a previous version of this story misidentified which Hilliard Democrats group Trish Barker founded She founded the grassroots group Hilliard Democrats in 2018 which formed in April and has no affiliation with the grassroots group Hilliard’s first Democratic primary in recent memory is not without its share of controversy The seven candidates had a civil discussion and found ample common ground at one of the only public events featuring all that was hosted by the Hilliard Chamber of Commerce in early April there’s some confusion in the Columbus suburb that elected its first Democrat to City Council in 2019 Democratic voters will pick four candidates on May 6 to face three Republicans in November Here’s what you need to know about three interesting stories of the race so far: mailers attacking incumbent Andy Teater endorsements from different Democrat-affiliated organizations and mismatched fundraising Primary election guide Do I need to vote Tuesday? What is Ohio Issue 2? Teater was a Republican for much of his life He followed in his parents’ footsteps of running as Republicans for local offices serving on the City Council for multiple terms and on the school board But Teater has never supported President Donald Trump and left the party a few years ago because of Trump’s policies he wrote in an April 29 Facebook post: “I have been working closely with Hilliard Democrats since then.” he accepted an award from the Franklin County GOP in 2024 on behalf of his mother and late father for their public service A photo of that is featured on mailers the Hilliard Conservative Club PAC recently sent to voters alleging Teater was accepting the award and is working to “infiltrate and take over the Hilliard Democratic Party from the inside” with Tony Moog a planning and zoning commissioner on the same slate as Teater “We strongly encourage everyone to support this true MAGA patriot with your vote in the Democratic Primary,” the mailer says which includes multiple photos of Trump that appear to be pointing to Teater The organization that sent out the mailers was created March 31, according to campaign finance records. Council member Les Carrier, who is running in the uncontested GOP primary to keep his seat, is the primary contributor to the organization Carrier’s campaign wrote a $2,000 check and he personally made a $1,780 loan Hilliard: Meet 7 Democrats for City Council in May 6 primary which Carrier referred to as satire in an interview with The Dispatch was intended to get more people talking about the primary and highlight the “hypocrisy” of local Democrats said the mailers are sparking confusion among voters Teater has been working with Hilliard Democrats for a few years Carrier said people were already confused by Teater’s party switch after his longtime affiliation with the GOP whom the mailer identifies as his campaign manager Moog was Teater’s campaign treasurer after the death of the previous treasurer two years ago until the end of last year “These mailers appear to be an attempt to misrepresent Andy’s history and values but anyone familiar with his track record knows his commitment to putting the community first our only job is to do what is best for our community It is disappointing that some choose to divide and confuse our community during election campaigns,” Teater told The Dispatch Carrier said the underlying message was not about Teater but rather the Democratic Party and its process It's really not necessarily so much about Andy as it is about the party and what they're doing and how they act like they're the party of inclusion — they didn't even really give those other candidates a chance,” Carrier said about the mailers Why Hilliard Democrats supported a slate early onHilliard Democrats has been working to organize candidates for the recent city elections since last fall and the group was not expecting a contested primary Tony Moog and Kathy Parker-Jones before some of the other candidates filed petitions to run A few other candidates also initially expressed interest — one did not make it through the vetting process and another opted not to run to avoid a primary “We already had an endorsed slate and a commitment to these folks … it was very late in the game,” Barker said about when the group first heard in January about Dorothy Hassan Nadia Rasul and Samer Bazerbashi deciding to run 21 that the Franklin County Democratic Party was holding interviews for endorsements but previously hadn't heard anything about it even though her contact information is in the paperwork she submitted to the board of elections She questions why the local organizations hold interviews and decide on whom to endorse before the filing deadline “I believe in a true democracy in letting the people decide and whatever the voters decide on May 6 is how we will proceed I will continue to be active in the betterment of Hilliard and be a liaison,” Rasul said Bazerbashi said: “When big party platforms come down and make their picks it creates an uneven playing field for candidates that come with a fresh perspective I come with unique experiences in that I'm the only candidate that has to survive off of community engagement and feedback.” Barker started Hilliard Democrats in late 2018 as a coalition of volunteers working to get Democrats elected at all levels of government amid shifting electoral trends favoring Democrats and an embezzlement scandal of missing swimming pool money Cynthia Vermillion was the first Democrat to succeed in the fall of 2019 and she won re-election in 2023 there’s a 5-2 majority of Democrats on one of the only partisan city councils in suburban Columbus Barker said they have previously always contacted local party infrastructure early on for questions and support Hassan and Barker told The Dispatch they have discussed changing the process moving forward “We're going to fix that and make sure that it is a more democratic process,” Hassan said The Franklin County Democratic Party just endorsed the incumbents Executive Committee Chairman Mike Sexton confirmed with The Dispatch Rasul and Bazerbashi got an endorsement from the Hilliard Democrats PAC which is not affiliated with the Hilliard Democrats or the Franklin County Democratic Party The PAC was formed April 16 by Ammar Khawam who said in a text to The Dispatch that he founded the group amid the lack of support from Hilliard Democrats Khawam said he knows Rasul the best and has encouraged her to run for public office for years He said Hilliard Democrats “deviated from one of the core values of the Democratic Party The non-PAC candidates said they had not heard from that PAC about supporting them “These endorsements were made without engaging or consulting the other four candidates which raises questions about transparency and fairness in the process,” Moog said Khawam said the main issue is that Hilliard Democrats didn't include all of the candidates running as Democrats Most of the funding for the Hilliard Democrats PAC comes from the Building Better Communities PAC Suleiman is on the board for Noor Islamic Cultural Center but he said in an interview with The Dispatch that the PAC he founded has nothing to do with the mosque An entity affiliated with Noor recently sued the city in local and federal courts for rejecting its request to rezone a vacant office building nonreligious and will support other candidates in other local elections around central Ohio this year The PAC has received nearly $34,000 in donations as well as $5,000 to the Hilliard Democrats PAC Suleiman said he is not affiliated with the Hilliard Democrats PAC; The BBC PAC will support other organizations and candidates that have “similar objectives,” he said Bazerbashi and Rasul said they are not affiliated with either PAC and Hassan did not respond to a follow-up question ahead of The Dispatch’s deadline Bazerbashi and Rasul have each raised more funding than the Hilliard Democrats-supported candidates combined which is about $7,000 among the four candidates Some of the Hilliard Democrat slate candidates said volunteers drive their campaigns “Our grassroots approach means we’re out in the neighborhoods every day relying on dedicated volunteers and supporters to help amplify our message It’s not just about how much money you raise — it’s about how well you connect with the community and ultimately Parker-Jones said that people should pay attention to where the funding is coming from “When a newly formed PAC based outside of Hilliard out-raises a slate of long-time residents and community advocates it raises fair questions about influence and priorities I believe voters in Hilliard care more about values and vision than outside interest campaign spending,” Parker-Jones said Teater and Parker-Jones have personally loaned money to their campaigns Hassan said the support her campaign has received is serious “The outpouring of support from my community just the sisterhood of women who are excited to see another woman run; women who are excited to support the first African American woman on the ballot in Hilliard; educators,” Hassan said “It's a wonderful thing to see how all that intersectionality came in a circle of support.” Anna Lynn Winfrey covers the western suburbs for The Columbus Dispatch. She can be reached at awinfrey@dispatch.com Because the flyers are obviously meant to disinform voters about me I want to make clear why I’m running for re-election as a Democrat after being a registered Republican for most of my life I served on the Hilliard Board of Education and on city council for many years as a Republican both of whom had long careers as Republican public servants and elected officials the Republican Party’s values and priorities have drifted far from mine and after working cooperatively with local Democrats for years I officially changed my party affiliation two years ago More: Multiple controversies confuse voters in Hilliard City Council's first Democratic primary Putting my face on a flyer with Donald Trump’s and calling me a MAGA secret agent might seem like a joke to the people that produced the flyers but there’s nothing funny about undermining the integrity of an election by lying to voters Opinion: A sensational tale of has been told about Hilliard. The truth about Big Darby. More: How can I view my Ohio ballot before Election Day? What to know about Ohio primary voting Since leaving her career teaching elementary school processes in different departments in the dealership Each department she has participated in has greatly improved in performance and At Miller’s RV, Jennie is known to be kind and caring for both employees and customers in the dealership but also serious about improving standards and customer experience she has been changing expectations for employees which the dealership has seen evident in customer interactions and shortening repair event cycle time (RECT) to the cleanliness of technician bays Jennie’s nominator says she has earned the affectionate nickname of “The Little General” because when she shows up in an area She also has worked with the different departments to make sure they have the tools necessary to complete their responsibilities at the highest level she increased training and developed a manual to improve submissions Her nominator says she also worked with the service department and technicians to train the technicians on how to secure more information needed from the customer on the front end which cut down on submission time and led to a higher approval rate Her work with the parts department and its processes shortened the turn around on parts pricing requests from the service department to hours from days This work in the service department lowered RECT by over 40% in the last two years — and she’s not done yet Jennie has increased the number of women in her company from two to five and has done a great job in challenging and stretching them to grow in ability and responsibility known to her grandchildren as “Honey.” And at times she is a mother figure to many young women in her church who look to her for advice in many areas of their lives “I think a big challenge was believing in herself and accepting that she had a lot to offer,” her nominator says She learned that she belonged in her role and that if she led Coming out of the elementary school classroom and into the RV industry has been a rewarding and challenging experience then on to service and now I’m getting my feet wet in sales I started by asking a lot of questions; some days it felt like drinking water through a fire hose My best advice to young women is to never stop learning and don’t be afraid to try something new you bring a unique viewpoint and skill set which in my experience has brought value and helped our dealership grow This recognition came as a complete surprise to me I am humbled and honored to be included with so many amazing women in the RV industry My parents started the dealership when I was in high school I never imagined myself working in it full-time I get to help people enjoy the journey as they embark on what makes them happy I feel like I’m making a difference in the lives of our team and our customers For more 2025 Women in Business honorees, click here. For a lifelong Hilliard resident like Samantha Brill it’s hard to miss the ways in which the city has grown diversified and broadened its horizons over the last several decades the most exciting thing was to go to Bill’s Food Mart now the executive director of Destination Hilliard whether they’re coming from a neighboring city or from several hours away.” Between city support for business entrepreneurs and innovators a concerted effort to expand its housing stock and a rich