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June 30, 2011

AEP slowly making progress on Lane Unexpected utilities found underground, poor weather put work behind schedule By ANDREW MILLER ThisWeek Community Newspapers

After a second work stoppage along Lane Avenue, American Electric Power has resumed installation of underground electrical transmission lines. On June 9, AEP halted work once again after workers encountered a greater number of buried utilities than was previously expected. Additional space was needed to tunnel around the active utilities. The city of Upper Arlington, according to a press release, developed a plan with AEP to provide greater police presence to assist with traffic and mitigate concerns about motorist and worker safety while working around the buried utilities and transporting large cable reels to the jobsite. AEP will transport these cable reels via Zollinger Road, turning south on North Star Road. At this time the company doesn’t believe deliveries will require an on-street parking restriction due to the width

of the delivery trucks, but that remains an option. The most recent work stoppage, along with a previous work stoppage in January and weather-related slowdowns, has put the project four weeks behind schedule, according to the press release. Concerns about the city’s Fourth of July celebrations and parade disruptions are being directed to Emma Speight (583-5045), deputy city manager for community affairs. “We have assurances from AEP that the project will be shut down prior to the Fourth — and they are looking good for completing the section east of Northwest Boulevard prior to the Fourth weekend,” Speight said, noting the plan to halt work July 1. “AEP said they will try to get all of their equipment in one area and bring the traffic cones down to a minimum. All of the entrances to the Shops on Lane Avenue should be clear and open by then, so By Eric George/ThisWeek we will celebrate the Fourth as usual.” Construction snarls traffic on Lane Avenue in Upper Arlington June 27. Traffic is reduced to one Speight said the city has expressed the imporlane in front of the Shops on Lane Avenue. American Electric Power is working to install under-

See LANE, page A3 ground utilities along the roadway.

Eight still in running for city manager job

A SPECIAL MOMENT

By LIN RICE ThisWeek Community Newspapers

By Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek

Upper Arlington Special Olympics athletes Molly Martin (left) and Elizabeth Lucks share a few laughs before competing in the time trials of the 4x100 meter relay during opening day of the 2011 Ohio Summer Games at Ohio Stadium on June 24. The two ran the relay with teammates Nicole Neri and Lauren Hysell. Approximately 2,700 athletes participated in the event. For a multimedia presentation from opening day, visit www.ThisWeekNews.com.

UA’s Fourth of July organizers expect big crowd for celebration UACA’s Fourth of July committee. “We have several class reunion floats,” he said. “I believe all the (Upper Arlington Anticipation is building for the Upper Ar- High School) reunion classes are having aclington Civic Association’s Fourth tivities Fourth of July weekend. That of July celebration. This year’s tradition is continuing strong.” theme is “Bring Your A Game.” The parade begins at 9 a.m. The Fourth of July continalong Northwest Boulevard, led ues to be a tradition that curby grand marshals Bill and rent and former residents plan Marci Ingram and Lisa and Greg class and family reunions Guy. The Ingrams have local ties. around, bringing together peoBill Ingram is CEO of White Casple who don’t see each other at other tle, Marci is his wife, and they raised times of the year, said Andy Weeks, who their family in Upper Arlington. Lisa is with his wife, Carolyn, is co-chair of the their daughter, who is married to Guy, and By CHRIS BOURNEA

ThisWeek Community Newspapers

they live in Upper Arlington. Parade attendees can expect to see inventive floats with a variety of themes, said Drew Wade, who co-chairs the UACA’s float committee with his wife, Lissa. “A lot of the floats, they don’t tell us what they’re going to do, they kind of keep it a little bit of a secret,” Drew Wade said. “We don’t know what exactly what we’re going to see until right before the Fourth.” At least one thing is for certain: There won’t be any commercial or political interests represented in the parade. See FOURTH, page A3

The original list of 46 applicants for Upper Arlington’s city manager position has been narrowed down. While some city council members told ThisWeek that there were three finalists for the job, a Freedom of Information Act request to the city resulted in a list of eight resumes. When asked which candidates were the three finalists, council president Frank Ciotola and other council members said they could not comment, as that discussion took place in executive session. City attorney Jeanine Hummer said her office did not have that information. One internal candidate, assistant city manager Joe Valentino, made the short list. Whoever is chosen will succeed city manager Virginia Barney, who will retire at the end of this year. The list of finalists and semifinalists obtained by ThisWeek included the following applicants: Richard M. Brown, city manager of East Providence, R.I., from 2006-2010. Brown has also served as city manager and assistant city manager of Petersburg, Va., and as an administrative analyst for the city of Birmingham, Ala. Brown earned an MPA from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. Kevin Carruth, city manager of Paris, Texas, from 20072011. Carruth has also served as city manager to the cities of Brownwood, Hillsboro and Daingerfield, all in Texas, and as emergency management coordinator for the Harris County Hous-

ing and Community Develo p m e n t Agency in Houston. Carruth earned an MPA from the University of Virginia Houston, as Barney well as a bachelors degree from Texas Tech University. Jillian Froment, assistant director and chief administrative officer of the Ohio Department of Insurance. Froment served as the city administrator of Marysville from 2008-2011, as executive director of Ohio’s eTech Ohio Commission, and as general counsel and assistant deputy director for Ohio’s office of collective bargaining. Froment earned a juris doctorate from the Capital University Law School, and a bachelors degree from Ohio State University. Richard Giroux, city manager of Wauchula, Fla., from 20052011. Giroux has also worked as director of public service for Green, Ohio, as well as director of public safety and service of Cambridge. Giroux earned an MPA from the University of Central Florida and a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University. Gary Huff, town manager of Fishers, Ind., from 2005-2011. Huff also served as town manager of Blacksburg, Va., as deputy town manager of Leesburg, Va. and held several municipal positions in Roanoke County,Va. Huff earned a master’s degree from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s degree from Marshall University. Jason Slowinski, assistant city manager of Des Plaines, Ill. See MANAGER, page A2

AECOM principal gives his thoughts on Lane Avenue study By ANDREW MILLER ThisWeek Community Newspapers

For AECOM principal Pete Sechler, the Lane Avenue study isn’t just business, it’s the opportunity to have an impact on the town where he grew up and still has family.

“This is a challenging assignment,” Sechler said. “I appreciate the residents’ frustration, and there are some very smart people on all sides of this working on this very difficult problem.” AECOM and Sechler began the study in May after city council voted to move forward to evaluate current and future