Bexley Mayor John Brennan dead at age 64.

John Brennan, incumbent mayor of Bexley, Ohio, is dead at age 64. John was a long-time resident of Bexley, active in municipal affairs.

Before his election to a first term as Bexley mayor, John served seven years on city council (1988 to 1995). John also served as president of Bexley city council for 1994 and 1995.

John's tenure as mayor benefited the Bexley community because he recognized early, the symptoms of public finance problems that have visited municipalities around the world.

John proposed and won from city council repeated cuts in municipal expenses. Besides budget cuts, John led the campaign for a city income tax that increases the money available to meet the on-going budget needs of the community.

On Monday, as word of John's death spread throughout the Bexley community, the adjectives that were repeated were "practical," "prudent," "hard-working," "dedicated" and "diligent."

John was a longtime member of St. Catharine parish. His widow is Ann Brennan. John and Ann were married for twenty-eight years and they have three children.

Ben Kessler, president of Bexley city council, has been serving as acting mayor since
January 12, 2012.

Flags on municipal buildings and other public facilities in Bexley are lowered to half-staff.

"Residents target porn shop, proposed gun store" writes Bexley Public Radio senior correspondent John Matuszak.

Area residents are angry about the opening of a Lion's Den adult book and video store on Alum Creek Drive, and the large sign erected off of I-70. The building in the background is slated to become a shooting range and gun store, another development that has residents fired up.

A plan for a gun shop and shooting range on Alum Creek Drive has area residents questioning the wisdom of adding firearms to an already high-crime neighborhood.

An adult book and video store next door isn't getting great reviews, either.

On the firing line

Bexley resident Larry Gunsorek, president of Anchor Government Properties, wants to put the gun shop and shooting range in the former Sun TV building at 1030 Alum Creek Drive in Columbus, near Livingston Avenue. Most recently, the site housed offices for the state parole agency.

The proposal for the firing range was approved in November by the Columbus Board of Zoning Adjustment, with a thumbs-up from the Livingston Avenue Area Commission.

That decision is being appealed by the Columbus Compact Corporation, a development arm of the city, on the grounds that the business could contribute to a rise in gun violence. The appeal hearing will be held Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. at 757 Carolyn Ave.

The site already is zoned for retail sales, so no approval was needed to open a gun shop in the building.

During testimony before the BZA, zoning officer David Reiss explained that, when it comes to retail stores, the law makes no distinction between selling guns and toothpaste.

Anchor Properties spokesman Todd Dillon told the BZA that the shooting range would require background checks and memberships for entrance, and such businesses are highly regulated. The retail outlet would offer security systems and uniforms, as well as guns, he said.

Brian Boatright, with the Livingston Avenue Area Commission, said his organization was convinced that the firing range would be safe and that they welcomed a large retail business, as opposed to a vacant building.

Jonathan Beard, director of the Columbus Compact, is not swayed by the promises of safety and security at the site.

"Despite any efforts of the gun store operator, guns from this store will be on the streets in short order, and will be used in violent crimes," Beard warned in a letter to Mayor Michael Coleman. "Gun stores are routinely subject to theft, burglarly, unlawful sales, and straw purchasers that, for drugs or money, deliver guns to criminals."

The Columbus Compact has also filed a lawsuit with the Franklin County Common Pleas Court claiming there was inadequate notice and opportunity for public input before the Livingston Avenue Area Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustments made their decisions, and that the BZA did not consider all of the facts.

Beard said several neighborhood groups under the umbrella of the area commission oppose the gun range decision. The Columbus Urban League and the NAACP have also voiced objections.

The Rev. Bob Ward, a Bexley resident and pastor of Free English Lutheran Church on the Near East Side, is among those against opening a gun shop in the neighborhood.

In a letter rallying opposition, Ward recalled an incident from last summer that illustrated to him that there are already too many guns on the street.

He was helping to mow vacant lots with a group of young volunteers when a gun battle broke out among men hanging around the corner. Ward grabbed the kids and ducked for cover, but the kids weren't afraid.

"This happens every day. We don't pay any attention to it," they told him.

Ward cites a study done at Ohio State University that shows a 25 percent increase in gun violence around urban gun stores. Nationwide, one-third of guns used in crimes can be traced back to a sale from a licensed firearms dealer within a three-year period, he added.

During the BZA hearing, retired Columbus poice officer Roger Runion suggested that about 90 percent of those using the firing range would be cops or firefighters, adding to the safety of the neighborhood.

Bruce Black, president of the Berwick Civic Association, said the people he has spoken with are split about 50/50 on the issue.

Some opponents are questioning the integrity of the applicant.

Gunsorek, who could not be reached for comment, pleaded guilty in November to hiring undocumented workers to do construction and renovations at several of his company's properties, according to a Columbus Dispatch report from Nov. 8. He could be sentenced to five years in prison and receive a fine of $250,000, the article said. One of his companies is accused of underpaying the workers.

Ward is mounting a letter-writing campaign to get the zoning decision on the gun range overturned. Mayor Coleman has asked his development director to look into the issue.

