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Fresh faces will greet Columbiana anglers

COLUMBIANA — The fishing derby that has always been a hit during the city’s annual Fourth of July events may be back this year since work to Mirror Lake is back on track.

The project was delayed as a result of weather.

Park board president Dr. Ron Detwiler told council this week that the landscaping is 80 percent completed on the project and that there are plans to restock the lake with fish in April.

The fish that were originally in the lake prior to the start of the project were all moved to nearby bodies of water and instead of bringing them back, the plan is to get all new fish, he said.

“We took a lot of fish out of there. There were some big fish in there,” he said.

Excavating work is currently under way on the project and more work will be done to the monument over the next couple of weeks, he added.

Columbiana Restoration and Beautification (R&B) Committee chair Pat Tingle, who has donated a large portion of her own money for the project, said the three pillars that make up the monument are just about done and the memorial placard is on order.

The pillars are to honor Harvey S. Firestone and his good friends Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

The Mirror Lake project is spear-headed by the R&B, which is also in charge of a multi-million-dollar overall park improvement project.

The committee is getting help and input from the city’s park board.

“We want to continue emphasizing the importance of the Firestones to the park. It has been a pleasure to work with the city,” Tingle said.

Detwiler said the projected completion date for the Mirror Lake project is Memorial Day and that a private invitation only dedication ceremony is planned for June 22.

The Firestone family will be invited to attend that event, he added.

“We are extremely happy with the way the project has moved along,” he said.

He went on to say that the lake will also be made deeper and the island will be removed. The stones will be saved and utilized.

The project has come in way under budget, and the park board has agreed to put in the budget this year for cement sidewalks around the pavilion and sandblasting of the stone fountain and steps, he added.

In other business, council also approved:

–A request from the Fairfield Ruritan Club to hold the annual classic, custom and antique car show on July 14 on South Main Street.

–A request from Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce executive director April Brinker for the annual Fourth of July festivities. Brinker said they are hoping to bring back the fishing derby this year, and that they are looking into the possibility of bounce houses and old carnival games for family friendly activities. The rain date was set for July 6.

–A motion of no objection to a change to a liquor permit for Birdfish Brewing Co., LLC, which will ad an additional owner.

–Legislation authorizing the sale or recycling of personal property no longer needed for municipal purposes.

–Emergency legislation authorizing City Manager Lance Willard to enter into an agreement with the Regional Income Tax Agency for administration of the income tax laws for the city.

–Emergency legislation authorizing Willard to execute a contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation for resurfacing of state Routes 7, 14, and 164 and North Main Street in city limits. The city’s share of the cost of the project is $379,664.

–Legislation approving the adoption of a motor vehicle policy for the city.

kwhite@mojonews.com

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