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Groveport Town Hall refocuses on the arts
(by Rick Palsgrove, Southeast Editor - January 20, 2010)
A trimmed 2010 budget will lead to a refocusing of activities at Groveport Town Hall and Crooked Alley KidSpace.
At Groveport Village Council's Jan. 19 meeting, Village Administrator Steve Morris and Community Affairs Director Linda Haley outlined the new programming approach for the facilities focusing on the arts and humanities, which are a long time staple of the Community Affairs Department.
As part of the 2010 budget, the operation of senior transportation was moved from Community Affairs to the Senior Center and management of activities at the Log House and Nature Center in Heritage Park were moved to the Parks and Recreation Department. These actions freed the three full time Community Affairs employees to concentrate on arts and humanities programming for the community.
The cultural arts programming at Town Hall and KidSpace will be targeted to all ages and interests. Morris and Haley outlined the following goals to provide:
•four non-credit courses per week for teens/adults;
•preschool playgroup three times a week;
•arts and crafts programs for kids ages 5-12;
•12 art exhibitions per year; and
•access to Town Hall and KidSpace for reservation for the public's use.
The scope of the arts programming will include such things as photography, painting, fiber and other visual arts, theatre and performing arts, culinary arts, crafts, history, folk studies, language, travel, health and wellness, natural sciences, and music.
"I'm really excited to see the targeted goals and eager to see what happens," said Councilwoman Jean Ann Hilbert.
Added Councilman Ed Rarey, "I'm glad to see Town Hall carry on as before with what it is able to offer the whole community in arts programming."
Groveport Town Hall is located at 648 Main St. and Crooked Alley KidSpace is located at 630 Wirt Road. For information call 836-3333.
Groveport financial news
Groveport's income tax revenues are starting 2010 on the upswing.
Finance Director Ken Salak reported village income tax revenues for December were $780,380, an increase of 9.7 percent compared to December 2008 when revenues were $711,193.
"The revenues are up a little bit," said Salak. "I'm hoping they're up every month this year."
Village officials are looking for financial improvement after the tight national economy in 2009 put the squeeze on the village's income tax revenues. In 2008, the village collected $10.69 million in income tax, but in 2009 garnered $8.3 million. In response, the village trimmed back its 2010 budget.
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