Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

question

2-21-2003
I am new to Pickerington, so please help me clarify some issues. I understand the need to have a slow development position to help our schools but if Columbus & the twp do not slow growth will it have any impact? The newspaper said todazy that spmething like 43% come from the twp..don't remember what Columbus contributes..but I know there are apts going up that could feed into the schools. So does the School Board , twp have a plan to support Mr.Shaver in saving our community?


By nameless

The City is the Problem

2-22-2003
Although we desperately need cooperation between the township and the city, the current crisis undeniably is the result of the city's recent annexation binge.

The city went from 100 to over 400 building permits per year, approved subdivision plats that have added more than 5,000 homes to the pipeline, has added building inspectors to its payroll, and wants to add enough new water and sewer capacity to foster even more development. It has rezoned prime commercial land residential to accommodate favored developers, has waived tap-in fees, impact fees and zoning restrictions to encourage residential development, and has articulated no coherent plan for our community's future.

As a result, our school district has one of the weakest property tax bases in the area, with business property accounting for only 18% of our property tax base. Other surrounding school districts are able to spend significantly more per pupil with significantly lower tax rates. And our schools are being swamped by new students. Last year we added almost 450 new students. Even it we built a new school every other year, we could not accommodate an influx of that magnitude.

All the talk at the recent service community about the township was, in my judgment, nothing more than an attempt to provide an excuse to do nothing. It won't work. Unless the city acts now to limit growth and plan for our future, this spring's school district operating levy will certainly fail. If that happens, our schools will be scorched earth, and it will be the city's fault.

The city council and mayor need to step up to the plate now, and take leadership to solve these problems. If they do, they will deserve our support. If they do not, they must be recalled immediately. There is no other answer.


By Bruce Rigelman

Be visible.......

The only way the ''growth plan'' that limits housing in the City will work is if there is continued visiblity by the Public. That's the only reason it passed the Service Committee on Thursday night. Continued pressure is a must so they know the Citizens are SERIOUS.

The township needs to perform similarly - but they issued half the building permits last year that the City did. Currently the City is the bigger part of the problem - growth will need controlled through both entities - we don't need to settle for less.

If the City choses to do nothing prior to the May election they can be solely responsible for the results of the school levy should it fail.

You're right

Gary,

What you have suggested is absolutely right. Please see my posting of Planned actions by the CBR and follow this website for additional updates - there is much more to follow.