"I share the concerns of those residents who oppose the firearms facility and the new adult bookstore and their effect on the character of their neighborhood," the mayor wrote to Development Director Boyce Safford III, calling them "a community setback."

Roaring mad

The Lion's Den store and its large signs are raising a few eyebrows, as well.

Having a large sign advertising a porn shop at their freeway exit doesn't create the best atmosphere for Bexley, Capital University and east Columbus neighborhoods, Bexley Mayor John Brennan said.

Brennan called it "a slap in the face" that could hamper Bexley's efforts to redevelop its side of Livingston Avenue.

Brennan had his development director, Bruce Langner, contact Mayor Coleman's assistant, and Langner also is looking into sign regulations and Ohio Department of Transportation rules to see if the advertising can be reduced in size.

Berwick resident Gretchen Garner has been doing her homework, too.

"It's the corner store for sex offenders," Garner said of the shop at 1150 Alum Creek Drive.

In fact, there are 47 registered sex offenders living within a mile of the business, she learned.

And she pointed out that there is another porn shop less than half a mile away from the Lion's Den.

But at least it doesn't have large billboards beckoning customers speeding by on the interstates.

The city's graphics commission gave its approval for the 60-foot signs at the I-70 and I-270 exits in August. The applicant was listed as the All-Star Sign Company.

Zoning officer David Reiss explained to Garner that the commission makes its decisions based on the structure of the sign, not its content.

The initial application was for 75-foot illuminated signs, Garner said, but a compromise was reached to OK the 60-foot structures that were put in place.

Garner thinks that is still much too large. "Thirty-five feet would have been adequate."

Garner is continuing to work with the zoning department and neighborhood organizations to get the size of the signs reduced.

Many of her neighbors are upset about it, as well, but Garner is the one who has jumped into the fight."I feel like Erin Brokovich."

Guns and porn aren't what the eastside needs, she believes.

Larry Rubin, who has a $24 million investment in the Bexley Gateway project less than a mile from the area, wasn't happy to learn about his new neighbors to the south.

"It's not making it any easier" to revitalize the neighborhoods to have these types of businesses nearby, Rubin said. He also faulted the lack of communication between Columbus and the residents who are affected by these decisions.

Mayor Brennan said he would not be happy to see the gun shop open on Alum Creek Drive, pointing out that recently two young men were shot to death right across the street. But he didn't think Bexley could influence decisions made in Columbus.

"It isn't a great location, but our hands are tied," Brennan said.


Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. John Matuszak. Photos are copyright 2010. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.

SignaTour Recording and Sound Studio’s 2009 Year in Review for WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Bexley Public Radio.

Here is a list of the memorable 2009 project work for Bexley Public Radio provided by SignaTour Recording and Sound Studio.

Remote production of presidential candidate Barack Obama campaign-stop in Columbus.

Call in interview of Shayan Amad from Karachi Pakistan discuss assassination of Benazir Bhutto and rioting in city. Shayan is a graduate of Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University and has provided advice to Bexley Public Radio through the “Fisher Serves” volunteer program at the school.

In studio interview of New York Giants receiver Domenik Hixon, Whitehall native.
Howard Schottenstein, Bexley resident, interview. Discussion of public finance in Bexley.

Major Joe Contino, Ohio Air National Guard, live call-in from Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii. Describes sunrise at the beach and discusses Ohio Air National Guard service assignment in Hawaii.

Chuck Ghering, CEO, Lifecare Alliance. Monthly interviews about program and services including Meals on Wheels.

These Guys Live!, interview with classic rock local band.

Daily updates on Redoubt volcano in Alaska. Updates provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory. There are multiple Bexley families who have friends and relatives living in the areas affected by Redoubt volcano.

Weeklong broadcast from the Bexley Public Library leading up to the 2009 November election. Hosted by John Matuszak and Dianne Garrett. The library’s levy passed with an overwhelming 73% vote in favor of the tax increase.

Interviews of local public officials Representative Nancy Garland (Ohio House 20th District), Bexley Police Chief Larry Rinehart and Bexley Mayor John Brennan. Whitehall Schools Superintendent Judyth Dobbert-Meloy was also interviewed by Dianne Garrett..

AM radio celebrity Gary Burbank was interviewed by Dianne Garrett.

Return visits from Bexley Public Radio alumni Robert Moore, Sarah Lamar, Matt Brook and Tim Nassau.

Technical assistance from Ohio Center for Broadcasting and ADJ Consulting. Advice and technical assistance from John Anderson, Jack DeVoss and Ben Johnson.

Aaron Putnam and Micha Bitton production of Jazz Overdue program in anticipation of night-time broadcast hours.

SignaTour upgrades its studio microphones.

Interview with Bexley resident and civic leader Peter Halliday about the new Bexley Community Foundation.

Addition of blogsite meter to record clicks on blogsite.


Call-in interview with singer songwriter Janis Ian by John Matuszak.

Regular interviews by Joe Contino with Sal Leonetti and Cecil Doggett.

David Alexander’s development of Spanish language news, translations and instructions.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. SignaTour Recording and Sound Studio.

