Pickerington, Ohio

Pickerington, Ohio
—  City  —
The welcome sign located on Hill Road N. (OH-256)
Seal
Nickname(s): Picktown, Violet Capital of Ohio, The Purple City
Location of Pickerington, Ohio
Coordinates: 39°53′32″N 82°45′50″W
Country	United States
State	Ohio
Counties	Fairfield, Franklin
Founded	1815
Government
• Type	Mayor-council-manager
• Mayor	Lee A. Gray
• City Manager	Bill Vance
Area
• Total	7.4 sq mi (19.3 km2)
• Land	7.4 sq mi (19.3 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	837 ft (255 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	18,291
• Density	1,317.4/sq mi (508.6/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	43147
Area code(s)	614
FIPS code	39-62498
GNIS feature ID	1061537
Website	ci.pickerington.oh.us

Pickerington is a city in Fairfield and Franklin counties in the central region of the U.S. state of Ohio. It was founded in 1815 as Jacksonville. Pickerington was known as Jacksonville until 1827 when the citizens petitioned the state legislature to change the name to Pickerington in honor of its founder, Abraham Pickering. It is a suburb of Columbus. The population was 18,291 at the 2010 census. As land annexation, development, and in-migration in and around Columbus continues, the city of Pickerington (like many area suburbs) has generally followed suit. Pickerington is also home to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, located at 13515 Yarmouth Dr. off of Interstate 70.

The Ohio Secretary of State certified Pickerington as a city in 1991 and was designated as the "Violet Capital of Ohio" in 1996 by the Ohio Legislature. At 11.1 sq mi (29 km²), Pickerington is the second largest city in Fairfield County and is second in size only to Lancaster. The City of Pickerington is located just east of Columbus, Ohio. The city features a historic downtown shopping area, while Violet Township is home to rolling hills, long horses, forests, and fields.

Law and Government

Pickerington uses the weak-mayor version of the mayor-council government, which constitutes an elected executive mayor position, an elected city council, and an appointed city manager position.

Mayor

The current mayor, Lee A. Gray was elected Mayor in the November 2011. Mayor Gray previously served as Mayor from 1992 to 1999 and as a City Council member in 1987. He served as Chairperson of Rules and Service Committees in addition to serving as judge of Mayor's Court and an ex-officio member of all Council committees. Mayor Gray is a successful, independent business owner. He and his wife Jane have three children: Logan, Mallory and Molly. Gray's predecessor, Mitch O'Brien, was elected in November 2007. He ran against current city council member Heidi Riggs and won the popular vote, earning 56% of the total vote.

City Council

The Pickerington city council is a seven-member body that is elected by rolling. There are four standing committees in the council: the finance committee, the rules committee, the safety committee, and the service committee.

Current council members with elected or re-elected year and position:

• Mike Sabatino (2011), Councilperson.

He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Safety Committee and as a member of the Finance Committee. Mike has been the owner and operator of Coffeeman Beverages, Inc., since 1987. Mike is a member of the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association, and a Board member of Fairfield County Meals on Wheels.

• Christopher Schweitzer (2011), Councilperson.

He serves as the Secretary to the Service Committee and as a member to the Finance Committee. Chris is self-employed with Creative Design Solutions. Chris is the Council representative to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

• Tony Barletta (2009), Councilperson.

He currently serves as Vice Chairperson on the Rules Committee, Secretary on the Safety Committee, and as a member of the Finance Committee. He is the Council representative to the Parks and Recreation Board and the Nuisance Abatement Board. Tony is employed by Alcatel-Lucent. Tony is the City's representative on the PCMA Food Pantry Board.

• Gavin Blair (2009), Council President.

Gavin Blair serves as the Chairperson of the Finance Committee. Gavin is the Government Affairs Director for the Columbus Board of REALTORS. Gavin also serves on the Fairfield County Republican Central Committee and Executive Committee.

• Jeff Fix (2009), Council Vice President.

He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Service Committee, Vice Chairperson of Safety Committee, Secretary to the Rules Committee and is Vice Chairperson of the Finance Committee. Jeff is the Vice President at Escape Enterprises, Ltd., which franchises restaurants globally. Jeff served two years as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and has been the Secretary of the Fairfield County Republican Party Executive Committee for four years. Jeff also coaches baseball, softball, football and basketball in the Pickerington Area Athletic Association.

• Cristie Hammond (2009), Councilperson.

Cristie Hammond was elected to Council in November 2005 and re-elected in 2009. She currently serves as a member of the Finance Committee. Cristie and her husband, John, are sixteen year residents of Pickerington.

• Brian Sauer (2007), Councilperson.

He currently serves as Chairperson of the Rules Committee, Vice Chairperson of the Service Committee and as a member of Finance Committee. Brian is a Database analyst at Twenty First Century Communications in Columbus. He previously served as a Congressional Assistant for U.S. Congressman David Hobson, President of the Republican Club of Northwest Fairfield County, Secretary of the Fairfield County Young Republicans, Vice-Chairman of the Fairfield County Republican Central Committee, and as Treasurer of the Fairfield County Republican Executive Committee.

Administration

There are several positions appointed between the mayor and city council to aid in the day-to-day management of the city.