mix of things to do and places to go Hilliard is primed to set itself apart from other Central Ohio suburbs “It’s certainly a very exciting time to be a part of Hilliard,” says assistant city manager Dan Ralley “It’s easy for me to see these projects starting to build upon each other and getting to a critical mass where there’s energy that is going on that helps facilitate future projects.” We recently spoke with a variety of Hilliard officials and leaders about the myriad ways in which the city has become an ideal place to live Housing BountyRalley remembers growing up in Central Ohio and watching Hilliard transform from a small community 30 years ago to a city of 38,000 today including a quality school district that remains appealing for families and the ability to develop westward in an intentional The city’s accessibility to leading employers also weighs heavily in its appeal “We regularly talk to people at Ohio State [University] and Hilliard is apparently the second-largest area of staff and faculty on the Ohio State health insurance plan,” he says “That definitely is one of the draws: its proximity to [employers] like Ohio State.” the city’s housing supply consisted in large part of post-World War II starter homes that were modest in size and affordable Upon the completion of Hilliard’s Comprehensive Plan Update in 2023 leaders identified the need to introduce “missing middle” housing into the community including affordably priced duplexes or even fourplexes The city is in the midst of updating zoning codes to permit such housing to spring up in areas previously designated for different uses in some of the parcels along I-270 that historically would have been exclusively suburban office,” Ralley says “We’re looking at ways to allow housing with a little bit more density in some places where we already have single-family housing along arterial roadways like Cemetery Road.” The need for more (and more affordable) housing is not just a matter of growing the residential base of Hilliard but also satisfying the needs of businesses …there needs to be obtainable housing for employees that allows them to live either in the same community where they’re working or in close proximity to where they’re working,” Ralley says All plans for the future are made with an eye toward the past the city seeks to establish buffer areas between existing residential spaces and the proposed new developments “In areas where you have a little bit more density it might be stepping down the scale of that development as it gets closer to existing housing,” he says Other current developments include Epcon Communities’ Courtyards at Carr Farms “The housing may not actually be smaller than what people move out of … but there is a lot less care that [homeowners] have to take of the property as a whole,” Ralley says “The lots are much smaller; there are some common amenities that they’re able to enjoy.” There is also robust growth at the mixed-use TruePointe development which boasts the headquarters of Advanced Drainage Systems as well as several hundred apartments Hilliard leaders realized they needed to distinguish their city from the pack but really how do we differentiate ourselves across our peer communities?” says David Meadows the city’s director of economic development This led to the commissioning of a five-year strategic plan which reaffirmed the city’s commitment to working collaboratively with entrepreneurs in advanced technology and advanced manufacturing startups are invited to team with the city to put their ideas and technologies to the test with the goal of growing their burgeoning businesses “Just by sitting with [business leaders] and meeting with them they’re identifying who their customers are they’re identifying pitfalls and the things that keep them up at night,” Meadows says “Our job is to help throw fuel on the fire and try to get it to a point where they can pass [or] fail Some ideas are going to be great; some of them require a pivot.” Further contributing to Hilliard’s emergence as a high-tech hub was the addition of a 30-mile municipal fiber optic network Such initiatives have helped brand Hilliard as an ideal place to do business “This isn’t just a normal city government—there’s a culture here that we truly want to help,” Meadows says Meadows says that the city expects further growth in the automotive technology and information technology sectors as well as in healthcare and applied science “We don’t have sites that are a thousand acres so getting a big plant like that probably isn’t in our cards,” he says but companies in the supply chain of such plants are very much in their plans “I think what we’re going to see here is the smaller facilities the midsize manufacturers that kind of looks an office building on the outside but really supports scientists and engineering within the walls.” Combined with its eagerness to work with entrepreneurs Hilliard’s unique blend of attributes is hard for businesses to pass up great residents—and we can have a lot of economic success within that,” Meadows says Hilliard was a destination because it was on the Piqua and Indiana Railroad “Hilliard was a train-stop town—John Hilliard purchased this space because he anticipated it would become a train stop,” Brill the city has become a destination in an altogether different way From unique shops to exciting dining to one-of-a-kind attractions Hilliard offers plenty of reasons for Central Ohioans—and Ohioans more broadly— to pay a visit “It’s a great place to make your home for a couple of days if you have some things you want to see,” Brill says the city wins over visitors with its authenticity “The places in Hilliard that you come to visit are unexpected “They are just a little bit different than what you might find other places.” For example the popular restaurant Bears Bagels is housed in a gas station complex being named one of USA Today’s best new restaurants,” she says “There’s such an eclectic vibe in Hilliard.” Other hidden gems include Packrat Comics and Brewing Intuition a so-called “modern apothecary” that sells organic herbs Transformational in the city’s evolution was the 2015 opening of Hilliard’s Station Park which has become the hub of the community around which a retail sector has sprung up “Hilliard’s Station Park is right in the center of Downtown Hilliard,” Brill says and Otie’s Tavern and Grill are adjacent to the park “Downtown Hilliard has also added some retail which is something that was really needed,” she says “Hilliard is a place that doesn’t make snap judgments,” Brill says … I think Hilliard is such an accepting community that even the business owners can take those risks In keeping with the city’s offbeat spirit is the Early Television Museum on Franklin Street “But you walk in and the stuff they have in there is so cool.” Among the notable objects on display are a vintage news truck and a gigantic RCA dog a multitude of examples of early televisions are scattered across the museum’s various rooms The city takes rightful pride in Downtown Hilliard’s First Responders Park “It has artifacts from the World Trade Center [and] some of the steel,” Brill says “It has some very meaningful sculptures with a lot of symbolism throughout [including] fire hoses with the nozzles having a number of significance.” The park which opened on the nine-year anniversary of the attacks is scheduled to close for renovations with reopening anticipated by the late summer for its 15-year anniversary Hilliard has ample space to set out on foot “We have a ton of parks around the community,” says Ed Merritt its Heritage Trail was formed on an unused rail bed The city hopes to extend the success of the existing trail by expanding it “We were able to partner with many other agencies throughout Central Ohio: the Metro Parks as well as some other municipal agencies to make that a reality.” Described as “the backbone of our system,” Merritt says that the trail presently connects Hilliard northward with plans to make a southward connection that will link the city to Columbus “It’s just utilized by tons of different families not only to get through and get down into the Downtown area but for exercise and enjoyment,” Merritt says The city is also lined with baseball and softball diamonds Active families soon will be able to avail themselves of The Well a medically integrated 111,000-square-foot community center created in tandem with the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center In addition to offering Ohio State’s comprehensive medical services—including among the 25,000 square feet to be occupied by OSU rehabilitation and geriatric services—the complex will include two indoor pools the annual Freedom Fest on Independence Day gets revelers in a festive spirit with a Downtown parade before culminating with a concert and a fireworks display at Municipal Park brings out music lovers from around the region “Each week we’ll pull around three to five thousand individuals for that party,” Merritt says “It’s in a DORA area so people congregate down there such features make the community one of Central Ohio’s most vibrant “The ability to offer different activities special events continues to draw our community together,” Merritt says This story is from the Hilliard special advertising section in the May 2025 issue of Columbus Monthly Mayor: Run-off between Mouton and West.Councilmember At-Large: Turner and Williams Ward 1: CrenshawWard 2: HilliardWard:3 Sherwood Southeast Texas — Beaumont voters have elected two new city councilmembers and a new at-large councilman to join A.J but the mayoral race in Beaumont won't be decided until the June 7 runoff Click HERE for results of the City of Beaumont and BISD elections 14,052 ballots were cast out of 68,836 registered voters Former mayor Robin Mouton and incumbent Roy West will battle it out again next month after Mouton finished with 5,542 votes (39.7%) and West earned 4,225 votes (30.3%) At-Large Councilman Randy Feldschau finished with 3,862 votes (27.7%) Chris Jones received 267 votes (2%) and Jude Paredez ended the night with 53 votes (0.4%) Turner was re-elected to his at-large seat with 8,717 votes (40.4%) Mike Williams won the second at-large seat with 5,880 votes (27.3%) Ward 3 Councilman Audwin Samuel came in third with 5,390 votes (25%) and Brian Nepveux got 1,592 votes (7.4%) Ward 1 candidate Cory Crenshaw won the seat going away over former longtime state lawmaker Mark Stiles Crenshaw received 2,401 votes (62%) and Stiles earned 1,489 votes (38%) Longtime Ward 2 incumbent Mike Getz lost to Joey Hilliard with Hillard receiving 2,453 votes (51%) and Getz ending with 2,337 (49%) Ward 3 candidate LaDonna Sherwood won the seat over Terry Roy 1,693 votes (77%) to Roy's 495 votes (23%) Ward 4 incumbent Chris Durio was unopposed BISD Place 2 candidate Yolanda "Nan" Avery defeated Scott Ali 1,901 votes (91%) to Ali's 185 votes (9%) BISD Place 3 incumbent Woodrow "Woody" Reece II won re-election receiving 762 votes (56%) to Treva Sherrell Johnson's 590 (44%) The Port Arthur mayoral race moves to a runoff although Charlotte Moses remained about 50% for most of the night The vote ended with Moses receiving 1,742 votes (48.44%) Chuck Vincent took home 664 votes (18.46%) and Allen "Opie" Valka received 111 votes (3.09%) PAISD voters elected Jacori Narcisse and Kimberly Johnson to the school board and they passed both parts of the bond election Proposition A ($222 million for school improvements and new school buses) passed with 2,029 (59.4%) voting for the bond and 1,387 (40.6%) voting against it Proposition B ($78 million for new stadium complex) passed with 1,860 votes (55.36%) giving it the green light and 1,500 (44.64%) voting no Nederland voters elected three candidates who ran on a platform of bringing major changes to city government receiving 1,170 votes (58.35%) over Emmett Hollier's 835 (41.65%) Britton Jones won the Ward II council race with 1,293 votes (65.24%) over Sylvia Root's 689 (34.76%) Jeff Ortiz won the Ward 4 council race over David Guillot Jasper Mayor Anderson Land lost his re-election bid to Clark McClane who earned 399 votes (58%) to Land's 221 (32%) Kountze ISD voters gave the green light to a $28 million bond Bridge City ISD voters approved a $27.5 million school bond issue Voters in Newton County ESD#6 approved a sales and use tax election Voters in Orange County ESD#4 rejected a similar measure Extended Search Photo courtesy of Charlton County Sheriff Robert Phillips Three Hilliard residents remain hospitalized after a Thursday plane accident A total of six members of the Franklin family were onboard when the plane lifted left while landing at Davis Field in Folkston Michael and Vickie Franklin are in critical condition UF Health Jacksonville manager of internal and external communications but an update on his condition was not available Friends of the family reported that he suffered a broken femur and had surgery on it Friday morning were examined and released from the hospital The family had traveled just north of Athens according to the plane’s flight path information on Flightradar24 The plane left from North Georgia mid-afternoon causing it to leave the runway just after 4 p.m The plane came in contact with a tree and fuel spilled According to Charlton County Sheriff Robert Phillips firefighters from the Georgia Forestry Commission extinguished the flames Charlton County firefighters and paramedics “rapidly arrived” according to Phillips and extracted one of the passengers All six members of the Franklin family were alert at the crash scene who had traveled in the front of the plane Trauma One helicopters airlifted them to UF