May 29, 2011
Contract awarded for Grener project Work to start with Hometown Inn demolition, continue through October By CARLA SMITH
Decker Construction in the project included Columbus Asphalt Paving, Park Enterprise “The board and township have Construction, Darby Creek Exbeen working hard to get to this cavation and McDaniel’s Conpoint,” township administrator struction Corp. Tracy Hatmaker said. “We were Kennedy said work on the projvery pleased with that bid.” ect, beginning with the demoliTrustee Steve Kennedy said tion of the Hometown Inn, is the bid came in about 14 percent scheduled to take place June 1 less than trustees anticipated. and proceed through Oct. 31 of Other companies bidding on the this year.
ThisWeek Community Newspapers amount of $843,902.
Prairie Township is scheduled to proceed as planned with its South Grener Avenue project, including the demolition of the Hometown Inn along West Broad Street. Earlier this month, township trustees awarded a contract to
SWCS
Financial forecast differs from last fall’s
“First and foremost, the worst eyesore in the township will be removed,” Kennedy said. “The township will also see one of its busiest intersections improved.” The project includes not only the demolition of the Hometown Inn but aligning South Grener Avenue with Old Village Road, curb and gutter replacement, drainage improvements and side-
walks, Kennedy said. “Access from what will be old South Grener to West Broad Street — an area that has been the cause of many traffic accidents — will be removed,” Kennedy said. He said the project also includes signal adjustments on West Broad Street to allow for a left turn arrow for westbound traffic
By TOM SHEEHAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers
South-Western school board on May 23 approved a five-year financial forecast prepared by treasurer Hugh Garside. Garside told the board because of the contract agreements, conservative planning and various actions by the state concerning state funding to schools, the May forecast is quite different from the one presented last October. The district expects to have a $51.8 million cash balance to begin fiscal year 2012 on July 1. In October, that balance was projected to be $43 million. The latest forecast also anticipates no deficit until fiscal year 2015, when the deficit will be $6.1 million. Total revenues for fiscal 2012 are expected to be about $208 million with total expenditures at about $200 million. Garside said employees’ salary and benefit concessions helped keep finances stable. Board member Karen Dover applauded Garside’s work as treasurer. “We are stable due to the advanced planning and conservative approach (to finances),” Dover said. Superintendent Bill Wise agreed that the financial situation for the district has improved. He cautioned, however, that because of the continuing recession and the uncertainty of state funding that “it really is a difficult time to forecast because of all the unknowns.” State law requires presenting preliminary forecasts each year in May with votes on a final forecast in October.
“
KAREN DOVER — school board member
”
See GRENER, page A2
SWCS approves classified worker contract
’TIS THE SEASON
By TOM SHEEHAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers
We are stable due to the advanced planning and conservative approach (to finances).
wanting to go south on Grener and installing a roundabout to allow traffic to flow smoothly on Grener to and from West Broad. “The project will improve access to township businesses such as Home Depot, Waffle House, and other businesses on Grener,” Kennedy said. “Everyone who
A three-year contract, approved May 23 by the South-Western City Schools Board of Education, gives about 950 classified workers in the district an agreement nearly identical to one approved by teachers in March. The pact provides for no base-pay raises the first year, a 0.5-percent increase for the second year and a 1-percent raise for the third year. Step pay increases, given mainly for years spent on the job, will remain. South-Western's 1,400 teachers and certified employees received the same base-pay increases in their three-year contract, as well as keeping step increases. Classified workers, including bus drivers, food-service employees and custodians, also will pay more for health and dental insurance. Those on single insurance coverage will pay 3 percent of the premium next school year and 10 percent the following year. Family coverage remains at 35 percent of the See SWCS OKS, page A3
Blue Star Mothers bond while children serve overseas By JAYME DETWEILER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Although frequent rains haven't made this spring a particularly crop-friendly season, farmers markets have already begun operating in some parts of Columbus and more will open soon. A meeting for organic farmers and gardeners and market growers for the Prairie Farmers Market will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at Wendy's Restaurant at 4328 W. Broad St., according to market manager Harley Yerkes. The market will be located at Home Depot, 100 S. Grener Ave., and will run July 2 through Sept. 24. For more information or an application form, call Yerkes at (614) 853-0278. Above, William Chen, shopping at the farmers market in Upper Arlington, makes rainbow tomatoes his choice for the day.
For some mothers, the somber meaning behind Memorial Day can be sobering. The thought of a brave son or daughter serving overseas, in hostile territory, can worry a mother sick, with fear that her child is alone and in harm’s way. When those thoughts become overwhelming, help is available from the Columbus chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America. The Blue Star Mothers group is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical service organization comSee BLUE STAR, page A2
DIRECTORY News: (740) 888-6100 editorial@thisweeknews.com Sports: (740) 888-6054 sports@thisweeknews.com Retail ads: (740) 888-6000 www.thisweeknews.com/advertise Classified: (740) 888-5003 classified@thisweeknews.com Customer Service: 1-888-837-4342
Annie, a Chihuahua mix, is up for adoption at ADOPT Pet Rescue in Westerville. For information on adopting Annie, visit ADOPT’s website: adoptpetrescue.org. Watch a video of Annie at ThisWeekNEWS.com.
FREE $200 Gift Card John Deere Z920A $7,749 48”deck 26 Hp Kawasaki Engines Vertical Shaft – Air Cooled Steel Channel Frame Full Pressure Lubrication Systems
“Serving You for the Future”
Purchase any new John Deere Z900 ZTrak series commercial lawn mower, including the John Deere 997, and receive a FREE $200 gift card.
Offer valid May 20- June 5, 2011 at the seven Central Ohio JD Equipment locations. Qualifying purchases must be completed by June 5, 2011. Please allow two weeks from date of equipment delivery for your gift card to arrive. Offer ends August 31, 2011. Prices and model availability may vary by dealer. Some restrictions apply; other special rates and terms may be available, so see your dealer for details and other financing options. Available at participating dealers.
Easton • Hilliard • Lancaster • London • Marion Wilmington • Washington Court House www.jdequipment.com
The engine horsepower information is provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower will be less. John Deere’s green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol and JOHN DEERE are trademarks of Deere & Company.