ASHTABULA — There’s a new sign on Main Avenue.
The sign is bright yellow with black letters and reads: “Thank you City Council on your recent vote stifling economic development for our depressed city.”
Rob Rich, owner of Playall Awards Engraving, made and posted the sign Tuesday after attending Monday night’s City Council meeting.
“People who walk by are saying: ‘Nice sign. Keep up the good work,’” Rich said.
Rich was one of about 80 people who attended Monday’s City Council meeting and urged council to keep the economic development director’s position on the city payroll.
Despite the many pleas during the 80-minute meeting, council voted 5-2 to abolish the position. Only council members Julie Lattimer and James Trisket voted to keep the director’s position on the payroll, all of which means Alicia McFarland is out of a job on Jan. 1.
Most area residents aren’t too happy about council’s decision, either.
“It’s a bad idea,” said Mike Romanski, 25, of Ashtabula. “What Ashtabula needs more than anything is business and jobs.”
Kent State University student Gregory Whitlow, 46, said Ashtabula needs an economic development director.
“We need jobs,” he said.
Ashtabula resident Leonard Deneen said, “I think it’s wrong (to abolish the position). (Alicia McFarland) already has helped sell the lots at the new industrial park. The city needs somebody to get out there and bring business back into the city, and that’s what she was doing.”
Ashtabula resident Tom Sarell finds the situation disheartening.
“All the City Council does is argue,” he said. “I wish the city was doing better.”
“We’re just drying up, and they don’t seem to care,” said Debbie Dixon, 53, a mortgage loan officer from Ashtabula. “It’s not a good decision.”
Ella Hayes, 82, of Ashtabula, said Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County should bring business into the city.
“We don’t need an economic development director,” she said.
Ashtabula resident Joe Senger, 89, said he believes the manner in which the city has been paying McFarland is illegal. He doesn’t believe 100 percent of McFarland’s salary should be drawn from the wastewater treatment fund.
“You can’t pay somebody out of the wrong fund,” he said.
Some city officials receive a portion of their paychecks from the wastewater treatment fund because their jobs are tied to the wastewater treatment plant, City Auditor Michael Zullo said. For example, public works employees receive all of their paychecks from that fund, while 20 percent of the city auditor’s paycheck is drawn from that fund.
McFarland said she has been advised not to comment on her job being canceled.
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