Health Jacksonville All of the family members were taken to the hospital The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration began their investigations into the crash today More emergencies occurred in Charlton County during the response to the plane crash including a house fire and the search for a possibly injured bicyclist that was reported by CSX via one of its engineers “(Charlton County Emergency Management Agency) Director Bruce Young called on our Mutual Aid partnership with Camden County Baker County and Nassau County for ambulance and firefighting,” Phillips shared “Those counties responded quickly and we greatly appreciate their assistance.” “Three years ago we responded to a plane crash on (State Road) 121 across from Georgia Forestry and at that time we answered two other calls for emergency services which required mutual aid Read Nassau County Record, Callahan, Florida © 2025 Nassau County Record, Callahan, Florida Marysville’s boys and girls track and field squads stepped away from multi-team events on Wednesday. The Monarchs hosted Hilliard Darby in a dual event. Darby won both meets, turning in a 73-63 verdict over the MHS boys and a 73-55 decision over the Lady Monarchs. President Donald Trump makes a major sports announcement. The announcement comes amid reports Washington, D.C. will host the 2027 NFL Draft. WATCHHilliard faces federal lawsuit over rejection of Noor Islamic Center's building proposalby Kate Siefert Ohio (WSYX) — The Noor Islamic Cultural Center has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Hilliard alleging discrimination after the city rejected the center's plans to convert a vacant office space into a multi-use facility The dispute centers on the former BMW building on Britton Parkway which the cultural center purchased early last year Leaders with the Noor Islamic Cultural Center said they intended to transform the building into a mixed-use facility the Hilliard Planning Commission rejected their zoning proposals in November an attorney representing the Britton Parkway building and the Noor Islamic Cultural Center "It’s the most egregious example of discrimination in land use that I have seen in my over 25 years of practice Citizens of Hilliard should stand up to the administration and say this isn’t right." The lawsuit alleges that Hilliard's decision to reject the center's proposals violates the city's own zoning code but also violates federal law "The Noor Islamic Cultural Center did not want any of this," Miller said They want to rejuvenate the building for the City of Hilliard for their benefit and the benefit of the residents of Hilliard the city has tried to obstruct this at every turn the Noor Islamic Cultural Center stood up for itself it’s members and the muslim community." ABC6 requested a statement from Hilliard city officials the Community Relations Director for Hilliard said "We have not yet seen the most recent filing or the information released during the press conference at this time we would refer you to the City's official statement from November "The City of Hilliard embraces diversity in our community and welcomes all forms of faith," the statement said there has been significant misinformation spread concerning this proposal and the City’s efforts to work with the applicant Hilliard leaders negotiated diligently with Noor for the past 10 months and have worked hard to accommodate their evolving plans including allowing up to 56,000 square feet for school and event space that could be used for religious and nonreligious activities These efforts to accommodate were rejected by the applicant." "Noor has the opportunity to submit a new development plan for the site that aligns with the Community Plan We remain committed to reaching a resolution so the building’s potential can be maximized for the benefit of our entire community," the statement said This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page the daughter of the late Robert Hughes and Mary (Estabrook) Eggleston Mary married her loving husband John in 1959 and became a wife and mother to her six children: John Jr. Mary was a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints member for many decades and loved her calling of teaching primary children She dedicated her life to caring for her siblings Mary is survived by her six children: John Hilliard Jr and his wife Wendy; Robin Naro and her husband Thomas; Shawn Hilliard; Russell Hilliard and his wife Kathy; April Haggerty and her husband John; and Robert Hilliard and his wife Brittany; a brother Barbara MacFarland; and seventeen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren Calling hours will be held at the Rivet Funeral Home memorial contributions in Mary’s memory can be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Kindly visit rivetfuneralhome.com to leave an online condolence for the family Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of New Hampshire LLC | https://www.nashuatelegraph.com | 110 Main St Michelle Crandall is the city manager of Hilliard Carol Kauffman and John Tetzloff painted an erroneous picture of the city of Hilliard’s past present and future commitments to ensuring this unique and special natural resource is protected The truth is that Hilliard has always gone above and beyond the recommendations outlined in the Big Darby Accord Plan. the entire Big Darby Creek watershed covers approximately 555 square miles About 84 square miles of the watershed is within portions of the 10 local jurisdictions that signed on to the Darby Accord nearly 20 years ago While Hilliard’s portion is approximately 6.7 square miles it is land that our community cherishes and values — and that the city is committed to protecting The Big Darby originates in Logan County and flows more than 80 miles before joining the Scioto River near Circleville It is designated as a state of Ohio and a National Scenic River and is among the most biologically diverse rivers in the Midwest providing habitat to several state and federally listed endangered species and development within the watershed must be thoughtfully and carefully considered Hilliard goes above and beyond Big Darby AccordStandards for development should be high That’s why Hilliard has proudly set and ensured standards and requirements for development that go above and beyond the recommendations found within the Big Darby Accord Plan Despite having just 1.2% of the watershed within Hilliard we consider our commitment to the Big Darby Accord no small matter The city has been a leader among local jurisdictions within the Big Darby watershed in establishing open space requirements requiring conservation design and investing in stream restoration zoning code changes to set open space requirements at 60% for commercial and 70% for residential developments were recommended by Hilliard’s Planning and Zoning Commission and approved by Hilliard City Council The Darby Accord Plan recommends 50% open space for development Hilliard also requires at least 50% of the required open space to be restored to native prairie and/or forest Strict state and federal stormwater and wetland regulations are followed and monitored with all development and Hilliard’s standards require wetland/littoral shelves for all wet ponds — approaches that protect local waterways The city’s recently adopted comprehensive community plan calls for a greenbelt to be developed along Hilliard’s westernmost edge within the Big Darby watershed This is envisioned to be a series of restored open-space parcels that eventually will be interconnected with trail access Hilliard’s open space requirements have led to the preservation of 681.56 acres of land in the Big Darby watershed Opinion: Hilliard shattered 19-year-old pact in name of development. Big Darby will suffer. Two important tributaries of the Big Darby are within the City of Hilliard: the Clover Groff and the Hamilton Run Hilliard has invested more than $3.5 million to restore substantial sections of both tributaries about half of this total investment has come from successful grant-funding applications the headwaters of the Clover Groff are now being preserved and protected The city of Hilliard looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the nine other jurisdictions that are partners in the Big Darby Accord Plan This year those 10 jurisdictions began the process of updating the now nearly 20-year-old plan we will keep at the forefront the same preservation and protection goals we had when the plan was first adopted Attorneys representing the Noor Islamic Cultural Center previously warned Hilliard city council that it would be vulnerable to legal action if it didn’t approve the mosque’s plans to transform a vacant office building in northwestern Hilliard An entity of the cultural center followed through and filed a federal lawsuit April 14 against the City of Hilliard city council and City Manager Michelle Crandall alleging discrimination and violation of First Amendment rights The city's decision not only violated Hilliard’s own zoning code and long-term plans but also violated federal law and “trampled on BPH’s rights protected by the U.S and Ohio Constitutions,” the lawsuit alleges told the Dispatch in an interview that the local legal action still pending does not include any financial damages or penalties which is part of the reason the federal lawsuit was necessary “We've been injured financially by the discrimination that the city has pursued against us,” Abaza said “We've been harmed financially and so we want to be compensated for that.”  told reporters at an April 14 press conference outside the U.S District Court Southern District of Ohio building in downtown Columbus that Hilliard put up barriers to Noor despite multiple attempts from the mosque to work with them “The city hopes that the Noor Islamic Cultural Center will go away and just relinquish the building — federal civil rights laws exist for situations such as this,” Miller said “Never in my over 25 years of practice have I ever seen such overt discrimination and clear violations of a property owner’s civil rights and right to express their faith.” Miller said that the financial damages would be measured in millions of dollars BPH bought the building at 5550 Britton Parkway in February 2024 out of foreclosure with funds raised from the Muslim community in central Ohio has been vacant for years amid the downturn in demand for office space following the COVID-19 pandemic Noor’s plans for the building include keeping some office space and adding a school community event space and some worship use City officials refused to negotiate with BPH and its attorneys and imposed “completely arbitrary and unprecedented restrictions” standards on how they could use the building “Every time BPH addressed and satisfied a contrived demand of the city defendants divined yet another baseless and unfounded obstacle to deny BPH’s rights,” the lawsuit says Crandall previously said at a council meeting that the building is in an ideal location for economic development and high-income jobs that help the city but the lawsuit says that the planned uses for the building would generate far more income tax than it does today The city has also approved other overtly Christian projects without fanfare and allowed other developments along the I-270 corridor that are not as lucrative to the city’s income tax coffers “The lack of any rational basis for denying BPH’s application reveals the true reason that defendants have fought BPH’s redevelopment at every step: defendants simply want to limit Islamic worship in Hilliard,” the lawsuit says “(City officials) are targeting and discriminating against the Central Ohio Muslim community behind a thin veil of nonsensical and standardless judgments.”   