Groveport Messenger - May 21st, 2023
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<strong>Messenger</strong><br />
<strong>Groveport</strong><br />
<strong>May</strong> 21 - June 10, <strong>2023</strong> www.columbusmessenger.com Vol. XL, No. 23<br />
Alicia Hui and Karl Peterson play at the<br />
“Tea Tasting with the Columbus<br />
Symphony Orchestra” event held at<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Town Hall. Hui and Peterson<br />
are full time musicians with the symphony<br />
and often play at local events. The<br />
symphony sends musicians to events<br />
around Columbus as a way to reach people<br />
in communities who may not make it<br />
to the symphony’s home location at the<br />
Ohio Theater.<br />
<strong>Messenger</strong> photos by Theresa Garee<br />
Tea and Symphony<br />
Monique Patrick and Chloe, 8, (above)<br />
enjoyed some tea and music at the “Tea<br />
Tasting with the Columbus Symphony”<br />
Orchestra at <strong>Groveport</strong> Town Hall, 648<br />
Mauin St., on <strong>May</strong> 6.<br />
Attendees at the “Tea Tasting with the<br />
Columbus Symphony Orchestra”<br />
dressed in their best for a morning of<br />
wonderful music and tea tasting from<br />
the ZenCha Tea Salon.<br />
Hometown Realtor<br />
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<strong>Groveport</strong> Madison<br />
to place levy on ballot<br />
Also, weapons detection<br />
system approved<br />
By Rick Palsgrove<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Editor<br />
The <strong>Groveport</strong> Madison Board of<br />
Education voted 4-1 to place a 6.68 mill<br />
continuing operating levy on the Nov. 7<br />
ballot.<br />
Board member Kathleen Walsh voted<br />
against the measure stating the board<br />
should have a 10 to 15 year written strategic<br />
curriculum plan in place first instead of<br />
just a statement of goals.<br />
When asked if a continuing levy is<br />
essentially a permanent levy since it does<br />
not have a fixed term, <strong>Groveport</strong> Madison<br />
Communications Director Jeff Warner<br />
said, “While there are differences in the<br />
legal terminology, it is essentially a permanent<br />
levy.”<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Madison Treasurer Felicia<br />
Drummey said the levy would be a “no new<br />
taxes” renewal of the existing levy and that<br />
its passage is “crucial to get the financial<br />
support to maintain our programming for<br />
our students.”<br />
The district hasn’t received any new<br />
money since the expiring 6.68 mill current<br />
expense levy was first approved by voters<br />
in 2014. That “no new taxes” levy was<br />
renewed by 67 percent of voters in 2019.<br />
If the levy is approved in November, the<br />
district would receive half the funds it generates<br />
in 2025 and the remainder in 2026.<br />
District officials said inflation is causing<br />
the district’s expenses to outpace flat revenues.<br />
“The annual cost of the services we’re<br />
providing to students is greater than the<br />
revenue received,” said Drummey.<br />
According to the five year forecast, this<br />
revenue gap could grow to $4.8 million next<br />
year and $9 million the following year.<br />
In fiscal year <strong>2023</strong>, the five year forecast<br />
shows that expenditures are expected to<br />
be greater than revenue by $1 million. By<br />
fiscal year 2027, expenditures are projected<br />
to be greater than revenue by $18.2 million.<br />
The district would need to cut its fiscal<br />
year 2027 projected expenses by 16.2<br />
percent to balance its budget without additional<br />
revenue. The district’s cash balance<br />
is positive at year‐end in fiscal year <strong>2023</strong><br />
and is projected to worsen by fiscal year<br />
2027. A worsening cash balance can erode<br />
the district's financial stability over time.<br />
To ensure the district has the necessary<br />
resources to keep up its services to students<br />
and provide additional safety measures,<br />
she said the district needs to close the<br />
revenue gap, which includes: spending<br />
reductions, renewing the expiring levy, and<br />
passing a new additional levy - or a combination<br />
of these actions.<br />
When asked if there are there plans to<br />
consider an additional levy in 2024 on top<br />
of the one on the November <strong>2023</strong> ballot,<br />
Warner said, “There’s nothing definite<br />
about anything beyond the fall levy renewal.<br />
The big uncertainty is whether the state<br />
will fully fund the school funding formula.<br />
If they don’t, there’s a strong likelihood<br />
that we would need to request additional<br />
funds through another operating levy.”<br />
Drummey said the board could consider<br />
$4 million to $6 million in spending reductions<br />
to balance the operating budget,<br />
depending on the board’s comfort level in<br />
reducing services.<br />
The board made some cost reductions on<br />
<strong>May</strong> 10 by suspending five administrative<br />
contracts. The suspended positions are<br />
executive director of human resources;<br />
director of secondary education; director of<br />
teaching and learning and elementary education;<br />
high school athletic director; and<br />
progress book specialist. District officials<br />
also will not fill open positions in the treasurer<br />
and enrollment offices.<br />
In a letter to district staff,<br />
Superintendent Jamie Grube said the district<br />
is “facing a significant financial short-<br />
See LEVY, page 2<br />
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P097136.1
PAGE 2 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 21, <strong>2023</strong><br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Police statistics<br />
April crime statistics, according to the <strong>Groveport</strong> Police: 9<br />
arrests, 4 accidents, 2 assaults, 2 burglaries, 1 domestic dispute,<br />
2 domestic violence, 1 OVI and alcohol, 9 thefts/robberies, 0<br />
stolen/unauthorized use, 1 missing persons, 0 weapon related<br />
calls, 0 narcotic related offenses, 6 threats, 7 vandalism, 6 juvenile<br />
complaints, 37 traffic citations, 176 traffic complaints, 1 sex<br />
related crime, 34 school related calls, 17 suspicious vehicles/persons,<br />
3 suicide attempts/mental health calls, 38 residential/business<br />
alarm responses.<br />
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Eastland-Fairfield<br />
names new superintendent<br />
The Eastland-Fairfield Career<br />
& Technical Schools Board of<br />
Education approved Shelley<br />
Groves to serve as the district’s<br />
next superintendent/CEO.<br />
Groves has spent her 26-year<br />
education career in various roles<br />
within the district and currently<br />
serves as the district’s assistant<br />
superintendent, a post she has<br />
held since 2018. Groves will<br />
GROVES assume her duties as Eastland-<br />
Fairfield Superintendent/CEO on<br />
