Whether it’s with vegetable gardens, donation stations or cooking classes, Community Food Initiative officials say the local organization is striving to fill hungry bellies and foodie desires in Athens.
Mary Nally, executive director of the initiative, plans to wrap up what she called a “record-breaking year” at Monday night’s Athens City Council Committees meeting.
Noting that the initiative hosts projects in six different locations throughout the city, Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-at large, said its workshops and entrepreneurial events with Ohio University students at the farmers market are beneficial to the community.
Knisely added that city council had provided a “modest amount of support” per year for the organization, which turned a profit of more than $100,000 in 2013 according to the initiative’s report.
Also on the agenda, Councilwoman Michele Papai, D-3rd Ward, will head the transportation committee’s meeting with a discussion on Rally North America, a not-for-profit that hosts automotive races for a cause.
Rally North America will hit Athens in July as a part of a five-day race benefiting The Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis. The race will begin in West Virginia and end in Colorado, according the project’s website.
The city will discuss which roads are set to be closed on that day.
The City & Safety Services Committee will also present tonight, headed by councilman Steve Patterson, D-at large, though it was not immediately clear by press time what would be on Patterson’s agenda.
Council members have hinted at the possibility that Patterson could discuss the possibility of taking up a “Social Host” policy, which would help law enforcement crack down on local homeowners serving alcohol to minors.
Most council members are not fully aware of the ordinance.
“This is not usual for members of council to work on an ordinance, and then when it is ready in draft form to get more feedback,” said Councilwoman Chris Fahl, D-4th Ward.
Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, echoed Fahl’s statement, saying he wasn’t sure how he felt about the ordinance yet, as it hasn’t been discussed with council as a whole.
“I don’t believe that I was part of any discussion or meetings that addressed the social host issue,” Butler said. “I need to hear more information on it.”
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