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Letters to the editor - updated July 26
Submit letters to the editor to westside@columbusmessenger.com
Local barbershop provided a lifetime of memories
I’ve gotten my hair cut at the Westgate Barber Shop for as long as I can remember. My son and I spent many Saturdays there and I’ll remember those times for the rest of my life.
After 50 years, our friend and neighbor Ron Bradley hangs up his shears and retires. Hopefully, someone like Ron will take over and start building a new tradition. Ron has certainly earned his retirement.
Why would I have fond memories of a haircut? I have no such life-long memories of going to the grocery store, washing the car or standing at the bank.
While waiting your turn, you can catch up on who’s in trouble with their wife, argue about OSU sports, learn who had a new baby and sadly, hear of friends departed. You can hear “experts” explain how to fix our economy and speculate on the next president.
Ron Bradley has been my barber for as long as I remember. He cut my son’s hair until he was too cool for the old man’s barbershop. Ron asked my name the first time I came in and never forgot it.
Ron is always wearing a smile and loves a good joke. He has had a quarter stuck to the floor for as long as I can remember. I can’t tell you how many young folks have tried to pick that thing up.
I walked into the shop last week and some of the regulars were there. The problems of the world fade away when you are amongst friends.
Ron has witnessed many changes to the Westside including the closing of General Motors, International Harvester, John Deere, and White Westinghouse, but he continued a good business.
Tony Russell
Columbus
Columbus works because we work together
A proposed charter amendment, would’ve increase the size of Columbus City Council and eliminate your existing right to vote for all the members on city council.
The proposed charter amendment, initiated by a group of five petitioners, would limit the power of our citizens, disenfranchise our diverse community and create a dysfunctional form of local government while pitting neighborhood against neighborhood.
We are a top destination for young adults, a great place to raise children and an affordable place to retire. This is tribute to our continued investment in neighborhood infrastructure projects, community-based safety initiatives, and important city services like curbside recycling, graffiti removal, our recreation centers and swimming pools.
All of this is possible because of the partnership between council members, other city officials and hundreds of residents who volunteer their time, energy and talent on our area commissions and business associations. Columbus works because we work together.
In short, the petition failed to meet the minimum requirements for a charter amendment to be placed on the ballot, which is 19,164 valid signatures, representing 10 percent of the electors in the last preceding municipal election. Upon review, the Franklin County Board of Elections determined the petitions contained only 8,471 valid signatures. City council concluded the process by voting unanimously not to place the proposed charter amendment on the November ballot.
Now that the petition process is over, my colleagues and I will continue our focus on creating jobs and building healthy, safe and strong neighborhoods. That’s what we’ve been elected to do, knowing that we are accountable to every citizen, neighborhood, and area of our city.
Andrew Ginther, president
Columbus City Council
City council disregarded the Westside
The Columbus City Council disregarded the under represented Westside when they voted to not place an important charter amendment on November’s ballot that would allow for a more democratic city government.
The current seven council members all reside in the central and eastern portions of the city. That’s not to say they don’t have the interests of the entire city at heart, but they don’t see the viewpoint and needs of those from the Westside.
The Westland Area Plan has called for a community/recreation center for years. Instead of working with the willing partnership of Prairie Township to develop a plan, city officials are building yet another center closer to central Columbus.
Their decision to not allow residents the opportunity to decide whether to keep status quo is disappointing to many on the Westside.
The proposed amendment would offer residents a council that follows the democratic principles of our founding fathers. It would give us council members who represent the city as a whole and members who represent our unique neighborhoods. Columbus residents should contact Columbus City Council and express their disappointment in stifling our right to choose.
Adam Slane
Westland Area Commissioner
Dust from baseball diamonds considered nuisance to resident
In response to the article, “Township recommends to vacate alley,” it would be great if Franklin Township helped others with their dust issues.
I’ve lived on Finland Avenue for 37 years and for the last several years the dust has been horrible. I’ve talked with the township trustees, Franklin County engineers, South-Western City school board and Superintendent Bill Wise.
I believe the Finland Athletic Association (FAA) is allowed to use the seven ball diamonds at the elementary and middle schools. These kids are from all areas around Ohio. This is a good thing, except this is not the right place. Homes are all around the schools and it’s a dead end street. The winds come from the west and bring a lot of dust. With the dust comes the trash.
I believe the FAA used sand last year instead of just the dirt dragging. That helped a little, but it was short term. Now it’s all dirt again and you can see dust flying every time a little kid runs. My throat is always dry and everything is dusty around here.
What I don’t understand is why schools are exempt from laws. If a business or homeowner creates dust, trash and noise, they get fined or in trouble. Schools should follow the same laws that everyone does. Schools should be held accountable.
We are tired of the dust, noise, trash, traffic and the cheerleaders cheering in front of our homes. These are schools, not park and recreation centers.
Juanita Ward
Franklin Township
Guest column reminded me of misspent youth
The June 24 guest column, “Be a graveyard Sherlock Holmes,” reminded me of my misspent youth. My grandpa lived with us for several years and when World War II started, there was a lack of able-bodied men.
A local church needed someone to mow the grass at its cemetery and keep the place looking decent.
My grandpa was given the job. My mother thought it would be quicker if I trimmed around the headstones with hand shears.
Mom packed us a nice big lunch, which we kept cool in a crypt, while grandpa made the rounds with the push-mower. I trimmed around the headstones. I began to read the headstones. I’d read the name, dates and its verse or motto.
After figuring out the age of the deceased, I found it easier to lay down and read and trim around the headstones. Caught by grandpa, he said, “If I would have known you were going to lay down on the job, I would have left you at home.”
In the late afternoon mom picked us up and got a full report of my conduct. I lost my job – fired by my own grandpa.
Dale Lauffer
Columbus
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