The Greater Hilltop Area Commission

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(Documents, studies and surveys that are pertinent to our community)
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HILLTOP MOBILITY PLANNING: Prepare to discuss the issues and problems involved with getting around in our community including
areas without sidewalks. YOUR input will be needed. Info at this website
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THE GREATER HILLTOP AREA PLAN: This document will be updated in 2009.  
Participation from residents will be STRONGLY encouraged. Info at this website
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BOULEVARD STRATEGIES STUDY: Tremendous sums of money LEAVING the community each year. See the study HERE
September 26, 2009

A New civic Association is Born on the Hilltop
Welcome and congratulations to the Highland West Neighbors Association.
On the web: http://highlandwestneighborsassociation.ning.com
Officers are:
President:  Geoffrey Phillips
Vice President:  Diana Pearson
Treasurer:  Sharry Carey
Secretary:  Ricardo Mendez
Community/Social Chair:  Pauline Modlich
Governmental Liaison Chair:  Caleb Martin
Safety Chair:  Marilyn Stalsworth
Finance Chair:  Nicole Roumeliote
Media/Public Relations Chair:  Douglass Massey

President Geoffrey Phillips defined Highland West as: "The southern boundary is Sullivant Avenue, but since we go to the freeway on the east, those two streets north of Sullivant by the freeway, Martha and Ryan, will be included as well. The west boundary is Hague Ave.and the north boundary is the railroad tracks, all the way over to Rhodes Park."
On membership, Phillips said: "There are two types of memberships, the “resident membership” which is a full voting membership that people who live within our boundaries have and then we have the “ad hoc” memberships which are for people who work or help the neighborhood, and for those who belong to neighboring Hilltop organizations or governing bodies whose  decisions can affect our residents (such as the GHAC), but they are non-voting memberships.  We do not charge dues for either membership, as most of our money will come from fund raisers."


July 22, 2009

National Night Out is August 4th
There will be various events throughout the Hilltop community:
OGDEN AVE. BLOCKWATCH

The Hilltop Business Association launches a NEW WEBSITE


July 7, 2009

Newly elected members of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission were seated on this evening and two appointed positions were filled.  Elected members are Lisa Grazier, Greg Large and Greg Watson and returning commissioner Karen Whitman.  Nancy Rhynard was appointed to a three year term and Justin Boggs was appointed to fill a one year vacancy. This is the vote count from the 2009 election:
Poling Locations: Bean Dinner and Hilltop Library
Saturday June 27, 2009
  Bean Dinner Hilltop Library Total
Lisa Grazier 89 18 107
Greg Watson  77 19 96
Greg Large 68 19 87
Karen Whitman 57 24 81
Justin Boggs 59 20 79
Stanley Thornburgh 19 7 26
Diane Wendell-Baker (write in) 2 1 3
John Contonio (write in) 1 1

GHAC Elects 2009-2010 Officers
Chair-Chuck Patterson
Vice Chair-Dave Horn
Secretary-Judy Manley
Treasurer-Justin Boggs


The Greater Hilltop Area Plan Ammendment Committee now has a facebook page and they are looking for "fans". Facebook members search "Hilltop Plan Amendment " or visit their website.


CIty Targets Hilltop For Mobility Plan
WCMH TV STORY       HILLTOP MOBILITY PLAN WEBSITE


AMMENDING THE GREATER HILLTOP AREA PLAN
The process has begun. Keep up to date with this website.


12/4/2008

REC CENTERS TO CLOSE?

In light of the city's financial situation, an announcement is expected today concerning the closing of Glenwood and Holton recreation centers.  Check HILLTOP NEWS on this website for updates as the situation transpires.


10/23/2008

Keplar Resigns Commission Seat

In an email dated 10/3/08, Jennie Keplar resigned her seat on the greater Hilltop Area Commission. Ms. Keplar wrote: "In light of new developments and opportunities in my personal and professional life, I am resigning from the Greater Hilltop Area Commission, effective immediately. "
Her seat as chair of the Government and Legislation committee will be shared by commissioners Corson and Potts, both of whom have previously served as G&L committee chairs.


