All right, the Monday, August 17th, 2026, City of Vandalia Council meeting is now called to order.

We're going to begin with a moment of reflection, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Please stand for the pledge.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic.

One nation undervisible with liberty and justice for all.

Being none, they stand approved.

And that brings us to communications petitions and awards, where tonight we're going to start things off with a proclamation for Mary Lou Crushed.

So if everyone with the family can join us up here, we will do the proclamation.

There's probably gonna be a couple of you still seated, so I'm sure I have a great thing.

All right, again, well, thanks for coming out uh to honor Mary Lou.

Uh, we all appreciate this.

I mean, she's been a staple in our community for for years, and uh, you know, this is a great tribute to her.

This is quite a lengthy proclamation, and if you don't mind, I would like to read all of it because it is so fitting in recognition of her.

Whereas Mary Lou Crush was born in Dayton, Ohio on September 5th, 1937, and after marrying Dr.

Thomas Crush in June of 1956, made her home in Vandalia in 1960, where together they built a loving family and a life rooted in service, hard work, commitment to community, and whereas Mary Lou and Dr.

Thomas Crush raised 12 children, all of whom graduated from Vandalia Butler High School, and whose children's grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to live, work, learn, volunteer, and contribute to the Vandalia community and surrounding area.

And whereas Mary Lou was the proud owner and operator of Bunker Sports Bar and Grill, a Vandalia institution that has served as a gathering place for residents and families, friends, and visitors since its establishment in 1995, with the an expansion added in 2014, which recently marked the 30 years in business.

Whereas, under Mary Lou's leadership, bunkers became far more than a restaurant, becoming a place where life's milestones were celebrated, friendships were strengthened, community ties were built, and generations of families returned again and again to share in the special moments, both large and small.

And whereas Mary Lou was known throughout the Vandalia for her warmth, generosity, hospitality, and genuine love for the people, and she took great joy in seeing the young people and families she supported over the years grow, succeed, and return to the community that she loves so much.

And whereas Mary Lou and her family have long supported the Vandia community in the Vandalia Butler School District, local youth, civic efforts, and numerous organizations demonstrating a deep and lasting commitment to the well-being and the spirit of this city.

And whereas Mary Lou Crush passed away on March 10th, 2026, at the age of 88, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of family devotion, community pride, entrepreneurial accomplishment, and a heartfelt service that will continue to be felt throughout the Vandalia for generations to come.

Whereas it is fitting that the City of Vandeya pauses to recognize and honor the life, legacy, and many contributions of Mary Lou Crush, whose impact on this community is enduring and deeply appreciated.

Now, therefore, I, Richard Herbst is the mayor of the City of Andaya, do hereby proclaim Saturday, September 5th, 2026, as Mary Lou Crush Day here in the City of Andalia.

City Council, Mayor, we just wanted to extend our appreciation and thanks for honoring Mary Lou Crush, my uh mother-in-law uh for this event uh for this day.

We greatly appreciate it and thank you so much.

Yes.

Thank you so much for honoring her.

She would have loved this.

She would have been embarrassed, but she would have loved it.

She absolutely loved this community and all the people.

Thank you.

Well, thank you.

Again, thanks for coming, and we appreciate it.

All right, next item we have is a um fire lifesaver award from the division of fire.

I'd like to bring up uh Mr.

Follett.

Good evening, Council, Mr.

Mayor, City Council, City Manager.

We uh are privileged tonight to have uh a civilian hero award and the division of fire.

These are handed out for folks that go above and beyond the call of duty and perform heroic acts in our community.

Um in this situation occurred on June twenty second, two thousand and twenty-six.

Uh on that day, in recognition, uh I would ask uh Paul Kleinhein to join us at the at the uh podium, please, and we'll tell you about the what happened that day.

Paul, this rewards being given to you in recognition for your quick thinking in response to a patron that collapsed at the Van Dia Rec Center, where Paul is a personal trainer.

Paul did not hesitate to jump into the in with the AED and to perform CPR uh on the patron until fire and police arrived.

Paul's actions undoubtedly contributed to the patron's survival.

Uh I was I was the uh second person through the door at this day.

Uh Mr.

Kleinheitz had already got us back a pulse and uh respiratory rate as we were walking through the door.

So his quick actions again undoubtedly saved this gentleman's life.

Uh I'm aware that uh he's joined us tonight, and I will ask him if he would like to come up here and join uh Mr.

Kleinheit's one of his pictures.

Uh we cannot do that because of HIPAA regulations, so I won't mention his name, but if he wants to come forward, I'd be more than happy to have him come forward.

But we want to congratulate Mr.

Pleinheitz.

We have a our our medal of honor for our civilians uh in a gift basket from the fire department on behalf of the city.

Uh congratulations, thank you very much.

Well done.

Well, on behalf of our city council, I'd just like to thank Paul for stepping up when life calls at unexpected moments like that.

We appreciate uh people like him able to uh know what to do and uh step in and help.

So we appreciate that.