February 3, 2011
City council accepts Bexley land-use report By JEFF DONAHUE
“Ben expressed his thoughts for feel confident that as long as Ben egy Commission that a concerted
ThisWeek Community Newspapers the need of such a strategy early has his hands on this strategy, there effort be made on the part of the
The city of Bexley is poised to begin a major initiative to address improvements in several targeted areas of the community. Members of the Bexley Land Use Strategy Commission formally delivered a report to city council on Jan. 25. Council president Jeff McClelland called the report “visionary.” “I join the chorus of everyone who has read the Land Use Strategy Commission report in congratulating and thanking this talented, dedicated and conscientious group of citizens for their time and effort in charting a visionary course for the future of development in the City of Bexley,” McClelland said. McClelland said councilman Ben Kessler was the driving force behind the report.
in his term and through guidance and leadership made it happen,” McClelland said. “Now, the challenge is implementing the strategy.” While McClelland welcomed the commission’s recommendations, he said he has concerns over how they can be funded. “Regrettably, circumstances don’t bode favorably for funding an Economic Development Fund at this particular point in time,” he said. “However, there is no reason discussion can’t continue and part of that discussion can include thoughts and innovative ideas for funding. Further, I have indicated to Ben I see no reason we can’t proceed to take steps to establish a statutory Community Improvement Corporation as a vehicle through which much of the strategy might be implemented. I do
is little chance it will die on the shelf.” The report is based upon a review of the land-use challenges and opportunities facing the city of in the future. It includes the following recommendations for four key areas of the city and accompanying citywide recommendations:
EAST MAIN STREET
Redevelop the City Hall site “The City of Bexley must be committed to opening its site up for development, and relocating the City Hall portion of the complex either to a new location on the site, or to an appropriate alternate site.” Prioritize the Development of a neighborhood grocery store within the city “It is the recommendation of the Land Use Strat-
city and on the part of stakeholders in the community to attract a neighborhood grocery store user to East Main Street.”
NORTH CASSADY AVENUE
Create a United Zoning District for North Cassady Avenue and Delmar Drive “The commission recommends the elimination of the North Cassady area’s fragmented zoning Designations and the creation of a united zoning district that encompasses all commercial properties on North Cassady Avenue and Delmar Drive.” Explore the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for North Cassady and Delmar “The commission recommends See LAND USE, page A2
Brennan tapped for recreation hall of fame By TARA STUBBS-FIGURSKI ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Callista and Newt Gingrich are introduced prior to the screening of the couple’s recent documentary at St. Charles Preparatory School. The documentary, “Nine Days That Changed the World,” is about Pope John Paul II’s trip to Poland in June 1979. The couple spoke before the screening and then signed copies of the DVD and his book on Jan. 28.
Gingrich, wife discuss documentary on Pope John Paul II at St. Charles By TARA STUBBS-FIGURSKI ThisWeek Community Newspapers Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife, Calista, gave a joint speech and screening of their documentary, “Nine Days That Changed the World,” at St. Charles Preparatory School on Jan. 28. The documentary tells the story of Pope John Paul II’s 1979 pilgrimage to his native Poland under communist rule.
The visit was hosted by Ohio Right to Life. Organizers estimated that more than 1,350 people attended. “From my perspective, it’s amazing to see so many people here,” said Mike Gonidakis, executive director of Ohio Right to Life. Gonidakis said the core mission of Ohio Right to Life is to protect and serve those who have no voice, to promote and defend the right to life for all human beings
from the unborn to the terminally ill and victims of human trafficking. Mrs. Ginrich thanked Ohio Right to Life for hosting the event. She said the organization’s mission was to promote and defend life, adding the Pope’s visit to Poland also promoted and defended life. The 1979 visit to Poland helped to end communism and was a critical turning See GINGRICH, page A3
Mayor John Brennan will be inducted into the Ohio Parks and Recreation Hall of Fame on Feb. 10 during the organization’s annual conference. Brennan called it a great honor because fewer than 10 people have been inductees since the Hall of Fame was started in 2000. “I was just tickled to be nominated and told I was going to receive the award,” he said. “It kind of caught me a little off guard.” Brennan served as director of the Bexley Parks and Recreation Department from 1973 to 1984 and was director of Hilliard Parks and Recreation from 2000 to 2007. He worked as a sports program supervisor for Dublin Parks and Recreation in 1997 and was the recreation and wellness director for the Columbus Jewish Community Center from 1994 to 1996. “I am really thrilled to be able to receive this award,” he said. “I think it really helps climax what I have (done).” Brennan said he has a total of 23 years in parks and recreation and a total of 30 years of experience in city government. From 1984 to 1994 Brennan
owned Brennan’s BroadNel Restaurant. He sponsored a lot of sports teams as owner of the restaurant. John High school Brennan coaches and recreation officials often used the restaurant as a meeting spot, he said. “That was still a way of staying a little involved, through the restaurant itself,” he said. Brennan earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University, College of Education and a Master of Science from OSU in the School of Natural Resources. As an undergrad, Brennan was doing student observation when a new curriculum in public recreation was announced. He coached a little right out of high school and played sports all of his life. The position was right up his alley. “I thought it was a natural crossover,” he said. “I switched over to a degree in recreation. I did everything but student teaching. I ended up not going into the teaching field.” Recreation is an important See BRENNAN, page A2
St. Charles drama group to present modern-day ghost story By TARA STUBBS-FIGURSKI ThisWeek Community Newspapers The St. Charles drama department will present the Columbus and central Ohio premiere of “The K of D, an Urban Legend,” by Laura Schellhardt, Feb 10-13. “K of D” tells the story of 12-year-old Char-
lotte McGraw, who is struggling to come to terms with the death of her twin brother, Jamie. It also follows her growing legend, as narrated by teenagers who live near Charlotte on a man-made lake in southwest Ohio. According to the synopsis, Charlotte’s brother was hit by a car and died in her arms. Moments before he died, he kissed her gently. The legend
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is that everything Charlotte kissed from that moment on also died. The story tracks the story of the man who killed her brother when he returns to town. Charlotte’s family attempts to use her skill to get rid of him. Drama director Doug Montgomery said the students like “The K of D,” because a lot of the characters are the same age as his students. They
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also like sharing a modern-day ghost story. “The fact of the matter is a lot of people like to be scared,” he said. “Their objective is to try to challenge the audience to be involved in this modern ghost story.” When students read the synopsis of the play See GHOST, page A3
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