Anti-Obama hate graffiti spray-painted on the side of an Arlington home displaying a 'UA for Obama' yard sign.

It looks like desperate people are resorting to...well desperate tactics. While this is a disturbing, not to mention criminal act, it is also an act of cowardice. This is the beginning of a tough road ahead. We can't afford to be complacent.

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.
----Thomas Jefferson

Cincinnati-based social-conservative group Citizens for Community Values was successful in suing the Upper Arlington Public Library for the policy-breaking right to pray and sing in our meeting rooms.

The lawsuit began when CCV wanted to hold meetings at the UA Public Library that would include a discussion of the intersection of politics and religion, as well as a "prayer petitioning God for guidance in the church's proper role in the political process" and "singing praise and giving thanks to God." See 'Conservative group sues Upper Arlington library over canceled meeting'

Other federal courts do not agree with U.S. District Judge George C. Smith on this issue. See 'Library's ban on prayer service upheld on appeal'.

"The county has a legitimate interest in ... excluding meeting room activities that may interfere with the library's primary function as a sanctuary for reading, writing and quiet contemplation," and in preventing the room from being "transformed into an occasional house of worship," Judge Richard Paez said in the majority opinion.

The Ninth Circuit Court was concerned that the controversy and distraction of religious worship within the library, including singing and praying within the library meeting rooms, may alienate patrons and undermine the library's purpose of making itself available to the whole community. Here's the majority opinion along with KARLTON, Senior District Judge, Concurring:

"This should be a simple case it asks whether the county can be forced to subsidize a religious organization’s prayer meetings by requiring it to provide the religious organization with a free place to worship. A quick reading of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States should answer the question. Judge Paez’s opinion tracks the cases and reaches its laborious result because the law has so elaborated that the reaching of the conclusion requires the effort the opinion demonstrates. As I now explain, that elaboration is premised on a failure to accept the plain meaning of the First Amendment."

... 

In fact, CCV was not barred from using the UA library meeting space to discuss religion or any other topic. But library policy prohibits prayer and singing as "inherent elements of religious service."

Judge Smith did not give an opinion on the constitutionality of the UA Library's policy of precluding religious services.

On W. Lane, two homes will likely be replaced by two 6,500-sq ft buildings to house restaurants, stores and offices. The developer, Metropolitan Partners, needs the approval of BZAP to build on a site less than 70 percent of the required 1 acre. Map source: Columbus Dispatch. Click on the map to enlarge.

The economic development vs. private property rights issue has popped up again in UA. And with Council's emphasis on economic development, this probably won't be the last time we'll see it.

Earlier this year, the controversy was around Tremont development (Columbus Dispatch: Upper Arlington rezoning to allow office to replace houses approved). This time it's on Lane Avenue.

Here are three recent newspaper articles on the topic:

1. July 20th, 2008, Columbus Dispatch: Homes rare on stretch of Lane Avenue: Arlington leaders prefer redevelopment
2. July 15, 2008, Columbus Local News: Developers of Lane site continue discourse with neighbors
3. July 9, 2008: This Week: Residents concerned about Lane Avenue development

The Upper Arlington Board of Zoning (BZAP) will review final plans for a 13,000-square-foot commercial redevelopment on Monday, July 21.

Update:  UA zoning board delays decision on Lane Avenue project

American Electric Power will host a public information meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in council chambers at the UA Municipal Building, 3600 Tremont Road.

The topic is a new 6.08-mile, 138,000-volt transmission line AEP propses to run from south of Hilliard to Cannon Drive on the Ohio State University campus. According to AEP, the precise route the line will take is yet to be determined.

Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and be complete by summer 2009.

Figure 1: The heading from the front page of the July 24, 1956 edition of the Upper Arlington News. "For the most progressive community in Ohio" would continue to be the paper's slogan for 3 more decades. Click on the image to read the full first page.

UA has a rich progressive history, and for several decades, starting in the 1940's, UA in fact prided itself on being Ohio's most progressive community. The Upper Arlington News proudly proclaimed this in it's front page slogan each week from its inception in the 1950's through the 70's and 80's. This golden age in Upper Arlington's history saw the creation of one of Ohio's finest school systems, a beautiful park system, an award-winning library system and a set of vibrant community-based organizations. Investment in UA's future was part of the budget and planning process. By focusing on quality of life issues of citizens, UA was able to attract the best and brightest to our City. Attracting new citizens to UA

But much has changed over the past 20 or so years. In the face of loud conservative nay-sayers, numerous progressive issues have been pushed aside, while far-right conservative agenda items have been passed. Council has become timidToday, Upper Arlington is well known in Central Ohio as a starkly conservative community. Surrounding suburbs are now the progressive communities and they are reaping the benefits from it: influx of new community members, many at UA's expense, and

Figure 2: Environmental issues are also not new to UA. Some 32 years ago this 1975 issue of the UA News was responding to the energy crisis of the time. Amazingly, scientists were warning the public about global warming even back then.

20 years of conservative control is failing our city on several fronts. The myopic focus on financial minutae has halted much-needed new investment in our community. This conservative penny-wise, pound-foolish agenda contrasts strongly with surrounding suburbs, who are actively investing in their communities in the form of community centers, public/private partnership for commercial redevelopment, and funding for recreation and the arts.

