Brick Street Bar will receive permit for electronic signage

City council welcomed a new police officer and passed a resolution to permit electronic signage at Brick Street Bar during its May 5 meeting.

New police officer

Jack Halbeisen was sworn in to become the Oxford Police Department’s newest officer. Halbeisen graduated from Great Oaks Police Academy in April and previously worked as a dispatcher for the Fairfield Police Department. He has begun the first phase of his training.

“Thank you for the opportunity and letting me serve the city,” Hailbeisen said. “I look forward to a long and healthy career and getting to know the people of this city.”

TOPSS Annual Report

Sherry Martin, executive director for Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS), presented the organization’s 2025 annual report. TOPSS operates a weekly food pantry and offers support for rent and utilities to Oxford households.

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TOPSS provided assistance to 4,342 individuals in 2025 at an average cost of $64 per household for the year. Martin said demand for their services increased after Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were paused in November.

A new building is under construction to meet the increased demand and improve coordination between the pantry and social services. The new building will open in June.

Brick Street receives permit for LED sign

Council approved a resolution for city staff to issue a permit for the installation of a LED sign at Brick Street Bar. City staff initially rejected the permit application but will now grant the permit to avoid a potential lawsuit.

Council members have previously discussed how electric signage can distract drivers, contribute to light pollution and clash with the appearance of other buildings in the city. Brick Street Bar owner Mark Weisman received a certificate of appropriateness from the Oxford Historical Architectural Preservation Committee — provided that the sign did not have moving images and limited brightness.

Weisman argued that the city’s sign code is too vague and was misapplied by staff. He says the sign code violates their first amendment right to commercial speech and is unconstitutional. By issuing a permit for the sign, the city avoids possible litigation. The resolution was opposed by Councilors William Snavely and Jim Vinch.

City council will meet again at 7:30 p.m., May 19 at the Oxford Courthouse

pfennikp@miamioh.edu