Piqua mayor honored in Sidney

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SIDNEY — Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst joined Troy Mayor Mike Beamish and a host of Piqua citizens in honoring retiring Piqua Mayor Lucinda “Lucy” Fess reecently. Fess was feted at a reception honoring her service prior to her last scheduled Commission Meeting of her term. That meeting was held on Dec. 15.

Not unlike Barhorst, Fess has twice served as Piqua’s Mayor. She served as a commissioner and as mayor from 1992 to 1995 and again as a commissioner and as mayor from 2008 to 2015. Barhorst served as Mayor of Sidney from 1987 until 1989, and was returned to office in 2007.

As a surprise, Barhorst read a proclamation during the reception in which he proclaimed Dec. 15 as Lucinda “Lucy” Fess Day in Sidney. Although Piqua City Manager Gary Huff knew of the proclamation in advance, no one else in the audience did. Piqua Police Chief Bruce Jamison was able to quiet those attending the reception so that the proclamation could be read with the police whistle that he carries on his uniform.

The proclamation referenced Fess’s service on the commission, her service as Piqua’s director of economic development (July 1996 through July 2001), her service to the community as director of Community Affairs for Upper Valley Medical Center and her service as executive director of the American Red Cross.

The proclamation also noted various honors Fess has received, including being named recipient of the Order of George. The Order of George is presented annually by the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce and is Piqua’s highest and most prestigious community recognition award. The lifetime achievement award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies the best in volunteer and community service.

The proclamation also recognized Fess’s leadership to the Piqua community and her active solicitation of community input in making Piqua a more vibrant and progressive community. The proclamation concluded with Barhorst urging citizens of Sidney “to join in expressing their appreciation and gratitude to Piqua Mayor Lucinda “Lucy” Fess for her leadership, community spirit, and professionalism in an effort not only to make the City of Piqua a better place in which to live, work, worship and play, but our Region, State and Nation as well.”

A somewhat emotional Fess embraced Barhorst as he finished reading the proclamation. Shortly after, she presided over her final city commission meeting.

“Lucy has been an inspiration to me and to others within the upper Miami Valley,” Barhorst said. “She has been an active member of the Dayton Area Mayors and Managers Association as well as any number of other groups. We will miss her leadership.”

Fess
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2015/12/web1_fess_1501.jpgFess

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