In order to keep focus and minimize wasted resources, businesses adopt business plans and revisit them periodically to update them based upon changing conditions. Upper Arlington went through an extensive, citizen driven process chaired by Councilman Ed Seidel to develop its Master Plan. The city should be applauded for having undertaken the effort and then, even more importantly, actually paying attention to it and working towards it implementation. Last spring your favorite three council members were very critical of city staff spending money to have the consultant who worked on the plan come to council to provide historical background on it and to talk about the planned updating process. A few months ago, Wade Stein was quoted in the paper as saying “I am against the Master Plan.” We have all been involved in organizations and enterprises which wander for lack of focus. The Master Plan provides UA with that focus.

The heading from the front page of the July 24, 1956 edition of the Upper Arlington News. "For the most progressive community in Ohio" would continue to be the paper's slogan for 3 more decades.

UA has a rich progressive history, and for several decades starting in the 1950's, UA in fact prided itself on being Ohio's most progressive community as evidenced by. This golden age in Upper Arlington's history saw the creation of one of Ohio's finest school systems, a beautiful park system, library system. Investment in UA's future was part of the budget and planning process. By focusing on quality of life issues of citizens, UA was able to attract the best and brightest to our City. Attracting new citizens to UA

The City's Master Plan is a great start

Communities centers

Innovation under the thumb of conservative short-sightedness makes little headway. The first tell-tale signs of UA's futureIt's how we got where we are today. But It wasn’t too long ago that the local Gahanna newspaper nicknamed city council meetings “the Tuesday night fights.” Because of dissention among council members and other factors, the community was fading fast. But a determined group of residents, elected officials and city administrators were able to find ways to cooperate and vitalize their city.

The result is the Creekside development, an innovative mix of commercial, retail and living spaces in downtown Olde Gahanna.

The best way to stay informed about our activities is to sign up to receive our newsletter via email.

Kingsdale was a key issue in this year’s council race, and regardless of the final makeup of council, citizen involvement will be necessary to have an impact on this quality of life issue. If you share a common, mixed-use vision for Kingsdale – not just a retail strip mall - and would like to become part of a bi-partisan citizen’s group, sign up here to receive email updates and action advisories.

DINO (Democrat In Name Only): Dan McCormick has the unusual distinction of being a Democrat endorsed by both of UA City Council's far-right members, Tim Rankin and Frank Ciotola.

UA Progressive Action is a progressive grassroots political group. Although we generally support Democratic candidates in local, state and national elections, we are not an extension of the local Democratic party; therefore, we have the flexibility and autonomy to recommend Independents and Republicans over Democrats if we feel they support a more progressive agenda.

We have made every effort to determine which UA City Council candidates adhere to those progressive issues/principles that we believe UA should guided by; and as a result of our research, we are supporting Republican, Ed Seidel, over Democrat, Dan McCormick.

Because our recommendations have surprised some UAPA members, we thought an explanation was in order. Here's what our research turned up:

Dear Residents of UA:

I have debated about whether or not to write a letter in support of any of the council candidates this election season.   After the bantering and name calling by supporters of a couple candidates the past several weeks, I now feel it is important to weigh in.  I am endorsing Leslie Heath and Dan McCormick for UA City Council.

My feeling is that when someone presents himself or herself for an elected position they are offering a choice as to how the citizenry wants to be represented, nothing more, and nothing less.   On November 6th you will have a very clear choice.  I always encourage and strongly recommend you do your own due diligence, but in my opinion if you want a city council that:

·         Will advance smart economic development
·         Represents new ideas and independent thinking
·         Is a worthy steward of your tax dollars
·         Knows how to properly prioritize the responsibilities of government
·         Will foster a transparent city government.
·         Respects private property rights

Then vote for Dan McCormick and Leslie Heath on November 6th.

Thank you and God Bless.

Frank Ciotola

Letter >From Councilman Rankin:

Dear Residents:

With the ghosts and goblins out in the neighborhoods, it can only mean one thing - election day is right around the corner. On Tuesday November 6 the voters of Upper Arlington will have the chance to determine the course of this City for many years to come. Leslie Heath and Dan McCormick will provide unique and diverse perspectives and backgrounds for UA Council. They are committed to ensuring that UA never loses focus on what has made it the best City for many generations. Your vote for Leslie and Dan will make a difference in many ways.

As most of you know, I was born and raised in UA and have spent the past 8 years on UA Council. Through all these years I have learned many things and dealt with many important issues in this community. Without a doubt, Kingsdale is the primary issue and will be for the coming year and beyond. For far too long it has remained mostly vacant and an eyesore. Just last week Regency submitted a development plan for Kingsdale. Regency has worked hard with the City and held numerous discussions with local developers and industry leaders and they remain open to talk about further improvements and additions to their plan. In the end, it will be UA Council's vision and willingness to cooperate with Regency for the betterment of UA citizens that will have the most impact.

Leslie Heath and Dan McCormick will listen and be open-minded about all issues facing UA, including Kingsdale. They both understand that UA has many positive attributes and will work on behalf of ALL citizens to ensure its premier status will continue.

Please be sure to vote on Tuesday November 6 and cast a vote for Heath and McCormick!

Regards,

Tim