Groveport Messenger - June 13th, 2021

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PAGE 2 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - June 13, 2021 A FREE ESTIMATE 15 10 5 % % % + OFF OFF OFF YOUR ENTIRE SENIOR & MILITARY PURCHASE * DISCOUNTS YEAR-ROUND CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE 1-855-995-2490 + TO THE FIRST 50 CALLERS! ** | Promo Number: 285 Prepare for unexpected power outages with a Generac home standby generator REQUEST A FREE QUOTE! 844-334-8353 FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value! Limited Time Offer - Call for Details Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval Madison Township Police statistics May crime statistics from the Madison Township Police: 78 traffic stops, 24 parking, 12 assist/mutual aid, 5 assaults, 4 burglaries, 35 domestic complaints, 3 missing persons, 2 narcotics, 8 suspicious cars, 35 suspicious persons, 28 suspicious persons/vehicles, 13 larceny/thefts, 1 robbery, 3 fights, 1 sex offense, 6 animal complaints, 5 threats or harassment, 3 vandalism, 1 driving under the influence/OVI, 4 fireworks complaints, 13 juvenile complaints, 40 property complaints, 7 accidents with injuries, 8 shots fired in area, 8 hit skip accidents, and 14 property damage accidents. WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PERSONAL INJURY WRONGFUL DEATH SLIP & FALL INJURY DOG BITE INJURY *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. PLEASE GET VACCINATED for Everyone’s Safety Malek & ATTORNEYS AT LAW Malek Enter the Million Dollar Drawing www.ohiovaxamillion.com Douglas, Ed, Jim and Kip Malek “Hablamos Español” FREE Initial Consultation www.maleklawfirm.com 614-444-7440 1227 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43206 By Rick Palsgrove Groveport Editor Groveport City Council is considering legislation that would enable the city to seek restitution from people who cause damage to public property. “We wanted to formalize a process that provides the opportunity for us to seek reimbursement for costs when individuals cause damage to public property,” said Groveport City Administrator B.J. King. “I anticipate this process will be used mainly for damage from traffic accidents. On occasion a traffic accident can result in damage to public property, such as guardrails, street signs, and light poles. In the past the city has paid for these repairs. Instead of eating the cost for the repairs, the city would work with the individual’s insurance provider to seek reimbursement.” King said there have not necessarily been a frequency accidents lately that triggered this process. “However, we want to have the process and fees in RESIGNS GM Continued from page 1 it moves through the system,” added Groveport Madison Deputy Superintendent Jamie Grube. Groveport Madison Communications Director Jeff Warner said the new, full spectrum LED lighting will create a better learning environment for students and result in utility savings to the district Ogden said the idea for installing vape detectors came from the students who are worried about vaping and smoking in the schools. “The vape detectors can detect smoke from marijuana, e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and from a fire. They can also detect loud noise,” said Ogden. “The detector notifies our administrators, staff, principals, and school resource officers. If something happens, there can be an instant response.” Projects for specific school buildings Some ESSER 2 funds are going toward work at a few specific school buildings, including: needed improved asphalt in paved play areas at Asbury, Dunloe, Glendening, and Groveport elementaries, which will enable outdoor learning activities as requested by the students; roof replacement at Sedalia Elementary; HVAC improvements for the Groveport Elementary gym and auditorium; and the replacement of the old, two classroom modular unit at Groveport Elementary with a new, four classroom modular that includes restrooms. “The new modular at Groveport Elementary will provide more space and have better heating and cooling than the old modular,” said Ogden. Added Grube, “The replacement modular classroom www.columbusmessenger.com Recouping losses from damage to public property place for whenever an accident does occur,” said King. “In the past, guardrails, street signs, and light poles have been damaged.” When asked if this ordinance would also apply when individuals vandalize public property, King said, “This is geared more toward damage from traffic accidents, but if someone intentionally damaged public property, we would do what we could to seek reimbursement for the cost of repairs.” King said the amount of money the city could save if this legislation is enacted is difficult to estimate. “This is all based on damage to public property,” said King. “However, this will save the city money any time damage occurs to public property and we can recoup the cost for repair.” Council heard the first reading of the legislation on May 24 