July 21, 2011
Liberty to build bike paths without grants By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Liberty Township will build bicycle paths despite learning no state grants are being awarded for such projects. On July 18, township trustees approved spending up to $14,000 on two bike paths. The township’s various bike paths have gaps between them, creating safety and convenience issues for pedestri-
ans or bicyclists, said administrator Dave Anderson. Anderson presented trustees with a list of five gaps that township crews could connect without too great Dave Anderson an expense, he said. In 2010, the township held a series of meetings with residents to gain input on what park and recreation amenities
they wanted. Pathways were a top priority. The township sought that community input before applying for grants that would have helped fund the paths’ construction. Such a move would give greater weight to requests for state grants, officials said. Anderson said the state last month announced it would not fund the grants the township applied for this year.
The township maintenance department will construct the sections of pathway with compacted stone, Anderson said. Trustee Bob Mann said safety and then usage volume should determine the order in which the five pathways are finished. Trustees Mary Carducci and Curt Sybert Bob Mann
agreed. The two connections approved were: • Wedgewood Commerce Center area from township fire station 322 to Brewster Lane. The 165-foot- Mary Carducci long path will need 72.6 tons of stone, costing about $646 and See LIBERTY, page A2
Commissioners reject contract agreement; talks yet to resume By SARAH SOLE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Liberty Township trustee Curt Sybert shares a laugh with John Walkup, right, at Walkup’s retirement picnic July 8. Walkup is leaving his position as the Liberty Township roads superintendent after 22 years of service.
Walkup retires from Liberty job By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
After 22 years of service with Liberty Township, roads superintendent John Walkup retired July 8. Walkup started working with the township in 1989 in general maintenance. Later, he worked to maintain parks, he said, which led him to become parks superintendent. In 1993, he began his tenure as roads superintendent. “John served our township earnestly and responsibly for over 22 years in his capacity as leader of the parks and later the roads departments,” trustee Curt Sybert said. Walkup’s responsibilities included maintaining the department’s facilities and equipment and supervising employees, he said. The department’s equipment includes 10 trucks, two tractors, street maintenance
equipment and miscellaneous small mowers and equipment, he said. The department’s responsibilities include maintaining the roads and rights of way, plowing, ice removal and drainage work. The crew members also maintain the traffic and street signs, and clear dead animals and trees that fall onto the roads. “John (has been) the face of Liberty Township and our residents came to depend on him and his crews during the foul weather months for their morning commutes,” Syber said. “Over the years, I personally have received numerous notes of thanks from folks in our township who just felt the need to let me know what a great job John and his crews were doing.” Asked what residents are most surprised to learn about the department, Walkup said that some people don’t realize that the township is not responsible for all the roads within the township.
“They don’t know to separate the county- and state-maintained roads that run through Liberty Township,” Walkup said, noting that township personnel are not permitted to work on those roads as a matter of routine. When Walkup became roads superintendent, the township had 27 miles of road. Now it has 86. The increase came from the housing boom that occurred in southern Delaware County. Each new housing development brings roads that are turned over to the township. “The township started really growing in 1989 and it was fast-paced up till four or five years ago,” Walkup said. “It’s slowed. We’ve only acquired about two or three miles of road since four years ago.” With 27 miles of roads to maintain, the See WALKUP, page A4
More than a week after Delaware County commissioners rejected a tentative contract with employees of the sheriff’s office, negotiations have yet to resume, county administrator Tim Hansley said July 19. Commissioners Tommy Thompson and Ken O’Brien voted in favor of rejecting a Tommy tentative agreeThompson ment between the Delaware County sheriff and Ohio Pat r o l m e n ’s Benevolent Association regarding contracts for the Ken O’Brien enforcement supervisors’ unit. Commissioner Dennis Stapleton was absent from the July 11 session. The contract, as proposed, would have taken an additional $20,000
to fund, Hansley said. Commissioners could have either approved or rejected the agreement, or taken no action. If they chose the latter, it would have still become law. The contract is for sergeants, lieutenants and captains. While the three-year contract would be in effect until 2013, it was proposed that wages could be negotiated again at the end of 2011. After 120 days as a sergeant, an employee would receive an hourly rate of $31.09; after one year, $31.74. After 120 days as a lieutenant, an employee would receive an hourly rate of $32.80; after one year, $33.64. After 120 days as a captain, an employee would receive an hourly rate of $34.44; after one year, $35.66. In the previous contract, wages effective in 2010 were $31.09 per hour for sergeants; $32.80 per hour for lieutenants, and $34.44 per hour for captains. The contract also proposed a “lump sum” payment to account for the first eight pay periods in 2011, for which contract would be retroactive. The lump sums would See COUNTY, page A2
A closer look The contract, as proposed, would have taken an additional $20,000 to fund, said county administrator Tim Hansley. Commissioners could’ve either approved or rejected the agreement, or taken no action. If they chose the latter, it would have still become law. The contract is for sergeants, lieutenants and captains. While the three-year contract would be in effect until 2013, at the end of 2011, it was proposed that wages could be negotiated again.
New Lewis Center business to help seniors downsize By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
A new business with a focus on helping elderly people downsize from a lifetime of acquiring stuff opened in Lewis Center in June. Milt and Julie Law, Lewis Center residents, have opened a Caring Transitions franchise. The company specializes in senior relocation and move management, floor planning for new residences, full or partial liquidations, estate or tag sales, downsizing, aging-in-place plans, contracting with other service providers such as attorneys, real estate agents and contractors, staging a house to sell, and cleaning out or de-cluttering homes, Julie Law said. The prices range depend on the service, which is “individually tailored to suit the special needs of
a specific individual or family,” Milt Law said. The company offers free in-home consultations. For instance, on estate sales, “we charge a $45 hourly rate for the prep work and on average 2530 percent of the proceeds,” Julie said. The business operates from the couple’s home, Milt said. “Given the nature of our business, it is not immediately necessary for us to maintain a physical storefront or office,” Milt said. “We currently operate the business from our home because we serve clients directly in their homes and affiliated destinations, such as retirement communities or nursing homes. As we grow and employ more people, it is likely that we will open an office to better handle logistics and employee issues.” There are two full-time employees, the husband-wife team,
Milt and Julie, though they will “regularly employ part-time employees on an as-needed basis,” Julie said. The tough economy somewhat pressed them into starting a new business. Milt, 64, was downsized in December 2010 from his regional operations manager position with Thermal Industries, Atrium Companies, which manufactures and distributes home products such as vinyl replacement windows, decking and railing. “Our catalyst for starting this business was Milt’s job loss. Since I was ready to re-enter the work force following illness and he had concerns about his employability because of his age and the tough job market, we felt it was in our family’s best interest to proactively pursue an alternative form
Julie Law sorts crafting materials for a client in Pataskala July 18. Law and her husband, Milt, have
See NEW BUSINESS, page A2 opened a new business franchise, Caring Transitions, that helps people downsize.
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