Category Archives: Community

Puppy – 145 N Chase Ave, Columbus, OH 43204 – Left out in the cold at night 16 F – 01/09/15/1:36 AM

01/09/14/1:36 AM/The ignorance of some people leaving their poor puppy outside in this cold weather. Hence the purpose of a recent post. Animal Control and police called. Thanks neighbors for calling as well. Every dog deserves a good home, unfortunately this poor puppy shouldn’t be with these people.

01/09/14/Update/Neighbor did get ahold of a member in the household, teenager answered the phone and said she would bring the puppy in. Things quiet but unfortunately, late morning, puppy was found in the alley outside the property fence line. Blatantly, the owner just dumped the puppy. Sad but ok, a home has since been found for this adorable puppy. Puppy was starved for food and ate five bowls of food. Puppy is afraid to go outside in fear of being left out again. Potty training will be a bit of a problem during this cold weather. Glad this puppy about 3 months old will be going to a loving home.wpid-img_5818-2015-01-9-20-57.jpgwpid-img_5819-2015-01-9-20-57.jpg

Area around Columbus casino shows signs of revival

Area around Columbus casino shows signs of revival
Signs of revival adding up around casino on West Side; businesses open or renovate, and infrastructure improves
By Steve Wartenberg
The Columbus Dispatch  •  Sunday August 31, 2014 11:23 AM

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2014/08/31/area-around-columbus-casino-shows-signs-of-revival.html

There have been tremendous changes around the Hollywood Casino. I give much credit to Chris Haydocy for taking a strong initiative and leadership to make this a better corridor. But are we just seeing cosmetic changes? Are we going to see a return of the big anchor stores that moved away several years ago to Grove City or Hilliard?

In order to bring in the young professionals are we going to see the same attractions that Clintonville and the Short North have to offer? How about upscale grocery stores that sell fresh items instead of the frozen “FAMILY SIZE” aisles that we are so accustomed to seeing here? How about fresh restaurants with outside seating instead of the re-evolving new building fast food mecca that is re-appearing on the corridor?

How about the housing stock just east of this corridor that is still suffering from absentee LLC’s and landlords buying up houses left and right for “investment” purposes just to sit and further decay between struggling owner occupied property owners?

Although I am happy with the cosmetic changes that are occurring, I struggle with the mention of the far Westsiders looking up to Clintonville and the Short North for comparison of attractions. Until we get some of the many and vast attractions that these two mentioned communities have not to mention the many businesses that have left the Westside to move to Grove City and Hilliard, I will continue to drive down the nicely remodeled tree lined corridor to the 270 interchange to get me to the communities that support my shopping needs currently not existent here on the Westside-Hilltop.

Property Value 09/08/14

Of my recent Franklin County tentative property value received in the mail yesterday, 08/09/14:

Yep, my house might as well be listed for sale with Big Lots or the Dollar Stores, as no prime Realtor will take it including the Reality company that sold me the house to begin complete with the promise of an up and coming neighborhood, best I’m getting is the ass of the City of Columbus.

It appears that we are now the Hilltop for a reason, in clearing up the other areas of the City we have become the dumping ground for every undesirable element of the City. We are piled so high here with City sh*t dumping that we are on the verge of moving beyond the Hilltop and becoming a Mountain.

Might as well file a petition and get it down to less than half the property value that I paid for this house back in 2005.

Anyone want to buy a lovely house with beautiful views of urban decay?

wpid-crackhouse-2014-08-10-10-55.jpgwpid-135nchaseave_propertyvalue_masked_080914-2014-08-10-10-55.jpg

False Alarm at what cost?

False Alarm at what cost?

We do our best to fight crime, to burglar proof our homes by replacing old doors and window entries, by installing alarm systems hoping to protect our homes only to get a slap in the face by our City of Columbus Administration.

I was called this morning to check on an alarm setoff at a friend’s house. I met the police officer there who confirmed that there was no entry to the house and that all was secure [good news]. The Officer was outstanding in service, friendly and even though this wasn’t his precinct was very concerned and helpful regarding our neighborhood. He shared that the city is now making it expensive for when a police officer has to come out to your home because of an alarm signal set off [bad news].

He advised that you will continue to get two free runs per year, but after that you will have to pay the alarm call which breaks down as follows:
200 1st call (free per year)
400 2nd call (free per year)
800 3rd call – YOU PAY
1,600 4th call YOU PAY
and so forth.

