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Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > August
August 2008
McCain picks Palin as VP
UPDATE: Go here for some comments from local Republican leaders on Sen. John McCain’s VP pick. Spoiler alert: they’re ecstatic.
What do you think of the choice?
Press release from Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign:
ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Senator John McCain today announced that he has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate and to serve as his vice president.
Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president. She has brought Republicans and Democrats together within her Administration and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington.
Governor Palin has challenged the influence of the big oil companies while fighting for the development of new energy resources. She leads a state that matters to every one of us — Alaska has significant energy resources and she has been a leader in the fight to make America energy independent.
In Alaska, Governor Palin challenged a corrupt system and passed a landmark ethics reform bill. She has actually used her veto and cut budgetary spending. She put a stop to the “bridge to nowhere” that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars.
As the head of Alaska’s National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops.
Governor Palin has the record of reform and bipartisanship that others can only speak of. Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today.
What do you think about the choice?
Permalink | Comments (42) | Post your comment | Categories: Presidential race
TweetCates urges local business owners to attend regulatory reform meeting
This press release just came in from state sen. Gary Cates, R-West Chester Twp.:
COLUMBUS—State Senator Gary Cates (R-Butler County) today encouraged local business owners to attend an upcoming meeting of the Regulatory Reform Task Force in West Chester to discuss the impact of state regulations on their ability to expand and create jobs. The event will take place on Thursday, September 4, 2008 from 10:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. at the AK Steel headquarters in West Chester, 9227 Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester, Ohio 45069.
“While we have taken a number of steps in recent years to grow Ohio’s economy, burdensome, unnecessary government red tape continues to be a major barrier to business expansion and job growth,” explained Cates. “The Regulatory Reform Task Force provides an important forum for local business owners to voice their concerns and share ideas for how to improve the system.”
Formed in July by Senate President Bill Harris and House Speaker Jon Husted, the Regulatory Reform Task Force will travel the state in the coming months to collect input from business owners, chambers of commerce, local economic development directors and other members of the public about their experiences and their ideas for how to reform Ohio’s regulatory process. The committee, which includes a bipartisan group of members from the House and Senate, held its first meeting on August 13th in Columbus.
“I look forward to hearing testimony from local employers and other stakeholders about the state’s regulatory situation, and moving forward, I will use this insight in working with members of the Task Force and other legislators to make Ohio a more business friendly state,” Cates added.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Statewide issues
TweetOxford Senior Center’s concerns with case management contract
Joan Potter-Sommer, director of the Oxford Senior Center, went in front of Butler County commissioners today arguing that a senior case manager should be kept in the center. Read the story here. A copy of the letter she gave commissioners and the text on a 449-name petition she handed over are available below.
The future of case managers who coordinate services for thousands of local seniors was brought into question when LifeSpan Inc. won a contract to consolidate case management. This takes the job out of the hands of senior centers in Hamilton, Middletown and Oxford.
We did a expansive story on this issue here.
LifeSpan and Council on Aging officials insist that the transition will be nearly painless for seniors receiving services, and they hope the same case workers now doing the job will move over to LifeSpan.
Here is a “Frequently Asked Questions” flyer COA gave me at today’s meeting (Click on the upper right corner to enlarge the image):
So what did those 449 seniors in Oxford sign? Here is what the petition said:
We, the undersigned, support keeping Butler County Elderly Services Program Case Management at the Oxford Senior Center. Oxford Senior Center serves as a point of entry to senior services for older adults and/or their families living in or around the community of Oxford. Senior services available at the Oxford Senior Center include: congregate meals, leisure activities, Outreach, senior transportation, home delivered meals, adult day care and Elderly Services Program Case Management.
And here is Potter-Sommer’s letter to commissioners (this one is addressed to Commissioner Gregory Jolivette):
Dear Commissioner Jolivette:
I write to you on behalf of older adults and/or their family members who come to the Oxford Senior Center (OSCI) to gain access to senior services. Not only does OSCI currently provide care management, but, Outreach, congregate meals, senior transportation, adult day care and home delivered meals. Older adults who come to the Center are very comfortable with the ESP care manager employed by the Center and appreciate being able to drop in to see her if they have any questions or concerns. I regret deeply that LifeSpan did not explore the possibility of continuing this structure by subcontracting with OSCI.
