Westside Messenger - February 7th, 2021

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PAGE 2 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - February 7, 2021 around the westside Hague Avenue sanitary sewer project receives funding A total of $27.4 million in funding is being recommended for 13 projects in Franklin County by the District 3 Public Works Integrating Committee. The communities requested funding through a state capital improvement program and a local transportation improvement program. The programs are administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission and provide financial assistance to local communities for the improvement of their basic infrastructure systems. “The Ohio Public Works Commission continues to be an important component in financing road, bridge, sanitary sewer and sidewalk construction throughout Franklin County,” said Franklin County Engineer Cornell Robertson, who chairs the District 3 Public Works Integrating Committee. “With this year’s awards, many important infrastructure improvements for a variety of local agencies will receive grants and loans necessary to construct these projects.” Eligible projects include improvements to roads, bridges, culverts, water supply systems, wastewater systems, storm water collection systems and solid waste disposal facilities. County, city, village, township and other infrastructure districts located in Franklin County were eligible to apply. The Franklin County Sanitary Engineer received an award in the amount of $2.2 million for the North Hague Avenue sanitary sewer collections system. The estimated project cost is $4 million. Jeffrey E. Buskirk & Associates Attorneys At Law 4178 Broadway, Grove City, OH 43123 Serving the Community for over 30 years Social Security, Wills, Estates, Probate 614-875-7220 jbuskirk2125@yahoo.com 614-875-0480 Fax God Bless Everyone & Stay Safe at Home Malek & ATTORNEYS AT LAW Malek WORK INJURIES WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SAFETY VIOLATIONS WRONGFUL DEATH PERSONAL INJURY SLIP & FALL INJURY DOG BITE INJURY “Hablamos Español” FREE Initial Consultation www.maleklawfirm.com 614-444-7440 1227 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43206 www.columbusmessenger.com “This year, we received 20 applications to maintain and improve roads, bridges, water lines and sanitary sewers,” MORPC Infrastructure Development Manager Nathaniel Vogt said. “The projects receiving funding assistance will address a variety of local infrastructure needs in our communities.” Breakfast at the Lodge to benefit Special Olympics The Westgate Masonic Lodge #623 is preparing breakfasts once a month to benefit the Special Olympics. The public is invited to have breakfast the second Saturday of each month at 2925 West Broad St. Adults eat for a donation of $6, children age 3 and above pay $3. Serving is from 9 a.m. to noon. PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP Continued from page 1 and be registered and in compliance with the requirements of the Franklin County Board of Health. The license is $150 and is valid until Dec. 31, 2021. Each year haulers will need to purchase a new license. “There will only be trash on a street one day a week and trash must be in a proper container,” said Rob Peters, township administrator. “A container must have a lid on it and if you already have a container like this you don’t need to purchase a new one.” Peters said residents will still be able to pick their own hauler, as long as the hauler they select is licensed in the township. Trash will be picked up on the eastside of the township on Monday, the central part of the township on Tuesday, and the western part of the township on Wednesday. Peters previously said the reason for these changes is because there has been an increasing rodent problem in the township. “We are having a rat issue with the trash on the streets almost every day of the week,” Peters said. “Having trash frequently out is a food source for them. Not having trash out four days a week will help solve this problem.” He also said having trash just in bags on Douglas, Ed, Jim and Kip Malek Ben Churchhill the street for pickup is an issue. “When trash is not in a container with a lid, it is easily accessible to rodents and racoons,” he said. “Having it in proper containers will eliminate this issue, as well as help keep the township clean because trash bags won’t be opened, and trash won’t be spilled everywhere by these animals.” These changes will go into effect March 1, 2021. In other news, the board approve a COVID-19 leave policy. This policy is from Jan. 1 to July 31 and allows any employee who has tested positive for COVID-19 or has had close contact exposure to an individual with COVID-19 and is required to quarantine be off work on administrative leave. The employee’s department head will report the incident requiring the necessary administrative leave to the township administrator for approval. Any employee who is off work for exposure and is not ill, will be required to work from home if possible. Work from home status will require approval by the township administrator and will be considered work time. “COVID related incidents are paid as administrative leave,” Peters said. “There is no limit on time and each incident is evaluated independently.”
