City of Gahanna Update Newsletter

CITY NEWS

Local State Farm Agent Partners with City Distracted

Driving Campaign

Decal Design Contest Extended Until March 1, 2016

This past January, the City of Gahanna joined forces with Impact Teen Drivers , to help increase community awareness about the d angers of distracted driving and to share the story of Sydnee Williams , a Gahanna student who was tragically killed in 2013, after she lost control of her car while texting and driving.

In an effort to bring greater awareness to this issue, the City kicked off a decal design contest and workplace education campaign. The campaign caught the attention of Gahanna area State Farm agent, Matt Breakey, who has committed his financial support by making a donation toward the contest grand prize award.

"Distractions in today's world are abundant, accounting for 80% of all crashes according to NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]," said Breakey. "State Farm has a long history of commitment to auto and highway safety dating back to the 1920s, and it continues to this day by supporting efforts like the decal contest and programs like Impact Teen Drivers."

Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Breakey and support of the community for this campaign, the City of Gahanna has extended the deadline for contest submissions until March 1, 2016. Along with having their design featured on City service vehicles, the winner will have the chance to receive a $200 prize and two $25 prizes will be awarded to runners-up.

"Distracted driving is an issue that impacts everyone and can have very serious, sometimes deadly consequences," said Mayor Tom Kneeland. "We are thankful to our community partners, Mr. Breakey and State Farm for their support in helping us raise greater awareness about the dangers of distracted driving in our community."

Click here to read more.

Coffee with Council

February 27, 2016

Come meet your council members and participate in an informal discussion about your city!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

9:30 a.m.

Tim Hortons

365 Agler Rd.

Gahanna

For more information, contact the Council Clerk's office at 614.342.4090. To view notes from previous meetings, click here.

Warm up with Thoughts of Summer Camp

Camp Registration Day is Saturday, February 27 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Gahanna City Hall, 200 S. Hamilton Road. Register for camp on this day to receive early bird prices and make installment payments.

To register for Gahanna summer camp programs, parents/guardians must have complete proof of residency (if applicable), a current health insurance card and a completed 2016 Summer Camp Registration form. Additionally, parents/guardians must review and sign acknowledgment of 2016 Parent Handbook, which will be made available online at www.Gahanna.gov prior to camp registration day.

Camp scholarships are available and made possible through the Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation to make camp available for all Gahanna kids. For more details contact Parks & Recreation at 614.342.4250.

Get Active with Spring Parks & Recreation Programs

Get floating. Get running. Get herbal. You can do it all with activities in the new Spring 2016 Gateway Program Guide!

This Gateway offers an abundance of new programs and events, including Gahanna's Great Outdoors "Throw Back" Parks & Rec Party, a Summer Activities Fair and the Gahanna Mobile Activities Center (GMAC).

Experience the environment around you with fishing and floating programs, herbal walks and tours. Get fit with the Gahanna Get Moving Team, Tween and Teen Girl Yoga, Super Hero Youth Fitness, Let's Move Summer Challenge and so much more! This Gateway also includes all the details for Camp Friendship and all of the Parks & Recreation camping experiences.

Look for the Gateway to be mailed to your home in Gahanna or click here to access the program guide online.

New Payment Options Make Pool Memberships Even Better

Your membership with Gahanna Aquatics just got better. Not only do members have access to both Hunters Ridge Pool and Gahanna Swimming Pool, but now, members may choose to be billed in a series of installment payments. No more mandatory lump payments. Installments will occur on a predetermined payment date. Purchase a membership before May 1 for a series of 3 monthly payments or before June 19 for 2 monthly payments.

Membership includes entry into both pool facilities and free or reduced entry fees for special events throughout the pool season. Click here for details.

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

Recent Mifflin Township Fire Puts Spotlight on Winter Safety

A 75-year-old Mifflin Township man, two young boys in Franklinton and two sisters in a Cleveland duplex are all being mourned as our most recent fire victims, tragically connected by a heartbreaking statistic: December, January and February are the leading months for home fires.

Investigators have determined that a recent fatal fire, which took the life of 75-year-old Mifflin Township resident was cooking related, with the use of medical oxygen contributing to the rapid spread of the fire, and medical conditions of the victim hampering his escape.

"This, as well as other fires across our state this past month, are tragic reminders of the importance of home fire safety in the winter," said Mifflin Township Fire Chief Fred Kauser. "There is no doubt that heating appliances, cooking and flames from fireplaces and candles all contribute to an increased risk of fire during the winter months, but often, they are preventable. It is critical to keep fire prevention measures in mind, to test your smoke alarms monthly and to replace your batteries on a regular basis."

Fire needs three things to ignite: oxygen, a heat source and something that can burn. While oxygen itself is not flammable, the heat triggers a chemical reaction between the oxygen and fuel. Even a small amount of increased oxygen in the home makes this critical element more available for the chemical reaction, meaning that any fire that occurs will burn faster and hotter. In addition, increased oxygen lowers the temperature at which things will ignite. Oxygen saturates fabric covered furniture, bedding, clothing, hair and other flammables, making it easier for a fire to start and spread. And, in the winter, when there is little ventilation in a home, the saturation rate is higher.

For residents with medical oxygen in their home, Chief Kauser provides the following recommendations:

Keep oxygen cylinders at least five feet from a heat source, open flames or electrical devices.
Candles, matches, wood stoves and even sparking toys and grinders, can be ignition sources and should not be used in the home.
There is no safe way to smoke in the home when oxygen is in use. A patient on oxygen should not smoke. Post "No Smoking" and "No Open Flames" signs in and outside the home to remind visitors not to smoke in or near the home.
Body oil, hand lotion and items containing oil and grease can easily ignite. Keep oil and grease away where oxygen is in use.
Never use aerosol sprays containing combustible materials near the oxygen.

Click here to read more.

Coffee with the Director

February 16, 2016

The Gahanna/John E. Bickley YMCA invites you to join them for their monthly series, Coffee with the Director on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 10:00 a.m at their branch located at 555 YMCA Place.

This month, Executive Director Paul Westenheffer will host Mayor Tom Kneeland. Come grab a cup of coffee and meet your new mayor!

For more information, contact the Gahanna/John E. Bickley YMCA at 614.416.9622.