OXFORD -- Vandals have threatened the lives of Oxford's mayor and three other council members who voted to demolish the controversial uptown water tower.
Notes left near the front doors of the homes of Mayor William Snavely and council members Ken Bogard, Vanessa Cummings and George Goodell over the weekend warned they would be killed if they didn't stop demolition of the 135-foot water tower.
The notes said: "Democracy has failed. The peoples (sic) wishes have been denied. You have been punished. Save the water tower or die."
About 3 a.m. Saturday,vandals threw eggs at the homes of the four council members, according to the police reports. Eggs also were tossed at the cars of Mr. Snavely and Mr. Bogard and a car owned by Ms. Cummings' sister. Mr. Goodell said his two cars were inside his garage.
No one has been charged with the crimes and an investigation continues, Oxford Police Chief Steve Schwein said Tuesday.
"You have to take things like this very seriously," Chief Schwein said.
Mr. Goodell called Saturday "the darkest day in the 200-year history of Oxford."
Built in 1922, the rusting light-green tower in Memorial Park in the city's business district is to be dismantled next week.
Some people consider it an eyesore that detracts from the business district. But other Oxford residents and Miami University alumni view it as a historic landmark.
In a non-binding referendum in November, 60 percent of voters backed tearing down the tower. On July 7, council voted 4-2 to hire a Pittsburgh company to raze it.
Ms. Cummings said the vandals have not intimidated her. "It's not going to cause me to change my vote or to go back and discuss it," she said.
