1/6/2011 edition of the Dublin Villager by The Columbus Dispatch/Dispatch Magazines

January 6, 2011

Emphasis on infrastructure

City to focus on capital improvements By JENNIFER NOBLIT ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Marsha Grigsby has a lot in store for Dublin during her first year as city manager. The longtime city employee, whom Dublin City Council members named city manager last month, expects capi-

tal improvement projects, the Bridge Street corridor studies and other responsibilities to be completed in 2011. “One of the things with the city that Marsha Grigsby we’ve had for many

years and will have this year is the capital improvements program,” she told ThisWeek. “We have several transportation projects. Typically, that is one of the biggest parts of the capital improvement program.” Transportation projects on the list for 2011 include improvements to the intersections of Cosgray and Shier Rings

Road, as well as Perimeter Drive and Commerce Drive, Grigsby said. Work will also continue on the final Emerald Parkway extension. “We’re in the process of having talks with property owners about right-of-way acquisition,” she said, noting that if land acquisition goes quickly, a construction contact for the project could be award-

ed within the next year. Work on a new water tower on Dublin Road ,near the Bogey Inn, will also get rolling. Grigsby said the city plans to have the water tower built before the Presidents Cup comes to Muirfield in 2013. See CITY TO FOCUS, page A2

City leaders optimistic economy will turn around

SHOTS FOR MARK & IAN

By JENNIFER NOBLIT ThisWeek Community Newspapers

By Tim Norman/ThisWeek

(Above) Dublin Jerome senior Sean Flaherty prepares to throw the lacrosse ball into the net during a fundraiser for Dublin Jerome students Ian Burkhart and Mark Burkholder at Field Sports, 6400 Dublin Park Drive, on Dec. 29. (Left) Ryan Callahan from C-12 Lacrosse checks the speed of a ball thrown into a net. The proceeds will aid in Burkholder’s rehabilitation costs and the installation of an elevator in Burkhart’s home to transport the paralyzed Jerome grad.

Dublin’s economy could see improvements in the new year. The city, like many, was affected by the recent recession and saw a decrease in income tax revenue, which makes up the lion’s share of city revenue. City manager and former Dublin finance director Marsha Grigsby is hoping this would turn around in 2011. “The good news is last year we saw an increase of income tax revenue over 2009,” she said. “We’re hoping things are turning around.” Economic development is one of the goals for Dublin City Council, and the economic development department got the OK to add one more staff member this year. Dublin’s first 2011 city council meeting could carry the first signs of turnaround for 2011. Grigsby said several economic development agreements to lure jobs to the city are up for a first reading on Jan. 10. Six economic development agreements are on council’s agenda and could net more than 737 new jobs for the city, if approved. Telecommunications equipment manufacturer Alcatel-Lucent could bring the most jobs. According to information from the city, the company is looking at moving 500 to 600 jobs from a leased space on East Broad Street in Columbus and has identified locations in central Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey and Texas for its informationtechnology and testing operations. The Ohio Department of Development approved $10-million in tax credits for the company over the next 10 years and Dublin is also offering incentives to locate at a Rings Road facility. See CITY LEADERS, page A2

New electronic Accident spurs look at crosswalks edition now available online Historic Dublin By JENNIFER NOBLIT

ThisWeek Community Newspapers

After the death of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in Historic Dublin last week, city staff members are looking at pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area. Columbus resident Stephanie Auer, 44, was

struck by a minivan while crossing North High Street to meet a friend at Brazenhead shortly before 7 p.m. Dec. 28, information from the city said. According to the accident report released by the city Jan. 3, Auer was struck by a minivan traveling north while crossing from the west side of North High Street to the east side.

Road conditions were dry, the report said. Auer was taken to Dublin Methodist Hospital and then the Ohio State University Medical Center, where she died Dec. 30. According to a statement given to Dublin police by a witness who was at the door of See ACCIDENT, page A5

Cost savings on district’s 2011 list By JENNIFER NOBLIT ThisWeek Community Newspapers

continue with our programs, but conserve costs.” The district was awarded a $5.7-million no-interest loan from the state to fund eco-friendly improvements across the district, including energy-efficient lights, new boilers and water heaters. The savings are expected to pay off the state loan. But cost savings within the district will go beyond the electricity bill, Axner said. “Our hiring practices have been totally revamped. We’re definitely trying to be smarter about who we hire and when we hire,” he said.

Dublin City Schools’ New Year’s resolution will revolve around money. Like many across the county, Dublin will focus on saving money in 2011, Superintendent David Axner David Axner said. “The theme we’ve really adopted across the board in the district is to emphasize efficiencies,” he said. “We’re trying to do everything we can to See COST SAVINGS, page A6

Standards, start-stop times could change By JENNIFER NOBLIT ThisWeek Community Newspapers

A few changes could be coming to Dublin City Schools in 2011. While saving money will be a big focus for the district in the new year (see related story), Superintendent David Axner said it won’t be the only change coming. A decision regarding a recent recommendation from the school reform task force should come early in 2011. The group recommended that the school district push back See CHANGES, page A6