7/8/2008

The GHAC welcomes three new members and retains three in this year's election.  Returning commission members are Dave Horn, Sue laughlin and Chuck Patterson. Newly elected is John Contonio. Filling the one year appointed seat is Stanley Thornburgh and filling the three year appointed seat is Steve Hermiller.  Vote count:
Bean Dinner: 114 total ballots
Sue Laughlin  93
Dave Horn  85
Chuck Patterson  83
Katherine Thomsen 41 write-in votes
John Contonio 26
Stanley Thornburgh  22
Steve Hermiller 4 write-in votes
Pam Weaver 1 write-in vote
(note: 1 ballot disqualified for having more than 4 choices checked.) 
Hilltop Library: 34 total ballots
Sue Laughlin  28
Dave Horn  24
Chuck Patterson  23
John Contonio 23
Stanley Thornburgh  5
Katherine Thomsen 4 write-in votes
Vote Totals
Sue Laughlin  121
Dave Horn  109
Chuck Patterson  106
John Contonio 49
Katherine Thomsen 45
Stanley Thornburgh 27
Steve Hermiller 4
Pam Weaver 1

07/08/2008
GHAC Elects 2008-2009 Officers
Chair-Chuck Patterson
Vice Chair-Dave Horn
Secretary-Judy Manley
Treasurer-Mark Potts

06/12/2008

Election of GHAC members is June 28th.
VOTE!
Polling will occur from 10:00am-3:00pm at the Hilltop Library and at Westgate Park in conjunction with the annual Hilltop Bean Dinner. YOU MUST be a resident of the Greater Hilltop Area to vote and you should be prepared to present identification.  YOU DO NOT need to be a registered voter to participate in this election.
06/12/2008
"Neighborhood Pride"
This campaign is an annual effort to concentrate city services and resources in a given community area.  It is a matter of extreme pride to know that the Greater Hilltop community will be the recipient of this program for the 7th year out of the  8 years it has been in force!

The dates are September 15-19 and the area of focus will be: Sullivant to Mound and Columbian to Highland.  There will be a kickoff event during the previous week and FREE LUNCH for anyone in the community each day of the event! This is a great opportunity to meet city staff, neighbors and those that make Hilltop USA a greatplace to live. Keep watching this site for more details.


06/12/2008
Goodbye EYESORE!

What has been infamously known in this community as "The Tonti Property" on Briggs Road may finally be going away forever. From court documents:

"This matter is before the Court concerning Defendant’s Property at 2732-2744 Briggs Road. For the reasons stated below, Plaintiffs request that the Defendant’s building be declared a public nuisance is GRANTED. Further, as a result of the Defendant’s failure to bring this building into compliance in the last three years, Plaintiff’s request for a permanent injunction ordering the structure demolished is GRANTED"
Click to read the full document as a .pdf or .doc
05/20/2008
Election of new commission members is nearing
All persons interested in running for a seat on the Greater Hilltop Area Commission are encouraged to attend a special meeting of the Government and Legislation committee  on 4/5/08 at the Hilltop Library. This meeting will be held from 1-3 pm. ALSO- Anyone that would like to volunteer to assist in the election process should attend. We will need poll workers!
Tonti Property Update
03/14/2008
Submitted by GHAC Member Joe Decker following the 3/10/08 hearing:

Judge Hale said he does not believe there is anything in Ohio or Columbus building code that allows a structure to stand indefinitely without a roof.  He's against the Tonti organization.  However, Judge Hale wants to see the relevant law laid out in black & white - an airtight case.  So Jodi Spurlock and Ray King have until March 20th to submit their final briefs on the matter.  They then have until March 28th to respond to one another's arguements.  The judge will make his final decision on March 31st.
Council Member O'Shaunessy to attend
Columbus city council member Maryellen O'Shaunessy is scheduled to attend the 3/11/08 meeting of the G.H.A.C. She will speak in conjunction with Christopher Boring of Boulevard Strategies on the economic development study for the W. Broad corridor. Other speakers will include representatives of Nationwide Children's Hospital and Columbus Habitat for Humanity.


Tonti property hearing 3/10/08

3/10/2008

At last check we are STILL awaiting a result of the many hearings and meetings surrounding this Hilltop eyesore.  Please continue to check this website and this page for updates as they become available.


