[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6263531,"mediaKeyId","3103263-562e8b1a45cd9ba58802578dfff23ef1","parentId",3103263,"title","Resident criticizes council president Bowers over celebratory resolutions and cites city charter nondiscrimination clause","audioSeconds",195,"startMs",3104000,"endMs",3299000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3103263-562e8b1a45cd9ba58802578dfff23ef1&start=3104&end=3299","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3103263-562e8b1a45cd9ba58802578dfff23ef1/thumbnail_3104000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6263531/Gahanna/Franklin-County/Ohio/Resident-criticizes-council-president-Bowers-over-celebratory-resolutions-and-cites-city-charter-nondiscrimination-clause","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263531-5db2c5d8c4131270c131fe159cec1a7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176815&Signature=YDTpoetZQYXXmitoL5~WF-Ytzjz7i9smwQUG1AammDPVvtK2SSXrz4hnC92u1CJI3BwnSxC~cfdLwvklsoC-yVomUw6DzqJxx5XQWKhxsgtWhg47zgCbitxENK0jESmhKESqKPpCfONln9EqmCiqu9dDRpL-UID3G0ptfJ-riN-hVrPL-Do1nRFyF3j7ymxY-K16zu910OJoKH7OTAcxsLU5Lg0tukwZCyUcWglMDId35Rt27Vz2yo~79evRqAD1TSBDmwGkKDIpezTShrzFeNl2nIlbHUTtefIUi7nF5LSeW6Orc5rKCpEbaCWVt37yLCa7Pr0ZBFedW6FsHmk7Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Gahanna, OH ","date","2025-04-24T00:42:11.37Z","article","During public comment, resident Kathy McCorkle of 677 Piccadilly told council she felt Council President Marissa Bowers had refused to advance a celebratory resolution recognizing what McCorkle called \"natural families,\" while having supported a prior mayoral pride proclamation and a council resolution recognizing the LGBTQ community.

\"Last year's mayoral pride proclamation claims, the city of Gahanna and its residents, as reflected in the non discrimination clause of the city charter, denounced prejudice and discrimination against any person or group on the basis of, and the list includes, marital status, religion, ****** or an orientation,\" McCorkle said. She said those principles, which she quoted from the charter and last year's resolution, meant council should equally recognize \"natural families\" and accused Bowers of partiality for declining to advance a celebratory resolution for the group.

McCorkle told council, \"Celebratory resolutions are not law or policy. It's a celebration of something that has worth and deserves dignity and respect,\" and said she viewed the council president's refusal to act as inconsistent with the oath of office McCorkle said Bowers had signed. She asked the council to reconsider and said the omission, in her view, amounted to discrimination.

Why it matters: Public comment raised allegations about the equitable application of ceremonial recognitions by elected officials and cited city charter language. The remarks were a citizen's statement; no action or staff response was recorded on the record during the meeting minutes provided.

Ending: The council moved on to its consent agenda following public comment; the transcript shows no immediate council response or formal vote related to McCorkle’s request.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council: Council Meeting - April 21, 2025 - Livestream","oneSentenceSummary","Kathy McCorkle used the public-comment period to criticize Council President Marissa Bowers, alleging partiality in the city's celebratory resolutions and citing the charter's nondiscrimination language; she asked why her proposed recognition for 'natural families' had not been advanced.","taxTitle","Gahanna, Franklin County, Ohio","taxId",55589,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6263540,"Gahanna Lincoln students update council on paperclip memorial project, report 2.4 million clips collected",225,764000,989000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3103263-562e8b1a45cd9ba58802578dfff23ef1&start=764&end=989","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3103263-562e8b1a45cd9ba58802578dfff23ef1/thumbnail_764000.jpg","/articles/6263540/Gahanna/Franklin-County/Ohio/Gahanna-Lincoln-students-update-council-on-paperclip-memorial-project-report-24-million-clips-collected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263540-08929ea5c18d5bc81da4dc5a000b5735/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176815&Signature=Jabc4bXLuPhxHVk~orlkVfRJqQFhsDPxER63gILUpXvp70Thmlz6IsBLMQtUx~kyKLfTKnjMAXT3yGe3BURhgGAuUVWJu9A~67Ya0BGuMXbM4RgeOaejSt6KoIb7DQ0GeoyWpMfModUA1uGTZ4-NGZwdeGIA-SvBRRyFuURIL1N3LYUg8GTw0GawjOttW~MVqPq92vWwT2H7fBWe5Yo42uI2-6YKSDEIZSH1JP1V8bZsR6go1x9bDhUxwIP38-bGR4qubeZOBmsUaw6TVeRmR0RqOTgMKl3irijqj8dbvQEVmjLOiQ7l3sUBxys9spyo9T4I-2D5SH2sxlpdos0skw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gahanna Lincoln High School students presented the paperclip project to City Council on Monday, describing a long-running effort to collect paperclips in memory of Holocaust victims and to assemble a monument.

