Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Media Release - Columbus City Council, City Attorney, Take Action Against Adult Gaming Parlors

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release: April 18, 2012

 

For More Information:

John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798

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Columbus City Council, City Attorney, Take Action Against Adult Gaming Parlors

 

(Columbus)—The City of Columbus is taking two significant steps to protect neighborhoods from the expansion of a form of gaming that is operating in the city and state.  The Columbus City Council, led by Zach M. Klein, Development Committee chair, and Michelle M. Mills, Safety Committee chair, have co-sponsored legislation to extend a moratorium on new adult gaming parlors in Columbus.  City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer, Jr. has announced charges against these establishments which are allegedly operating outside Ohio gaming law and local regulations. 

 

“Our goal with the original moratorium on adult gaming parlors was to give state leaders an opportunity to pass a comprehensive, statewide law that will strictly regulate this out-of-control form of gaming,” said Councilmember Mills.    “This clearly has not happened so it is up to cities like Columbus to protect our neighborhoods.”

 

The parlors, which are sometimes called internet cafes or internet sweepstakes, allow customers to play a slot-machine-like device in return for a prize or item of value and are operating due to a loophole in state gaming laws.  In October 2011,  Councilmembers unanimously approved ordinance 1761-2011 to put in place a 6 month moratorium and now plan to extend the ban another 90 days.   Councilmembers will consider all options to address these establishments – from municipal regulation to an outright ban.

 

“Neighborhood leaders continue to contact City Council asking for help to control these unregulated establishments,” said Councilmember Klein.  “Every option is on the table as we continue to vigorously defend our ability to protect our residents from this unregulated form of gaming.”

 

As City Council is considering legislative action, the City Attorney’s Office anticipates filing nuisance abatement lawsuits against several establishments that are violating current Ohio gambling laws.

 

 

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Friday, April 13, 2012

Rec Sports Member Update - Friday, April 13, 2012

 

Friday, April 13, 2012

 

1.       Leisure Spa Closing for Repairs

2.       Intramural Skills Challenge

3.       Backpacking at Mount Rodgers National Recreation Area, Virginia

4.       Become a Personal Trainer: Summer Personal Training Course

5.       Have BuckID? Students/Faculty/Staff Invited to Football Practice

6.       Scarlet, Gray, & Pink: A Walk for Stefanie Spielman

7.  Dave Griner Memorial Golf Tournament

8.  Register Now for Blaze The Trail 5K

 

To unsubscribe from this mailing list, please send an e-mail to recsportsmembers-unsubscribe@lists.studentaffairs.ohio-state.edu from the e-mail account to which you are subscribed for this listserv.

 

Leisure Spa Closing for Repairs
The Leisure Spa at the RPAC Aquatic Center will be closed for repairs Monday, April 16, at 5 p.m. to Friday, April 20, at 6 a.m. We apologize for the inconvenience.


Intramural Skills Challenge
Put your skills to the test at the Intramural Skills Challenge! Come to ARC Turf Field #2 from 4 - 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22. Events include a 40 yard dash, punt, pass, and kick; soccer scoring, and an obstacle course. Register for $5 in the RPAC Intramural Office by April 19. First 40 participants receive a free T-shirt!


Backpacking at Mount Rodgers National Recreation Area, Virginia
Explore one of the most memorable parts of the Appalachian Trail with the Outdoor Adventure Center at Mount Rodgers National Recreation Area, Virginia, May 4 - 6 or May 25 - 28. While backpacking through this unique destination, you will see wild ponies, fir and spruce forests, and open vistas. Cost for the May 4 - 6 trip is $175, and the May 25 - 28 trip is $235. No previous experience is necessary.
Register now! Learn more.

Become a Personal Trainer: Summer Personal Training Course
Registration is now open for the WITS Personal Training Certification course beginning Saturday, June 16 at 9 a.m. The course runs through August 11. To register via phone, call (614) 292-7671, and then dial 0. For more information, contact John Katsares, personal training coordinator.


Have BuckID? Students/Faculty/Staff Invited to Football Practice
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and his Buckeye football program are inviting Ohio State students, faculty, and staff members to the Saturday, April 14, practice at Ohio Stadium. The practice will begin at 10:45 a.m. Individuals must have a valid BuckID card to gain access into the stadium (one faculty and staff BuckID can get a family into the stadium).
Learn more.

