PATA History Pages Home Page Our Info Contact Us Our Newsletter Hit Report Interactive Areas Calendar Discussion Area Member Pages Our PDFs HB 299 proposed School Impact Fees 2005 Facilites Review Committee Report Ricketts Smith Retail Rezoning Application Precinct Voting Map for Failed Bond Levy Diley Town Center Advertisement Our Pages Pending Annexation Issues in the spotlight of OEC Pickerington Ponds Threatened Again by Housing Development Quality of Life in our Community Hangs in the Balance Costs of Community Services....See how much it costs you! Violet Township Big Box Retail Rezoning Site Plan Well field Expansion Threatens Pickerington Ponds Merger Meeting excerpts from Attorney Richard Brahm See Your PLSD School Taxes as Percentage of Income November 2005 Election Issues Information Growth Management and Capital Improvement PDF Suburban Blight, coming to a neigborhood near you BIG BEAR USE Referendum update R-burg Zoning Referndum Goes to Supreme Court City Sets PLAN in motion to widen SR 256 HB299 School Impact Fee Bill Facilites Committee Report PDF Fairfied County Judge Throws Out Roshon Farm Rezoning Former Local Officials Continue to Push Development Outside City New Court Ruling May Affect Municipal and Township Road Projects 167 MORE Homes in the PLSD-Violet Township Zoning Hearing Builders Sway Legislators, Push for Further SPRAWLBURBIA School Bond Issue to go on May Ballot Diley Road Saga continues 2/17 addition Lawsuit Settlement Final Goes to Judge School Board Seeks Public Input 2/10/05 at Central HS. PLSD Short Term Options County Sales Tax Issue one Questions and Answers LEG Diley Rd. Referendum Press Release/City of Pickerington Ohio Poised to cut funding from Cities and Townships Sewer Expansion Update Tentative BIA Lawsuit Settlement BIA Attorneys speak on pending lawsuit settlement Sewer Overflow Problems In Pickerington Complete Fairfield County Election Results Polling Place Locations Online Issue 28 School Bond pros and cons 2004 Questions and Issues 2004 Ballot Candidates Violet Township/City of Pickerington Annextion agreement Sprawl Threatens Area with Alarming Land Gobble Violet Township Landowners Attempt to add 480 homes to PLSD Meeting to Oppose Housing Developments in the PLSD Announced Zoning Issue off Ballot Zoning Referendum Opposed by Developer ORRD Press Release regarding Roshon Estates Issue Roshon Referendum Under Microscope 362 Annexation Lawsuit settlement City Pursues Federal Dollars to widen Diley Road from 256 to 33 Roshon Development facing Referndum Attempt New City Manager Selected Diley Road Widening Plan possibly changes BIA LOSES AGAIN Pickerington Central involved in Athletic Charity Ponzi Scheme ODOT Traffic Study for I-70 SR 256 and East needs your input Limited Home Rule for Townships Presentation Diley Road Widening Comment Form CITY DEBT REALITY SINKING IN Township Citizens Fight Subdivision Sewer Plant on Shelf PICKERINGTON CONSIDERS ETHICS ORDINANCE FOR OFFICIALS New Hospital possible near Hill-Diley Violet Township Zoning Hearing Refugee and Tollgate Six Candidates Remain for City Manager BIA Loses Round One Phalen's opponent faces a challenge Developers Resist Impact Fees in Columbus Mayors consider ‘no poaching’ pact to lessen job losses Reconfiguration Committee"Keep Grade Levels the Same" Council’s delay on annexations doesn’t last long Sheriff Phalen's Opponent Creates Possible Web Site Deception Pickerington school hit by bullets during weekend Sports are Out of Bounds for Students Who Can’t Pay Regional Growth Planners Begin Work Fairfield County Debt Political Hot Potato Fairfield County Flood Assistance Contact Info Pickerington Web Site has PDF Versions of City Manager's Report Mitch O'Brien Selected to fill Shaver's Council Seat City Issues 603 Building permits in 2003 BIA Lawsuit Judge Pleads Guilty to Another DUI Sewer Plant Update, City Moves to Keep State Funding Alive Columbus Seems to Now Acknowledge What Many Have Known. Pickerington Sewer Plant in Significant Non Compliance of Permit New Ohio EPA Documents on Sewer Plant Expansion Hickory Lakes Funding