment to economic development. The private sector funding has been derived from local business and industry contributions raised by the Visionaries, a non-profit organization.
You can access the Visionaries 2010 annual report at http://www.cityhall.lima.oh.us/dept/local/Binder1.pdf
It features timely information concerning Lima and Allen County's new brand: REAL AMERICAN STRENGTH.
A picture is worth a thousand words: University Boulevard's new sidewalks
One important infrastructure project completed this summer was the re-build of University Boulevard, with new sidewalks and with traffic calming improvements. Reports from West Middle School indicate that students are readily using the sidewalks.
But we think a picture is a very effective way to also tell this story.
Take care, everyone.
Dave Berger
David & Linda Berger
1211 Lakewood Avenue
Lima, Ohio 45805
419-228-7498
dberger@wcoil.com
