South Messenger - January 9th, 2022

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PAGE 4 - MESSENGER - January 9, 2022 Letters policy The 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: South Messenger, 3500 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204; or email southeast@columbusmessenger.com. eastside Messenger (Distribution: 6,100) Rick Palsgrove................................South Editor eastside@ columbusmessenger.com Published every other Sunday by The Columbus Messenger Co. 3500 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43204-1887 (614) 272-5422 Keep tabs on the news in Obetz and Hamilton Township Look for South 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 www.columbusmessenger.com “Mixtape” is like finding an old relic in the storage box As a child of the ‘80s who spent a majority of the adolescent stages in the ‘90s, I am feeling some kind of way about the recent trend of movies and television shows set during these decades. While I admit to experiencing the occasional twinge of pain from the reminder of the passage of time, I can say I am mostly comfortable with these “blasts from the past” as they have a way of rekindling lost loves — and no, I am not talking about searching social media platforms for former crushes. For example, I recently searched through the streaming services for a new release for review week when I came across a film titled, “Mixtape” on Netflix. Though I had not heard of this film before — streamers seldom advertise unless they are pushing for award consideration — I was intrigued because the name brought forth so many positive emotions. I loved everything to do with the mixtape, especially the creation of one. My crowning achievement in high school — beyond managing to graduate, that is — was my music-loving history teacher telling me the mixtape I made for a project on the 1960s was “sublime.” (Side note: he asked to keep it.) My love for the mixtape created so many magical memories during my adolescence, but almost all of them were tucked away in my adult brain, covered in cobwebs until I stumbled across this aptly titled movie. Though flooded with positivity on name alone, I was hesitant to watch because it had already laid a nostalgic-whammy on me and one can only take so much. Ultimately, I was glad I decided not to skip it because “Mixtape” is probably the sweetest non-animated film I have seen in years. Part musical discovery, part coming-ofage story, “Mixtape” begins in a time of By Rick Palsgrove Managing Editor Former Groveport Police Chief Ralph Portier passed away Dec. 31 after an illness. He was 71. “Chief Portier was a very special person,” said Groveport Mayor Lance Westcamp. “He was a great leader, mentor, friend and a very caring person. He was all about family and community. The Groveport Police Department is so respected because of the leadership skills Chief Portier brought with him. He never met a stranger. Chief Portier always said he was truly blessed to work in Groveport. As mayor of the city, we were the ones who were truly blessed to have him as our police chief.” Portier had a 50 year career of service in fire, EMS, and law enforcement. He began as police chief in Groveport in 2009 and served until he retired in April 2021. “Chief Ralph Portier was an individual who believed in making sure everyone he came in contact with should be treated unrest. It is nearing the end of 1999 and the leading character Beverly Moody (Gemma Brooke Allen) is a tween on the cusp of becoming a teenager. While most of the world, including her grandmother Gail (Julie Bowen) is worried that this “Y2K bug” will crash markets, Beverly’s primary concern is that of her deceased parents who died when she was a toddler. For years, Beverly has tried to get Gail to open up about what her parents were like, what they were interested in while alive, but the grief over losing her daughter is still too much to bear. Still, Beverly dreams of the day when her grandmother can talk about them, and she hopes the realization that there is nothing to fear from 2000 will do the trick. While cleaning the basement one day, Beverly comes across a mixtape dubbed “Love Riot” which was created by her parents. Unfamiliar with the list of largely obscure punk bands from the ‘80s, she is eager to get that first glimpse of who they are through their musical choices. Unfortunately for Beverly, the tape deck gets a case of the destructive munchies as the opening riff to “Getting Nowhere Fast” by Girls at Our Best blares through the headphones. Believing the cure to her unspooled tape can be found in a record store, she is dispelled of that belief by the misanthropic owner Anti (Nick Thune). She does, however, learn the number one rule of the mixtape: it must be listened to in order: “It is a message from the maker to the listener.” It’s a romantic telling of the mixtape, one in which Beverly gloms onto, wanting to hear anything her parents could tell her. Of course, listening to the songs on the tape are not as easy as once thought, especially considering that Beverly doesn’t exactly have the Internet right at her fingertips at with fairness and a smile, whether in a general encounter, or in our official capacity as a police officer,” said current Groveport Police Chief Casey Adams. “There was not a day that went by that our officers and city officials did not hear how a citizen or visitor to our community somehow knew Chief Portier from his days as a public servant in Guernsey County, to his