Two more candidates forum

Community news: Gahanna voters will have two more opportunities to meet their five mayoral candidates. http://qoo.ly/4ztfs

Happy Holidays from Mayor Stinchcomb

As we enjoy this holiday season and bring 2014 to a close, I would like to take a moment to thank our dedicated City staff, Gahanna citizens and elected officials that collectively work together to make our city such a great place to live and work.

This past year, my administration, members of Council and Gahanna citizens worked together to create a Sustainable Operating  Model - a five year plan for managing the City's existing resources. We did this because the new, post-recession, economy has forced us to make changes to how we operate including reducing the funding we can provide for non-essential services and activities.  Despite these budgetary constraints and thanks to volunteers, community partners and businesses we were able to continue some of Gahanna's most treasured community events. On behalf of the City, I would like to thank those individuals for their support and look forward to partnering with them in the upcoming year.

As we embark on a new year, I remain committed to working with my staff, our elected officials and Gahanna residents and businesses to continue to move our City forward toward the path of sustainability.  In undertaking this task, we realize we cannot do this alone.   We hope that you will continue to be informed and engaged in our planning process as we forge ahead.

With the holiday season upon us, let us continue to be mindful of those who are less fortunate in our community.  Let us also remember our first responders and law enforcement that work tirelessly to help keep our neighborhoods safe.  Finally, let us continue to pray for our military at home and abroad.

As a reminder, City Hall will be closed on December 24 and December 25 in observance of the Christmas Holiday.  Normal business hours will resume on Friday, December 26, 2014.  Additionally, City Hall will be closed on January 1, 2015 in observance of New Year's Day.

Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and safe holiday season!

In service,

Mayor Becky Stinchcomb
City of Gahanna

 

Thanksgiving Message from Mayor Becky Stinchcomb

With Thanksgiving upon us and the holiday season drawing near, we have much to be thankful for.  I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve as your mayor.  As I reflect on this holiday, I am grateful for all we have accomplished and look forward to working with City leadership, Council and citizens as we continue to chart our course for a stronger, more sustainable Gahanna.

Two weeks ago, my administration presented Council with the City’s 2015 budget.  The budget was the result of a year-long engagement process between City leadership and Council.  As a result of the ballot losses of 2013, we made a commitment to Gahanna citizens to develop a sustainable operating plan that would allow us to do the very best with your valuable tax dollars.  

Despite reductions made to many of our programs and services, and given our limited available resources, I am grateful that we have still been able to provide services that many of our residents have come to expect.

Thanks to the dedicated staff of Parks & Recreation, we have been able to provide select park and recreational opportunities for our community.  Thanks to a well-trained and responsive police force, we have been able to maintain the safety and security of our citizens.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Service department, we have been able to keep Gahanna’s streets safe.  Finally, thanks to the work of our Economic Development department, we have been able to create jobs and to offer businesses an opportunity to thrive and grow in our community.

Many thanks to all of our full-time and part-time city employees who strive to provide the best possible service to our citizens.  I am thankful to our elected officials that work together to make Gahanna a great city. I am also grateful to the individuals, organizations and businesses that volunteer their time by serving on boards and commissions or donate funds and resources to help sponsor events throughout the year.

Although our work at City Hall is important, the true strength of our community comes from its people. Gahanna is a vibrant, diverse community, with much to offer.  Thank you to all you do to make our city a great place to call home.

As you celebrate this holiday, surrounded by family and loved ones let us be mindful of those who are less fortunate in our community.  Let us also remember our police, firefighters and first responders that help keep our city safe.  Finally, let us continue to pray for our military, who bravely risk their lives to protect our country’s borders home and abroad. 

As a reminder, City Hall will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, 2014.  Regular business hours will resume Monday, December 1, 2014. 

Wishing you and your family a safe, restful and Happy Thanksgiving!

Mayor Becky Stinchcomb
City of Gahanna

Charting a Sustainable Future

As a result of the income tax ballot losses in 2013, Gahanna City leadership made the commitment to citizens that we would come up with a sustainable operating plan that would allow us to do the very best we could with the valuable tax dollars that citizens have entrusted us with. Over the past year, my administration and I have worked diligently with members of Council and citizens to do just that.  The proposed budget plan focuses on funding essential services, taking into consideration our limited revenue resources.  This year’s annual budget request document is the product of an unprecedented level of collaboration between Council, citizen stakeholders and represents the highest levels of transparency and accountability.

