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Cityscene doesn’t have a clue




Editor:

‘Pardon me, while I wipe the vomit from my shoes!’ said a (south side) lake resident who emailed me his reply to Garth Bishop’s article posted on cityscenecolumbus.com entitled, “It’s All About the Water.”

Well, of course, I couldn’t wait to read the article. The lake resident was absolutely right. Bishop should have titled his article, “It’s All About Senator Jay Hottinger and (former) developer Marty Finta.”

Bishop claims Senator Jay Hottinger “has been a legislative leader on the Buckeye Lake improvements.” (Hottinger has been a late comer to the lake issue.)

The article says, “In March, the Army Corps of Engineers discovered major structural deficiencies in the Buckeye Lake dam.” (I don’t recall any discovery in March, however, there was a re-hash of some old engineering reports with some new photos added.)

The author states, “…water levels in the lake have been kept low, at the depth typically reserved for winter.” (Winter level was re-defined by ODNR to be far below what has ever been experienced.)

Hottinger is quoted, “Everybody at the state is doing everything in their power to expedite it and to make the process happen as quickly as it possibly can.” The articles goes on to say that “Hottinger has been impressed by the pace the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has set in dealing with the dam problems and is encouraged that it may mean a shorter timeline, he says.” (Popular opinion out here seems to be that ODNR should step aside and let ODOT do the repairs since they know how to expedite, i.e., 270/70 bridge repair project.)

Hottinger says, “The overall story is one of great opportunity.” (For you, maybe?)

Finta is quoted, “Gov. Kasich and state Sen. Jay Hottinger responded to the issue promptly and decisively.” (You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours…we can promote each other and Buckeye Lake residents won’t be the wiser…NOT)

Bishop reports, “Unexpected as the dam deficiencies were, the state’s rapid response to them has put Buckeye Lake ahead of the curve on repairs, while some other Ohio bodies of water face problems of their own.” ( Unexpected? Hasn’t this issue been discussed for 30+ years? So glad to hear we’re ahead of the curve on the repairs!)

The author says his story is the beginning of a series on Buckeye Lake and Snug Harbor “a cornerstone of the new-and-improved Buckeye Lake.” The article states, “Keeping Buckeye Lake vital through the repairs and reconstruction is a key component to all the improvement plans, to ensure it remains strong once the new dam is in place. It has all the ingredients for continued success, and just needs to be kept viable, which is exactly what the state’s plans will accomplish, Finta says.” (Mr. Finta, you are SO out of touch.)

The rest of the article reads like a promotional sales flyer or a full page paid advertisement for a prospective development listing all the amenities and future events featured at Snug Harbor. So now that you’ve read the highlights of the article, you decide: Is it All About the Water or Is It All About Hottinger and Finta/ Snug Harbor?

Peggy Wells
Buckeye Lake



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