May 12, 2011
Heiser to challenge Brennan for Mayor By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Former Bexley city auditor Larry A. Heiser has announced that he will challenge incumbent John Brennan in the November mayor’s race. Heiser, 50, has lived in Bexley for the past 44 years and is a certified public accountant. He currently serves as finance director for the village of Johnstown. Heiser graduated from Bexley High School in 1979 and Capital University in 1999. He served as Bexley city auditor from 2006-09 and has also worked as an au-
ditor for the state auditor’s office. Heiser is single and the father of two children, Allison, 23, a Vanderbilt University graduate living in Washington, D.C., and Larry Evan, 21, a senior at Heiser Miami University in Oxford. Heiser describes his political affiliation as “none,” saying, “I would consider myself an independent. I have registered in past primaries as a Democrat, Republican, and Libertarian.”
Heiser said he doesn’t agree with some of the policies of Brennan’s administration. “Sustaining success in Bexley requires the community to decide on choices such as road repair vs. debt reduction,” he said. “I have concerns as a resident and former auditor regarding the amount of road repair we are once again doing in the city this year considering the debt payments which will affect the budget for 20 years in the future.” The ongoing controversy over proposed changes to Bexley’s city charter were also a factor in his decision to run for mayor.
“The finance task force had recommended to council in 2009 that council go to the voters for large capital expenditures,” he said. “As the city has been involved in a charter review, it is an opportune time to continue to have hard conversations about the most sustainable forms of government, and by this I mean a city with a mayor and independent auditor, or a city manager and eliminating the auditor. In these times I believe we need to look at a new form of government for Bexley. I am not in favor of eliminating the auditor unless we also consider having a city manager.” Heiser said the most pressing issues
facing the city are the looming budget deficit and how to deal with it while preserving existing city services. “First is balancing the budget, in the face of all of the changes from the State of Ohio regarding the estate tax and local government fund,” he said. “I also believe that maintaining our safety as an inner ring suburb is important to residents. Any reductions to our police department would be detrimental to the long-term sustainability of Bexley as we know it now. The city’s police function is the most important function the city See HEISER, page A2
Morison won’t seek re-election to council
CANINE CALLER
By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Caudill noted that moving away from the block schedule would gain up to 24 hours in instructional time for each subject over the course of the school year. That gain is expected to help middle school students meet the challenge of the new Ohio Content Standards. The Ohio Department of Education describes Content Standards as “clearly defined statements and/or illustrations of what all students, teachers, schools and districts are expected to know and be able to do.”
Veteran three-term Bexley City Council member Jed Morrison has announced he will not seek re-election in November. Morison made his announcement In an e-mail on May 8 to Mayor John Brennan, fellow city council members and city department heads. “With mixed feelings, I have decided that I will not run for another term on City Council this fall,” Morison wrote. “As you may know, my agency has a replacement levy on the ballot this fall that will require my full attention and extra Jed campaign time.” Morison is superintendent Morison of the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Morison did leave the door open for a possible return to city government in the future. “Who knows? Someday I may throw my hat back in the ring when time permits,” he wrote. Morison said he leaves city council with fond memories. “For the record, I have thoroughly enjoyed my 12 years on council and have the greatest respect for those I have served with over the years,” he wrote. “Your support of initiatives I have sponsored or supported has been greatly appreciated.” For the remainder of his term, Morison said he will be focused on dealing with the city’s budget. “I look forward to finishing this term in our continuing efforts to stabilize finances and in support of other exciting plans that are in the works,” he wrote. “You all, along with all of our
See CHANGES, page A2
See MORISON, page A6
By Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek
Franklin County animal-control officer Leighann Bowen lets Cassingham Elementary School students pet her dog, Blaze, during a visit to the school May 6. Bowen was at the school to teach the students how to be safe around dogs.
Bexley Middle School
Scheduling changes under consideration By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
A closer look
Bexley City School District officials are considThe proposed change would align schedules ering changes to the way classes are scheduled at of the two schools effective this fall. Under the Bexley Middle School. new schedule, Bexley Middle School classes The changes are being considered as the master would meet every day for 50 minutes, instead schedules for 2011-2012 are being fine-tuned for of every other day in 84-minute blocks. both Bexley Middle School and Bexley High School. The proposed change would align schedules of the two schools effective this fall. Under the new sched- 84-minute blocks. ule, Bexley Middle School classes would meet every “We're about 95 percent there,” Bexley Middle day for 50 minutes, instead of every other day in School Assistant Principal Jason Caudill said.
Piada Italian Street Food to open eatery in Bexley May 16 By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The long-awaited opening of Piada Italian Street Food, 2585 E. Main St., in Bexley will occur May 16. Piada is a fast casual Italian eatery and the creation of restaurateur Chris Doody. The company’s other restaurant is in Upper
Arlington. The 2,400-square-foot restaurant, is in the former Huntington Bank branch in Bexley. It seats 66 and can accommodate another 45 on the front patio. The restaurant also has a drive-up window for pickup orders in the rear, accessible from Remington Road. Company officials say the restaurant
DIRECTORY
will employ a staff of about 35 on opening day. “We are really excited about the response to Piada,” Doody said. “It has been very well received in Upper Arlington and we are looking forward to offering this unique fast casual Italian concept in Bexley.” One of the founders of Bravo and Brio,
Doody has always had a passion for Italian food. While traveling in Italy, he discovered street food that was fresh, inexpensive and easy to eat on the go. “Today’s consumers are looking for healthier, better quality food with convenient, fast delivery to accommodate their hectic lifestyles,” Doody said. “At Piada, they don’t have to sacrifice qual-
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ity and flavor for speed and value.” Piada also plans to open a new location at StoneRidge Plaza Shopping Center in Gahanna in late June, as well as restaurants at Easton and Dublin in the fall. Customers can place Bexley pickup orders by phone at (614) 975-7874 or online at www.mypiada.com.
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