BUILDING A NEW HEALTHCARE FACILITY
1/31/2008

The design plans to build the new West Side Family Health Center at 2300 West Broad Street are moving forward—with a targeted completion date set for the spring/summer of 2009.  Finance Committee Chair Kevin L. Boyce is sponsoring ordinances 0047-2008 and 0060-2008 to purchase medical equipment for the new facility.  By purchasing the equipment in advance of the facility being built, the City will save money by capitalizing on current market prices rather than waiting for future price increases.  Ordinance 0047-2008 will appropriate $171,552.90 for various types of medical equipment, including scales, wheelchairs, and stretchers.  Ordinance 0060-2008 authorizes $23,365.00 to purchase optometry dispensary equipment.

Submitted by Bonita Lee, City of Columbus Community Liaison to the Greater Hilltop Area
Tonti property hearing cancelled
01/13/2008

The hearing that had been re-scheduled to January 14 has now been cancelled in favor of an agreement reached between the court and the Columbus city Attorney's office. The follwing information is an excerpt from an explanatory email sent by Gary L. Baker, II:

"I spoke with Assistant City Attorney Jodi Spurlock a few days ago about her plan for the hearing. She advised me that she planned to ask Judge Hale for a permanent injunction and an order to make repairs within 90 days or the building would be demolished. I told her that I was not satisfied with that plan. She and I talked about this for some time and she convinced me that this would be the best course of action.
Today Judge Hale called me with Heather Truesdell, Richard Booker, and Jodi Spurlock in his office. Jodi asked him to do what she told me she planned to ask him for. When I spoke with the Judge later, he advised me that his plan is to give the defendant 60 to 90 days to make significant progress on repairing the building. If there is no movement after 90 days, he can order demolition. I believe he will do this. He was aggressive with Woodland Meadows. As a result of this agreement between the City Attorney's office and Judge Hale, there will be no hearing on the 14th. We will need to follow up with Judge Hale and let him know we want to see the demolition order upheld at 90 days if no progress has been made on the building."

Baker resigns from GHAC

1/3/2008

GARY L. BAKER, II resigned his position as Chairman of the Greater Hilltop Area
Commission as of midnight on January 1, 2008 after running a successful campaign for a
seat on the Columbus Board of Education.

Assuming the chair will be vice-chair, CHUCK PATTERSON.

Baker is a longtime resident of the Greater Hilltop area and promises to remain
involved and proactive in the community and commission projects.  Baker said "I will
continue to serve the Hilltop through other organizations, including Friends of the
Hilltop and the Greater Hilltop Area League for the Arts. I will also make myself
available to the new administration of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission. I will always
be a Hilltopper and will continue working with others to bring about the Hilltop
Renaissance. I will continue to do all I can to facilitate positive progress in our
Hilltop neighborhoods. My time as a part of this body has been rewarding and I cherish
the opportunity to serve and the people with whom I have worked. I have every confidence
in the new leadership of the Commission. Long live Hilltop, U.S.A.!" 

Baker served the Commission as a member for a decade and was elected unanimously by his
Commission peers to serve as chairman for a third straight year in July.

Patterson is a lifelong Hilltop resident and a West High graduate. He is married with
four children and he works as an area Realtor and voice actor. Patterson has served as
President of the West/Southwest Area Realty Association, and The Greater Hilltop Resource
Center. He was a member of the city of Columbus Commission on Ethics and Values and was a
columnist for the Columbus Messenger as well as spending more than a decade as a central
Ohio radio personality. Patterson said "I am thrilled for Gary and I am honored to be
able to follow him in service to the Greater Hilltop Area. I will do all I can to uphold
the civility he encouraged at commission meetings and I will do all I can to continue the
momentum we have in Hilltop U.S.A.. I truly love this community!" 


It's official...
Goodbye Hilltop Marketplace

12/6/2007
  • At the December 5, 2007 GHAC meeting, commissioner Keplar announced the final day of operation for the Hilltop Marketplace will be December 31.   At this time the owner of the building is in negotiation with the Buckeye Ranch to open a day school in the location.  Those plans are still preliminary.
  • Commissioiner Horn noted the hours of operation and facilities of the new Hilltop post office were not as consumer-friendly as many had hoped.
  1. Access to PO Boxes like that of the GHAC is limited to lobby-only hours.  Daily from 8:00AM - 5:00PM.  Saturday until 2:00PM.    
  2. Permanent outside boxes will remain at Harris & Broad with 11AM-only daily pickup schedule.
  3. There will be no self-service postage machine(s) inside the Hilltop Retail facility. 
This means that in order to get mail picked up the day you drop it off, it must be dropped before 11:00am. Additionally, if you want to be able to check your post office box after normal business hours, you'll need a box at Linclon Village or Grove City offices.