www.columbusmessenger.com In Education February 7, 2021 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 3 Bus drivers in short supply in South-Western By Dedra Cordle Staff Writer The South-Western City Schools transportation department is experiencing a staffing shortage. At the Jan. 25 board of education meeting, Transportation Supervisor Tim Cox said during his annual report that the number of bus drivers on hand do not meet the number of drivers in years past. “This has been a rough year,” he said. According to the numbers in his report, there are currently 180 full-time bus drivers, 48 bus aides, 17 substitute drivers and 13 substitute bus aides. While those numbers may seem robust, said Monte Detterman, the district’s director of business services, they do fall well short of the healthy staffing levels they like to see. “There is always a need for drivers,” he said, “but in a typical year, we have 184 full-time bus drivers and between 25 and 30 substitute bus drivers. “We know that those numbers are not always feasible or reasonable, but that is where we have been for the past couple of years.” The staffing shortage, he went on to add, is not just being felt at the district. “It is all over,” said Detterman. “Every industry that needs CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) drivers are experiencing Blood drive at Doctors Hospital The American Red Cross typically has a tough time keeping the blood supply strong during the winter months when inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can impact donors. This year the pandemic adds in another challenge in keeping the blood supply strong. The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this month. There will be a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital in the Heritage Center for Osteopathic Medical Education, 5131 Beacon Hill Road. Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-733- 2767. Events at CML to celebrate Black History Month Columbus Metropolitan Library will celebrate Black History Month in February with informative, fun and interactive virtual events. Several of the events include: • Thursday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. - Family Storytime news and notes • Thursday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. - Author Talk with Lesa Cline-Ransome •Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. - Pre-K Storytime • Thursday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. - Science with Jeff White For more information, visit columbuslibrary.org/events. WNA accepting applications for scholarship program The Westgate Neighbors Association (WNA) is accepting applications for its annual education scholarship. The $500 award is provided to a student pursuing college or vocational education. Eligible students may complete and submit their application online at www.westgateneighbors.org. Applications are due by March 31. This scholarship is funded by a portion of the proceeds from the annual Westgate Home & Garden Tour. It is awarded to a resident of Westgate who contributes to the betterment of their community through demonstrated service and leadership activities. For more information, visit the scholarship tab at www.westgateneighbors.org. a shortage. I think this is a trend that will continue well into the future.” He said the department is currently recruiting to shore up its numbers but said it may take some time to fill the vacant positions. “This is not a job where we can hire someone today and then they start driving tomorrow,” Detterman said. “There is a lengthy and involved process, even for the people who currently have their CDL certification. “They have to undergo drug testing, get physicals and do so many hours of training with instructors on school bus procedures. When you add everything up, the hiring process can take up to six weeks just to get through the required training to be able to drive students.” He said not only is the district looking for people who can meet those state standards, but they are also looking for candidates who show care and compassion toward children. “They are the frontline people,” he said. “They are the first person the students see when going to school and they are the last person the students see when they are going home. They have to have good interactions with children and really be a caring and compassionate presence.” He said that those interested in being a bus driver, whether it is in a full-time capacity or as a substitute driver, can contact the transportation services directly through the district’s website or visit the employment page at the district’s website, www.swcsd.us. Detterman and Cox both said that while there is currently a staffing shortage, they do not expect delays in bus routes. “Our drivers are doing a fantastic job and they will continue to get kids to school on time and drop them back home on time too,” said Detterman. In other transportation news, the department was recently named a recipient of a Diesel Mitigation Trust Fund Grant that will replace 23 buses over the next three years. According to Detterman, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency grant will cover 22.5 percent of the cost of the bus replacement, which amounts to roughly $518,811. Detterman said they will replace the older and less environmentally-friendly bus models in their fleet. “The buses that we use can range anywhere between $65,000 to $115,000 per bus so while this grant will not cover the entire cost it will help offset some of the expenses, which is great.” L KING FOR WESTSIDE MESSENGER? Pick-Up At These Locations: Certified Gas Station - 3911 Sullivant Ave. Walgreens - Broad St & Hague Ave. Dairy Mart - 2585 W. Broad St. N & N Market - 2240 Sullivant Ave. Certified Gas Station - Orel & Broad St. Westland Library - Lincoln Village Plaza Giant Eagle - Lincoln Village Plaza Krogers - Georgesville Square & I-270 Turkey Hill - Clime & Georgesville United Dairy Farmers - Clime & Demorest Walgreens - Clime & Demorest Certified Gas Station - Demorest & Briggs Dutchess Shoppe - Clime & Harrisburg Certified Gas Station - Hardy Parkway & Frank Rd. READ US ONLINE: www.columbusmessenger.com
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