Aug. 1.<br />
“I am incredibly excited and humbled to continue<br />
the work that the entire district has dedicated itself to,<br />
now as superintendent,” said Groves. “Thank you to<br />
the board of education for trusting me with this incredible<br />
responsibility and opportunity, and to Dr. Kim<br />
(Pietsch) Miller for her support and mentorship.”<br />
She succeeds Dr. Kimberly Pietsch Miller, who<br />
announced her retirement in January following a 34-<br />
year career in public education.<br />
LEVY<br />
Continued from page 1<br />
fall” that required a review of cost saving measures.<br />
District officials are still reviewing other potential cost<br />
reductions and restructuring plans.<br />
According the district’s most recent five year forecast<br />
released, 42 percent of its total revenue comes<br />
from property taxes, 39 percent from state funding,<br />
and about 20 percent from other sources Salaries make<br />
up 52 percent of expenditures, benefits are 23 percent,<br />
purchased services are 17 percent, and supplies/materials<br />
are 3.5 percent.<br />
According to Drummey and the five year forecast,<br />
projected revenue is expected to increase 3.2 percent<br />
annually or $2.4 million through 2027. Projected<br />
expenditures are expected to increase 9.94 percent<br />
annually or $7.4 million through 2027. The revenue<br />
increase is driven by the state funding formula and<br />
property valuation adjustment due to inflation and<br />
new construction. The expenditures increase is driven<br />
by growing enrollment that requires staffing, transportation,<br />
and safety plans.<br />
Weapons detection system approved<br />
The <strong>Groveport</strong> Madison Board of Education<br />
approved a contract for the leasing of weapon detection<br />
systems.<br />
The action was taken to improve safety for students<br />
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
Township Police statistics<br />
April crime statistics from the Madison Township<br />
Police: 0 assaults, 7 auto accidents with injuries, 14<br />
auto accidents non-injuries, 12 animal complaints, 82<br />
Brobst Park security checks, 2 burglaries, 5 burglaries<br />
in progress, 15 domestic complaints, 5 drunk, 4 fights,<br />
0 impaired driving arrest, 15 juvenile complaints, 1<br />
larceny/theft, 8 missing persons, 3 narcotics complaints,<br />
29 parking violations, 1 person with gun, 1<br />
person with knife, 3 sex offenses, 3 shots fired in area,<br />
2 stolen vehicles, 5 suicide attempts, 58 suspicious persons/vehicles<br />
13 threats or harassment, 70 tickets<br />
issued, 2 vandalism.<br />
First ursday<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> will hold its First Thursday events this<br />
summer in Cruiser Park, 4677 Bixby Road, on June 1,<br />
July 6, and Aug. 3 from 4:30-7 p.m. It features live<br />
music, food trucks, more than 40 vendors, giveaways,<br />
face painting, bounce house, a petting zoo, and more.<br />
The Aug. 3 event will include a dog show. The event<br />
and parking are free. Musical performers are; June 1<br />
- Blake Lang; July 6 - Willie Nelson Mandela Jr.; and<br />
Aug. 3 - Wade Dow and Dar Kovacs. Giveaways are:<br />
June 1 - <strong>Groveport</strong> Tote Bag; July 6 - baseball hat; and<br />
Aug. 3 - pet waste bag dispenser. Call 614-836-3333.<br />
and staff due to incidents of violence and other issues<br />
that have taken place in the high school.<br />
“We are leasing the system through Stone Security,<br />
a vendor that’s part of a national purchasing consortium,”<br />
said <strong>Groveport</strong> Madison Communications<br />
Director Jeff Warner. “The total cost will be $644,259<br />
paid over the course of four years.”<br />
Warner said the high school will get five of the<br />
weapon detection systems and the Cruiser Accel location<br />
(at 4500 S. Hamilton Road) will get one. He said<br />
they will be installed at the high school and Cruiser<br />
Accel this summer.<br />
“The evolve weapon detection systems are walkthrough<br />
systems,” said Warner. “Their software platform<br />
enables the system to spot threats while ignoring<br />
harmless personal items. It uses real-time image-aided<br />
alarms to indicate precisely where the potential threat<br />
is detected on the person as they pass through the sensors.”<br />
The weapons detection system is part of the long<br />
and short term steps the district is taking to enhance<br />
safety and security for its students and staff. Earlier<br />
this year the board approved the district’s<br />
Comprehensive Safety Plan.<br />
Cheerleaders honored<br />
The <strong>Groveport</strong> Madison Schools Cheer<br />
Competition Team was recognized at the<br />
<strong>May</strong> 10 <strong>Groveport</strong> Madison Board of<br />
Education’s meeting for their following<br />
accomplishments this school year:<br />
Buckeye Nationals Division Champions;<br />
March Madness Division Champions;<br />
Sheridan Spirit Division Champions; OCC<br />
Buckeye Division Champs; State Qualifier<br />
Competition; 5th in States; and Divisions<br />
Champs in Virginia Beach The One Global<br />
Competition and won Rings.<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Garden Club<br />
The <strong>Groveport</strong> Garden Club meets the<br />
first Tuesday each month at <strong>Groveport</strong><br />
Zion Lutheran Church, 6014 <strong>Groveport</strong><br />
Road. Call Marylee Bendig at (614) 218-<br />
1097.
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
Car show could return<br />
By Rick Palsgrove<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Editor<br />
<strong>May</strong>or Lance Westcamp wants to bring<br />
the classic car show back to <strong>Groveport</strong>.<br />
The last time the city hosted a car show<br />
was in 2016 in <strong>Groveport</strong> Park when it was<br />
known as the <strong>Groveport</strong> Hometown Car<br />
and Motorcycle Show. For many years<br />
prior to 2016, the car show was held on<br />
Main Street in historic downtown<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong>.<br />
“Residents have asked me about bringing<br />
back the car show,” said Westcamp.<br />
“We’re thinking of holding it in September<br />
or October (not on Apple Butter Day) on a<br />
Saturday or Sunday afternoon.”<br />
Westcamp said he would like to see the<br />
car show held on Main Street between<br />
College Street and Front Street. He noted<br />
Canal Winchester and Obetz also both hold<br />
car shows.<br />
Westcamp said more information about<br />
the car show will be released in the coming<br />
weeks.<br />
“It’s in the talking stages right now,” he<br />
said.<br />
Safety on Delane Road; park access<br />
At the <strong>May</strong> 8 <strong>Groveport</strong> City Council<br />
meeting, resident David Paul Hudson<br />
asked council to consider placing a speed<br />
bump on Delane Road. He said there is a<br />
lot of traffic on the road and many of the<br />
