July 21, 2011
Brennan’s cancer battle inspires staff By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
When Bexley Mayor John Brennan announced in February that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a pall fell over city council chambers. “I’m going to fight this,” he said at the time. “I’m going to get through this.” Brennan has lived up to his word. After enrolling in an aggressive, experimental treatment program at the James Cancer Center at the Ohio State University Medical Center, Brennan struggled, losing more than 30 pounds and most of his hair due to the intensity of his treatment regimen.
A familiar face at virtually every community event and city meeting, he had to curtail both his business and social schedule to deal with his sudden loss of energy. Those closest to him feared the worst. “Although the outlook upon learning of the news of his cancer seemed poor, this is not the situation now,” Bexley city attorney Lou Chodosh said. “John has been undergoing treatment that has been working. He stated early on he was going to fight this, and he has done so. “John asked his doctor whether he could run for mayor again, and the doctor’s response was, ‘Why not?’ The tumors have shrunk, and he has been told
they will continue to do so. “His optimism is contagious. I meet with the mayor regularly to keep him up to date with legal issues, new ordinances, and resident issues that have come to my attention. Over the last six weeks, he has gotten stronger, and continues to do so, Chodosh said. “Everywhere I go in Bexley someone tells me to wish John well, and to tell him he is an inspiration,” he said. Over the Fourth of July weekend, Brennan said, he visited 19 block parties and still had the energy to take part in all of the city-sponsored holiday events. “It’s been great to see John’s energy
picking up and his spirits increasing over the past few months,” Chodosh said. “His turnaround has been remarkable and his tenacity and determination are impressive.” City council member Ben Kessler said he has been struck by Brennan’s dedication. “City council and the city directors have rallied behind John and helped him as he’s needed it, but despite being in aggressive treatment, he’s been staying on top of city business and fulfilling his duties admirably,” Kessler said. “With his energy up and his scans showing positive signs of recovery, I’m looking forward to many more years of John’s
friendship and leadership.” City council member Jed Morison agreed. “John and his family have been remarkable throughout this entire time,” he said. “He sets a great example for all of us and proves that a positive attitude has great healing power. We are so happy he is doing well.” City council member Mark Masser said he sees no reason why Brennan shouldn’t run for re-election in November. “John is undergoing treatment for his cancer and has been given encouraging See BRENNAN, page A2
Kessler to seek re-election in November By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek
Bexley High School freshman Abby Barno paddles down the Big Darby Creek on July 15 as part of the summer gym program offered by Bexley High School. The group took a trip through Trapper John’s Canoe Livery and had the option of taking out a kayak by themselves or a canoe with a partner.
Some high-schoolers opt for summer phys ed classes By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
While some Bexley High School students are spending the summer months relaxing at the community swimming pool, others are sweating it out — literally — in the high school gymnasium. Over the past several years, many BHS students have chosen to attend an intense, two-week summer physical education class, instead of scheduling the requirement into their regular school-year course load. Kristin Robbins, BHS assistant principal, who leads the Bexley Summer Academy, said all three summer sessions of both the lower and upper levels of physical education are full again this year. The most recent session ran through Friday, July 15. A third session began Monday, July 18 and concludes on July 29.
Some students sign up for physical education in the summer to open up their academic schedules and give themselves opportunities they might ordinarily miss. Students who pass the course receive a quarter of a credit. The school requires a half credit of physical education for graduation. Nate Meizlish will be a sophomore at Bexley High School this fall. He took Physical Education I last summer and the upper level course this summer. He said he took both so that he could get the courses over with during the summer. His favorite class activity was the field trip to Vertical Adventures for rock-climbing. “I liked it mostly because it was something different,” he said. Class members usually start the day with a warm-up in the BHS fitness room. One benefit of the summer program is that
they frequently leave the school on field trips. For example, they may visit a rockclimbing venue one day, the Chiller for ice skating another day or go to the Hocking Hills area to canoe. Several other summer classes and camps remain open for registration. English teacher Chad Hemmelgarn’s second session of “Writing College Application Essays” started Tuesday, July 19. The twoweek class helps students outline, write and edit their essays and personal statements for the college admissions process. Also coming up is a volleyball camp for girls of various ages, as well as BMS Orientation classes in August, just before the new school year starts. ACT preparation, taught by veteran instructor Phil Schopick, runs from 3- 6 p.m. for two weeks starting July 25. Students can register by calling Schopick at (614) 2313121 or emailing pschopick@gmail.com.
