Much-Criticized Revision of City Chapter 555 Changes Response to Homeless Camps
Chillicothe — Council passed the “Anti-Camping” ordinance, or revision of city chapter 555, 5-3 on third reading Monday evening.
If Mayor Luke Feeney signs it, in 30 days it will require treatment of homeless encampments on city property in a way that proponents say is intended to be gentler and more helpful – but opponents say will criminalize them and worsen the situation for the unhoused.
After a standing-room-only previous council session for the ordinance’s second reading, council met in half of the large meeting room at the Ross County Service Center, allowing an audience of maybe 80 to 100.
With the new location, council lacked video coverage (though some in the audience again videorecorded the session), as well as amplified microphones. Among the news media was a camera for Columbus Channel 10 TV.
Council allowed 15 minutes of public statements for each side of the Anti-Camping issue, for a total of 30 minutes on the topic. (I recorded all of those speakers, all of which will be included in my follow-up news story.)
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.
Proponents finally balanced out the time of the opponents, among them being three former council members.
Under old business, Councilman Gregg McKeever read his timeline of the development of the ordinance, including what he described as intimidation and doxing of council members. (Also read his timeline in my follow-up news story.) “Doxing” or “doxxing” is publishing of private addresses, contact information, or identification – usually with the intent of intimidation or targeting.
With one of the nine council seats not yet refilled, the ordinance passed with a vote of five in favor, with three opposed: Jim Demint (R), newly appointed Gunner Barnes (D), and retiring Dustin Proehl (D). Opponents in the audience were surprisingly quiet then, and many of them filed out after the vote.
See the latest copy I have of the proposed ordinance, dated March 4th, in a previous story.
My interviews with Williams and McKeever mostly summarize the struggle in Chillicothe Council over the Anti-Camping ordinance / Chapter 555. Hear both below, in their own words after the council session.
Stay tuned for additional reporting on this council session.
