City News

City Relaunches Blog to Engage More Gahanna Citizens

In an effort to enhance our communications efforts with Gahanna citizens, the City has relaunched its blog, Official Blog of the City of Gahanna. The purpose of this platform is to provide factual information, updates and to engage citizens in conversation on various topics. The Mayor and various members of the administration will be frequent contributors to the blog.

Have a question or an issue you would like to be discussed on the City's blog? Email us at [email protected]. We will select questions, research the answers, and post the discussion on the blog.

Click here to check out this week's blog post by Mayor Stinchcomb.

September 30: Karl Wetherholt Day - City Engineer Retires

Original story by Marla K. Kuhlman, ThisWeek Community News

Twenty-five-year City Engineer Karl Wetherholt said he hopes he has laid the groundwork for his successors to continue to make Gahanna a great place for people to live, work and play.

Wetherholt, 62, is retiring effective Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Mayor Becky Stinchcomb has declared the day Karl Wetherholt Day for his service and dedication to the city.

"A quarter of a century is probably enough time," Wetherholt said. "It's time for someone with new ideas to continue and do new and improved things. I think I'm leaving a good base. I certainly hope the community is able to prosper and move forward and continue to be a great place for people to live, work and play."

Wetherholt said he has had a sense of mission in his job as city engineer.

"I get a lot of satisfaction out of serving the public," he said. "Even sometimes when it's confrontational, in the long run, it's satisfying."

Wetherholt began his career with Gahanna on Dec. 18, 1989, as interim city engineer and subsequently was confirmed as the city engineer Feb. 22, 1990.

During his tenure, he supervised decades' worth of street rebuilds, overlays, microsurfacing and crack sealing, all of which have helped prolong the life of Gahanna's 325 lane miles of streets.

He also orchestrated more than 2,000 right-of-way and easement acquisitions. Wetherholt also has written and applied for numerous grants, saving Gahanna taxpayers millions of dollars through local, state and federal funding.

It isn't the tangible projects, though, in which Wetherholt holds the most pride.

"I think the thing I'm most proud of is the interns who worked here for me," he said. "I like how they've prospered and done things."

Click here to read the full story.

Gahanna Solar Array Proceeds Despite Fears that Ohio's New Law Will Kill 'Green' Energy Projects

Original story by Dan Gearino, The Columbus Dispatch

Photo by Kyle Robertson

A solar array is being built in Gahanna - a fact that surprises some who predicted a new state law will make solar projects much more difficult to develop.

The $1.8 million plan includes construction of a covered parking area with solar panels on top, located next to an existing office building at 690 Taylor Rd. The array will have 1,766 panels, with a combined capacity of 538 kilowatts.

"It was fun getting a deal done in an environment where people think a deal can't get done," said Tad Ritter, president of Willow Cos. of Columbus, a real-estate consultant that helped put together the Gahanna plan.

Renewable-energy advocates say the project is a positive development, but they still worry that state policies are suppressing attempts to support "green" energy.

When completed later this year, the Gahanna project will be one of the 40 largest solar arrays in the state and one of the five largest in central Ohio, based on a review of filings at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Click here to read the full story.

Community News & Events

Coffee with Council

Saturday, October 4, 2014

City Council invites Gahanna residents to join them for "Coffee with Council," on October 4, 2014. This informal public meeting is designed to engage citizens about important issues impacting the city. The next meeting is scheduled for:

Saturday, October 4, 2014

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Tim Horton's

365 Agler Rd.

For more information, contact the Council Clerk's office at

614.342.4090. To view notes from previous meetings, click here.

Taste of Gahanna

Thursday, October 9, 2014

The Gahanna Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them for the 17th Annual Taste of Gahanna. This exciting event will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Aladdin Shrine Event & Conference Center (3850 Stelzer Road).

Experience unlimited samples from some of the best restaurants in the Gahanna area. You can also try your hand at Poker, Black Jack, Roulette and Craps.

Entertainment will be provided by The Dwight Lenox Quartet, hosted by Karina Nova, WBNS 10TV News.

To purchase tickets or for more information, scan the above QR code with a mobile device or click here to visit the website.

5th Annual Show Your Class 5K

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Time:

Check in from 8 - 8:45 a.m. Walk begins at 9am

Location:

Creekside Park & Plaza, 117 Mill St.

Gahanna Get Moving Team and the family of Bob Toopes invite you to the 5th Annual SYC 5K Walk at Creekside Plaza. Bob truly enjoyed walking with the Get Moving Team walkers and loved teaching in Gahanna. Past events have raised $9,200 towards a comfort station in Bob's honor on the Big Walnut Trail, outdoor education opportunities for Gahanna Students, and provided grants for experiential education to Gahanna's students.

Once again, the proceeds from this year's event will enhance educational opportunities for children in Gahanna and develop recreational opportunities in the community. Come celebrate Bob's legacy with family and friends!

Join us after the walk for a pancake breakfast at 340 Rocky Fork Drive (the Gahanna Senior Center) - donations encouraged for breakfast.

Fees: $20 Adults (ages 16+ years), $10 Youth (ages 10-15 years), Under 10 years-free with paid adult

Creepside Festival

Wednesday,October 22, 2014

Time:

4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Creekside Park & Plaza, 117 Mill St.

Put on your costumes, dress up the kids and join us for the 11th Annual Creepside event. This event is FREE and appropriate for all ages. Event highlights include: live music, games, activities, haunted trail, trick or treat with local organizations, and plenty of candy.

Click here for more details about this event.

RideSTRONG for Survivors 2014

Saturday, November 8, 2014

The YMCA of Central Ohio invites you to join them for RideSTRONG 2014 on Saturday, November 8, 2014.

Ride with hundreds of riders in central Ohio's largest indoor cycling event at the Gahanna/John E. Bickley YMCA.

Train

October 1 - November 7

Starting October 1, log 250 miles to get ready for the big event and compete against fellow RIDESTRONG for SurvivorsRiders using YTRAAK -- an exclusive YMCA workout tracker.

Raise

$250+ to benefit LIVESTRONG at the YMCA

If 450 riders each raise $250, the Y can support 225 LIVESTRONG at the YMCA participants. All proceeds will support cancer survivors in LIVESTRONG� at the YMCA programs throughout Central Ohio.

Celebrate & Ride

November 8

Join fellow riders for a great cause: