City of Marion

Mayor Scott Schertzer is announcing upcoming closures that will affect services over the Thanksgiving holiday for City of Marion residents.  The following closures and modifications in operational schedules are being announced for various city departments:

• All offices in City Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27, 2020.
   
• The Sanitation and Streets Department will not collect trash, recycling, yard waste, or leaves on Thursday, November 26, 2020.  Services by these crews will resume on Friday, November 27, with the Sanitation Department collecting refuse, recycling and yard waste for both Thursday and Friday on this day; therefore, residents who normally have Thursday sanitation  and  recycling  service  are  asked  to  have  their  collections  at  curbside  by 7:00 a.m. on Friday.  Leaf collection will also resume on Friday.
   
• Marion Area Transit will be closed and have no bus service available on Thursday, November 26 or Friday, November 27.  Bus service will resume normal hours of operation on Monday, November 30, 2020.
   
• Marion Senior Center continues to be closed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to protect the health and welfare of its members.  Contact the Senior Center (740-387-5444) for senior transportation available weekdays from 8:00 am - 3:30 pm.  The Senior Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26) with no transportation available that day.  Transportation will be available for dialysis appointments only on Friday, November 27.

Necessary services including fire, police, and airport will operate as usual.

With COVID-19 cases rising at an alarmingly rapid rate, Mayor Schertzer issued an Executive Order for the operation of Marion City Hall.  Highlights of this Executive Order are shown below.

• As of Monday, November 23, 2020, City Hall will be open to the public on Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm until further notice.  These hours are in effect for all departments in City Hall, with the exception of Marion Municipal Court and Probation.  Contact the Marion Municipal Court Office at 740-387-2020 option 1 or Misdemeanor Probation at 740-387-2020 option 2 to obtain the hours of operation for either of these offices.
   
• In order to help reduce potential exposure during this new wave of the virus, City officials request that only one person per party enter City Hall to conduct necessary business.
   
• Due to a statewide mandate issued on July 23, 2020, individuals entering City Hall will be required to wear a facial covering at all times.  This mandate is in effect for any person that is 10 years of age and older.  Other alternatives will be offered to those that cannot wear a mask due to medical conditions or disability.
   
• At the City Hall security screening area, all individuals will be required to state the reason for their business, complete a temperature check, and sign in for contact tracing purposes.

Please note, if circumstances change and conditions warrant, modifications will be made to the services provided by the City of Marion.  If this occurs, information will be relayed to the media and shared on the City of Marion website.

Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission has announced that they may be able assist residents with their sewer and sanitation bills.  Residents should call 740-383-2154 ext. 529 for additional details and information.

Mayor Scott Schertzer is announcing that in observance of the Veterans Day holiday, many City of Marion departments will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, 2020; however, some departments will operate on a regular schedule for the day.  The following departments will operate as noted below:

• All offices in City Hall will be closed.
• Sanitation crews will collect garbage, recycling and yard waste on November 11.  It is requested that customers with Wednesday sanitation service have their collections at curbside by 7:00 am.
• Bus service through Marion Area Transit will be closed on November 11.  Marion Area Transit will resume normal hours of operation on Thursday, November 12.
• Marion Senior Center will be closed on November 11.  The Center continues to be closed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to protect the health and welfare of our members.  Contact the Senior Center (740-387-5444) for transportation options that are available through the Center on this day.

Essential services including fire, police, and airport will operate as usual. 

City residents are also reminded that yard waste and fall leaf pick-up will continue through Friday, December 11, 2020.  The options available for disposal of leaves are as follows:

1. Leaves may be raked to the tree lawn area to be vacuumed (Residents are reminded that leaves are NOT to be raked into the street or parking lane);
2. Leaves may be placed in biodegradable paper bags (limit 3 per week) for City sanitation workers to pick up; or
3. Leaves may be taken to the free drop off location at 560 Barks Rd. W. in biodegradable paper-bags.  Proof of City residency may be required.

    

Mayor Scott Schertzer is announcing that leaf collection for city residents will begin on Monday, October 26 and continue through Friday, December 11, 2020.  The three options for disposal of leaves by city residents are:
 

For additional information, contact the Sanitation/Streets Department at 740-382-1479.

Trick-or-Treat in the City of Marion will be held from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Saturday, October 31.

In 1999, Marion City Council passed legislation which set "Trick-or-Treat" night within the City of Marion for October 31 of each year between the hours of 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, unless October 31 falls on a Sunday.  If October 31 falls on a Sunday, "Trick-or-Treat" night will be observed on the preceding Saturday.  As a result of the passage of this Ordinance, the date for Trick-or-Treat must be held as noted above.

While “Trick-or-Treat” is an annual tradition, parents/guardians are encouraged to exercise their own judgment on whether they allow children to participate.

Suggestions and Tips for 2020:

• Practice Social Distancing;
• Wear a face covering;
• It is suggested that individuals trick-or-treat with family members only (do not carpool with other neighbors or go out in large groups of friends);
• It is suggested that adults hand candy to each child rather than allowing children to grab candy from a bowl or a pile which reduces the number of hands touching the remaining candy and potentially spreading the virus;
• Everyone in the household should monitor for symptoms leading up to trick-or-treat night.  If someone in the household is sick or may have had contact with a positive COVID-19 case, stay home and/or do not give out candy. 

Inclement weather:  In the event of inclement weather, the set date will not change. Parents/guardians are encouraged to exercise their own judgment on whether they allow children to participate.