We are the senior center for this geographical area as are Middletown Senior Citizens and Partners in Prime for their geographical areas. Older adults and their family members come to the senior centers to access services and enjoy leisure time. The three senior centers in Butler County have been the sites for the care managers since the inception of the ESP in 1996. Through its current proposal, LifeSpan has effectively eliminated the senior centers from being a point of entry. I am asking you to step in and intervene to assure that Butler County’s older adults continue to have access to ESP care managers in a familiar and all encompassing location.
By being located in a senior center, care managers are able to build relationships and trust with current recipients of the ESP services and future recipients. Current recipients and future recipients do not have to experience frustration when they come to the senior centers for information and services they think should be available through this point of entry into the aging network.
Helen Smith, president of the Butler County Committee for the Elderly Services Program (BCCESP), stated on August 21, at the BCCESP board meeting that current ESP participants do not come to the senior centers. This is not true. Diana Cox, Oxford Senior Center’s ESP current care manager reviewed her current caseload and found that 51 of the 114 clients were members of the Oxford Senior Center. I am sure that the other Centers have the same experience. It makes sense to have care managers in a place where older adults congregate. Please consider this proposal in earnest.
From figures presented by the Council on Aging (COA), OSCI is the current provider of care management with the lowest indirect cost and a bit lower in cost per client than LifeSpan. OSCI has been a good steward of the ESP dollars and I feel that we are a casualty of the bid process. OSCI has been doubly insulted by not being identified as a point of entry for services for older adults by LifeSpan or the COA. Please intervene and help assure that the older adults of Oxford, Middletown and Hamilton will continue to have the same relationships with the senior centers and the ESP care managers located within them.
Sincerely,
Joan Potter-Sommer, MGS, LSW, NHA Executive Director
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Senior Services
TweetDixon still staying out of BOE business
County Commissioner Donald Dixon will have nothing to do with the numerous finishing touches county leaders are overseeing at the new Board of Elections Building on Princeton Road.
Dixon abstained from several more votes dealing with the Butler County Board of Election Thursday, Aug. 28. When asked after the meeting, he said he hadn’t consulted the state on whether it was required to abstain, but feels it’s the safe thing to do.
Dixon started doing this in May, when he abstained from voting on six resolutions pertaining to the county Board of Elections to “eliminate any impression of potential conflict.” Dixon is engaged to be married to Board of Elections Director Betty McGary. The two live together.
Here’s what we wrote about it at the time:
Because the elections office has its own governing board, Dixon said he doesn’t believe he would’ve done anything wrong by voting on the measures, as he’s done countless times in the past, but he said he wanted to avoid any accusation of impropriety as the FBI and Ohio Ethics Commission forge ahead with investigations into the county’s actions, including alleged nepotism.
“There’s clearly nothing wrong with it, but if I’m expecting everybody else to reach for the highest standards we can … I ought to go over the top, too,” Dixon said.
McGary said “absolutely not” did she think Dixon was obligated to abstain from the votes.
State law forbids commissioners from approving contracts that benefit family members. But the Ohio Ethics Commission does not define a fiancee as a family member, according to the agency’s Web site.
“Obviously, public officials are wise to follow their guts and when in doubt they may abstain even if the law doesn’t compel it,” said Ethics Commission Chief Investigative Attorney Paul Nick.
The resolutions on which Dixon abstained included three change orders increasing the cost for the Board of Elections building under construction by $47,393, a contract to put furniture in that building and $4,200 to send staff to a conference in Columbus. All these measures passed 2-0.
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TweetButler County may join voting machine lawsuit
In today’s paper, we take an expansive look at a malfunction that nearly caused hundreds of local votes to not be counted in the March primary, and what local, state and federal leaders think about it. Read the story here.
The glitch occurred in 11 counties statewide. Today, the Butler County Board of Elections will vote on whether to join Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Cuyahoga County in suing Premier Election Solutions, the maker of the voting machines, for breach of contract.
