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GHAC candidates speak to residents
Customarily each year elections for the Greater Area Hilltop Commission (GHAC) coincide with the Historic Hilltop Bean Dinner June 25. The four candidates on this year’s ballot include: Judy Manley, Jay McCallister, Dan Stewart, and Geoffrey Phillips. Each candidate addressed residents at the June 7 meeting. “I believe that the Hilltop is already a great neighborhood, but I know that it can grow into one that is a premier neighborhood in the state,” McCallister said. McCallister, founder of Great Western Block Watch and graffiti cleanup projects, is a graduate of the Citizen’s Police Academy - where he serves as public information officer. “We have now removed graffiti from over 35 locations, not just in the Great Western Block Watch area, but all over the Hilltop,” McCallister said. “There’s obviously still more to do.” Manley presently serves as GHAC secretary and is a lifelong resident of the Hilltop. Manley graduated from The Ohio State University and later Xavier University with a Master’s in Education. Additionally, she volunteers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and is a graduate of the Columbus Police Department’s Citizen’s Police Academy. “I am seeking re-election to continue to help do my little part to make the community a terrific place to live,” Manley said. Also, currently a seated commissioner, Phillips, was a founding member and president of the Highland West Neighbors Association. Phillips also belongs to Highland West Merchants and Block Watch, and board member of the Hilltop Historical Society. “I’m currently working on a special project on Glenwood Park to get it back for our residents for families to use and enjoy as we go into 2012,” Phillips said. “There’s so much to be done.” Stewart said for the last eight years he served in the Ohio House of Representatives, where he represented part of the Hilltop, as well as the Short North, German Village, Hamilton and Jackson Townships. Currently, Stewart does consulting for, non-profit organizations. Stewart expressed interest in developing a non-profit to aid in the fight against crime in the area. “I enjoy public service, whether it’s my full-time work or as a volunteer, because I care about our community and see lots that we can continue to do to improve the Hilltop,” Stewart said. Hilltop residents, age 18 and over, can vote June 25 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at: -Westgate Park during the Historic Hilltop Bean Dinner -Hilltop Library, 500 S. Hague Ave. -Hillcrest Baptist Church, 2500 W. Broad St.
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