u/LowCheesecake1234

WPA Friends:
In response to community concerns, the Westerville City Council has rejected a proposed sale and development plan for the former city office building at 64 E. Walnut St. Following up on that decision, the city has scheduled a Community Workshop for next Tuesday, Aug. 11, to discuss possible uses of the site and the process by which any new plan for it will be developed.

Many WPA members were involved in the campaign to end the high-density development proposal presented by city staff in May. This is now an opportunity to help shape the future of this location, adjacent to the city’s historic Uptown district.

The Community Workshop is scheduled for 6-8 pm Tuesday at the Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave.Doors will open at 5:30. The room can accommodate 168 participants, who will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis at six-person tables. There will be facilitated table discussions followed by a summary from each group to be incorporated into a report following the workshop that will be presented to the City Council on Sept. 8.

If you have an interest in the future of this site, plan now to be at the Community Center next Tuesday for this workshop.

Thank you!

Anybody know what’s going on with ActBlue?

Two life flight helicopters landed and flew back towards Columbus. I-70 West is now closed and could be several hours.

You must Register to Vote if you have Moved, Changed your Name, or Changed your Political Party

It is extremely important for people to Vote in the upcoming General Election on November 3, 2026. In order to do that, everyone must have a current voter registration.

If you have moved (such as changed apartments or purchased a home), have changed your name (such as through marriage or divorce), or have changed your political party, you Must Reregister to Vote.

Although the new “SAVE America Act” is not yet law, it has passed the House and is being intensely debated in the Senate, with a vote expected soon. This bill will require additional proof of US citizenship documents, and could disenfranchise many potential voters.

It is extremely important for people to Vote in the upcoming General Election on November 3, 2026. In order to do that, everyone must have a current voter registration.

If you have moved (such as changed apartments or purchased a home), or have changed your name (such as through marriage or divorce), you Must Reregister to Vote.

Although the new “SAVE America Act” is not yet law, it has passed the House and is being intensely debated in the Senate, with a vote expected soon. This bill will require additional proof of US citizenship documents, and could disenfranchise many potential voters. [websites referenced are Congress.gov, bipartisanpolicy.org, and vote.org]

Here are the (Ohio) DEADLINES for REGISTRATION to VOTE in the November 3, 2026 election [as listed on the “ACLU Ohio” website]

October 5 - Voter Registration Deadline (postmarked)
October 6 - Early Voting Starts/Absentee Ballots Mailed to Voters
October 27 - Absentee Ballot Request Deadline (postmarked)
November 2 - Absentee Ballot Postmark Deadline/Last Day of Early Voting
November 3 - Election Day/Absentee Ballot in-person return deadline
November 7 - Deadline for BOEs to received mailed absentee ballots/provisional ballot cure deadline
Early Voting Hours

PLEASE, PLEASE, be sure your voter registration is current, and MAKE A COMMITMENT to VOTE in November.

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Does anybody know what happened after the fireworks tonight? There there seemed to be 20+ cops and over a dozen cop cars, lights flashing, sirens blaring, and moving like a bat out of hell.

WPA Friends:

Sherrod Brown and MS NOW are coming to Westerville Monday, and we’re invited to be part of this national exposure for our crucial Ohio Senate race!

MS NOW will be hosting a Meet & Greet with Sherrod, along with State Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (and likely other candidates) from 6-8 pm Monday, July 6.The location won’t be officially announced until 24 hours before the event, but we can tell you that it is on the Delaware County side of Westerville. In other words, right in our back yard.

So here’s the challenge for all of us: We want to pack the event with WPA members coming out in support of a race that truly could flip the entire U.S. Senate to Democratic control this November.

Here are the details we can share right now, along with a link to sign up:
What: MS NOW Meet & Greet with Sherrod Brown and Beryl Brown Piccolantonio
When: Monday, July 6, 6-8 pm
Where: The signup form merely says “Columbus, OH,” but we happen to know that it’s on the Delaware County side of Westerville

Signup: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8XwUWdiUCMPsR0M74...
This event is likely to reach capacity very quickly, so sign up now, and we’ll see you Monday!

[My first attempt at this message didn’t work, so I’m going to try again.]

I believe that Harriet Tubman was one of America’s most important heroes!!

After escaping the hells of slavery, Harriet Tubman courageously risked her own freedom and safety to go back 13 times to rescue roughly 70 enslaved people using the Underground Railroad system (much of which included Ohio).