Board of Elections Director Tom Ellis: “I believe that we will indeed join that lawsuit against Premier at the request of the Secretary of State.”
We then ask people how they feel about voting machines. Read their comments here.
So now I’ll ask you the same thing I asked people on the streets of Hamilton yesterday (read their responses in the JournalNews): How much do you trust voting machines to accurately count every vote?
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Statewide issues
TweetPolitics in the prosecutor’s office? - Follow up
On Aug. 19, I asked whether politics was a factor in hiring and keeping assistant prosecutors in the Butler County Prosecutor’s office. Read the story and comments here.
My reason for asking: A statement by Republican candidate for juvenile judge Barbara Schneider Carter that she was expected to change her party affiliation when she worked for former Prosecutor John Holcomb, a Democrat.
“It was expected when I joined the prosecutor’s office under Holcomb that we register as Democrats,” she said.
Here are the names and party affiliations of all the current assistant prosecutors working for Prosecutor Robin Piper, a Republican:
- Lina Alkamhawi - R
- Michael Baker - SAME NAME
- Brad Burress - R
- Tom Busam - NR
- LaRhonda Carson - NR
- Rebecca Cepluch - R
- Brenda Cox - D
- Patrick Denier - NR
- Dan Eichel - CANCELLED
- James Fantetti - R
- Dan Ferguson - SAME NAME
- Roger Gates - R
- Shannon Haferkamp - NP
- John Heinkel - R
- Michael Hon - R
- Kelly Johnson - SAME NAME
- David Kash - R
- Cassandra Kiesey - D
- James Monk - R
- Jennifer Muench-McElfresh - R
- Mary Anne Nardiello - NR
- Kelly O’Keefe - R
- Lee Oldendick - D
- Mike Oster - R
- Jason Phillabaum - R
- Daniel Phillips - R
- Jessica Rodkey - NR
- Glenn Rossi - R
- Lance Salyers - R
- Jeffrey Schlessman - R
- Kim Schnieder - SAME NAME
- Susie Schultz - NP
- Gloria Sigman - NR
- Roger Sorey - NR
- Greg Stephens - R
- Wayne Ulbrich - NR
Key:
- R: REPUBLICAN
- D: DEMOCRAT
- NP: NO PARTY
- NR: NOT REGISTERED
- SAME NAME: MULTIPLE VOTERS BY THAT NAME
Source: The Butler County Board of Elections
I count 17 Republicans and 3 Democrats.
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TweetBrunner issues voting machine security directive
On the ongoing concerns with problems with voting machines in Butler County and several others, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner released this statement today:
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner issued Tuesday a directive for all county boards of elections to create security and risk mitigation plans for the November election. The directive was developed in partnership with the Ohio Association of Election Officials.
In addition to security standards issued by previously-released security directives, the plans will also incorporate new security standards for voting machine servers, also issued Tuesday.
The voting security directives are part of the Secretary of State’s focus on preparing “best practices” for election administration in partnership with local election officials, for a successful Nov. 4, 2008 general election.
“Success in November means ensuring that every eligible voter who wants to vote can do so easily with trust in a fair process,” Secretary Brunner said. “ This requires preparation for a record presidential turnout in partnership with the state’s local election officials.”
“These comprehensive security measures are strong enough to protect our elections, yet flexible enough to meet the needs of local boards of elections, and I commend the county boards of elections for their willingness to adopt these practices,” she said.
This year a bipartisan team of state and local election officials has worked in tandem to develop and issue security “best practices.” The practices are to be implemented for the November election according to each county’s Security and Risk Mitigation Plans, which must be submitted to the Secretary of State no later than Sept. 22, 2008. The plans, at a minimum, must meet the standards set in previously-issued directives, crafted in consultation with the bipartisan work group.
The directives include the following:
- Polling Place Security and Voting Equipment, Supplies and/or Ballots Chain of Custody Form;
- Direct Electronic Voting (DRE) Voting Machine Key Card Management;
- Security of Boards of Elections Offices as well as the Minimum Storage, Security, Access and Inventory Control Requirements for Voting Systems Equipment at the Board of Elections Office;
- Minimum Security, Access, Inventory Control, Storage and Preservation Requirements for Ballots and Election Data Media;
- Voting Machine Delivery Requirements; and
- Minimum Security Requirements of Vote Tabulation Servers.