Horn said that information he received says all comments on this issue should be addressed to the Branch Manager and/or the Postmaster of Columbus.
  • Commissioners adopted a change to the bylaws to create a rule of succession for officers. This possibility was not covered by existing bylaws.  The following was approved and shall become Article II, Section C, Subsection (1):
Should the position of Chairperson become vacant, the Vice Chair shall immediately assume the duties of the position until the next election of officers.

The void created in the position of Vice Chair shall be filled at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the commission by a vote of remaining commission members. Should the Vice Chair elect leav a void in another office, that position shall be filled in the same manner as the Vice Chair position.

If the Vice Chair cannot assume the office of Chairperson, the Secretary will serve as Chair-Pro Tem until the office of Chairperson is filled.

If any officer gives notice of vacating their position, the Commission has the authority to fill the position prior to his or her departure date.


Community Clean-up...
With a little help from our friends.

11/03/2007

Members of the Columbus Division of Police 112th recruit class had other options for their community service project, but they chose Hilltop U.S.A. as the place to spend a chilly Saturday morning.

Assembling at 8:00am, (with a thermometer reading of 32 degrees!) at 519 S. Powell Ave. in the interior warmth of the "base" which was graciously provided by American Legion Camp Chase Post 98, these volunteers were greeted by G.H.A.C. representatives Sue Laughlin and Chuck Patterson as well as HBA representative, John Lowry. After a doughnut or two, they donned fluorescent vests and began picking up litter on Sullivant Ave.  at Hague Ave. and points east and west.

A big thanks to this "litter strike force" for their hard work in our community and best wishes from G.H.A.C. members as they pursue a career which benefits each of us!
Also we thank Robert Seed, Volunteer Coordinator with Keep Columbus Beautiful and Erica North, who coordinated the recruits and got them where they needed to be.




G.H.A.C. Forms Hilltop Youth Commission

10/22/2007

CONTACT:
J. JUSTIN BOGGS
(GHAC PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE CHAIR)
614-886-5075 

The Greater Hilltop Area Commission, seeks students as members of the newly formed Hilltop Youth Commission. Participants must be in 11th of 12th grade.

The Greater Hilltop Area Youth Commission will be a 12 member committee that will provide the youth of the community a voice to elected bodies like the GHAC, Columbus City Council, and possibly the state and federal levels. These members will also learn civic and social skills that will allow them to be future community leaders

These initial members will be involved in a shortened, yet very important session year which will run through June. With the guidance of the G.H.A.C. and community members, as well as area teachers, this commission will be involved in setting guidelines and bylaws for future members of the youth commission. There is an application and screening process. The members of the youth commission will be selected by local school teachers, members of the GHAC, any community member who participates in the Public Safety Committee, and elected officials. These members will judge the responses in a public meeting late in November or early in December.

New West Mound Elementary School


These smiling faces were on hand to open the newest school on the Hilltop. From the looks of things, a new Binns elementary isn't far behind.
The following is from the C.P.S. website:

The new schools — East Columbus, Lincoln Park, West Mound, East Linden, Shady Lane and Watkins elementary schools — house grades kindergarten through five. These are in addition to three more elementary schools (Ohio Avenue, Shady Lane and Watkins). Two new middle schools (Champion and Wedgewood) will open by this winter, as well as the new Binns Elementary School.

“All of these new and renovated facilities were made possible because of the tremendous support of our community. We will be forever grateful to you, and I believe you will find we have been very conservative and thoughtful in how we have used the resources you’ve provided us,” said Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., Columbus City Schools superintendent, at each of the building dedications.



September 4, 2007 meeting notes:

Terry Stewart, the City of Columbus Community Mobility Engineer plans to attend the Greater Hilltop Area Commission meeting on 04-Sep-07.

 In advance of that he wants to meet with neighborhood folks about the community mobility plan he will be working on for the Hilltop. The plan will be completed next year with our input. We have arranged for a meeting this Thursday night August 30 at 6:30 at the Hilltop Library for anyone who is interested in being part of the planning process. Please plan to attend if you are interested.


