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Lakemore mayor urges an end to vandalism at Springfield Lake and presses residents to back fire levy
Summary
In the mayor's report at the Village of Lakemore council meeting, the mayor described repeated vandalism at Springfield Lake — including destruction of sonic transduction units and floating wetlands built by local students — and urged voters to approve a $400,000 replacement fire levy on the ballot.
The mayor of the Village of Lakemore told the council on May 13 that several pieces of equipment and four student-built floating wetlands at Springfield Lake have been tampered with or destroyed, and warned the community that cameras will be installed to catch vandals.
The mayor said the village purchased four sonic transduction units with Springfield Township and that the devices “have all been tampered with or or deliberately destroyed.” The mayor described the wetlands as student projects built with a grant and said their destruction has been painful given the students’ involvement: “They take such pride and joy in hard work…When my students at my school construct 4 of them and set the little islands out in the lake, and to have all 4 of them destroyed for for kicks and giggles, it's a bad thing.”
Why it matters: the mayor framed the vandalism as a setback to ongoing lake restoration and community volunteer efforts, and tied it to an urgent local decision — a replacement fire levy on the ballot the next day that she said is necessary to maintain minimum staffing for the fire department.
Council and community context The mayor described repeated incidents around the lake — spray-painted signs, damaged park facilities and a food pantry that has been vandalized — and said the village has mounted restoration and grant efforts to improve the lake and adjacent park. The mayor announced the village will install cameras and said anyone caught tampering with equipment will be pursued: “You get caught, we are gonna have a camera up there.”
Resident John Yergan spoke during public comment about the vandalism, saying the incidents appear not to be opportunistic theft and arguing for more cameras: “I'm all for cameras, and cameras don't lie.” The mayor and other council members discussed volunteer and stewardship efforts and asked residents to help protect community projects.
Levy appeal and civic asks The mayor urged voters to support a replacement fire levy she described as a $400,000 measure, saying the village has relied on similar levies for decades and that passage is needed “to staff our department adequately to get three men and women 24/7.” She called the levy a replacement rather than a new tax and repeatedly asked for community support and volunteer help for lake and park projects.
Other mayor and staff announcements Village Administrator Tracy Sayers and others described recent and upcoming community programs and grants tied to parks and recreation. The mayor also noted a $3,000 grant to host a Father's Day bike-repair event combining safety services, free lunches and bike repairs for children; she asked for volunteer mechanics and local business partners.
Ending The mayor closed by again appealing to residents to volunteer, protect park equipment, and support the fire levy and school levies on the next-day ballot. The council scheduled further meetings and workshops, and staff said they will move forward with additional cameras and patrols near Springfield Lake.
