City of New Philadelphia, OH

09/29/2026

Mayor’s Report for Monday September 28, 2026

~ The Downtown Quadrant’s Redesign Is Finished. Now Let’s Enjoy Them.

Now that the project’s been completed, it’s time to put the redesigned downtown quadrants to use. As I said in my speech at last Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony:

“This project represents exactly the kind of investment that can change the way a community experiences its downtown.
It creates new places to gather.
It creates new opportunities to celebrate.
It creates new spaces for music, theater, festivals, community events and, perhaps most importantly, simply spending time together.”

If your business, group or organization would like to use the quadrants for a downtown event, contact my executive assistant Jami Bailey at [email protected] or call 330-364-4491 extension 1242. She can help with scheduling and planning.
Organizers of the October 11th Art on the Alley celebration are planning to use them. Many of the vendors that were located on Front Avenue will be moving to the quadrants. The new quadrants also create more opportunities for you to spend more time downtown with family and friends.

~ Issue #9 Is All About Maintaining and Improving the Quality of Our City Parks

Issue #9 is on the November 3rd general election ballot. It’s a five-year levy that would only fund the Parks Department so it can continue to do regular maintenance on our parks and make improvements.

I’ve attached a flyer that details some of the improvements that the levy would pay for. The cost: $7 a month for every $100,000 of your appraised property value. The added benefit: Giving the Parks Department its own funding will free up $1.2 million a year in the City’s General Fund to do more street paving and to meet needs in our police and fire departments. If our parks are important to you and your family, if they’ve given you and your children great memories, please vote FOR Issue #9. Early voting starts on October 6th.

~ AEP Ohio Is Changing Its Name

According to an email I received from company president Marc Reitter, beginning in October, AEP Ohio will begin operating under its legal name: Ohio Power Company. That was the name the company used for many years. Mr. Reitter stated in his email that they decided to use it again, to underscore the company’s commitment to Ohio. His email also informed customers of a newly redesigned – and easier to understand - electric bill. That also will start in October.

~ The Tuscora Park Foundation’s Annual Chicken BBQ Is Right Around the Corner

Mark your calendars. Tickets are on sale now. The Tuscora Park Foundation’s annual Chicken BBQ fundraiser is on Sunday, October 4th from 11 am to 1 pm. Tickets are available at McInturf Realty, at the Mayor’s office, and from any Foundation board trustee. The money raised by the event helps the Foundation fund improvements at our City parks. The most recent example is the Inclusive Playground at Tuscora Park.

~ An Example of Why Our Safety Forces Training Is So Important

Tonight, I have the honor of presenting Certificates of Commendation to eight members of the New Philadelphia Fire Department for their lifesaving efforts that earned the department the 2026 EMS Star of Life Award from the Ohio Department of Public Safety and distinguished recognition from the Cleveland Clinic. The certificates will be given to Fire Chief Jim Parrish, Assistant Fire Chief Matt Tharp, Captain Wes Tucke, Lieutenant Ryan Murphy, and Firefighter/Paramedics Kyle Rowland, Zachary Adams, Timothy Hawkins and Lucas Hagan. The text of the certificates tells the story, and I will use Chief Parrish’s certificate as an example (see picture below).

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09/28/2026

Tonight, Mayor Day presented Cerificates of Commendation to eight members of the Fire Department for their exceptional skill, teamwork, and composure for treating a patient on August 12, 2025. The firefighters had earned the 2026 EMS Star of Life award from the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The firefighters were joined tonight by the patient they had treated, as well as his sister and mother.

09/28/2026

New Philadelphia City Council meets in Regular Session tonight at 7:30. The following Committee Meetings are being held prior to tonight's Council Meeting:

6:45 Special and Contact
7:00 Zoning and Annexation

Click on the link and watch a live stream of the Meetings.

New Philadelphia is the county seat of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. It is the county’s largest city with a population of over 17,000. As its name suggests, the city is laid out in the same grid style as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Even the primary streets – High Avenue and Broadway – are named aft...

09/24/2026

On September 23, 2026, the City of New Philadelphia officially marked the completion of the Downtown Quadrants Redesign Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This project represents an investment in the future of New Philadelphia and the sense of community that makes New Philadelphia a special place to call home. We look forward to seeing the community gather, celebrate, and make memories in these beautiful downtown spaces in the years to come.

We would like to thank everyone who played a part in making this project possible including the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, the Ohio Department of Development, Ironton-Lawrence Community Action Organization, Buckeye Hills Regional Council, Designing Local, and the Ruhlin Company, as well as the many others who had a hand in bringing the project to completion.

A special thanks to the Delphian Chorale for their beautiful performance during the ceremony, the Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau for providing refreshments, and to Be Unique Studios, Gavin’s on the Square, Alley Cats Marketplace, and OV Harvest for donating and decorating the stage for the event.

And, of course, thank you to all who joined in celebrating with us yesterday!

09/23/2026

This afternoon at 1pm, we will officially mark the completion of the downtown quadrants’ redesign project. All are invited to attend the celebration. Please be aware that the square will be closed to traffic beginning at around 12:30 for the ceremony and will reopen once it's completed.

09/17/2026

🏛️ Step Back in Time & Celebrate 50 Years! 🎉

Come Learn & Reminisce as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary with a special look at the historic buildings of Olde Downtown New Philadelphia!

🚶‍♀️ Join us Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 12–4 PM for guided downtown walking tours and a special County Courthouse Tour.