drivers are going over the speed limit. He<br />
is concerned for the safety of children playing<br />
in the neighborhood’s yards.<br />
“A speed bump would be there all the<br />
time, you wouldn’t have to pay it, and it<br />
would slow the cars down,” said Hudson.<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Police Chief Casey Adams<br />
noted new speed limit signs were placed in<br />
the Delane Road area within the past year<br />
and police have also placed the speed limit<br />
trailer, which shows how fast drivers are<br />
traveling, along the road.<br />
Councilwoman Jean Ann Hilbert noted<br />
one reason the city has not used speed<br />
bumps is because the bumps can cause<br />
problems for street crews doing snow<br />
removal.<br />
Westcamp told Hudson city officials will<br />
look into the matter further.<br />
Hudson also asked council to consider<br />
making the back (east) entrance to<br />
Blacklick Park - which features a little<br />
wooden foot bridge and is located in the<br />
Seymour Avenue/Crescent Drive area -<br />
more accessible. He said the area “needs<br />
work” and signage to make it more welcoming<br />
to visitors.<br />
Councilman Ed Dildine told Hudson<br />
what the city could do about the issue<br />
depends on who actually owns the property<br />
where the park’s back entrance is located.<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> City Administrator B.J. King<br />
will research the issue further.<br />
Other news<br />
•Council approved a resolution regarding<br />
the nature of services to be provided<br />
upon annexation to <strong>Groveport</strong> for 1.94<br />
acres on the north side of <strong>Groveport</strong> Road<br />
near Saltzgaber Road. King said the<br />
owner’s proposed plans for the property<br />
include combining it with an adjacent 8.3<br />
acre property and constructing a cold storage<br />
warehouse facility on the land.<br />
•Council is considering establishing the<br />
number of the city’s police force to 25 officers,<br />
which is an increase from 24. The<br />
staffing level was set at 24 last year to<br />
account for new hirings and pending retirements.<br />
King said that, after a review, it<br />
was determined that, after all the retirements<br />
are completed, there will be 25 officers<br />
in place, not the previously approved<br />
24.<br />
•King said the city’s outdoor Aquatic<br />
Center swimming pool has been painted<br />
and will be filled with water on <strong>May</strong> 13.<br />
“It should be a great summer for the<br />
pool,” said King.<br />
Commemorative bricks<br />
Honor a veteran or active military<br />
member with a personalized brick paver in<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong>’s Veterans Park or Log House<br />
Memory Walk. Commemorative bricks<br />
may be purchased by calling <strong>Groveport</strong><br />
Town Hall at 614-836-3333. Deadline to<br />
order is Sept. 1.<br />
Southeast Library<br />
The Southeast Branch of the Columbus<br />
Metropolitan Library is at 3980 S.<br />
Hamilton Road, <strong>Groveport</strong>. Visit<br />
www.columbuslibrary.org or call 614-645-<br />
2275.<br />
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Ebright Road closure<br />
Ebright Road, between Bixby Road and<br />
U.S. Route 33, closed beginning <strong>May</strong> 15,<br />
for bridge improvements over the Coble-<br />
Bowman Ditch. This closure is expected to<br />
last 21 days, weather permitting, according<br />
to the Franklin County Engineer’s<br />
Office.<br />
The project will replace the existing<br />
reinforced concrete slab structure with<br />
new precast slabs on new concrete abutment<br />
caps. The estimated cost for the project<br />
is $101,654.<br />
“The Ebright Road Bridge over Coble-<br />
Bowman Ditch is currently rated in fair<br />
condition and was identified as a bridge<br />
that could be rehabilitated by Franklin<br />
County Bridge Maintenance Crews,” said<br />
Franklin County Engineer’s Office<br />
Director<br />
of<br />
Communications Carla Marable.<br />
“Performing this work now allows us to<br />
rehabilitate the bridge before if falls into<br />
disrepair and becomes a full replacement<br />
project. A full replacement is more expensive<br />
and requires a longer road closure.<br />
This project will primarily involve removing<br />
the existing deteriorating deck slab<br />
and replacing it with new precast slabs<br />
built by the Franklin County Engineer’s<br />
Bridge Maintenance Crews.”<br />
Police history exhibit<br />
This heritage of the <strong>Groveport</strong> Police is<br />
being celebrated with “The History of<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Police” exhibit at <strong>Groveport</strong><br />
Town Hall, 648 Main St. The exhibit,<br />
which is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.<br />
to 4 p.m, is on display through <strong>May</strong>. The<br />
exhibit features photos, uniforms, equipment,<br />
artifacts, documents, and more.<br />
Coffee With A Cop<br />
Visit with members of the <strong>Groveport</strong><br />
Police Department at Coffee With A Cop,<br />
held every Friday in <strong>May</strong> from 8-10 a.m. at<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Town Hall, 648 Main St. Coffee<br />
and doughnuts are provided.
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Security cameras coming<br />
Also, the use of personal<br />
fireworks still a hot topic<br />
By Rick Palsgrove<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Editor<br />
Security cameras will soon be installed<br />
in 10 locations around <strong>Groveport</strong>.<br />
“The idea is to build a perimeter around<br />
the city,” said <strong>Groveport</strong> Police Detective<br />
Josh Gilbert.<br />
City officials plan to contract with Flock<br />
Safety to have the cameras installed and<br />
operating sometime this year at a total<br />
investment of $63,700. The cost is funded<br />
with $33,700 from the Drug Education and<br />
Enforcement fund (money generated from<br />
seized property in crimes) and $30,000<br />
from the police budget.<br />
The solar powered cameras will be used<br />
to track vehicles coming in and out of the<br />
city to aid police in the pursuit of criminal<br />
suspects.<br />
“It will cut down our investigative and<br />
response time tremendously,” said Gilbert.<br />
The cameras are designed to: make<br />
license plate recognition; gather evidence<br />
and facts about vehicles, not people; alert<br />
police of wanted vehicles; help solve<br />
crimes; and adhere to all state laws.<br />
The cameras: do not do facial recognition;<br />
are not tied to personally identifiable<br />
information; are not used to control traffic;<br />
and data on the cameras are stored for 30<br />
days and then automatically deleted.<br />
The 10 locations where the cameras will<br />
be placed, which are entry and exit points<br />
of the city, are: Ebright Road at<br />
Grovepointe; 7470 <strong>Groveport</strong> Road; 4105<br />
