Canal Winchester Messenger - January 9th, 2022

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PAGE 6 - MESSENGER - January 9, 2022 www.columbusmessenger.com CW City Council prepares for the coming year By Linda Dillman Staff Writer Canal Winchester City Council spent some time getting organized for 2022. A quartet of council members were sworn in at council’s Jan. 3 meeting and Councilman Chuck Milliken was elected council president and Councilman Bob Clark elected council vice president. Jill Amos, Laurie Amick, Patrick Shea, and Ashley Ward join Milliken, Clark and Mike Walker on council. Walker was appointed Human Services council representative, Milliken is council’s Destination: Canal Winchester representative, and Ward represents council on the CWICC. Amos and Shea were appointed council Joint Recreation District board members and Amos, Amick, and Walker are on the rules committee. Council is reviewing Mayor Mike Ebert’s proposed appointments of Mark Caulk and Chuck Carpenter to the planning and zoning commission. Amos and Ward questioned the appointees’ qualifications and also wanted to know why long-time commission member and attorney Mike Vasko was not re-appointed by the mayor to the commission. Development Director Lucas Haire said a route was created to open up the process to more people by accepting applications, which are good for two years. “We’re struggling to get qualified people. It’s becoming more and more difficult. Many people do not qualify because they are not residents of the city. We struggle with many boards and commissions.” - Lucas Haire CW Development Director “We’re struggling to get qualified people,” Haire said. “It’s becoming more and more difficult. Many people do not qualify because they are not residents of the city. We struggle with many boards and commissions.” According to Clark, it is the prerogative of the mayor to appoint members of the planning and zoning commission. Council then signs off on the recommendation. Ward asked why Carpenter was chosen over Vasko as she felt Vasko appeared to be more qualified. “It seems there were other candidates much more qualified to review those engineering and technical documents,” said Ward. Amos said there were a large number of applicants and, in looking at the applications provided by the city, she questioned whether or not the candidates submitted for approval by the mayor are the right ones at this point in the process. “I do believe we should reconsider the previous applications and look at past candidates as well,” said Amos. Ebert defended his appointment recommendations by noting Carpenter was raised in Canal Winchester, owned two different businesses during his time away from the city, and is business smart. When asked about his selection criteria, Ebert said it is based on integrity, honesty, and knowing the city and its history. “Mr. Vasko has been doing it (serving on the planning and zoning commission) for 18 years,” said Ebert. “I had people approach me in the past and said it was time for a change.” Council will consider taking action on the planning and zoning commission appointments at its Jan. 18 meeting. Other CW Council news •An ordinance amending the city zoning map rezoning 51 acres on Hill and Basil Western roads, owned by Weiser Development and Sonya and Mark Poff, was taken off the agenda after the applicants withdrew their request to rezone the property. •The council held the first reading of two ordinances authorizing the mayor to enter into pre-annexation and developments agreement with L & D Family Farms and Roebing Development Corporation for a nearly 58 acre site along Basil Western Road in Fairfield County. around Canal Winchester •Council is considering the purchase of 2.5 acres for $99,900 on Franklin Street from Timothy Fisk and Lee Oster as a potential park connector, but is first requesting a residential appraisal. CW City Council meetings Canal Winchester City Council meetings are held on the first and third Monday of every month. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held at Town Hall, 10 N. High St. The meetings are open to the public. CW Council work sessions Canal Winchester City Council meets in work session at 6 p.m. prior to each city council meeting to discuss legislative items and other issues of the city prior to being included on a city council agenda. Council work session consists of all members of council with the vice-president serving as chair. The work sessions are divided into two areas of focus. The first work session of the month focuses on finance/economic development items and the second monthly work session focuses on service/safety items. While each work session includes specific areas of focus, other items may be brought before council as needed. Council work sessions are open to the public. First baby of 2022 The first baby born in 2022 at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster arrived on Jan. 2, according to Michelle George Fairfield Medical Center public relations specialist. Rhyver Phoenix Olyver Thweatt made his debut at 5:54 a.m. weighing in at 9 pounds and 21 inches long. Parents are Amanda Love and James Thweatt of Nelsonville. On behalf of FMC’s Maternity Department, the family was given a large basket full of baby necessities, including a blanket and piggy bank. GriefShare group Groveport United Methodist Church, 512 Main St., sponsors a GriefShare group commencing Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Register online at www.griefshare.org/groups/144263.Email groveportgriefsharegroup@gmail.com for information. Barber Museum The National Barber Museum in Canal Winchester is located at 135 Franklin St. (behind the former CW High School building). The museum, housed in approximately 5,000 square feet, showcases art, artifacts, and memorabilia from decades of the barbering profession. For information call(614) 837-8400. Wagnalls Memorial Library Wagnalls Memorial Library is located at 150 E. Columbus St., Lithopolis. For information call (614) 837-4765 or visit www.wagnalls.org. Southeast Library The Southeast Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library is located at 3980 S. Hamilton Road, Groveport. For information visit For information visit www.columbuslibrary.org or call 614-645-2275. Foster a dog The Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center offers individuals in Franklin County the opportunity to foster shelter dogs while they are still available for direct adoption. While fostering a dog, it is possible to learn more about how that dog will act in a home setting, increase the dog’s network of potential adopters, and give them time out of the shelter to decompress. Many dogs enter the shelter as stray dogs, so nothing is known about them. Foster homes provide a chance to learn important details about dogs in the shelter’s care. For information visit the shelter website, www.franklincountydogs.com or email foster@franklincountyohio.gov. Foster candidates at the shelter include both dogs with medical issues and those who would benefit from time outside the shelter environment.
