Richland Carrousel Park success proves vision, cooperation can move mountains:

https://www.richlandsource.com/oped/editorial-richland-carrousel-park-success-proves-vision-cooperation-can-move-mountains/article_73da50a0-0997-11ec-8bf4-ab68d116f246.html?block_id=1098581

Then & Now: Richland Carrousel Park @ 25 Years:

https://www.richlandsource.com/area_history/then-now-richland-carrousel-park-25-years/article_99dcff3e-648b-11e6-af5f-7fe6061a43ec.html

Oct. 4 is deadline to register for the general election:

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/oct-4-is-deadline-to-register-for-the-general-election/article_fcc62900-09c1-11ec-9a8d-73c4d0f4082a.html

Ashland High School grad, AU product wins national water ski title:

https://www.ashlandsource.com/thrive/ashland-high-school-grad-au-product-wins-national-water-ski-title/article_f849e18e-17ca-5bf6-8fbf-3b06a2636dde.html

Donald Warren McNutt:

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/donald-warren-mcnutt/article_d6082376-09cc-11ec-9e3f-238b01aa82cb.html

 

 

You're listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. 

Today - Earlier this month, we told you about a local group's plan to finally do something with a decaying former Westinghouse factory property on Mansfield's east side.

And yesterday, we shared the successful efforts that began more than 30 years ago to redevelop the downtown through Richland Carrousel Park. So what do those projects, separated by three decades of time, have in common?

First - both of these projects involve local residents who care about this community and are willing to step up to do something about it -- regardless of those who cast doubts and wring their hands.

And second - both offer a look at the value of vision. In the late 1980s, leaders like John Fernyak, Ed Meehan, Rex Collins, Bill Hartnett and many others had the ability to look beyond a horribly decaying downtown and see what it COULD be.

They had a vision, while others did not. And as retired Mansfield police Chief Phil Messer told us… The mayor had a vision of what the city could be. In his opinion, John Fernyak was the spark that began to turn Mansfield around to make it what it is today.

Messer explained that sometimes it's hard to visualize what can be when you're drowning in things like street prostitution, street crimes and strong-armed robberies.

Fernyak’s vision is now reflected in a downtown that’s remarkably far different 30 years later. It’s also important to note that both efforts also involve a public-private partnership. A merger of local talents among elected officials and private residents. 

And only time will tell if the new effort to transfer the former Westinghouse property to the Richland County Land Bank will lead to the successful demolition and rehabilitation of an area that's been an eyesore for as long as the carousel has been a success.

The vision for that property and the surrounding area is still being developed. But that’s how it goes -  neither Rome, nor the Richland Carrousel District, were built in a day.

But we’re encouraged by local leaders who are helping all of us see something that COULD be. Right now there’s the West End Neighborhood Plan in the OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital area. There’s the new Imagination District on Park Avenue. And the planned improvements with the Main Street Corridor.

But there’s even more to do, especially on the north end of the community.

The former Ocie Hill Community Center, which we reported on recently, is decaying. But it’s in consideration for transfer to the Land Bank. That could lead to demolition and redevelopment of a key property in a section of the city that’s really in need.

And on top of that it's time for Mansfield City Council to end multiple years of discussion and deliberation to move ahead with a plan for the much-needed dry dam in North Lake Park. It would move more than 100 acres on the north end out of the flood plain, protecting homes and businesses. It's time. Past time, in fact.

Ultimately, we’re thrilled to report on some great things happening in the City of Mansfield. It's time for our leaders to seize on that momentum and keep pushing forward.

Before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors at Black Belt Pro Fitness...

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The team at Black Belt Pro Fitness, Mansfield’s premier martial arts studio, is all about helping kids and teens become healthier and more confident in all areas of life. They teach self-control and self-respect above any physical technique... and of course, they make it fun too! Right now they have classes for kids ages 4 and up. They also have membership options for the whole family. Visit them blackbeltprofitness.com to learn more.

Now, some local history… 

When the news became public in the late 1980s that a merry-go-round was in the works for downtown Mansfield, it ignited a firestorm of scathing abuse. The project was five years in the making, and even after it was open and doing business in 1991 the criticism was still smoking.

Conceived originally as a way to change perceptions about downtown’s then-questionable future, Richland Carrousel Park was placed right into the epicenter of Main Street’s teetering neighborhoods.

One gauge of sentiment about how hopeless any attempt at downtown revitalization might be is a bumper sticker from 1990 that read: Last One Out of Mansfield Please Turn Off the Carrousel.

But just drive through the Carrousel District today. You’ll see people on the sidewalks, people crossing the streets, people going to shops, people dining, people working out, people working. And you’ll see kids on the Carrousel. 

During the carousel's 24th anniversary we spoke with director, Sharon Bishop, about what makes it so special. 

Also - The deadline to register to vote or change your address or name in the voter registration database for the Nov. 2, 2021 General Election is Monday Oct. 4. For details visit richlandsource.com

Next, From Ashland Source… Jim Hooker's list of life accomplishments received an unusual and significant bump earlier this month. The Ashland High School and Ashland University alumnus is a U.S. Navy Seabees veteran who served in Vietnam and retired as vice president after working 38 years at Gorman-Rupp. Those achievements would be interesting on their own.

But he's not watching life pass through his window. To the contrary, Hooker has grabbed a tow rope and is managing the waves as an elite national water skier…. at age 74. In fact, Hooker recently won the overall championship in his age division at the USA Water Ski Association competition.

Jim was introduced to competitive water skiing when he was 45 years old. Prior to that, with his wife Sallie and their daughter Stephanie, the Hookers were recreational water skiers who spent many hours on Pleasant Hill Lake.

Now, jumping is Hooker's favorite, but he trains in all areas at least two days a week. Read our full story on Hooker and his incredible accomplishments at ashlandsource.com

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Donald Warren McNutt of Mansfield.

Don was born in 1937 in Portsmouth, Ohio. He was a dedicated husband to his late wife, Irene whom he spent forty seven blessed years of marriage with. He loved his children and grandchildren. Some of his fondest memories were of the times he spent with his grandchildren. Known in the Mansfield area as the owner of Don's Sunoco. He was also dedicated to his business and the needs of his customers for over fifty years.

He is survived by his children, his adored grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and his siblings. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Don’s life.

Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow!

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