Matuszak journal entry: Springsteen appearance at OSU

Bruce Springsteen urges a crowd of 10,000 fans to vote early, during a rally in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on the Ohio State University Oval Oct. 5.

Springsteen performed solo acoustic versions of "Promised Land" and "Thunder Road," as well as his
folk-influenced "Youngstown" and Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land."

He had appeared previously at OSU at a rally for John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election.

WCRX-LP Editorial Collective
Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. John Matuszak. Photo is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.

John Matuszak reports on Bexley City Council Meeting of September 23.

CAPITAL BEXLEY GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT

Capital University's "good neighbor" agreement with Bexley, signed last spring, is being put to the test already with a rash of wild parties being reported. The latest one last Friday included fights, marijuana and several arrests.

At the Sept. 23 Bexley City Council meeting,City Attorney Lou Chodosh said he thinks the agreement is working, and that university officials, including President Denvy Bowman, are responding personally to these problems.

Chodosh reported that Bowman has urged the city to "prosecute to the fullest extent of the law" any violators who end up in Bexley's mayor's court. Those who are arrested are also being referred to Capital for further disciplinary action.

Capital signed the agreement with Bexley to handle complaints about student behavior and trash and beer bottles being left on the streets and lawns. The complaints surfaced when the university sought a zoning change to turn condos for senior citizens on Astor Avenue into off-campus student housing.

The most recent event to get out of hand was an annual gathering of fraternity and sorority members from different universities. That event has already been cancelled for next year, Mayor John Brennan told council.

Residents living near the campus on Sheridan and College avenues have frequently complained about out-of-hand students. The good neighbor agreement came about last spring when Capital proposed to turn condos for senior citizens on Astor Avenue into student housing. that zoning request was okayed by council contigent on Capital'sromise to clamp down on rowdy students.

Another request for a zoning variance by Capital University had residents again questioning whether the institution is a good neighbor at last night's Bexley City Counil meeting.

Council did grant the latest variance that will allow Capital to convert a house at 2361 East Mound Street into offices for its alumni association. The property had been zoned for single-family use. The vote was 5 to 1, with Councilman mark Masser voting no and Councilwoman Robyn Jones absent.

The house is now being used as an honors dorm and is occupied by two students.

The request had residents concerned that Capital is encoraching on residential areas. They also questioning whether the renovation fits with the city's southwest master plan, which directs campus growth to the west side of the city rather than to the east.

Capital's attorney, Don Plank, explained that converting the building to office use creates a buffer between the university's administative buildings and the residential areas of the neighborhood.

The offices will mostly be used for small gatherings and will allow the alumni association to host potentialdonors and others, Plank said.

Another Capital attorney, Troy Bonte, added that the building could be used ocassionally for alumni gatherings for as many as 30 to 40 people.

Bonte told council that the university will be asking for a maximum occupancy of 49 people. But Bruce Langner, the city's development director, said the occupancy limit will be decided after a review of the building plans.

Two residents who rent homes on Euclaire Avenue owned by Capital, Tamara Angle and Melinda Akins, spoke to council and said that the university should be putting more attention into these properties before it spends money renovating.

The women reported that they have had difficulty getting the university to respond to requests for maintenance. Attorney Troy Bonte responded that Capital has hired a new management companyto take care of its rental properties.

Councilman Ben Kessler stated that the university has a lot of space for gatherings and he didn't think this site was a good spot for such events.

Mayor John Brennan suggested that Capital provide a schedule of events at the alumni offices to keep resident and police officers informed. The city has a similar arrangement with Ohio State University President Gordon Gee, who has his home in Bexley, the mayor aid.

Before voting for the zoning variance, Councilman Rick Weber said he was "not jumping up and down' about the new use, but he was comfortable with it and was committed to improving relations with the university.

Weber did add that Capital could make things easier when it comes forward with these zoning requests if it did a better job keeping up the properties it owns.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business-

Council's finance committee is expected to discuss next year's budget at an Oct. 7 meeting.

A proposed ordinance to prohibit picketing in front of residences has been referred to the safety committee and will be discussd at its Oct.14 meeting starting at 5:30.

The second round of bids for a new police station will be opened Sept. 30. The first set of bids came in around one milion dollars over estimates, leading architects to revise the projected cost for the project.

MOZART'S

It looks like Mozart's pastry shop in Bexley has closed after being open only a short time in the new Gateway complex. But Breugger's Bagels,which had a shop in town for several years, is coming back and will open in the former Woodworker's building at Main and Cassingham, next to the Penn Station sub shop.

SALT FOR WINTER ROADS

Service Director Bill Harvey reported that, because of skyrocketing costs, he has not yet ordered any road salt for the upcoming winter. He told council that the cost has jumped from $50 a ton paid last year to $150 a ton for 1,000 tons. And there is no guarantee of delivery. The city has about 150 tons on hand, and uses 100 to 200 tons per winter storm.

Harvey said he is looking at other options to de-ice streets, including brine and sand. There is also a possibility that crews will only salt main roads and intersections this winter. He said he will wait on a decision by council as to whether to order salt at the higher cost, or wait until the price possibly comes down.

WCRX-LP Editorial Collective
Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.


Design is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.