In this week’s edition, Richland Source City Editor Carl Hunnell is joined by former Mansfield police Chief Phil Messer, who served in the MPD for 34 years, the last eight as chief, before retiring in 2010.Messer helped to found and grow the METRICH Enforcement Unit during his years on the force. He oversaw the department’s special investigations unit and also helped lead the law enforcement effort that helped clean up the downtown area when the Richland Carrousel Park was coming into fruition.Today is Part One of that chat. Part Two will air on Christmas Eve next week.Hunnell is also joined by Executive Producer Zac Hiser and videographer Grant Ritchey to talk about the news of the week, including a preview of Tuesday night’s Mansfield City Council, where lawmakers are expected to vote on the appropriation of the city’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds.The trio also discussed a plan to possibly provide central air conditioning for the kennels at the Richland County Dog Warden & Adoption Center, the choice of third-generation MPD police officer Blake Bammann as “Officer of the Year,” and the Richland County Board of Commissioners approving a balanced $46 million general fund budget for 2025.
Relevant links: AC for kennels at Dog WardenMPD's Blake Bammann as Officer of the YearCommissioners 2025 budget
Intro song credit: Smoke And Drink, by Luke Watson.
Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local, independent journalism.Get 50% OFF Annual Enthusiast and Leader tiers with code SAVEBIG50 through Jan. 3.

In this week&rsquo;s edition, Richland Source City Editor Carl Hunnell is joined by former Mansfield police Chief Phil Messer, who served in the MPD for 34 years, the last eight as chief, before retiring in 2010.Messer helped to found and grow the METRICH Enforcement Unit during his years on the force. He oversaw the department&rsquo;s special investigations unit and also helped lead the law enforcement effort that helped clean up the downtown area when the Richland Carrousel Park was coming into fruition.Today is Part One of that chat. Part Two will air on Christmas Eve next week.Hunnell is also joined by Executive Producer Zac Hiser and videographer Grant Ritchey to talk about the news of the week, including a preview of Tuesday night&rsquo;s Mansfield City Council, where lawmakers are expected to vote on the appropriation of the city&rsquo;s remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds.The trio also discussed a plan to possibly provide central air conditioning for the kennels at the Richland County Dog Warden &amp; Adoption Center, the choice of third-generation MPD police officer Blake Bammann as &ldquo;Officer of the Year,&rdquo; and the Richland County Board of Commissioners approving a balanced $46 million general fund budget for 2025. Relevant links:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2024/12/13/a-cooler-summer-commissioners-consider-central-ac-at-dog-shelter/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2024/12/13/a-cooler-summer-commissioners-consider-central-ac-at-dog-shelter/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1734495777302000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0sYms0bjzPZdbOKZp7GMMS">AC for kennels at Dog Warden</a><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2024/12/13/third-generation-blake-bammann-picked-mansfield-police-officer-of-the-year/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2024/12/13/third-generation-blake-bammann-picked-mansfield-police-officer-of-the-year/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1734495777302000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1x-nP7ni6ohDPqJgQOy2Kw">MPD's Blake Bammann as Officer of the Year</a><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2024/12/12/richland-county-commissioners-approve-46-million-balanced-budget-for-2025/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2024/12/12/richland-county-commissioners-approve-46-million-balanced-budget-for-2025/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1734495777302000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0YG2EfwzJuwh8MS9a-XBmq">Commissioners 2025 budget</a> Intro song credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/31PbqiNA0BZouNa9WHrl6H?si=F12DuHq3RtO33O7MPZvZDA" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://open.spotify.com/album/31PbqiNA0BZouNa9WHrl6H?si%3DF12DuHq3RtO33O7MPZvZDA&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1734495777302000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2bYFsF23AmFfSXdjqSWhhH">Smoke And Drink</a>, by Luke Watson. <a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/members/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/members/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1734495777302000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2HeLc0J6TaLSNAsyRUwGeE">Be a Source Member</a>&nbsp;for unlimited access to local, independent journalism.Get 50% OFF Annual Enthusiast and Leader tiers with code SAVEBIG50 through Jan. 3.

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Richland&nbsp;Source presents your daily dose of journalism. Listen to the top stories, breaking news and need-to-know information from your award-winning local news team.

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