Williams Road; 6500 Pontius Road; State<br />
Route 317 south of Williams Road; State<br />
Route 317 and Alum Creek Drive area;<br />
Rohr Road east of Alum Creek Drive; 5500<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Road; 3250 Bixby Road; and the<br />
entrance to the <strong>Groveport</strong> Municipal Golf<br />
Course (because the golf course has been<br />
subject to recent burglaries).<br />
Fireworks issue<br />
The use of personal use of fireworks continues<br />
to be a topic at <strong>Groveport</strong> City<br />
Council.<br />
Originally under the new proposed legislation,<br />
which could be voted on at the<br />
<strong>May</strong> 22 council meeting, the city would<br />
allow the personal use of fireworks on the<br />
third, fourth, and fifth days of July.<br />
However, the legislation’s sponsor,<br />
Councilman Scott Lockett has since<br />
requested the proposed ordinance be<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> city council<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> City Council holds its regular<br />
meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the second and<br />
fourth Mondays of the month. Council<br />
holds its committee of the whole meeting<br />
on the third Monday each month at 5:30<br />
p.m.<br />
Meetings are held in the municipal<br />
building, 655 Blacklick St., <strong>Groveport</strong>.<br />
amended to allow the use of personal fireworks<br />
only on July 4.<br />
“I think that is a reasonable compromise,”<br />
said Lockett.<br />
Last November, council rejected legislation,<br />
by a 4-3 vote, that would have allowed<br />
the use of personal fireworks within the<br />
city limits. Because of that action, the city’s<br />
existing law banning the use of personal<br />
fireworks within the city remained in<br />
effect. <strong>May</strong>or Lance Westcamp and council<br />
members Jean Ann Hilbert, Shawn Cleary,<br />
and Jack Rupp opposed the measure while<br />
Scott Lockett, Ed Dildine, and Becky<br />
Huston voted in favor of it.<br />
The legislation defeated in November<br />
would have made the city consistent with a<br />
state law that allows the use of personal<br />
fireworks on designated days. It would<br />
have allowed individuals to possess consumer<br />
grade fireworks and to discharge<br />
them on their own property or on another<br />
person’s property with permission the following<br />
days: New Year’s Day; Chinese New<br />
Year; Cinco de <strong>May</strong>o; Memorial Day weekend;<br />
Juneteenth; July 3, 4, and 5 and the<br />
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays preceding<br />
and following; Labor Day weekend,<br />
Diwali; and New Year’s Eve.<br />
State law permits local governments to<br />
restrict the dates and times when individuals<br />
may discharge consumer grade fireworks<br />
or to impose a complete ban on the<br />
use of consumer grade fireworks.<br />
Councilwoman Jean Ann Hilbert said<br />
she remains concerned about the adverse<br />
impact of fireworks on people’s safety and<br />
its bad effect on animals.<br />
“My stance is still the same,” said<br />
Hilbert.<br />
Councilman Shawn Cleary said, even if<br />
passed, the new legislation could be impossible<br />
to enforce “because of the amount of<br />
people who set off fireworks.”<br />
<strong>May</strong>or Lance Westcamp emphasized<br />
that the police will do their job and issue<br />
citations to those who do not follow the<br />
law.<br />
Resident Greg Keller, who spoke on this<br />
issue previously, remains opposed to the<br />
use of personal fireworks. He told council,<br />
“The use of personal fireworks have no<br />
place on any day in the community.”<br />
Keller maintained the fireworks are a<br />
dangerous safety hazard, particularly in<br />
an urban setting with nearby neighbors,<br />
and a noise problem. He said the loud noise<br />
of fireworks is harmful to military veterans<br />
suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome<br />
and to people’s pets.<br />
Boy Scout Troop 71<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> area scouts of Boy Scout<br />
Troop 71 meet at <strong>Groveport</strong> United<br />
Methodist Church, 512 Main St. Cub<br />
Scouts, boys and girls in grades K-5, meet<br />
on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts ages<br />
11-18 meet Tuesdays at 7 p.m. The Girls<br />
Troop ages 11-18 meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m.<br />
Visit Beascout.org.
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
<strong>May</strong> 21, <strong>2023</strong> - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 5<br />
Plants grow on you<br />
<strong>Messenger</strong> photos by Theresa Garee<br />
The longest standing member of the <strong>Groveport</strong> Garden Club, Virginia Myers, (above left ) describes the irises<br />
she has available at the club’s annual plant auction, held on <strong>May</strong> 9 at <strong>Groveport</strong> Zion Lutheran Church.<br />
Pictured with Myers is Marla Baker, owner of Sticks and Stones in Canal Winchester, who acted as auctioneer<br />
for the plant auction. The plant auction is a major fundraiser for the club. Money earned at the auction<br />
goes to several community projects. The <strong>Groveport</strong> Garden Club formed in 1961. At right, Garden Club<br />
member Virginel Branch holds her Russian aster perennial at the <strong>Groveport</strong> Garden Club’s annual plant<br />
auction. Branch is the club’s current vice president.<br />
Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) is<br />
over for <strong>2023</strong>, but maybe you still have<br />
<br />
- will I have to pay a penalty if I keep<br />
working after I turn 65, and want to keep my<br />
group plan?<br />
- any 5 Star Medicare rated plans in my<br />
county, that I can enroll into throughout the<br />
<br />
-<br />
meet with a local representative, and review<br />
more than 2 or 3 plan options.<br />
Call Your Local Ohio Licensed<br />
Independent Medicare Agent<br />
Ralph Curcio 614-603-0852<br />
$0 fee or $0 Consultation cost<br />
Be confident in your plan selection<br />
Keep your doctors and find the lowest<br />
copays for your medications.<br />
Come meet me at the Clippers vs.<br />
Louisville Bats game June 8th<br />
@12:05 PM<br />
- I need help in paying my Rx copays, any<br />
assistance available?<br />
<br />
Any information we provide is limited to those<br />
plans we do offer in your area. Please contact<br />
Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get<br />
information on all of
PAGE 6 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 21, <strong>2023</strong><br />
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
Memorial Day is a time of reverence and reflection<br />
Memorial Day is a solemn and moving<br />
tradition for Americans - whether they live<br />
in big cities, small towns, or the countryside<br />
- dating back to the day’s origins in the<br />