During the Civil War, she served as a nurse, a scout, and a spy for the Union Army. She partnered with Colonel James Montgomery to guide Union troops past Confederate supply lines to burn wealthy plantations and liberate over 750 enslaved people. Then she recruited over 100 newly liberated men to join the Union Army. She received little money for her military service, and she had to fight for the little she got.

After the Civil War, Ms. Tubman continued to advocate for freed people. In addition, she was active in the Women’s Suffrage movement until her health prevented her from continuing.

Harriet Tubman is but one of the incredible people we celebrate on Juneteenth Day. There are a number of well done short documentaries on YouTube you might want to check out.

Blessings to you on this important American holiday.

We went to see a movie (The Mandalorian and Grogu) at the Cinemark Polaris 18 and XD tonight. Before the trailers, they showed a Trump MAGA commercial. I was disgusted!! We went to enjoy a movie, not to be blasted by Trump’s MAGA 🐂💩!!

Here’s what the Cinemark Polaris 18 and XD site says about it:

“Political commercials regularly play in the pre-show trailers at Cinemark Polaris 18 and XD. The specific ads depend on current election cycles and National CineMedia buying schedules, not theater management agreement_level=consensus. [1]
If you are looking to watch or avoid Trump-related content at this location in Westerville/Columbus, note the following:

Political Documentaries: Past documentaries like Vindicating Trump have screened at select commercial theaters, but are mostly routed to specialized or limited-release cinemas agreement_level=mixed_opinions.

The Preshow Window: If you want to bypass all political and commercial advertisements, plan to arrive roughly 20 minutes after the listed showtime.”

I just received this post:

The Change.org Team
Jun 11, 2026

My name is Jason, and I'm part of the Civic Engagement Team at Change.org. Our mission is to connect petition supporters with decision makers and to help foster healthy civic engagement in our communities.

We recently reached out to Westerville officials to make sure they were aware of the petition. A city representative responded with the following that includes information on an upcoming meeting related to the project:

"On Tuesday June 2, City Council voted unanimously to reject the sale agreement for the 64 E. Walnut proposed sale and redevelopment. No legislation, proposal or agenda item related to the sale or development of 64. E. Walnut St. will appear on the Council agenda until the following information is presented. This information will appear on Westerville.org/64Walnut and be shared in public meetings.

A list of goals and priorities for this site compiled from resident feedback. Council goals and strategic priorities and relevant city planning documents to be included, along with the Community Plan and Economic Development Strategy.

A detailed explanation of the process of how a property moves through the City Council, Zoning, and Planning Commission, including traffic study processes.

Public information on how funds from the sale of a public property are processed and used in the community, including how 64 E Walnut St property and tax revenues may end up, and the impact of those funds on the city.

Factors that influence how the city arrives at a purchase price for city-owned property.

An open house is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11 at the Westerville Community Center. It will include opportunities for residents to share their goals and vision for the property." 

We hope you found this update useful.
Jason and the Civic Engagement Team

There is a fawn who’s mom was killed on Maxtown Road Friday (we think). He’s very hungry, dehydrated, and crying for his mom. We’re taking him to the Wildlife Animal Hospital now. According to Ohio law, they cannot keep him, but they can rehydrate him and patch up the scrape on his cheek (probably from when his mom was hit. They told me that they are permitted to introduce him to a lactating doe, since they’ve had some success with that, particularly if the doe has only one fawn. However, his time is ticking. He has 72 hours from the time he is admitted for this to be accomplished before they have to put him down. It’s now 1:20.

If you know of a lactating fawn in your area, please call them at (614) 407-7830. Be sure to tell them this is about a fawn who was admitted this afternoon. If it’s private property, they will need the name, address, and phone number of the property owner for permission.

I know white tail deer can be a nuisance, but I just couldn’t let this infant die slowly and painfully.

I also know this is a long shot, but if you can help, and are willing, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks

The ground of Liberty is to be gained by inches.”
Thomas Jefferson

We can’t get so discouraged or complacent that we give up. We must keep working toward the goal of restoring our country to sanity, integrity, justice, and hope for the people of this nation. That means we all need to be actively involved in helping people with those essential values and courage to stand up for what is right to be elected this coming November, even if it’s just in small ways. Each and every effort counts.