Southeast Messenger - June 28th, 2020

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PAGE 6 - SOUTHEAST MESSENGER - June 28, 2020 Bat houses According to Groveport Community Affairs Director Patty Storts, Amanda Robinson made bat houses for the city of Groveport for her Girl Scout Gold Project. Robinson held a informational bat program last fall in the city. AUTO HOME BUSINESS LIFE INSURANCE Beplerinsurance.com 614.837.4379 staff@beplerinsurance.com 3246 Noe Bixby Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43232 Jeffrey Winnestaffer, age 65 of Canal Winchester, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2020. Born July 4, 1954 to the late Ernest and Mary Winnestaffer. Jeff was an avid card player, as well as loved playing board games and watching his grandchildren play soccer and baseball. Jeff is survived by his son, Jordan (Tiffany) Winnestaffer, and their sons Keagan and Kallen; son, Jered Winnestaffer and his son Gabriel; son Justin Winnestaffer and his children; brothers, Ernest Joseph (Marcia), Jim (Sue), and John (Diane) Winnestaffer; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A visitation will be held 10-12pm on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at THE DWAYNE R. SPENCE FUNERAL HOME, 650 W. Waterloo St., Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110, where a funeral service will follow at 12pm. All COVID 19 guidelines will be followed and masks are encouraged. Online condolences at www.spencefuneralhome.com R emember our Military Men and Women All Gave Some and Some Gave All! Proudly supporting our troops and their families. 5075 S. Hamilton Rd. Groveport, OH 614-836-1500 www.mottsmilitary rymuseum.org www.columbusmessenger.com Obetz cuts $2.1 million due to pandemic By Ris Twigg Staff Writer the fun stuff until we figure it out, and that’s because we spend so much money on ried” because of the ongoing uncertainty with the coronavirus. The coronavirus pandemic has created fun stuff,” Davisson said. “(We spend) $1.5 Frequent changes to public health record unemployment and a host of other million on fun stuff.” orders issued by Dr. Amy Acton and economic problems that caused Obetz’s two Many of those events are free to residents, but actually create a profit loss for difficult situation, Davisson said. He esti- Governor Mike DeWine put the village in a main sources of funding – income tax and event revenue – to dramatically decrease the village. For example, Davisson said the mates the coronavirus could cost the village millions by the time the pandemic for the remainder of the year. annual Zucchinifest generates limited to Obetz officials estimate at least a 10 no revenue for the village and costs about reaches its end, which could result in further budget cuts that would potentially percent drop in income tax revenue, and $300,000 per year to host. Community this, coupled with additional expenses the events and programming cost the village affect employees. village took on to help prevent the spread more than $1.5 million per year in total. Building services was the only spending of COVID-19, are what lead to the $2.1 million cuts in village funding. “Loss has a negative connotation. That’s category to increase. Davisson attributes $1.5 million that our residents didn’t have the $80,000 in additional spending to the “Our council essentially put a pause to pay to use those amenities,” he said. continued development efforts of companies throughout the pandemic. button on any non-essential spending. And “Our responsibility to the community is to it will remain that way until the fall,” said make sure that we are operating these “It’s an increase for money that we get Obetz Village Administrator Rod Davisson. things at the right level.” right back,” he said, adding the money is “We’re taking our resources and we’re centralizing those to keep the heart and the Because of these major cuts and the spent on building inspection services and is ongoing uncertainty the coronavirus pandemic brings with it, Obetz Village Council the work has been completed. paid back by a third-party inspector after brain of Obetz alive so we can function.” Davisson said fundamental services - will begin considering a parking or But Davisson said most areas are feeling the effects of the budget cuts. including but not limited to police, fire, entrance fee for major events later this water, streets, groundskeeping and facilities management - are still operating and year to make up for lost funding. “We made cuts. Everybody’s feeling the Currently, only non-residents are charged cuts, we want to be responsible with the have continued to operate throughout the for some events in the village. taxpayers’ money. To the extent that I can pandemic. Zucchinifest, Fortress Obetz, and squirrel away money for hard times, as bad Major cuts were made in spending areas increased rates for the Obetz Athletic Club as this time is, it could be worse and I don’t such as printing, training, advertising and were all potential amenities council discussed charging more for. “I want to make sure we are prepared for know what’s coming next,” Davisson said. community events. “Everything’s working just like normal. Budgets have yet to affect any village whatever the worst eventuality is and so We just honestly had to shut down some of personnel, Davisson noted, but he added that we can be supportive of those people that village staff members “should be wor- in the hardest of times.” Obetz Splash Pad to reopen on July 1 By Ris Twigg Staff Writer The Obetz Splash Pad is scheduled to reopen July 1 with state and federal guidelines in place, Obetz Village Council announced at its June 22 meeting. To help prevent the spread of COVID- 19, the Ohio Department of Health issued a series of guidelines specific to operating public pools and splash pads in the state of Ohio. Obetz Village Administrator Rod Davisson said he hopes his staff will be prepared to implement each of those changes by July 1. “We’re scrambling to pull off the guidelines,” Davisson said. “The order’s been out for a minute, but the trick is you have to absorb the order, understand what the requirements are, then build those requirements and make sure you have the appropriate staffing.” The Splash Pad – like the Obetz Athletic Club – is increasing its staff to ensure regular cleaning and sanitizing of Dr. Bender 5K Classic The Dr. Bender Virtual 5K Run and Walk will be held between July 16 and July 19. Participants can select any