Commission Meeting July 29, 2025

All there.

**Presentations/Staff Report

Heck calls this the "work session" now. This is what his staff separates out into another YT video and considers "even more communication" with the city.

Chief Allison about collaboration to address gun violence in our area.

Sheriff Clark taking over in January.

A PowerPoint presentation but no information to hang a hat on.

Analysts to look at data/trends.

They want to bolster the drone program.

Unified approach.

**Commissioner Comments to Presentation

Estrop and Houston gushed over them. Thank you for your commitment to the 911 dispatch system. She looks forward to hearing about the new jail.

Tackett said thank you -it's such an inspiring role model. Do you do the DARE program in schools. I'm always bragging about the Explorer Program. Part of the Boy Scouts of America. The most eye-opening thing as a commissioner, I've done a ride-along twice. We arrested someone but they had to be let go because there wasn't room at the jail. And they reoffended that night.

$90 per person to ship an inmate to another jail if at capacity. They haven't had to pay this yet this year.

34.5% reoffense they want down to 20%.

Brown talked about the prevention. What type of coaching to look at your practices and understand the why about criminal rates. Poverty, racism. Are you looking at doing more coaching and reflection on this?

**Rue Statement
The prayer/invocation and pledge. Please give us peace in our community, Lord. (This is always directed at the citizens - we're still dangerous.)

His usual warning to citizen speakers about disruptions. Some new stronger sentences.

**Citizen Speakers
Jimmy Stewart - Your gun grant said 24-24. He's using your data. Increase access of guns. But no details, no data. You said you had "a lot of arrests". What about convictions? The Mayor hires the Prosecutor...

Diane Daniels - Built without a contractor or permit or site inspection - what happens to that structure? DeWine was here again. He met with local leaders and business men and community organizers. He was fed the lipstick on the pig. All the local news - SNS - Springfield is doing great. Economic boon from the influx "we knew it would be chaos but we didn't know it woudl be this bad" DeWine 2.5 million for heathcare, 1.3 million for schools. That's the federal dollars we're missing out on now - so it evens out.

Darlene Yearly - I appreciate how much hard work was put in for South in Bloom. Carl Ruby has a meeting August 2nd about unifying with Haiti. She won't go because it's unsafe. Non-American citizens over citizens' well-being. We deserve an accurate census of how many are living here and how many are on public assistance.

Yvonne Hendricks - dreads guy.

Laura George - first time being here. Thank you all for listening. I pray for you, for all here, and for peace, and that we can find love for each other again. Started crying.

Diane Casto - Thank you Chief Elliot and Sheriff. I think she represents the Fudge Foundation. They'll have a table at National NIght Out. They march. Barbers providing free haircuts for back to school. The event on Aug 2. Our immigrant neighbors provide a valuable role. it's at City Hall Plaza and is called Love Thy Neighbor. They contribute to our schools, neighborhoods, even with uncertainty and language barriers. Humanity has no border. Grow a city where everyone belongs.

Carl Ruby - Springfield G92 - 20 church network committed to stand with Haitians. They have a meeting to stand with the Commission in support of our Haitian neighbors. The words of Jesus. Blessed are you when people persecute you. Rejoice and be glad because you're reward is in heaven. Every time a citizen attacks you, you are ensured of heavenly rewards. We know that you are good people who serve selflessly even for people who insult you.

Clare Copeland - I just want to echo the thank you's. The hanging baskets downtown. The man who waters. What a gift. Thank you to the staff.

Where is Beth?

**Rue's Immediate Comments

Addition: If this is about immigration - the pending action to end TPS - a very fluid situation due to courts - could be a delay. ICE has the authority to engage. For information, call the United Way's 211 call center. They can send people to the appropriate agencies. Do not call 911.

The Mayor does not hire the prosecutor. The mayor and the commission hire people together, but the mayor doesn't.

Dan - we need to present facts and not just personal beliefs.

Thank you to Devon for changing your life.

We all can't be at all your events. This is a $15,000 a year job, so keep that in mind.

**Heck's Reports and Answers

Talk to Logan about an empty house.

We don't keep stats on who's on assistance. That's Clark County. No information other than "Clark County".

**Commission Comments

Tackett
Thank you to our service folks for things like our beautiful flowers. The landscape and the water and the sewer.

Brown
Asked the Sheriff, "Are you reflecting on the why - the poverty and racism?"

Thank you for the prayers for us. We get so much tossed at us. I was referred to as a Communist (Rue said he's been called a Fascist.)

Houston
Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Ruby.

Funding for Rocking Horse in schools. Asked Estrop to report on more cuts.

Estrop
I don't have any more information on more cuts.

**Report from Jason Via on Field Trips

After 2 weeks of ridership. Running in parallel with the bus system. And it's BEEN FREE.

1100 accounts on the app.

558 riders served.

Wait times 6 minutes.

His only story of rider frustration - A lady called him and they came too quickly.

**My Thoughts

They actually refer to the Police Chief as "Chief Allison". She deserves it, though. She's useless. Has to depend on Clark County for anything authoritative.

Tackett is so out of touch with the demographics of this town.

Patting each other on the back = about 15 minutes of this meeting.

If they haven't had to pay any money this year due to being at-capacity at the jail, why building new jail?

Brown and her poverty and racism. She actually asked the Sheriff, "Are you reflecting on that?"

Laura George is unwell. She's all over Facebook and is 100% insane.

A speaker wanted to know how many non-citizens were here and how many were on assistance. Heck said, "We don't collect stats on assistance. That's Clark County."