Chillicothe — The sides of the issue impacting the homeless in Chillicothe can be partly illustrated by statements by councilman Greg McKeever, and the Reverend Terry Williams – but also by Mayor Luke Feeney.
(Reporter’s note: The next day, other news eclipsed the news from last Monday’s Chillicothe Council, and I had to leave coverage of the passage of the “Anti-Camping” ordinance / Chapter 555 on standby. Here is the first of two remaining stories from the April 14th event.)
In a previous story you can see interviews with McKeever and Williams after the council session. But during the session, both became emotional with statements from their sides.
Council passed the “Anti-Camping” ordinance, or revision of city chapter 555, 5-3 on third reading April 14th
Among opponents, the Reverend Terry Williams gave a fiery monologue, denouncing the inhumanity of the ordinance. He decried council corruption, back-door deals, and violations of the Sunshine Law – and said opponents would work on referendum and initiative efforts.
See a video of his public address below. In outline, Williams said:
- He criticizes each previous proponent speaker.
- Law Enforcement is clear: they did not ask for this, do not support it, and it is unfunded mandate.
- Proponents say this is a compassionate law, but he does not see how a lesser misdemeanor is compassionate.
- There has been private discussion in committee, in violation of the Sunshine Law. What agenda is here? This is coming from corruption in the city.
- We are now in Holy Week and need compassion.
- The police already show compassion, but do not need more duties.
- We have an underfunded Community Resource Center, and this is an unfunded mandate for police.
- Don’t make this kind of mistake; we are willing to run a referendum or initiative petition against its passage. There will be a referendum training on April 21st – when you create bad legislation, we have a responsibility to remove it.
- Have enough compassion and sense to not make one of biggest mistakes in history of council.
Under old business, and with what appeared to be a tinge of anger, Councilman Gregg McKeever read his timeline of the development of the ordinance, including what he described as intimidation and doxing of council members.
“Doxing” or “doxxing” is publishing of private addresses, contact information, or identification – usually with the intent of intimidation or targeting.
McKeever shared his text with me, reproduced in its entirety below.
And in the council session, Mayor Luke Feeney stated that he was opposed to the “Anti-Camping” ordinance / Chapter 555. Part of his duties are to sign legislation into law.
Feeney gave a brief briefing to council. He said he had nothing new to offer on the issue, but wanted to voice his opposition.
In an interview with Mike Smith of Litter Media on Tuesday morning, Feeney said he was not sure how he would deal with the legislation. He said In his 10 years as mayor, he has never vetoed an action by council.
As of Friday, at the paper mill rally, Mayor Luke Feeney told me that he had been on vacation and didn’t know if the legislation had arrived at his office…and he still wasn’t sure how he was going to deal with it. He has the power to veto, but council also has the power to override.
Learn more in “Chillicothe Mayor Not Yet Signed Homeless Camp Ordinance.”
McKeever’s Council Address, unedited
In July of 2024 the Law Director's office was contacted by the Chillicothe Police Department seeking legal guidance on posting signage due to the department receiving complaints about camps. They inquired about using current ordinances, Criminal Trespass 541.05, Floodwall Stone Embankment Trespass 541.051 and Littering 521.08 which are third or fourth degree misdemeanors. The only posted signage ordinance the city has available is, City Property Hours and overnight parking 123.06 (closed 10pm to 6am). Violation of these hours would have to be charged as criminal trespass or floodwall trespass and do not address the complaints about camps. The Law Director’s office reviewed these ordinances, then carefully read City of Grants Pass vs Johnson. Next was to review legislation that was passed or pending in the City of Mentor, City of New Philadelphia, City of Wilmington and City of Newark. Information from those proposed or adopted ordinances was used to draft the camping legislation that was presented to council. In January the Community Affairs Committee was given 24-117 (Anti-Camping). There have been two committee meetings, input from Mayor Feeney, Chief Meyers, members of the Ross County Continuum of Care to End Homelessness, local pastors and the public. In March there was a Review Session and two readings before council. Public input was heard on this legislation. Some of those in attendance were very critical of the Law Director and City Council, claiming there was little to no research done crafting this legislation which is not true. Council was accused of not listening, being a “brick wall”, this is not true. We sat in silence listening to you voicing your support or opposition to this legislation. On March 23rd Police Chief Meyers released a letter stating he would like to review the proposed ordinance from an enforcement perspective. This has been an ongoing assignment since January. Chief Meyers was present at the first committee meeting at the request of the Committee Chairperson Bennett. He felt if signage was posted they could or would use the Criminal Trespass Ordinance to enforce. Chief was present at the review session on March 3rd. He sat in the back of the audience and said nothing. Offering no enforcement perspective at that time. On March 24th Councilman Creed sent an email to Chief Meyers about the concerns in his letter. Asking if he addressed them with the Law Director and what her response was. On March 31st Councilman Creed sent a follow up email to Chief Meyers, again asking for the response from the Law Director. To date Chief Meyers has not responded to Councilman's Creed request. There have been local experts who have come before this council and spoke in opposition of this legislation stating this will harm those individuals wanting assistance. This legislation is not directed toward those individuals. The local experts have acknowledged there are those who have and will refuse assistance. It is directed towards those who do not want to utilize all of the available services that this community has to offer. If this legislation passes tonight it would then fall to the police chief and staff to develop a policy & procedure. This would give his officers direct guidance on proper application of this ordinance. Over the past months Council has received emails and engaged face to face conversions with local residents, some in support and some opposition. In an attempt to intimidate the council to table is legislation. There have been opposition posts on social media stating council members are spineless, soulless, minimally representative of a human. “This council is a disgusting excuse for humanity”. The publishing of council members home addresses, personal phone numbers and personal email addresses on social media. When our council email addresses are published on the city’s web site and mail correspondence can be mailed to council chambers. The attempt to disrupt the council meeting on March 24th. When someone called the Chillicothe Fire Department to report a “occupancy violation”. In closing I believe we must prioritize public safety and ensure public spaces are accessible to everyone, as people have a right to walk or enjoy time in our parks. Camping on public property can create unsanitary and unhealthy conditions for both campers and those who encounter them.