time and location to run/walk their 5K distance in that time frame. The move to a virtual race continues the tradition of running for a chairs, equipment, restrooms and other onsite areas. Some of the state’s mandates include installing physical barriers in high-interaction areas between patrons and staff, prohibiting large groups from gathering in the shelterhouse, increased sanitization, continuing to test the water and social distancing. Davisson believes social distancing will be one of the more difficult guidelines to enforce, adding he isn’t sure if the Splash Pad will need an occupancy limit. “Obviously there is a practical limit and you have gathering limits,” he said. “I’m still working my way through whether or not that park has to have a limit.” Because of the additional requirements and staffing needed to run the Splash Pad, the food service will not be opening this year, Davisson said. “The Splash Pad will be open, but it won't be open in the way people are used to. It’s just going to be different,” he said. “It’s an important public asset. We’ll keep adapting to the changes. We’re trying to make around the Southeast great cause in the midst of practicing social distancing. There will not be a kids 1 mile fun run this year nor alumni/team competitions. Proceeds benefit the boys and girls cross country teams at Canal Winchester High School. Post-race features include a random raffle drawing for four $50 Amazon gift cards that will be conducted sure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy that this summer in a safe way.” The government building and the Obetz Athletic Club are continuing to operate with limited capacity. Fortress Obetz and the Obetz Community Center are still closed. Rental facilities and the Obetz Senior Center will be closed throughout the month of July, but could open in August, Davisson said. For a small town like Obetz, keeping up with the changing health orders can be costly and difficult. One month, the village could spend a significant amount of money on one health order, only for a new guideline – with new costs – to take its place the next month, Davisson said. “It's really like starting over again, and then you rebuild the whole thing in a way to where it really wasn’t designed to work that way. It’s certainly not easy for a smaller town like us, or Groveport, the ones that don’t have 500 employees to do all this stuff,” he said. via Facebook live on the Dr. Bender 5K Classic page July 20 at 7 p.m. Registration for the race is open and the first 50 registrants will receive a $10 gift card (one per household) to Columbus Running Company. Entry fee is $25. Visit www.drbender5k.com for more information and to register.
www.columbusmessenger.com June 28, 2020 - SOUTHEAST MESSENGER - PAGE 7 HAMILTON HAPPENINGS ews fro rom across th he Ha amilto on Local School Distri B oard Ma kes Diversity Statement Hamilton Local Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a diversity resolution that suppp orts the need fo or civil c hange while committing i to providing support, resources, and profe essional development to students and employees. Board Diversity Resolution as approved on June 22, 2020: Whereas, the Hamilton Local School District Board of Education is saddened by the racial and social injustices that continually occur across our country; and Whereas, Hamilton Local Schools wants it known that we stand fir irmly behind those who have expressed a need fo or civil change in our country, especially any district student, employee, or community memberm who has been a victim of racial or social injustice in their lives; and Whereas, our district remains committed to educating students in an environment that welcomes diversity and displays compassion and inclusivity among all students and employees; and Whereas, it is our responsibility to provide every student and employee in our district wit ith a safe and nurturing place to learn and work every day; and Whereas, we will consciously work to provide curriculum and resources that educate all of our students about diff ferent cultures, diversity, history, and current events so they have a broad knowl ledge about the world around them; and Whereas, we will provide our employees with profe essional development pertaining to racism and cultural diversity; and Whereas, we will continue to work with local municipal leadership to come up with solutions that will remove any racial or social injustices in our district boundary; and Th herefo ore, Hamilton Local Schools will fo ocus on conversations and programs that include equity and cultural competency among all students and employees, while continuing to teach each child and provide an environment that is fil illed with love and respect fo or all who visit our schools each day. District Seeking Feedback Through Online Survey Hamilton Local School District is asking fo or fe eedback fr rom district fa amilies as it considers the best way to restart school. There are many variables to consider befo ore making this decision, and your responses wil ill provide additional information fo or the district to refe erence while creating the best plan fo or the 2020-2021 school year. Submit fe eedback by visiting the link below. https://bit.ly/HLSRestartSurvey2020 Online Registration Open for the 2020-2021 School Ye ear Hamilton Local is now accepting online applications fo or Hamilton Preschool and Kindergarten students fo or the 2020-2021 school year. You can fin ind complete registration info ormation on the student registration web page at ww ww.hlsd.org/registration.aspx If you have any questions about kindergarten registration, please contact our student registration off fice at 614-491-8044 ext 1239. If you have questions about registering your child fo or Hamilton Preschool, please contact their main off fice at 614-491-8044 491 ext. 1231. Free Summer Lunch and Snack Offered by Columbus Libraries If your fa amily needs meals fo or children ages 1-18, you can stop by the Marion-Frankl lin branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library system Monday - Friday between 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. to pickup meals to take home. The Marion-Franklin branch is located at 2740 Lockbourne Rd. Columbus, OH 43207. If you have questions about the program, call the branch off fice at 614-645-2275.
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Southeast Messenger - June 28th, 2020

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