Councilwoman Kaley Padova introduced the students and thanked them for bringing the project to council. \"I believe that most of us have probably heard of this project, going on at Gahanna Lincoln High School, that started in 2014 with the goal to collect 6,000,000 paper clips to erect a monument in memory of those killed in the Holocaust,\" Padova said.

Student Megan Chrysler told council, \"We have at this point 2,400,000 paper clips.\" She added the school had not completed counting donations for the semester and expected to count after testing concludes, with about 100,000 donations currently uncounted. Chrysler said each paperclip the program receives is accompanied by a donor story; she cited one donation from Columbus deputy police chief Greg Bodker, who told students he donated because of his appreciation for the freedoms first responders protect.

Council members posed no formal questions and presented a certificate of recognition and a photo opportunity for the students.

Why it matters: The project is a multi-year student effort to memorialize Holocaust victims and engage the community in reflection and education. Students described ongoing collection, storytelling attached to donations and an unfinished counting process that the school plans to complete in May.

Ending: Council provided the certificate of recognition and invited the students to address council; no formal council action or vote was required.","Students from Gahanna Lincoln High School briefed council about a long-running project to collect paperclips in memory of Holocaust victims and said the school has amassed roughly 2.4 million paperclips with additional uncounted donations to be tallied in May.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6263544,"Council adopts consent ordinances, waives second reading to approve Windridge Court bridge agreement",241,2698000,2939000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3103263-562e8b1a45cd9ba58802578dfff23ef1&start=2698&end=2939","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3103263-562e8b1a45cd9ba58802578dfff23ef1/thumbnail_2698000.jpg","/articles/6263544/Gahanna/Franklin-County/Ohio/Council-adopts-consent-ordinances-waives-second-reading-to-approve-Windridge-Court-bridge-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263544-4cfa6a17bfd64e92eff3f9ffc7a86a2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176815&Signature=B7u7TgUaraZk~7tYAgFIMeppLLRlEKhQofrBsxAiUVCWK-BTeHfmoYmYsFrI--xWWoohl1xnj1VkpHAHyddZALalFJsyyCuBxhYaEsWY9jzb2vB5Hi-qV6CwMwmrUQouk59b5SZO6lCevCIuF5ewP1P9rLK0ROTx~HfkcuQV3Gd9ruAw6HEMCWmn9ZP4UBGk4y1XeSYXqSQDsdeWuF8EWwyR5imSLBJWMHZ2nK-ilvZwFjbs5IqqbnW9fTxuiLQHXRZ7z2Co3FJe7nYlek8GatpRavApV7emTrBzNmr~nehPoe7eJeeaea2aJlNYIt0omernI8x3MwXCwmmvpj5a7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gahanna City Council approved the items on its consent agenda Thursday and later waived second reading to adopt an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter necessary agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Windridge Court bridge replacement.

Consent agenda: Clerk Van Meter read multiple ordinances filed for second reading and adoption. The items read into the record included easement and utility-authority ordinances with Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc.; right-of-way dedications to comply with the city’s February 2019 thoroughfare plan; a contract award to Decker Construction Company for the 2025 street and sidewalk maintenance program (ST1114); and a supplemental appropriation for Clerk of Courts computer capital equipment. Following a motion (first by Councilman Schnetzer, second by Councilman Renner) the roll call vote was unanimous and the ordinances and resolutions listed on the consent agenda were adopted as published.

Resolution postponed: Council also moved to postpone Resolution 0015-2025 indefinitely. The city attorney said the resolution was being replaced by Ordinance 17-2025 (below). The motion to postpone (first Schnetzer, second Renner) carried on a unanimous roll call.

Windridge Court bridge ordinance: The council then introduced and adopted Ordinance 17-2025, an ordinance amending Ordinance 58-2024 and authorizing the mayor to provide consent and enter participatory agreements and an LPA (local public agency) contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation for bridge replacement on Windridge Court, waiving second reading. A motion to suspend rules and waive second reading (first Schnetzer, second Weaver) passed on roll call, and the motion to adopt the ordinance (first Schnetzer, second Weaver) was approved on roll call.

Introductions: The council also introduced Ordinance 18-2025, authorizing an agreement with Fishback for utility engineering services; that item was read for introduction only and no vote was taken.

