June 23, 2011
Council fails to override mayor’s veto By LISA AURAND ThisWeek Community Newspapers Grove City Council on June 20 was one vote shy of overriding a veto of legislation to create a temporary park on the old lumberyard site behind City Hall. Council members Melissa Albright and Greg Grinch, who both voted against the original ordinance to appropriate
$80,500 toward the park’s construction, voted against overriding Mayor Richard “Ike” Stage’s veto. Council bylaws say overriding a mayoral veto requires the vote of four of council’s five members. The veto, which was announced June 14, is Stage’s first in his current term as mayor. Stage said at the time the decision was related to the timing of the proposed
park development. The city has put out a request for proposals (RFP) from developers for the entire town center. Developers have until June 16 to submit their plans. The city could have wasted money on the park if a private developer for the lot and the rest of the town center could be found, he said. “If we were going to do something of
this magnitude, we were going to do it right and not do it piecemeal,” Stage said June 20. “Putting a temporary park in there is not the best use of funds and certainly is contrary to something that will bring commerce (to the town center).” One proposal — from developer Pizzuti — was submitted by the June 16 deadline. Pizzuti identified three areas, one of which included the lumberyard
City starts phone weather alerts
site, as sites with potential for redevelopment. “It’s a developer, fortunately, who is familiar with Grove City,” Stage said. “They submitted a proposal when we had an RFP in 2006, so they clearly have a high degree of interest, but the strategic piece is that (their proposal) is for See COUNCIL, page A2
Veteran participates in Honor Flight By SARAH SOLE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By SARAH SOLE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Those living or working in Grove City can now be warned of any inclement weather via a quick phone notification from the city. The city of Grove City and the police department’s free service sends prerecorded messages to registered users during National Weather Service warnings for flash floods, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that occur within the city’s 14 square miles. Users can opt to receive messages for any or all of the three types of weather warnings. The service’s online signup page became active about two weeks ago, and more than 100 people have registered, said Grove City communications supervisor Kelley Davidson. The service, part of the city’s contract with Twenty First Century Communications, Inc. costs $1,000 annually. In the event of a missed call, users could listen to the notification via voicemail or by calling back the number. Users registering cell phone numbers would receive both voice and text message warnings, Davidson said. The notification system provides people with an additional way to receive weather notifications, increasing their opportuSee PHONE, page A2
At age 18, Sgt. Paul Thurn was drafted during World War II and served in what was the beginning of the postwar occupation of Japan. In March of 2001 Thurn, now 85, a Grove City resident, returned to Japan to visit the places at which he was stationed, and this month he participated in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., visiting the World War II Memorial that honors veterans like himself. Accompanied by his daughter, Monica Walters, Thurn visited Washington, D.C., for a day. Upon arriving at Baltimore Washington International Airport, Thurn and other veterans were greeted by military and civilians. “Everybody was so very thankful to us for serving,” Thurn recalled. Thurn visited the World War II Memorial, the Marine War Memorial and the Air Force Memorial. He also took a tour of the city and saw the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. “I thought it was very wonderful,” Thurn said. He was a few months shy of finishing high school at Aquinas College (now the site of Columbus State Community College) when he registered for service. He was allowed to graduate before being drafted. In 1944, Thurn started his service, traveling to Denver at what is now Lowry Air Force Base and serving as a firearms instructor. After the Japanese surrendered on Aug. 14, 1945, Thurn served in Tokyo and Nagoya in Japan as part of the Fifth Air Force of the U.S. Army Air Corps. The war was over when he arrived in Japan, Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek but evidence of the conflict was widespread. In Paul Thurn was a member of the Army Air Corps 5th Air Force from 1944-46 and was part of the occupation force Tokyo, “there were many, many buildings that were destroyed,” Thurn said. in Japan following the end of World War II. Thurn recently traveled with an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II memorial. See VETERAN, page A3
Fourth annual ‘Amazing Grove City’ Race set for July 16 By SARAH SOLE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Relay For Life
By Paul Vernon/ThisWeek
Bob Seese, left, of Grove City gets help with his lipstick from his wife, Pam, as he prepares to compete in the Ms. Relay competition during Grove City Relay For Life held June 17 at Grove City High School.
DIRECTORY
Grove City is gearing up for its fourth annual “Amazing Grove City” Race, held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 16 in the city. The competition will feature teams of two to four people age 12 or older completing challenges around the city. Brand new challenges are slated for this year’s event, said Grove City recreational coordinator Michele Demmy. Teams will begin at a common starting point. The remaining destinations unfold as the game progresses, Demmy said. The entire city is considered the competition area, and teams provide their own transportation, packing cars
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A closer look Grove City is gearing up for its fourth annual “Amazing Grove City” Race, held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 16 in the city. Several team openings are still available. Registration will close July 5. Those signing up should call the Grove City Parks and Registration Department at (614) 277-3050 or visit its office in City Hall, 4035 Broadway, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.
with water bottles, extra shoes and food. Teams also are asked to provide specific items that they might be required to use. Participants pay $45 per team, which funds the race’s events and pays for T-shirts and a light lunch for the teams. The race relies heavily on vol-
unteers, Demmy said. Grove City partners with various community businesses, nonprofit organizations and service groups to stage the event. Past events have included canoeing, roller skating, crossword puzzles and information searchSee FOURTH, page A2
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