Huber Ridge Area

Good Point

You raise a good point. Just from walking around the neighborhood, those residents who have been here awhile seems to care about their property - including the sidewalks. What I am seeing is a neighborhood where people can move to, go to Westerville Schools and not pay a lot for their and not take care of their property. If they lived in Westerville, they would have an ''X'' painted on the sidewalk with a deadline to fix it or the city will - at the homeowner's expense. We've become a magnet for deadbeats because they know no one will enforce anything. I'm thinking the sidewalk cost might actually be a wash because we'd weed out the deadbeats and since the twp would not bear the cost, there would be money left for other improvements that are needed - like the parks etc.

By Mary

Taxes

I am not convinced that we pay one of the ''largest tax bills'' for our school district, nor are our administrators paid as much as other districts, e.g, Worthington. (Cite the Columbus Dispatch salary information for the Worthington School Superintendent.)

But check our tax distribution and compare Blendon Township with Westerville City. Using our address and comparing it to a home of similar size in Westerville, with similar value (actually the Westerville one was a higher value) I found that we pay 21.21 percent of our total tax disbursement to Blendon as compared to the Westerville homeowner who pays 15.45 percent. True, Westerville residents pay city tax. According to Westerville tax department, a resident pays three tenths of a percent of their gross income if they work outside the city. If they work/live in the city, then they pay one and one quarter percent of their gross income to Westerville.

I think the real point is sidewalks should have been addressed a long time ago. We should have had a plan in place long before they reached a crumbling stage.

No one likes it when their bank account is affected, but better that it be affected by sidewalk repair than a lawsuit from someone getting hurt on a crumbling or uneven sidewalk.

Scooters are not permitted on streets. Two years ago, our daughter hit a not-so-obvious hole in the sidewalk by accident and needed stitches. It was not pleasant for me or her. The sidewalk is still unsafe - at least for scooters.

The Condition of Our Neighborhoo

Actually, the board does have the authority to require the homeowner to fix their sidewalks. If they do not, the board has the authority to contract the repair and assess the costs back to the homeowner's tax dupliate. This authority is granted to the board in Sect. 5543.10 ORC. The board is given the option of paying for the repairs or a portion therof in that code. The board has always opted to repair the sidewalks and pay for them with available funds from the general or road and bridge funds when available. The board saw this as an opportunity to return some of the tax dollars back to the community and avoid placing an undue financial burden on persons who are on a fixed income or struggling with other costs of maintaining their homes. I stated at the Q&A meeting that the board may be required to begin assessing the home owners for the sidewalk repairs in order that the issues raised by the HRAA could be better funded. Mr. Flaherty suggested that the board may be able to pay a portion of the sidewalk repair costs. Point is, we both discussed the sidewalk repair issue. The information source at the Franklin County Engineers office may have been referring to the requirements of the American Disabilities Act when they stated that the Township must repair the sidewalks. I and the board have been keenly aware of the three-judge panel- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit when it ruled in the case Barden v. City of Sacramento in 2001. That case does require that local government have a program that removes obstacles on sidewalks if their presence poses a barrier to persons with disabilities. Blendon has repaired sidewalks and removed such barriers, real or perceived, each years since and before that decision. Our program is in addition to the curb ramps that must be installed each time we remodel, repair or replace a street or walkway. We have met the requirements of that court decision each year. Had we done less, we would have been found in violation of the ADA and received a fine. I have taken, on several occasions, an oath to uphold the laws of this state, the United States and the Constitution. I take that oath very seriously.
Thank you for your comments and ideas. Remember, the Board of Trustees meets every other Wednesday night at 6:30PM. All are welcome to attend to give any suggestions or comments.

By Jerry L. Ward-Trustee

Lack of Leadership

Township board of trustees have no authority to prevent a group home from being established in the community.
If any debris or other items are noticed, please contact our office at 882-1270 during normal business hours and it will be removed.
Thank you for your comments and ideas.
Remember, the Board of Trustees meets every other Wednesday night at 6:30PM. All are welcome to attend and express their ideas and comments.

By Jerry L. Ward-Trustee