Why it matters: The adopted ordinances include property and utility easements that facilitate infrastructure projects and a contract award for street and sidewalk maintenance; Ordinance 17-2025 advances a bridge replacement project that requires state participation.

Ending: Councilmembers were directed to contact the clerk for details; staff will return required documents for the Windridge Court project and take next steps under the ODOT LPA contract.","Gahanna City Council adopted several consent ordinances as published, indefinitely postponed a previously referred resolution, and waived second reading to adopt an ordinance authorizing a contract and ODOT participation agreement for the Windridge Court bridge replacement.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6263548,"Gahanna planners present draft strategic plan framework and transportation plan update; public engagement set for May",1634,2265000,3899000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3103263-562e8b1a45cd9ba58802578dfff23ef1&start=2265&end=3899","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3103263-562e8b1a45cd9ba58802578dfff23ef1/thumbnail_2265000.jpg","/articles/6263548/Gahanna/Franklin-County/Ohio/Gahanna-planners-present-draft-strategic-plan-framework-and-transportation-plan-update-public-engagement-set-for-May","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263548-0e79c1b642e936cd4d35af5705a7fb7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176815&Signature=bOpdBXBBOezKZb-3CdjlXsuIs3y3Grd-Y7Xl5HXgYrtdqIrsyAMOF9Kq4eCrNq8Qm8V7sHNdQjOe8FTyEobAdvwPAPc4TvG8M6bR8vs48A67IedxTCDmTxi~k1Sc9i-5H-Dc0JqXf8dsnu0-AsORb1jw2CIdY5aigcsuoirsqlJt3jyH~lWbUt1bM5Zs-KX~8xTvUovIODp9pRzq8zkK0qCw~HjwGIiLbhjpIBuTf3VpCNGN3VIDUTu4dGQGpKm3Yh8zUg4UTlMLTOim6rHfejlYyYnia-LcgdCZPRxPAaYxLr16b4FZevb6HMbt9Ue-WC~yWsVAhvM-wLTWwU-qyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gahanna senior staff and outside consultants updated City Council on a draft strategic plan framework and a separate comprehensive transportation and mobility plan Thursday and invited residents to attend multiple May engagement events to test the proposals.

Senior Director Miranda Volmer introduced Planning Next consultants, who presented a strategic plan framework that begins with a proposed vision statement — \"Gahanna aspires to connect people and places that foster opportunities for all to thrive\" — and accompanying values that residents identified during initial outreach: vibrancy, connections, stewardship, and welcoming community.

The framework breaks priorities into strategic focus areas, including elevating Creekside and other unique places, fostering economic development and housing, serving the community through internal operations and safety, celebrating Gahanna’s identity, and connecting the community through mobility and partnerships. The consultants said the framework will be tested at a series of May events (Vision Fest and related sessions) and refined based on public input.

Separately, Shannon Fergus of Burgess & Niple presented the comprehensive transportation and mobility plan, which updates the city’s 2019 thoroughfare plan and adds policies for complete streets, access management, and traffic-impact study requirements. Fergus said the plan emphasizes creating street cross sections and standards that reflect intended land use and complete-streets goals rather than focusing narrowly on roadway widening.

Fergus said the project team coordinated with the strategic-plan process to align land-use aims, and noted prior outreach that included a public talk and stakeholder tours with walkability expert Jeff Speck. Draft recommendations, functional/context classifications and typical cross sections will be finalized after the May public engagement and are expected to return to council and planning commission for review later this year.

City staff and consultants outlined multiple public engagement opportunities in early May: a Vision Fest beginning May 6 (family event with engagement stations), a small-business morning coffee, a senior lunch, a young-professionals happy hour, an economic-development event May 15 and the Gahanna Bananas game May 17. Online surveys for both plans will run through May.

Why it matters: The strategic plan will serve as a high-level roadmap to guide the city’s other plans and budgets; the transportation plan will produce design standards and policies that shape future roadway, sidewalk and active-transportation projects and influence capital budgeting.

