Mayor reviews July 19 city hall incident with council members
COSHOCTON – At the July 24 Coshocton City Council Meeting Mayor Steve Mercer again stressed how well everyone worked together to assist city hall when employees there dealt with an anthrax and bomb scare on July 19.
“A lot of agencies responded to help and while it is something we hope to never experience again, it definitely showed how well trained everyone is,” Mercer said. “It was quite a day to say the least.”
The anthrax and bomb scare originated with a letter received by municipal court. When the letter was opened there was a powdery substance in the envelope with a note stating it was anthrax and there was a bomb in the parking lot. Several tests were run, which determined the powder was not a threatening substance and a bomb squad and bomb sniffing dogs helped officials declare that there was no bomb.
“I thank our first responders for how rapidly they responded and their level of professionalism,” said Service Director Max Crown. “They did a fantastic job of keeping everyone calm and getting our people through this process. We have some real good people working for the city.”
Coshocton County Sheriff Tim Rogers shared that his office is working with the FBI on this case and there should be more information on the situation available in the near future.
He also informed council that his office has been targeting known drug areas in the community. Deputies also swept a known drug house in the community that led to 18 people being incarcerated and six charged with Rogers believing more charges to come.
“We’ve been working very hard on the drug issues in our community,” he said.
City council members also were informed that the sheriff office’s new K-9 Chili was set for graduation and scheduled to start working soon. Rogers said he will make plans to bring the dog in to meet the city council members.
During the meeting city council had another visit from Pastor Mike Jansen who is hoping the city will change its mind about being willing to welcome medical marijuana manufacturing facilities. While he understands city officials want to bring jobs to the community and that they have bills to pay he doesn’t feel this is the way to go.
“My closing point is that God will take care of you,” Jansen said. “I’ve seen miracles happen. There are many people praying for you and many people who will continue to pray for you.”
City council will take its summer recess in August and return to its regularly scheduled meetings of 7 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month in September in council chambers at city hall.
Category: Government
