PIKETON, Ohio — In a dramatic reversal, the Piketon Village Council voted unanimously on Monday to withdraw the controversial annexation petition and revoke the related legislation aimed at incorporating the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant into village limits.
Council met in a meeting on Thursday that few knew was occurring.
The decision came after a contentious meeting last week where council members faced significant public backlash, leading to scenes where some members needed police escorts to leave safely. The move to annex the A-Plant was intended to increase the village’s revenue by nearly $4 million annually through a 1% income tax on its 1,500 employees. However, it was met with fierce opposition from plant workers, many of whom do not live in Piketon but work there.
Nathan Maynard, the owner of Ritchie’s — a well-known local establishment in Piketon serving as a grocery store, restaurant, bar, ice cream parlor, pub, and event venue — expressed his gratitude for community support amidst the turmoil. “Thank you all for the love and support you have given to myself and my family. 67 Years and 4 generations serving you! We are blessed!” Maynard stated in a public address following the council’s decision.
The withdrawal of the petition closes a chapter that had deeply divided the community, highlighting issues of local governance, taxation, and representation. With the petition now off the table, attention turns to how Piketon will address its financial needs and community relations moving forward.