February 17, 2011
Council overrides Schonhardt’s veto BY GARY BUDZAK ThisWeek Community Newspapers
As expected, Hilliard City Council voted 5-2 to override the first veto in Don Schonhardt’s two terms as mayor at its Feb. 14 meeting. The override means that an ordinance amending the city’s hotel/motel excise tax will go into effect. The ordinance, passed by council on Jan. 11, changes the amount of the 6-percent hotel/motel 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 city’s general fund. Schonhardt vetoed the ordinance on Jan. 17, listing six reasons for doing so in a letter to council president Brett Sciotto. In the letter, he acknowledged the veto would probably be overridden by a two-thirds majority, but maintained that the ordinance was “ill-timed bad public policy.” Following a 10-day waiting period per Ohio Revised Code, the matter was considered at the Feb. 14 council meeting. “We do have a special consideration,” Sciotto See COUNCIL OVERRIDES, page A6
By Paul Vernon/ThisWeek
Above, supporters of Destination Hilliard turned out in Hilliard City Council chambers Feb. 14 as council voted 5-2 to override Mayor Don Schonhardt's veto of legislation to increase funding for the organization. Destination Hilliard will now receive 50 percent of the city bed tax revenues instead of the 25 percent it had been receiving. At left, Hilliard City Council president Brett Sciotto explains the process involved in the veto override.
Economic Development Council deadline extended until Feb. 21 BY GARY BUDZAK ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The composition of an Economic Development Council and the city’s operating funds were discussed at Hilliard City Council committee meetings Feb. 14. At the economic and community development committee meeting, council member Kelly McGivern said seven people expressed an interest in serving on the EDC, following a recent call for applicants. A new deadline of Feb. 21 was given to attract more
development in Hilliard by marshaling our community’s public and private resources in A closer look order to retain current for-profit and not forprofit corporations and aggressively seek to Council president Brett Sciotto said attract new corporations in Hilliard.” candidates should be business leadEconomic development director David ers who operate a business in Hilliard, Meeks said Baesman Printing Corporation but they don’t have to live in Hilliard. CEO Rod Baesman and Scioto Valley Hot Tubs & Spas President Spencer Jacobs were applicants. Those interested may contact city interested in continuing on the EDC, and that two others had expressed an interest hall with a letter and resume. The city of Hilliard’s website states the EDC “will enhance and expand economic See ECONOMIC, page A6
Planning & zoning
Ohio Business College branch OK’d BY GARY BUDZAK ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The planning and zoning commission recently approved construction of an Ohio Business College branch on the west side of Trueman Boulevard. Hilliard would be the fourth location for the college, which offers associate degrees in business, medical and technology programs. City planner John Talentino said the application to build on the site was applied for in January, but the developer had been in discussions with the city for several months. By a 4-0 vote at the Feb. 10 planning and zoning meeting, the com-
mission approved the planned unit development final plan for a 7acre, one-story, 18,000-squarefoot building, a lot split/deed transfer and permitting a college, based on 10 conditions. Those conditions, recommended in a staff report, included changing the parking lot for a proposed extension of Anson Drive, a rightin/right-out access point on Trueman Boulevard, brick on the gables, a tree survey and revisions to signage and lighting. There will be a retention pond on the south end of the site. Residents living near the de-
Empty Bowls soup dinner helps pantry By GARY BUDZAK ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Ceramic bowls made by Weaver Middle School seventhgraders are among the draws behind the Empty Bowls event in the cafeteria from 5:30-8 p.m. on Feb. 23. “We have made over 500 ceramic bowls,” said art teacher Shannon Murlin. The bowls are all shapes, sizes, colors and glazes, she said, “from little trinket bowls to pretty substantial soup bowls. Some of them are a little bit better than other ones.” The bowls are microwave and dishwasher safe, although they have not been signed by the students. Students in Murlin’s and Matt Sparks’ classes have made their bowls using the school’s two kilns. Those attending the soup dinner will get to pick one of the ceramic bowls to keep, although for convenience, a paper bowl will be used for the soup. The dinner will feature five different soups from Aramark, rolls and salad from Texas Roadhouse and desserts provided by Weaver faculty. See EMPTY BOWLS, page A2
Brooklyn Anthony works on her creation for the Feb. 23 Empty Bowls event at Weaver Middle School.
See PLANNING, page A2
ThisWeek Hilliard wins top Ohio newspaper award By Steve Friend/ThisWeek
Cheer for the cure Jordyn Ebert from the Hilliard Cheer Academy performs in the dance/hip hop exhibition during the Stella Bertz Memorial Cheer for the Cure at Hilliard Bradley High School Saturday, Feb. 12.
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The staff of ThisWeek Hilliard won eight awards, including the General Excellence Award, in the 2011 Osman C. Hooper Newspaper Show Feb. 10 at the Polaris Hilton. The event was held in conjunction with the annual Ohio Newspaper Association convention. A total of 61 Ohio community newspapers participated in the Hooper Show. The General Excellence Award, in Division A for newspapers with circulation of more than 9,536, is the second major award
for ThisWeek Hilliard in the past three years. • Tim Norman, 1st place, Best Photo In 2009, ThisWeek Hilliard was honored as • Aaron Blankenship, 2nd place, Best Local Best Non-Daily Newspaper in Ohio by the Feature Press Club of Cleveland in the Ohio Excel• Ed Lentz, 2nd place, Original Column lence in Journalism Awards. (All entries combined in one division) Overall, ThisWeek won 21 awards in the • Sports Staff, 2nd Place, Sports Coverage 2011 Hooper Show. • Advertising Staff, 3rd place, Advertising ThisWeek Hilliard’s winners included: • Jeff Donahue, 5th place, Best Editorial • Staff, 1st place, General Excellence Award (All entries combined in one division) • Sports Staff, 1st place, Best Special SecSee ONA AWARDS, page A6 tion (Friday Night Live Football Preview)
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