He said that the Heroin epidemic in our neighborhood is fueling this. He said the addicts are breaking in during the day, especially garages.

They are bold and could care less to cause 100’s of dollars to your property just to get a 20 dollar item. And we are to be empathetic to these burglars and not take our gun and shoot them between their eyes or shoot off their manhood just because they have an addiction problem?

I’m telling you, we need to band together to protect our properties. What more can we do to protect our home and property and stay in our neighborhoods safely?

Frustrated about the Westside-Hilltop.

wpid-falsealarmnotice_citycolumbus_072714-2014-07-27-11-05.jpg

Columbus Division of Police 2014 Community Survey

Please take a moment today to complete this survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ka4%2bFn748NuL6Sq64HvnsipqDuYKLQ%2b04KRfIEGHTgY%3d
wpid-animated-php-2014-05-13-20-28.gif
Columbus Division of Police 2014 Community Survey
http://www.surveymonkey.com

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ka4%2bFn748NuL6Sq64HvnsipqDuYKLQ%2b04KRfIEGHTgY%3d

Below are my comments that I provided on the survey. Please feel free to modify to fit your need, opinion and what you would like to see happen with our Columbus Division of Police!

We need an additional police cruiser for our district. We need more compliance on the “smaller” issues in our community. I would like to see more bike patrol. Overall I have a very favorable experience with the CPD. I would like to see community education and outreach on using the police call in line. Most citizens feel the police line is of no value and I continually hear “well the cops won’t do anything anyway.” The police need to have more community engagement meetings whether it be via blockwatch meetings, association meetings or community projects. This involves funding I am aware of so let’s get more funding for that. Police shouldn’t only be about enforcement. It also needs to be about community engagement, education, nurturing and of course citizen compliance.

We need a stronger task force devoted to drug activity on our streets. We need to focus more on the “small” guy instead of focusing on always trying to devote full resources to the bigger fish. Abandoned, vacant, and negligent properties are a breeding ground for these activities. CPD should partner with other City services in compliance for code violations of property, structures, or businesses.

It is hard to gauge whether crime has increased or decreased as a lot of citizens do not report crime as they feel no benefit to themselves in reporting it. Most citizens fail to realize the value that all crime should be reported no matter what. Here again this could be a strong community outreach piece.

I believe the CPD does the best to it’s ability given the resources and manpower that they have. I would like to see additional manpower, police cruisers, bike patrol, walking patrol and community outreach and engagement. Obviously, much increased funding is needed for this. I would like to see the CPD budget intensely increased for these requests.

The Columbus Police Radio Room could be more engaging and understanding of it’s customer base. Better customer handling and people skills would be of great value. Understanding of human nature, human condition, and anticipation of results of their customers would go a long way in this endeavor. I realize that efficiency and speed of call is paramount to this Police Radio Room call center, nonetheless, a better median can and should be established.

50% rating. I have had less than favorable responses when calling the Radio Room Operator. Again, the Columbus Police Radio Room could be more engaging and understanding of it’s customer base. Better customer handling and people skills would be of great value. Understanding of human nature, human condition, and anticipation of results of their customers would go a long way in this endeavor. I realize that efficiency and speed of call is paramount to this Police Radio Room call center, nonetheless, a better median can and should be established.

Most Columbus Police Officer’s are professional and most are courteous. I’ll admit some of the newer officers haven’t yet developed the human interaction piece very well yet.

This only takes into account existing funding and personnel. Obviously improvement can be maximized by increased personnel and funding.

Again, this only takes into account existing funding and personnel. Obviously improvement can be maximized by increased personnel and funding.

17. We need an additional police cruiser for our district. We need more compliance on the “smaller” issues in our community. I would like to see more bike patrol. Overall I have a very favorable experience with the CPD. I would like to see community education and outreach on using the police call in line. Most citizens feel the police line is of no value and I continually hear “well the cops won’t do anything anyway.” The police need to have more community engagement meetings whether it be via blockwatch meetings, association meetings or community projects. This involves funding I am aware of so let’s get more funding for that. Police shouldn’t only be about enforcement. It also needs to be about community engagement, education, nurturing and of course citizen compliance.

We need a stronger task force devoted to drug activity on our streets. We need to focus more on the “small” guy instead of focusing on always trying to devote full resources to the bigger fish. Abandoned, vacant, and negligent properties are a breeding ground for these activities. CPD should partner with other City services in compliance for code violations of property, structures, or businesses.

