Canal Winchester Messenger - May 1st, 2022

www.columbusmessenger.com
SCHOOLS
Continued from page 1
Board President Kevin Butler said he respects
the city and their zoning and did not
want to step on their decision, but for the school
district, the board has to look at the situation
from a holistic perspective.
“We have not had to go out for new taxpayer
money and that’s really important to us,” said
Butler. “We’re fiscal stewards. For us, it’s really
important that we protect our property and our
tax revenue. I’d really hate to see our land annexed
to Columbus and we lose our control.”
Board member Vangela Barnes was not
happy that the school board was getting involved
in the issue, but at the same time agreed
school board and taxpayer interests need to be
protected. She said she had mixed feelings
about the resolution.
“People should have the right to vote for or
against something,” said Barnes in referring to
the referendum. “They’ve gone through the
process. At the same time, we have the right to
protect taxpayers and the revenues our schools
need or acquire.”
Board member Monika Talley said she was
in support of the property resolution because
she believes it is in the best interests of the
school district to support any and all measures
to retain the property in order to prevent the
future loss of school revenue.
The board resolution passed 5-0.
Mental health issues
Sotlar reported on district initiatives to support
the mental health of staff, students, and
their families. He said many are struggling to
navigate changes over the last two years as evidenced
by learning disruptions and significant
mental and behavioral challenges due to myriad
factors.
“Sadly, over the last several months, tragic
incidents have occurred that are impacting our
schools and our community,” said Sotlar. “As
educators and school officials, we know as parents
you want the best for your children. We’re
asking for help from our parents if they see
signs of their kids struggling to contact the
school. If we see something, that’s our key to
contact someone, whether it’s the school nurse
or school counselor or a mental health provider
you go to or other health professional.”
In the upcoming school year, the district’s
goal is to add several mental health related positions
to the Canal Winchester school district
staff at all levels.
“To strengthen our mental health team and
to provide additional support for our students
and their families,” said Sotlar. “We’re going to
have additional counselors at Indian Trail and
the high school. Hopefully add a Nationwide
Children’s Health clinical counselor. This
would put one in each building and hopefully
add a clinical counseling intern. Hopefully,
overall, we’ll have one board-certified mental
health specialist district-wide. We’re doing our
best to try and bring people into our buildings.
We know there is a lot of work to do. Empowering
all of our students for success goes beyond
the classroom.”
CW Tree Giveaway
May 1, 2022 - MESSENGER - PAGE 9
City of Canal Winchester residents can
pick up a free tree at the city’s 21st annual
tree giveaway at Stradley Park, 36
S. High St. in historic downtown Canal
Winchester, on May 7 from 9-11 a.m., rain
or shine. Approximately 120 trees will be
given away on a first-come, first-served
basis. Limit one tree per household.
The annual giveaway and associated
programs are part of an initiative by the
city’s Street Tree Advisory Board and
the Department of Public Service Division
of Stormwater to increase canopy
coverage, prevent soil erosion, and promote
clean air throughout the Canal
Winchester community.
According to Canal Winchester’s
Urban Forester Dick Miller, “Distributing
new trees to private property owners
in Canal Winchester benefits us all and
is essential in growing the city’s green
canopy. The majority of tree canopy coverage
is on private property and riverine
corridors in Canal Winchester. Anything
your street tree advisory board
and stormwater department can do to
further the goal of planting more of the
right tree in the right place is a plus for
the city. Trees are the only part of the
city’s infrastructure that will grow on
their own and increase in value and
function over time.”
The giveaway is open to city of Canal
Winchester residents living within the
city’s corporation limits only. Proof of residency
will be required, such as a city
water bill or driver’s license. During the
giveaway, members of the Street Tree
Advisory Board will be on hand to answer
questions about residential selections.
For information contact Canal Winchester
Urban Forester Dick Miller at
614-834-5110.
Art on the Canal Art Stroll
The 2022 Art on the Canal Art Stroll
will be May 21 from noon to 6 pm in historic
downtown Canal Winchester.
There is no charge for artists to participate
though they are required to carry
their own liability insurance. Visit
www.destinationcw.org/artStroll.
CW Council meetings
Canal Winchester City Council meetings
are held on the first and third Monday
of every month. Meetings begin at 7
p.m. The meetings are open to the public.
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. 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.
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