The 2015 Budget, as presented to Council is a five-year plan that sets the financial course for the City of Gahanna.  The plan outlines our priorities as it relates to our current operating expenses and guides us in making future capital expenditures.  In undertaking this yearlong process, we took into account our current economic environment, re-examined our priorities and looked at what we consider to be our City’s core services.

In assessing our financial future, we first reflected on the past.  Looking at our 2015 projected revenue vs. the last “normal” year before the recession, 2007, we saw a $3.6 million drop (12%) in overall revenue to our General Fund.  The gains we have seen in some of our revenue sources over the past few years just have not been enough to counteract the dramatic reductions in grant revenue, interest earnings and State funding. 

These permanent reductions have led us to develop a plan for the future that makes the most of our existing resources. The foundation of the 2015 budget is rooted in the concept of Sustainability.  This past year, my administration developed what we call the Sustainable Operating Model (SOM).  The SOM is built upon two key concepts:

1. We will maintain the City’s existing core infrastructure and assets at a professionally appropriate level; and
2. Ongoing operating costs must be able to be paid for using ongoing revenue sources.  That is, we will not rely on one-time windfalls, accumulated savings, or short-term cost-cutting measures to help balance our operating budget.

The SOM is our five-year plan for General Funded City operations.  The SOM, combined with our Capital Investment Plan (CIP) guides us in managing what we do have as a City at a sustainable level, while using our limited one-time resources to make targeted investments in jobs and infrastructure that provide for the health, safety and welfare of our city. 

I recognize that the 2015 budget does not include every product and service that I, as your Mayor, would like to provide to the citizens of Gahanna.  However, my administration is confident that it does provide citizens the core essentials we must have to continue to make Gahanna the place we are proud to call home.

The creation of our annual budget request document is always a culmination of a full year of hard work by the city staff, Council and our citizen stakeholders.  I would like to take this moment to thank those individuals who participated in this collaborative process.

The 2015 Budget is available to view on the City’s website.  I encourage you to review the document and submit your questions via email to budget@gahanna.gov.  Over the next few weeks, we will be continuing the discussion regarding the budget with Council during upcoming Committee meetings.  We will also be providing a platform for citizens to comment during formal Council meetings.  So I encourage you to attend. As always, we would like to hear from you and look forward to your comments and questions.

Mayor Becky Stinchcomb

City of Gahanna

Volunteerism and The Greatest Generation

Much has been written about "The Greatest Generation" - the folks who fought the Second World War, and came back to build a nation. I was truly blessed to have been raised by parents who survived the Great Depression. Dad lived on a farm, at least - mom and her five siblings went hungry sometimes. Dad graduated from high school, and went right into the Navy. He served till the end of WWII, then was called back to serve in the Korean War. My mom was a "Rosie the Riveter." She worked in the tank plant in Cleveland, because all the men were overseas fighting. Her only brother, Joe, was killed in France during the war.

After the war, these citizens were forever changed. They had seen famine, and hardship, and death. So they came home to their towns and villages, including Gahanna, to finally start their families. They found work, the economy boomed, and they built homes, businesses and communities.

And they volunteered. In Gahanna, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, (VFW), built their post home themselves along the Big Walnut Creek. The Gahanna Jefferson Recreation District formed, and built a community swimming pool, next to the VFW. Over the years, many wonderful community civic, fraternal, social and service organizations were founded here and flourished. The Rotary, the Lions Club, the Kiwanis, and The American Legion, to name just a few more. These groups served their community by volunteering, working hard, and raising and donating funds, to make sure Gahanna had all the extras that made this community home. They didn't count on government to provide everything; they did it themselves. This generation was self-sufficient and self-reliant, and was not afraid of hard work.

When I first moved to Gahanna in the mid-1980's, the Lion's Club was still holding their chicken dinner fundraiser at the high school, which funded Gahanna's fireworks show and July 4th parade. Independence Day events were held and funded by our Lions, with just safety and logistics support from the City and the Township fire department. Some folks may remember that the fireworks were launched near the high school stadium, until that was deemed unsafe for viewers in the stands. The Gahanna Jefferson Recreation District non-profit organization was running the Gahanna Swim Club, and was planning to build a new, second pool. The Hunter's Ridge Recreation Association owned neighborhood parkland, and was running a swimming pool on Gahanna's East Side. And the folks in the Foxwood development also built and funded a neighborhood pool (and still do). Unfortunately, some of these groups can no longer do these things, and some no longer exist. It is my great hope to see new groups of young people spring up and help take over events and facilities for the folks who have worked so hard for Gahanna for so long.

