Thomas: Keep pool open

By Jane Beathard

Staff Writer

Next summer’s planned closure of the London Municipal Pool continued to stir controversy at Thursday’s city council meeting.

A proposed 2013 city budget will shutter the pool to save money and avoid additional layoffs in the police department.

Lori Thomas from Madison County Department of Jobs & Family Services asked council to reconsider that plan, saying the pool provides positive activities for her young clients.

“The kids I work with were there every day in the summer,” Thomas said.

She suggested soliciting private donations and family sponsorships to keep the pool open — without relying on city funds.

Safety-services director Steve Hume noted 52 percent of London’s residents are low to moderate income and need positive, affordable recreational opportunities. Hume noted any opening the pool next spring will likely cost about $10,000.

Council member Pat Closser noted pool memberships dropped 30 percent from 2011 to 2012, running operational costs more than $30,000 in the red between June and September. Council member Steve Scaggs said repairs and upgrades to the aging facility make it expensive to maintain.

Closser said council is trying to find ways to keep the pool open, but money is tight. Three years ago, local businesses stepped in with donations to keep the pool open. But that money dried up in 2011 and 2012.

Also on Thursday, council approved a procedure for naming city-owned assets such as streets, bridges and sidewalks after former residents.

Council member Alan Knowles said the ordinance provides a two-year waiting period, following a death, before an asset can be named for that person.

“It takes emotion out of any decision,” Knowles said.

Council also approved a resolution to gradually “sundown” the 1.4-mill property tax that currently funds the fire department if voters approve a .05 percent income tax increase on Nov. 6. The city will continue to collect 50 percent of the property tax through 2013 if the income tax passes.