post-Civil War period.<br />
Editor’s Notebook<br />
Rick<br />
Palsgrove<br />
Each Memorial<br />
Day of the past, present,<br />
and future is special<br />
in its own right as<br />
we pay respects to the<br />
fallen as flags gently<br />
flutter by each tombstone<br />
and flowers<br />
grace the graves.<br />
Time rolls on.<br />
Memories of some<br />
things in life may<br />
fade, but not the<br />
memory of the sacrifices<br />
made by these,<br />
our honored fallen<br />
members of the military.<br />
Memorial Day endures and is an elegant,<br />
dignified reminder to us all of the<br />
profound sacrifices made by members of<br />
our communities in service to their country.<br />
After your local Memorial Day ceremony<br />
concludes and the crowd drifts away, linger<br />
for awhile in the cemetery. Walk around<br />
ASBURY<br />
SOUTH UMC<br />
4760 Winchester Pike<br />
Columbus, Ohio 43232<br />
Telephone: 614-837-4601<br />
Rev. Sherri Upchurch Blackwell<br />
Sunday Worship 10 a.m.<br />
Inside and Parking Lot<br />
Sunday School 9 a.m.<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong><br />
<strong>Messenger</strong><br />
and read the names on the grave stones.<br />
Absorb the ever present silence of the flag<br />
decorated graves of the soldiers resting<br />
there and the silence of the flower covered<br />
graves of generations of others buried<br />
there. Remember those who rest in the<br />
cemetery were once like us - laughing, loving,<br />
living - giving their all every day to<br />
better their community and country.<br />
Always remember.<br />
Area Memorial Day ceremonies include:<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong><br />
The Memorial Day ceremony in<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> will be held <strong>May</strong> 29 with the traditional<br />
parade at 1:30 p.m. and a ceremony<br />
directly after parade in the <strong>Groveport</strong><br />
Cemetery, which is located on Wirt Road<br />
near Heritage Park. The parade starts at<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Town Hall, 648 Main St., and<br />
proceeds west down Main Street to College<br />
Street, then south on College Street to the<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Cemetery.<br />
The guest speaker will be Assistant<br />
Director of the Ohio Department of<br />
Veterans Services Sean McCarthy. He has<br />
served as a judge in Franklin County<br />
Municipal Court and on the Franklin<br />
County Court of Common Pleas. He also<br />
served in the Ohio Army National Guard.<br />
Others participating in the ceremony<br />
are Motts Military Museum, <strong>May</strong>or Lance<br />
Westcamp, and <strong>Groveport</strong> American<br />
Legion Robert Dutro Post 486. Music by<br />
the <strong>Groveport</strong> Madison High School<br />
GROVEPORT ZION<br />
LUTHERAN, NALC<br />
Christ Centered, Mission Driven<br />
Traditionally Grounded<br />
6014 <strong>Groveport</strong> Rd., <strong>Groveport</strong>, OH 43125<br />
(Across from Kroger, main parking in the back)<br />
PHONE: 614-836-5611<br />
PASTOR BRIAN MCGEE<br />
Sunday Worship 11 A.M.<br />
In person service in sanctuary, or in<br />
parking lot via radio (92.7)<br />
Be a Part of Our Local Worship Guide<br />
Our Worship Guide is geared toward celebrating faith and helping readers<br />
connect with religious resources in our community. Make sure these readers<br />
know how you can help with a presence in this very special section distributed to<br />
more than 19,000 households in the <strong>Groveport</strong> area.<br />
Contact us today to secure your spot in our Worship Guide.<br />
614.272.5422 • kathy@columbusmessenger.com<br />
Marching Band.<br />
The ceremony will include an opening<br />
statement by Brad Beatty, American<br />
Legion Commander; the “National<br />
Anthem” sung by Lou Compton of the<br />
American Legion; Pledge of Allegiance; a<br />
prayer; recognition of the city’s Hometown<br />
Military Banners by <strong>May</strong>or Lance<br />
Westcamp; guest speaker; and the playing<br />
of “Taps.”<br />
The Hometown Military Banners will be<br />
displayed at the major Main Street intersections<br />
from Memorial Day to Veterans<br />
Day. On Memorial Day the banners will be<br />
displayed at Veterans Park on Main Street<br />
prior to being hung on poles later on<br />
Memorial Day.<br />
Veterans honored on the Hometown<br />
Military Banners this year are: Robert<br />
Carter, Jr., U.S. Air Force; Jovanni Marie-<br />
Hill McColley, U.S. Air Force; Ray<br />
Johnson, U.S. Air Force; Joseph Meyer,<br />
U.S. Air Force; Lindsay Hunter Dunlap,<br />
U.S. Army; Katie Ann Gearheart, U.S.<br />
Army; Jennifer Westcamp, U.S. Army;<br />
Samuel Louis Balsimo, U.S. Marine Corp;<br />
Trevor Shoemaker, U.S. Marine Corp;<br />
Debbi Featherston Kent, U.S. Coast<br />
Guard; John E. Penix, U.S. Navy; Gregory<br />
Charles West, U.S. Navy.<br />
“I am so proud that we have this ceremony<br />
each year to recognize those who<br />
made the sacrifice to protect our country,”<br />
said Westcamp. “It is a great reminder of<br />
those who made the unselfish decision to<br />
serve our country, including the local veterans<br />
who will be recognized with a banner<br />
along Main Street. Memorial Day is a<br />
highlight for me each year. It is such an<br />
important day for all of us to remember<br />
those who made the ultimate sacrifice to<br />
protect our Country.”<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> American Legion Robert<br />
Dutro Post 486, which has played a long<br />
time active role in the <strong>Groveport</strong><br />
Memorial Day ceremony, is named after<br />
local resident, Private Robert Dutro, who<br />
in 1917 at the age of 15 joined the 6th<br />
Marine Regiment during World War I. He<br />
would later die in France on July 19, 1918<br />
during the Aisne-Marne offensive. The<br />
Post was established in 1924. Follow the<br />
Post on Facebook @ groveportamerican<br />
legion.<br />
Canal Winchester<br />
In remembrance of fallen veterans,<br />
VFW Post #10523 will host Canal<br />
Winchester’s annual Memorial Day ceremony<br />
on <strong>May</strong> 29 at Union Grove<br />
Cemetery, 400 Winchester Cemetery<br />
Road, beginning at 10:30 a.m.<br />
The ceremony will feature keynote speaker<br />
Air Force Chief Master Sgt.Troy R. Taylor,<br />
the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the<br />
Ohio Air National Guard. Other ceremony<br />
participants will include Boy Scouts Troop<br />
103, Cub Scouts Troop 103, and the Canal<br />
Winchester High School Band.<br />
Immediately following the Canal<br />
Winchester Memorial Day Ceremony, the<br />
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will host a flag<br />
retirement ceremony on the cemetery<br />
<strong>Messenger</strong> photos by Rick Palsgrove<br />
A veteran’s grave (above) in the<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Cemetery. A Boy Scout<br />
