After tabling the matter at their meeting last week, the Vandalia City Council met in special session on Monday evening and approved the street closure for a Pride Event in August on Gallatin Street.
A good sized crowd was on hand at Vandalia City Hall for the meeting. This N That Owners Karen and John Becker spoke first to the Vandalia City Council about their event. For the past few years, the event has been on 5th Street in front of their business. But, with their business moving to Gallatin Street they moved this year’s Pride Event onto Gallatin Street. Alderman Steve Barker asked the Beckers if they would consider moving their event off of Gallatin Street and onto 5th Street, in front of City Hall.
It was then time for public participation and 8 individuals spoke in front of the Vandalia City Council, with 6 speaking in favor or positively about the event and two individuals speaking against the event. After that, Alderman Ken Hubler made the motion for the resolution and it was seconded by Alderman Russ Stunkel. That then opened up for comment by the Aldermen and Alderman Andy Lester asked City Attorney Ryan Connor to speak further on the matter. Connor told the crowd and City Council that not only has Gallatin Street been a public forum for events but the constitution also came into play when looking at such an event.
Connor again reiterated what they were voting on was simply a street closure and nothing more. The City Council approved the resolution to close the street by a vote of 6 to 1 with Hubler, Stunkel, Bob Bowen, Andy Lester, Kenny Lewey and Bret Brosman voting Yes and Steve Barker voting No with Alderman Mike Hobler absent from the meeting. After the meeting, Barker says his No vote was simply because he would like to see Gallatin Street stay open.
Mayor Doug Knebel, who called the special meeting to resolve the matter, said he was pleased with the respectfulness that the matter was handled with during the meeting.
And, he says City Attorney Connor made it clear, they were just deciding on a street closure and nothing more.
The Pride Event will be held on Saturday, August 22nd from 12 pm to 8 pm in downtown Vandalia. Gallatin Street, from 4th to 5th Streets, will be closed on that day from 10 am to 10 pm.
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