“We have long supported Secretary Brunner’s efforts to provide consistent security standards and create security plans for all Ohio counties. Over the past 6 months, local election officials have worked closely with Secretary of State Brunner to develop these security best practices for local boards of elections. When state and local election officials collaborate, the voter wins. This is a great example of that happening,” said Shannon Leininger, President of the Ohio Association of Election Officials.
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TweetTrial date set in Dynus case
CINCINNATI — The former president of a fiber optics firm that collapsed after taking out an allegedly illicit loan in Butler County’s name is due in court Jan. 12, 2009.
Orlando Carter pleaded not guilty in June to an 11-count grand jury indictment with charges including making false statements to secure more than $10 million in loans and lines of credit for personal real estate and the operation of his business.
This includes a line of credit Carter’s business, Dynus Corp, allegedly took out in the county’s name without the county’s approval for a pending fiber optics contract.
Carter hired Cincinnati attorney Richard Goldberg to represent him in the case Aug. 11. He then asked to push back his original Sept. 22 trial date.
“Highlighting the complexity of the case, defendant moves for a continuance in order to allow newly-retained counsel adequate time to prepare for trial,” says the order by U.S. District Judge Sandra Beckwith. “The court finds that defendant’s motion is well-taken and it is, therefore, granted.”
Former county auditor Kay Rogers resigned from office after pleading guilty to bank fraud in March for her role in helping the company secure the loan. A sentencing date has not been set for Rogers, or former Dynus employees James Smith and Karin Verbruggen who pleaded guilty to related charges.
The FBI says its investigation of the case is ongoing.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Dynus
TweetThree representing Butler County to Dems in Denver
Three local residents will be representing Butler County as delegates at the Democratic National Convention this week.
They are Middletown City Councilwoman Leslie Ford, businessman Stephen Hightower and retired Miami University professor Donald Daiker. Read about their expectations of the event here.
A full list of delegates to the convention is available here.
This is particularly monumental for Daiker, who stood on a packed mall in Washington. D.C.. 45 years ago and watched Martin Luther King Jr. dream of when his children would be judged not by the color of their skin, but the content of their character.
“Barack’s nomination is the fulfillment of Dr. Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech,” said Daiker. Read that full story here.
What are your thoughts on the presidential race?
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TweetSmith on why she wants to be judge
Glenda Smith, candidate for Area III Court, sent out the below press release today. We already reported that she’s running, but this also touches on her platform.
Click on the upper right corner to enlarge the document.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Crime and courts
TweetLifeSpan breaks ‘silence’ over bid process
LifeSpan says it remained quiet during the bid process of a multimillion dollar contract it recently was awarded out of respect for the players involved.
The Hamilton-based senior service agency was one of two to bid for case management and intake and assessment responsibilities for the county’s elderly population.
The other was a conglomerate of Partners in Prime and the Middletown and Oxford senior centers. LifeSpan was the lowest bidder. Read that story here.
On Thursday, LifeSpan officials were notified they got the nod from the county’s senior services administrator, the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio. Read that story here.
Below is a guest column submission from LifeSpan CEO Cynthia Stever. Having trouble reading it? Just click on the upper right corner of the box.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Senior Services
TweetForeclosure Crisis: Hitting Home in Butler County
Press release from League of Women Voters in the Cincinnati Area:
What: Special Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Brown, Executive Director, Housing Opportunities Made Equal (H.O.M.E.).
Catered dinner available at 6 pm; speaker at 6:45 pm. For additional information, call 513-281-8683. Dinner buffet to include: roast turkey, grilled salmon, vegetarian pasta, salad, vegetable, rolls and butter, iced tea, coffee, and dessert.
When: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 6-8 pm.
Where: At Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Dr. (Off Pleasant Ave. (Rte. 127) just south of Nilles Rd.).