Appeal a test of preservation ordinance? By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Critics of a plan to demolish a Bryden Road residence to make way for a new home say Bexley City Council’s decision on a Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) case could pose a threat to the city’s preservation ordinance. David Pryor, who lives next door to the two-story, turn-ofthe-century brick home at 2325 Bryden Road, says residents in his neighborhood are overwhelmingly opposed to the plan. “Only one neighbor in a four-
say anything was wrong with the structure.” A closer look Pryor said 22 neighboring The Franks are appealing a BZA decision to Bexley City households were either present Council that will be heard at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, in city at BZA meetings on the issue or council chambers. After hearing the appeal, council may wrote letters opposing the prochoose to let the BZA decision stand or override it with a posed demolition. majority vote, according to law director Lou Chodosh. He Pryor’s wife, Diana, said if said that while council members will hear arguments July city council overrides the BZA 26, they may take additional time to reach their decision. decision, it would pose a threat to the city’s preservation ordinance, which was approved in block area that I’m aware of sup- existing floor plan. ports the demo,” he said. “The defects they talk about 2003. “If city council would overPryor contends that Sarah and are all a red herring,” Pryor said. Moshe Frank, who own the Bry- “The engineer’s report clearly turn the board’s denial in this apden Road home, want to tear it stated the house was ‘structurally See ORDINANCE, page A3 down because they don’t like the sound.’…the engineer could not
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Ben Kessler, a member of Bexley City Council and chairman of its finance and judiciary committee, announced July 19 that he will seek re-election in November. Kessler, 32, is a commercial real estate appraiser and vice president of litigation support for Samuel D. Koon & Associates. Kessler joins incumbent Mark Masser and challengers Steve Keyes, Tim Madison and Jan Zupnick as announced candidates for the November election. Incumbent Jed Morison has announced he will not run and council president Jeff McClelland has yet to announce his intentions. A total of four seats will be up for grabs in November. Kessler is married and the father of three children, Ella (4), Sophie (3), and a newborn son, Brugh. Kessler is a third-generation Bexley resident. “I’ve lived in Bexley on and off for my whole life, moving back here when my wife and I bought our first home in 2004,” he said. He graduated from The Master’s School in Connecticut, and received his M.A. in English from
the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Kessler served as past chairman and founder of the Bexley Land Ben Kessler Use Strategy Commission and is a member of the Main Street Guidelines Committee (Part II), Alum Creek Corridor Committee, Bexley Historical Society board of trustees (ex officio) and the Heritage Ohio advisory board. Kessler says he has no political affiliation. “Council is a nonpartisan office and I am not running with any party affiliation,” he said. “Generally speaking, I’m a fiscal conservative who believes in strong individual liberties.” Kessler said he hopes to provide “energetic leadership” to city council. “I am running for re-election to council because I think the city needs energetic leadership that is willing to not only address our current challenges creatively, but also to look into the future and consider the long-term impact and See KESSLER, page A3
Fishel will not seek re-election to school board By JEFF DONAHUE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The Bexley City School District Board of Education will have a new leader in 2012. Board President Joan Fishel announced July 15 that she will not seek re-election to a third term on in November. Three seats on the five-member board will be filled in November. The four-year terms currently being served by Fishel and board Vice President Craig Halliday, who has previously announced he will not run for reelection, will be filled as well as a two-year term held by Susan Zanner, who was appointed when Diane Peterson resigned last winter. Zanner also does not intend to run in November. Fishel said that, with a son beginning his senior year, she plans to focus on different challenges and interests. “Eight years ago, when I first
contemplated running for school board, my sole motivation was gratitude,” she said. “I was thrilled by the Joan Fishel opportunities being offered to my children and I wanted a chance to give back. I am very proud of what the district has accomplished over those years and proud of my contribution; however, it is time for someone else to experience the privilege and challenge of public service.” Fishel was elected to the board in 2003. She holds an undergraduate degree in education and a law degree from The Ohio State University. She and her husband, Marc, have lived in Bexley since 1989. Their daughter, Ellen, graduated in 2009 from Bexley High School and their son, Sam, will be a BHS See FISHEL, page A3
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