Khara Nemitz- Answers to questions as posed by ThisWeek News:

Tell us about yourself:

I am a 48-year-old mother, spouse and interior designer. I have an eight-year-old son who attends Indianola Informal. My husband is an associate professor in the art department at OSU. His position at OSU is what brought us to Columbus from the east coast. I was born in Sweden. My family then moved back to the states. Since then I have lived in Colorado, Maine, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York City, and Connecticut. I met my husband, of 24 years, at the Maryland College of Art where I studied painting. After working many different jobs, I went to interior design school where I achieved a Master’s in Interior Design. I worked in the interior’s department of two exemplary architecture offices in New York City. When my son was born, I had the fortune of not working for three years. Within that time we moved twice: once to New Haven, Connecticut and then on to Columbus. I now work for Huffman & Huffman, an interior architecture and design office, in New Albany. Some of the things I enjoy are: reading, baking, the Arts, being outdoors and traveling.

How long have you lived in Clintonville:

I have lived in Clintonville for five years. We moved to Brighton Road the summer of 2012 after renting in German Village for two years. We moved here for many reasons: Clinotnville Elementary School, accessibility by foot to interesting stores and restaurants, grocery stores, the library, a tailor and bus line to name a few things.

What do you do for a living?

I am an interior designer. I have a Master’s in Interior Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. I went back to school when I was thirty and have been practicing ever since. I currently work for an amazing mother and son design studio in New Albany. We focus primarily on high-end residential design but also work on commercial projects.

What are your reasons for running for the commission seat:
I have an interest in promoting our neighborhood’s social well being through city planning, architecture and design. I believe that the quality of our lives is bettered by decisions that bring happiness and joy to our daily lives. Participating in the CAC will give me the opportunity to bring to the table my neighbor’s thoughts and concerns regarding the development of Clintonville.

I would describe myself as a candidate that supports thoughtful and responsible development in accordance with the Clintonville Neighborhood Plan. For example, the block right around the corner from where I live, at North Broadway and High, needs to be developed. It is an eyesore and a wasted opportunity to bring joy and beauty to our neighborhood. One idea for change is for the residents to work with the property owners to attract developers who would build something that would be acceptable to all parties and that would adhere to the guidelines of the Clintonville Neighborhood Plan. Residents I have spoken to would be happy to see the combination of a commercial and residential structure like you see further south on High Street. I would like to propose a “Health & Well-Being” zone with one story of residences above. This idea came from the success of the acupuncturist business. What if there were other businesses: massage therapy, Pilates, and yoga that were located her? What if there was a charming restaurant tucked in as well? (One where you could have a glass of wine along with your salad or hamburger.) Whatever is built should not be to the detriment of the school across the street or to the neighbors who live close by. Traffic flow must notbe ignored in our enthusiasm to build. Building codes must be adhered to unless there is a proven undue hardship. I want to make sure that all decisions regarding our neighborhood are centered on what is best for the residents of Clintonville.  Khara Nemitz

BJ White:

I am a lifelong Ohioan, born at Columbus’ Grant Hospital and raised in Logan, OH.  I attended The Ohio State University and graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Women’s Studies, also participating in The Ohio State University Marching Band. During my self-financed college career, I would often visit the Graceland Shopping Center for necessary provisions. I fondly recall being enamored by the High Street corridor through Clintonville while riding COTA between campus and Graceland Shopping Center.  This is what attracted me to Clintonville (District 9) when my wife of 28 years, Kari Engen, and I purchased our first home in 1999. It certainly fits the Realtor descriptive of “Clintonville Charmer” and we jumped at the opportunity that this property offered to us. We’ve made it our home and take great pride in our Cape Cod on E. Kanawha Ave.  Being immersed in an area where there are neighbors with longevity and pride of home ownership, I am grateful each time I return home for finding a homestead that I dreamed about as a college student riding COTA through Clintonville. I continue to be rooted in our community as a season ticket holder to The Columbus Crew since their inaugural season in 1996.

My professional career spans from marketing and financial services to my current career as a residential real estate agent since 2005. In 2016, I was the recipient of the Columbus REALTORS®’ Twenty-Five Million Dollar Sales Award. I owe a debt of gratitude to the Clintonville community for earning such an accolade. As a Realtor who serves all over Central Ohio, Clintonville has been an organic market and niche clientele that I have considered an invaluable and intangible asset to my real estate practice. Experiencing most of the real estate cycle in Clintonville as a resident, I have learned the benefits, risk mitigation, and potential pitfalls that we shall experience as a community. This is why I am inclined to serve the community as an Area Commissioner and represent District 9. Why now? The time seems appropriate to marry my expertise to the aspirations of the community and to engage the interest of the 1,900 households of District 9.