and will discuss it further at its committee of the whole meeting on June 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 655 Blacklick St. Continued from page 1 former councilman Marvin Stevens resigned in March 2018. Grashel’s replacement will fill his unexpired term on council, which runs through Dec. 31, 2021. “It has been a blessing to be part of the Groveport community and an honor to serve the residents on city council,” said Grashel. “When I moved here this community welcomed and embraced me as one of their own. Some of the best people you will find grew up and still live right here in Groveport. For me and my family, calling Groveport home has been a wonderful experience and it is a privilege to get to call ‘Central Ohio’s Hometown’ my adopted hometown.” Grashel believes Groveport’s future is “extremely bright.” “It is a healthy community with passionate leadership, starting with Mayor Westcamp, the city council, staff, and police department,” said Grashel. “After growing up in a similar small town I appreciate the emphasis city leadership has placed on keeping the charm that makes the town so special, while looking to the future for ways to make the experience of living here even better.” According to the Groveport City Charter, Groveport City Council has 30 days from the date of Grashel’s resignation to name his replacement. If council has not named a replacement within 30 days, then Mayor Lance Westcamp has the authority to select someone to fill the seat by appointment. Council has not yet announced if it will be accepting applications for the open council seat or how it will proceed in selecting Grashel’s replacement. eases pressure on the building, but it is not a long term solution to our classroom overcrowding for the school district.” Groveport Madison Treasurer Felicia Drummey said these ESSER 2 funds must be used up by September 2023. ESSER 3 funding In March 2021, the district was notified it could receive $18.9 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act ESSER 3 funding that must be spent by September 2024. Ogden said the decisions on how this funding is to be spent requires input from the Groveport Madison Board of Education and the community. The public is invited to the Groveport Madison Board of Education’s June 22 meeting at 7 p.m. in the administrative offices, 4400 Marketing Place, Suite B, in Groveport, to offer input. “We are also sending a survey to our district families with students asking them how they would like to see this money spent,” said Ogden. “The survey will be on our website at gocruisers.org and it will also be emailed to families and staff.” The plan for the ESSER 3 funds must be submitted to the Ohio Department of Education by Aug. 20. The district will also post on its website by June 24 its plan for this fall’s in-person return to school. “Our ultimate goal is getting our kids and staff back in the classroom in a healthy and safe environment,” said Ogden.
www.columbusmessenger.com June 13, 2021 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 3 The Groveport Senior Center is back in action! By Rick Palsgrove Groveport Editor The Groveport Senior Center re-opened in May and will celebrate its return with an open house on July 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “This will be an open house event,” said Lisa Zurbriggen, city of Groveport senior services manager. “All are welcome and invited to come see the center and all that we have to offer for seniors. There will be craft demonstrations, sponsor organizations, chair volleyball demonstrations, and tours of the facility. It will be a great opportunity for the community to come see the Groveport Senior Center.” Like many places over the past year, the Groveport Senior Center had been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We were closed for most of 2020 from mid-March until we opened our doors on May 12, 2021,” said Zurbriggen. “During that time, the staff made phone calls to check on our members each month and we got to hear their stories. A great deal of people spoke about how hard it was to be quarantined and isolated. They spoke about their fears and even depression caused by the pandemic. We were able to offer some drive-thru events monthly where people could drive their cars to the center to receive a meal or treat. These events drew 100 people or more! People were just so glad to get out of the house and interact, even briefly, with other people.” Currently the Groveport Senior Center has 351 members. The minimum age to be eligible to use the Groveport Senior Center is 55. “Due to pandemic regulations, the Center was just able to open our doors to members to begin activities and events,” said Zurbriggen. “Each week we are seeing a few more people than the week before. Word is getting out and people want to get back to getting out and being social. Most of our members have been fully vaccinated since the senior population was the first to have the opportunity.” The Groveport Senior