How much: Cost: $20 for dinner, no charge to hear speaker. Reservation deadline Sept 10. Send check to League of Women Voters, 103 W H Taft Rd, Cinti OH 45219. www.lwvcincinnati.org
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TweetVoting machine vendor owns up to error
From the Columbus Dispatch, about a voting machine glitch that first surface in Butler County and has become of statewide concern to some:
The maker of touch-screen voting machines used in half of Ohio’s counties has admitted that its own programming error is to blame for votes being dropped in some counties.
The problem can’t be fixed before the Nov. 4 election, so Premier Election Solutions and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner are issuing guidelines to counties for how to avoid the problem.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide boards of elections with the instruction and support they need to ensure an orderly and efficient election and an accurate count of Ohioans’ votes,” Brunner said in a memo released yesterday.
Here is the letter from Premier to the Ohio Secretary of State:
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TweetZettler: Jolivette has ‘lack of understanding’ of levy surplus
Although Jack Zettler is running for Butler County auditor, he is spending as much time trading barbs with Commissioner Gregory Jolivette as with his opponent and incumbent Roger Reynolds.
In his latest offering to the discussion over what to do with a projected $21 million surplus from the senior services levy voters approved in 2005, Zettler says:
“If Mr. Jolivette is trying (to) hold back the funds for any purpose other than the levy purpose then when he talks about public officials spending like drunken sailors, he’d better look in the mirror,” Zettler wrote.
This story first broke a few weeks back when commissioners were informed by the administrator of the county’s senior service agencies that a $21 million surplus is expected to exist in the levy fund by 2010.
Jolivette suggested some of the money be kept in the levy fund to be used for capital projects or programming. The rest should be given back to county residents in the form of a property tax rollback. Read that story here.
Original ballot language from the senior services levy stated the money could only be used for in-home services.
Responded Jolivette earlier this week:
“Does that mean that he is against helping senior citizens and senior citizen programs with the money citizens have earmarked to help seniors?” Jolivette said.
Here’s the rest of Zettler’s letter. To enlarge the letter, click the upper right corner of the box.
Question: What should be done with the levy surplus?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Senior Services
TweetCOA: LifeSpan recommended for multimillion dollar contract
UPDATE: The Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio is recommending that LifeSpan control case management and assessment services for county seniors.
The fallout of that decision is yet to be seen, but officials from other services providers competing for the same contract have said losing it would be detrimental to their business.
In a letter to County Administrator Tim Williams, COA Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Burke said the agency’s decision was made Aug. 19, and today, Aug. 21, it’s being presented to the Butler County Elderly Services Board for the first time.
County commissioners are expected to make the decision final at its meeting next week.
Today’s meeting in Fairfield at the Butler County Workforce One office in Fairfield comes at a pertinent time for senior services providers.
COA had to choose between LifeSpan or a conglomerate of Partners in Prime and the Middletown and Oxford senior centers to fulfill those duties.
The decision is a big one for the folks at Partners in Prime, who have said if COA solidifies a contract with LifeSpan, their satellite centers in Fairfield, Hamilton and West Chester could be shuttered.
Also on today’s agenda, officials responsible for the county’s elderly services are expected to more than just touch on the recent news of a projected $21 million excess in the senior levy voters approved in 2005.
Commissioners were informed about the surplus last month, and have since been debating whether to give a portion of it back to voters in the form of a property tax rollback. Read those stories here.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Senior Services
TweetJolivette responds to Zettler blast
Butler County Commissioner Gregory Jolivette fired back today at calls by Jack Zettler, candidate for county auditor, for a senior services levy surplus to be refunded to voters.
“I think it’s unfortunate that he would try to use senior citizens to promote his campaign,” Jolivette said.
While Jolivette agrees the county should refund as much of the surplus as possible in the form of a tax reduction — but use a small amount for capital needs at local senior centers — he took issue with Zettler’s comment that, “The surplus money collected is not the elected official’s found treasure to be squandered on their next pet project or to be used to hire more of their friends and relatives.”
“Does that mean that he is against helping senior citizens and senior citizen programs with the money citizens have earmarked to help seniors?” Jolivette said.
“It’s obvious he’s just trying to grab headlines…using seniors to try to promote his campaign,” Jolivette said.
