During Tuesday’s first October Council Meeting, Mayor Robb Hasty read an email he and Thomas Ganiere, Commissioner of Public Health & Safety, received, commending the actions of two police officers, Andrea Harden and Juan Tornero. The autistic, non-speaking youth had wandered away from his home. The officers found the boy and returned him to his mother.
The mother, praising the officers in her email, said they: ‘acted with the utmost compassion toward my son and professionalism toward myself, he was returned home in a timely and unharmed manner. It is my highest hopes and deepest wishes that these officers are made aware of our family’s deepest gratitude and (receive) the city’s recognition for a job well done.”
“For the parent of a child like that who wanders away, it has to be terrifying,” Hasty said. “If it’s not you, you can only imagine. It’s great that people are contacting me and the other council members when good things like this happen. In our community, as in any other, it’s easy for people to forget all the good the fire and police personnel and EMTs do for our community and we’re fortunate to have something to celebrate a few months in a row, and have a happy ending in every case.’
Hasty was happy people were sharing positive experiences with his administration.
“It’s great that people are contacting me and the other council members when good things like this happen,” Hasty said.
In other matters, the council approved a bid from Garden’s Gate, Ottawa, waiving competitive bidding for landscaping for Columbus Street’s sidewalk beds and the Madison Street parking lot.
The council approved the low bid from Gensini Excavation, Princeton, of $1,495,177 for the south side storm sewer separation, part of the city’s long-term control plan, meant to help cut down on the flow to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
The council approved an agreement with J&M Displays, Iowa, for fireworks during the city’s Festival of Lights, Deck the Parks event at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24.
Resolutions and appointments: Rachel Black, manager of Fairfield Inn and Suites, and Stephanie Stacey, owner of Floret Events and Garden’s Gate, were appointed to the Ottawa Visitor’s Center Board; Ken Brown was appointed to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.