January 20, 2011
Mayor to veto Destination Hilliard funding By GARY BUDZAK ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Don Schonhardt intends to veto legislation for the first time in his seven years as mayor of Hilliard. Schonhardt is opposed to amending the city’s codified ordinances pertaining to the hotel/motel excise tax. At its Jan. 11 meeting, city council approved by a 5-2 vote changing the percentage of the
6-percent bed tax that would go to Destination Hilliard, a convention and visitor’s bureau, from 25-percent to 50-percent. The other 50-percent would be placed in the Don Schonhardt city’s general fund. Despite Schonhardt’s opposition, council president Brett Sciotto, Jim Ashen-
hurst, Albert Iosue, Kelly McGivern and Bill Uttley voted yes; council members Stephanie Kunze and Tim Roberts voted no. In a letter sent to Sciotto on Jan. 17, Schonhardt wrote that he is vetoing the legislation for six reasons: The ordinance, on its face, is bad public policy; The ordinance ignores the economic realities facing Hilliard and other mu-
nicipalities locally and across the nation; The ordinance is ill-timed because it precedes almost certain reductions in state funding; The ordinance unfairly relies exclusively on the city for funding Destination Hilliard; The ordinance is an unwarranted departure from the city’s core responsibility to provide for the health, safety and welfare of its citizens;
The ordinance exploits the administration’s successful efforts to hold the line on spending. Sciotto said he thought the last time a mayor had vetoed legislation was Tim Ward in 2000. “There have been several instances where the mayor has not signed legislation, which still becomes law nonetheSee SCHONHARDT, page A2
New goal for plan: approval by mid-year
EXPRESS YOURSELF
By GARY BUDZAK ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek
Hilliard Bradley High School freshman Arianna Denenzio, left, and senior Collen O’Shea help junior Alex Schell work on her expressions while playing Larry the Crash Test Dummy at the distracted-driving seminar at the Hilliard Bradley High School on Thursday, Jan. 13. The Hilliard Against Distracted Driving (HADD) campaign sponsored the free community safety fair. HADD is an initiative presented by students from all three Hilliard high schools.
Begun in 2009, the city of Hilliard’s comprehensive plan is continuing to be developed by a consulting firm and a task force. Mayor Don Schonhardt said he wanted the plan to be completed by the end of last year. “However,” he said, “I’m operating city staff with what I consider to be a skeleton crew, and when all of my people are busy on one of the most important capital improvement projects we’ve undertaken in years (the Triangle Project), their reviews and their input is a little bit harder to obtain.” Schonhardt is hoping to have the plan approved by the planning and zoning commission and city council by mid-year. Many cities have a land-use plan that is updated on a periodic basis, Schonhardt said, and Hilliard’s “master plan,” as it was called when created in 2003, needs an update because of changes in the development patterns. “We are in turn taking that 2003 plan and we are See NEW GOAL FOR PLAN, page A2
Erb, Painter, Robinson to seek city council seats publicans, and were among the government relations for Strate-
By GARY BUDZAK
ThisWeek Community Newspapers eight people seeking to fill Dan gic Public Partners Group. Orig-
At least three people who wanted to fill a vacant city council seat last year will run for the office in the May primary election. Joseph Erb, Nathan Painter and Cornell Robertson recently confirmed they are throwing their hats in the ring. All three are Re-
Nichter’s vacant council seat last year following his resignation. Council appointed Bill Uttley to serve out Nichter’s term. Incumbent councilmen Albert Iosue and Uttley are also seeking re-election, and incumbent Tim Roberts was still undecided when asked last week. Erb, 28, is vice president of
inally from New Jersey, Erb has a degree in political science from Ohio State University. He and his wife have lived in Hilliard for four years and are expecting their first child. “I want to make a positive change in the community,” Erb See COUNCIL SEATS, page A6
City is looking for a few good people to serve… By GARY BUDZAK
tainability Commission and the Economic DeThisWeek Community Newspapers velopment Council. Council clerk Lynne Fasone said interested Hilliard is looking for people interested in residents may apply at City Hall, 3800 Municserving on city commissions. ipal Way, by Feb. 1. The matter was raised in committee meetings “We’ve had these discussions multiple times last week, when council members discussed re- about how to manage these things,” Council appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals, See COMMITTEE HELP, page A6 as well as the newly formed Environmental Sus-
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By Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek
Otie’s Tavern and Grill has a new owner, Jim Velio.
Jimmy V’s founder buys Otie’s By GARY BUDZAK
“My intention is to leave name Otie’s,” Velio said. “They’ve been here since 1965. It’s been a great place in the neighborhood. Why erase all Otie’s Restaurant & Pub has a new owner who those memories? Memories were made here, plans to keep the name and at least part of the and I want Otie’s place to still make memories menu intact. for Hilliard.” Restaurateur Jim Velio said he bought the busiSee JIMMY V’S FOUNDER, page A2 ness at 5344 Center St. on Jan. 7. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
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