Mayor Scott Schertzer is announcing the following closures for the City of Marion on Monday, September 7, 2020 in observance of the Labor Day holiday:

• All offices in City Hall will be closed.

• Sanitation crews will not work on Monday, September 7.  Residents that normally have Monday sanitation service are asked to have their collections at curbside by 7:00 am on Tuesday, September 8.  Sanitation crews will collect both Monday and Tuesday’s refuse on Tuesday, with the possibility that some of Tuesday’s collection could extend into Wednesday.

• Marion Area Transit buses will not operate on Monday, September 7.  Normal bus service will resume on Tuesday, September 8.

• Marion Senior Center will be closed on Monday, September 7.  Contact the Senior Center (740-387-6100) for transportation options that are available through the center.

Necessary services including fire, police, and airport will operate as usual.

What is the Census?

The census is a 10-year count of all persons living in the United States, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.  The census also inventories various demographic information on persons living in the United States, including age, gender, and race.

Why should I take the Census?

The Census determines how millions of dollars in federal funding will get distributed and we want Marion to get all it deserves.  For every person who does not take the Census, Marion stands to lose out on $20,000 in federal funds over the next decade.  The Census also determines our representation in Congress.  It is vitally important for every single person living in Marion to be counted! 

Who should be counted?

You should count every person living in your home.  This includes infants and grandparents, citizens and non-citizens, family members and non-family members.  If someone is living in your home and therefore using City resources, they should be counted there.   Have questions about how to count your college student, service member, etc?  Check the Census website for details.

How will I take the Census?

For the first time ever, you can take the Census online.  You should have received an invitation in the mail with directions on how to take the Census online for your household.  If you do not have internet access, you can choose to visit your local library branch to use a computer there or you can call the Census Bureau to give your answers by phone.  There will also be a paper Census option.  Different languages are available.

Is it safe to provide answers for the Census?

All data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau is confidential and may only be used for statistical purposes.  The Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about an individual, their home, or business, even to law enforcement agencies.  The law ensures that an individual’s private data is protected and their answers cannot be used against them by any government agency or court.

Is the Census a requirement?

Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution mandates that the Census be completed every 10-years.

The event will take place on Thursday, July 23 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm and on Friday, July 24 from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. 

“I want to thank Hessler’s Screen Printing for their generous donation of T-shirts for our staff and volunteers.  This effort would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of Officer Casey Thomas, Sindy Thrapp, Matt Large, Cathy Chaffin, Kai Meade, Marion City Police Department MPACT, Lt. BJ Gruber, Administrative Assistant Janell O’Neil and the Marion Municipal Court Probation Department Staff.  We are looking forward to a successful pilot program that we can implement throughout the City.”

For additional information regarding this program or other questions regarding regulations on code enforcement issues, including junk vehicles, tires, etc., call 740-387-2248.

With the approach of the July 4^th holiday and due to a significant uptick in illegal fireworks complaints, the Marion Police Department wishes to proactively remind residents that the use of 1G fireworks (inclusive of firecrackers, bottle rockets, etc.) is illegal according to Ohio Revised Code section 3743.65 (B).

“Many Ohio residents find it confusing that you can legally purchase these fireworks in Ohio but it is illegal to set them off in Ohio,” said Marion Police Chief Bill Collins. Chief Collins added that residents who purchase 1G fireworks in the State of Ohio are required by law to take the fireworks out of the State of Ohio within 48 hours of purchase.

 Quick Facts According to the 2018 Consumer Product Safety Commission Fireworks Annual Report

• There were 121 non-occupational fireworks related deaths between 2003 and 2018
• 9,100 people were injured due to fireworks related incidents in 2018.
• Between June 22nd and July 22nd of 2018, there were 5,600 emergency room visits related to fireworks.
• Children 15 and younger accounted for 37% of Emergency Room visits.

Fireworks, particularly in the hands of untrained persons pose multiple safety risks to the person using the fireworks, but also to others nearby. Numerous injuries are caused by malfunctioning or improperly altered fireworks which can often result in unintended explosions of a serious nature. Also, the consumption of alcohol or use of drugs while handling fireworks significantly increases the risk of injury and/or death. Additionally, fireworks pose a fire hazard to nearby areas, particularly during dry spells with infrequent rains.

Chief Collins also points out that beyond the dangers of fireworks, they also cause an unwelcome noise disturbance for many who live in our community. Chief Collins states, “We hear from our complainants that they have dogs that are agitated and disturbed. Some have loved ones with PTS (post-traumatic stress) who indicate that the sudden and loud noises can be a triggering event for them. Others simply complain that they need to work in the morning and the sound disturbs their sleep”.

Regardless of their motivation, the simple reality is that 1G fireworks as defined by the Ohio Revised Code are both dangerous and illegal. As a result, the Marion Police Department will actively enforce all relevant sections of Ohio law and Marion City Ordinance relating to the illegal possession or lighting of illegal fireworks.

This educational release should serve as the only warning that will be issued relative to the use of illegal fireworks in the City of Marion. Those charged with a first offense fireworks violation are subject to a First-Degree Misdemeanor charge which carries a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail and the confiscation of any contraband fireworks.

For more information relating to fireworks in the State of Ohio, please visit the Ohio Department of Commerce/ State Fire Marshal FAQ page at https://www.com.ohio.gov/fire/FAQ.aspx.