(below) places a flower on a veteran’s<br />
grave.<br />
grounds.<br />
The public is invited to attend both ceremonies.<br />
Lawn chairs or blankets are<br />
encouraged for seating.<br />
Lockbourne<br />
Lockbourne’s annual Memorial Day<br />
Parade and Celebration will be held <strong>May</strong><br />
29, to honor veterans and to celebrate the<br />
history of Lockbourne / Rickenbacker Air<br />
Force Base.<br />
This special event begins at noon with a<br />
parade through the village followed by a<br />
ceremony at Lockbourne Veterans Park.<br />
“We anticipate a strong presence of veterans<br />
from the area,” said Lockbourne<br />
<strong>May</strong>or Christie Ward. “This event is a central<br />
part of the village, Hamilton Township,<br />
and the surrounding communities.”<br />
To participate in the parade, contact<br />
Kendall Collins at deputy.admin@lockbourneohio.us<br />
or (614) 491-3161.<br />
Asbury Cemetery<br />
A Memorial Day ceremony will be held<br />
at 9 a.m. on <strong>May</strong> 29 at Asbury Cemetery,<br />
4760 Winchester Pike.
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
<strong>May</strong> 21, <strong>2023</strong> - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 7<br />
Building provides for expansion and exploring new ideas and partnerships<br />
If you didn’t attend our <strong>2023</strong> State of the<br />
Schools Celebration, you likely missed our<br />
announcement that we were purchasing<br />
the former AEP building at 4500 S.<br />
Hamilton Road, just across the street from<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Madison High School.<br />
Jamie<br />
Grube<br />
Guest column<br />
The site provides<br />
much-needed space to<br />
expand high school programming<br />
for students<br />
for whom a traditional<br />
high school setting is<br />
not meeting their needs<br />
— and to relocate our<br />
transportation center.<br />
The purchase and<br />
renovation costs will<br />
be covered by a portion<br />
of the federal<br />
stimulus funds the<br />
district received as part of the federal government’s<br />
COVID recovery and relief plan.<br />
Cruiser Accel Program<br />
Among the top benefits of purchasing<br />
the 4500 building is to provide space to<br />
house our new Cruiser Accel Program.<br />
Slated to open for the start of the new<br />
school year, Cruiser Accel will provide an<br />
alternative pathway to college and career<br />
readiness for GMHS sophomores, juniors,<br />
and seniors. Up to 200 students will take<br />
online and in-person classes in half-day<br />
sessions, Monday through Friday.<br />
Cruiser Accel will provide more focused<br />
support to students. We will provide targeted<br />
academic support for students,<br />
specifically in literacy, numeracy, and test<br />
preparation. We’ll also offer intensive<br />
social/emotional support, including helping<br />
students struggling with anxiety and anger<br />
Columbus Air Show<br />
The Columbus Air Show Presented by<br />
Scotts will be held at Rickenbacker<br />
International Airport, 2241 John Circle<br />
Drive, Columbus, on June 16-18 from 9<br />
a.m. to 5 p.m.<br />
Performers and attractions at the air<br />
show include: the United States Navy Blue<br />
Angels; the United States Air Force F-22<br />
Raptor; Ohio Air National Guard; the<br />
United States Marine Corps C-130 “Fat<br />
Albert”; the B-17 “Yankee Lady from the<br />
Yankee Air Museum; an F-5 Tiger; the C-47<br />
“Hairless Joe from the Yankee Air Museum;<br />
the B-25 “Rosie’s Reply” from the Yankee<br />
Air Museum; the P-51 Mustang “Old Crow”<br />
based in Central Ohio; and more.<br />
There will also be ground displays, air<br />
racing, exhibits, civilian superstars, vintage<br />
aircraft, and other experiences.<br />
All tickets and parking passes for the<br />
air show are available online at<br />
www.ColumbusAirShow.com. Visit<br />
www.ColumbusAirShow.com for information<br />
and follow the show on Facebook,<br />
Twitter, and Instagram.<br />
management issues.<br />
A side benefit is that it will also reduce<br />
some of the overcrowding at the high<br />
school.<br />
Referrals to the program can come from<br />
the student’s parent/guardian, a school<br />
counselor, or a high school administrator.<br />
Students won’t necessarily have to stay<br />
in the program for the entirety of their high<br />
school experience. If desired and agreed<br />
upon by the parties involved, students can<br />
transfer back to the high school at the end<br />
of a semester.<br />
Besides expanding restrooms and building<br />
a separation between Cruiser Accel and<br />
the transportation center, we don’t anticipate<br />
much regarding renovation costs.<br />
We’ll see how the area functions before<br />
deciding if we need to make further adjustments.<br />
New Transportation Center<br />
We’re also excited about the opportunity<br />
to relocate our transportation center to the<br />
new building. The District Service Center<br />
site is fast becoming too small to house the<br />
bus fleet and accommodate all its associated<br />
personnel.<br />
The new site provides a perfect central<br />
location to dispatch our buses and support<br />
the drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, etc.<br />
Most often, the most significant expense<br />
for a transportation center is the foundation<br />
and pavement work needed to park the<br />
buses. The new site has a foot-thick concrete<br />
base parking lot, which can easily<br />
withstand the weight of our buses and<br />
related equipment.<br />
Other than the cost to construct a new<br />
mechanics garage (a pole barn-style building),<br />
there’s very little expense in terms of<br />
renovations to the transportation portion of<br />
the building.<br />
Room for Expansion<br />
More than 13,000 square feet of the<br />
columbusmessenger.com<br />
Keep tabs on the latest news in<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> & Madison Township<br />
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southeast<br />
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(Distribution: 8,000)<br />
Rick Palsgrove ...................................<strong>Groveport</strong> Editor<br />
southeast@columbusmessenger.com<br />
Published every other Sunday by<br />
The Columbus <strong>Messenger</strong> Co.<br />
3500 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43204-1887<br />
(614) 272-5422<br />
The Columbus <strong>Messenger</strong> Co. reserves the right to edit, reject or cancel<br />
any advertisement or editorial copy at any time. The company is not<br />
responsible for checking accuracy of items submitted for publication.<br />
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building remain for future use. While it’s<br />
not an educationally appropriate space<br />
that could be used for elementary or middle<br />
school classes, we were able to get it at a<br />
reasonable price and we’re excited about<br />
the array of options it affords us in the<br />
future.<br />
Jamie Grube is superintendent of<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Madison Schools.<br />
ANDREW B. NIMELY<br />
CANDIDATE FOR MADISON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE<br />
I am Andrew B. Nimely, and I am running for Madison Township Trustee this<br />
November 7. I have lived in the township for over a decade.<br />
I am married to a woman who honors God’s standards, my beautiful wife<br />
Lombeh D. Nimely. We are blessed with seven children.<br />
The four adult children are all graduates of <strong>Groveport</strong> Madison High School<br />
with one of our children, serving in the Army Reserve.<br />
I own and operate two small businesses for over a decade that provides healthcare<br />
services for developmentally challenged individuals and an accountant<br />
firm that provides accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation and planning, payroll management, and consultant<br />
services throughout the United States.<br />
My background focuses on managerial development, accounting, and healthcare experience that reflect a philosophy<br />
through coaching via detail-oriented interpersonal personnel strategy. I have brought about the latest<br />
ideas, suggestions, and problem-solving techniques that have produced successful results.<br />
I am proficient in strategic planning through accountability, internal control system design, and client retention<br />
from a broad perspective especially in a customer relationship era where business tasks involve inspiring people<br />
to attain organizational goals, and retain patrons.<br />
I have been an adjunct faculty since January 2015 at Columbus State Community College in the Information<br />
Technology Department. I have over 2 decades of practical working experience using Windows, Microsoft Office<br />
Applications, IT & Database Fundamentals, QuickBooks, and Tax Applications software.<br />
I have provided employment to more than 150 Franklin County residents so far via my healthcare agency.<br />
My mother, Esther G. Wesseh, a single, uneducated, and devoted Christian, taught me to see every person in<br />
the image of Jesus Christ. She instilled in me hard-work, humbleness, respect, and gratitude for EVERYONE.<br />
My father, the late Bishop N. Nimely, was a firefighter, a kind man, and Christian who got baptized at an early<br />
age as a practicing Catholic.<br />
WHY I AM RUNNING<br />
✓ By creating a listening & participation Bi-Monthly gathering with residents of the township.<br />
✓ Residents of the township deserve a trustee who is an outsider, a private sector Business<br />
Executive with over two decades of managerial experience to be at the table in finding<br />
answers to the most critical issues facing the township with respect to hiring.<br />
✓ Trustworthiness and confidentiality record keeping is part of my moral value as a business<br />
owner; I will be accountable to the residents of the township when you give me the<br />
PRIVILEGE. RESULTS and PRODUCTIVITY MATTERS!<br />
✓ I believe in supporting our police, firefighters, & road crew; I believe in the FIRST<br />
AMENDAMENT such as religious freedom; I strongly believe in the SECOND AMENDAMENT<br />
such as the right to own a gun (I am a concealed hand gun carrier).<br />
When elected as your Trustee, you will have an individual who is humble and grateful to God.<br />
When elected; I will work hard to achieve these points<br />
We Care. We Learn. We Act.<br />
I ask for your financial support, endorsement, volunteer effort, and placing signs in yard.<br />
Below are contact media to the campaign:<br />
Phone: (614) 446-8324<br />
Email: animelycandidate@gmail.com<br />
Facebook: facebook.com/NimelyUS2<br />
Twitter: @NimelyUS1<br />
I am grateful to our township for the level of opportunity with regard to a safe community or neighbor my<br />
family continue to enjoy since making <strong>Groveport</strong>, Ohio, my hometown especially coming from Monrovia,<br />
Liberia, West Africa, without a college education, by achieving the American dream almost 23 years ago with<br />
ONLY a high school diploma.<br />
I attend <strong>Groveport</strong> United Methodist Church, serving as Co-Chair of the finance committee. I am a Lay Speaker<br />
within the West Ohio United Methodist Church, serving as a supplementary pastor.<br />
I serve as a volunteer Board of Director member at Greater <strong>Groveport</strong> Food Pantry.<br />
I enjoy spending time with my family; going to church and serving; Bible studies, devotions; watching movies<br />
at home; watching a variety of sports notably The Ohio State University football games; and vacationing.<br />
Former community leader for all Liberians within Central Ohio.<br />
I graduated from Columbus State Community College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Accounting<br />
in 2005; Franklin University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Forensic Accounting, Magna Cum<br />
Laude, in 2007; and Ohio University with a Master of Business Administration in 2011.
