Trotwood working to keep its post office open

Trotwood resident Bruce Kettelle addressed the City Council during visitor remarks and said he recently initiated a grass-roots campaign to save Trotwood’s post office and he has signed up more than 30 members .

Council members unanimously voted on a motion 6-0 on a resolution opposing the closing of the Trotwood’s post office. According to law director Steve McHugh, this formal piece of legislation approved by council will be sent to Congress and the panel studying postal closings.

In other business, council members voted 3-3 not to list Trotwood’s Community Center property with a commercial realtor. Goodwill/Easter Seals is interested in relocating their adult daycare facility to the community center. Council then voted 4-2 in favor of another workshop to discuss the Trotwood Community Center property. A workshop date has not been set.

Councilwoman Mary McDonald and Councilwoman Bettye Gales cast their vote in favor of listing the property with a commercial realtor. McDonald said, “We should ask for what the building is worth and not give it away.”

Gales said she doesn’t “want to be biased, and thinks business should be conducted on the open market for a fair value” and does not want to have to choose an occupant randomly.

Rap Hankins said the city needs to seriously look at the Goodwill/Easter Seals proposal as a long term priority, and decide if keeping the center open this winter is best for the city financially.

Although Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron is in favor of Goodwill/Easter Seals occupying the community center she said everyone should “have a fair shot (at buying the property) then if there’s no other interest in the property council can decide to open up negotiations with Goodwill/Easter Seals for a specified period of time.”

Councilwoman Nicole Johnson — who voted against listing the property with a realtor and then voted in favor of a workshop — said, “Goodwill/Easter Seals is a reputable entity with a presence in Trotwood.”

Karl Keith, Montgomery County Auditor will attend the next Trotwood Council Meeting on Sept. 6.