Dead for 2004 Ohio Stream and River Water Quality Terrible North High School Flooding Former City Mayor Testifies at McAuliffe Trial Pickerington Developers Move on to Lancaster Why PATA exists our Vision and Mission Statement www.Pickerington Taxpayers.org Update Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce Awards Snag over permit stops Pickerington housing project Pickerington School Board Liaison Responsibilities New Council Candidates Sewer Loan Referendum Rejected..Surprise :o New City Council Committees OEPA speaks on sewer plant issue OWDA delays Sewer Plant Loan Consideration City accepting applications for Shaver's Council Seat Pay-as-you-grow plan has worked in cities across U.S. Ohio EPA letter to Pickerington - Sewer Plant Expansion City of Hudson's Growth Management System Full Text of the BIA lawsuit Against the City of Pickerington More Traffic Inbound for SR 256/Taylor Road Builders should pay for growth, mayor says... Mike Coleman! Brice Road Failure...Forsehadow of Pickerington's Future? Builders Allege Violation of Constitutional Rights Costs of Development Impact Rocks NW Franklin, Picktown Next? Developers Outline COOPERATION strategy with New Government The PATA phone number has been changed! It is now 614-863-1547 Fairfield County Board of Elections Results Link Not out of office a year – interestingly cc’d – why? Former Mayor Gray -- HOMEWOOD REPRESENTATIVE? Schoolhouse Road Ltd (same road as the Kohler / Painter Farms) Yabba – Dabba- Do look who’s a wheeler-dealer $2.3 Million dollar strip mall acquired day's - name change 1 $2.3 Million dollar strip mall acquired day's - name change 2 A new Holding Company comes to town -- or does it? Is the former Mayor now a Commercial Strip Mall Owner? Right Image – contract Right Image – Requisition Right Image – Purchase Order Past promises from 'candidate' Postage 1999 Past promises of PLSD's Sigman Just a reminder–the 2003 directives from the Mayor pg.1 Just a reminder–the 2003 directives from the Mayor pg.2 PLSD Enrollment Chart Just how expensive is it to keep squelching Citizen Referendums Outside legal counsel uses the It’s Administrative dodge1 Outside legal counsel uses the It’s Administrative dodge2 Miserable Tax Base!! $10,000.00 of hot air Prosperity “sales pitch” page 1 Prosperity “sales pitch” page 2 Prosperity “sales pitch” page 3 Prosperity “sales pitch” page 4 BIA check and reminder of Mr. Kasson's loyalties The Miss-adventures of the Mayor – October $$ making City The Miss-adventures of the Mayor– September pg.1 The Miss-adventures of the Mayor– September pg.2 The Miss-adventures of the Mayor–August “after the Council vote Look who's bragging about the The Miss-adventures of the Mayor – June 'Water for Houses' The Miss-adventures of the Mayor – April Cooperation will help solve problems - 1 - Cooperation will help solve problems - 2 - Cooperation will help solve problems - 3 - Law Director denies 2 per acre - 1 - Law Director denies 2 per acre - 2 - An Ordinance and example of how C2 zoning becomes high density Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law - - ? Director -1- Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law - - ? Director -2- Grandma’s Pizza connection Lee Gray – Chris Smith Lou & Dave’s Zoning for ‘clients’? Pickerington's Fall 2001election contributors Sewer Public Hearing – PTI The history of Pickerington’s sewer Plant Expansions Projected Schedule for Sewer Plant Bidding and Construction Bidding the Sewer Expansion NOW page #3 Bidding the Sewer Expansion NOW page #2 Bidding the Sewer Expansion NOW page #1 Sewer Expansion Project Cost Estimates Pricey Pickerington Sewer Expansion Expanded Sewer Plant Facilities The fable of Pickerington's Sewer Plant expansion EPA Public Notice of Pickerington Sewer Expansion pg.1 EPA Public Notice of Pickerington Sewer Expansion pg 2 Story told to OEPA for Sewer Loan/Hickory Lakes Possible Fraud Gray Scale wording OEPA Loan application OEPA Loan application 1 OEPA Loan application 2 OEPA Sewer Expansion Hearing 8-29-02 Ohio EPA response to Sewer Issue page one Ohio EPA response