Every Friday night, our veterans still raise the flag at every home football game. Their numbers have dwindled over the years, and many have passed on to Post Everlasting. As a group they are aging, many in their eighties and nineties. The World War II vets are very few now - I had the great honor of riding in this year's July 4th parade with two of them. Time is passing for Korean War and Vietnam vets, too, yet they still serve. They do more funerals than parades these days, they tell me. They serve at funerals every single week, sometimes multiple times, for their fellow veterans. They hold Memorial Day and Veteran's Day services, and lead the parade every July 4th. The list of their community service projects is long. I sincerely hope our newer, returning vets consider joining these groups, or new veteran’s groups, and are able to take over these duties that we value so much in our community.

The same commitment to community service is true for so many other volunteer organizations in Gahanna. Recently, the folks from our Kiwanis Club were volunteering at the Parks & Recreation Foundation event on a Saturday evening, and the same folks were back at it volunteering at a food booth at the Gahanna Historical Society’s Flea market the very next morning!

Gahanna was truly built on volunteer citizen efforts over the years. Today, volunteer efforts are still critical. The Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) would never be able to pull off the Blues and Jazz Festival without hundreds of people volunteering to help out. The CVB also funds and produces the Holiday Lights Parade and Winter Wonderland at Creekside every winter. So many community events just couldn’t happen without our wonderful citizen volunteers.

But, fewer people are volunteering these days. Increasingly it's getting harder to recruit enough folks to help out. There are a lot of reasons for this –“people just are so busy these days”, we hear. Then I think about my parents, and their generation. They were busy too – yet they made time to build Gahanna and communities all around this nation.

It seems like it is the same, wonderful people who help out at every event. I am so grateful for these folks – they know who they are! But we need new faces and more folks to help out. Government cannot afford, and shouldn’t, provide all the amenities and extra things that make a community strong. Our parents and grandparents knew that.  

If you are not currently involved in community volunteerism, we would love to have you. Even if you have just a few hours a year to give, that’s great. If everyone helps a little, we can continue to build a stronger Gahanna for many generations to come.  Can we count on you to join us?

Mayor Becky Stinchcomb
City of Gahanna

Note: Creepside, the Gahanna Parks and Recreation’s Halloween event at Creekside Park, is October 22^nd. Volunteers are still needed.  Click here, if you are interested is signing up to volunteer.

She's blogging? Why? Why NOW?

Two months ago, I announced my intention not to seek re-election. After more than a dozen years of serving as your mayor, and over two decades of public service to the City of Gahanna, this will be a major life change for me and my family. As I reflect on my remaining 15 months in office, it's natural to think of what I yet wish to accomplish before my service is complete.

One of our biggest challenges in recent years has been the ability to effectively communicate with our citizens. When I first ran for office in Gahanna, back in 1991, it was relatively easy. The community had two local weekly newspapers, and most people read them. Writing a letter to the editor, or a column, or pitching a story to the local reporters generally got most of the important local stories in front of citizens.

Today, it is much more complicated. There is one local paper now, and readership is down. With social media, email, websites, blogging, texting - communication is instant, personal - and the audience is splintered. To try and reach large numbers of citizens, we must use a wide variety of communication channels to try and get information out. Despite our best efforts, we still find that communication with citizens is not at an optimum level. We are not alone - as I talk to other city's leaders, we realize we all face the same communications challenges.

Some of our peer cities have large public information staffs to help solve this challenge. We have one person, but our employee also assists the police department handle media requests, and that task takes a lot of time. Still, we have made great inroads utilizing the official City website, with more content than ever, Facebook pages, Twitter Feeds, electronic newsletters and the like. We still work with our local media, mostly the newspapers, but the space they can dedicate to local news is limited. So we began to brainstorm about ways we could get accurate and complete information out to folks. Funding is extremely tight for non-essential services, so additional staff or paid media are out as alternatives. We also want to have the space to say what we want to say, when we want to say it, without the space and message limitations of standard media.

We also wanted to find a medium that was not an unedited, unmonitored free-for-all without the benefit of fact checking, but official forums that citizens can feel confident in, are trustworthy and factual. That eliminates most social media, including Twitter and Facebook, in my opinion.

