We await official confirmation of the victim's identity from the county coroner but believe and are operating under the assumption that the pilot was City Councilman Jim Moore. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Jim was a dynamic figure in the community and will be greatly missed. He epitomized a "citizen-public servant." He was a dedicated councilman who enjoyed the citizen-to-citizen interaction at the local level.
Along with his 11 years of service on City council, Jim served on numerous boards and commissions, and played a key role in many of the major decisions that shape the City now and in the future.
He was a tireless advocate for the airport and its economic development potential; he served as chairman of the Airport Commission and was on the Finance Committee; he helped negotiate the city-County 911 agreement and, most recently, worked on a Fire-EMS levy plan.
A retired colonel in the Ohio Army National Guard, Jim was instrumental in helping arrange the partnership between the City and Guard for the Training Center to be built on the City's west side. Jim also spoke out for the city's public safety forces, always working to make sure fire and police had the necessary resources.
As an elected official, he dealt with senior staff and fellow council members, but Jim seemed most comfortable interacting with City employees. He was a regular at our annual employee breakfast and was on a first-name basis with many of us. During city emergencies that necessitated extended work hours, Jim usually was among the first to bring pizza or donuts to the work crews.
He will be missed by his City family.