to Sewer Issue page two Ohio EPA response to Sewer Issue page three Schools Fall from Excellent Rating to Effective Pickerington Wanting to Expand Sewer Service Area Developers Indian Givers Part One and Part Two Legal Opinion Opens Door for Township to Building Moratorium LOCAL NEWSPAPER Takes a Stand in Editorial! School Board to take Stance on Growth Public Comments sheet - Hickory Lakes / Sewer Expansion Ordinance autorizing Sewer Engineering Expenses +++ Community Authority Table (millage) - assumptions Community Authority Table (millage) 6/1/03 Violet Township Info. Home Rule - Community Authority City Budget 2002 Revenue page 1 City Budget 2002 Revenue page 2 City Budget 2002 Revenue page 3 US 33 Access Mgmt. Plan Discussion Item page 7 map Extended Sewer Service Violet Township Online Survey City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Bushman 1 City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Bushman 2 City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Gray ltr 1 City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Mapes ltr 1 City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Mapes ltr 2 City Officials and potential “Land Option” conflicts Mapes ltr 3 325 permits and climbing Allen - Pickerington - & Hill / Diley Roads rough map Letter of Donation – After School Activities Planning and Zoning HEARING 7-10-97 pages 1 Planning and Zoning HEARING 7-10-97 pages 2 Planning and Zoning Meeting 7-10-97 pages 1 Planning and Zoning Meeting 7-10-97 pages 2 BIA threats Extension of Land Purchase Option. Citizens Initiative Outlining 2–year Moratorium & Growth Mgmt.1 Citizens Initiative Outlining 2–year Moratorium & Growth Mgmt.2 Gray letter City Ordinance Outlining Growth Management Plan Funding Sources for School Levy Campaign 1st Quarter City Building Permits increase by 185% Building Permit Graph tells the Truth BIA behind opposition to Growth Control Dominion moves to block Mandamus Mapes legal issues page 1 McAuliffe legal issues Mapes legal issues page 2 Mapes legal issues page 3 Mapes legal issues page 4 Mapes legal issues page 5 Mapes legal issues page 6 Ltr. Opposing Sewer Plant Expansion referenced in OEPA complaint RECALL of Misters: Postage, Fox, Wright, Parker, and Maxey Pickerington Citizen’s Initiatives for REAL Growth Plans Hilliard Mayor calling to Limit Housin Permits Bushman land purchase - Hickory Lakes Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commissions (MORPC) Data Past & Present Building Permits in our Region Community Authority Proposed, Not Including Violet Township Pickerington Local Schools Web Financial Status Presentation #4 Pickerington Local Schools Web Financial Status Presentation #3 Pickerington Local Schools Web Financial Status Presentation #2 Pickerington Local Schools Web Financial Status Presentation #1 CBR Points #1 CBR Points #2 ‘BIA behind Opposition to growth control’. CommUNITY 1st questionnaire page 1 CommUNITY 1st questionnaire page 2 Council Draft - Slow Growth Ordinance SVC Committee draft - proposed Slowing Growth Ordinance Local Realtors Planning "Support Growth" Posture on Moratorium Cooperation Agenda Items, City/Violet Township meeting, 2/22/03 Developers Fight Referendum Attempt on High Density in Township Competitve Bidding in School Construction Projects....What? City Building Moratorium moves out of Service Committee Comparative Residential Building Units Graph Violet Township Permit Statistics City Law Director Denies Citizens request Another way to keep Developers at bay Pickerington Building Permit Statistics Fox Glen City Law Director ingnores citizens request pg. 1. City Law Director ingnores citizens request pg. 2. Sprawl Threatens Way of Life in Many Places in Central Ohio Pataskala Residents Ponder Undoing City/ Township Merger Building Industry Ponders Lawsuit on Two Homes per acre issue Budget Scare Tactics 1 Budget Scare Tactics 2 City Growing according to Plans The Truth Part 1 The Truth Part 2 The Truth Part 3 The Truth Part 4 The Truth Part 5 The Truth Part 6 ? School site - Village of Sycamore Creek (page 1) ? School site - Village of Sycamore Creek (page 2) ? School site - Refugee Road (Police Station area page 1) ? School site - Refugee Road (Police Station area page 2) ? School site - Refugee Road (Police Station area page 3) ? School site - Reserve at Pickerington Ponds (page 1) Newspaper coverage of issues Sign of the Times - Discussion Page link REFERENDUMS DENIED - PAGE 1 REFERENDUMS DENIED - page 2 REFERENDUMS DENIED - page 3 REFERENDUMS DENIED - page 4 316 Referendum - page 1 316 Referendum - page 2 316 referendum page 3 City Manager admits actions subsidize residential construction. Recent Trends in Single Family Housing Zoning in Violet Township Links to news of today and (past) not Pickerington's finest Final Plat approvals by Emergency Ordinance Performance Audit of the PLSD pg. 1 Performance Audit of the PLSD pg. 2 On the Ballot: --- --- Vote and express your wishes. Plat Referendum(s) 5 Ault Rd-Rt. 204. Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas Contempt Charges Ordinance to Rescind & Re-enact via Emergency page 1 Ordinance to Rescind & Re-enact via Emergency page 2 Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas Injunction page 1 Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas Injunction page 2 Supreme Court Mandamus page 1 Supreme Court Mandamus page 2 City of Pickerington’s “Request for Public Records” form. Sanitary Sewer Overflows part 1 Sanitary Sewer Oveflow part 2 Regarding 362 acres, Pickerington heads to court pg.-1- Regarding 362 acres, Pickerington heads to court pg.- 2- Pickerington Official speaks out against new Initiatives Schools & Growth article links 1998 Residential Subcommittee of the JEDC - page 1- 1998 Residential Subcommittee of the JEDC -pg 2- 1998 Schools Finance Commission recommendations -pg 1- 1998 Schools Finance Commission recommendations pg -2- 1997 Schools Facilities Committee recommendations - page 1 1997 Schools Facilities Committee recommendations -2- Annexation Denied. -page 1- Annexation Denied. page -2- Ordinance # 2002-87. Council Members Recalled. Finance Committee does developers bidding Another PLSD Bond & Levy issue proposed Density (Zoning) Initiative Abatement of Fees Initiative Emergency Usage Initiative Attachment A - Emergency Initiative Additional debt facts Don't tax income if you don't provide income.. 316 acre annexation receives Commissioners adoption April - June 2002 Newsletter Cover Page City of Pickerington Debt Schedule 2002 City of Pickerington Debt Schedule 2001 Pubic Notice of Ohio EPA Hearing Citizen’s letter of Community concern. Agenda's & Minutes - Not in "Our" Town Lancaster’s promise to agenda access City moved quickly on agenda access issue Mayor proposes housing moratorium Legality of density limits questioned Initiative petitions again tabled by council members City of Pickerington - SCC pre annexation agreement page 1 City of Pickerington - SCC pre annexation page 2 City of Pickerington - SCC Pre annexation pg 3. Village’s (City’s) dissolve their government ?? In other community group petitions for moratorium LAND-USE RESTRICTIONS - Dispatch 4/30/02 Even more Pickerington Annexations -- burden of property taxes - Lancaster Eagle Gazette 4/16/02 Property tax exemptions for businesses - impact school's Pickerington Income Tax Report Dec. 31, 2001 Using the Boundary Committee Report ? Is it more portables ? Boundaries Map Option 1 Boundaries Map Option 5A Pickerington Law Director claims Null & Void 1 City Law Director states Agreement Null & Void -2- Bid to put Annexation Law on the Ballot FAILS Newsletter Cover page - what does it mean to you? Costs to improve roads harmed by residential development “Citizens deciding their own future” ???? "The Homestead" Agricultural land to PR 10 Canal Winchester Press Release pg -1- Canal Winchester Press Release pg -2- Canal Winchester Press Release pg -3- CW Mayor's letter to the members of the PLSD Board Double-sided viewpoints on Initiatives and Referendums Initiative petitions head to BOE Do citizens have the “right” to process an Initiative? Early February Newspaper coverage Utility service fight - part 1 - Utilities fight brewing - part 2 - Utilities fight brewing - part 3- Referendum Costs -- This Week Newspaper links Southern Annexation-316 acres Estimated Incentives Costs - pg 2 Southern Annexation-316 Acres Estimated Incentives Costs - Pg 1 Northern Annexation-362 Acres Estimated Incentives Costs - Pg 2 Northern Annexation-362 Acres Estimated Incentives Costs - Pg 1 Court issues - Annexation Reform articles Latest Newsworthy Media Stories Northern area Annexation Map (362 acres) Southern Annexation area map (316 acres) "Emergency Legislation" useage limits REDUCED TAP FEE INITIATIVE ZONING INITIATIVE Official's vs. Citizen's viewpoints regarding growth Helwig Project (including Police Station) site map Apartment Ground Ad Apartment Ground (and Condo) zoning letter City Ordinance to accept 11.5 acre broader spectrum of Annexation reform information Requested Correction of Information to the Pickerington Area Citizen takes legal action against City Officials Developer Influences & Myths about Growth More Communities are wanting Citizens voices heard !! Homewood's CEO letter - page - 1 - Homewood's CEO letter - page - 2- Homewood's CEO letter - page - 3 - Annexation Reform rhetoric or reality Annexation rhetoric or reality - page 2- Annexaton rhetoric or reality -page 3- Business First’s article (Annexation Rush – dated 9/7/2001). "Technical Difficulties" now follow a familiar pattern Map of 2001 Land Use & Allen Road Map of PLSD + Residential Construction Map of the 1993 Proposed Columbus Dispatch 8/26 article on development controversy "Mystery Community" Pickerington developments approved “by emergency” cut democracy 2 Sides of annexation reform Effort under way to stop annexation reform law Homewood's Plans for more houses Actual Copy of Pickerington's Reimbursement of Taxes Official's statements related to Diley annexation Pickerington Web Site seeks Public Input, errors Stop Comments Annexation Reform is signed by Governor Taft City at Debt Ceiling, Diverts School Revenue for Future Projects Merger Costly for Pataskala, Bold Moves for Picktown Next? City Plans 520+ homes .5 miles N of Canal Pointe Industrial Park CEDA approved by Violet and Canal officials City Promises Developer PR-4 for 100's of homes near CEDA area . Township Trustees to Vote on CEDA at Special Meeting on May 30th John Donley commits to forming Community Needs Foundation Amended Violet Township - Village of Canal Winchester CEDA Viola Park (120) acres at R4 Ordinance PLUS Pre-Annexation Deal Ruth Pifer's comments about annexation of her land page 1 Ruth Pifer's comments about annexation of her land page 2 Ruth Pifer's comments about annexation of her land page 3 Map of Pifer land , parcels in Hostile Annextion by Pickerington Questions Posed to the Violet Township Trustees & Staff on CEDA Parks Ask for Cooperation on Well impact on Pickerington Ponds City Poised to Annex & Zone Potential Commercial Land for Homes City's Road & Bridge Reimbursement Falls Short of Twp Hopes REFERENDUM ORDINANCE ON ZONING REPEALED BY EMERGENCY LEGISLATION Huntington Hills Residents Consider Sewage Treatment Options Annexation reform Pre-Annexation Agreement Weiser & City of Pickerington Business First CEDA articles VIOLET CANAL CEDA TEXT, read it and prepare your questions Pickerington Local School District Boundaries Well Test Pumping results delayed, See Sierra News article Wellington Pk. Plan, Updated, School Donation $ $ Proposed ! New Donley Development in Violet Twp, see the plan and analysis Map of Violet /Canal CEDA Area How to Post a Discussion in the "Discussion Area" Pickerington Invited to Form CEDA with Violet Twp on PLSD land Letter from Mayor about cooperation between Violet Twp & City Violet Township Poised to Increase Housing Numbers PATA Articles of Association REFERENDUM on R-4 ORDINACE IS NOT ONLY ABOUT 4 HOMES PER ACRE Newsletter Publishing and Mailing Information Status of Community Growth Summit Meetings Violet Township and Canal Winchester enter a CEDA Annexation Referendum - previous zoning commitments & The Ponds The Connection between Well Field Expansion and 1,000 more homes Merger Survey Results Our Hotlinks Find Answers in Our FAQ

