A quick and fun way to learn how to protect your home from future flood incidents and share information for our 2023 Mitigation Plan update.  The following groups will be sending a representative:  Ohio EMA, Logan County EMA, Logan County Floodplain, Logan County Soil and Water Conservation, Coverlink, Fathom Realty, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, West Liberty Water/Sewer, Logan County Engineer, and Mental Health, Drug, and Alcohol.  This event is open to the West Liberty community.  Please join us on September 20, 2022 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm in the Town Hall Opera House.  

The Village has discussed at a few council meetings the issue of unlicensed and uninsured contractors, paving companies, tree trimmers, etc. in the village.  A few weeks ago, my husband and I found a company from Springfield to do some paving at our home.  We asked for an estimate and the gentleman showed up that afternoon.  He gave us a very reasonable quote and his business card.  After he left, we began to search the company at the Better Business Bureau, the Attorney General and Secretary of State websites but could not find anything about this company.  After reaching out to a few contacts to see if we were missing something, we found no mention of this company anywhere and this raised many red flags.  I also had Chief Oelker reach out to his contacts.  Nothing was found.  So we chose another company to do the work. 

Most of you can do this on your own, but the Village is going to help make this process a bit easier.  Many communities have a registration for all types of these companies so that the municipalities are aware of who is doing business in the city or village.  The Village Council has started the first reading for registering all general building contractors, plumbing, electrical, heating, piping, sewer building, air conditioning or refrigeration contractor, building tradesman, building repairman, tree service, paving contractors, or any other individual offering services for a fee.  This registration will be a one time (lifetime) fee for a company/individual of $25.  The Village office will keep this paperwork on file at the Clerk’s Office.  This will allow a resident to contact the Clerk’s Office to see if the company is registered with the Village and allow the resident to feel confident that the company is actually licensed to do business in the state of Ohio.  Questions regarding may be directed to mayor.mckelvey@mywestliberty.com
 
Here are some tips to help you when hiring a contractor:
1.  Get Multiple Estimates (get written estimates so that you can see if you are comparing apples to apples; look at building materials, work methods, timelines, and be cautious of too low or too high estimates)
 
2.  Hire Local, Licensed Contractors Whenever Possible (local contactors know the building codes for Logan and Champaign Counties and are easier to contact if problems develop)
 
3.  Check Their Past Work (check their references and check with the BBB)
 
4.  Check Their Insurance and Bonding (Ask for a certificate of insurance which should provide the name of the insurance company, policy number, and policy limits; if they aren’t insured, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property)
 
5.  Take Your Time Making a Sound Decision (be cautious when asked to pay a large deposit up front; read the fine print on all estimates and contracts)

We have limited sizes left in these soft T's and Hoodies. Get yours before they are gone! They are available at the Town Hall for the following prices: 

Sweatshirts $35
long sleeve shirts $23
Local supporting  $16.00

Check out this month's edition of The Village News below, or click here to download and read this and past editions.

​Marshal Sherman Ricketts, who gave his life to protect the residents of the village in the early morning on June 29, 1962, will be honored on June 29th with multiple events planned for that day.  Marshal Ricketts was investigating a break-in in the northwestern part of the village around Baird - Reynolds - Columbus Streets.  He confronted the suspect who fired numerous rounds at point blank range to fatally wound the Marshal.  The Marshal, while suffering fatal injuries, shot the suspect twice to prevent him from fleeing. 
 
The village of West Liberty will honor Marshal Sherman Ricketts on June 29th with the following: 
 
At 3:30 am there will be a vigil in front of the West Liberty Presbyterian Church at the spot where the Marshal gave his life in the line of duty. 
 
A park was dedicated last May 2021 for the Marshal and this year the amenities (shelter house, water bottle filling station, and bicycle fix-it station) of the park will be dedicated with a ceremony remembering the slain officer starting with a procession of Law Enforcement starting at the West Liberty Police Department at 2 pm and continuing west on Runkle Street to the Sherman Ricketts Memorial Park.
 
The program at the park will start at 2:50 pm with the West Liberty United Church of Christ Reverend Debby Stinton offering the Invocation.  The Logan County Honor Guard will have a presentation of the flag to the grandchildren of Marshal Ricketts, the Rifle Squad will present a 21 gun salute and playing of Taps.  The guest speakers for the event will share stories of the Marshal and West Liberty Presbyterian Pastor Keith Landis will close with the Benediction.  The public is invited to attend and encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
 
The Sherman Ricketts Memorial Park and Trailhead is located on west 245.  Law enforcement parking will be provided on Bradley Street.  Public parking will be across  245 at King Feed or at our Village garage across Sidney Street in the grassy areas.  Sidney Street will be closed from the Recycling Center to 245 in order to set up all the activities planned for that day. 
 
The “Put A Lid On It” Campaign, a program to encourage children to wear helmets while riding bikes.  This event will run from 4 pm to 7 pm on June 29.  The Mary Rutan Foundation will fit children for bicycle helmets until the helmets are all gone.  We have 104 helmets to give away donated by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Ohio Department of Transportation, Honda, and the Mary Rutan Foundation. Helmets are for any children who come to the event.  Children are encouraged to ride the Simon Kenton Bike Trail with WL bicycle police to learn about bike riding safety.