Grove City Messenger - December 25th, 2022

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PAGE 10 - GROVE CITY MESSENGER - December 25, 2022 Dave Dobos STATE REPRESENTATIVE Ohio House Committees The committee structure of the Ohio House of Representatives is where the bulk of the legislative work gets completed. When a bill is introduced, it is referred to the committee that deals with its particular subject matter. It is discussed publicly by House members. Interested parties will testify about the pros and cons of the proposal so that House members understand better its effects and ramifications. Often times, it will be modified to accommodate the concerns brought forward in the hearings. If it is voted out of committee, it then can be considered by the entire House chamber. Should it get approved by the House, it is then referred to the Ohio Senate, where it undergoes a similar process. Only once a bill gains the approval of both legislative chambers can it get considered by the Governor for his approval. There will be 24 committees in the House in the 135th General Assembly. The committees are as follows: Agriculture & Conservation Armed Services & Veterans Affairs Behavioral Health & Recovery Supports Civil justice Criminal Justice Economic & Workforce Development Elections & Apportionment Energy & Natural Resources Families, Aging, & Human Services Finance Financial Institutions Government Oversight Health Higher Education & Career Readiness Infrastructure & Rural Development Insurance Labor, Commerce, & Pensions Primary & Secondary Education Public Safety, Corrections, & State Security Public Utilities State & Local Government Technology & Innovation Transportation Ways & Means House members will get assigned to committees at the beginning of the General Assembly in early January. Members are designating their preferences to the new House leadership. I have identified three House committees that I feel will enable me to contribute the most for our district: Finance, Technology & Innovation, and Primary & Secondary Education. Alternatively, there are three additional committees with which I feel I can be helpful: Economic & Workforce Development, Higher Education & Career Readiness, and Ways & Means. The Speaker determines, based on his assessment of a member’s expertise, experience, and priorities and the needs of the entire chamber, who will serve on each committee. (Dave Dobos represents the new Ohio House of Representatives 10th District, which consists of most of the west and southwest sides of Columbus, parts of the south side of Columbus, Grove City, Urbancrest, and Franklin Township. He reports to us regularly via this column, which is paid for by Dobos for Ohio.) Paid Advertisement It has been more than a decade since director James Cameron released his science fiction epic “Avatar” and the question that has most often arisen throughout this duration of time is whether it has any relevance within the public sphere. Despite fact-based evidence that it became the highest-grossing box office hit of all time, revolutionized the way computer graphic imagery was used within the entertainment industry, and somehow made people believe that 3D television was the way of the future, film critics and pop culture commentators alike came to the consensus that “Avatar” was but a blip on the radar of the zeitgeist, having little to no cultural impact on the hearts and minds of the masses. As this entertaining, albeit rather pointless, debate was taking place, Cameron was steadily toiling away, stating his intention to make not just one sequel to “Avatar” but four additional movies within this universe as well. The caveat, however, was that none of them would be filmed until he believed that visual effect technology had caught up to the vision he had in his head for the world of his creation. When the announcement came nearly five years ago that he would officially return to Pandora, film critics and pop culture commentators across the country began to once again question whether anyone would even care to revisit the lush world that featured nine-foot tall blue catlike natives clashing with humans as they tried to strip mine their planet for resources. Most believed that no one would care to revisit that place, that it was a waste of money, and that the public had moved far away from this world and turned to things such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the streaming revolution, and all other kinds of entertainment gamechanges. What they seemed to have forgotten, along with all that fact-based evidence presented in the first paragraph, was that “Avatar” created a quiet yet hardcore fanbase that had people trying to learn the fictionalized language of the native Pandoran tribe, making hundreds of trips down to Disney World to experience the related attraction, and plunking down even more money in this economy to see the original film when it came back to theaters earlier this fall. (Note: it even beat new theatrical releases.) But perhaps the most egregious oversight from those wondering whether people would pay to see this sequel, or any sequel thereafter, was that it was helmed by Cameron. Say what you want about him, but there is no questioning the sheer spectacle of his movies. And if there is anything the public wants to see, it is