A few years ago, we launched a blog on the City website, but it has not been used much, and readership is very light. Recently, we decided to relaunch our blog in an effort to engage our citizens. So if you are reading this, congratulations -- you have found our blog. Please come back often. I intend to write on a wide variety of topics, frequently. I also will invite other administrative staffers to contribute, depending on the subject matter and expertise required.

Have a question or an issue you would like to be discussed here? We hope so! Please email these to information@gahanna.gov, and we will select questions, research the answers, and post the discussion here. And if you have other suggestions of ways we can enhance our communication efforts, please let us know. I hope you find this to be a helpful and interesting resource for factual city information. Talk with you again soon.


Mayor Becky Stinchcomb
City of Gahanna

It's Mosquito Season!

Mosquito season is officially in full-swing. The City of Gahanna has contracted with Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) for mosquito control this year. FCPH uses an Integrated Pest Management approach with a public health focus to reduce and control disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Many tools and techniques are used throughout the mosquito season to help control the mosquito population. These include:

• Larviciding areas of stagnant water and storm water catch basins to prevent mosquitoes from hatching in these prime breeding sites.
• Surveillance of adult mosquito populations by the use of traps.
• Testing of adult mosquitoes for the presence of disease.
• Adulticiding (spraying) using Ultra Low Volume (ULV) truck mounted equipment to treat residential areas to reduce adult mosquito populations.
• A variety of educational materials and awareness approaches. 

In addition, historical data about mosquito breeding locations, areas that traditionally have high adult mosquito populations, and the frequency and distribution of mosquito-borne diseases throughout Franklin County assist FCPH in concentrating and focusing their efforts. FCPH also relies on residents to report areas that they suspect may be mosquito breeding areas and/or when there is an increase in adult mosquito activity.

During mosquito season, Franklin County Public Health will set traps out every Monday night throughout central Ohio and test the mosquitoes on Tuesday for mosquito-borne diseases, such as the West Nile Virus (WNV).  The criteria for spaying is based on an increase of mosquitoes trapped and/or if West Nile Virus is found in the mosquitoes trapped. To date, no pools of mosquitoes have tested positive for the WNV this season. Click here to view the weekly trap results.

If there is a need to treat a specific area in Gahanna, pre-spray maps will be featured on the City of Gahanna's website prior to treatment.

Did You Know...

A single water-filled bucket can produce hundreds of biting mosquitoes.

• Most disease-causing mosquitoes spend their entire lives near their container-breeding site. 
• While the adult mosquito’s life expectancy is not usually more than a few weeks, the female may lay several batches of eggs each containing several hundred eggs during its life.

What can you do?
Take a few minutes to go outside and look around your yard. Anything that holds water could be a potential breeding site for mosquitoes. It doesn’t take much water and it doesn’t take much time. Why raise mosquitoes in your own back yard? Dump those containers; turn them upside down; or better yet put them inside your garage or basement. It is such a simple, but very effective way, to protect your family from mosquito-borne diseases like encephalitis and West Nile virus.

To report an area of concern or to learn more about the mosquito program click here or call Franklin County Public Health’s Mosquito Bite Line at (614)525-BITE (2483).

Embrace the Power of Camp!

Written by Sara Crombie

Guest blogger and camp leader extraordinaire

It’s powerful, fun, life-changing and available right in your own community!

It causes parents to strategically plan which weeks to take the family vacation, children choose to miss birthday parties and they develop skills that will help carry them through life. Summer can never come fast enough, and many times the countdown to “the big event” begins in January. What am I talking about, you might ask. SUMMER CAMP, of course!!

For decades, youth across the globe have been participating in summer camp programs. Overnight camps, sports camps, day camps, theater camps, robotics camps and hundreds of other options all coming together to bring the youth of today a wonderful experience they will never forget. Watch adults smile as they remember the glory of their camp days. Watch children’s faces light up as they talk about all the fun they have during their camp summers. For those lucky enough to experience it, camp seems to become a way of life. It’s where tie-die is the accepted fashion trend, everyone wears friendship bracelets and no one judges your horrible “camp tan”.

However camp is more than personal stories and experiences. Camp does kids a world of good! Countless research studies and journal articles are able to support all of the great things camp does for children. According to a study done by the American Camp Association, “children who attend camp become more confident and build increased self-esteem. Children develop more social skills that help them make new friends. Children grow more independent and show more leadership in decision-making qualities. Children become more adventurous and willing to try new things. Children gain mastery in core emotional areas such as resilience and self-regulation,” (2004). If research proves that children gain all of these and more, while having a fantastic summer with friends and creating positive relationships with adult role models, why wouldn’t you want your child to go to camp?!