 

Scarlet, Gray, & Pink: A Walk for Stefanie Spielman
Join us for the Scarlet, Gray & Pink: A Walk for Stefanie Spielman on April 21 on the West Plaza of the Ohio Union. All proceeds directly support the Stefanie Spielman Fund. Walk this spring in memory of a beloved Buckeye and to honor and support countless others who are and have been affected by breast cancer. Registration is $10 for Ohio State students; $20 for others. Register at http://pink.osu.edu

 

Dave Griner Memorial Golf Tournament
Save the date! The Dave Griner Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Monday, May 7, at the Scarlet Course. Proceeds benefit scholarships for Ohio State students. For more information, contact Kris Myers, membership sales and relations director.

Register Now for Blaze The Trail 5K

Blaze the trail! On Sunday, April 29, join fellow runners and walkers in the Blaze the Trail 5K and 2K Family Fun Run to benefit The Ohio State University Burn Center, which provides education about fire safety, prevention, and arson awareness on campus and assists with care and recovery for victims of fire. Register now.

 

 

SPONSORS

 

EverythingBuckeyes.com

Select Ohio State apparel now up to 50% OFF! Look to EverythingBuckeyes.com for a huge selection and follow us at http://www.facebook.com/EverythingBuckeyes

 

 

Papa John’s
This year, tax day falls on Tuesday, April 17. Papa John’s of Central Ohio is offering an extra-large 1 topping pizza for only $10.40, Friday, April 13 through Tuesday April 17, to lighten the annual homage to the IRS. This deal is available online at
papajohns.com. Use promo code: XL1040.


Spring Break Whitewater Deals

Take a road trip to West Virginia’s New River Gorge for some rafting, climbing, biking, hiking, zip lining, ATV riding and more. River Expeditions is the area’s best outfitter and a partner of Ohio State Rec Sports. Extreme College Weekends packages include lodging, meals, rafting and more – starting as low as $79. Book online at http://www.raftinginfo.com/Trip-Planner/Specials-and-Events or become a ‘Fan’ at http://www.facebook.com/raftinginfo

 

*************** IMPORTANT CONTACTS ****************

RPAC Welcome Center – 292-7671

ARC Front Desk – 247-8686

Comments to the Director – Don Stenta, stenta.1@osu.edu, 688-4738

Adapted Recreational Sports – Lindsay Bond, bond.217@osu.edu, 688-3693

Adventure Recreation Center & Jesse Owens Centers – Dave DeAngelo, deangelo.1@osu.edu, 247-6009

Aquatic Center – Zach Skinner, skinner.199@osu.edu, 688-3587

Community Programs – Marci Hasty, hasty.11@osu.edu, 292-5328

Facility/Meeting Room Scheduling - Andrea Hall, hall.794@osu.edu, 292-6481

Group Fitness Classes and Massage – Scott Holmes, holmes.508@osu.edu, 292-8755

Intramural Sports – Bonnie Mitchell - mitchell.934@osu.edu, 247-6191

Lockers, Sport Shop, and Welcome Center Operations - Rob Jech, jech.2@osu.edu, 688-8788

Marketing - Emily Howard, howard.778@osu.edu, 688-4185

Membership - Kris Myers, myers.785@osu.edu, 688-8461

Ohio State Diving Club – Justin Sochor, sochor.7@osu.edu, 688-8341

Ohio State Swim Club – Kyle Goodrich, goodrich.89@osu.edu, 292-1303

Outdoor Adventure Center - Steve Hawkins, hawkins.264@osu.edu, 247-8063

Personal Training - John Katsares, katsares.1@osu.edu, 292-5153

Racquetball and Squash Reservations - 292-8590

RPAC Operations – Dave DeAngelo, deangelo.1@osu.edu, 247-6009

Special Assistant to the Director – Marci Shumaker, shumaker.98@osu.edu, 688-3983

Sponsorship – Kristin Smith, smith.1424@osu.edu, 688-4619

Sport & Wellness Scholars – Brendan Greisberger, greisberger.5@osu.edu, 688-3297

Sport Clubs – Charles Anderson, anderson.1859@osu.edu, 688-3879

Web Site – Katie Thomas, thomas.2407@osu.edu, 292-5287

***************************************************

 

