July 24, 2011
Kraus remembered for public service By BRITANY BYERS ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Ken Kraus is being remembered by many as a passionate public servant who has left a lasting impact on Marysville. “Ken Kraus is the epitome of public service in the community,” Union County Chamber of Commerce CEO Eric Phillips said. “He volunteered for so many different things. “His impact on planning and development, on the city in general and on
Union County will be long felt.” Kraus, chairman of the city’s planning commission, died of a heart attack Tuesday, July 19, at age 70 after collapsing on a local golf course on
lived.” “If we had 10 Ken Krauses, this community would definitely be greater than what it is, and it’s a great community already,” he said. “He’s going to be sorely missed.” Kraus joined Marysville City Council in 1975 and served as its president Ken Kraus and mayor and later served for three Monday. terms as the city’s director of adminisPhillips said he will remember Kraus tration. as someone who was “always working “He was someone that was very inhard for the community in which he volved and truly, really loved our com-
munity,” Mayor John Gore said, recalling meeting Kraus 32 years ago. “Ken was always thinking about how to make things better,” Gore said. Kraus was also an associate at the O.M. Scotts Co. for 19 years, had been a substitute teacher and was passionate about helping the local library and his church. “He always wore a big smile,” said former Marysville mayor Christiane Schmenk, soon-to-be director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Just
a positive, upbeat, friendly, outgoing guy who cared deeply about the community.” Schmenk worked with Kraus for nearly 15 years, a span that included his most recent role as chairman of the planning commission. A mentor to her when she took office, Schmenk described Kraus as “an amazing public servant” and a “friend to everyone.” “He was willing to put in long hours See KRAUS, page A2
Jerome Township seeks Ethics Commission advice By BRITANY BYERS ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The Jerome Township Board of Trustees has asked the Ohio Ethics Commission for advice regarding the township’s relationship with Union County Chamber of Commerce CEO Eric Phillips. Phillips serves as Union County’s economic development director and as CEO of the Union County Chamber of Commerce. He has performed duties in his dual positions for 10 years. A letter requesting an advisory opinion from the Ohio Eric Phillips Ethics Commission was sent July 13 on behalf of the board by Kathleen Crowley, township development director, to the ethics commission’s executive director, Paul Nick. It asks for “an advisory opinion from the Ohio Ethics Commission on how the Jerome Township Board of Trustees should address future situations in which the Union County economic development director, Eric Phillips, holds an additional position which requires him to perform duties on behalf of the Union County Chamber of Commerce that affect the Township.” Crowley had no comment on the matter. “At this time, we’re just not going to comment on this,” she said. Phillips also declined to comment. According to information on the Ohio Ethics Commission website, the purpose of an advisory opinion is to provide guidance in writing to an official or employee before the official or employee engages in an action that may be prohibited by the law. If a person receives a written opinion from the commission, and acts in compliance with the opinion, the opinion provides the person with immu-
By Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek
Lacey Knapp, co-owner of Fit Body Bootcamp, demonstrates high-knee jumps for the class on July 21 at their new Marysville location. The business is at 1004 Columbus Ave. inside Livin Up 2 Fitness and Wellness Center. It opened July 11.
New fitness facility focuses on group boot camps By BRITANY BYERS ThisWeek Community Newspapers
A workout boasting cardio, toning and core training can now be found in Marysville. Fit Body Bootcamp, located inside Livin Up 2 Fitness and Wellness Center at 1004 Columbus Ave., opened last week, providing fitness training unlike anything else in Marysville, owner Jeremy Werner said.
“The service and the fitness formula that we have is kind of unmatched by anybody,” he said. Werner described the boot camps as personal training in a group setting with fast-paced, fun and challenging workouts that are always different. “We don’t use machines,” he said. “It’s a combination of three workouts in one; we combine fat-melting cardio, body toning resistance and tummy-tightening core train-
ing. It’s really just an unstoppable fitness formula.” According to Werner, obesity is an epidemic that is on the rise. “I think there’s a lot of misinformation out there. Everyone thinks there’s a magic pill or there’s all these crash diets … that don’t work,” he said. Werner played two years of professional football in Europe and three years of arena football. After sustaining a knee injury, he became
a personal trainer. “I played professional football for five years and this is the way I train,” he said. “It’s very athleticbased, very functional-based and very effective. “Really, the best way to do it is through hard work, dedication and good nutritional advice, and that’s what we provide,” Werner said. The trainers, or “body transforSee NEW FITNESS, page A2
See ADVICE, page A2
Mill Valley subdivision Speed limit to drop on Route 31 Turkey Hill gas station plans approved By BRITANY BYERS ThisWeek Community Newspapers
City crews will post signs indicated reduced speed limits of 35 mph — down from 50 mph — on state Route 31 north of Creekview Drive to Quail Hollow Drive, around the first week of August. Since Mill Valley has experienced continuous growth over the past five years, Route 31 is experiencing a higher volume of traffic, especially during rush hour, Marysville City Council member Tracy Richardson said. “The idea is that we put safety first,” she said. “The congestion on 31 has just gotten to the point where lives are at risk.” Richardson said her concern is notifying the community of the speed limit change ahead of time.
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The idea is that we put safety first. The congestion on 31 has just gotten to the point where lives are at risk.
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TRACY RICHARDSON — city council member
“My concern is that folks aren’t surprised and they understand that we’ve lowered the speed limit to protect everyone,” she said. City engineer Valerie Klingman said the city is finalizing its plan to inform the public. “We will be using pretty much every means possible … to help get the message out,” Klingman said.
By BRITANY BYERS ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Plans for a new gas station-convenience store outside of Marysville’s Mill Valley subdivision are in the beginning stages, according to city planner Greg DeLong. On July 13, the Marysville Design Review Board approved an exterior and landscaping plan application for the construction of a 24-hour Turkey Hill gas station, convenience store and car wash. The application was submitted by J. Carter Bean of Bean Architects in Columbus. The business is planned to go in at the southwest corner of state Route 31 North and Mill Road. “We have approved their design,” DeLong said, which includes the building itself and its layout. “We have not issued a zoning permit, nor have they been issued
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We have approved their design (24-hour Turkey Hill gas station, convenience store and car wash.) We have not issued a zoning permit, nor have they been issued building permits. Those things usually will come later.
GREG DELONG — city planner
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building permits. Those things usually will come later.” DeLong said there were minor changes made to the exterior and landscaping plan, such as mixing up the plant varieties. He said the land is properly zoned (B-
1) for the 24-hour business. “B-1 zoning is what we call … service business zoning district,” DeLong said. “That (the proposed Turkey Hill) is a permitted use in that zoning district.” According to Denise Clark, who spoke on behalf of Turkey Hill, the company is looking to start construction sometime this fall, pending municipal approvals. Plans are to open the store approximately 120 days after construction begins, she said. The convenience store will offer the Turkey Hill’s Real Time Café and an expanded grocery and frozen food section, which will include more than 700 Kroger brand items, such as produce and meat, Clark said. Customers will also be able to earn and redeem Kroger rewards points for gas discounts. bbyers@thisweeknews.com www.ThisWeekNews.com
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