MOUNT VERNON — As city officials continue their efforts in finding the reason behind the splotching of clothes being washed in the city, one lead may have finally turned up an answer.
Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said the city received a report back from the International Textile Analysis Laboratory about a blue shirt with splotching the company had analyzed. The report concluded “the surface fading of the shirt resulted from conditions it was exposed to outside of actual washing and probably is partly due to the limited resistance of the dye to the effects of moisture and sunlight.”
The lab found that colorfastness testing of the article of clothing showed the dye was colorfast to water and all accepted colored fabric washing processes. The report stated, “the fading is mostly only on one side of the fabric and not in light protected areas, thus has resulted from the effects of exposure to sunlight. This fading has not been directly caused by any wash water or any wash formula.”
Mavis said the city had the water tested and also conducted a study of the pipes, and no evidence of a problem has shown up.
“We feel we need to be able to tell our water customers that we’ve analyzed every aspect of the water issue. There’s never been any evidence that the water caused or residue built up in the pipe has caused any issues,” Mavis said.
Mavis said the city will continue to look into the issue.
Another water issue the city is dealing with is the old fountain that was located on West High Street near Riverside Park. The city recently discovered the original fountain was one for man, horse and dog, but it was cut in half and turned upside down at some point. Officials contacted the Robinson Iron Co. out of Alabama about the possibility of reproducing the 100-plus year old fountain, but found out it would cost $87,800.
Mavis said officials will not pay to reproduce the fountain, but will get a bowl for the top of it and place it near the shelter and children’s playground at the park.
In other news:
•Mavis said the brick street replacement program has kicked off with employees working on some bad sections of Catherine Street on Friday. They will focus on Sugar Street from Sandusky to Park and Mulberry Street during the summer.
•AEP reported to the mayor that an equipment malfunction was the cause behind some interruptions in power on the east end of the city this week. The company has made the repairs and believes the issue has been solved.
•Plans are being finalized for the Fourth of July celebration. Fireworks will be Friday, July 3, following activities at Memorial Park. There will be food vendors, activities at the tennis and basketball courts, as well as the skatepark, beginning at 3 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, July 5.
•The city’s Shade Tree Commission recently planted 49 trees along Mount Vernon Avenue between Division Street and Cougar Drive. The trees, which are a mix of sweetgum and London Plane, are fitted with a water bag and will grow to approximately 50 to 75 feet tall.
•The summer work crew will soon begin cleaning and palletizing the bricks that have been removed from Gay Street. Mavis hopes to have the project completed by the end of the summer. Summer crews will also begin pulling weeds and sweeping dirt to the curbs, so the city’s sweeper can pick it up.
•Mavis reminded residents the fun day at Foundation Park is today from noon to 4 p.m. Rotary and Kiwanis clubs co-sponsor the event, which will raise funds for picnic tables and pavilions in the parks around the city.
