Rumored Purchase of City’s Fairways Golf Course Causes Contention

attempted to quash any rumors about the possible purchase of the city’s before last week’s meeting of the North Canton City Council adjourned.

But that didn’t stop resident Chuck Osborne, who’s , from taking to the podium Monday night to share his thoughts about the subject, which he said council members have discussed in secret.

He told council members he’s learned of the city ending its lease with R & S Golf Properties, Inc., which leases and operates the golf course. He also mentioned an appraisal of the golf course in August that cost taxpayers $3,800, leading him to believe the city will soon sell the property, and likely for much less than they bought it. (The appraisal shows its current value at $1.9 million.)

“It’s sad that your decisions have come at such great expense to the taxpayers of North Canton,” Osborne said.

Council members denied the possible sale of the Fairways. said the city is working on a lease to replace one that expires at the year's end. And the appraisal was part of a process to lower the taxes on the property. R & S Golf Properties, Inc., pays taxes based on a valuation of $2.6 million, and Snyder said the company was having trouble keeping up with that.

“There was no nefariousness. There was no backroom negotiation,” Snyder said.

Council said last week that the Fairways sale would have to be done through council and therefore, the public would be aware of it its negotiations.

In other business:

• commended John Buchanan and his Sept. 11 committee for organizing an excellent day of commemoration this past Saturday. The commemoration ceremonies included , a panel discussion at and .

• Held also reminded residents they can receive $7 recycling bins through the city.

• Council heard from a resident who lives near the and is disturbed by the speakers on the restaurant’s patio. City Administrator Michael Grimes said he will follow up with the restaurant’s owner, who Snyder said is aware of the problem.

• Grimes encouraged residents to hold off on joining any gas aggregation programs until they become aware of the city’s price for gas. “I’m pretty confident our price is going to be lower than it was last year,” he added.