 

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Media Release - City Council, Community Crime Patrol Announce Expansion of Safety Services

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release: April 11, 2012

 

For More Information:

John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798

WebFacebookTwitter

 

City Council, Community Crime Patrol Announce Expansion of Safety Services

 

(Columbus)—The Columbus City Council, led by Council President Andrew J. Ginther and Safety Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills, announced the expansion of a successful neighborhood crime fighting program, Community Crime Patrol (CCP), into a new area of the City while fully restoring patrols in three other neighborhoods.  The CCP will be hiring additional patrollers as a result of a $313,000 amendment to the 2012 General Fund Budget that restores cuts made during the recession.

 

“The Community Crime Patrol has long partnered with the City to keep neighborhoods safe, and I am pleased we are now able to restore patrols and expand into new areas,” said Council President Ginther.  “CCP is a force multiplier and serves as proactive deterrent to crime. They have a proven track record of success that will help make new areas of our community even safer.”

 

The CCP currently has patrols in a number of neighborhoods including the University, Hilltop/Franklinton, Merion Village, and Downtown areas.  The CCP will be expanding into an approximately three square mile territory in the North Linden/Northland community by serving in an area bounded by Morse Road to the north, Oak Land Park to the south, Karl Road to the east and near I-71 to the west.  

 

“It is important that we have community support for the patrollers and that is exactly what we have in the North Linden/Northland community,” said Councilmember Mills.  “Patrollers become part of the community by walking the neighborhoods and interacting with residents helping to make our neighborhoods better places to live and work.”

The additional funding in the 2012 budget will also allow the CCP to increase patrols to neighborhoods currently being served by the CCP, restoring the patrols to previous levels in Franklinton, Merion Village and Westgate.

 

“In recent years, severe budget cuts significantly limited CCP’s ability to serve Columbus neighborhoods,” said Ellen Moore, Executive Director of CCP.  “Now, with the improving economic climate, we appreciate City Council’s commitment and increased investment in patrols that will positively impact the lives of thousands of Columbus residents and businesses.”

 

The CCP is a group of highly-trained citizen patrollers working to increase safety in Columbus neighborhoods. Equipped only with flashlights, two-way radios, and their training, CCP patrollers deter criminals, build neighborhood awareness of crime prevention techniques, assist in the apprehension of suspects, and provide first aid when needed.   Since its inception in 1990, 40 CCP patrollers have gone on to serve in the Columbus Division of Police.

 

Click here to view a map of the expansion of CCP in the North Linden/Northland community.

 

 

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Media Alert - City Council, Community Crime Patrol Announce Expansion of Safety Services

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA ALERT

 

For Immediate Release:  April 11, 2012

 

For More Information:

John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798

WebFacebookTwitter

 

 

City Council, Community Crime Patrol Announce Expansion of Safety Services

 

WHO:

Council President Andrew J. Ginther

Councilmember Michelle M. Mills

Ellen Moore, Community Crime Patrol

 

WHEN:

Wednesday, April 11

2:30 pm

 

WHERE:

1120 Morse Road

Columbus Police SRB

 

WHAT:

Columbus City Council President Andrew J. Ginther and Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, will be joined by Ellen Moore, Executive Director of the Community Crime Patrol to discuss how a 2012 General Fund Budget amendment will expand CCP crime patrols into a Columbus neighborhood and restore CCP services in several other areas of Columbus.  

 

 

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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Media Release - Columbus City Council Highlights Capital Budget Amendments

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release: April 10, 2012

 

For More Information:

John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798

WebFacebookTwitter

 

Columbus City Council Highlights Capital Budget Amendments

(Columbus)--Columbus City Councilmembers are proposing more than $6.6-million in amendments to the Mayor’s proposed 2012 Capital Improvements Budget (CIB). Additions to the spending plan will help meet core goals by strengthening neighborhood and safety services by leveraging capital dollars to create economic development opportunities and jobs in Columbus.   The amendments will mean City Council will be investing   $17.3-million on various Council initiated neighborhood projects this year. 

 

“The Capital Budget reflects the needs of our community, and Council’s continued focus on strengthening neighborhoods,” said Council President Andrew J. Ginther.  “We listened to the citizens of Columbus and we are putting their capital dollars to work by continuing to protect our residents and promoting an environment where Columbus families and businesses can thrive.”