District 9 is often seen as an outlier, sometimes referred to as “not really Clintonville”.  That’s unfortunate, because there is so much vibrancy here, as well as the other eight districts.  It’s important to me that all of Clintonville be represented with vigor.  After listening to my neighbors, and learning from those who have been here longer than I, it became clear that I could bring those views to the commission, and I could use my experiences from representing current or potential Clintonville homeowners as a Realtor, to the benefit of our district.  There remains a lot for me to learn, from all residents of Clintonville, from the other 8 Clintonville Area Commissioners, the CAC committee members, and my neighbors in District 9.  It is my intention and obligation to represent and advocate for District 9 and to work in concert with all of Clintonville to the best of my abilities.- BJ White

Vote at Whetstone Library on Saturday, May 6, 10-2 pm. Early voting is Tuesday, May 2, 6–8 p.m.  Bring your photo I.D. Check the date on your I.D., if it’s out of date, bring it PLUS a utility bill or a check with your current address.

Please contribute to our neighborhood by Voting!

Columbus Public Health (CPH) invites you to participate in a Drug Drop –Off  on Saturday, April 29^th at 10:00am-2:00pm at Columbus Public Health, 240 Parsons Avenue.

Protect Your Family and the Environment.

Bring your unwanted, unneeded or expired prescription and over-the-counter pills to Columbus Public Health. Law enforcement officers will dispose of your medications in a safe, legal and environmentally conscious way.

Protect Your Family and the Environment.

Bring your unwanted, unneeded or expired prescription and over-the-counter pills to Columbus Public Health. Law enforcement officers will dispose of your medications in a safe, legal and environmentally conscious way.

April 29, 2017, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Columbus Public Health – 240 Parsons Ave., Columbus

Accepted Items:

• Prescription pills, over the counter pills, patches, pet medication, vitamins and needles/sharps*

*To ensure the safety of volunteers, please put all needles or syringes in a puncture resistant container.

Not Accepted:

• Liquids of any kind, gel caps of any kind, aerosol cans, thermometers and inhalers

Unused or unwanted medicines can harm families, the community and the environment. Drugs can be abused (accidentally or intentionally) and flushing them poses the threat of chemicals entering our lakes, rivers, streams and drinking water.

Should you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Jose Rodriguez CPH, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at 614-645-6928.

JOSE R. RODRIGUEZ

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
614.645.6928 / 614.604.5025 (cell)
jrrodriguez@columbus.gov
_______________________________

Columbus Public Health
240 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
www.publichealth.columbus.gov
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http://www.thisweeknews.com/news/20170417/two-newcomers-battle-for-cacs-district-2-seat

On Monday, May 1, COTA will launch its redesigned bus network. The Transit System Redesign (TSR) is a complete overhaul of the COTA network that will provide simplified routes, increased frequency, connections to more places, reduced bus congestion downtown, and service to more jobs.

In the Documents section in the COTA folder of this website  you will find a Fact Sheet about the TSR, as well as a Communications Guide with information you can share with your constituents.

We’re also pleased to share that customers will enjoy free fares on COTA May 1-7, in order to ease the transition for current customers and encourage members of the community to try the new system.

If you have any questions or would like to request additional information, please contact me at (614) 275-5938 orMyersLM@cota.com.

We’re excited to welcome our customers to the new COTA network on May 1!

Thank you,

Lisa Myers

Public and Media Relations Manager
Central Ohio Transit Authority

William J. Lhota Building
33 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
P          (614) 275-5938

C          (330) 607-6779
F          (614) 275-5933

Each year three of the nine CAC seats come up for election. This year two districts are running unopposed. In District 1, current commissioner David Vottero, In District 9 – BJ White, a first time candidate, is running unopposed.  In District 2-  First time candidates Matthew Brown and Khera Nemitz are on the ballot.

2 press release 4.11

Ohio Health Open House

A representative from COTA presented information at our April 6 meeting regarding changes in service that are required by the closure of the Indianola bridge over Glen Echo Ravine.  He also presented briefly information regarding the system-wide changes in service that will begin May 1.  Most of the system-wide changes will not drastically affect Clintonville.  In fact, COTA believes all of the changes will be positive changes for folks.

For Clintonville there will be more frequent service in most cases and very minor route changes.  Maps of the routes that service Clintonville will be posted in our Document section in a folder titled COTA.