May 19, 2011
Balancing Bexley’s budget
Kessler: Cuts alone not an option By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Nobody is standing in line to replace Ben Kessler as chairman of Bexley City Council’s finance and judiciary committee. Kessler has the unenviable task of helping the city find a way to offset an estimated annual budget shortfall of $2.9 million over the next five years. During a special public hearing set
for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, in the auditorium of the Bexley Public Library, Kessler will unveil potential scenarios to address the looming city budget crisis and seek input from residents on how to avoid the dilemma. Kessler’s presentation will include information that residents likely will find staggering. As far as he is concerned, balancing the city budget through cost reductions alone isn’t a viable option.
“Cuts alone have been rejected or are most likely going to be rejected by city council because they are, for lack of a better word, draconian,” Kessler said. “They are so extreme that they will not allow our city to function at the level it needs to function at.” Under the cost-reduction-only scenario, the following cuts would save about $2,916,841: Police patrols would be cut from four cars per shift to two, saving
$680,000. Other police personnel cuts would total $135,000. The Bexley development department would be eliminated, saving $106,569. The Bexley Parks and Recreation Department would be eliminated, saving $320,000. Jeffrey Mansion and the city parks would be closed, saving $325,202. Service department layoffs would
By Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Anna Sokolov and Boris Zilberman are interviewed near a plaque dedicated to their son, Navy Lt. Steven Zilberman, who died in a plane crash in the North Arabian sea in 2010 while serving in Afghanistan.
Lt. Steven Zilberman
Bexley remembers a hero By JAYME DETWEILER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
When students walk through the halls of Bexley High School they will be reminded of a fellow student and hero, who passed through those same halls nearly 15 years ago. On May 13, a memorial plaque was dedicated outside the high school’s Schottenstein Theater to honor late alumnus, Lieutenant Steven Zilberman. Along the same wall is the Lt. Steven Zilberman Armed Service Award. This plaque will be inscribed with the names of future Bexley High School students who enlist in the armed forces upon graduation, according to Bexley Schools public information coordinator, Amy Thompson. Zilberman’s plane went down in the North Arabian Sea on March 31, 2010, during a mission supporting operations in
“
He sacrificed his life. His legacy can live. Stephen was brave enough physically and mentally to make the right decision.
ANNA SOKOLOV — Zilberman’s mother
”
Afghanistan, according to Military Times. When the plane experienced mechanical malfunction, the Navy pilot ordered his three crew members to bail out and they survived without significant injuries. Two Bexley High School seniors unveiled the plaque during the 8 a.m. ceremony. Both are planning on joining the armed forces
after graduation. Senior Tomar Lus sees Zilberman as an “idol.” Lus ships out July 15 in hopes of becoming a combat engineer in the U.S. Army. “He’s proven a great leader has to commit some sacrifices….I feel honored to display this plaque for everyone to see.” Zilberman’s family lined the hallway for the dedication. Different teachers and friends spoke of him, remembering anecdotes and special character traits he possessed. Zilberman’s mother, Anna Sokolov, thought the memorial dedication was wonderful but at the same time difficult. Tearyeyed, she said, “He sacrificed his life” and now “his legacy can live. Stephen was brave enough physically and mentally to make the right decision.” The ceremony brought back a lot of memSee HERO, page A2
save $420,000. City administration layoffs would save another $270,000. Cutting the remaining salaries of all city staff members would save an additional $125,000. Cuts in employee benefits would save $280,070. No salary increase for city employees for three years would save See BUDGET, page A2
Steve Keyes announces he’ll run for city council By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Bexley Charter Review Commission member Steve Keyes has announced he will run for election to Bexley City Council in November. Keyes has been a member of Bexley’s Charter Review Commission since its formation in November 2009, and has been an active community leader in the Columbus area for a number of years. Keyes, 48, lives in North Bexley with his wife, Lauren Bonfield, an attorney, and daughter Natalie, a sixth-grader at Columbus School for Girls. Four council seats are open this fall. Of the incumbents, only Mark Masser has announced his intention to run, and Jed Morison said he will not seek reelection. Jeff McClelland and Ben Kessler have not declared their intentions.
So far, Masser is expected to be joined on the ballot by Keyes and political newcomer Tim Madison. “I am very excited about the opportunity to seek election to Bexley City Council this fall,” Keyes said. “I think my background and experience would bring new leadership onto city council to keep Bexley strong for the future. I would be honored to serve the residents of Bexley by working with other city leaders to keep us moving forward as the vibrant and treasured community that we are.” Keyes works as a human resources executive at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. He received bachelor’s degrees in economics and psychology from Brown University in Providence, R.I.; his master’s degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell UniSee KEYES, page A2
Radnor, Hara returning to Drexel for film’s public run By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Actor Josh Radnor will be returning to Bexley for the premiere of the movie “Happythankyoumoreplease.”
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Bexley natives Josh Radnor and Jesse Hara are coming home Friday, May 20, for their second big event in as many years at the Drexel Theatre. The duo attended a one-night-only, soldout preview screening of the Sundance Awardwinning “happythankyoumoreplease” September 1, 2009, as part of the Drexel Theatre’s annual fundraising gala. Now they are returning to Bexley for the film’s first public run at the Drexel Theatre. TV actor Radnor, who stars in the show “How I Met Your Mother,” wrote, directed and starred in the film while Hara served as
producer. They will introduce the film at the 7:30 p.m. screening and participate in a postscreen question-and-answer session. The Drexel Theatre, 2254 E. Main St., will present “happythankyoumoreplease” from Friday, May 20, through Thursday, May 26. Tickets are $8.50 for adults. The cost for screenings that start before 6 p.m., seniors, and students are $6.50. Check for show times at www.drexel.net. Running time of the film is 98 minutes. It is R rated (language only). Radnor is best known for his role as Ted, the central character, on CBS’ Emmy-nominated comedy “How I Met Your Mother,” but he has quickly established himself as a writer and director as well. Radnor wrote,
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directed, and starred in his first feature film, “happythankyoumoreplease” that debuted at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and won the audience award for favorite U.S. drama chosen by Sundance fans, as well as the Audience Award - Dramatic Feature at the Maui Film Festival. In addition to film and television, Radnor has appeared in a number of plays, most recently starring in Joe Gilford’s play, “Finks,” at the Powerhouse Theatre in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He has also appeared in several OffBroadway plays at the Vineyard Theater, Manhattan Theater Club, and the Blue Light Theater Company. He made his Broadway See FILM, page A2
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