ThisWeek Community Newspapers

To the editor:

After months of campaigning, I was elected to an at-large Pataskala City Council seat Nov. 3. I want to thank all of my supporters for believing in and giving me the opportunity to represent their ideas and concerns on city council.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for all of the candidates who ran. In this election, the voters of Pataskala had many fine candidates to choose from, which, I believe, says a lot about the quality of our community. I also want to send out congratulations to our other newly elected officials.

Anyone who has run for office will tell you it's no easy task; it takes an incredible amount of time, financing and support.

I would like to thank the many individuals who supported my candidacy -- most importantly, my wife for her constant encouragement, support and love throughout this journey. I would like to thank my treasurer and No. 1 supporter, Leah Hite. I would like to thank my parents and family for their unwavering support and hard work throughout the entire campaign. Also, I couldn't have done it without the support of Garry Goldsmith, Jesh Folden, Esther Boykin, Pam Wilson, Andrea Eastman, Brian and Kelley Kelley, the Hite family, Councilman Brian Raybourne, Councilwoman Merissa McKinstry, Anthony Rodriguez, Steve Harrington, Art Clausen, Grace Cherrington and the many others who helped out along the way. All of their help, support and prayers were very much appreciated.

Throughout my term, I will continue to advocate for conscientious development, citywide infrastructure improvement and the creation of new revenue sources. I also will focus my efforts on working to close the divide that is felt by so many in our community. With persistence and determination, I believe we will work together and continue to make our city a better place. I ask that residents do not hesitate to e-mail me at BryanLenzo@aol.com or call (614) 364-5322.

I am here to serve them.

Bryan Lenzo

Pataskala

To the editor:

I am pleased to report that the 11th annual Vince DeFillipo charity golf outing, sponsored by the Ned Hodkinson Nationwide Insurance Agency and held Sept. 9 at the Cumberland Trails Golf Course in Pataskala, was a rousing success. The event raised nearly $4,000 to benefit the family of Sophia Hope Thomas, a Pataskala toddler fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Sophia Hope Thomas is the 1-1/2-year-old daughter of Adam and Ginger Thomas of Pataskala and is continuing treatment for at least one more year at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Direct donations to the Sophia Hope Thomas Benefit Fund still may be made at any branch of the Huntington National Bank.

Special thanks is extended to Pataskala Mayor Steve Butcher for suggesting the idea of a golf outing to help the family and to the Nutcracker Family Restaurant for advertising the event. In addition, the golf outing would not have been nearly as successful without the assistance of volunteers Paula Bradley, Debbie Chancey, Jenni Harvey, Mindy Jeffers, David Pollock and Lori Smith.

Countless local businesses contributed to the event, including numerous hole sponsors: Puroclean Restoration, Nutcracker Family Restaurant, Whit's Frozen Custard, Christen Millard, Stewart Auto Group of Pataskala, Emswiler Farms, Pataskala Beverage Center Beer & Wine Drive-Thru, Ty Higgins of TPRIVALRY.COM, Jersey Baptist Church, residents of the Glenbrooke subdivision (Chris and Jody Adams, Greg and Jennifer Burns, Scott and Kelly Brewer, Brian and Christine Grizer, Jason and Jenni Harvey, Bill and Erica Hobbs and Vicki Jackson), Mary Hill, Pataskala Banking Co., Don and Debbie Frederick, Alternative Motive Power Systems LLC, Vineyard Church of Pataskala, MediaWorks 7 LLC Interactive Design and Web Development, State Metal Hose Inc. and the Arthur N. Ulrich Co. Special thanks to West Camp Press for a beautiful job designing and creating the custom signs for each hole.

Many local businesses also contributed door prizes and silent-auction items for the event. They include True Value of Pataskala, Roosters, V Day Salon in Pickerington, City Barbeque, Buffalo Wings and Rings, Golfsmith, Smokey Bones, Flyers Pizza, Olde Summit Towne Restaurant, Tee-Jayes Country Place, Champs, Brio, Arby's, Classic Pizza Pickerington, Glow Putt in Gahanna, Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery, Gameworks, Funnybone, Shadowbox, Blue Jackets tickets donated by JMAC, Value City, Gahanna Bowling Lanes, Bob Evans, Catalfino's in Pickerington, Scrambler Maries, Benchmark Pet Services, Just for Looks Pickerington, Unique Beautique, Orr Chiropractic Center, Quizno's, Steak Escape, Gary Tittle of Pickerington who donated a Best Buy gift card, Shanel's Design Group, Ziggy's, Aimee Ammon of Virtual Girl Friday who donated a Home Depot gift card, Pataskala NAPA/Baker Automotive, Connie Myers of US Sportsmen Alliance, Title First, Just Because Gifts and Such, Scent Stations, Ronald Riegel, Paula Bradley, Red Robin and Logan's.

Also appreciated are the contributions of Graphic Printery of Reynoldsburg, which donated the printing of fliers announcing the event. The following people helped circulate fliers at the Pataskala Street Fair parade: the Thomas Family, the Clouse Family, Lori Smith and Lisa Gabriel, and Tracy Randall Baxley and family.

I would also like to acknowledge Stewart Auto Group of Pataskala for collecting a special donation for the Thomas family and the Cumberland Trails Golf Course for helping to make the event go smoothly. Everybody seemed to have a great time, and it was all for a good cause.

Vince DeFillipo

Pataskala

To the editor:

I never realized how much I depended on the strength of my father until he called in June and told me he had cancer.

As a boy of 12 in Buffalo, he had his first cigarette. And he continued smoking through 30 years as a construction superintendent and then into retirement.

Cancer put an end to my father's smoking. But thankfully it did not put an end to his life.

November is National Lung Cancer Awareness month, and on Nov. 19 we will celebrate the 34th Great American Smokeout.

Tobacco is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature deaths in the U.S. Smoking is related to 15 types of cancer, 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 87 percent of lung cancer deaths. Each year, smoking results in an estimated 443,000 premature deaths, including 49,400 from second-hand smoke.

For those who quit tobacco, there are immediate and long-lasting benefits. Two weeks after quitting, circulation and lung function increases. After one year, your risk of heart disease drops by half. Stopping permanently can add eight years to your life.

On Nov. 19, join millions who are using the Great American Smokeout to quit smoking for 24 hours, and as the first step in a smoke-free life. It's the best gift for the people you love.

Robert Paschen

Regional public-relations director/central and southeastern Ohio

American Cancer Society

Columbus