February 10, 2011
Arlington Avenue reconstruction
Mallway merchants: Get it done on time By CHRIS BOURNEA ThisWeek Community Newspapers Upper Arlington City Council members will have a week to decide how to proceed with the upcoming reconstruction of Arlington Avenue. At their conference session Feb. 7, council members listened to concerns from Mallway business owners who said the construction project, which is scheduled to begin March 18 and last until late August, could keep customers away. Stephanie Berland, proprietor of Stephanie’s
Salon and head of the Mallway merchants’association, said there are concerns that the project could run over schedule. “If this project … were to run over, we’re into our crucial holiday months,” Berland said. Connie Leal Ballenger, who owns the building at the corner of Arlington Avenue and Guilford Road that houses the Leal clothing boutique and other shops, said there were delays during the initial phase of the Arlington Avenue reconstruction See MALLWAY, page A5
Council OKs firefighter contract By CHRIS BOURNEA ThisWeek Community Newspapers
mendations of outside fact-finder John Babel Jr. The agreement includes 3 percent raises in 2011 and 2012 and a 2 percent raise in 2013 for memUpper Arlington City Council voted 5-2 at a bers of the Internal Association of Firefighters special meeting Monday night to accept a new Local 1521, which represents the city’s firethree-year compensation agreement with fire- fighters. fighters. See CONTRACT, page A5 Council members voted to accept the recom-
City, AEP well prepared when ice storm arrived Feb. 1
WINES OF THE TIMES
By ANDREW MILLER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek
Carrie Desmarais, a server at The Wine Bistro, cleans glasses at the new restaurant on Feb. 5. The Wine Bistro offers 30 different wines by the glass and many bottles from around the world. For more on the restaurant, read the story on page A2.
Consultant will be enlisted to help in search for new city manager By GARY BUDZAK ThisWeek Community Newspapers Upper Arlington’s next city manager will be selected with the help of a consultant or search firm. Interested firms and individuals have until 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, to submit their qualifications to the city. The city’s request for
qualifications includes a company profile, experience on similar projects, references, a summary of the search process and costs. “The ideal consultant will have experience and expertise in, including but not limited to, executive searches for the public sector, nonprofit and the private industry,” the city website states. “We want to look for a company to help
the city council, instead of just posting and getting a bunch of resumes,” said Regina Drzewiecki, deputy city manager, human resources. Someone interested in becoming the next city manager, however, can still apply for the position through the city, Drzewiecki said. See MANAGER, page A6
Elementary students’ art featured at Concourse Gallery By KATE HETRICK
process” to ensure that “just about their work in the gallery at one time or another,” she said. Exhibits may include both twodimensional and three-dimensional media. Each school submits a limited number of pieces based on student population. Students and teachers volunteered their time to hang the elementary school show, Santoro-Au said. “When we hang the show, we do so very thoughtfully,” she said. “We try to get the younger kids near the bottom. That way, they can stand next to the artwork.” Santoro-Au said several families have stopped in to view the exhibit and take photos of students
According to AEP-s website, at the height of the ice storm Feb. 1, more than 181,444 central Ohio customers were without service. The company brought in extra resources, and by Thursday afternoon nearly all Upper Arlington residents had their power restored.
so we really depend on the mutual-aid because we’re a small department,” Kochensparger said. “No matter how much you prepare for a situation like this, it will still stress the system.” The city met Jan. 31 before the storm to coordinate its resources, including the shifting of some parks and recreation staff to help the forestry workers clear debris during and after the storm, said according to Emma Speight, deputy city manager for community affairs. “(Assistant City Manager) Joe (Valentino) got all the department heads together before the storm to make sure the plans were in place to make this situation go as smoothly as possible,” Speight said. “It was very much a team effort.” City workers began spreading brine and salt just prior to the storm to keep the streets passable for residents. See STORM, pageA2
City gives guidelines for disposing of yard waste on private property
ThisWeek Community Newspapers everyone gets a chance to show
The Concourse Gallery at the Upper Arlington Municipal Building is a “wonderful array of art and talent and colors,” according to city arts manager Lynette Santoro-Au. An exhibit featuring the work of UA elementary school students is on view through Feb. 11. Works on display come from students at Barrington, Greensview, Tremont, Wickliffe, Windermere, Wellington, St. Andrew and St. Agatha elementary schools. “Annually, we show work of the elementary school students, middle school students and high school students,” Santoro-Au said. Featured pieces are selected by teachers who use a “thoughtful
The power is back on, but the cleanup continues following last week’s ice storm. “During storm situations, AEP does not clear debris from customers’ yards in order to allow work crews to restore power more rapidly,” said AEP Ohio spokesperson Vikki Michalski. According to AEP-s website, at the height of the ice storm Feb. 1, more than 181,444 central Ohio customers were without service. The company brought in extra resources, and by Thursday afternoon nearly all Upper Arlington residents had their power restored. Resident Pete Cline said that he and his Herrick Road neighbors hunkered down with generators and fireplaces after losing power around 8 p.m. Tuesday. “We saw candles glowing from everyone’s houses,” he said. “It was like we were living in a different time.” Upper Arlington Fire Department spokesperson Dan Kochensparger said the ice made it necessary to bring a fourth team member on medic runs to provide better safety while carrying patients. Kochensparger said there were 58 storm-related calls, including two mutual-aid calls given to Columbus in response to structure fires, one of which was caused by a burning candle. “Everything related to the storm is on top of the normal work load,
A closer look
By Eric George/ThisWeek
Artwork by Upper Arlington elementary school students is on dis-
See GALLERY, page A2 play in the Concourse Gallery at the Municipal Building.
The city’s Parks and Forestry crews are only responsible for clearing fallen limbs and branches from trees in the public right-of-way. This process is already under way, but may take some time because of continuing wintry conditions and available equipment and staffing. Property owners are responsible for clearing and disposing of downed tree limbs on private property. Limbs and branches should be placed at the curb as part of the city’s yard waste program, according to the following guidelines: Yard waste is picked up on
regular trash collection days and should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. to ensure pick-up. Bundles cannot exceed five feet in length or 50 pounds in weight and should be tied with biodegradable string; Each bundle must have one Solid Waste sticker affixed. Residents who prefer can take branches and limbs themselves to the Roberts Road Regional Composting Facility free of charge. Current hours are 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Questions may be directed to the Parks and Forestry Division at 583-5340.
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