A spokesperson for the City of Hilliard referred the Dispatch to the most recent statement the city has made about Noor: Hilliard followed existing land use regulations and that staff “worked hard to accommodate their evolving plans" proposed for the office building “Noor has the opportunity to submit a new development plan for the site that aligns with the community plan,” the city’s statement from November 2024 says “We remain committed to reaching a resolution so the building’s potential can be maximized for the benefit of our entire community.” Anna Lynn Winfrey covers the western suburbs for the Columbus Dispatch She can be reached at awinfrey@dispatch.com Unlike many other suburbs in Franklin County Hilliard City Council candidates run in political party-based primaries After electing the first Democrat to City Council a few years ago Hilliard voters have the first Democratic primary in recent memory The two incumbents are Tina Cottone and Andy Teater — he recently changed his party affiliation from Republican They are joined by five council hopefuls: Samer Bazerbashi Four candidates will advance to face the three Republican candidates who aren’t competing in a primary The seven candidates will contend for the four open spots on Nov The information below was supplied by candidates responding to a questionnaire May 6 election: What's on the primary ballot in your central Ohio county? Here's the rundown Hilliard City Council candidatesSamer BazerbashiAge: 44 Campaign website: samer4hilliard.com Key issues: Addressing Cemetery Road traffic congestion attracting new business to help address tax rates andresidents lead the way in balanced development Background: Vice president of operations at T-Cetra in Dublin Small-business leader focused on relationships and solving real needs Helped grow a Hilliard tech startup into a company serving underserved communities nationwide An Ohio State finance graduate now stepping into politics driven by the same mission: pragmatic solutions that put people first "I’m stepping into politics precisely because I’m not a politician I’m a problem-solver who believes government should work as efficiently as the businesses I’ve helped lead From supporting local entrepreneurs to providing for the less fortunate I’m ready to do that for our municipality — with transparency grit and the humility to learn from you every step of the way." Campaign website: tinacottone.com Key issues: Continuous and repeated community outreach to keep transparency on the forefront as 2023 Community Plan changes are implemented creative and flexible housing solutions and services for seniors Background: Bachelor's degree in English from the Ohio State University Recently retired from a gratifying career in educational publishing my hands-on experience has prepared me far more than my research prior to serving on council I've learned that the best work is done quietly and carefully Good work does not have to be a parade; it can be a quiet walk in the woods learning from city staff (who are experts at their jobs) elected officials in central Ohio communities and fellow council members is extremely valuable There is power in asking questions and asking for help I am in the fourth year of my first term on Hilliard City Council which was predominantly male (5-2) and Republican (6-1) Since winning my seat on council and the results of the 2023 election This diversity gives us a balance that better reflects our community I am currently serving as council president for the year 2025 — the increased responsibilities are allowing me to grow even more with access to more elected officials in central Ohio I am proud of the work that I have done so far and am running for reelection so that I can continue my work on sustainability providing services for seniors and growing our community in ways that serve people at all economic levels Campaign website: dorothyforhilliard.com Key issues: Expanding opportunities for authentic dialogue with residents smart growth and diverse sustainable housing Background: Nonprofit executive with a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and a Ph.D Adjunct professor and small business owner teaching organizations and individuals how to craft inclusive spaces for diverse individuals "I am a results-driven public service leader who understands that community is the outcome Hilliard residents deserve a leader that understands the privilege and responsibility of public service I want to plan for the future of Hilliard with the residents Campaign website: TonyMoog.com Key issues: Encouraging community engagement by listening to the citizens and actively seeking their input Thoughtful development that provides necessary revenue to support the city balanced with the needs and character of the community Quality of life where everyone has the opportunity to live and thrive Background: Graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Personnel Management Currently a customer success manager with AT&T as a member of a sales team supporting international business accounts where my wife and I have raised our two children I’ve been a proud Rotarian for 22 years and also served on the board of the Hilliard Education Foundation for eight years I was president and vice president for both groups I am in my second year on Hilliard’s Planning and Zoning Commission This experience has provided me with invaluable insights into the vast growth opportunities for our city and the crucial role that City Council plays in facilitating this development experience and leadership to continue building on our city’s successes to make Hilliard the place all people are excited to live Campaign website: kathyparkerjones.com Key issues: Ensuring Hilliard is a connected community sustainable and strategic in its growth and responsive to the entire community’s needs Background: Dedicated leader with over 30 years of experience in education including 24 years as a teacher with Hilliard City Schools before transitioning into administration with Dublin City Schools As the coordinator of digital and personalized learning she drives innovation and strategic growth in education Holds degrees from the University of Dayton The Ohio State University and the American College of Education Passionate athlete and owner of Balanced Triathlon Training LLC leadership and deep commitment to Hilliard make me the right candidate for City Council including 24 years as a teacher in Hilliard City Schools and now as an administrator problem-solving and advocating for our community I’ve led and mentored athletes through my business As a longtime resident and engaged community member I understand our city’s challenges and opportunities think strategically and find practical solutions to help Hilliard thrive." Campaign website: nadiaforhilliard.com Key issues: Creating safe opportunities to walk and more connected bike-friendly spaces Addressing current challenges of sustainable growth while preserving Hilliard’s charm and character Creating an open conversation with the residents and City Council Background: Graduated from The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and has been a pharmacist in Hilliard for 30 years Awarded Preceptor of the Year from the Ohio State College of Pharmacy Served on the Hilliard Recreation and Parks Commission "I have been living in our home in Hilliard for 36 years and I have been caring for Hilliard residents as their community pharmacist for 30 years My four children graduated from Hilliard Davidson High School and Ohio State University I have volunteered for 20 years in the senior center I have served Hilliard in many trusted capacities and now it’s time for me to serve my neighbors directly I will be spending my time in the neighborhoods listening to my constituents The Hilliard community has grown and changed exponentially in the past two decades and our City Council should reflect that I will be the voice for all Hilliard residents Campaign website: andyteater.com Key issues: Promoting smart and planned commercial growth to help ease the property tax burden on residents Continuing to develop a first-class parks and connected trail system Continuing to assure high-quality development in downtown Hilliard Background: Currently retired with a degree in economics from The Ohio State University Served 12 years on the Hilliard City School Board prior to being elected to council "The political climate has changed a lot in recent years This began at the national level but also has affected local government sensible leadership that puts our community's best interests ahead of partisan politics I believe my 19 years of service demonstrate that I will provide that type of leadership I love Hilliard and will continue to do what is best for this community." Lawsuit: Noor Islamic center sues Hilliard for discrimination, violation of Constitutional rights Housing: Hilliard City Council approves controversial M/I Homes development in Big Darby area but that does not begin to tell the senior’s story Ames changes the game in ways that can’t be quantified in a scorebook “He’s making the saves that he should and some that he shouldn’t,” said Ames’ father hedging situation where someone is coming around the corner and he pops out He can come out and cut down their angle and make it difficult There are a lot of shots happening that aren’t going on the net .. Davidson senior defender Liam Pierce said he did not know of Ames’ conditions until Dave Ames told him before a Dispatch interview during the team’s April 23 practice “I’ve never seen something happen and know that was why He leaves it out there every single time.” Related story: Team manager Brenden Garrett inspires Olentangy Liberty hockey Vance Ames might have been destined to star in lacrosse given that his father played collegiately as a defender at Arizona and Bentley University and older brother Kaiden is a midfielder at Elmhurst College in suburban Chicago But the road was circuitous; Vance took the game up in second grade and played attacker until the effects of CP meant he could not keep up athletically or in terms of speed He shifted into goal and has been there ever since “My brain signals don’t work as well to my right side,” Vance said but it’s not nearly as bad as my right foot or right leg in general My right calf is a little smaller than my left “I have struggled with the shots on (the left) side because I’ve had to push off that (right) foot Just playing with confidence and knowing I can do my job is critical.” Related story: Detroit Tigers, college sports TV broadcaster Jason Benetti thrives with CP Region 3 selection and third-team all-state honoree a year ago further develop the muscles on his right side He takes four pills a day to combat Crohn’s During an April 22 game against Dublin Coffman Ames found himself running the ball almost to midfield during a clearing attempt his third of the season to go with three assists “(Coffman) covered everyone but me and I had to run over the midline,” Ames said Davidson (9-4) has won eight of 10 games after a 1-2 start and is ranked 11th statewide by LaxNumbers.com have been Region 3 runners-up each of the past three seasons but we can only get better from here,” Ames said “We’ve worked on me playing more aggressive cutting offensive players’ angles or being able to go out and get ground balls when the offense is not a threat to score Just being more involved in leading the defense with my voice and even my body.” High school sports reporter Dave Purpura can be reached at dpurpura@dispatch.com and at @dp_dispatch on X There are no statistics available for this player Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Embrace who you are and become who you were meant to be Big opportunities and unique experiences await you Creating and sharing knowledge can transform the world We're known for our impressive academic programs Molly Rowe, a Lafayette native with two decades of experience working with arts and culture organizations around the world, has been named executive director of the Hilliard Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Rowe's work within the arts world spans nonprofits like the New York City Ballet and the Whitney Museum of American Art; higher education including Savannah College of Art & Design and Duke University; and Fortune 500 brands such as Google and The New York Times Rowe holds an MBA in strategic management from Tulane University a bachelor's degree in history and French literature from Cornell University and has completed graduate work in art history at Sorbonne Université and École Normale Supérieure in Paris The opportunity to take the helm at the Hilliard Museum felt "a little bit like fate," said Rowe who recently returned to Louisiana from New York and sits on the board of Basin Arts "Art brings us face to face with people and ideas and cultures across time and invites us to expand our perspective," said Rowe She said the Hilliard's deep ties to UL Lafayette drew her to the executive director role This connection is at the core of her vision for its future — to root the museum in a distinct place while participating in a broader national and international conversation "If you're looking at institutions across the South and even across America one of the things that makes the Hilliard special is the fact that it's part of a university and the resources and the scholars and the wealth of knowledge that are at the Hilliard's fingertips really set it apart," Rowe said Recently celebrating 20 years of operation in its current building the Hilliard has hosted diverse exhibitions of regional "Rodin: Toward Modernity," showcases the museum's role as a driving force among the region's arts and culture organizations Rowe said in addition to its 11,000 square feet of gallery space she is especially excited about working with the museum's permanent collection of 18th through 21st-century European The 2,500 objects (and counting) provide an unlimited opportunity for scholarship and dialogue "To think that you have these objects that are not only being preserved for the sake of our community but to be studied by UL Lafayette students scholars and visiting scholars as well," Rowe said "The conversations that come out of that are really important." the museum's two distinct structures — its modern main building designed by Eskew Dumez Ripple and the A originally established in 1968 as the Art Center for Southwest Louisiana — serve as a physical reminder of what is possible “Our region has without a doubt the most distinct culture in the country — and the Hilliard plays a pivotal role in ensuring it’s rich and sustainable cultural future.” The Hilliard Art Museum is the largest exhibition space between Houston and New Orleans. The museum is located at 710 E. St. Mary Blvd., on the UL Lafayette campus. To learn more about the museum, exhibits, artists and programs, visit HilliardMuseum.org LISTEN: Hear Molly Rowe discuss her background and future vision for the Hilliard Museum on La Louisiane's podcast. Photo caption: Molly Rowe is the new director of the Hilliard Art Museum - University of Louisiana at Lafayette Photo credit: Doug Dugas / University of Louisiana at Lafayette Sign up for our e-newsletter Web Accessibility Privacy Statement  Campus Crime Stats  Power-Based Violence Info © 2025 University of Louisiana at Lafayette. All rights reserved. props: {"enabled":true,"viewLimit":1,"excludeLabels":["Sponsored"],"timeframe":2592000000,"displayOverlay":false,"promoCode":"registration_meter","isLoggedIn":false,"requiresUserInput":false,"displayGate":true,"views":1} skipWhenExists: