Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney gave a 20-minute "State of the City" address before the council session Monday evening. In his fourth annual address, he began by saying "we've been dreaming big, and now it's 'Go Time.'"

He said everyone has shared in the recent vigorous growth, except for two sectors: families and neighborhoods. He gave an example of a mother living in her car for six months, seeking a job while her kids stayed with family members. Feeney also mentioned the opioid epidemic.

But positive developments he listed included a huge grant for the HOPE partnership, redeveloping the former Mount Logan school building, increasing fire and police staffing, the return of curbside recycling...and "the best dog park in all of Ohio."

Feeney called for creating a "big vision" for the next 25 years, and the city's people will be a big part of it. Better access to pre-K education is his main emphasis.

He closed in saying Chillicothe has "an incredible opportunity" in being the next place that compels other towns "to say they want to be the next Chillicothe, Ohio."