My love for camp really developed once I began working as a counselor.

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing campers grow socially and developmentally across the span of a summer and seeing what an impact you can have on them. To see kids’ eyes light up as they finally master some craft or sport, to watch them come out of their shells and gain confidence, and to watch them grow year after year makes the job of camp counselor unlike any other.

I have worked summer camps for over six years and would not change a minute of it! I can honestly say it has helped make me who I am today. Being able to see campers out in the community during the school year and have them run up to tell me a quick life update, tell a “remember that one day at camp” story, or my absolute favorite – when they run up to me and start rattling off their thoughts and ideas of how camp can be better this summer. “Sara, we should do this.” “How about this?” “Can you make sure I’m in Purple group this year?” “What if we did this all-camp activity?”

To help a child experience the power of camp is one of the best gifts to give. Then once you experience it, you’ll probably want to share it with anyone who will listen as well. Embrace it, and experience the power of camp. You won’t regret it!

This summer, the camp experience is offered for ages 6-12 through Jump Start Traditional Camp at Friendship Park, ages 5-12 at Camp Friendship at Hannah Park and CORE (at Friendship Park) for ages 12-14. Please call 614-342-4250 or visit the Camp page at www.Gahanna.gov for details. 

Camp Friendship: Parent & Kid Approved!

With just a few more weeks left of summer break, Gahanna kids are staying happy, healthy and helpful at Camp Friendship. Over the past several weeks, campers have enjoyed playing games of knock-out and capture the flag, taking field trips to the Air Force Museum, COSI, the Columbus Zoo, and participated in games during before and after care.

Parents have shared some positive reactions about summer camp as well. One parent wrote, “Thank you so much for this program; my son looks forward to it every year. It's just as good for the parents as it is the children. Counselors are amazing, programs are amazing, field trips are amazing. Listening to my son talk about his day at camp...priceless.”

Other parents love the relationships the counselors develop with the kids.

 “This is our third year at the camp and I think this has been the best so far. We are so happy with all of the counselors. I love the relationships that the counselors have developed with my kids. Both of my kids have very different personalities. The counselors interact with each of them differently, in ways that are best suited to the kids.”

Camp Friendship really is the place for children ages 5-12 to be! With the new school year just around the corner, a week or two of camp may just be what your child needs to wrap up their summer, especially with weekly trips to Gahanna Swimming Pool, field trips to Groveport Aquatics and Gahanna Lanes, just to name a few.  Oh, and of course we can’t forget about the infamous talent show on August 16, the last day of camp!

Learn more about Camp Friendship and register for one of the remaining spots at Hannah Park today! Visit the Parks & Recreation page at Gahanna.gov and click on “Camps” for registration forms and more details.

What's Your Concert Personality?

Gahanna residents and visitors have a musical choice to make this summer—Music in the Park or Creekside Live @ 5. Both concerts begin at 7 p.m. on Fridays, but each is distinctly different. Of course, if you can’t chose, do both!

Tonight, the blue grass band, Death by Banjo takes the gazebo stage at Friendship Park for Music in the Park from 7-9 p.m. This event is hosted by the Gahanna Department of Parks & Recreation and sponsored by Strathmore Development.

Music in the Park is a free concert series every Friday that provides a fun, picnic-like atmosphere for all ages. Families may bring lawn chairs and a picnic blanket to enjoy the sounds of Blue Level, adult contemporary on August 2; Lords of Literature classic rock on August 9; and Fo/Mo/Deep, jazz funk on August 16.

The Gahanna Parks and Recreation Foundation hosts Creekside Live @ 5 the first and third Friday of each month, June through September, from 5-9 p.m. on the Rotary Stage at Creekside Park.

Tonight, the Foundation is excited for the Reaganomics, who will take the stage at 7 p.m. Be sure to get there early for happy hour specials beginning at 5 p.m. and DJ Brad Hudson. Proceeds benefit camp scholarships, community art initiatives and park improvements.

Upcoming bands include The Prodigals, Irish Rock on August 2; John Schwab Band, party variety on August 16; Grassinine, mountain rock on September 6; and Capitol Sound, soul/funk on September 20.

It’s time to choose, but, if you can’t, spend some time at each or rotate the weeks you attend. It’s your call. Either way, get out and enjoy all the parks Gahanna has to offer!

The full schedule and details are available at Gahanna.gov and GahannaParksandRecreationFoundation.org.