time as a police officer and supervisor in the city of Pickerington, and then the countless individuals and police officers he touched through his instructional training throughout Ohio on taking care of ourselves in the policing community.” Adams said the Groveport Police Department and the city of Groveport lost a true ambassador of the community. “Chief Portier invested each and every day of his service to our community to making sure people came first, and he always spoke how Groveport welcomed him with open arms from day one and he felt like this was his home and not just a place to work,” said Adams. Groveport City Councilman and former The Reel Deal this stage in her life. Throughout the course of the film, the lonely Beverly opens up and finds two equally lonely friends (Ellen and Nicky, played by Dedra Cordle Audrey Hseih and Olga Petsa, respectively) who are willing to help her on her quest of musical discovery. Though the soundtrack is full of bangers, it is this budding relationship that really makes the film something special. When they are together, this film becomes like the process of creating a mixtape, one of those special ones with inside jokes put in place of actual song titles. There is a lot of sweetness going on in this film, especially with Beverly who is so earnest in her desire to find out more about her parents, and it could grate if not in the right mood. But the deft hands of director Valerie Weiss and writer Stacey Menear manage to keep it from falling into the overly corny territory by creating a great balance between levity and grief. Overall, I would have to say finding “Mixtape” in the vast library of new releases on Netflix was like finding an “old relic” in the storage box. It was a delightful surprise, one full of warmth mixed with a little twinge of sadness, but a great time of discovery nonetheless. Grade: B Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer and columnist. Well known area police chief passes away Groveport police officer Shawn Cleary recalls he and Westcamp interviewing Portier for the job as police chief. “I remember feeling right away he was a perfect fit for the Groveport,” said Cleary. “His commitment ot the citizens of Groveport went beyond expectations. He quickly earned the trust of the citizens and officers. This is a tragic loss for the community and the Portier family.” Adams said Portier never made any excuses to take time away from his job during his health struggles. “He showed up each and every day giving it his all, and he made sure that his officers came first,” said Adams. “Even after he retired earlier in 2021, he still loved to stop by the police department, send out a text or email, or just make a phone call and tell us how he loved each and everyone of us. He always asked how we were doing personally, he wanted to make sure we watched out for each other, and that we took time each and every day to have quality family time.”
www.columbusmessenger.com Lockbourne year in review January 9, 2022 - MESSENGER - PAGE 5 By Linda Dillman Staff Writer The books are closed on 2021 and Lockbourne Mayor Christie Ward is looking back on a year full of activity in the village. A quartet of highlights came to mind when Ward was asked to review the accomplishments in which her administration and volunteers were involved. Topping the list was the relocation of Veterans Park, which opened during the summer and was dedicated in November. “Most of the park was funded through donations,” said Ward. “The village only spent $1,700 out of the general fund for park design and miscellaneous work. There are a few final details, such as landscaping, signage, planters, and trash cans yet to be installed.” In partnership with communities from Millersport to Portsmouth, the Ohio Southern Descent Heritage Trail was created to highlight the communities along the Ohio & Erie Canal, including Lockbourne. Each community hosted a kick-off event for the Heritage Trail this past fall. “Lockbourne’s event was such a big success,” said Ward. “We received feedback from many folks asking us to bring back the Lock & Canal Days Festival each year. Plans are underway and we will make an announcement later in 2022.” Renovations on the second floor of the Historical Hall are near fruition, with completion of the entire building remodeling anticipated in 2022. Ward said being invited to participate in the Rapid 5 project was another highlight, which brought awareness and support for upgrades to Locke Meadow Park and the Magnolia Trail. As for the future, Ward said there is a full slate of projects on the horizon for 2022 and beyond. Plans are to install a pedestrian bridge at the east side of the Magnolia Trail that will connect the Maine Loop and the Nye Loop. Funding was provided through the State Capital Budget and the project is expected to be finished by June 2022. “We are planning to place a Memorial Wall along the fence line at the Veterans Park, to commemorate the history of Lockbourne and Rickenbacker Air Force Base,” said Ward. “Our goal is to have at least a portion of the wall complete by Memorial Day 2023.” Connection of the third loop to the Magnolia Trail, located south of Rowe Road along the tow path to the Big Walnut in Pickaway County, and installation of a new entrance to Locke Meadow Park at 72 Commerce St. are planned for the village. See LOCKBOURNE, page 6
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South Messenger - January 9th, 2022

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