Mayor says things looking up in New Boston

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In this day and age when a government entity can use the statement – “Finances were much better than anticipated,” that is positive news and that’s the way Mayor William “Junior” Williams, Jr. is describing the financial status of the village of New Boston.

In his report to Village Council, Williams said income tax revenue was the highest amount received since before 2010. The income tax receipts out-gained the prior year by $243,567, an increase of 15 percent. Property tax, gasoline tax and license tax all held steady with a slight increase of $4,507.

Williams said court costs and fines increased 37 percent to $31,728. The lone reduction in revenues was in the Local Government Distribution Fund which saw another decrease of $9,486. Williams explained the decrease.

“Since 2013, the governor’s decision to cut funding to local governments has cost the village nearly $400,000,” Williams said.

Safety tax fund receipts, which are used to pay police and fire wages, increased by $36,881 or 11 percent. General fund receipts were $161,480 over expenditures leaving a long-time high ending balance of $247,179 which is $101,881 higher than the previous year.

“For the first time, I appointed a business and economic development committee for the purpose of attracting new business to New Boston,” Williams said. “This past year we successfully have seen the addition of Pat Catan’s Fabric and Craft Specialty Store, Columbia Gas’s new modern maintenance building, Dr. Depugh and Son’s state of the art New Boston Vision Center, Cozy Cat clothing store and Stepping Stones Counseling Center. We are already looking forward to the South Central Ohio Educational Service Center’s new health care clinic for their employees to be located in the former Daymar College building and the improved Hollywood Hair Salon locating to the former American Restaurant location.”

Williams touted the fact that New Boston became the first local government in Scioto County to partner with Ohio State Treasurer Josh Mandel’s Ohio Checkbook Online program by posting village expenditures on the New Boston Online Checkbook. Organized by Clerk/Treasurer Lana Loper, Williams said taxpayers and others can now go online and readily see how their tax dollars are being expended.

“This transparency has helped Ohio to be ranked number one in the nation for public confidence and transparency on money issues,” Williams said.

Williams talked about another first. The New Boston Building Department, administered by Jessica Grant and Lori Jordan was created and officially recognized by the State of Ohio Building Standards to help facilitate and expedite the process of opening, renovating or expanding a business in the village.

The Daily Times first reported in 2016 that New Boston had come up with a program in which all plan reviews, approvals and inspections until the completion of the project and a certificate of occupancy can be issued will all be done within the confines of the village, which Williams says saves time and money by eliminating the many trips back and forth to Columbus to get certified.

“The department just opened in the fourth quarter of 2016 and is already gaining popularity throughout our business community,” Williams said. “I certainly am excited about this new department and anticipate much future success.”

Williams went on to talk positively about the village’s flood defense system making strides in providing flood protection to New Boston neighborhoods and touched on the fact that the village’s flood wall has finally been officially certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Among other points of information, Williams said the village’s police and fire departments both received additional training and village council approved a full staff of fire department personnel.

Williams also referenced his predecessor when he mentioned the Village Square Park was dedicated and renamed the “James Warren Village Square Memorial Park” in honor and remembrance of former mayor Jim Warren.

“In closing, 2016 was a very successful year in nearly every way. I wish to thank each and everyone of you for your support and help,” Williams said. “I look forward to working with our elected officials, employees and overall community to continue to search and find ways to improve our neighborhoods for a better place to live, work and play.”

Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.

Christmas Toy Delivery

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The Village of New Boston once again, due to generous contributions from local citizens, businesses and civic and church groups, distributed toys to needy children in the community December 21. Most all village employees, the mayor and council all assisted in some manner to make the day a huge success.

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Sugg Hickman named grand marshall of the New Boston Christmas Parade

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SuggHickman

It is arguably one of the most favorite events of the year – the New Boston Christmas Parade – and the most important person in that parade each year, next to jolly old Santa himself, is the grand marshal. This year that honor will belong to Sugg Hickman, that smiling, friendly person who always greets you at Hickie’s Hamburgers.

“We confirmed it the first part of the week,” New Boston Village Councilman Mike Payton said. “We’ve been wanting to do it for the last month. We just decided to wait and announce it until it got a little bit closer. We can’t figured out why we haven’t done it before now.”

Sugg kept the restaurant open when her brother, Donald Hickman, died. Hickman said she has operated the restaurant for 23 years and the restaurant has been there for 41 years.

“He would really be amazed what we do now compared to when he was alive,” Hickman said.

“She has had to really work to keep that place going,” Payton said. “This is her baby, she really personifies the American dream.”

In a day in which mom and pop businesses have been squeezed out by big chains, there is always a full house at Hickie’s.

“I know it’s the fresh food,” Hickman said. “I think it’s the personality of the restaurant. I try to greet everyone. I hug ‘em.”

Sugg is best known for calling attention to people who have never eaten there before with her – “Hey, we’ve got a virgin here!”

“I don’t know how I ever got started with that,” Hickman said. “People love to bring someone in so I can embarrass them. Seems like we’re known all over – people are finding us on Facebook or their GPS.”

You need to know, going in, that there is always a crowd and you might have to wait a little bit.

“Last week I announced ‘the word is patience, I’ve got two grills going,’” Hickman said.

Another feature of Hickie’s is the decor.

“You see an entire history of the village there, all those pictures,” Payton said. “There’s the shovel where they broke ground on the new (Glenwood) school hanging up there and she’s got pictures back of the old school days and old ball teams.”

Payton said the parade is Saturday (Dec. 3). Line up will start at 4 p.m. on the New Boston Mall parking lot, where businesses such as Pat Catan’s, Tractor Supply and Ollie’s are located. The parade will leave the mall at 5 p.m.

It is for certain that no one could represent the village of New Boston better than Sugg Hickman.

“I’ll do anything for New Boston,” Hickman said.

Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.