www.columbusmessenger.com Spreading the wealth with bed tax grants By Linda Dillman Staff Writer Heads in beds are putting money into city of Canal Winchester coffers and helping to benefit both local tourism and non-profit organizations throughout the community. The city levies a six percent transient occupancy (bed) tax that is assessed when guests use lodging furnished by a local hotel, motel, or similar business. One half of the tax revenue benefits Destination: Canal Winchester, which is the city’s designated visitor and convention bureau. Canal Winchester City Council designates the other three percent to fund the annual bed tax grant program. During its Dec. 20 meeting, council approved a resolution distributing 2022 bed tax grants to 13 organizations that applied between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 for funding. The list of recommended grants includes: $2,000 for Boy Scout Troop 103 to repair, maintain an operate a troop bus; $2,000 for the BrockStrong Foundation for their 2022 Labor Day Baseball Tournament; and $2,000 to the CW Art Guild for the 2022 Mural Project. David’s Way/Canal Village asked for $2,000 for computers, a printer and supplies and chairs for older adults; $2,000 for Friends for Life Animal Haven to fund their City Kitty Round Up; $2,000 for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10523 for supplies and advertising for the annual Veterans Day Celebration and $2,000 for Indians Cross Country Boosters Dr. Bender 5K Classic. Canal Winchester Finance Director Amanda Jackson anticipates new hotels will add to the bed tax fund and asked council for their advice on how additional funding should be distributed. “Do we put it in the general fund?” asked Jackson. “Do we put it in parks? Do we put it towards the historical society? What do we do with it?” A preliminary suggestion put 10 percent of any excess in support of the historical society; 10 percent to the CWICC, which is a non-profit that allocates bed tax grants for building improvements; 45 percent set aside for city parks; and 35 percent to the organizers of the Blues and Ribs Fest and the Labor Day Festival. “My hope is that a certain portion of that could be allocated for a DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area for supplies),” said Councilwoman Jill Amos. “It’s also one of the things that can attract and draw people in.” Councilman Bob Clark said additional park money could help accelerate construction instead of city administrators trying to find funding. Councilman Mike Coolman felt it was best to wait to make a decision until the new council is seated after the first of the year. Amos used the opportunity to open a discussion on the DORA and said businesses are supportive of the endeavor, but would like to see it phased in slowly instead of held for the first time during a large-scale city event like the Labor Day Festival, which can draw thousands to Canal Winchester. Coolman said the first smaller event is the Art Stroll, which is held the Saturday after Mother’s Day. “Their thoughts were if we start to introduce it, they’ll slowly get their staff introduced to it,” said Amos. “The restaurants and businesses were hoping for a slow thing, to work it in and make it sustainable. I think it can be done. I think the businesses are on board to help.” Madison Township news January 9, 2022 - MESSENGER - PAGE 7 The Madison Township trustees approved moving their regular meeting dates in 2022 to the third Thursday of each month. However, the annual organizational meeting will take place on Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. In other Madison Township news: •As announced in November, the township’s gas aggregation contract with Columbia Gas has expired and all residents enrolled in the program were returned to the gas company’s standard pricing default. “We did not renew…because rates were so high there was no savings for residents,” said Madison Township Administrator Susan Brobst. According to communications specialist Jessica Woodworth, the township does anticipate another aggregation contract in the future, although an exact date is not known. Consultant Trebel LLC is watching gas rates continuously and will secure a contracted rate when prices drop. “This will allow Treble to shop for us,” said Brobst, regarding a resolution giving permission to the company to pursue lower gas and electric rates and to secure those rates with the approval of the trustees. •The trustees authorized Brobst to submit a grant application for state capital funds to improve drainage at Brobst Park. “We continue to have more and more issues with flooding at the park,” said Brobst. “Last week, due to a lot of rain, we had to close the park early.” Canal Winchester Board of Education meetings The Canal Winchester Board of Education meets on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Canal Winchester Education Center, 100 Washington St. on the second floor in room 204/206. The public is welcome to attend. Moses-Mouser Eye Care Dr. Joshua Morris is a board-certified Optometrist who grew up in Bellville, Ohio. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Akron, where he graduated magna cum laude with honors. Dr. Morris attended The Ohio State University College of Optometry and graduated cum laude with honors to receive his Doctor of Optometry Degree in May 2019. After completing his studies, he was awarded the “Primary Vision Care Clinical Excellence Award”, in 2019. Dr. Morris is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Ohio Optometric Association, and The Ohio State Alumni Association. He is excited to practice full scope optometry, diagnosing and treating a variety of ocular disorders and diseases in patients of all ages, but has a special interest in contact lenses and ocular disease. On a personal note, Dr. Morris and his wife Tess, enjoy spending time with their family, friends, and their Bernese Mountain dog Maverick, cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes, trying new foods, and exploring Columbus breweries. Q: How often should someone with diabetes get an eye exam? A: Someone with diabetes should see an eye care professional at least once a year for a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Q: How can diabetes affect my vision? A: Over time, diabetes damages small blood vessels throughout the body, including the retina. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when these tiny blood vessels leak blood and other fluids. This causes the retinal tissue to swell, resulting in cloudy or blurred vision. The condition usually affects both eyes. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they will develop diabetic retinopathy. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness. (AOA) Symptoms include: seeing spots or “floaters”, blurred vision, and difficulty seeing at night. Schedule your diabetic eye exam today with Dr. Morris. 6441 Winchester Blvd. E., Canal Winchester, OH 43110 614-963-3827
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Canal Winchester Messenger - January 9th, 2022

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