May 25, 2011
Quiet zone at Leap/Davidson railroad crossings
Recommendation forwarded to council By GARY BUDZAK ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By a 2-1 vote and amid much discussion, Hilliard’s public safety and legal affairs committee on May 23 forwarded to city council an ordinance supporting a quiet zone along the railroad crossings at Leap and Davidson roads. Committee chairman Jim Ashenhurst and council member Stephanie Kunze
voted in favor of the safety practices reHowever, other resquiet zone, while quire the railroad to idents said they don’t member Tim Roberts sound whistles at each mind the sound. voted against it. The crossing, disrupting “The sweet sound legislation goes bethe environmental of the train whistle is fore council on June peace of the commurelaxing and has a 13, with the public alnity.” There were soothing effect on us,” lowed to comment at some residents from said Sharon Hess. Jim Ashenhurst Stephanie Kunze Tim Roberts the June 27 city counthe Tremont Club “Don’t deny us one of cil meeting. condominum complex present who said life’s simple pleasures.” The legislation states that “current they supported the quiet zones. Hess said that while some might be
bothered by the train, “Nothing forced them to buy a house close to a track and they are free to move.” “I find it ironic that a town that was named after a railroad executive would silence its trains,” said Lester Hess. The city, in consultation with CSX Transportation (the railroad) and the Federal Railroad Administration, has See QUIET ZONE, page A2
Hilliard pools open with ‘Swim Smart’ program
SPIRIT OF SAFETY DAY
By GARY BUDZAK ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Three-year-old Dominic Ferrari uses the fire hose with the help of Norwich Township firefighter Dusty King during the second Spirit of Safety Day on May 21. Ferrari wants to be a firefighter when he grows up.
Safety Town to return June 13-17 By GARY BUDZAK
A closer look
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Two years ago, a little girl was lost at Epcot in Florida. Not seeing her parents and careful not Safety Town, co-sponsored by Hilliard Recreation and Parks Department, the Hilliard Police to talk to strangers, she approached a woman in Department and the Norwich Township Fire Department, will take place June 13-17 at a uniform from one of the countries represented Scioto Darby Elementary School. Children 5 and 6 years old (born between Oct. 1, 2004, at the theme park. The woman took her to the and Sept. 30, 2006) entering kindergarten or having completed kindergarten and who have lost child center, where she was reunited with not attended the previous years are eligible to attend. This year’s morning classes are full, but there are still openings for the 1-4 p.m. afternoon sessions. her relieved parents. The parents asked the girl what made her go to the woman in uniform, and she said Safety the week-long summer class for more than 20 ation and Parks Department, the Hilliard Police Town. Safety Town coordinator Chris Jacobs said years. Safety Town, co-sponsored by Hilliard RecreSee SAFETY TOWN, page A2 success stories like that are why they’ve put on
Hilliard’s two outdoor municipal swimming pools will open for the season this weekend with a new safety initiative and music series. “We’re starting an educational program this year for kids and adults called Swim Smart,” said Steven Mazer, director of recreation and parks. “It’s geared to making people aware of how they need to be attuned to their surroundings when they’re swimming, whether it’s in a pool or a lake, anywhere there’s a body of water. You need to practice safety at all times.” Mazer said everyone who A closer look visits the pools will get a flyer A Swim Smart party will be on the subject, held 3-5 p.m. Sunday, May and the staff (in29, at the Hilliard Family cluding 135 lifeAquatic Center (HFAC), guards) will be 3850 Veterans Memorial happy to answer Drive. The event will feature questions on local band Swing’s the safety. Swim Thing. lessons are also available for people of all skill levels. The other pools in town, Aquatic Adventures and the Hilliard YMCA, are also a part of the Swim Smart program, Mazer said. A Swim Smart party will be held 3-5 p.m. Sunday, May 29, at the Hilliard Family Aquatic Center (HFAC), 3850 Veterans Memorial Drive. The event will feature local band Swing’s the Thing. The pools will be open Saturday through Monday, May 28-30, close May 31-June 2, and then will reopen daily June 3 through Labor Day. For more information on hours and prices, call 614876-5200, 614-876-4296 (HFAC), 614-334-4024 (a new number for the East pool) or visit hilliardohio.gov and click on the Play tab. Based on the success of last year’s Splash into Summer event, Mazer said there will be a music series called “Diving with the Decades” Fridays See POOLS, page A2
Veterans to be honored at fairgrounds powwow By GARY BUDZAK ThisWeek Community Newspapers
A powwow held this weekend at the Franklin County Fairgrounds will honor and celebrate veterans. According to the Native American Indian Center of Central
Ohio, which sponsors the powwow, war veterans traditionally open the event by leading dancers into the center of an arena to start each day with prayer and a flagraising. The powwow will include drum groups, dancing in regalia, contests, arts and crafts, and food
such as fry bread. Ross Davidson will be one of the participants in the powwow. Davidson, 73, lives in Plain City and has served in the U.S. Navy and as a police chief. He is also a maker of dance regalia, an expert at beading and quilting who has been accepted into the Na-
tive American community. “Modern-day powwows as we know them began just before or shortly after World War II in Oklahoma,” Davidson said, “then they spread like wildfire.” Veterans are honored, he said, because
“
It’s a family event. We get to see people we haven’t seen for a while, and meet new ones. That’s what it’s about — a celebration of life.
ROSS DAVIDSON — Artisan and powwow participant
See VETERANS, page A2
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swim smart. Spread the Word Ignorance about drowning can be deadly. Help by educating yourself and others on ways to prevent drowning. • Inform loved ones about potential drowning risks and prevention techniques. • Encourage family members over 14 years old to become certified in CPR; skills should be updated each year with a recertification class.
Have you enrolled your child in a learn to swim program?
A Public service message sponsored by: City of Hilliard Recreation & Parks Department 614-876-5200 : hilliardohio.gov Hilliard / Ray Patch Family YMCA 614-334-9622 : ymcacolumbus.org/hilliard Aquatic Adventures Ohio 614-545-3700 : aaoswim.com
swim smart. save lives. PARTY! Sunday, May 29, 2011 • 3:00-5:00 p.m. Hilliard Family Aquatic Center • Live entertainment by Swings the Thing – sttbignband.com • Prizes, swimming, music and fun!
save lives.