false }); Enjoy this free article CMSBrowserComponents.load({ el: '#vue-1746513898773-729' props: {"className":"content-meter__toggler","beforeExpanded":"Enjoy this free article.","beforeCollapsed":"Create a free account","targets":[".content-meter"],"toggleClass":"content-meter--open","iconModifiers":["xl"],"iconName":"chevron-up","initiallyExpanded":true,"expandedIconName":"chevron-down"} skipWhenExists: false });Create a free Diverse: Issues In Higher Education account to continue reading Dr. Fred A. BonnerThe annual Asa G. Hilliard III and Barbara A. Sizemore Research Course on African Americans and Education convened Wednesday ahead of the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) bringing together prominent scholars and emerging researchers in the field of Black educational studies The day-long event featured presentations from renowned scholars including Dr professor emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Dr Fred Bonner II of Prairie View A&M University Jackson of Michigan State University and Dr Lewis of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte opened the proceedings with welcome remarks highlighting two decades of the program's impact on educational research "This research course represents a critical pipeline for scholarship centered on the Black experience in education," said Jackson The agenda included practical sessions on manuscript development and securing external funding for educational research Donnor of William & Mary provided an overview of current research trends Williams of the University of Wisconsin-Madison addressed methodological considerations specific to research on African Americans in educational contexts A panel featuring alumni of the course discussed the professional impact of their participation in previous years which concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony continues to serve as a key professional development opportunity for researchers focused on addressing educational inequities and advancing scholarship on African American educational experiences approximately 500 individuals have completed the course over the years representing universities and research institutions from across the country The research course honors the legacies of Dr pioneering scholars whose work significantly shaped the field of Black educational studies Seven Democrats are seeking nominations for four seats on the Hilliard City Council in the May 6 primary race It’s a packed race in a community that was historically conservative but has shifted to be more liberal This year’s Democratic primary also has three Muslim candidates in the running including one candidate who believes she is the first Black woman Muslim to seek a spot on Hilliard City Council Development is one issue that is top of mind for many of the candidates “I think that we have a responsibility to develop every city has a responsibility to develop,” said current city council president and primary candidate Tina Cottone Political newcomer Tony Moog said that development provides the needed revenue to support the city’s initiatives And newcomer Dorothy Hassan said the only constant in life is change Hilliard is one of the fastest-growing suburbs of Columbus How to develop responsibly became a major topic of conversation in 2023 when the city released its updated community plan including Old Hilliard and the Cemetery Road corridor “One of the things that we agreed upon as a council was that we would stop spreading out and that we would look at infill possibilities,” said Cottone Not everyone in Hilliard was a fan of that plan. It sparked a countermovement called “Save Hilliard,” which opposed the suggested changes on the basis that they would disrupt Hilliard's character The candidates in the Democratic primary are largely for the plan while acknowledging that residents need to have a say in the projects that happen in their neighborhoods I just think that we just need to execute it,” said newcomer Nadia Rasul “My vision is to make the community plan happen and to make sure that the development is what the residents want to see.” Executing that plan would mean building homes like townhouses Another political newcomer Samer Bazerbashi said Hilliard needs those different types of housing for people at different stages in their lives “We want Hilliard to be a destination for people to stay and age in place,” Bazerbashi said but we need to be listening to our constituents.” “I think that the number one issue that I've heard residents say is that their taxes are too high,” Bazerbashi said said rising property taxes place too much of a burden on homeowners “What we can do on the city is we can continue to build our commercial tax base and that will help us relieve the pressure on our residents,” Teater said Political newcomer Kathy Parker-Jones agreed those types of things that can help bring in more tax revenue for the city allows the city to grow responsibly,” Parker-Jones said Parker-Jones pointed to the Interstate 270 corridor as a good place for that growth That’s also where the former BMW Financial Services Building is located The building is the subject of a dispute between Hilliard’s sitting city council and Noor Islamic Cultural Center said the building used to be the leading source of income tax for the city I think would hurt all of our residents,” Teater said Parker-Jones said she wishes Noor would have waited to buy the building until they knew whether the needed zoning change would be approved Parker-Jones said she also believes the former BMW Financial Services building could still bring in income tax revenue for the city especially as more companies are calling remote workers back into offices who is on the city’s planning and zoning commission declined to comment because of the lawsuit The Muslim candidates in the race said they did not have an opinion about the dispute Bazerbashi and Rasul said they attend the mosque but aren’t involved in the conflict Rasul also said that while it’s great to be recognized as a Muslim candidate she wants people to see her as more than that and then I happen to be Muslim,” Rasul said Hassan said that she doesn’t have enough information to form an opinion on the situation with Noor to run as the first Black Muslim woman on Hilliard’s Democratic ticket “It just speaks to the fact that our Hilliard doesn't look the same way that it did 20 years ago,” Hassan said Hassan and Bazerbashi are endorsed as a slate by the Hilliard Democrats PAC started this month with an address in Dublin That’s a different group than the Hilliard Democrats All say they’re longtime Hilliard residents who built careers and raised families there Many of them want the city to be even more walkable and connected “I want to be able to feel like I can walk out of my neighborhood and get to downtown Hilliard,” Parker-Jones said has been riding her bike through Hilliard’s neighborhoods and I believe that our city could be more connected,” Rasul said Bazerbashi said his family chose to move to Hilliard And the walking paths are just really a great thing to be out in the outdoors when the weather's nice,” Bazerbashi said “I’m pretty sure I'm the only one here who's completed four Ironmans,” Parker-Jones said who spent most of her career teaching in Hilliard City Schools before taking an administrative position with Dublin City Schools Parker-Jones said she sets goals and then accomplishes them Bazerbashi pointed to his background in finance and technology Bazerbashi said the company serves 10,000 businesses nationwide I do have a lot of business background in terms of technology which help with the professionalism of the city growth,” Bazerbashi said Moog lists a slew of volunteer and leadership roles He has been involved with Hilliard Rotary and the Hilliard Education Foundation He’s been on the city’s planning and zoning committee for two years I've really gotten an inside view on kind of how cities makes decisions and the process that goes through that.” Rasul said she is the only health care professional in the running she has plenty of time to dedicate to the city Hassan is the CEO of the nonprofit Our Helpers a women-lead group that helps immigrants and refugee families in central Ohio we're one of fastest growing cities in Franklin County and that means that we've got different pockets of people being attracted to Hilliard for different reasons,” Hassan said “But we have to make sure that we're doing a good enough job weaving those communities so we can always be one Hillard.” And the incumbents point to records of success Cottone is proud to have kicked off an initiative to help seniors age in place She started a nonprofit “village” where younger folks can help older residents with tasks like grocery shopping changing a lightbulb or taking out the trash Cottone hopes the village will have a soft launch this September it can't always be a choice between having to go into some cognitive setting for like a nursing house There has to be another way that people can grow older,” Cottone said Cottone is finishing up her first four-year term I think it's a track record of being reasonable and sensible and doing what's best for the community at all times And that's what I'm putting out there this time,” Teater said Ohio (WSYX) — Families in Hilliard are voicing concerns over a proposed development project that could bring 300 new homes to the area is planned near Jeffrelyn Drive and Elliott Road and neighbors fear it could lead to increased traffic and safety hazards a local neighbor who is advocating for signatures for a petition against the project we get a bigger representation of the community that's actually concerned but maybe can't attend and that's gonna show the numbers to city council that this isn't just a small group of people that want to complain about it which isn't what we're trying to do we're trying to show our neighborhoods concern about the safety issues." The potential development would transform Jeffrelyn Drive into a connector road between neighborhoods a change that has sparked opposition from many residents "Everyone is against the connection due to the safety not being put to the top priority." Residents have been actively emailing city leaders and attending city council meetings to express their concerns "We've gotten a lot of support from neighbors saying yeah We can't just add to the problem and do nothing about it." The City of Hilliard is set to present recommendations at the upcoming city council meeting on Monday A city spokesman indicated that they hope to address traffic flow and safety concerns with plans for a traffic study and potential road improvements Heather emphasized the community's priority "Keep our families and children safe." Many families plan to attend the next city council meeting on March 24 to monitor the project's progress closely. Ohio — Front and center of the City of Lakewood City Council meeting Monday night is traffic safety mainly at the Hillard-Madison intersection The intersection of Hilliard Road and Madison Avenue has proven problematic as it has become more accident-prone former Cleveland 19 reporter Bill Safos was struck and killed by a vehicle near the intersection of Madison Avenue and Orchard Grove RELATED: Former Cleveland 19 reporter dies after being hit by car in Lakewood was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide The crash resulted in a personal injury lawsuit that claimed the driver was going 47 mph in a 25 mph zone RELATED: Family wants answers, neighbors want change after pedestrian killed crossing Lakewood street a father and his two toddlers were struck by a vehicle while cycling through the Hilliard and Madison intersection Two toddlers were injured on March 24 in a crash involving a bicycle with a child carrier RELATED: 2 toddlers in bicycle carrier struck by vehicle at Lakewood intersection Because of the spotlight on traffic safety concerns in this intersection the City of Lakewood is continuing to assess what the best course of action will be the city installed plastic delineator poles along a part of the Hilliard bicycle lane A part of the dividing white lines have also been restriped "People were confused and routinely would use that as a turn lane and the city put up a sign over there but you don't see unless you really armor up on here's a sign here's a pole," Lakewood City Councilman-At-Large Tom Bullock told me on Friday RELATED: New traffic safety infrastructure at accident-prone intersection in Lakewood I think it's a step in the right direction another step that the city can take to help make a difference but I don't think that's where it should end," longtime Lakewood cyclist Cassie Organ said on Monday "Infrastructure is the one thing that is going to deter incorrect driving behaviors than hoping a cop happens to be on that corner at that time or hoping that people will even notice the paint." so biking has become a way of life for her "Being in Lakewood has been an opportunity for us to stay that way and to use our bodies to get to where we need to go but at the same time it hasn't always been easy or comfortable There's been a lot of close calls and a lot of scary situations," Lindberg shared "While I have been involved in some of the encouragement efforts that the city and the school is doing with hike and bike it's hard for me to really push that forward because I understand why more families aren't comfortable walking and biking without the infrastructure in place." Lindberg said her goal is to make Lakewood a safer "I think about how I want Lakewood to get to that level