Current administrators with inaugural year and position:

• Gary L. Armentrout (1985), Operator for the Division of Water and Wastewater (Promoted to Chief Operator for the water treatment plant in 1993).
• Greg Bachman (2009), In-House City Engineer.
• Edward J. Drobina (2003), Assistant Service Director (Promoted to Service Manager in 2005).
• Jan Eichner (2003), Income Tax Administrator.
• Joseph P. Henderson (2005), City Planner.
• David Jackson (1987), Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (Promoted to Chief Operator in 2010).
• Rebecca Medinger (2010), Recreation Administrator.
• Lynn Miller (2010), Human Resources Director.
• Chris P. Schornack (2005), Deputy Finance Director (Appointed as Director of Finance in 2010).
• Molly Schwartz (1998), Deputy Clerk of Court (Appointed as Clerk of Court in 2001).
• Chief Michael Taylor (2003), Chief of Police.
• Bill Vance (2010), City Manager.
• Brenda VanCleave (2006), On-Staff Engineer.
• Lynda Yartin (1994), Municipal Clerk.

Geography

Pickerington is located at 39°53′32″N 82°45′50″W (39.892168, -82.763837).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19 km²), all land.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	188		—
1890	290		54.3%
1900	263		−9.3%
1910	310		17.9%
1920	358		15.5%
1930	366		2.2%
1940	384		4.9%
1950	433		12.8%
1960	634		46.4%
1970	696		9.8%
1980	3,917		462.8%
1990	5,668		44.7%
2000	9,792		72.8%
2010	18,291		86.8%
US Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,792 people, 3,468 households, and 2,687 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,317.4 people per square mile (508.8/km²). There were 3,573 housing units at an average density of 480.7 per square mile (185.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.18% White, 3.72% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 3,468 households out of which 48.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the city the population was spread out with 32.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $63,664, and the median income for a family was $71,161. Males had a median income of $51,155 versus $31,850 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,839. About 2.6% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.

Pickerington Local School District

Pickerington Local School District consists of 14 buildings: two high schools, two junior high schools, three middle schools, and seven elementary schools. There are two new elementary schools and one middle school that were just built. One in the Sycamore area, and the others off of Toll Gate Road.

PLSD is made up of approximately 70.2% White, 20.9% African-American, 3% Asian, 1.6% Hispanic, .2% American Indian, and 5% multi-racial students. 10.2% of students are on a free/reduced lunch program. 9.6% are students with disabilities. The school district also has an average attendance rate of 97%.

History of PLSD

The legacy of the Pickerington Local School District began in Violet Township with the Ordinance of 1785. This

Violet Township High School

ordinance set aside land for school purposes. At one time Violet Township was home to 19 one to two room schools spread across the township. The bulk of these schools later became combined into the Pickerington Local School District.

The first documented school in the Pickerington area was in 1812. It is believed that the log cabin housing the school may have been a settler’s cabin used on Sundays for church and school during the week.

In 1815 Abraham Pickering, whom the City of Pickerington is named after, donated a plot of land to be used for educational purposes. The Pickerington School House was built on this land, and in 1883, a new two-story, two room school was built to replace the original building. According to census data, in 1895 The Pickerington School educated 105 students. This site today is home to the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society, 15 E. Columbus Street.

The Violet Township Board of Education (VHTS) was created in 1905 as the first step in unification of the area schools. After two years of hard work, a charter from the state was in hand and the process for financing a building program was in place. Construction of the new Violet Township High School began in February 1907. The building would have six rooms plus a basement at a cost of $15,000. The VTHS class of 1909 was the first to graduate from this new school with a graduating class of four. In 1939 Violet Township Schools became Pickerington Local Schools and VTHS became Pickerington High School a year later.

Schools in Pickerington

• Pickerington High School Central
• Pickerington High School North
• Ridgeview Junior High School
• Lakeview Junior High School
• Diley Middle School
• Harmon Middle School
• Toll Gate Middle School
• Fairfield Elementary
• Heritage Elementary
• Pickerington Elementary
• Violet Elementary
• Tussing Elementary
• Sycamore Elementary
• Toll Gate Elementary

Recreation

The Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of events for the recreation of Pickerington residents and visitors. Various classes can be taken that cover a wide range of hobbies and activities, such as jewelcrafting, herbalism, archeology, and engineering. There are two sports programs, the Pickerington Youth Athletic Association and the Adult Sports League, with several sports offered, including capture the flag. There are two parks that belong to the department: Victory Park and Sycamore Creek Park. Both are located on Columbus Street, just south of Olde Town Pickerington.

On March 14, 2008, the department purchased the Swim Club, a local swimming pool, with non-tax revenue. There is no residency requirement to belong to the pool and there is no price increase for non-residents. The pool is the home of the Tigersharks swim team.

Another park, Pickerington Ponds, exists near Pickerington but is not within city limits.

Notable Natives

• A.J. Trapasso, Football player. Ohio State University, the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Denver Broncos.
• Antony Hämäläinen, Vocalist for the Swedish Melodic Death Metal band Nightrage attended secondary school in Pickerington.
• Lindsay Hollister, Television actress, attended Pickerington High School.
• Earl Moore, Pitcher for the Cleveland Indians and the first pitcher in the American League to throw a no-hitter on May 9, 1901.
• Grant Hohenstein, Professional bull rider.
• Arthur Raymond Robinson, Indiana Senator and the “dark horse” candidate on the Republican ticket for President of the United States in 1932.
• Dan and Tom Ryan, Professional Halo 2 players.

External Links

• Official site
• Pickerington Chamber of Commerce
• Pickerington Local School District
• Fairfield County Visitors & Convention Bureau
• Pickerington Public Library