The Vandalia City Council approved an ordinance at Monday night’s meeting they hope will help the school district with traffic flow. The ordinance states “From Fletcher Street. On days when school is in session, between the hours of 7:30 am and 8:30 am & 2 pm and 4 pm, all westbound or eastbound drivers shall be restricted to RIGHT TURN ONLY off of Fletcher street onto Eighth Street. Furthermore, southbound drivers shall be restricted to RIGHT TURN ONLY off of Fletcher Street onto Fillmore Street.” Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman says the school district worked with Police Chief Jeff Ray came up with the plan to help move traffic quicker. Ward three Alderman Mike Hobler mentioned, with this change, the school needs to address buses that are lined up in front of the high school that restricts people from getting onto Orchard Street. Chief Ray said that he would bring that up to the school district. The ordinance was approved by the City Council.
The Vandalia City Council held their first reading on the request for two liquor licenses at Monday night’s meeting. The first reading was held on a request for a Class H liquor license for Lorenzo’s Restaurant. A Class H liquor license is a beer and wine only license. The second request was by Maranatha Cripe for “The Cork.” Mayor Gottman says the license was opened for a gaming business “Four Aces” that they opened the license for last year but the business never opened. And, Gottman says Cripe has requested that license. Rick Cripe explained they were looking to open a small area for drinks that would be located next to Maranatha’s salon and that they were planning to have gaming machines. The request was for a Class A liquor license. Action will be taken on both requests at the August 17th meeting.