It is hard to gauge whether crime has increased or decreased as a lot of citizens do not report crime as they feel no benefit to themselves in reporting it. Most citizens fail to realize the value that all crime should be reported no matter what. Here again this could be a strong community outreach piece.

I believe the CPD does the best to it’s ability given the resources and manpower that they have. I would like to see additional manpower, police cruisers, bike patrol, walking patrol and community outreach and engagement. Obviously, much increased funding is needed for this. I would like to see the CPD budget intensely increased for these requests.

The Columbus Police Radio Room could be more engaging and understanding of it’s customer base. Better customer handling and people skills would be of great value. Understanding of human nature, human condition, and anticipation of results of their customers would go a long way in this endeavor. I realize that efficiency and speed of call is paramount to this Police Radio Room call center, nonetheless, a better median can and should be established.

50% rating. I have had less than favorable responses when calling the Radio Room Operator. Again, the Columbus Police Radio Room could be more engaging and understanding of it’s customer base. Better customer handling and people skills would be of great value. Understanding of human nature, human condition, and anticipation of results of their customers would go a long way in this endeavor. I realize that efficiency and speed of call is paramount to this Police Radio Room call center, nonetheless, a better median can and should be established.

Most Columbus Police Officer’s are professional and most are courteous. I’ll admit some of the newer officers haven’t yet developed the human interaction piece very well yet.

This only takes into account existing funding and personnel. Obviously improvement can be maximized by increased personnel and funding.

Again, this only takes into account existing funding and personnel. Obviously improvement can be maximized by increased personnel and funding.

Getting Rid of Rats

Yes, this came in the mail. So if you didn’t already know…..Don’t feed the rats!

Seriously – Clean up your yard. Have junk, like old cars and appliances, hauled away. Call 645-3111 about collecting bulk items or report online:
http://311.columbus.gov/

Stack building materials, lumber and fire wood at least 18 inches off the ground. Remove leaves, branches and other yard waste. Keep grass and weed cut low (under 12 inches.)

Some wonder why others take this so seriously, well illegally dumping your trash in our alleys or hoarding in your yard affects all of us. Just because it is your yard does not give you license to be so disconcerted about keeping it clean. Lots of us are watching and we will use Columbus311, 645-3111 or Nail-A-Dumper – It’s a Crime:
http://www.itsacrime.org/
http://www.swaco.org/Communities/EnvironmentalCrimesTaskForce.aspx
614-871-5322.

Do your part today.
1. Clean up.
2. Observe
3. Document
4. Report
5. Followup

wpid-ratsgettingridof_mail_citycolumbus_052014-2014-05-13-20-19.jpg

COTA provides bus service to the Columbus Zoo

So let’s see, such a concern that our poor kids (downtown) should have access to a Zoo, but not just days after the defeat of Issue 6, we now have bus service to that Zoo way up north and wait….keep reading…..yes it’s coming….COTA is offering the service and wait…..keep reading….it didn’t involve a levy????? HMMMM. This deserves a cocktail!

wpid-cotalaunchescolumbuszoobus_051014-2014-05-10-09-17.jpg

Columbus Zoo Levy

What a bunch of poop! And I know where it is coming from!

I don’t believe we should fund a permanent levy for the Zoo and still have to pay admission. The Zoo is very accessible where it is at for anyone in the city. I believe there is bus service to the Zoo, if not then let’s get on COTA for the service or more importantly let’s let our community churches, recreation parks, and community groups provide the transportation. Tearing down Veteran’s Memorial as part of this plan in addition to putting the auxiliary Zoo downtown is not acceptable to begin with and will not provide the proximity resources needed for our inner city. I’d rather see the money go to recreation services and if it is our youth we are concerned about for activities to do, then let’s use these same community resources for structured activities, educational items, employment trades, and civic responsibility and funnel money to these organizations. Also this money can be better served by improving our already existing but deteriorating infrastructure.

If the Zoo has helped build communities aside from monetary support then I’d like to see the tangible results. Bring the Zoo to some of our vast wasteland here on the Westside-Hilltop. The downtown has the luxury of enough monetary resources for any of it’s developments and does not need ANY tax levy!