Meet Your City Staff: Emanuel Torres

Image courtesy of Paul Molitor, The Portrait House

Emanuel Torres has been working for the City of Gahanna since July of 2011 as the economic development manager.  In his time at the City, he has accomplished great things for the Department of Planning and Development, and people are beginning to take notice.

As the economic development manager, Torres’ primary function is to focus on the expansion and retention needs of the Gahanna business community.

“This position allows me to develop and cultivate strong relationships with businesses and property owners,” said Torres. “I am also responsible for the administration of the tax incentive programs and serve as the editor of the Connector, the monthly economic development newsletter for the City of Gahanna.”

The Gahanna Chamber recently presented Emanuel an award for being the top recruiter of new chamber members in 2012 at their State of the Chamber luncheon in early January.

“This is the first award I have ever received and it definitely reinforces my efforts and the appreciation from the Chamber is very humbling,” said Torres.

For the City of Gahanna, this award is confirmation that they are on track, but the City and the Department of Planning and Development are still looking for ways to improve. Torres said, “We’re constantly looking into and evaluating our partnerships and going out of our way to meet the needs of our businesses.”

In the coming year, the horizon for the Department of Planning and Development is always changing and relationships with the businesses are only getting stronger.

 “I am excited to focus on the needs of the local business community and the events throughout the year for those businesses,” said Torres.

If you want to receive the Connector newsletter or would like to get in touch with Emanuel, email him at emanuel.torres@gahanna.gov.

City Staff Teams Up for GRIN

By Nancy Savage

Administrative Assistant/Mayor's Office

As the Holiday Season comes to a close, I would like to send one BIG “thank you” to all my co-workers at the City of Gahanna who so generously gave during our holiday fundraiser. 

 As the coordinator of this effort, I am challenged to think of ideas to energize the staff yet keeping in mind that there may be those among us who may also be struggling financially.  So, I thought up a simple concept… bring in $5.00 worth of groceries PLUS a $5.00 monetary donation and called it “5 & 5 for the Holidays”.  My feeling was….make it simple and they will come, and they sure did!

How delighted I was to see my co-workers with their Kroger and Giant Eagle bags filled with canned peas, corn, tuna fish, soups, toiletries and so much more.  What stands out for me is the desire that everyone had to “help”, to chip in for an honorable cause.

I am so excited to report that our staff donated $466.00 in cash, plus a large quantity of canned foods and other non-perishable items to GRIN Gahanna Residents in Need. 

Needless to say, I work with a fine group of people who work very diligently throughout the year for the City of Gahanna and its residents and whose efforts and generous donations this holiday season are to be commended. I feel very lucky to be a part of this team!  

Thank you ALL! 

2012 Resident Survey Results

The City just finished its third biennial resident satisfaction survey; a process that we began in 2008.  Conducting regular surveys of our residents, our customers, is important.  The survey serves as a report card for our City staff and elected officials. It tells us all how we are doing in providing services to our constituents.  Furthermore, the survey gives guidance on what projects and issues are important to our citizens.  The survey data allows us to plan for the City’s successful future. We are pleased with the survey findings and feedback.  A few highlights:

98% of residents believe rate the Quality of Life in Gahanna as Good, Very good or Excellent

73% of residents believe that Gahanna is headed in the Right Direction

An overwhelming majority of residents are satisfied with the major services provided by the City

The way in which residents find information about the City is changing and we are working to successfully adapt and meet those needs. 

Please take a look at the full survey report at by clicking here. If you have questions or feedback for us, we would love to hear from you, as always!  Brandi.braun@gahanna.gov, mayor@gahanna.gov or calling 614-342-4045.

Guest Blogger: Farewell Friends

By Angela Payne

It’s been great exploring the city and getting to share some of my favorite experiences with you, but summer is officially over and now it’s back to my regularly scheduled program.  I’m trading in my “summer blogger” hat for a warm fall sweater and a pair of UGG^© boots.  Although we didn’t get to connect as many times as I would’ve liked, I hope that I accomplished what I set out to do: introduce and reintroduce folks to the greatness of Gahanna!

This is a great city! And my family and I have really enjoyed living here these past 14 months. In the words of -- well, anyone I guess -- “I think we’ll stay awhile.”

Not to worry, from time to time I’ll don my blogger’s hat as we move into leafy fall fun and frosty winter festivals. Be sure to check out the Gahanna Parks and Recreation website to stay in-the-know on what’s happening around the city. There are some goodies planned for the fall and winter. 