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TweetTickets available for McCain visit
Looks like presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain is coming to Wright State University in Dayton Friday, Aug. 29. Read the story here.
Butler County GOP Chairman Tom Ellis is encouraging supporters to call the headquarters in Hamilton to get on a list for tickets. The number to call is (513) 893-5292.
“We want them to call right away. Our list is growing as the hours go by,” said Ellis.
Butler County is likely to start distributing the tickets on Monday, Aug. 25, said Ellis.
The McCain rally is set for noon on Friday, Aug. 29, and it’s possible that McCain could announce his pick for VP at the event.
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TweetIssues on the November ballot
UPDATE: Issues have been filed. Read the story here.
Anyone wanting to put an issue on the November ballot must file by today.
We’ll have the final tally for you later. But as of Monday, the following local issues have been filed with the Butler County Board of Elections:
PROPOSED TAX LEVY (REPLACEMENT) FAIRFIELD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
A replacement of a tax for the benefit of the Faifield City School District for the purpose of PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS, at a rate not exceeding two (2) mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to twenty cents ($0.20) for each one hundred dollars ($100.00) of valuation, for a period of five (5) years, commencing in 2008, first due in calendar year 2009.
PROPOSED TAX LEVY (REPLACEMENT & INCREASE) MORGAN TOWNSHIP
A replacement of one (1) mill of an existing levy and an increase of five-tenths (0.5) mills, to constitute a tax for the benefit of Morgan Township for the purpose of PROVIDING AMBULANCE SERVICE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE, OR BOTH at a rate not exceeding one and five-tenths (1.5) mills for each one dollar ($1.00) of valuation, which amounts to fifteen cents ($0.15) for each one hundred dollars ($100.00) of valuation, for a period of five (5) years, commencing in 2008, first due in calendar year 2009.
PROPOSED TAX LEVY (RENEWAL) ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP (UNINCORPORATED AREA)
A renewal of a tax for the benefit of St. Clair Township for the purpose of PROVIDING AND MAINTAINING FIRE APPARATUS, APPLIANCES, BUILDINGS, OR SITES THEREFOR, OR SOURCES OF WATER SUPPLY AND MATERIALS THEREFOR, OR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF LINES OF FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH, OR THE PAYMENT OF PERMANENT, PART-TIME, OR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS OF FIREFIGHTING COMPANIES TO OPERATE THE SAME, INCLUDING THE PAYMENT OF THE FIREFIGHTER EMPLOYERS’ CONTRIBUTION REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 742.34 OF THE REVISED CODE at a rate not exceeding three quarters of one (0.75) mill for each one dollar ($1.00) of valuation, which amounts to seven and five-tenths cents ($0.075) for each one hundred dollars ($100.00) in valuation, for a period of five (5) years, commencing in January, 2009 first due in calendar year 2010.
PROPOSED SCHOOL INCOME TAX (REPLACEMENT) ROSS LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Shall the existing tax of three-quarters of one percent (0.75%) on the school district income of individuals and estates imposed by Ross Local School District be replaced by a tax of three-quarters of one percent (0.75%) on the earned income of individuals residing in the school district for a continued period of time, beginning January 1, 2009, for the purpose of PROVIDING FOR CURRENT EXPENSES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
PROPOSED BOND ISSUE TALAWANDA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Shall bonds be issued by the Board of Education of the Talawanda City School District, Counties of Butler and Preble, Ohio, for the purpose of NEW CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENTS, RENOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO SCHOOL FACILITIES, SITE ACQUISITION AND PROVIDING EQUIPMENT, FURNISHINGS AND SITE IMPROVEMENTS THEREFOR, in the principal amount of Forty-Six Million Forty-Nine Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-Nine Dollars ($46,049,699) to be repaid annually over a maximum period of twenty-eight (28) years, and an annual levy of property taxes be made outside the ten-mill limitation, estimated by the county auditor to average over the repayment period of the bond issue four and seven-tenths (4.7) mills, for each one dollar ($1.00) of valuation, which amounts to forty-seven cents ($0.47) for each one hundred dollars ($100.00) of tax valuation, commencing in 2008, first due in calendar year 2009 to pay the annual debt charge on the bonds, and to pay debt charges on any notes issued in anticipation of those bonds.
