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Letters to the editor
Good job BOE
My Franklin County polling location, Madison 11000B, must be the model for what a well run polling location in the United States should be.
When I voted this year, as every year, the poll workers efficiently moved people through the polls to minimize, or altogether prevent, waiting lines. The poll workers were patient with their instructions and assistance. The electronic voting machines used here are the epitome of simplicity and user-friendliness. And I got a sticker. I cannot envision how the process could be improved.
Thank you to the Franklin County Board of Elections for their efforts in running an effective system for us to exercise our right to vote.
Matt Freitag
Groveport
We need to know
It has been brought to our attention that the Groveport Madison School District could replace Accelerated Reading with a program called Read 180.
A district official said this new program will be useful to all students. However, the Read 180 Website says it only targets students who read below proficient level where as A.R. targets all students.
Each school only has slots for 60 kids in each, that's 180 kids. Where does that leave the rest of our kids? From what we understand, the district is paying more to pilot this program for 22 kids at Middle School North while A.R. costs the district much less to help more students at the middle schools and junior high. Use money the district is going to spend renovating a building for the CAP program or the money being spent to lease it.
We understand the need to help students who are struggling in school, we just would like to know when did they become more important than the students who are not? When our children lose interest in reading will there be a space for them in your CAP program when they get to high school?
We have tried numerous times to speak to someone at the administration office to have some of our concerns addressed, but we cannot get a return phone call. Since when did we as parents not have a right to know what is going on with our children's education? If this is such a wonderful program why can no one talk about it?
Betty Stickler and Krena Hubner
Groveport Madison residents
Appreciating the cursive art
I appreciated Rick Palsgrove's column about the disappering cursive art in the June 13 Southeast Messenger.
I was never any good. In grade school the girls quickly mastered the techniques.
Did you know one of the country's finest penmen lives in Galloway, Ohio?
Another item difficult to find is the wonderful fountain pen. Once, in the 1950s, they were $1. Now they are $100 and up.
I am 91-years-old and so delighted to be able to do all my correspondence in script.
Chuck Siple
Canal Winchester
Editor's note: Mr. Siple's beautifully penned handwritten letter included a splendidly flourished cursive signature.
CW Council must listen to the citizens
It has been proposed that a zoning change to allow construction of a 50 unit, three story, high density, low income senior housing project along Canal Winchester's Waterloo Street be approved by village council.
Essentially the same proposal was rejected for downtown Canal Winchester and the village planning commission voted unanimously rejected it. One must wonder why it is even still on council's table with a vote scheduled for June 21.
We the residents of Charleston Lake condominiums oppose this project because of its negative impact on our property values, violates several of council's guidelines for development, it could become a magnet for undesirables, and because a large, three story, 40 foot high building squeezed into that small space is the wrong building in the wrong place.
We have a retired Columbus battalion fire chief and a retired Columbus police detective living in Charleston Lake and both have explained to council in great detail what kind of negative experiences they have had with this type of project.
Reasons for questioning this proposal include:
•There will be no on site manager and thus no 24/7 supervision of who is in the building.
•Third story windows will look down on Charleston Lake residents' patios, violating their privacy.
•Plans never seem complete.
•This portion of Waterloo Street is heavily congested with traffic. A 50 unit project can only make it worse.
•Federal law requires rent vouchers be accepted.
•Site preparation and drainage have not been addressed.
•There appear to be several more desirable locations available in the area.
We urge council to reject this rezoning proposal as now presented.
Don Corbett
Randy Tucker
Canal Winchester
This letter included a petition signed by 49 citizens.
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