Ambulance company makes proposal to city

The first citywide cleanup day in about three years is planned for October.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- An ambulance company has proposed being the sole service provider in the city.
Councilman Earl A. Schory II told city council Tuesday that Rural/Metro Ambulance of Youngstown has proposed being the service provider.
Schory, who chairs council's traffic and safety committee, scheduled a meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss the idea.
"It's food for thought," Schory said. He did not release details of the proposal.
The city used to pay Gold Cross $100,000 a year for ambulance service but dropped the agreement in favor of the present system. Each month, two companies switch being the first service called by safety workers.
The committee has been studying whether Rural/Metro and KLG Mobile Intensive Co. of Salem are in compliance with a city ordinance requiring that ambulances arrive within nine minutes of calls from city safety forces.
Both companies claim they are within the response time. Both companies also say they refer calls to each other if their ambulances are tied up.
The ordinance says that failure to respond within the time limit could result in the city filing a minor misdemeanor charge, but the ordinance doesn't say if the ambulance driver or company would be charged.
Some residents have complained that the response time has been much longer. There have been no complaints of death or greater injury because of any delays.
Other matters
Council will also meet as a whole after the safety committee to discuss adding a recycling location in the city. Councilman Justin Palmer said there is no recycling center in the city or Perry Township.
In other action, Councilwoman Mary Lou Popa said the city cleanup day would probably be held in mid-October.
Council also passed legislation Tuesday to take bids from haulers. The city hasn't had a cleanup day in about three years. The city has budgeted $40,000 for the program. Residents can put out items by the curb for free pickup.
Popa also said she will bring legislation to council to change the name of Water Avenue to Strotter Brown Avenue. The street runs one north and south block between East State and East Pershing streets. The street also runs between the Salem library and the city's Memorial Building.
Strotter Brown was known for making baskets that are now collectibles. When he died, funds were raised to buy a monument for him in Hope Cemetery.
wilkinson@vindy.com