Lima City Council & Wal-Mart

It’s truly amazing that a business even wants to deal with the city of Lima. From the recent infighting over “sign” regulation to the latest snafu with Wal-Mart’s request for rezoning so that they can build a new store. To top it off you have a city councilman whose son is a drug dealer (allegedly) and all the father can do is cry racism.

What a sad statement Lima City Council made Monday. It’s no wonder Lima has trouble keeping and attracting residents, or that job creation — while improving, thanks mostly to the administration — remains lagging.

Look at the clownish behavior from those we elect. On and on the meeting went, looking for a solution to a problem no one in the room should have been expected to provide.

All that and then Councilman Tommy Pitts’ outburst about racism.

I’m sorry. Those of you who have had the misfortune of seeing or reading about Monday’s meeting might have thought I meant Pitts.

No, Pitts was the icing on this cake. The performance earlier in the night from Councilors Tom Tebben, Derry Glenn, Kyle Lewis, Paige Townsend, Walter Potts and Council President John Nixon should be what Lima residents remember from Monday.

If there hasn’t been enough trouble you have to read about this fence. Wal-Mart currently has a store and a township has a complaint about the repairs needed for the fence. Wal-Mart doesn’t own the fence but has maintained it as a good neighbor gesture. However the issue prevented the council from approving the changes so that news zoning for a new Wal-Mart (and new jobs) could be approved.

When does an American Township complaint about a fence Wal-Mart doesn’t own keep Lima City Council from approving a zoning change for Wal-Mart? When Lima City Council gets involved, of course.

If the council doesn’t gain more members who are concerned about the economic well being of the citizens and the entire region everyone will be hurt by their inability to get on track.

Tags: Ohio