June 30, 2011
State cuts ‘cannot be underestimated’ By MARLA K. KUHLMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The anticipated state cut in the Local Government Fund (LGF) would keep Gahanna from having a 2012 balanced budget, according to city leaders. While reviewing the city’s budget June 27, Mayor Becky Stinchcomb told city council’s finance committee the administration would present a balanced budget if it weren’t for the state’s LGF reduction.
“That cut is showing itself,” she said. An estimated projection of the 2012 general fund shows a $166,623 deficit, with $22,563,664 in revAngel Mumma enue and $22,730,287 in expenditures. Finance director Angel Mumma said a major change from the 2011 appropriations is a $445,000 decrease in LGF revenue.
“Had the Local Government Fund been left in place, this budget would have shown a positive variance of $278,377,” Mumma said. “The effects of the reduction in this funding source cannot be underestimated.” The anticipated 25-percent reduction of the LGF revenue source will start in the second half of this year, as the state begins its 2012 fiscal year in July. Gahanna’s budget is based on a calendar year, from January to December.
Mumma said 2012 would be a combination of the 25-percent reduction for January to June and a 50-percent reduction from July to December. “While state revenues are increasing, these increases will not be enough to offset the tremendous cuts that we face as the recipient of these dollars,” she wrote in a memo to council. The administration recommended tapping into the unencumbered balance of the general fund to make up the difference between planned revenue and
planned expenditures. A breakdown of the 2012 general-fund expenditure distribution comprises 64 percent for personal services, including salaries and benefits; 19 percent, operating expenditures; 14 percent, contract services; and 3 percent, transfers. General-fund revenue comprises 63.7 percent, income tax; 7.7 percent, real estate tax; 5.1 percent, interest and investment income; 4.9 percent, recreational See BUDGET, page A2
Resident earns medal for valor in Afghanistan By MARLA K. KUHLMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers
New Gahanna resident Chad Clark plans to enjoy July 4 at home after spending last year in Afghanistan, where his actions as an Army staff sergeant earned him a Bronze Star Medal with Valor. “It’s quite an award,” Clark told ThisWeek. “It has been given to some great people in the past. I’m happy my name can be added to the list. I’m extremely proud to have received it.” Clark, who has been promoted to sergeant first class, has served in the Army Reserves for nine years, and he works full time at Defense Logistics Agency (formerly Defense Supply Center of Columbus). The New Concord native purchased a home in Gahanna in March. He and his wife, April, are expecting their first child near the end of July. “We always liked this area,” Clark said. “We have a lot of friends here. I work in Whitehall, so it was a natural fit.” Clark was deployed to Afghanistan with his fellow soldiers from Alpha Company 412, serving there from December 2009 to October 2010.
Farmers market begins
See CLARK, page A2
(Above) Suelin Turner (left) talks to Karin Bildsten of Bildsten Landscape Service during the Jefferson farmers market in Jefferson Community Park on June 25. (Right) Leah Hall of Latshaw Apiaries restocks her booth during the market. The market, which is sponsored by the Jefferson Township Parks Board, is held each Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon through Oct. 1.
Courtesy of Army (Sgt. Zachary Carper) Photos by Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Chad Clark of Gahanna earned a Bronze Star Medal with Valor and has been promoted to sergeant first class. He is home from Afghanistan.
July 4 Freedom Festival to Commission approves feature military, kid games Giant Eagle addition By MARLA K. KUHLMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Fundraising for the Save the Freedom Festival campaign has been successful, and the party will get started at 6:30 p.m. July 4 at the Gahanna Municipal Golf Course, 220 Olde Ridenour Road. The Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation dedicated time to raising money for the fireworks and festival after the city last year announced it couldn’t fund the festival because of budget constraints. Foundation chairman Lee Tucker said the festival would be big-
ger and better, thanks to local sponsors and the community coming together for the event. Gahanna-based Heartland Bank will sponsor the Gahanna Freedom Festival, and other businesses and individuals contributed enough to finance the festival and fireworks. As of June 28, more than $23,000 had been collected for the Freedom Festival, Tucker said. The USO of Central & Southern Ohio also will have a hand in the celebration. “The USO was a perfect addition to the Freedom Festival,”
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Tucker said. “We also have great support from the Ohio National Guard. We’ll have a nice military presence throughout the evening. Tell them you appreciate them during the festival.” The nonprofit USO relies on donations from individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities. USO funds generated locally are used to help Ohio’s service men and women and their families. Tucker said VIP tables, with parking passes, are available for
By MARLA K. KUHLMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Giant Eagle last week received approval for changes to the Gahanna store at 1250 N. Hamilton Road. The planning commission approved a final development plan and certificate of appropriateness for Giant Eagle that includes a 1,036-square-foot addition to the western facade. Gahanna deputy development director Leah Evans said the new addition would accommodate the store’s additional internal storage needs. It will be along the side of Giant Eagle, originally intended for a drive-through pharmacy window. The drive-through is on the eastern side of the See FESTIVAL, page A3
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building. The final development plan called for a parking lot revision, including the relocation of six existing spots from the western side of the building to align with 18 existing spaces facing North Hamilton Road. After residents and commission members expressed concerns, the plan was revised to eliminate the six parking spaces and install landscaping instead. Sanctuary Place resident Keith Webster expressed concerns about the effect on the watershed, saying Gahanna already is battling issues. “If you give them an OK, ask them to put in imSee ADDITION, page A3
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