Center offers various activities including social activities and events, art and crafting, weekly congregate lunches, game playing (euchre, hand and foot, billiards, bingo), a book club, travel opportunities, physical activities (music and dance, chair volleyball), life-long learning opportunities and health screenings. “As we phase our reopening to ensure the safety of our members and staff, we will be adding more activities and events throughout the year,” said Zurbriggen. “We are currently working with Columbus Speech and Hearing to offer education and screening for members. We will also be bringing back blood pressure screenings as we phase back to a full schedule. We also work with sponsors to offer healthy nutritional cooking demonstrations and activities.” Zurbriggen said the Groveport Senior Center important to the community because it provides a safe and welcoming space for senior members of Groveport and surrounding communities to gather socially to enjoy a wide variety of activities and events that have a positive impact on their lives. “The senior demographic continues to Photo courtesy of the city of Groveport Chair volleyball is one of the many fun activities at the Groveport Senior Center. Blacklick Estates facing water/sewer rate increase By Linda Dillman Staff Writer Blacklick Estates residents could dig deeper into their budgets in the future to cover water and sewer costs as Aqua Ohio prepares to ask the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to consider rate increases for their customers across the state. During a June 8 Madison Township trustees meeting, Madison Township Administrator Susan Brobst reported on correspondence her office obtained regarding proposed increases. “We have received notice from Aqua for both water and sewer,” said Brobst, who added if an increase is approved by the commission, it would probably go into effect the first quarter of 2022. “I’m not sure when they’re going to the PUCO.” According to the Ohio Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, on Feb. 6, 2019, the PUCO approved a 3.66 percent system improvement charge for Aqua Ohio following a 2018 application. The company also requested a 3.5 percent improvement charge for households in its servicing area in 2020. Ohio law allows PUCO-regulated water and wastewater companies to establish a system improvement charge based upon capital improvements and infrastructure replacements it made since its last received PUCO authority to increase rates. “What can residents do to stop this,” asked Blacklick Estates resident Debbie Miller. “Our water rates are already ridiculously high. People’s basements back up continuously. I don’t know what we’re paying for and I certainly don’t want to pay more.” Trustee Chairman John Pritchard urged residents to voice their opinions and concerns to the PUCO regarding Aqua’s upcoming request. “If people want to see a change, they need to show up in numbers,” said Pritchard, “but it has to come from the residents. The township doesn’t have any decision-making authority (regarding service/rate increases).” Other Madison Township news •Miller expressed concerns about speeding and drivers repeatedly ignoring the traffic light at Harbor and Noe-Bixby. She is afraid a life-threatening accident is going to happen at the intersection. She said many of the roads in Blacklick Estates are being used as racetracks. “This is happening every day,” said Miller. “On Sunday See BLACKLICK, page 8 grow and it is very important to have facilities and programs focused on the needs of aging community members,” said Zurbriggen. “Active and engaged senior center members become active engaged community members.” Zurbriggen gave an example of a person who the Groveport Senior Center has helped. “When we were making our monthly check in calls, we encountered a gentleman that was having a really rough time with some health issues and he was struggling with depression caused by isolation,” said Zurbriggen. “He was no longer driving and didn’t have family close that could help him. Not only were we able to spend time on the phone with him to encourage and listen, we were also able to deliver a pie to him from one of our drivethru events. He was so pleased, surprised and happy to receive the gift and to see one of our staff members. I’m sure these interactions were helpful to many of our members that we talked to.” The Groveport Senior Center is located at 7370 Groveport Road at the Groveport Recreation Center. It is open the same hours as the Groveport Recreation Center: 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Senior Center is staffed from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information call 614-836-4599. AUTO HOME Beplerinsurance.com 614.837.4379 staff@beplerinsurance.com 3246 Noe Bixby Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43232
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Groveport Messenger - June 13th, 2021

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