Council honors autism month

0

SIDNEY — In recognition of Autism Awareness Month in April, Mayor Mike Barhorst proclaimed April 2, 2017, as World Autism Awareness Day in Sidney during Monday evening’s Sidney City Council’s workshop session.

Barhorst said the proclamation comes as an effort to raise public awareness of autism, the myriad of issues surrounding it and to increase knowledge of the supportive programs developed for fastest growing developmental disability in the United States. He said autism affects more than 3 million people in the U.S.

Barhorst presented the proclamation to Chad and Jennifer Nolen and their sons, Chad Nolen, Caleb Nolen and Christian Nolen. This is an important topic for the Nolen family because Chad and Christian are autistic.

Chad Nolen, the boys’ father, said they are honored by the proclamation and that autism is “an issue everyone needs to know more about.”

“(Autism) is one of the unseen afflictions that people just don’t know what they are dealing with. You look at them (his autistic sons) and you can’t tell what is going on, but the struggles are real; the issues with trying to fit into today’s society and not have the physical handicap that makes people realize there is a reason they are avoiding the eyes,” Chad Nolen said.

Nolen continued by praising all three of his sons’ accomplishments in school and their community work of collecting hats and gloves for area students in need over the last eight years. Chad said last season they collected over 500 hats and gloves.

“Seeing them taking to something like that even though they have the issues they have; it makes a parent proud,” Chad said of his children.

“They have been great teachers. They have taught us a lot,” Jennifer added to her husbands comments about their sons.

Barhorst also proclaimed April 28, 2017, as Arbor Day in the city of Sidney in recognition of the importance of trees in the community. He encouraged fellow citizens to consider planting a tree and to protect and nurture trees, not just for their beauty, but also because of the benefits they provide for the community.

In other business, Sidney Street Manager Brian Green gave council an update on the 2017 Urban Forestry projects and programs. He reported Sidney’s Arbor Day celebration this year is scheduled for April 28 at 10 a.m. at Sidney High School.

Green said they began this year’s street tree pruning late last week in the southern part of town. He also reported there are approximately 250 remaining emerald ash borer street trees remaining in Sidney. He said they removed 243 ash rees over the last year and removed approximately 1730 trees since 2011. Ninety percent of those trees removed were ash trees.

Green said they have $10,000 budgeted for approximately 25 trees to be planted in 2017. These trees will be planted in Sidney parks and street right of way areas. Green said residents who are interested in planting a tree in the right of way may contact himself of Reier. He said in 2016 they planted 189 trees in parks and right of way areas from the $10,000 budgeted for plantings and the $50,000 DP&L tree grant.

Council member Darryl Thurber asked Green if they would be able to get control of the ash trees dying, or if they are going to become extinct. Public Works Administrator/ISA certified Arborist Joyce Reier said it is possible they may eventually become extinct. She said to prevent the infected trees from dying, they would need to be treated regularly for the life of the tree. She said some larger cities are treating their trees, at least for a period of time, to hold off on needing to remove all of them at once.

Council member Janet Born asked if there is a natural enemy to the beetle that is destroying the ash trees. Reier said there the Asian beetle is not native to our area and so natural enemies are not here in our area.

Vice Mayor Mardie Milligan and Council member Steve Wagner were absent and were excused by council.

Barhorst reminded council of Sidney’s Super Saturday Recycling Day is this Saturday, April 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Shelby County Fairgrounds. They will accept books, electronics, drugs and will be shredding paper.

Cundiff reminded the public that the city tax office will be open Saturday, April 8, from 8 a.m. to noon for those who need help filing their income tax return or for people unable to make it in during the week.

Mayor Mike Barhorst presented a proclamation of April 2, 2017, as World Autism Awareness Day in Sidney to Chad (left to right) and Jennifer Nolen and their sons Caleb Nolen, Chad Nolen and Christian Nolen during Monday evening’s Sidney Council meeting.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/04/web1_autism.jpgMayor Mike Barhorst presented a proclamation of April 2, 2017, as World Autism Awareness Day in Sidney to Chad (left to right) and Jennifer Nolen and their sons Caleb Nolen, Chad Nolen and Christian Nolen during Monday evening’s Sidney Council meeting. Sheryl Roadcap| Sidney Daily News

Mayor Mike Barhorst presented a proclamation of April 28, 2017, as Arbor Day in the city of Sidney to Sidney Tree Board Chairperson Ann Asher, left to right, Sidney Street Manager/ISA Certified Arborist Brian Green and Public Works Administrator/ISA certified Arborist Joyce Reier during Monday evening’s Sidney Council meeting.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/04/web1_proclaim.jpgMayor Mike Barhorst presented a proclamation of April 28, 2017, as Arbor Day in the city of Sidney to Sidney Tree Board Chairperson Ann Asher, left to right, Sidney Street Manager/ISA Certified Arborist Brian Green and Public Works Administrator/ISA certified Arborist Joyce Reier during Monday evening’s Sidney Council meeting. Sheryl Roadcap| Sidney Daily News

By Sheryl Roadcap

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4823.

No posts to display