August 14, 2007 meeting notes



In attendance at the August meeting (l-r) Columbus (Hilltop) code enforcement officer Jim Lee, City Council Member Hearcel Craig, Cols. Police Sgt. David Eing and Columbus city attorney Richard Pfeiffer.
Mr. Pfeiffer spoke to the commission about a new "designated attorney" scenario that his office is implementing which will allow a single representative from the city attorney's office to gain intimate knowlege about a community.  Coucilmember Craig invited all to attend a crime prevention meeting at J. Ashburn Youth Center on August 16th at 6:30 pm.  New GHAC committee chairs and members were also installed on this evening.



Election Results

(June 25, 2007) Election of 2007-2008 commission members was held on Saturday June 23rd.  Polling was  conducted at the Hilltop Bean Dinner and the Hilltop Library.  There were four seats open and four candidates on the ballot.  Below you can see the tally for each candidate and each location, elected candidates appear in RED text:

CONGRATULATIONS to our new  and returning GHAC members and THANK YOU to everyone that volunteered their time and energy to conduct this year's election!
Candidate Bean Dinner Votes Library Votes Total Votes
Jenny Keplar 53 16 69
Judy Manley 58* 9 68
Mark Potts 53 12 65
Dru Bagley 57 6 63
The following write-in votes were also recorded
Pam Weaver 24 1 25
Bea Murphy 2 - 2
Rev. Tim Lee 1 - 1
Bob Keck 1 - 1
Daryl Hennessy 1 - 1
Lisa Grazier 1 - 1
Scott Hubbard* - 1 1


GHAC Appoints New Member

At the first meeting of the 2007-2008 area commission members, elected and re-elected members took their seats and began the business of selecting a member for the single appointed seat.

Nominated were: Bea Murphy, Bob Spears, and Josue Vicente. Chosen to fill the seat was Hilltop business person Bob Spears.
2007-2008 GHAC Officers Chosen

Upon commencing the new session, GHAC members chose officers for the coming year. Returning to the Chair is Gary L. Baker II. Assuming Vice-Chair duties is Chuck Patterson. Dave Horn continues as Treasurer and Judy Manley maintains her Secretary position.


* At the July 10, 2007 meeting, the GHAC certified the 2007 election results after conducting a requested public recount. As a result of that recount, Judy Manley's vote total for the Bean Dinner location was changed from 59 to 58. A previously unknown write-in vote for Scott Hubbard was also added to the official vote count.

New Police heliport operating in the Greater Hilltop area.
Columbus West High School Bell Tower

Columbus Dispatch 7/18/09

Why bring YOUR business to
Hilltop U.S.A.?
$525million!
Read the report from
Boulevard Strategies
Columbus West High School Bell Tower

Ashburn Center called
"A Haven on the Hilltop"
Columbus Dispatch 10/4/08
Columbus West High School Bell Tower

Could Westgate Park host a new "Rain Garden"?
Westside Messenger 7/5/08
Columbus West High School Bell Tower

No swimming at Glenwood Pool this year....
The Columbus Dispatch 6/10/08
Columbus West High School Bell Tower

Finally a mail box at the new
Hilltop post office!
The Columbus Dispatch 1/8/08
(Now if we can just get more user-freindly lobby hours!)
Columbus West High School Bell Tower

Buckeye Ranch may come to Hilltop
Columbus Dispatch 12/16/07
Columbus West High School Bell Tower

"HBA hopes to revitalize
West Broad."
Westside Messenger 10/27/07
Columbus West High School Bell Tower

"Early analysis finding some rich opportunities for restaurants, retailers"
The Business Journal 10/26/07
Columbus West High School Bell Tower

"Hilltop is a great place
to own a home."
Commissioner Dave Horn's letter to the editor:
Columbus Dispatch 9/8/07
Columbus West High School Bell Tower

New police heliport comes to the  Hilltop communty.
 Columbus Dispatch  7/26/07


"To embrace the historic significance of our neighborhoods and determination of our neighbors,  to encourage and
facilitate  responsible economic development, to build continuing and effective  communication between residents and city officials and  to facilitate change when needed, through community and cooperation."

"To embrace the historic significance of our neighborhoods and determination of our neighbors,  to encourage and
facilitate  responsible economic development, to build continuing and effective  communication between residents and city officials and  to facilitate change when needed, through community and cooperation."