📍 Meet at the Courthouse front steps by 11:45 AM
🏛️ Courthouse Tour: 12–1 PM
🚶 Downtown Street Tours: 1:30 & 3:00 PM

It’s a wonderful opportunity to discover the stories, architecture, and history that make our downtown special. Bring a friend, bring your curiosity, and come reminisce with us!

☔ Rain date: Sunday, September 27, 2026

Sponsored by the Tuscarawas County Heritage Home Association
🌐 www.tuschha.org

09/15/2026

Scarecrows on the Square Coming to Downtown New Philadelphia!

The NPACT group invites individuals, families, classrooms, youth groups, businesses, nonprofits and community organizations to participate in Scarecrows on the Square, taking place Saturday, September 26, in downtown New Philadelphia.

Participants may begin constructing and displaying their scarecrows during the week of September 21. All entries must be completed by Friday, September 25, with judging taking place at 6 p.m. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be announced during the downtown celebration on Saturday, September 26.

Scarecrows should be creative, family-friendly and appropriate for all ages.

A $25 donation benefiting the NPACT Events Fund is requested for each entry.

Registration forms are available at the New Philadelphia Mayor’s Office or by contacting Hayleigh Mann at 330-407-5782. The registration deadline is September 22.

All scarecrows must be removed from the downtown area by October 18.

09/15/2026

~ The City Parks Levy Will Be Issue #9 on the November Election Ballot

Issue #9. That is the five-year, 2.4 mil parks and recreation levy that will appear on the November 3rd General Election ballot. If approved, it would generate $1.3 million a year only for maintenance and improvements to our City’s parks: Tuscora Park, Waterworks Park, Southside Community Park, the Crider Avenue Walking Trail and the State Route 416 Boat Ramp. The cost to property owners: $7 dollars a month for every $100,000 of your appraised property value.

Right now, the Parks Department must compete with the other City departments that receive annual operating money from the City’s General Fund. Approval of Issue #9 would give the Parks Department its own operating revenue, so that our parks can continue to be well maintained and improved. And more General Fund revenue would become available to fund more street paving and needs in our safety forces.

Like many of you, I grew up in New Philadelphia and spent much of my childhood at Tuscora Park. I remember the music of the merry-go-round, rides on the Ferris wheel, buying candied apples and cotton candy from Candy Apple Jack’s stand, fireworks on the 4th, local rock bands playing at Wednesday evening dances, spending many summer days at the swimming pool and eating frozen Zero bars from the concession stand. That’s what our parks do: create special memories that last a lifetime for kids of all ages. Each park has its own purpose. But together, they help define New Philadelphia as a family-focused community that values tradition, outdoor recreation and spending time together.

It’s not often that the City asks voters to invest more of their hard-earned money to help meet needs and take care of our City. The last time for a property tax was in 2015 to help fund construction of the new fire station. And the last time for an income tax was in 2005 to help fund our safety forces. So when the ask is made, the need is real.

I’m calling on all groups and organizations that use our City parks to show your support of Issue #9. Your voices matter. I’d be happy to share information and make a presentation about Issue #9 at your next meeting. Just let me know. Share this Mayor’s Report on Facebook. And look for social media posts like this to help spread the word and encourage support. (Photo below)

~ South Broadway Corridor Traffic Study Is Progressing

Service Director McAbier and I recently met with design engineers from Burgess and Niple to review their preliminary findings in the traffic study they are conducting on the South Broadway corridor. One thing they determined is that there would be minimal traffic impact if residential housing was included in the redevelopment of the Joy/Howden property. They are focused on two solutions: in the short term, redesigning the traffic lanes from Front Avenue to Commercial Avenue to better manage vehicles during peak hours. The long-term solution would be a complete redesign of the area between the US 250 interchange and Commercial Avenue. The study is being paid for by a grant from the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA).

~ Addressing the Safety Concerns Raised about EV Bikes and Scooters

I urge City Council to adopt Ordinance 23-2026 because of the need to better regulate the use of EV bicycles and scooters in the City. Among the safety measures, the ordinance limits sidewalk riding and sets speed limits. The ordinance also contains a parental responsibility section that could hold parents or guardians responsible for violations of the new law by any minor under the age of 18 years. I thank Safety Director Milligan, Police Chief Pohovey and Law Director Fete for their collaboration in writing the ordinance.

~ The Quaker Foundation Serves Pancakes

The Quaker Foundation’s annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser is this Saturday, September 19th at Tuscora Park. With spatulas in hand, Foundation board members will be serving pancakes and sausage from 8am to 11am. The money raised by the event goes toward Quaker Foundation awards and scholarships.

~ “Meet Me Downtown” on Saturday September 26th

NPact and several downtown businesses are planning an afternoon grand reopening celebration on Saturday, September 26th on the new downtown quadrants. The event is called “Meet Me Downtown”. It will start at Noon and will feature an assortment of vendors, music, fall-themed storefront and scarecrow decorations and children’s activities. “Meet Me Downtown” will be the first event to follow the ribbon-cutting on September 23rd that celebrates the completion of the quadrant redesign project.

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09/14/2026

New Philadelphia City Council meets in Regular Session tonight with the following Committee Meetings scheduled:
5:45 Special and Contact
6:00 Safety, Health, and Service
6:30 Public Works
7:00 Zoning and Annexation

New Philadelphia is the county seat of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. It is the county’s largest city with a population of over 17,000. As its name suggests, the city is laid out in the same grid style as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Even the primary streets – High Avenue and Broadway – are named aft...