School levy, city races top ballot

ThisWeek CW 11/2/2011

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2011/11/02/school-levy-city-races-top-ballot.html

Canal Winchester voters will decide the fate of a school levy and choose two new members of the Canal Winchester Board of Education on Nov. 8.

The local ballot also includes a mayor’s race, several city races and two liquor options.

The Canal Winchester school district’s three-year, 13.38-mill, $5.8-million emergency levy would cost homeowners $410 annually per $100,000 of home valuation, according to the district’s estimates. That amount is $42 less than homeowners currently pay per month for a two-year, $6.4-million, 14.78-mill, two-year emergency levy that was approved in May 2009 and which expires in December. Voters did not renew the levy on May 3.

If the levy passes, district officials have said they would be able to continue operating at current staffing and programming levels for the next three years,

The four board of education candidates are Cindi Dickerson-Lynch, Staci Howard, Matt Krueger and Robert Toledo. They are vying for the seats currently held by John Kantner and David Brobst, who are not seeking re-election.

In the Canal Winchester mayor’s race, incumbent Mike Ebert is being challenged by John Bender, currently a member of city council.

Five people are seeking election to three city council seats: incumbents Rick Deeds, James H. Wynkoop and Marilyn Rush-Ekelberry as well as Joe Abbott and Patrick Lynch.

Madison Township residents will choose between Bob Garvin and Gary D. McDonald to be a township trustee.

The local liquor options include Issue 29b Precinct C for Sunday sales of alcohol between 10 a.m. and midnight at Village Wines, 10 S. High St.; and Issue 23A Precinct D for weekday sales of alcohol at Hidden Lakes Vineyards and Winery, 650 Winchester Pike.

Franklin County residents will vote on a six-year, 3.5-mill replacement levy for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. If approved, it will replace a 10-year, 3.5-mill levy that expires in 2012.

Fairfield County residents will vote on a 10-year, 0.4-mill levy for the Fairfield County Historical Parks District. According to Fairfield County Historical Parks director Dave Fey, the levy would generate $1.2 million in revenue for the parks annually. It would cost homeowners in the county approximately $12.25 per $100,000 of home valuation each year, he said.