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. 

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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 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.