Council OKs 2 percent raise

Portland city employees can expect a bump in their paychecks soon.
The Portland City Council passed a payroll ordinance Monday evening approving a 2 percent pay raise for city employees.
“There’s very few changes in it” except for the pay raise, Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman said.
While addressing a question from council member Michael Brewster — who is also a Portland police officer — Geesaman said the raise would add $26,927 to the “$6 million budget [Portland] already has.”
The ordinance passed with a 6-0 vote, with council member Kent McClung absent.
The council also had a surprise for a Portland resident Monday evening.
Donald Gillespie, who participated in the recent Run for the Fallen event, was honored at the council meeting in a surprise event.
Gillespie, who raised about $2,000 for the event, was honored with a certificate from the city and two flags from Honor and Remember, the parent organization of Run for the Fallen.
“I was shocked tonight,” Gillespie said. “I had no idea of the presentation.
“It was very humbling.”
Gillespie participated May 15 to 17 in the Run for the Fallen, which covered 144 miles from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis to provide recognition for soldiers who have died in service to their country.
“I truly appreciate all the support,” Gillespie said. “It was probably the most emotional thing I’ve ever done in three days.
“The was story after story. It was the greatest group of people I’ve ever been around.”
Don Finnegan, representative for Run for the Fallen, thanked Gillespie, as well as the city of Portland.
“It’s just amazing,” he said. “The smaller the city, the larger the turn out.
“We want to thank the city of Portland and Jay County … for the huge outpouring of patriotic support,” he added before presenting the city with an Honor and Remember flag.
In other business, the council:
•Forwarded a $1.5 million, five-year tax abatement for Fort Recovery Industries to Portland’s tax abatement advisory committee.
The abatement, which allows the phasing in of taxes over a five-year period, would save the company about $60,000 over that period. According to FRI representative Steve Jetter, the company is planning on adding a new work center, which would create four new jobs at the facility, while retaining 36 jobs.
“We’re glad we can be expanding here in Portland again,” he said.
•Approved an ordinance appropriating $39,475 in funds to clean up the rubble left after the demolition of the former book bindery building on Wayne Street. Portland Board of Works had already approved the action.
•Approved Geesaman’s recommendation of two members to be added to Portland Historic Preservation Committee. The council approved the addition of Jim Sanders and Linda Kennedy to the commission.
•Heard the mayor’s report from Geesaman, who told council members that the American Legion would be doing a flag disposal ceremony at 2 p.m. July 4 at Jay County Fairgrounds. Residents can take battered and torn flags to the legion prior to July 4 or bring them to the fairgrounds on the day of the ceremony.
Geesaman also thanked law enforcement officials for the work in apprehending Travis Morris, who allegedly robbed First Merchants Bank on June 9.
He reminded council members that the Jay County Cancer Walk will be June 27 at Jay County High School, and recognized Strohl Appliance and Electronics for its 75th anniversary.