by the time my kids are in my shoes," she said city council addressed what the city is doing now and the road it's trying to pave for the future not reactive," Organ told City Council during public comment In a letter signed by both the Lakewood City Council President and Vice President Lakewood City Council Vice President Kyle Baker explained at Monday's meeting that the proposal of Tier I would tackle more traveled areas while Tier II would address less traveled areas."There are many streets in Lakewood that are very dangerous that were not part of the active transportation plan and safe streets for all plan which now will fall into this tier two section which will be completely left up to engineering to make their own plans There's no recourse or any way for the public to really have any input on that or any planning commission or city council input on that It really kind of misses a big section of the city and then a lot of the major intersections of streets," Lakewood cyclist Josh Mottor told me The Active Transportation Plan would be updated every 10 years The annual Complete Streets Report would also be submitted to the Planning Commission and City Council City Council President Sarah Kepple and Baker are also proposing a Complete and Active Streets Education & Advisory Board (CASE Advisory Board) Complete Streets is meant to address safety for motorists and mobility device users with Capital Planning/Construction so the CASE Advisory Board’s purpose would provide input/recommendations for safety interventions and education in between capital projects The CASE Advisory Board would meet at least quarterly and would include members of the public That group would provide the following input: All three Lakewood cyclists we talked to Monday night were in agreement that the idea of an advisory board is a great idea."I think that's what they should be doing "It's that kind of connection that we don't have currently There's no way for the public and for our neighbors to get out and say like here's what I'm experiencing and really have a say in the matter." Organ told me that having actual cyclists on the board would help amplify their voices "I think it definitely will be valuable information for them to hear and a good perspective for them to hear," Organ said Baker plans to introduce a new Complete Streets Ordinance and accompanying legislation at the April 21 City Council meeting The two-tiered system and CASE Advisory Board appear to be part of that future proposal the Lakewood Police Department has devoted an increased traffic enforcement presence throughout the city with special attention to key areas such as the intersection of the Hilliard and Madison intersection The City is reportedly engaged with a traffic engineering expert to conduct a comprehensive traffic and safety study of the Hilliard-Madison intersection and other key areas as a preparatory step towards long-term change This effort may include signalization timing optimization and permanent infrastructural upgrades such as curb bump-outs and barriers to safeguard bike lanes areas of Hilliard Road bike lanes will be painted reflective green Crosswalks at the Hilliard-Madison intersection will be restriped with highly reflective paint according to Lakewood City Councilmember Cindy Strebig Existing traffic signs are being reevaluated to determine if upgrades are needed Bullock mentioned at the meeting that he wants the city to focus on the four Es that he shared with me on Friday "We really strongly feel like the engineering piece is the real one that can have the most impact," Mottor stated "The police force can't be out at all hours in every single intersection in the city and no matter what you do with education and with encouragement there are some people who it just won't reach."All of the recommendations made at City Council were referred to the Committee of the Whole to achieve continued improvement of Lakewood traffic safety efforts for all road users Several folks made their voices heard at Monday night's City Council meeting regarding improved cyclist/pedestrian safety Organ said she can see council members taking everything they say into consideration "I think the city is doing a really great job listening and being receptive to ideas then we wouldn't be here tonight talking about the flex posts and things that they're trying to work on to make these things happen so I do think they're listening," Organ stated The next Lakewood City Council meeting will be on April 21 Hilliard City Council approved rezoning for a controversial new housing development Monday evening by a 5-2 vote Council members Cynthia Vermillion and Greg Betts voted against the measure They supported multiple amendments to the ordinance backed by some opponents the majority of the council members — Tina Cottone Emily Cole and Peggy Hale — supported rezoning needed to clear the way for a 300-unit housing development planned by M/I Homes the proposed 300-acre development in the western part of Hilliard drew dozens of residents living nearby as well as environmentalists to pack city council chambers following up on strong turnout at previous city meetings The development got significant pushback from nearby residents concerned about traffic and from environmentalists concerned about upholding the Big Darby Accord and the potential impact on the development to the Big Darby Creek's diverse ecosystem Some residents left the crowded council chambers nearly three hours after the meeting started more satisfied that the council had approved an amendment restricting traffic on Jeffrelyn Drive until traffic calming and studies were completed council voted 4-3 against an amendment Betts proposed to have a special council meeting with the developer and multiple environmental interests including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Darby Creek Association Council member Les Carrier sided with Vermillion and Betts on delaying the vote Council member Emily Cole cited the developer's desire to vote on the project that evening when denying the vote “Hilliard likes to say that they have done more than anyone else for Darby yet they are the first to break the accord and go against the plan by adding extra development,” said John Tetzloff in a statement shared with The Dispatch after the vote “The impacts of this decision are yet to be seen but this is a deeply troubling development.” City Manager Michelle Crandall and Josh Barkan told council during the meeting that Hilliard has met or exceeded some of the expectations in the Big Darby Accord which is currently under revision through the end of 2025 Crandall told city council that Hilliard’s zoning code requires at least 70% of open space in residential developments “We have been a leader with the Big Darby watershed in preserving restoring open space and in stream restoration efforts,” Crandall said adding the city already helped preserve nearly 500 acres of open space with the total increasing to 641 acres with the Hill Farm II subdivision Representatives from local environmental groups urged the council to postpone action citing ongoing renegotiations to the Big Darby Accord and environmental impact data that will be available later this summer M/I Homes first proposed the Hill Farm II subdivision last year The development has been in the works for over eight years M/I Homes also made the first Hill Farm subdivision nearby, which added about 230 homes to Hilliard Barkan said that most of the homes have sold The project didn’t get past the planning and zoning commission which was hesitant to move forward without adequate sewer taps from the city of Columbus Hilliard has since reached an agreement with Columbus for over 1,300 additional sewer taps in the area as of early February according to a letter included in documents prepared for the council The development includes allocating 70% of the space as open area as well as some developer-funded reforestation Council also unanimously approved a development agreement with M/I Homes which will get about $1 million in reimbursements from the city for regional sewer improvements The developer is also contributing $370,000 to the design and construction of a roundabout at Cosgray Road and Jeffrelyn Drive (This story was updated to add new information.) Western suburbs reporter Anna Lynn Winfrey can be reached at awinfrey@dispatch.com Ohio (WSYX) — A woman died and a man was critically injured after their house went up in flames in Hilliard on Wednesday morning Investigators said they observed "hoarder conditions" at the home in the 5200 block of Bigelow Drive after they arrived at about 7:30 a.m. Firefighters took out the windows to climb in and search the house a neighbor who lives behind the residence called in reporting smoke coming from the house adding that the fire was visible from the front window but a statement from the Norwich Fire Department said foul play is not suspected A woman taken to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital was pronounced dead around 8:30 a.m was taken to a different hospital in critical condition Neighbor Jen Miller called the incident "sad." and I don't know what would have started it," she said Yvonne Guerra: "We heard pounding at the door this morning and the officer said to just kind of prepare for evacuation just in case they couldn’t contain the fire." Guerra added that she hopes the two victims survive and that she'd be willing to help them recover but I'm still their neighbor and willing to help with whatever I can." in Ranger to Edra Parks and Travis Hilliard and this past year celebrated sixty-six years of marriage he received his BS from East Texas State University and his Masters of Education from Western New Mexico University Phil and Thelma adopted three children over a six-year period and were blessed with four beautiful grandchildren teaching and mentoring High School kids in Texas and New Mexico they moved to Beaumont in 1984 and joined Trinity United Methodist Church Phil taught adult Sunday School since 1968 As a Certified Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church he taught the HAMACO class at Trinity for thirty-nine years until August 14th Phil and Thelma joined Wesley Methodist Church Phil owned and managed National Foundation Repair Company in Beaumont and retired in 1995 he began volunteering at the Stiles Maximum Security State Prison working on Death Row at Terrell State Prison conducted his own teaching and cell-to-cell ministries of Beaumont; Kristi Hilliard; and Bill Chalmers and his wife Kylie Hilliard; and numerous nieces and nephews Phil is preceded in death by his parents; sister His cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium under the direction of Broussard’s Phil was the finest example of a true disciple through his teachings and actions His warm smile and infectious laugh will be greatly missed welcoming greeting for me & my family at church son Joey & daughter-in-law Shanoah all have a special place in my heart Coach was always there when you needed him I was in the Navy and Jacksonville Florida on my way to San Diego He was coaching in El Paso at the time and I stopped and visited him He was so comfortable to see it was as if I was family I called a few times just cause I needed to talk He always knew exactly what to say and for that I’m grateful Bless your family because they were blessed to have you As a high school student from 1974-78 and a band geek (not sports) I got to know him well through our Andress HS Facebook page over many years He will continue to bless us for many more years through his words Marvelous person…served his Lord Jesus in so many ways Please let us know if we can help you in any way I know Phil helped influence and inspire many students to go on and do great things in life You can never have enough mentors in your life like Phil he was a Godly man and such an encouragement to the inmates there Phil was one of the finest men I have ever known a testimony of Jesus Christ and a Bible teacher of many George and I were so blessed to call Phil our friend and cherish our friendship with Thelma and their family I will miss the lively conversations we had but rejoice in his presence with the Lord and Austin Deepest condolences for your family @ Wesley Methodist Church Phil was one of the best men I’ve ever known; he will be missed as much as he was loved Sending my condolences to the Hilliard family🙏🙏🙏 and website in this browser for the next time I comment Beaumont - McFaddin Ave. Beaumont - Major Dr. Nederland ©Broussard's Mortuary 2017-2025 Built By Americom Marketing An affiliate of the Noor Islamic Cultural Center has sued the city of Hilliard after the Hilliard City Council turned down a zoning request for a new neighborhood center in a former BMW office building said the city violated federal law and trampled upon the center's rights "City leaders ignored the City's Zoning Code and erected completely unfounded barriers to prohibit a neighborhood center that would provide much needed space for a growing mosque's members and other Hilliard residents to open businesses improperly blocked the neighborhood center and prevented religious worship without any legitimate basis," the suit said The suit was filed by Britton Parkway Holding an affiliate of the cultural center and a real estate holding company for the property The building at 5550 Britton Parkway has been vacant for years BMW Financial Services formerly occupied the building Britton Parkway Holding bought the 226,000-square-foot office building in Feb intending to use at least part of the space for a community center and prayer space But at a November