Groveport Messenger - October 3rd, 2021

PAGE 4 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - October 3, 2021
Groveport history films
Two documentary films on the history
of Groveport, produced by the Groveport
Heritage Society and Midnet Media, are
now available for viewing online on
YouTube.The films are: “Groveport: A
Town and Its People” and “The Story of
John S. Rarey and Cruiser.”
Letters policy
The Groveport Messenger welcomes letters
to the editor. Letters cannot be libelous.
Letters that do not have a signature, address,
and telephone number, or are signed with a
pseudonym, will be rejected. PLEASE BE
BRIEF AND TO THE POINT. The
Messenger reserves the right to edit or
refuse publication of any letter for any reason.
Opinions expressed in the letters are not necessarily
the views of the Messenger. Mail letters
to: Groveport Messenger, 3500 Sullivant
Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204; or by email to
southeast@columbusmessenger.com.
southeast
Messenger
(Distribution: 20,634)
Rick Palsgrove ...................................Groveport Editor
southeast@columbusmessenger.com
Published every other Sunday by
The Columbus Messenger Co.
3500 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43204-1887
(614) 272-5422
The Columbus Messenger Co. reserves the right to edit, reject or cancel
any advertisement or editorial copy at any time. The company is not
responsible for checking accuracy of items submitted for publication.
Errors in advertising copy must be called to the attention of the company
after first insertion and prior to a second insertion of the same advertising
copy.
Keep tabs on the latest news in
Groveport & Madison Township
Look for Groveport Messenger on
Become a fan!
BIRTHDAY • ENGAGEMENT • WEDDING • ANNIVERSARY
• GRADUATION • RETIREMENT
IN MEMORIUM • ARMED FORCES
Say it with an announcement ad in
the Messenger and spread the word.
You can download the appropriate form from
our Web site or stop by our office
Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Columbus Messenger
3500 Sullivant Ave.
614-272-5422
www.columbusmessenger.com
Groveport Madison
board of education
(Vote for three)
•Seth Bower, 3089 Dewbourne Dr.
Reynoldsburg
Occupation: Aquatics
Manager with the
city of Groveport.
Education, military,
and/or political experience:
As a lifelong
community leader, my
goal is to always support
our school district.
I currently serve
as a board member for
Groveport Madison
Human Needs. I am BOWER
also the coordinator
for the Independence Village block watch. We
host free community events that engage our
youth in activities and programs.
Goals if elected: If elected to Groveport
Madison school board, I would work tirelessly
to engage our community, improve our integrity,
and keep our district financially accountable.
Our children deserve the best, and I
would work to improve existing infrastructure,
promote academic excellence, and address
the issue of overcrowding in our schools.
•Wayne Bryan, 5408 Newport Road,
Columbus
Occupation: Retired.
Education, military, and/or political experience:
I am a Groveport
graduate. I am a
retired maintenance
and construction professional
for a retail
chain where my
responsibilities included
build-out and
remodeling of retails
spaces. I am a member
of the Madison
Townships Citizens
Advisory Committee.
Goals if elected: I
will work tirelessly to
restore trust between
BRYAN
the community and the school board by
demanding transparency, honest communication,
and compliance with our local laws. I
will listen to concerns act on what is best for
the district and community as a whole. I will
not be a simple rubber stamp for the administration.
•LaToya Dowdell-Burger, 5016 Hickory
Grove Circle, Groveport
Occupation: HR Specialist Info Systems
Business Owner
Education, military, and/or political experience:
U.S Army veteran with over 16 years of
experience in HR, Workforce Development,
Health Administration, Business
Development and Public Affairs. Attended
voters guide
several military
schools; Government
Leadership Academies
and attended
Ohio Christian
University (Leadership/Ministry).
A
sought after mastermind
behind any idea
a person might have.
Served on numerous
non-profit boards in
Franklin County.
Goals if elected: Her
goal is to ensure there is an active forum
between the Board and Community, which is
one of her platforms entitled Board to
Community. It is important to her that she
hears what the community as a whole. In
addition, to bring resources to assist the
GMLS ever growing diverse population.
•Libby Gray, 3980 Hendron Court,
Groveport
Occupation: Domestic and International
Tax Manager with Tosoh America, Inc.
Education, military,
and/or political experience:
The Ohio State
University –
Bachelor’s degree in
accounting; Capital
Law School – Master’s
in taxation; and
Groveport Madison
School Board – 2014-
present – President
three years, Vice
President one year;
Co-Chair – Committee
for Better Schools
DOWDELL-
BURGER
GRAY
Goals if elected: I would like to continue to
move our district forward. In eight years, we
have accomplished a lot. From a financial crisis
to financial stability, new high school and
added programming to prepare students
beyond High School. We must continue the
momentum and provide new schools and programs
for students.
•Polly Pierce, 5387 Inlet Drive,
Columbus.
No reply received.
•Elizabeth (Betty) Simcox, 4452
Drycott St., Groveport
Occupation: Real-Estate Management
self-employed
Education, military,
and/or political experience:
My background
makes me a uniquely
qualified board-member
candidate. I have a
bachelor’s degree in
Business Administration
with an accounting
major from
Franklin University. I
have served as a charter
school board-
SIMCOX
member. I owned and successfully operated a
www.columbusmessenger.com
preschool (infant-kindergarten) for over 17
years. Currently, I manage family-owned commercial
real-estate.
Goals if elected: Over 59 percent of
Groveport Madison students test below grade
level. As a community, I believe we can
change this with honest, transparent board
meetings and research-based decision making.
I would end the sporadic non-recording of
board-meetings, excessive use of executive
sessions, no-bid contracts, and administrative
committees without public meeting minutes.
Groveport
City Council
(Vote for four)
•Edward G. Dildine, 182 Green Avenue,
Groveport
Occupation: Madison Township firefighter
and paramedic since
1990. A 1989 graduate
of Groveport Madison
Education, military,
and/or political experience:
Groveport City
Council member for 16
years. Volunteer football
coach for 20
years. Member of the
Groveport CIC. Apple
Butter Day Committee
member. Honor Guard
with MTFD. Peer
Support Team Leader with MTFD.
Goals if elected: would like to continue the
responsible growth we have experienced
recently. Work with neighboring communities
on whatever opportunities that would benefit
our residents. Enhance the quality of life for
our residents and our corporate partners and
visitors. Find a way to bring more community
involvement to the governmental process.
•Becky Hutson, 5063 McIntosh St.,
Groveport
Occupation: Director of First Impressions
employed by H.T. Hackney Co.
Education, military,
and/or political experience:
I’m a Cruiser
graduated from
Groveport Madison
High School in 1983. I
completed several
night courses at
Eastland Vocational. If
elected, this will be my
third term serving for
the residents of
Groveport. I’m a member
of Franklin County
DILDINE
HUTSON
Central Committee and I have served on
Planning and Zoning for two terms.
Goals if elected: I would love to see the
completion of the 1847 Project up and successfully
running. I would really keep pushing
for updated infrastructure to keep our city
See GROVEPORT COUNCIL, page 5