Project improvements include burying of utilities, a total road reconstruction, turn lanes, eight-foot parking lanes on each side of High Street, street lights, street trees, sidewalks, and ADA-compliant curb ramps.  High Street road reconstruction should be substantially complete prior to the 2013-14 school year; utility work is expected to be substantially complete by the end of the year.

• Plan your outing.  Always tell someone your routes and where you are going.

• Take your cell phone with you.

• Wear an identification tag or carry a driver’s license. Include important medical information.

• Don’t wear jewelry and carry little cash.

• Wear reflective material.

On the road…

• Tell a family member or friend where you are going and the time you expect to be back.

• Stay alert at all times.  The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are.

• Run or walk with a partner and/or a dog.

• Don’t wear headsets.  Listen to your surroundings.

• Exercise in familiar areas and vary your route.

• Avoid unpopulated areas and poor lighting.

• Run against traffic so you can observe automobiles approaching.

• Use discretion in acknowledging strangers.  Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.  If asked for directions, stay arms length away.

• Trust your intuition about a person or area.

• Call the New Albany Police (855.1234) if anything seems out of the ordinary.  If something happens that is potentially life threatening, call 911.

• Architecture Review Board (meets the second Monday of the month at 7 PM):  the candidate will preferably have a background in architecture, landscape architecture, city planning, interior design, industrial design, engineering or other allied design professions.

• Board of Construction Appeals (meets the third Thursday of the month at 7 PM):  the candidate shall have qualifying experience and/or training pertaining to residential construction such as persons trained in mechanical/structural engineering, building, architecture, and the like.

• Tax Incentive Review Council (meets as needed):  no specific qualifications necessary; per Ohio Revised Code 5709.85 (A) (1), this appointed member shall be a minority, defined as an individual who is African-American, Hispanic, or Native American.

• Economic Development Commission (meets as needed):  no specific qualifications necessary

• Rocky Fork Blacklick Accord (meets the third Thursday of the month as needed):  no specific qualifications necessary

For consideration, those interested must reside within New Albany corporate limits.  Prior to appointment for any of these positions, City Council will conduct brief interviews at an upcoming council meeting.

More information is available by contacting Clerk of Council Betty Bosko, (614.855.3913; bbosko@newalbanyohio.org).  Residents are asked to send their letter of interest and qualifications to Ms. Bosko, either via email to Ms. Bosko; via mail to Ms. Bosko’s attention to P.O. Box 188, New Albany, Ohio 43054; or by dropping the information off in person to Ms. Bosko at Village Hall (99 W. Main Street) between the hours of 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday.  Appointments could be made in June so residents are asked to forward their information at their earliest convenience.

“Let’s face it, insuring teens to drive is expensive to begin with, and even a minor traffic offense has the potential for long-term legal and financial consequences,” said Amy Boyd, probation officer for the New Albany Mayor’s Court.  “This program is much like our established Juvenile Diversion Program in that it provides alternatives to court proceedings and, upon completion of the program, can re-establish a clean record.”

Boyd warns, however, that not all teenage minors who receive tickets will be eligible and anyone 18 or older is automatically ineligible.  This program will only be an option for first time offenders and not all first time offenders will qualify depending upon the circumstances of the traffic incident.  Those accepted into the program not abiding by all of the program’s rules may be dropped and have their original charges transferred to the appropriate court; and any new violations that occur while a traffic offender is in the program will be filed in the appropriate court. 

Program participation is voluntary and the juvenile offender and their family members must decide whether to apply for the program within five days of the citation.  The juvenile offender, his or her parents or guardians, New Albany police staff and the probation officer may all participate in an official hearing to determine program eligibility.  During this hearing, all participants must agree that the program is the best course of action to take, with the final determination for program eligibility made by the probation officer.  The family must acknowledge in writing that the New Albany Police Department had reason to believe a law was being violated and waive their right to a trial.  