meeting, Hilliard City Council unanimously denied zoning changes that would have allowed those and other uses for the building Noor's lawyers in December filed an administrative appeal in Franklin County Common Pleas Court The suit said the city has recognized there is no longer a market for massive office buildings like this one It cites the city's adoption of a community plan that calls for the property to be redeveloped for mixed uses or as a neighborhood center "BPH purchased the property to transform the vacant office building into a dynamic neighborhood center featuring a creative mix of uses that will benefit the community," the suit said Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall said last year that the building and site are a premium office location and how much that translates into the city being able to provide critical services The suit claims that Hilliard favors Christian institutions citing $600,000 approved by the Hilliard City Council in 2002 to help build a new YMCA community center on Cosgray Road and approving the construction of the Rock City Church plus a declaration that the cultural center's intended uses of the property are constitutional and reasonable and an injunction preventing the city from taking any action to prevent the cultural center from developing the property City of Hilliard spokesman David Ball had no comment on the suit Britton Parkway Holding attorney Joseph Miller told WOSU that his clients rights have been violated He said the plan for the BMW building conformed with zoning standards "The city of Hilliard won't be reasonable," Miller said Miller said he would think that Hilliard residents would expect better from their government the city of Hilliard released a statement that said in part that it is the obligation of City Council to consider existing zoning and the community plan when making decisions that this process was followed in accordance with our City zoning and land use policies." The Hilliard Art Museum – University of Louisiana at Lafayette will mark its 20th birthday with a special guest — Auguste Rodin The exhibit, "Rodin: Toward Modernity," opens on Thursday the museum is also hosting a gala celebrating 20 years in its current building on the corner of East St the museum has established itself as a cultural hub and is the largest exhibition space in the between Houston to New Orleans considered the founder of modern sculpture including “The Thinker” and “The Gates of Hell.” Forty of his renowned sculptures Gerald Cantor Foundation and the North Carolina Museum of Art “Rodin is one of the most important artists in the last 400 years,” said Benjamin Hickey “There’s an educational component to his work and I hope it elicits strong emotional responses There’s also an element of strong civic pride I love that we were able to come together and present an exhibition of this caliber for the University and for Acadiana.” A French sculptor who lived from 1840 to 1917 Rodin is well known for portraying extreme emotion in his artwork Most of his sculptures feature intensely animated faces His decision to not smooth over signs of his sculptural process was novel in his time and catapulted him into notoriety "The Burghers of Calais,” will be the centerpiece of the museum’s installation It was created in 1885 when Rodin was commissioned by the town council of Calais The sculpture is based on the 1347 siege of Calais when King Edward III of England starved its inhabitants for 11 months offered themselves as peace offerings in exchange for their city’s freedom convinced him to spare the Burghers' lives The sculpture shows them on their way to what they believed would be their death bravery and fear intermingling on their faces but some of these pieces are really haunting,” Hickey said “Being able to see it in person is really important.” "Rodin: Toward Modernity" has been months in the making Some of the sculptures weigh more than 1,000 pounds and the museum had to hire installers from Austin to assemble the pieces The team is preparing for the exhibit by cleaning glass bonnets hanging vinyl and rearranging lighting fixtures to properly showcase the Rodin pieces The museum's permanent collection consists of 18th through 21st century European the 11,000 square feet of gallery space has hosted diverse exhibitions of regional national and international art throughout its past 20 years of operation Its main building opened in April 2004; it was designed by Eskew Dumez Ripple and received national and regional recognition including a national honor award from the American Institute of Architects Twenty years in a state-of-the-art facility is a significant milestone the museum will host a French garden-themed gala “A Night at the Hilliard Museum: Celebrating 20 Years of Art and Inspiration” will take place on Oct Originally established in 1968 as the Art Center for Southwest Louisiana the Hays Town building connects the museum to its long-standing roots in the community The “Rodin: Toward Modernity” exhibit will be unveiled that same evening and will be on view through April 30, 2025. On Oct. 25, there will be a symposium dedicated to the life and work of Auguste Rodin at the LITE Center Photo caption: (Top) Rodin’s "The Burghers of Calais" is on display at the Hilliard Art Museum through April 30 Photo credit: Denny Culbert / Courtesy of the Hilliard Art Museum - University of Louisiana at Lafayette © 2025 University of Louisiana at Lafayette A new housing development is being proposed in Hilliard the development could directly impact the Big Darby Creek watershed The development, called Farm Hill II, is an extension of the current Hill Farm housing area, which is located around Gelderland Drive near Scioto Creek Darby Road. The new development will add 300 homes to the area, according to the City of Hilliard staff report It would be located in the area of Elliott Road The city received notice on Feb. 19 that the City of Columbus would allocate an additional 1,331 sewer taps which could be applied to the development, according to the City of Hilliard website. assistant city manager for the City of Hilliard said the development will provide many different benefits to the Hilliard community “It obviously provides additional housing for the community but obviously is a concern around central Ohio in terms of the amount of available housing but the long term benefit for us is the construction of additional shared use paths or trails the community can benefit from,” Ralley said Ralley said the Hill Farm development will extend trails that will help non-motorized people in the community and would become part of park land moving forward “The Hill Farm development is actually an integral part of extending a trail from the Heritage Trail all the way over to Scioto Darby Road and then the open space the Hill Farm proposal that's before City Council includes a large parcel that includes the headwaters of the Clover Groth,” Ralley said Ralley said the creation of this development would help preserve open space in the area “We want to make sure that if there are stream corridors that they are naturalized and put back in a state that would be much more appropriate and probably consistent with how they were before the surrounding property was used for farming and that we ensure that there are buffer zones around those corridors as well where development can't occur,” Ralley said the community reaction has been mostly positive but none of these things are easy,” Ralley said “The rezoning of property and going through the development process like this takes a lot of attention to detail and care for how things evolve because this is the kind of development that's going to really be in practice being here forever within our community.” Though some are looking forward to expanding housing in Hilliard environmental advocates are cautious of what could happen to the long-existing Darby Creek watershed said the main thing advocates are asking for is new development to be within the guidelines of the Big Darby Accord and if not The plan doesn't allow for additional development in Hilliard Our position is you would need to amend the plan to allow for that,” Tetzloff said Tetzloff believes the new number of houses being built should come out of a different city’s allotment of houses in order to be in line with the accord “The plan allows for 20,000 new units within western Franklin County and the watershed,” Tetzloff said “Our position is that if additional houses are given to Hilliard they need to come out of somebody else's housing allotment.” The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Scenic River Program is currently in the process of upgrading the scientific modeling of the area He hopes the City of Columbus will wait on furthering the development until the process is completed despite the City of Columbus stating they will not wait “They've got a grant to run a more state-of-the-art model for not just the Darby watershed “The idea being that jurisdictions can use the results to inform their planning We’ve asked Columbus at least to wait on the results to have that tool available and they have said they’re not going to wait Tetzloff said it comes down to the fact that any development being created can impact the watershed in various ways “The impacts of development are permanent,” Tetzloff said “It's not like logging a forest where you can let the forest grow back It's you're putting in hard infrastructure that is going to be there Ralley said zoning regulations are different in Hilliard compared to other areas of the watershed and that the new development will be in the guideline of the city’s comprehensive plan a residential development like this would be required to provide 50% of its acreage as open space that requirement is actually 70% and so that zoning code change I think really is designed to further many of the goals of the Darby Accord [and] allows us to start to assemble open space as a green belt around the western side of Hilliard," Ralley said "And that was something that was envisioned as part of our comprehensive plan update that was adopted in 2023.” The approval for the subdivision will officially be voted on at the Hilliard City Council meeting on March 10 Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application peacefully passed away at the age of 92 on April 2 Indiana to Elizabeth and Buford Hilliard Sr having bravely served in combat during the Korean War where he made lasting memories and friendships where he was baptised and was instrumental in many aspects of church life serving on the security team and in the Men's Ministry His contributions earned him the honor of "Man of the Year" and his joyful voice resonated as a member of the Mens Day Choir Herbert also served as Post Commander at the American Legion fostering community and camaraderie among veterans demonstrated by his love for bowling-where he achieved the remarkable feat of bowling a perfect game on multiple occasions He was also an accomplished former boxer and artist leaving behind a legacy of original drawings that reflect his creative spirit and Herbert "Jamie" (Rhonda) Hilliard Jr.; three stepchildren; Vanessa Robinson Keith eight grandchildren; thirty six step grandchildren seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a multitude of nieces He holds a special place in the hearts of dear friends Cassandra L Herbert was preceded in death by his parents 2 daughters Marsha Hilliard and Carolyn "Sue" Davidson Visitation 9:00am and Funeral services 10:00am Saturday April 12 2025 at Shiloh Baptist Church 130 E 2nd St Mansfield Herbert will be laid to rest at Mansfield Cemetery The family will receive well wishers 3pm - 7pm daily at Mr Please join the family in honoring a life well-lived and memories that will always remain in our hearts will be dearly missed but cherished forever Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Marysville’s softball team was in a must-win situation Monday evening The Lady Monarchs needed to defeat Hilliard Darby if they wanted to extend their conference championship streak to seven consecutive seasons scoring a 13-3 run-rule triumph over the Panthers We have the address for the funeral home & the family on file If you're not happy with your card we'll send a replacement or refund your money Goldsboro - Mr. Sir-Taurus S. Hilliard, 52, transitioned from this earthly life on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. The celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 12:30pm at the Goldsboro- Raleigh District Assembly, 211... View Obituary & Service Information Hilliard created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories Available by phone 24/7 (919) 735-2221 has been appointed acting chief executive officer for LLUH hospitals has been appointed as acting chief executive officer for Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) hospitals currently serving as chief operating officer of LLU Faculty Medical Group and chief of the Division of Cardiology will bring his extensive experience in healthcare leadership and clinical excellence to this new role Hilliard has been a pivotal leader in advancing LLUH’s cardiovascular services positioning it as one of the region's most respected programs and operational excellence has contributed significantly to the institution’s success Hilliard’s leadership in cardiovascular medicine and at Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Group combined with his ability to foster collaboration across clinical teams makes him uniquely suited to lead LLUH hospitals during this transitional period We expect the LLUH board to confirm this