I was one of the founders of LACNIP (Lima Allen County Neighborhoods in Partnership) and worked with LACNIP from the beginning. I served as president, treasurer, and organized the Community Gardens and first Ottawa River Cleanup.
Dave Berger has always supported neighborhood organizations and LACNIP, both as a private citizen and as mayor. I never saw Keith Cheney at any LACNIP meetings or events, except LACNIP candidate forums where he was supporting his candidacy, not LACNIP.
All those neighborhood associations the city used to have, which Mr. Cheney referenced in the first mayoral debate, were organized with the help and support of Dave Berger and his administration. With the support of city council members like Shirley Daley, LACNIP grew. Dave Berger pushed for and supported programs like the Community Gardens, National Night Out, Make a Difference Day, Ottawa River Cleanup, and Good Neighbor Awards.
Over the years the city’s demographics have changed and the make-up of Lima City Council has changed. LACNIP leadership has changed. But Dave Berger’s support of neighborhoods has never changed. Dave Berger has always been there working, volunteering, and supporting LACNIP and neighborhoods. Cheney is good at criticism, but not so good when the work needs done.
Connie Miller, Lima