______________________

About Angela: A self-proclaimed summer fanatic, Angela Payne is a communications professional in the Columbus area and a Gahanna resident. Angela guest-blogged this summer about all things Gahanna, and hopefully she'll blog for the City of Gahanna again in the coming months.

Forecasting Future Expenses Begins With Setting Priorities

By Brandi Braun

City of Gahanna Assistant City Administrator

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Early in 2012, City leaders including City Council members, Mayor Stinchcomb and City Department directors met to discuss the strategic vision, mission and needs of the City.  The outcome of the session and follow up discussions resulted in the affirmation of the City’s Vision and Mission; establishment of Critical Success Factors and the identification of major projects to be accomplished.  The joint planning session lays the strategic groundwork for the City’s planning processes for the next several years.

Vision

…to be an innovative model community that values its rich heritage, pursues high standards, and promotes respect among its citizens.

Mission

…to ensure an exceptional quality of life by providing comprehensive services, financial stability, and well-planned development which preserves the natural environment, in order that city government will continue to be responsive, accessible, and accountable to our diverse and growing community of citizens.

Critical Success Factors are things that the City must accomplish in order to achieve its defined Mission and Vision.

Citizen Centricity

Gahanna is committed to keeping the health, safety and welfare of our citizenry as the focal point of all policy decisions.  Gahanna will always strive to be responsive, transparent and accountable to the community.

Smart Growth 

Gahanna is committed to effectively managing its growth and assets.

Economic Success

Gahanna is committed to ensuring financial sustainability through smart revenue generation, business growth and prudent short and long term financial management.

Effective Communication

Gahanna is committed to communicating critical information to our citizens, stakeholders and employees while also listening to their wants, needs and feedback.

Innovation

Gahanna is committed to continually reinventing the way we do business to be relevant, effective and efficient.

The Vision, Mission and Critical Success Factors will influence the City planning and budgeting that is currently underway.  The Administration is working on creating their five year budget and capital improvement plan.

The first step in creating Gahanna’s five-year capital improvement plan is the creation of a five-year needs assessment which was presented to City Council on September 10. 

The Five-Year Capital Needs Assessment is based on best practices, previous plans and surveys as well as the experience and research of the departmental professionals.  The assessment represents the capital items and improvements needed over the next five years in order to execute the City’s Critical Success Factors, which were identified as the “items that must happen in order to fulfill the City’s Mission and Vision. 

These needs will have to be verified by engaging the Council and public through surveys, meetings, public input and public engagement.

To view the Five-Year Capital Needs Assessment document, please click here.

Good Time, Great Place

By Angela Payne

My husband and I decided to do a week-long “staycation.” A week to explore the city at our pace – no kids, no schedules, just us – and a chance to finally see what nightlife in Gahanna had to offer.

We left our suburban bubble quite a few times, but one of our most enjoyable nights was right here in Gahanna at FM Food & Music.

A welcomed surprise, FM has the décor and sophistication of a New York hot spot. We went for dinner, but stayed for the experience! A stylish and fun atmosphere, the careful thought that went into every detail was apparent as soon as we hit the lobby. From New Edition to Michael Bolton, the lobby walls were covered with album covers from some of the most talented musicians to grace the airwaves.

Once seated, we swayed to live music – which FM has every Thursday and Friday night – as we browsed former old-school album covers turned menus.

The versatility of this place gets an A+. You can hang out at the license-plate adorned bar, relax in a lavish booth with friends or spread out in one of several themed rooms. Oh, and the food – delicious! With a wide offering of American favorites, I kept it simple and ordered the steak quesadillas.  Flavorful and tender, the dish was finger lickin’ good (Literally. My husband took pictures).

Lookout Columbus food scene! FM is the perfect place for good music, delicious food and a groovy atmosphere.

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About Angela: A self-proclaimed summer fanatic, Angela Payne is a communications professional in the Columbus area and a Gahanna resident. Angela will be blogging this summer about all things Gahanna – restaurants, parks, festivals and more.

School Days

By Angela Payne

The swimming pools aren’t as full, parks are quieter and youngsters lollygagging down the street have been replaced by early morning school bus pick ups and bikes pedaling to the schoolyard to beat the bell. All tell-tale signs that summer is winding down and students are back in the classroom.
As parents look for activities to replace late night movies and mid-afternoon swims with the kids, rest assured that there are some edufun (my combination of educational & fun) activities not far from home.