 

Nearly half the amendment amount, $3-million, will be invested in City Council’s new Strategic Neighborhood Safety Facilities Fund, a line-item that will allow City Council to support a wide variety of safety related programs and services that will continue to have a positive impact on our community.

 

“This new safety fund will allow Columbus City Council the flexibility of leveraging  capital dollars to support future public safety infrastructure needs  by ensuring  ongoing support for key safety strategies funded through the capital and general fund budgets,” said Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson. 

 

Safety Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills is also setting aside $300,000 to make improvements to various Columbus fire stations.   The Division has 32 stations where men and women work 24 hour shifts.  Of those 32 stations, 14 were built in the 1950s or 1960s and another 10 were built in the 1970s and 1980s.  The additional dollars in the Capital Budget will allow the City to update these important facilities and make needed repairs.

 

Many of the amendments are a direct result of conversations which occurred with residents during various council initiated l community meetings that were held around Columbus over the last year.   The most common concern Councilmembers heard when meeting with residents was vacant and abandoned structures.  City Council is supportive of Mayor Coleman’s plan to spend more than $11-million this year to fight blight in neighborhoods and is adding an additional $1-million to the Capital Budget to help transform vacant and abandoned structures in Columbus with three new innovative programs:

 

·         Council President Ginther and Councilmember Klein are setting aside $250,000 for the demolition of commercial and non-residential properties in the Land Bank;

·         Councilmember Klein is creating the Land Bank Renovation Fund to allow the City to quickly identify and renovate and put into productive use Land Bank properties as market rate rental housing; and

·         Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig is proposing the City use $250,000 to repair Land Bank properties which can be transferred to eligible veterans for home ownership opportunities.

City Council will also be using the CIB as an economic development tool, aiding in the revitalization of key business districts. Council President Ginther is sponsoring a $225,000 amendment that will allow the City to design streetscape improvements in targeted commercial corridors in Columbus. The amendment will complement previous infrastructure investments, and improve the existing commercial environment in an effort to promote business expansion and relocation to create jobs.

 

The City of Columbus has a number of street lighting projects in the Capital Budget, some of which will help meet critical needs in neighborhoods.  The Department of Public Utilities has seven emergency projects in Fiscal Year 2012/13 but only enough funding to complete two.  A $500,000 amendment from Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley will ensure the remaining five projects will be completed.    Councilmember Paley is also sponsoring an amendment that will invest $500,000 to help build ADA accessible ramps in neighborhoods to improve the mobility and accessibility of our community.

 

Columbus City Council remains committed to creating an open and transparent legislative process.   This spirit of openness has led President Pro Tem A. Troy Miller to start the eCouncil initiative, a series of investments in new technologies, including hardware and software which has made City Council more efficient and will save taxpayer dollars.    During the past year, Council has launched an enhanced legislative website that allows residents to read and review current and archived pieces of legislation.  A $50,000 capital budget amendment will allow the City to continue to construct a website which will offer video on-demand for those who want to view Council meetings at their leisure.

 

City Council will hold a hold a public hearing on the proposed 2012 Capital Budget Amendments on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.  Speaker slips will be accepted and the meeting will be broadcast live on CTV, Columbus’ government television channel on local cable systems.  

 

 

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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Kimberley Jacobs Named Columbus Police Chief

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release: April 5, 2012

 

For More Information:

John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798

WebFacebookTwitter

 

 

Kimberley Jacobs Named Columbus Police Chief

 

(Columbus)—Columbus City Council President Andrew J. Ginther and Safety Committee Chair Michelle M. Mills comment on the appointment of Police Chief Kimberley Jacobs.

 

“Chief Jacobs has proven track record of service to the citizens of Columbus and has displayed the qualities needed to be a successful leader for the Division of Police,” said Council President Andrew J. Ginther.  “She has made strong, strategic management decisions that have positively impacted the way police protect our neighborhoods and residents.”

 

“I congratulate Mayor Coleman on the selection of Kimberley Jacobs as the next Chief of the Columbus Division of Police,” said Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee.   “The Division is a dynamic organization thanks to the leadership of people like Chief Jacobs I look forward to working with her in her new role as Chief of Police to continue to improve the health and safety of our community.”

 

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