Oxford to mark 'Caroline Scott Harrison Day' On October 15

BY KELLY WAGNER
Miami University journalism student

After five years of planning, Oxford will officially make Oct. 15 Caroline Scott Harrison Day, with plans to unveil a bronze statue in her honor at the Oxford Community Arts Center.

At the Sept. 19 Oxford City Council meeting, Oxford resident Kathleen Stuckey Fox spoke about her dedication to making sure Caroline Scott Harrison is properly remembered by the Oxford community. Harrison, an Oxford native, was the wife of the 23rd president of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, a Miami University alum.

Partnering with the Oxford Community Arts Center, Fox and a committee have been working for several years to fund a memorial bronze statue of Caroline Scott Harrison. Fox believes honoring Harrison and remembering all of her accomplishments is important. “She’s been forgotten and she needs attention,” said Fox.

She said the committee has invited all living first ladies and former presidents to the Oct. 15 reception, set for 3 p.m. The committee raised about $15,000 to fund their initiatives.

Butler County's take on marijuana

In other matters before City Council, Tiffany Lombardo, a board member of Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services, spoke against marijuana use, calling it extremely dangerous and reporting that her agency discourages the use of medical and recreational marijuana.

“The board does not take a political stance, but we do want to make sure communities are educating themselves. We are one of the resources in the county and we are happy to help,” said Lombardo.

In other business:

• Casey Wooddell, Parks and Recreational Director for Oxford, said Parks and Rec had a successful summer based on revenue and citizen participation.
• Carol Michael, president of Sharefest, said this past year was her group's best for helping citizens around Butler County.
• Council voted to allow Oxford Seniors to serve free alcoholic beverages at private events.
• Council agreed to allow Miami's men and women’s basketball team extend their October event, Miami Athletes Midnight Madness, until 1 a.m., a half hour later than last year. Council asked Oxford Police Department Chief John Jones to report whether the event spurs any noise complaints, as it did last year.
• Council OK'd spending more than $110,000 to purchase a new mowing tractor and boom mower to mowing roadsides and ditches, and other sites. It will also be used to clear the pathways in the Oxford Area Trail system. Mayor Kate Rousmaniere, who uses the new trail system, said “it is really excellent for walkers and bikers to be able to walk along the path and have space beside them.”

City Council's next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 3, at the Oxford Courthouse, 118 W. High St.

Top photo: City Council meets at the Oxford Courthouse every other Tuesday evening. -- Photo by Kelly Wagner