By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
A 4-2 majority of Canal Winchester Council members voted down a salary increase for themselves providing a 3 percent capped increase in 2024 and another 3 percent jump in 2025.
According to Council President Chuck Milliken, council has not had a raise since at least 2013.
Had the resolution passed, council salaries would have been $6,790 in 2024 and $6,994 in 2025. The council president’s salary in 2024 would have been $7,469 and then $7,693 in 2025. The vice president’s salary would have been set at $7,129 in 2024 and $7,343 the following year.
Council members Patrick Shea, Mike Walker, Bob Clark and Milliken voted against the resolution during the June 5 meeting. Laurie Amick and Steve Buskirk voted for the increase. Jill Amos was absent and excused from the meeting.
With no action being taken, Law Director Thaddeus Boggs said the current salary scale will prevail from 2024 through 2025.
City worker saves a life
Public Service Director Matt Peoples alerted council about a life saving action taken by water treatment plant worker Chris Hartung while he was out jogging one evening.
According to Peoples, when Hartung got back to the plant, he heard someone yelling for help. Hartung went across the street and an elderly neighbor was laying on her porch and could not get up.
“He called 911 and stayed with her until help arrived,” said Peoples. “Obviously, they (family members) were very appreciative. The grandson came over and gave him a nice box of chocolates. That’s the type of employees we have working here. He (Hartung) didn’t think it was that big of a deal and said anyone would have done that.”
New CW library
The Columbus Metropolitan Library system is in the planning stages for a new Canal Winchester library site, but wants to give council an idea of what could arise on their land bordering Groveport Road.
Development Director Lucas Haire said CML is inviting council on a June 16 bus tour of the Gahanna library branch.
“It is very similar to what they want to build here at the site they purchased,” said Haire.
The new, two-story Gahanna branch opened in March. The 35,300 square-foot facility cost $21.8 million and features a drive-up window for patron reserve pick-ups and drop-offs.