appointment at their next meeting in December,” said Richard Hart “He has an outstanding track record of improving patient outcomes and advancing innovation in healthcare delivery We are confident that his vision will continue to propel us forward.” Hilliard will assist in further integrating and aligning the work of physicians across the hospital system to ensure a strategic and cohesive approach to providing world-class patient care His leadership will be instrumental in maintaining the organization’s commitment to a patient-centered environment while navigating the complexities of healthcare today “I am honored to serve in this role and continue working closely with the exceptional teams at Loma Linda University Health,” said Hilliard we will ensure our hospitals remain at the forefront of innovation Give to Support LLUH The Hilliard Planning and Zoning Commission has approved an application from a developer to build a 300-unit subdivision in the western part of Hilliard The city of Hilliard still does not have enough sewer taps to accommodate the new development but staff told commissioners that conversations with Columbus have been ongoing and that additional sewer taps should be available soon Thirteen people testified against the plan at the commission's meeting Thursday most of them neighbors wary of increased traffic and dangerous conditions for pedestrians The development also brought opposition from local environmental groups that are asking the city to wait until new data on the Big Darby Watershed is released this summer and ongoing revisions to the Big Darby Accord are finalized The developer first submitted the application for this subdivision last year at 4427 Elliott Rd., which the Big Darby Accord Advisory Panel and the city’s planning and zoning commission rejected at the time City council is expected to review this application in early March city spokesperson Andrea Litchfield confirmed with The Dispatch includes 300 homes built over 266 acres on property that had been a farm for years The development includes two areas on the western fringe of Hilliard and is close to the developer’s other project in the area About 55% of the development will be natural open space including 145 acres of parkland that will belong to the city of Hilliard and 41 acres of open space that the homeowner’s association will own and maintain The proposed density of the homes is 1.13 units per acre which is higher than the one unit per acre recommended within the Big Darby Focus Area Developers have flexibility for adding more density if they meet some conditions House sizes will range from 1,440 square feet to 1,800 square feet The developer is investing $106,000 into roundabout improvements at Cosgray Road and Jeffrelyn Drive and $497,000 in sanitary sewer improvements The design also includes reforesting 29 acres of the land the only commission member who voted against the project said he would prefer the development have a ratio of one unit per acre Qualifying for the density bonus is a “judgement call,” Marsh said and he preferred a “more cautious approach.” The plans have not changed much since the previous application besides reducing the units from 303 to 300 city staff did a more comprehensive report on the project as obtaining sewer lines from Columbus seems to be more possible The city of Hilliard, like many other municipalities in central Ohio gets its water and sewer service from the city of Columbus Hilliard did a capacity study in 2022 about additional capacity for Hilliard’s portion of the Big Darby Watershed Assistant City Manager Dan Ralley told the commission Columbus officials reviewed Hilliard’s data and “mutually agreed” on adding about 1,300 units to the Roberts Road sub-trunk line An agreement has not been finalized but it is “imminent,” Ralley said Hilliard has already used the 2,000 additional sewer taps in the area allowed per the Big Darby Accord Ralley said documents reference that the number could change depending on new studies A few commissioners raised concerns about approving the rezoning on the project before the taps are approved but staff emphasized it could not proceed without access to the sewer system A spokesperson for the Columbus planning department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday Why some local environmentalists are concernedMelanie Houston managing director of water policy for the Ohio Environmental Council shared a statement from the OEC Action Fund and the Darby Creek Association raising concerns about the project and the timeline asking for a pause until the data is collected The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is collecting and modeling data on the water quality and biodiversity of the Darby watershed and the first phase will be finalized this summer Houston also said the project should be paused until the local governments agree on ongoing amendments to the Big Darby Accord expected to be finalized by the end of the year The advisory panel previously rejected an application for the project last spring by a 3-2 vote This project did not come before the panel a second time awinfrey@dispatch.com Ohio (WSYX) — A substitute teacher at Norwich Elementary School has been banned from returning to any Hilliard City Schools after admitting to vaping in a fourth-grade classroom while students were present In a letter sent to Norwich Elementary School parents Wednesday Principal Whitney Jeckavitch said "I want to inform that a substitute teacher admitted to vaping in a fourth-grade classroom while students were present today She was immediately removed from the building and we are working with the appropriate reporting agencies She will not be allowed to return as an employee or substitute in any Hilliard school." Jeckavitch said that most students were unaware of the situation the school wanted to ensure all families were informed Parents in the Hilliard community told ABC6 on Thursday that they were shocked that a substitute teacher thought vaping in a fourth-grade classroom was appropriate "I would have thought most adults would know better than to do that in a school building," a Hilliard parent said "It is shocking to know that an adult felt that that was OK and went ahead and did that "I think there needs to be a conversation but what kind of culture are we allowing in Columbus where something like vaping can be so normalized that someone would think in front of kids," a Hilliard mom said According to the Hilliard City Schools tobacco and drug use policy electronic cigarettes and devices that produce vapor are banned Substitute teachers go through the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Central Ohio according to a Hilliard City Schools spokesperson ABC6 contacted ECS to request a statement regarding the situation and the standards they set to ensure student safety "We hold all of our staff to high standards to ensure student safety," ESC spokesperson Joe Weitz said all ESC substitute staff members review and sign off on requirements of the state’s Licensure Code of Professional Conduct and ESC staff handbooks outlining expected and appropriate behaviors." MLB Trade Rumors By | March 31 The Rockies announced that outfielder Sam Hilliard has passed through waivers unclaimed and been sent outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque He has the right to elect free agency but it’s unclear if he will Players with at least three years of major league service time can reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency only players with at least five years of service can do so while retaining the salary they are still owed on their contracts Hilliard and the Rockies avoided arbitration back in the fall Hilliard won’t want to leave that on the table and will therefore report to Albuquerque There’s not a ton of experience there with no one in that group having reached four years of big league service time the Rockies could bring Hilliard back up for some more playing time He has shown some power and speed in the big leagues but with strikeout concerns as well he has 42 homers and has swiped 24 bags but has been struck out at a big 34.1% clip His .219/.296/.438 batting line translates to an 84 wRC+ Colorado Rockies Transactions He’s not going anywhere except Albuquerque He won’t be seen as an upgrade for anyone’s big league roster And won’t give up his salary unless there is a guarantee elsewhere Sounds like the perfect player for the Tigers Braves would have to sign him for a million otherwise he’s back to triple A BUT Profar just cheated with hgh so it’s possible Log in Register MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball Register NEWARK − Licking County's yearlong search for a planning director concluded Friday with the announced hiring of Carson Combs who has more than 20 years of experience in planning has been the Hilliard planning manager for three years He also worked as a senior planner for the city of Dublin He has master’s degrees in landscape architecture and city/regional planning from Ohio State University Combs said his position will differ some in working for a county instead of a city and trying to work with multiple communities "The focus is going to be slightly different," Combs said "My goal is to enhance service to the development community “You look at whatever the regulations are that are in place and evaluate on the regulations and look at the long-range vision Licking County has been without a planning director since Chris Harkness resigned in February 2024 Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb said: “We’re excited he’s taking the job He has a tremendous upside in that he’s experienced Senior Planning Manager Brad Mercer has served as the interim director since Harkness' departure “Brad Mercer has done us very well,” Bubb said “He’s kept the staff together and done two jobs at once for 14 months We couldn’t have asked for a better team player.” Bubb said three times last year it appeared the county was about to fill the position and twice the candidates chose to stay in their current jobs guided development projects and ensured efficient planning processes he has also worked on long-range planning efforts including the development of comprehensive plans economic development initiatives and public engagement strategies “We are excited to welcome Carson to Licking County,” Licking County Planning Commission Chair Randy Bishop said “His wealth of experience and forward-thinking approach to planning and development will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our communities promote smart growth and preserve the county’s unique character.” Combs has also been a lecturer at Ohio State University’s Knowlton School of Architecture where he mentored future landscape architects in urban design and land use planning He has received multiple awards from the American Planning Association and the American Society of Landscape Architects which helped Licking County develop its Framework planning document in preparation for Intel and other developments Bubb said two upcoming goals for the county are working with Planning Next to extend the Framework planning countywide and accelerating the county’s approval and review processes kmallett@newarkadvocate.com Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism who served as Birmingham’s District 9 councilor from 2017 to 2021 kicked off his campaign to win back the seat Thursday we got to fight for everything we get,” Hilliard said to the crowd at 4 Seasons Bar and Grille Hilliard said his decades of experience in elected office will help him create better outcomes for the area Hilliard served in the Alabama House for 10 years He lost the Democratic primary to Linda Coleman Hilliard also served on the State Democratic Executive Committee for 20 years and was a Democratic delegate for two presidential elections Hilliard faces District 9 incumbent LaTonya A who beat him 987-927 in a 2021 runoff election Hilliard said his chief policy priority will be reducing crime Birmingham ended 2024 with a record-breaking homicide rate and city leaders have instituted several programs to combat the statistic including a $16 million police recruitment and retention program and the establishment of the Birmingham Crime Commission he hopes to speak with community leaders and rely on their insight to guide policies that will help reduce crime “They’ve lived in those areas,” he said Hilliard said another major priority for him is economic development especially in areas such as Ensley and North Birmingham and we actually need to do more in that community and do better than what’s been done now,” he said “I polled a lot of the community leaders and people in the area It’s atrocious that our community is in the current condition that it’s in Hilliard said he would like to explore the idea of issuing bonds to pay for large-scale blight removal and redevelopment Hilliard also said he hopes to accomplish a long-time goal of establishing an aviation program for Birmingham high school students Addressing his supporters at the kickoff event “We can train our kids and get them in a mindset of wanting to take it to the next level I still want to see our public schools with flight clubs with the kids walking through believing that they can take it to the next level I really appreciate each and every one of you.” One group of journalists faces an obstacle that no others do – homework May 4, 2025 April 27, 2025 April 20, 2025 April 13, 2025 May 5, 2025 April 28, 2025 April 21, 2025 April 14, 2025 News and useful information about Birmingham are at your fingertips. 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