In order to participate in the program, the juvenile offender must agree to complete a driving course.  Written proof of course completion will be necessary to complete the juvenile traffic diversion program.  The probation officer may also assign other activities, including community service work, restitution, house arrest, early curfews, letters of apology, and essay writing.  Program duration depends upon the seriousness of the crime but is generally between one and six months.  Upon successful completion of all requirements, the original citation will be dismissed.  If all requirements are not met, the original charge(s) will be filed against the juvenile in the appropriate court.

“This program is going to take work to complete, and that’s the way it should be for the young people who are getting a second chance at a clean driving record,” added Boyd.  “Participants need to understand that driving and following the law is a big responsibility to themselves, their parents and everyone else sharing the road with them.  Participants may feel punished by some of the portions of the program.  They need to remember that they did break the law and the effort they have to put into the program definitely beats the alternative of having a driving record at such a young age.”

A bicycle rodeo is a fun way to introduce children ages 5-12 to bicycle safety and will include a safety inspection of bikes and a series of skills stations directly related to everyday bicycling situations. Participants will practice starting and stopping, safely exiting a driveway, the proper way to look for traffic, and the best ways to avoid common road hazards that often lead to accidents. Training rides under the supervision of a New Albany police bike patrol officer will also be offered and New Albany resident Scott Miller of Prime Lending will provide a boy’s and girl’s bicycle as prizes. 

The New Albany Police Department encourages your child to attend this educational bicycle safety event.  To register your child, please complete the form below and click the “submit” button.  A parental signature the morning of the bicycle rodeo will also be required for participation.  Please contact either Sergeant Ed Burton or Officer Ryan Southers at the New Albany Police Department (614.855.1234) with any questions about the day’s events or the registration process.  Your child must bring a bicycle and helmet to participate in the event and all riders must be able to ride a two-wheeled bike (no training wheels or tricycles are allowed). 

Week 1 of Building Safety Month highlighted fire safety and awareness, including proper maintenance for smoke detectors, fuel fired equipment and vents, electrical outlets and cords, and developing a fire evacuation plan for your family.

Week 2 of Building Safety Month focuses on disaster safety & mitigation.  For the safety of everyone in your home, prepare a disaster safety plan that incorporates

• emergency contact phone numbers;
• create a safety kit for home, work and car;
• storing fresh water in case of an emergency;
• the use of heat sources and generators; and
• listening for more information about the disaster form any available communications source.

Local, state, and federal agencies have plans to protect the public but residents need to be able to take care of themselves for a minimum of the first 72 hours of an emergency situation. Franklin County Public Health  encourages residents to be Ready in 3,

• Place the grill away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Do not use grills in a garage, porch or enclosed area and never grill on top of anything that can catch fire.
• When grilling, have a fire extinguisher, garden hose or at least four gallons of water close by in case a fire starts.
• Keep children away from fires and grills. Establish a safety zone around the grill with a chalk line and instruct children to remain outside that zone.
• Never leave a grill unattended.

The City of New Albany is pleased to announce the promotion of police officer Kristopher Daniels to the position of sergeant.

The city began the recruitment process for the position in January.  Following advertising, a written test was administered in February, followed by an oral review board/assessment center in March and final interviews in April.

“The sergeants are excited to have Kris in this leadership position,” said Interim Police Chief Greg Jones.  “He has been a New Albany police officer for more than a decade, he has served in many different capacities during his tenure, and he understands what is expected of him as a leader within our organization.  I am also personally excited that even though we opened the recruitment process to outside applicants, one of our own was ultimately chosen.  His promotion to sergeant shows the quality of the officers already here in New Albany.  This position wasn’t handed to Kris, he earned it, and he can take a lot of satisfaction in that.”

Daniels has been a New Albany police officer since 2002.  Prior to that, he worked as a deputy sheriff in Licking County.  He also served in the Ohio Army National Guard where he obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant.  Kris completed his undergraduate work at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and obtained his master’s degree (an MBA with a concentration in criminal justice) from St. Leo University.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to continue to grow with the department where I have spent the vast majority of my career,” said Daniels.  “I believe in values based leadership, leading by example, and fairness across the board, and our department has long been committed to doing things the right way.”