9 hours ago
GOTL gearing up for summer, administrative changes
GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE — Leaders of the village are hoping for less rain, more sun and are working to create a new administrative team, said GOTL Mayor Dwayne Bennett.
The village is looking for a new finance director a new village administrator, and recently hired a new police chief, Bennett said. He said the former police chief and administrator resigned earlier this spring.
Jonathan Roberts was hired to run the police department in May. He comes from a department in the Cleveland area, where he was a lieutenant for seven yeas and a sergeant for five, Bennett said.
'He wanted to move up and be a chief,' he said.
Bennett said the chief has already instituted some policy changes and is gearing up for the July 4 celebration, complete with a massive fireworks show.
Bennett said there has been a period of time when Sean Ratican came in to help with some administrative and finance needs, but a working interview for the finance job is expected to occur toward the end of the month.
GOTL Deputy Administrator Jessi Spurlock has been handling administrative duties for the village, Bennett said. He said she worked with former administrator Jeremy Shaffer, whose last day was May 16. Spurlock is doing a good job, Bennett said.
'She is pretty well versed,' he said.
Bennett said Shaffer returned to southern Ohio, where he spent a lot of time. He thanked Shaffer for his work bringing $12 million to the village during his four years on the job.
The early spring weekend weather has put the village back a little bit, but businesses are adjusting.
The Fourth of July weekend is a huge time for the village and its businesses.
Bennett said village safety forces and a hired traffic control operation are preparing for the fireworks show on the evening of July 4. He said there will be 17 private company staff assisting the police department, full and part-time workers on the big night.
The police department currently employs four full-time and three part-time officers, with two more part-time officers about to be hired, Bennett said. There is also a group of officers that work occasional shifts for the village.
Bennett said a development group has approached the village about creating more than 20 permanent homes on four acres of land being cleared east of the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake. He said he expects more detailed plans soon, but the homes would be 1,800-2,200 square feet.
