February 24, 2011
Conrath’s successor
Board to launch search for superintendent upcoming retirement of Melissa Conrath. Conrath told the board on Feb. 14 that she plans to step down by the end of 2011. She has been superintendent for five years.
By CANDY BROOKS ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The Worthington Board of Education will hire a search firm to assist in finding a new superintendent of schools. “It’s going to consume a lot of the board’s time this year,” said board pres- Melissa ident Marc Schare upon learning of the Conrath
“I wasn’t surprised,” Schare said. “When we hired her in 2005, she said she would stay five years.” Known for her consensus building skills and community involvement, Conrath has led the district through budget reductions and financial uncertainty. At the same time, the district has retained its “excellent” rating with the state of
Ohio. Schare said the board will work with the community to decide what qualities and skills are important in a future superintendent. It will then convey that information to a search firm, which must be chosen at the same time. The board plans to interview three or four firms, he said.
Once the firm gathers applications, the board must be able to choose to interview anyone from the pool, not be limited by the recommendation of the firm, he added. “If any of the five of us think someone merits an interview, we will do the See BOARD TO LAUNCH, page A2
Bank robber was in search of a home By CANDY BROOKS ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Paul Cynkar of Battelle for Kids talks with Jill Clark during the annual meeting of the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Crosswoods. Cynkar was re-elected treasurer of the chamber.
Chamber weathered challenges in 2010 By CANDY BROOKS ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Despite the recession and a storm that all but wiped out a major fundraiser, the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce fared well in 2010. In fact, it earned six dollars more in net revenue than it did in 2009, said treasurer Paul Cynkar during the chamber’s annual meeting on Feb. 22 at the DoubleTree by Hilton located at Crosswoods. The loss of expected revenue from the rained-out Taste of Worthington in July hurt, as did the state of the economy. But that is only part of the story of central Ohio’s third-largest chamber of commerce.
A closer look The bottom line is that the chamber ends the year with total liabilities and equity of $364,472, including restricted funds of $175,051. All but $20,000 of that is in a building fund that may be used to establish new chamber offices.
“It has not been the absence of challenges and problems, but the way Kathryn (director Kathryn Paugh) and the board have dealt with them that has made the difference,” Cynkar said.
The bottom line is that the chamber ends the year with total liabilities and equity of $364,472, including restricted funds of $175,051. All but $20,000 of that is in a building fund that may one day be used to establish new chamber offices. Currently, the Worthington chamber is located in rented space at 25 W. New England Ave. Opportunity Knocks was the theme of the annual meeting. Participants who visited sponsor tables earned keys to try to open a door for a grand prize. Margaret Doone, chief fiscal officer for Worthington Libraries, opened the door to the iPad, which was donated by CSC.
“The library could always use another one,” she said. Also at the meeting, Kay Lakhi of the Rite Bite was re-elected chairman of the board of trustees. Sheila Sinno of Sinno Law Office is the new chairelect, and Cynkar, of Battelle for Kids, was re-elected treasurer. Incoming trustees are Joe Davis of Worthington Jewelers; Amy Hall of DeVry University; Pat Bright of Comfort Inn Polaris; and Marissa Michaels, OhioHealth. Other trustees are Bill Alsnauer, Ann Baldwin, Tony Lordo, Bill Owens, Jeff Regensburger, and Norris Woods Jr. Outgoing trustees are Shera Skaggs and Lynn Nadler.
Record crowds expected at 10th Pancake Day By CANDY BROOKS ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The 10th annual Worthington Pancake Day is expected to draw 4,000 people to Thomas Worthington High School on March 5. The event has grown steadily since beginning a decade ago as a fundraiser for athletic teams at Worthington Kilbourne and Thomas Worthington high schools, said co-chair Chip Hanks. With even more activities planned for this year’s
event, crowds should top last year’s record of 3,400, he said. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a $5 ticket will buy pancakes, sausage and beverage. The Andersen’s sponsors the tickets, which can be redeemed for face value with a $30 purchase at the store. But food is only part of the fun, with a silent auction, inflatable games, a sports swap and other activities lined up this year. Super Games is a sponsor this year, and will set up several inflatable toys
inside the school for the younger set. The sports swap is new this year. People are invited to bring used sporting goods which will be sold by the Worthington Youth Boosters during the event. The silent auction last year raised $20,000. Items this year include golf packages, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, camps and an organ. A Ford dealer will offer test drives of new vehicles. See PANCAKE, page A2 Bonnie is up for adoption at All Tails ‘R’ Waggin in Pataskala. Her brother recently found a home but she is still waiting. To see a video of Bonnie, visit www.ThisWeekNews. com. For more information on adopting Bonnie, visit alltails.com or call (740) 927-0555.
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Jack Sutherland told police he robbed a Worthington bank last week because he was broke, sick and needed a place to live. “He wanted to go back to prison,” Lt. Mike Dougherty said. Police obliged, arresting Sutherland, 60, after he allegedly held up the Chase Bank, 50 W. Wilson Bridge Road, at 5:54 p.m. on Feb. 15. According to police, he entered the bank and Jack Sutherland handed a note to a teller indicating he had a gun, was robbing the bank and wanted cash. No weapon was observed, and it turned out he had only a hairbrush in his pocket. The teller gave the robber a small amount of See BANK ROBBER, page A2
Telhio looks for room at Holiday Inn By CANDY BROOKS ThisWeek Community Newspapers
A few years ago, the city soundly rejected a proposal to build a Walgreens in the front parking lot at the Worthington Holiday Inn. Will a similar proposal from a local credit union meet a different fate? That may become evident tonight (Thursday, Feb. 24), when the Architectural Review Board (ARB) and Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) consider a proposal to build a new Telhio Credit Union at 7007 N. High St., in front of the Holiday Inn. The credit union is currently located a block away, at the entrance to Worthington Square. The new 3,115-square-foot building would be set back more than 100 feet from High Street, well within required setbacks. The red brick building and columns forming three See TELHIO, page A3
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