Metro Columbus Clubs & Organizations PATA History Pages BIG BEAR USE Referendum update R-burg Petitions have enough signatures Reynoldsburg’s city attorney receives threat Official suspects he was targeted over opinion on zoning decision for church Thursday, September 01, 2005 Jim Woods THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Reynoldsburg City Attorney Bill Underwood said he was threatened because of his opinion that there cannot be a referendum on the City Council allowing a church to move into a vacant store. Underwood turned over to the Reynoldsburg police a letter he recently received in the mail, said Lt. Kim Nuesse. Underwood and Nuesse yesterday declined to discuss the letter’s specifics while it’s being investigated. In his 26 years as city attorney, Underwood said he’s never encountered a personal threat like this. "I think I have a pretty thick skin," Underwood said. He said some also have told him they might mount a recall effort to remove him from office. Underwood, during a news conference yesterday, restated his legal view that Reynoldsburg voters cannot vote to repeal the City Council’s July 11 decision. He has submitted his opinion to the Franklin County Board of Elections, which may settle the issue Wednesday. Council’s 4-3 vote did not change the property’s zoning but permitted the Calvary International Worship Center to use the Big Bear store for a church, Underwood said. The Ohio Supreme Court has held that such administrative actions are not subject to referendum, he said. The property’s existing zoning also would have allowed an adult-entertainment establishment, pawnbroker or tattoo parlor, Underwood said. Residents gathered 2,081 signatures on a petition seeking a referendum on the permit granted to the church. The petition has enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot, said Mike Hackett, assistant director of the Franklin County Board of Elections. The Concerned Citizens of Huber, which led the petition effort, contends the city would lose $71,000 in tax revenue and that city officials should have recruited another grocer or retail establishment. But Underwood said that grocery and retail outlets have no interest. Underwood said some are opposed because of "racial" concerns. Calvary International is a predominantly black church. "There’s no doubt about it," he said. The citizens group has said race does not factor into their opposition to the church. Underwood is asking the elections board to disqualify the petition. Kenneth A. Golonka Jr., the attorney representing the church, said he is making a similar request based on his legal conclusion that council’s decision cannot be put up for a referendum. If the board rules against placing the referendum on the ballot the church could complete its purchase of the building, Golonka said. Tom Eller, who helped circulate the petition, said the group will contend at Wednesday’s hearing that council’s vote should be subject to a referendum. jwoods@dispatch.com Church proposal arouses concern Black congregation seeks ex-grocery site in mostly white area Monday, July 11, 2005 Jim Woods THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Brice Road-area residents still mourn the passing of their Big Bear store and many are unhappy they might get a church instead. The Reynoldsburg controversy has caused some to wonder whether some neighbors don’t want the church because its congregation is predominantly black. Residents of the Huber and Eastshire subdivisions — most of whom are white — have pleaded for the city to recruit another supermarket for Brice Road and Livingston Avenue. But grocery chains have no interest. Calvary International Worship Center, a mostly black congregation on the South Side, is the only taker for the 101,000-square-foot building that’s been closed since February 2004. Reynoldsburg City Council — which conducted a number of lengthy, contentious hearings — will have the final vote on zoning today. Councilman Eric Gilbert, chairman of