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2014/04/23/1-zoo-levy-would-enhance-vital-local-resource.html

SPEARS REAL ESTATE LLC

SPEARS REAL ESTATE LLC

5504 FOX HILL RD
HILLIARD OH 43026

Yes! this is another property hoarder: Bob Spears! I’ve toured many streets to report code enforcement issues to find out that the property is under one of his holdings.

He’s been on our radar before. Oh, and he is a commission member of The Greater Hilltop Area Commission. Yes, the same commission that is responsible for zoning recommendations for the Greater Hilltop Area.

Shame, shame, shame!

These are his other property holdings:

010-021584         240 S HAGUE AV     240 S HAGUE AVE WICKLOW EXT
590-281763         5301-E STONEMEADOW AV      GREYSTONE MANOR CONDOMINIUM
010-040028         125 HAGUE AV       125 S HAGUE AVE CAMP CHASE HTS
010-051469         249 N WARREN AV         SPEARS REAL ESTATE III         249 N WARREN HILL CREST
010-005205         343-345 S HAGUE AV       343-345 HAGUE AVE S CAMP CHASE HTS
010-011046         350-352 S HAGUE AV        350-352 S HAGUE AVE WICKLOW EXT
010-017024         70-72 S EUREKA AV        70-72 EUREKA AVE BELLAIRE
010-033684         100-102 N HARRIS AV       102-100 HARRIS AVE SUNNY SIDE
010-034658         210 S WAYNE AV         SPEARS REAL ESTATE LLC         210 S WAYNE AVE OAKLEY
010-042988         29 N ELDON AV         SPEARS REAL ESTATE LLC         29 ELDON AVE ELDON HTS
010-043896         200 N HAGUE AV        200 N HAGUE AVE HILLCREST
010-043970         243 N WARREN AV       243 N WARREN AVE HILL CREST
010-048156         63 WARREN AV         63 WARREN AVE WICKLOW 3RD
010-056179         69 N WARREN AV        69 N WARREN WICKLOW 3RD
010-058651         109 N HARRIS AV        109 N HARRIS AVE VAN SICKLE
010-015638         275 N HAGUE AV        275 N HAUGE AVE SPEES
010-068335         653-655 S BURGESS AV      653-5 S BURGESS AVE HEFFNER HTS
010-075848         2677 EAKIN RD       BROOKSHIRE PARK LOT 311

04/13/2010

wpid-70-72seurekaav_041310-2014-01-28-15-29.jpg

01/27/14/No improvements tot the property and actually the property has gotten worse. Why?

wpid-70-72seurekaav_012714-2014-01-28-15-29.jpg

Why would this be considered acceptable behavior of one of our Commission Members of The Greater Hilltop Area Commission (GHAC) to manage and hold properties such as this in our community? How can the GHAC on good faith act on behalf of our community for zoning issues when one of the Commission Members is a violator of our code enforcement laws that we as a community struggle so hard to get enforced?!

wpid-70-72seurekaav_garagefallingin_080513-2014-01-28-15-29.jpgwpid-70-72seurekaav_garagefell_091013-2014-01-28-15-29.jpgwpid-70-72seurekaav_garagegonetrashnot_011414-2014-01-28-15-29.jpgwpid-70-72seurekaav_property_011414-2014-01-28-15-29.jpgwpid-70-72seurekaav_trash_011414-2014-01-28-15-29.jpg

Columbus City Schools System, Columbus, Ohio

Do you have a problem or concern with our Columbus City Schools System, Columbus, Ohio? Missing something in your school? Funding perhaps not reaching your particular school?

Send a message to all of the below!

Write up a short summary of the events that transpired and send it to:

Jason Smith
Board Relations and Government Affairs: jsmith10275@columbus.k12.oh.gov

Carbon copy current school board members:

Gary L. Baker, II
Board President
Phone: 614-404-3024
garylbakerii@gmail.com

Bryan O. Steward
Board Vice President
Phone: 614-365-5790
bryan@bryansteward.org

Michael Cole
Phone: 614-604-8871
mcole06@icloud.com

W. Shawna Gibbs
Phone: 614-365-5790
wshawnagibbs4cps@yahoo.com

Dominic Paretti
Phone: 614-735-5200
domparetti@gmail.com

Ramona R. Reyes
Phone: 614-273-0884
ramona_reyes13@yahoo.com

Superintendent Dan Good’s Office:
614-365-8888

Lisa Barton, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent:
614-365-5888

Participate!
Engage!
Make your voice heard!!!

wpid-columbus_city_schools-2014-01-28-15-21.jpg