Ending: Staff asked council members to forward questions to Senior Director Miranda Volmer and encouraged residents to participate in the Vision Fest events and online surveys during May.","City staff and consultants presented a draft strategic plan framework and a comprehensive transportation and mobility plan update to council, outlining a vision, values, strategic focus areas and public engagement events in May aimed at refining recommendations for implementation.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6263554,"Mifflin Township fire chiefs outline staffing, equipment shortfalls and ask Gahanna-area voters to back 1.95-mill levy",477,1038000,1515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3103263-562e8b1a45cd9ba58802578dfff23ef1&start=1038&end=1515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3103263-562e8b1a45cd9ba58802578dfff23ef1/thumbnail_1038000.jpg","/articles/6263554/Gahanna/Franklin-County/Ohio/Mifflin-Township-fire-chiefs-outline-staffing-equipment-shortfalls-and-ask-Gahanna-area-voters-to-back-195-mill-levy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263554-a01ddafda4cd840c481017125445e35d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176815&Signature=lsnq~WxwIy64lRFNALxF8yep~-dt4s5J08hoK2wJkChhZpTzlY1H6D7IDnJBrEm~zKjGPLpWFibMLHq~apRjpNRjkjRBENcIKGDSjhkkfEiovE-scj~-liUDg0SQfSLoxUk45ANt4HW6WwOl5irHd0T26xHwEJDaehvOJZmArNm8nuEMfCmHpoB7umve9XaPer4w~LgBYhBZdWEdDM2rDHjN09JkUOa7gUoe6mJqAG9z~is79X1PqCfP64wZQU~Y9s0wFZUJ0e5A1zCrwqO~9xEB5XWh-Sw0gtpkhWai9ozbv-wuUZuR25GetEc9GZTTl~z60ARdyqVObHbLfcOIlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mifflin Township Division of Fire Chief Brian Dunlevy and his senior staff described staffing shortfalls, rising apparatus costs and other pressures Thursday and urged approval of a 1.95-mill levy that will appear on the May 6 ballot for township voters.

The chiefs told Gahanna City Council the levy equals $68 per $100,000 of auditor-appraised value; for a home appraised at $300,000 that translates to about $204 per year, roughly 56 cents a day, according to figures cited by the chiefs. Chief Dunlevy said the levy would allow the department to restore shifts and avoid cross-staffing, and to maintain specialized services such as heavy technical rescue and hazmat response.

“Unlike many other professions, we cannot simply call someone else to handle the problem,” Dunlevy told council. He said the division is one of two certified heavy technical rescue units east of Interstate 71 and stressed that the division covers rope rescue, trench rescue, confined-space rescue and tactical EMS in partnership with Gahanna police.

Assistant Chief Scott Davis outlined the department’s behind-the-scenes operations, including a consolidated 911 call center that takes roughly 18,009 emergency calls and more than 22,000 nonemergency calls annually, a fleet-maintenance program the division started in 2022 to reduce outside labor costs, and efforts to refurbish ambulances for $150,000–$200,000 rather than buy new vehicles.

Davis said equipment prices have risen sharply: a ladder truck that cost about $1.265 million in 2018 is priced at roughly $2.5 million as of Jan. 1, 2025, with four-year delivery waits and further cost growth anticipated.

Deputy Chief Lee told council that passing the levy would allow the department to put Medic 131 (stationed at 475 Rocky Fork) back into full-time service. He said the division currently has several unfilled full-time positions and expects that, without levy approval, the department will be short six full-time positions by the end of the year.

Council members asked how the levy would change operations. Dunlevy and Lee said restoring staff would reduce cross-staffing — a practice in which crews must cover multiple units — and help ensure assigned apparatus remain in service and fully staffed.

No formal council vote was required; the chiefs were seeking to inform residents and encourage turnout. The chiefs announced a public information session about the levy at 6 p.m. Monday, April 28, at 155 Old Ridenour Road.

Why it matters: Dunlevy and his command staff framed the levy as a near-term fiscal solution to a recruitment gap, fixed-levy rules that freeze taxpayer contributions while costs climb, and rapidly rising apparatus prices. If voters do not approve the levy, the chiefs said the department may need to continue scaled-back staffing and cross-staffing that can affect how quickly and how many units respond to emergencies.

The chiefs did not request any vote by Gahanna City Council and presented the material as part of a council presentation period. The levy applies to Mifflin Township voters; according to the chiefs the township is separately promoting a police levy that does not affect Gahanna residents.

Ending: The chiefs emphasized the levy’s linkage to restoring a medic unit and filling vacancies; they invited residents to the April 28 information session and encouraged questions there and at the May 6 election.","Mifflin Township fire leaders told Gahanna City Council that recruitment, rising equipment costs and flat levy revenue have strained operations and asked residents in the township to approve a 1.95-mill levy on May 6 to restore staffing and return Medic 131 to full service.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident criticizes council president Bowers over celebratory resolutions and cites city charter nondiscrimination clause

Gahanna Lincoln students update council on paperclip memorial project, report 2.4 million clips collected

Council adopts consent ordinances, waives second reading to approve Windridge Court bridge agreement

Gahanna planners present draft strategic plan framework and transportation plan update; public engagement set for May

Mifflin Township fire chiefs outline staffing, equipment shortfalls and ask Gahanna-area voters to back 1.95-mill levy