Funds OK’d for AP concert series

PORTLAND — There will be plenty of activity in Portland and beyond over the next few weeks.

Portland City Council on Monday heard updates on several upcoming events and approved funding to help keep one of them going.

Arts Place executive director Carolyn Carducci requested at least $15,000 in funding for the 2025 summer concert series. She noted that the opening concert featuring First 2 Eleven drew more than 300 attendees — despite falling on the same night as Game 7 of the NBA Finals featuring the Indiana Pacers — while the Fleetwood Macked performance drew more than 900.

Council members asked questions about funding — The Portland Foundation has granted $7,500 to the series in recent years — as well as about food trucks and other event logistics.

Council members Kent McClung, Michele Brewster, Matt Goldsworthy, Dave Golden, Mike Aker and Ashley Hilfiker voted to approve the $15,000 request. (Ron May was absent.)

The final concert of the 2025 series will feature 1980s and ’90s cover band Brother Believe Me at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14.

Mayor Jeff Westlake reminded residents about the upcoming Tri-State Antique Engine and Tractor Show, which is scheduled for Aug. 20 through 23 at Jay County Fairgrounds. He also noted the increased golf cart traffic the event typically brings. Other events during that time frame include:

•A quilt show Aug. 21 and 22 at Asbury United Methodist Church

•A fly-in breakfast from 6 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. (Breakfast costs $8.50; plane rides are $20.)

Additionally, Alli’s Ride for Brianna’s Hope is scheduled for noon Saturday at Hudson Family Park. Live music, inflatables and games will begin at 3 p.m.

Westlake also highlighted upcoming Jay County events including:

•Gas Boom Days, Aug. 9 and 10 in Redkey

•Glass Days, Aug. 16 in Dunkirk

•Balbec Days, Aug. 16 and 17 in Balbec

In other business, the council:

•Forwarded a tax abatement request from Priority Plastics for a planned $3.5 million equipment investment to the city’s tax abatement advisory committee.

•Heard from Westlake about a meeting with Randy Stephen of Ohio Valley Gas regarding the city’s new right-of-way ordinance. Stephen plans to present proposed changes at the Aug. 18 council meeting.

•Authorized street department superintendent Matt Shauver to install speed bumps as needed in the east-west alley between Charles Street and Park Avenue, north of Water Street. The request was made on behalf of Charles Street resident Manfred Beck.

•Approved 3% increases to fire protection contracts for townships. New contract totals are: $72,857.13 for Wayne Township, $16,246.11 for Greene Township, $10,584.43 for Pike Township and $2,422.66 for Jefferson Township

•Granted a waiver for Joyce/Dayton Corp. to receive tax abatements approved in 2023 and 2024. Clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips said paperwork issues were being corrected.

•Heard a reminder from Hilfiker that Jay Schools resume Thursday, and urged drivers to be alert for children and school buses.

•Heard compliments from McClung for the city’s water department. Golden praised the lack of downtown flooding during recent heavy rain, crediting the Meridian Street storm sewer project.

•Heard from Phillips that fall clean-up week will be Oct. 6 through 10.