Gahanna Library – a social gathering for even the youngest reader -- the Tween Book Club for ages 8-11 meets Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m.

HerbEducation Center – dripping with old charm, this historic treasure offers cooking classes, fun and informative workshops and an adorable gift shop with all the herbal goodies your heart desires.

Young Chef’sAcademy – fun for the whole family, YCA offers family cooking classes where parent and child work side-by-side to create a culinary masterpiece!

Be sure to also check out TheGateway, Gahanna Parks & Recreation’s program guide, for tons of classes, events and programs scheduled for this fall.

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About Angela: A self-proclaimed summer fanatic, Angela Payne is a communications professional in the Columbus area and a Gahanna resident. Angela will be blogging this summer about all things Gahanna – restaurants, parks, festivals and more.

Local Artists Featured At City Hall Thanks to One Employee’s Efforts

By Meggan Fallon
Public Information Intern

Bare, stark white walls are not what you see when you enter Gahanna City Hall. Instead, visitors are met with a surprising amount of pictures and pieces of art that are livening up the halls, and soon these walls will get another art “face-lift,” as they do every month.

Katey Powell, a Gahanna Division of Police employee, began updating the City Hall’s art in July of 2011. Since then, visitors of Gahanna City Hall have seen elementary kid’s art, local photographer’s pieces and, in August, dogs!

“We have a lot of room to exhibit all the pieces, and I love being approached by artists,” said Powell. 



Powell says that she likes to showcase local artists within City Hall. In fact, you might see some pieces from Gahanna Lincoln High School graduates who have approached Powell and had their art showcased on the walls. A local photographer will also have dog portraits showcased in City Hall in August, in addition to City Hall Administration’s own animal pictures.

“I’m open for anything,” Powell said. “I’m constantly looking for art or artists when I’m around town, especially at restaurants that display local art. I’m just thrilled I got to be a part of this!”

Powell likes to mix up the pieces and have fun with it, when she has multiple contributors, such as with the dogs.  However, when there is just one artist showcasing pieces she likes to let them arrange their work anyway they see fit.

“An artist knows the way they want to their art to be shown and I don’t want to intrude on their vision,” Powell said.

In November Powell will turn to the City Hall staff to once again help out in hopes of showcasing veterans and their families on the walls of City Hall.­­

“I think it’s important to acknowledge everything veterans have done for us,” Powell said. “And when people come to City Hall, I think they will appreciate the photos hanging on the walls.”

The next time you visit City Hall, make sure to stop and look at of all the wonderful local art that is hanging on the walls.

If you have any suggestions for art or would like to showcase some of your work, contact City Hall at (614)342-4000.

Gahanna, meet your neighbors (Part I)

By Angela Payne

I love meeting new people; some may even call me a social butterfly. So I was ecstatic when the thought crossed my mind to get out and talk to residents about why Gahanna is their city of choice. Gahanna-ites, meet Amanda and Tamara!

City Welcomes ‘Guest Bloggers’, Invites Others To Submit Stories

It all started when Angela Payne reached out to the City of Gahanna's Public Information Manager Brian Hoyt with a simple idea; would the City be interested in a resident being a guest blogger. After meeting, Payne and Hoyt thought it would be a unique idea to publish blog posts about what she and her family do in Gahanna and why they love living here.

Soon after Payne’s first submission, ‘Summer, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways’, was posted, another resident contacted Hoyt and offered to do the same. 

"Although many employees of the City live here, nobody can tell the story of Gahanna better than residents who live here and people who work here," Hoyt said.

The City of Gahanna's blog was started in 2010 to provide an informal outlet to share information, stories and photos about Gahanna. The addition of guest bloggers only serves to expand that mission.

"Angela told us that her family moved to Gahanna last year and that she loves to write," Hoyt said. "She thought it would be fun to share some stories and photos of the activities and events her family enjoys in Gahanna."

So the City has decided to ask more residents and members of the business community to contribute to the City's blog.

Residents and those who work, play, visit or worship in Gahanna are invited to submit stories and/or photos of what they do in Gahanna. Articles can be as short or as long as writers want them to be.

"It's a pretty simple idea... Tell us a story and let us share it with everyone," Hoyt said.

Those interested are asked to submit their blog post or photography to information@gahanna.gov and to include their name, contact information and a short description about themselves.  Submissions that are selected will be published at www.blogspot.com/CityofGahanna as well as on Facebook and Twitter.