the service committee that hears zoning cases, said he’s sympathetic to the residents’ desire for a supermarket. But Gilbert said he’s been disappointed by an undercurrent he’s detected that some people oppose a black church moving in. There were remarks about people feeling they need to lock their doors. Some were alarmed that the church wants to minister to drug addicts, causing one to plead with the council that "they don’t need dope" in the neighborhood. Preston Stearns, the only black member of the City Council, has lived in Reynoldsburg for 20 years. He said he has been surprised by the racial overtones involved in this case. "People have such misunderstanding and fear," Stearns said. "I think we can do better in getting along." Stearns reached the boiling point during a June 20 meeting when some residents ques- tioned why the church used the term armor bearers for the church’s unarmed ushers. It is a reference to the Bible being a person’s defense, said Kenneth Golonka, the church’s attorney. "This is not a terrorist group. . . . This is a church," Stearns admonished the crowd. "I have been offended." Stearns also said he can understand that people would prefer a grocery store. Retail development has shifted eastward. Businesses migrated to Rt. 256, leaving vacancies on Brice Road. Kroger, which already has two stores in the Reynoldsburg area, is building a new outlet at East Main Street and Taylor Road to serve new subdivisions in Licking County. It has people who live in the Brice Road area feeling left behind. Erin Michelli, an Eastshire resident, told the council, "I am just very sad after listening to everybody because our end of town has been forgotten." Ron Andrews, a Tamar Court resident, told the council that he sees his neighborhood as a victim of urban sprawl. "How much has really changed in the economics of this area to support a grocery store at that Big Bear location?" Andrews asked. "The population hasn’t declined. People still need to eat." Benton Benalcazar, the realestate agent representing the property, said that Brice Road during the 1980s was a popular commercial corridor. He said the chain stores are driven by trends. "So once that they perceive an area to be hotter somewhere else, it’s very difficult to convince them otherwise," Benalcazar said. Bill Loveland, an attorney representing the owner, said they tried to market the building to another grocer. He said it’s costing the owners $20,000 a month for upkeep. "What is worse: a church, where people pray, teach kids, take care of kids, trying to keep people on the straight and narrow — or an empty building that frankly the seller’s going to end up having a tough time keeping up?" Loveland asked the council. Ken Wright, who’s lived in the Huber subdivision for 34 years, said people viewed the Big Bear as a neighborhood cornerstone. It was close enough that some people could walk, he said. "So many people have told me that they miss it," Wright said. Some are nervous that the church wants to minister to addicts. Debbie Andrews, Ron’s wife, said she’s not opposed to the church. "But I’m worried about the program they are talking about being so close to the high school and junior high." The city has been reassured that the church wants to offer a 12-step-type program common with many churches — not a residential treatment program, Gilbert said. The congregation, which is affiliated with the Missionary Baptist Church, chose the Reynoldsburg location because of the building’s size and its convenience for members on the East Side, Golonka said. The church has 800 members and hopes to grow. Councilman Mel Clemens, who has lived in the Huber neighborhood for 46 years, told council members that he doesn’t think residents are being disrespectful toward the church. But Clemens said his neighbors are concerned about change. "These people have their homes. They own their homes. This is why they are interested in what’s going on." jwoods@dispatch.com . The Columbus Dispatch Sept 01, update Privacy Statement Neighborhood Link Terms of Use © 1997 - 2006 Neighborhood Link, Inc.