Carey council hears about camping during Novena

CAREY — Anthony Abraham pleaded his case to be allowed to camp in Waterworks Park to the Carey village council Monday evening after it was announced camping would not be allowed during the Novena Pilgrimage, starting in 2026. A Michigan resident for most of the year, Abraham informed council he and his family had found their second home in Carey. "Carey is a tradition; we treat it as our home," he said. According to him, depending on which elder family member one were to ask, his family has been making the journey to Carey every year for the last 105 years. Vandalism and other criminal mischief in previous years led to Our Lady of Consolation leadership not allowing camping at the church. They have asked council to adopt the same policy within village limits. "We started seeing vandalism; we started seeing things happening that we had no control over … at one point we were asked not to come back," Abraham said. He later said neither he nor his family was responsible for the vandalism. "We worked a lot in collaboration (with the village of Carey) to come up with a process on how to protect ourselves, how to protect our traditions … We've been a part of your tradition, you've been a part of ours. My ask today is that we're able to continue that," he said. Council later agreed with Abraham and discussed how to allow him and his family to continue to camp in Waterworks Park during Novena. In other news Council heard from Police Chief Jeff Conley who reported a "Battle of the Badges" competition had been scheduled for 10 a.m. Sept. 6 at Harrison Smith Park in Upper Sandusky. "(Carey Fire) Chief (Chad Snyder) will be participating in some form," Conley said, later joking about how things might go. "EMS, make sure you're on standby." Conley also reported he was planning a "Meet and Greet" with new officers, including himself at the upcoming Carey Fest, scheduled for Thursday, July 31 from 6-8 p.m. at Waterworks Park. Council also decided village trick-or-treating would be 4-6 p.m. Nov. 1, with a rain date of Nov. 2. Council passed one resolution allowing the village administrator to sign claim forms for unclaimed funds and waiving the three reading requirement. Council member Bob Styer urged village residents to inquire as to whether they were on the list to receive unclaimed funds.