PAGE 8 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 21, <strong>2023</strong><br />
AEP rate increase,<br />
stay in the know<br />
Last month, I launched a new podcast<br />
called D3 Live to share resources I<br />
learned about that impact District 3 residents.<br />
My guest this month was Angie<br />
Rybalt, AEP’s Director of Customer Experience.<br />
In this episode, we addressed frequently<br />
asked questions about AEP’s<br />
rate changes, how to read your bill, and<br />
what you need to know about the impending<br />
changes.<br />
In case you missed it, effective June<br />
<strong>2023</strong>, AEP plans to implement a rate increase<br />
averaging approximately 28% for<br />
its customers in Columbus, Ohio. According<br />
to the AEP website, global demand,<br />
global supply chain issues,<br />
economic uncertainty, and the continued<br />
war in Ukraine have impacted electricity<br />
production costs. These expenses<br />
have necessitated the rate adjustment<br />
to ensure continued reliability and sustainability<br />
of the electric grid.<br />
While the specific impact will depend<br />
on individual usage patterns, the average<br />
household can expect to see an increase<br />
of up to $40 per month. Small<br />
businesses and commercial establishments<br />
may face higher costs, potentially<br />
impacting their bottom line and overall<br />
competitiveness.<br />
To mitigate the rate increase's impact,<br />
Columbus consumers can explore various<br />
strategies. These include adopting<br />
energy-efficient practices, such as using<br />
LED bulbs, optimizing heating and cooling<br />
systems, and minimizing energy<br />
consumption during peak hours. Additionally,<br />
shopping around for alternative<br />
energy providers or considering solar<br />
panel installations could offer long-term<br />
cost-saving benefits.<br />
Results Matter, so act now to get prepared.<br />
Stay tuned for the next episode,<br />
and follow my official Facebook page to<br />
subscribe.<br />
Paid Advertisement<br />
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
Light Ohio Blue honors law enforcement<br />
By Rick Palsgrove<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Editor<br />
A caravan of police cruisers was a highlight of Light Ohio Blue<br />
week.<br />
Light Ohio Blue week, which was held this year during<br />
National Police Week from <strong>May</strong> 14-20, began in 2016. The purpose<br />
of the campaign is to honor and pay respects to the law enforcement<br />
officers who have died in the line of duty as well as law<br />
enforcement personnel currently serving as sworn and civilian<br />
staff. It is held in coordination with National Peace Officers<br />
Memorial Day on <strong>May</strong> 15. As part of the week’s events, a caravan<br />
of dozens of police cruisers, with their lights flashing, passed<br />
through central Ohio the evening of <strong>May</strong> 17.<br />
According to Obetz Police Chief Mike Confer, the Light Ohio<br />
Blue caravan began at the Statehouse in Columbus and concluded<br />
its journey at the Ohio Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall<br />
in London, Ohio, where a special ceremony will be held to honor<br />
the fallen officers.<br />
The caravan also passed through Pickerington, Kirkersville,<br />
Hebron, Heath, Newark, Granville, Pataskala, and downtown<br />
Columbus in that order.<br />
“We encouraged the public to line the route in remembrance of<br />
our fallen officers and support of our currently serving officers,”<br />
said <strong>Groveport</strong> Police Officer Ernie Bell<br />
“Light Ohio Blue is an annual campaign to show support and<br />
solidarity for law enforcement professionals and the role they play<br />
in our communities, day in and day out,” said Madison Township<br />
Police Chief Gary York. “But, more importantly, it is an opportunity<br />
for Ohioans to come together and lift up the families, friends,<br />
and departments who have lost a brother or sister in blue over the<br />
last year.”<br />
“Light Ohio Blue is an important event as it helps to create<br />
awareness and show support for the law enforcement officers who<br />
have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” said Confer.<br />
“It also serves as an opportunity for communities to express their<br />
gratitude to current officers who work tirelessly to ensure public<br />
safety. The event fosters a sense of unity and appreciation,<br />
strengthening the bond between law enforcement and the community<br />
they serve.”<br />
Added Bell, “Light Ohio Blue is an organization that honors<br />
fallen police officers and keeps their memory alive and encourages<br />
a positive relationship between Law Enforcement and the<br />
public. The organization was started right here in central Ohio by<br />
a gentleman by the name of Bill Swank, he is an agent for<br />
Homeland Security. It has expanded rapidly to include the entire<br />
state of Ohio.”<br />
According to Light Ohio Blue officials, this year and last, Ohio<br />
has lost six law enforcement officers in the line of duty.<br />
“We can never remove the grief and trauma that these many<br />
families and agencies experience, but we can vow to never forget<br />
the officers and their families’ extreme sacrifice to their communities<br />
and to our state and nation,” according to a statement from<br />
Light Ohio Blue.<br />
Citizens participated in Light Ohio Blue by placing a blue light<br />
bulb in their exterior porch lights; wrapping blue Christmas lights<br />
around homes and businesses; lighting up homes and businesses<br />
with blue flood lights; placing blue ribbons on mailboxes, nearby<br />
columns, or posts; and wearing blue on <strong>May</strong> 15.<br />
“The blue porch lights, the folks who stand outside their homes<br />
to wave Thin Blue Line flags and cheer on the caravan, and the<br />
words and actions of support from strangers all carry such a positive<br />
affirmation for our men and women who don the badge every<br />
day,” said York. “Especially in today’s world, where law enforcement<br />
officers are often unfairly demonized, it has become imperative<br />
to respond to that negativity with integrity and professional,<br />
positive interactions.”<br />
Confer said when officers see blue porch lights on people’s<br />
homes, it serves as a powerful visual reminder of the support they<br />
have from the community.<br />
“This gesture of solidarity means a great deal to officers, providing<br />
a morale boost and a sense of encouragement during challenging<br />
times,” said Confer. “The simple act of lighting a blue<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Police cruiser.<br />
Madison Township Police cruiser.<br />
Obetz Police cruiser and motorcycle.<br />
porch light conveys a message of gratitude and respect for the officers'<br />
dedication and sacrifice in their line of work.”<br />
Bell said the blue lights remind the patrol officers that the public<br />
they serve supports and appreciates them.<br />
“We have some homes that use blue lights all year round, not<br />
just during Police Month,” said Bell.<br />
“We hope you will join in supporting us by lighting up your<br />
porch with a blue light during the campaign,” said Confer.<br />
For information visit LightOhioBlue.org, or find Light Ohio<br />
Blue on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
BPA Nationals<br />
Students from multiple Eastland-<br />
Fairfield Career & Technical School programs<br />