a visual spectacle to the likes of which they have not seen before on the silver screen. Ultimately, this is what “Avatar: The Way of Water” offers to the public: A chance to be immersed in a lush new world that is full of wonder, danger, and unimaginable beauty. Describing this film can sometimes come across like you are blowing smoke up the tush, but in its 3D state it is one of the most visually dazzling movies to ever come on the big screen. The picture is crisper, the technology more advanced, and the motion-capture aspect has improved by leaps and bounds from the original film. With all of that said, however, this film also displays some of Cameron’s worse traits, such as his flair for reminding people that he is responsible for some of the greatest movies of all time, his propensity to use the same words repeatedly, and his lack of detail to the story that is currently being told. He seems to forget that the audience wants answers to the questions that was raised in the first film, that they want answers to some of the questions that are bubbling forth in the second, and that they do not necessarily want to wait for all the answers to be given to them in the slow roll out of this franchise. My theory is that either he does not care about answering them as some threads left in the first film were cut completely out of the second or he feels secure in the relevancy of his world, positive that the masses will come out to see his vision regardless of his fast and loose approach with the storylines. Sadly, he is not mistaken as I know I am a part of that segment that will come out and see it because I do love this world that this maddening man has created. The sequel is set nearly two decades after the events of the first film where we find former Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), now fully transported into his Na’vi avatar, living his best life with his fierce warrior wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) by his side. Over the years, the pair has welcomed three biological children — eldest son Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), second-oldest son Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), and youngest daughter Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) — and have helped raised two other children, the Na’vi-human hybrid Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) and the humanhuman Miles (Jack Champion) who was left behind when Jake and the Na’vi banded together to boot the humans back to whatever remained of the world they had mined to near death. Content with their growing family — although the attitudes now coursing through their teenagers are causing some strife — their happiness abruptly ends when the humans (aka Sky People) come back with a vengeance with several ninefoot tall Na’vi clones who were implanted with the memories of the military men and women who were killed near the end of the first feature in tow. Uninspiring twist aside, these scenes are particularly affecting as it showcases the harm humans can do to other worlds in the name of advancement. It also serves to propel the story to another part of Pandora as Jake and the Sully clan flee from the www.columbusmessenger.com In Entertainment Welcome to the wonderful world of James Cameron The Reel Deal Dedra Cordle clones now hell-bent on their destruction. And what a new world the place they land is. After finding refuge with the Matkayina, a water tribe, the Sully family set out to explore their new home nestled on the shores of the ocean, meeting all sorts of fantastic beasts along the way. Cameron spends much of the 192-minute run time playing within these surroundings, letting the audience get to know the new generation of the Sully children as they bond with majestic ocean animals and members of the new clan. Although it can seem indulgent at times, as if we are playing in his own personal bathtub full of his toys, the underwater scenes are quite breathtaking to experience. Less thrilling, however, is the written story within this film, which is really just a retread of the previous film minus the mineral that could have saved Earth. While the sequel certainly has more depth than its predecessor as the stakes are higher with children at play now, some of the justifications for the military Na’vi clones setting off around the Pandoran world just to fight Jake and his family is nonsensical at times. But that is the risk one takes when it comes to movies that are directed and written by Cameron — more attention is paid to the visual details rather than the spoken word and its story. Individually, they can be a powerful way to move a story, to move an audience, but if they are created together in harmony within a film it can be even more affecting to the mind and heart of the masses. That unfortunately is not the case with “Avatar: The Way of Water,” raising questions once again about its cultural relevance but it will still leave quite an impression with its ability to captivate the senses through its visual storytelling prowess. Grade Visually: A+, Story: B- Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer and columnist. southwest Messenger (Distribution: 12,000) Andrea Cordle...................................Grove City Editor southwest@ columbusmessenger.com Published every other Sunday by the The Columbus Messenger Co. 3500 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43204 (614) 272-5422
