ThisWeek Dublin 5/5/11

Page 1

May 5, 2011

District sees few improvements in budget funding over the next two years. As the budget moves to the House of Representatives, those reductions appear to hold steady. “We got a projection of how much supplements will

By JENNIFER NOBLIT ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Despite more than 1,000 amendments proposed to Gov. John Kasich’s twoyear state budget, Dublin City Schools officials still are looking at a large cut in funding. With the initial budget, the district Stephen expected a $14.5 million cut in state Osborne

help,” district treasurer Stephen Osborne said. “It shows us losing about $330,000 less next year. That’s still over a $6 million loss (next year). The amendments make a difference of $330,000 next year and $426,000 the year after.” According to the initial state budget proposed by Kasich, the largest cuts that Dublin City Schools anticipate come from the early phase-out of tangible-

personal-property-tax reimbursements. House Bill 66 had called for the phaseout of TPPT that businesses pay on inventory, equipment and utilities by 2020. The proposed budget cuts into $20 million expected over the next two years and phases out TPPT reimbursements for the district by 2014. The district also is anticipating a reduction in state foundation funding, to

the tune of $3.65 million over two years. “Not much has changed,” Osborne said May 2. “We’re just waiting for the House to vote on the bill at the end of the week. That’s tentatively set for May 5, then on to the Senate.” Osborne said the district has met with local legislators to make its case, and See DISTRICT, page A2

Perimeter & Commerce

GARDEN PARTY FUN

Double Z to start building $1.1M roundabout soon By JENNIFER NOBLIT ThisWeek Community Newspapers

By Tim Norman/ThisWeek

Dublin Arts Council marketing director Janet Cooper laughs while talking to other guests at the DAC’s annual Garden Party benefit April 29 at the Kilgour Building Atrium of OCLC, 6565 Kilgour Place. The event’s proceeds support DAC’s programs, such as the free Sundays at Scioto concerts, the Gravity’s Ripple dance performance, summer ARTcamps and Art in Public Places projects.

Technology flex

Council to consider new zoning district By JENNIFER NOBLIT ThisWeek Community Newspapers A new zoning district that could allow businesses to expand faster and more easily will go before Dublin City Council for a final reading next week. Dublin has industrial zoning codes that

haven’t been modified since the 1970s, and the “technology-flex zoning district” proposes to modernize uses to match what’s desired, make standards more flexible to accelerate development and make the city competitive with other central Ohio communities. According to economic development

manager Colleen Gilger, the “tech-flex” zoning is all about being competitive. “We can stay competitive by broadening uses to tech flex,” she told council members during an April 25 meeting. “It’s all about expanding … uses.” See DUBLIN, page A2

Expect to see several orange barrels at Perimeter Drive and Commerce Parkway over the summer as the city installs another roundabout. Dublin City Council on April 25 voted unanimously to award the $1.1 million project to Double Z Construction. Work is expected to begin this month and continue during the Memorial Tournament and Dublin Irish Festival, said Paul Hammersmith, Dublin’s engineering director. Access will be maintained to the Dublin Justice Center and Delta Energy via a temporary access drive. Traffic will be limited during the construction that is expected to be completed by Sept. 30. “In August or September, for approximately 30 days (depending on the schedule), Perimeter Drive traffic east of Venture Drive will be restricted to one way, eastbound only,” a staff report stated. “Vehicles traveling on Emerald Parkway to Perimeter Drive will be detoured to Shier Rings Road and Avery Road.” City council members asked city staff to post clear parking signs around the area during the Dublin Irish Festival so visitors could find parking spaces during construction.

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Year to date total $6,100

Dublin’s summer sidewalk repair program also was approved last week. The city will spend $120,868 on the sidewalk maintenance program in Belvedere Green, Shannon Glen, Bristol Commons, Dublinshire, Waterford Village and Llewellyn Farms. Council approved a contract with P.J. Martin & Sons General Contracting for the work that includes repairing sidewalks that have been damaged by tree roots. Hammersmith said tree roots are pruned during the work, but the city tries not to remove the trees. “We try to preserve the trees,” he said. See COUNCIL, page A9

By LIN RICE ThisWeek Community Newspapers

By JENNIFER NOBLIT

DIRECTORY

Work is expected to begin this month and continue during the Memorial Tournament and Dublin Irish Festival, said Paul Hammersmith, Dublin’s engineering director. Access will be maintained to the Dublin Justice Center and Delta Energy via a temporary access drive. Traffic will be limited during the construction that is expected to be completed by Sept. 30.

Voters approve Jerome fire levy

Zoombezi Bay adds snake slides An anaconda and python will be added to Zoombezi Bay’s lineup of tides, rapids and twisters. Two new serpentine slides — Anaconda Falls and the Python Plunge — will snake into Zoombezi Bay when the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium water park opens later this month. “Anaconda Falls is unique and different from anything we have in Zoombezi Bay,” said John Gannon, Zoombezi Bay senior vice president. Hands-on research in Florida and Alabama went into picking the two new water rides that will serve as the first major additions to the 4-year-old park. See ZOOMBEZI, page A2

A closer look

By Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek

Two new slides — Python Plunge and Anaconda Falls — are under construction at Zoombezi Bay. To see a video of the new slides, visit www.thisweeknews.com.

Jerome Township fire personnel will welcome new funds from township residents for fire service following voters’approval of a fire levy on the May 3 ballot. Still, the township faces an up-hill climb. According to unofficial results from the Union County Board of Elections, 610 (57.7 percent) voted for the levy, and 447 (42.3 percent) voted against it. Of the 3,773 voters registered in the seven precincts, 1,241 turned out to vote countywide. Only 1,057 voted on the Jerome Township issue. Jerome Township firefighter Justin French, who See VOTERS APPROVE, page A8

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