Blankenship requests meeting with governor

Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship has requested a meeting with Gov. John Kasich about the proposed closure of the Ohio River Valley Juvenile Correctional Facility.

A representative from the governor’s office was in Ironton Monday, to meet with the mayor. During that meeting Blankenship requested to meet with Kasich.

“I strongly oppose (the juvenile center closing) due to the fact that we – Ironton and Lawrence County – have several folks who live (here) but work there,” Blankenship said. “Closing that will dramatically affect the City of Ironton’s income revenue and our families in general.”

Blankenship worked as a correctional officer at the facility when it opened in 1997.

“I requested a meeting with the governor to discuss this issue and we’ll see how that turns out,” the mayor said. “I intend to work hard for what’s right for southern Ohio and Ironton and Lawrence County and that’s what I’m going to do.”

The correctional facility’s closure was announced last week as Kasich announced his proposed budget. The facility employs 333 people and is set to close Sept. 10. The proposed state budget calls for a $41 million reduction for the Department of Youth Services, which oversees the facility. Closing the facility would save approximately $20 million.

The mayor said he appreciates the governor sending a representative to the city.

“I know he’s only been in office two months but it’s important as a leader in the community to have those contacts in the governor’s office and be able to call the governor’s office and state our issues and concerns and be able to meet with the folks we need to meet with,” Blankenship said. “That’s a step in the right direction.”

During the meeting the mayor also requested that the construction of the new Ironton-Russell Bridge stay on schedule. The project is scheduled to go to bid in October.

“I stressed the fact that this project (has to) remain on schedule for this year and bidding and construction start,” Blankenship said. “I stressed to the representative that we have been really active in this in the last three years.”