Welsh resigns as Municipal Court prosecutor

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City Building facad

Bellefontaine City Council members accepted the resignation of the municipal court prosecutor during a Tuesday, May 9, regular meeting.

Crystal Welsh gave council and the city administration notice that she intends to resign her position as the prosecuting attorney of the Bellefontaine Municipal Court effective June 13.

“I am hopeful that will provide enough time to secure someone new, as well as some overlap so I can show them the ropes,” Welsh wrote in her resignation letter. “My experience with the office has been very rewarding and I appreciate the time I spent working here.”

Welsh had been the city prosecutor since 2019, when she was hired to replace Daniel Carey.

She will move on to pursue other interests following her failed bid to get elected as Municipal Court Judge. Council thanked Welsh for her service to the municipal court, and wished her well in her future pursuits.

In other business, council approved on second reading an ordinance rezoning a swath of land between 929 and 933 north Main Street from residential, multi-family to general business district use. During a public hearing conducted ahead of the April 25 regular council meeting, some nearby residents expressed concern to council about the type of business that may go into that location. Concerns over trash and crime were expressed.

Council explained that the city planning commission makes recommendations to council, which votes on the change in zoning. Any business that fits the classification of a B3 General Business District may set up shop there.

An ordinance allocating $5,000 to Lutheran Community Services to be directed towards construction of its new food pantry/thrift store was approved by council on third  reading. The new building, which will house both Our Daily Bread and the Lutheran Thrift Store will be located at the corner of West Sandusky Avenue and Troy Road.
Ground was broken last September on the new facility, which is projected to cost around $1.6 million. The new facility will enable LCS to serve some 50 percent more people than they can currently host through Our Daily Bread. The facility is nearly completed, and is projected to open this summer.

In other updates provided to council, Interim Police Chief Chris Marlow said the department has received its final supply of body cameras for its officers. The cameras will be set up and once operational, all patrolling officers will be equipped with a body camera.

The next regular council meeting is May 23.