By Donna Comella

Changes are coming to Newark - in the form of construction, demolition, remodeling, re-zoning... Now would be a good time to involve yourself in some decisions that will forever change the face of the village.

The East Ave. Bridge - A village board meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 16 in the High School auditorium at 6:45 p.m. Here's the proposition: the state says you can have about $800,000 to rehab the bridge, but if you take the money, you keep the bridge. Some citizens say the bridge's closing has congested traffic and hinders emergency vehicles. Others call it a "white elephant" that could eventually cost taxpayers an enormous amount of money and aggravation.

Whether you want to keep the bridge or not, you should attend the meeting so you can hear the facts, question the figures, and analyze what may be a problem for your children and grandchildren.

Roosevelt School - There will be a public hearing on the re-zoning of Roosevelt School on Tues., Sept. 16 in the High School auditorium at 7:20 p.m. Jill Graybill has proposed development at the vacant school that would possibly include an antique shop, a day care center, book bindery, and a restaurant.

The former elementary school was most recently used as the WARC pre-school center. It had been sold to WARC for $1 by the Newark School District, and the dollar deal would haunt the district whenever school officials made a plea for additional space. When ARC decided to build a new center, they offered the building to the village for $1. The village declined. ARC then turned to a plan that would convert the old east-side school into apartments. That plan died.

If you want this property back on the tax rolls; if you want the property to be re-zoned for business (B3); if you just want to give moral support to the project, attend the meeting. (When the Planning Board discussed it Sept. 2, no one - for or against - attended.)

Canal Corridor Initiative - HUD has just handed the village a huge, cardboard check for over $4 million - that's more money than the entire village budget's general fund. HUD's intention is that this money create jobs, spur development, enhance the canal route. Think you might want to watch how this money is doled out? If you do, be at the Sept. 16 meeting.

Downtown corner S. Main/W. Miller - You've read the reports, you've heard the rumors - the wrecking ball is coming to town and it's aimed at Shooter's, the New Shanghai, Gilbert's, Newark Stationery and the old Bern Furniture store. And even though laywers, developers and a certain "national chain" won't admit it, we're hearing about the construction of a new pharmacy/super store.

We're also hearing the people. Some - with that Urban Renewal taste in their mouths - say they don't want the old buildings torn down. Others hope the new place looks nice and doesn't put a garish face on one of the village's busiest corners.

Remember, it's a private sale of private property, but you can voice concerns about parking, design, site planning, signage, etc. The Newark Planning Board meets the first Monday of each month in the second floor courtroom at 7 p.m. The Zoning Board of Appeals meets the second Monday of each month, same place, 4 p.m.

The Arcadia Museum - It's not controversial and it won't cause a stir at any meeting. The Arcadia Historical Society met last week in its new home at the corner of High and Mason. Hopes and plans for a museum are coming together in what was once the First Church of Christ, Scientist.

Artifacts and treasures will at last have a home in this village - not stuffed in drawers or packed away in boxes.

Make a donation or join the Arcadia Historical Society by calling President Chris Davis at 331-4078.