Upwards of 20 people spoke during public comment during Sandusky’s City Council meeting on Tuesday night, with two topics dominating discussions– the need for parking in downtown Sandusky, and concerned citizens expressing frustration and upset with the local police department after the attempted kidnapping and subsequent arrest at the Hope Thrift Store.
The store is associated with the Michigan House of Hope, a men’s mission and shelter partially founded by Sandusky Police Chief Brett Lester, with Chief Lester also presiding over the organization’s board.
While several argued for the mission and thrift store to be shut down or moved out of town entirely, others, like Amanda Osbourne, a citizen who lives two blocks away from the Margaret Street-based shelter, were more concerned about the safeguards in place currently and if they are being improved in light of the recent incident. Other citizens expressed support for Chief Lester, and others still questioned the involvement of Tom Bowser, the thrift store’s manager who has felony charges in Oklahoma and Huron County for embezzlement/obtaining money by false pretenses.
Though no definitive answer to these concerns were reached at the meeting, the city council is taking steps to possibly improve parking in downtown Sandusky, with at least five business owners expressing to the council the need for more space and how the two-hour parking rules implemented at the start of September are hurting more than helping.
Todd Hillman, owner of Elk Street Brewery and the Sandusky Fire Chief, suggested that a committee be started for the council to meet with business representatives around town to discuss the issue, a suggestion that council members Larry Mitchell and Brad Harris, as well as city mayor Thomas Lukshaitis, praised the idea.
While it is unclear when a committee may be formed, the city council will meet again on Monday, September 18.