traveled to Anaheim, Calif., recently<br />
to compete in their respective events as a<br />
part of the <strong>2023</strong> Business Professionals of<br />
America national conference. Six different<br />
teams or individuals finished fifth, or better,<br />
in the country, highlighting an incredibly<br />
successful trip. Local student results:<br />
•The team of Slimane Ait Raiss (Jr.,<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Madison), Jack Gill (Jr., Teays<br />
Valley), Paige Ingram (Jr., Bexley), and<br />
Caden Mesina (Jr., Teays Valley) placed<br />
fifth overall in software engineering. Adam<br />
Offord (Sr., Gahanna Lincoln) took home<br />
the school’s highest individual placement,<br />
claiming third place in the C# (C-sharp)<br />
Programming event.<br />
•Receiving recognition for earning<br />
industry certifications was <strong>Groveport</strong><br />
Madison senior, Hannah Green (Microsoft<br />
Office Specialist, 2019 Word Certification).<br />
Collectively, Eastland-Fairfield featured<br />
four teams and two individuals to finish<br />
inside the top-5, in their respective categories.<br />
School board meetings<br />
The <strong>Groveport</strong> Madison Board of<br />
Education meets the second and fourth<br />
Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the<br />
District Service Center, 4400 Marketing<br />
Place, Suite B, <strong>Groveport</strong>. The board may<br />
also schedule special meetings, as needed.<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> history films<br />
Two documentary films on the history of<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong>, produced by the <strong>Groveport</strong><br />
Heritage Society and Midnet Media, are<br />
now available for viewing online on<br />
YouTube.<br />
The films are: “<strong>Groveport</strong>: A Town and<br />
Its People” and “The Story of John S. Rarey<br />
and Cruiser.”<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Heritage Museum<br />
The <strong>Groveport</strong> Heritage Museum contains<br />
photographs, artifacts, and documents<br />
about <strong>Groveport</strong>’s history. The museum is<br />
located in <strong>Groveport</strong> Town Hall, 648 Main<br />
St., and is open during <strong>Groveport</strong> Town<br />
Hall’s operating hours. Call 614-836-3333.<br />
<strong>May</strong> 21, <strong>2023</strong> - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 9<br />
Golden Cruiser Club<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Madison Schools invites senior<br />
residents of the district to attend athletic<br />
and performing arts programs showcasing<br />
the talents of its students. The<br />
Golden Cruiser Club is a free program for<br />
residents of the <strong>Groveport</strong> Madison School<br />
District who are age 60 and older.<br />
Membership provides free access to all<br />
school and district sponsored athletic contests,<br />
plays, concerts, and other events. To<br />
become a member of the Golden Cruiser<br />
Club, obtain an application at<br />
www.gocruisers.org, at any of the school<br />
offices, or call (614) 492-2520. The requirements<br />
for membership are that applicants<br />
be age 60 or older and be a resident of<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Madison Schools.
PAGE 12 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 21, <strong>2023</strong><br />
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Two felony OVI arrests<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Police recently made two OVI<br />
felony arrests in separate incidents.<br />
According to <strong>Groveport</strong> Police Chief<br />
Casey Adams, OVI (operating a vehicle<br />
under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or<br />
both) felony arrests involve suspects who<br />
have multiple OVI arrests already on their<br />
record.<br />
“I can’t remember the last time we had<br />
these kind of arrests and now we had two<br />
in two days,” said Adams.<br />
On <strong>May</strong> 5, officers arrested a man who<br />
was found slumped over in the driver’s<br />
seat of his vehicle near Hendron Road and<br />
State Route 317. According to the police<br />
report, officers alleged there was an empty<br />
gin bottle between the driver’s legs and<br />
that the driver “showed the common signs<br />
of being intoxicated.” Records showed that<br />
the driver was driving under an OVI suspension<br />
and had seven prior OVI arrests<br />
since 2008. Officers alleged the driver was<br />
uncooperative and refused to be tested. He<br />
was placed under arrest for felony OVI.<br />
The second incident occurred <strong>May</strong> 6<br />
when police spotted a driver speeding on<br />
State Route 317 allegedly going 79 mph in<br />
a 50 mph zone. Police stopped the driver<br />
near Greenpointe Drive. He was found to<br />
be driving under suspension for a fourth<br />
degree felony OVI. According to the police<br />
report, the driver “denied drinking anything”<br />
but officers alleged “the odor of alcohol<br />
was very strong” and that there was a<br />
case of beer in the vehicle. He was cited for<br />
his violations and the OVI.<br />
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
SkillsUSA Nationals<br />
In April, more than 5,000 competitors,<br />
business partners, instructors, and vendors<br />
gathered to compete in over 100 contests<br />
at the SkillsUSA Nationals. The<br />
series of contests came together on April<br />
25-26 for state-wide competitions.<br />
Eastland-Fairfield sent nine students<br />
from four different programs to the<br />
SkillsUSA national conference following a<br />
series of medal-winning performances at<br />
the state competition. Five representatives<br />
come from Eastland Career Center while<br />
two students are from the Cyber Security<br />
satellite program at New Albany High<br />
School. Fourteen students between the district’s<br />
three SkillsUSA chapters earned a<br />
silver or bronze medal, while an additional<br />
seven left the Greater Columbus<br />
Convention Center having placed inside<br />
the top five. The nine students who placed<br />
first in their respective events will prepare<br />
for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and<br />
Skills Conference, to be held June 19-23, in<br />
Atlanta, Ga. Local student results:<br />
•Ayden Cuckler (<strong>Groveport</strong> Madison,<br />
Aviation) - Drone Competition, Bronze;<br />
•Sarah Spencer (Hamilton Twp., Pre-<br />
Dental) - Dental Assisting, Bronze;<br />
•Charles Neville (Canal Winchester,<br />
Electrical) - Electrical Construction<br />
Wiring, Bronze;<br />
•Massar Yade (<strong>Groveport</strong> Madison,<br />
Pharmacy) - Medical Math, Silver;<br />
•Iromy Mendoza Lopez (Canal<br />
Winchester, Pre-Nursing) - Nurse<br />
Assisting, Bronze.<br />
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Photo courtesy of the <strong>Groveport</strong> Heritage Museum<br />
Memorial Day 60 years ago<br />
Robert Dutro Post #486 of the American Legion of Ohio began holding formal<br />
Memorial Day ceremonies in the <strong>Groveport</strong> Cemetery since 1921. Pictured here is<br />
an early 1960s Memorial Day ceremony in the <strong>Groveport</strong> Cemetery. The <strong>Groveport</strong><br />
Madison High School Marching Band can be seen in the background in the upper<br />
left portion of the photo. (Photo from the “Sesqui-Centennial of Founding of <strong>Groveport</strong>,<br />
1812-1962.”)