News Channel Pickerington Reporting.......
Last night the City of Pickerington held its City Council Meeting to address the discussion of the Community Growth Plan (aka housing moratorium). Many concerned citizens arrived at 6:00 p.m. for the meeting. Councilman Bill Wright was standing at the door refusing to let people in. The swearing in ceremony for the two new council members, Mrs. Riggs and Mr. Sabitino was scheduled for 6:15 pm. Mrs. Wright (Councilman Bill Wright's wife) came in and told people that they could not come in. Did we elect her? Oh I forgot, we get you too. The crowd swelled until Mr. Shaver came to the doors and they let him in. I am told that Mrs. Wright told Mr. Shaver that they preferred that the public not come in just then. Thankfully he ignored her (as he should). The doors opened and the floodgates came in. At first it was a few of the older residents like Dorothy Steiger (sp?)who gave Bibles to the City and the Police Department. That was nice. Of course Mrs. Wright was there. She had a seat right away. Mr. Wright's daughter sat up in Daddy's chair. It was very cozy. The families of the new appointees where there in the front row. Shortly after a few more city and county citizens arrived. Linda Yartin was busily passing out slips for people to speak.(37) Then the largest group that has ever attended a city council meeting came in. Members of the BIA (over 50 I estimate) came in and flanked all sides of the hall. They were in the back overflow sitting, standing and squatting. They filled the foyer body to body, so that you could barely get through the door. One of the construction workers sat in a chair strategically in front of Mr. Shaver with his hardhat and work boots. It was jammed. When a name was called for that person to come forward and speak to council, it took about 10 seconds for them to make it through the crowds. They yelled, ''I'm coming!'' Ladies and Gentlemen of the BIA all had their BIA house stickers on their shirts. Their attire included boots and hard hats and a great deal of dirty shirts. Good thing they pay by the hour, it was a long meeting. They made quite a statement. The Chairman of the BIA, Tom Hart was there. There were several of the City's finest in the background to take care of the potential crowd if we got out of hand. The halls were then filled with a series of builders. Several contracting companies came as well. Several prominent real estate agents came as well. None of the local real estate professionals spoke in opposition. First to speak was Dorothy Steiger who read an impassioned letter of her views, which did not support the moratorium. Her children were raised here and she was proud of the growth we have achieved. She gave her bibles to the City and sat down. Mr. Dennis Waley (sp?) came forward with administrative comments not related to the night. James Huffman came forward in opposition. Mrs. Karen Russell who has lived her for 16 years with a 9th grade son spoke out against the measure. Mr. Jack Hogland a real estate agent living in the City spoke in favor of the ordinance. Mr. Mike Donley of Donley Homes spoke up in opposition. John Dolske from the township spoke in support. John Alzner, President of Alzner Concrete spoke in opposition. He would lose a great deal of money if this passes. He was relying on the houses. Stephanie Brobst, township resident came forward to share that the ''vocal minority'' as described by Mr. Metzger of the Columbus Board of Realtors, was in fact vocal, but certainly not in the minority.
Last night the City of Pickerington held its City Council Meeting to address the discussion of the Community Growth Plan (aka housing moratorium). Many concerned citizens arrived at 6:00 p.m. for the meeting. Councilman Bill Wright was standing at the door refusing to let people in. The swearing in ceremony for the two new council members, Mrs. Riggs and Mr. Sabitino was scheduled for 6:15 pm. Mrs. Wright (Councilman Bill Wright's wife) came in and told people that they could not come in. Did we elect her? Oh I forgot, we get you too. The crowd swelled until Mr. Shaver came to the doors and they let him in. I am told that Mrs. Wright told Mr. Shaver that they preferred that the public not come in just then. Thankfully he ignored her (as he should). The doors opened and the floodgates came in. At first it was a few of the older residents like Dorothy Steiger (sp?)who gave Bibles to the City and the Police Department. That was nice. Of course Mrs. Wright was there. She had a seat right away. Mr. Wright's daughter sat up in Daddy's chair. It was very cozy. The families of the new appointees where there in the front row. Shortly after a few more city and county citizens arrived. Linda Yartin was busily passing out slips for people to speak.(37) Then the largest group that has ever attended a city council meeting came in. Members of the BIA (over 50 I estimate) came in and flanked all sides of the hall. They were in the back overflow sitting, standing and squatting. They filled the foyer body to body, so that you could barely get through the door. One of the construction workers sat in a chair strategically in front of Mr. Shaver with his hardhat and work boots. It was jammed. When a name was called for that person to come forward and speak to council, it took about 10 seconds for them to make it through the crowds. They yelled, ''I'm coming!'' Ladies and Gentlemen of the BIA all had their BIA house stickers on their shirts. Their attire included boots and hard hats and a great deal of dirty shirts. Good thing they pay by the hour, it was a long meeting. They made quite a statement. The Chairman of the BIA, Tom Hart was there. There were several of the City's finest in the background to take care of the potential crowd if we got out of hand. The halls were then filled with a series of builders. Several contracting companies came as well. Several prominent real estate agents came as well. None of the local real estate professionals spoke in opposition. First to speak was Dorothy Steiger who read an impassioned letter of her views, which did not support the moratorium. Her children were raised here and she was proud of the growth we have achieved. She gave her bibles to the City and sat down. Mr. Dennis Waley (sp?) came forward with administrative comments not related to the night. James Huffman came forward in opposition. Mrs. Karen Russell who has lived her for 16 years with a 9th grade son spoke out against the measure. Mr. Jack Hogland a real estate agent living in the City spoke in favor of the ordinance. Mr. Mike Donley of Donley Homes spoke up in opposition. John Dolske from the township spoke in support. John Alzner, President of Alzner Concrete spoke in opposition. He would lose a great deal of money if this passes. He was relying on the houses. Stephanie Brobst, township resident came forward to share that the ''vocal minority'' as described by Mr. Metzger of the Columbus Board of Realtors, was in fact vocal, but certainly not in the minority.
