The Future of the Lorena Sternwheeler Still Undecided

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Mayor Don Mason held a meeting today with the County Commissioners to discuss further decisions on the Lorena Sternwheeler.

A few weeks ago the County Commissioners were ready to put up the Lorena for auction, but realized that couldn’t be done due to the sternwheeler being co owned by the city. 

However, it was stated during the meeting that an official title can not be found at this time.

“There is a lack of information by both the county and city as to many things because many people are no longer in office and some have passed away so we’re having a hard time getting 100 percent accurate information. But again, my goal as Mayor is try to keep the Lorena operation providing the services, the tours, the catering services they’ve had now for a number of years because we’re just now being rebuilding the downtown and rebuilding sort of the image of Zanesville and I think losing the Lorena would really hurt our area,” Mayor Mason stated.

During the meeting, the County Commissioners stated that the city hasn’t paid their half on the maintenance since 2013. 

Mayor Mason was provided a packet of information by the commissioners that goes over some of the funds and details.

“The county receives their taxes from sales tax, which in Muskingum County the primary driver of that is inside the city corporate limits and then of course the city receives their income tax from those who work in the city or live in the city,” Mayor Mason said. “So my viewpoint has been regardless of which bucket of money it comes from really, primarily, a lot of the money has been coming from people who live or shop in the city so it’s been funded through tax payer dollars that way.”

The County Commissioners stands firm on auctioning their part of the Lorena to a buyer or their half to the city with the obligation of being paid back for their expenses. 

Mayor Mason said he doesn’t have any interest in getting into the past of who paid what, but plans to see what’s needed legally to continue the Lorena Steernwheeler.