Local Pictures
Classified Ads
Obituaries
Sports
Forms
 Announce Births
 Engagements
 Weddings
Email Us
Buy A Copy
Schools
Communities
Local Links

click here to
SUBSCRIBE
to
The Daily
Standard
Newspaper

 

[ PREVIOUS STORIES ]

09-30-03: If you fish, you now must walk instead of park

By LANCE MIHM
lmihm@dailystandard.com

Celina police officers this week placed no parking signs along U.S. 127 near the Beaver Creek to eliminate traffic congestion caused by local fishermen.
But city officials say they are exploring options to establish a designated parking area for those wanting to fish the creek and West Bank Spillway.
Safety-Service Director Mike Sovinski said the signs were put up due to Ohio Revised Code, which specifies no parking on limited access highways except for emergencies.
“Fishing is not an emergency,” Sovinski said. “But I know some people who would argue that with me.”
Fishermen had parked in the once-vacant private property to the south of Beaver Creek, but the new construction of rental homes has eliminated that parking area. Then fishermen began parking along the highway.
“The city owns some land on the north side of Beaver Creek between (U.S.) 127 and the spillway,” Sovinski said. “If it is economically feasible and we can get some money donated for some gravel down there, we could install a parking lot without a great deal of cost.”
Sovinski said he feels the issue needs to be addressed.
“But it is not a high priority as far as city funds are concerned,” he said.
Sovinski said he did not recall any accidents since the flashing yellow light was installed in that area, at the intersection of U.S. 127 and Schunck Road in August 2001, but there have been “situations down there that could cause safety issues.”
Celina Police Chief Dave Slusser said the police department will be enforcing the no parking regulations.
Slusser said he believes recent newspaper articles of big catches and word of mouth has led to increased popularity for fishing in Beaver Creek and in the spillway.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY STANDARD

Phone: (419)586-2371,   Fax: (419)586-6271
All content copyright 2003
The Standard Printing Company
P.O. Box 140, Celina, OH 45822