The Franklin County Commissioners approved the county’s more-than $2 billion annual budget for 2023. As the administrative division of county government, the commissioners directly oversee 14 county agencies and set the budget for all of county government, including agencies that report to other elected officials. They held three days of budget hearings in November at which agencies presented highlights from 2022 and their budget requests for next year. “There is a saying in government, ‘show me your budget, and I’ll tell you your priorities,’” said board of commissioners president, Erica Crawley. “Our annual budget is the best possible example of the board’s values to support and reflect our community’s priorities. Everything we do as county commissioners is centered around helping and ensuring all of our neighbors in Franklin County have the same opportunities to thrive, not just survive.” The 2023 budget includes continued funding for the commissioners’ RISE childcare initiative that provides $23 million to make high-quality child care available to more Franklin County families, and to strengthen the commissioners’ ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. This year’s budget fully funds a new 24/7 Rapid Resource Center at the county’s new jail to provide support, resources, and referrals to residents exiting custody in order to help them succeed and avoid further contact with the criminal justice system, and it includes increased funding for Franklin County Public Health, Children Services, ADAMH, the Office on Aging, the Board of Developmental Disabilities, and the Veterans Service Commission. “We’re pleased to be able to say that the county is in a strong financial position again this year because of smart December 25, 2022 - GROVE CITY MESSENGER - PAGE 11 www.columbusmessenger.com County commissioners approve $2 billion budget for 2023 planning in years past,” said commissioner John O’Grady. “We pride ourselves on long-term planning and responsible budgeting so that we’re able to weather tough times and support our residents when they need it most.” The 2023 budget includes general fund expenditures of nearly $600 million and all-funds expenditures of more than $2 billion. General fund revenue comes mostly from sales tax and funds local justice and public safety agencies, including the sheriff’s office, jail, and court system. The all-funds budget includes state and federal passthroughs, and largely funds social and human services, economic development, and additional public safety initiatives. The budget also includes nearly $82 million in the county’s “rainy day” fund and approximately five months’ worth of general fund cash reserves. “This year’s budget includes not only the basic funding that county government needs to provide the services upon which our residents rely, but increases to help ensure that all Franklin Count families are able to share in the success that our community enjoys,” said commissioner Kevin Boyce. “Budgeting is among the commissioners’ most important responsibilities and the way in which we can best support our residents throughout the year.” In 2022, the commissioners made historic investments in workforce development programs and nutritional support via the Mid-Ohio Food Collective as well as providing millions in grants to small businesses and local non-profit agencies. They funded an unprecedented number of affordable housing units and strengthened the county’s public health infrastructure. For more information about the budget, visit Budget.FranklinCountyOhio.gov. EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER! 20 % + % OFF OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE * FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET! 1 1 Subject to credit approval. Call for details. Promo Code: 285 10 SENIORS & MILITARY! FREE GUTTER ALIGNMENT + FREE GUTTER CLEANING* YEAR-ROUND CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE A FREE ESTIMATE 1-855-595-2102 Messenger Grove City Village Municipal Building 3492 1st Ave. Urbancrest Sheetz Gas Station - Broadway & Centerpoint Turkey Hill - Broadway & Centerpoint Speedway Gas Stateion - Boardway & I-270 Shell Gas Station - Broadway & I-270 United Dairy Farmers - Broadway & Southwest CVS Pharmacy - Broadway & Southwest Speedway Gas Station - Broadway & Southwest Grove City Library - 3959 Broadway Planks on Broadway - Broadway & Park St. Mobile Gas Station - Broadway & Paul St. Ernies Carry-Out - Broadway & Paul St. BP Gas Station - Stringtown & Hoover We are the BEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER in Grove City FREE Pick-Up At These Locations: Krogers - Stringtown & Hoover Walgreen’s - Stringtown & McDowell CVS Pharmacy - Stringtown & McDowell Drug Mart - Stringtown & McDowell Speedway Gas Station - Stringtown & I-71 Dollar General - 3065 Broadway Southwest Community Center 3500 1st Ave. Urbancrest Kroger - Hoover & Route 665 Meijer - 665 & Hoover Circle K - 665 & I-71 CVS Pharmacy - 665 & Hoover Dollar General - 665 & Hoover READ US ONLINE: www.columbusmessenger.com
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Grove City Messenger - December 25th, 2022

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