May 15, 2011
SWCS board hears state budget update By TOM SHEEHAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers The South-Western school board on May 9 received an update on the governor’s proposed two-year budget. The board also created two funds to handle $6.5 million in state school construction bonds for energy-conservation projects in the district. Treasurer Hugh W. Garside Jr. told the
board district officials are closely watching the proposed state budget because of its effect on school funding. The proposal continues to undergo revisions in the Ohio Legislature. “We’re still really watching the personal tangible property tax and what goes
on with that,” Garside said. “Our current replacement of those dollars is about $12 million a year. It’s a big number for us.” Under the current budget proposal, the state would accelerate a planned multi-year phase-out of the tangible personal property tax reimbursed to districts, meaning schools would lose millions sooner than they anticipated. Garside expects, as do many others, that the legislature won’t act on a final
budget until around June 30. By law, a budget must be in place by July 1. He earlier said the district might lose about $9 million in state aid in next year’s budget, as well as the end of about $6.4 million in one-time federal stimulus money. The South-Western board approved the creation of two funds to handle the school construction funds funneled through the Ohio School Facilities Com-
mission. Garside said prior to the meeting that creation of the funds is a legal requirement. The bonds will pay for a variety of district needs during the next several years, including replacing boilers at eight schools and installing upgraded lighting at all the high, middle and intermediate schools and two elementary schools. See SWCS BOARD, page A2
Weekly cruise-ins benefit food bank By LISA AURAND ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Photos by Eric George/ThisWeek
Bethany Neal sings as Thom Gall (below) conducts the May 7 Vaud-Villities rehearsal in their new home, a section of the former JCPenney store at the defunct Northland Mall. The Vaud-Villities’ 69th annual performance, titled “Celebrate!” will be held May 18-22. The new headquarters brings together every aspect of the operations of Vaud-Villities, according to board chairman Kent D. Stuckey.
Vaud-Villities annual show will ‘Celebrate!’ new locale By KEVIN PARKS ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Almost a surer sign of spring in central Ohio than the blooming of flowers is the arrival of another show by Vaud-Villities Productions. Back for a 69th annual series of performances, the self-described “America’s longest-running music and dance spectacular” will be held May 18-22. The title of this year’s show is “Celebrate!” and part of the celebration will be of the troupe’s inaugural performance in a new, permanent home at the Northland Performing Arts Center. Located in a portion of the old JCPenney building on the site of the defunct Northland Mall, the new headquarters brings together every aspect of the operations of Vaud-Villities, according to board chairman Kent D. Stuckey. Although Vaud-Villities officials had anticipated the overhaul of the former department store would have been almost completed in time for last year’s show, in fact the occu-
pancy and food-service permits for the center were only recently obtained. Last year’s show took place on the stage of what was once Upper Arlington High School, where the first performance took place in 1943. Stuckey said that Vaud-Villities has been “at the mercy” of a construction contractor who still hasn’t
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completed all the work two years past the deadline. “But the show must go on,” he said. And it will. And the performers can’t wait, according to Toni Auch, artistic director since 1993. “I think they’re really riding high now,” Auch said. “All of the things they’ve been practicing are coming
to a head. Once the curtain started going up they really got excited. They said, ‘This is really looking like a theatre.’” The seating riser system for the Performing Arts Center is in place, Stuckey said last week. The configurable stage is scheduled to be ready for opening night, as are the lighting and sound systems. “We’re thrilled to be here,” the board chairman said. “We’re thrilled to be able to share it with other performing arts groups and the local community. “We think that this could serve as a model for redevelopment across the country, to repurpose mall facilities for community use.” Members of the Vaud-Villities cast and crew come from all across Columbus, all parts of Franklin County and even beyond, according to Auch. While the new facility involves a major investment on the part of VaudVillities Productions, Stuckey said See VAUD-VILLITIES, page A9
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Classic car lovers can fuel their hobby and feed the hungry simultaneously during cruise-ins in Grove City. No registration fee or admission will be charged for Grove City Cruise-Ins, held once a week during the summer. Instead, participants and attendees are asked to bring a canned good or other non-perishable food item to donate to the MidOhio Foodbank. Those who have taken part in the event in the past should note that it’s being held on a different day and at a different location than in the past, said organizer Tim Templin. The cruise-ins will be held from 5-10 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 29, at Talita’s Mexican Kitchen, 3090 Southwest Blvd. Templin started planning the cruise-ins eight or nine years ago when he moved to Grove City. “When Steak and Shake first opened on Stringtown Road, ... I thought that was a great location,” Templin said. “If the guys brought their wives, they could go inside for ice cream and there are plenty of stores nearby.” Templin has used the parking lot behind Steak and Shake and had to run an electric cable across a small side street to power the speakers that played oldies. It was a safety issue and also made it hard for passers-by to see the cruise-in. “A lot of people came looking for us and when they looked at the parking lot (in front) they didSee WEEKLY CRUISE-INS, page A2
Memorial Day services announced The Prairie Township trustees have announced a pair of annual Memorial Day services to be held at the township cemeteries on Monday, May 30. At the Galloway Cemetery, the 9:30 a.m. service will be conducted by Grove City Memorial Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 8198. A second service will be held at 12 noon at Alton Cemetery, conducted by Camp Chase Post 98 of the American Legion Also on May 30, Grove City will hold its annual Memorial Day parade beginning at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 3730 Broadway. The parade will form at about 10 a.m. The parade will move south along Broadway to City Hall, 4035 Broadway, for a short ceremony, and will continue to Grove City Cemetery, 3605 Grove City Road, for a Memorial Day service.
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