SPECIAL ELECTION BY PETITION LOCAL OPTION PETITION FOR A PARTICULAR LOCATION
Shall the sale of wine and mixed beverages be permitted for sale on Sunday between the hours of ten a.m. and midnight by SuperValu Holdings, Inc. doing business as Bigg’s a holder of a D-6 liquor permit who is engaged in the business of operating a neighborhood retail grocery store and supermarket at 4924 Union Center Pavillion Dr. West Chester, Ohio 45069 in this precinct?
SPECIAL ELECTION BY PETITION LOCAL OPTION PETITION FOR A PARTICULAR LOCATION
Shall the sale of wine and mixed beverages be permitted for sale on Sunday between the hours of ten a.m. and midnight by Kroger Limited Partnership I LP doing business as Kroger a holder of a D-6 liquor permit who is engaged in the business of operating a full-service grocery store and supermarket at 1474 Main St., Hamilton, Ohio 45013 in this precinct?
SPECIAL ELECTION BY PETITION LOCAL OPTION PETITION FOR A PARTICULAR LOCATION
Shall the sale of wine and mixed beverages be permitted for sale on Sunday between the hours of ten a.m. and midnight by Kroger Limited Partnership I LP doing business as Kroger a holder of a D-6 liquor permit who is engaged in the business of operating a full-service grocery store and supermarket at 428 Oxford State Rd., Lemon Twp. Middletown, Ohio 45042 in this precinct?
SPECIAL ELECTION BY PETITION LOCAL OPTION PETITION FOR A PARTICULAR LOCATION
Shall the sale of wine and mixed beverages be permitted for sale on Sunday between the hours of ten a.m. and midnight by Kroger Limited Partnership I LP doing business as Kroger a holder of a D-6 liquor permit who is engaged in the business of operating a full-service grocery store and supermarket at 428 Oxford State Rd., Lemon Twp. Middletown, Ohio 45042 in this precinct?
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TweetCandidate criticizes dog license ads
Jack Zettler, candidate for Butler County auditor, came out swinging Wednesday, Aug. 20, accusing the sitting auditor of using public money to fund campaign ads and calling for all of a levy surplus to go back to taxpayers.
Zettler referred to signs in the back of county dog warden vehicles advertising the sale of dog licenses and featuring Auditor Roger Reynolds’ name. See a photo of the sign to the right.
“I just don’t know why it’s necessary to have the auditor’s office named on the van when (the dog warden’s office is) independent of the auditor’s office, in theory,” Zettler said. “I as a taxpayer find it offensive that my money is being spent to fund disguised political ads.”
Reynolds said the signs were printed in-houses at minimal cost, and that there’s nothing political about them. “I have to let people know what services we’re providing,” he said.
Zettler also criticized public service announcements that feature Reynolds talking about upcoming property value assessments, comparing them to dog license commercials former auditor Kay Rogers ran during her 2006 election.
“I don’t think it’s proper for an elected official to do things at election time to get his name out there that aren’t done the rest of the time,” he said. “I don’t think it’s proper conduct.”
Reynolds said producing and airing the public service announcement on local cable stations cost roughly $7,500.
“I thought it was relatively efficient to get such a big message out,” he said. “I didn’t do a dog license PSA. I did a real estate re-evaluation PSA, which takes place this year and is very important to every property owner in the county.”
Zettler also called for county commissioners to refund to taxpayers the $21 million surplus projected for a senior services levy by 2010. Commissioners are weighing a full refund against pushing back levy renewal or using for programming and capital projects at local senior centers.
“The surplus money collected is not the elected official’s found treasure to be squandered on their next pet project or to be used to hire more of their friends and relatives,” Zettler said in a prepared statement. “It is money that should be returned to the taxpayers that paid it as quickly and economically as possible.”
Reynolds agreed, absent the criticism of county leaders. “I feel any surplus should be returned to the taxpayers,” he said.
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TweetZettler: Levy surplus is not “found treasure”
HAMILTON — Jack Zettler, candidate for Butler County auditor, is calling for county commissioners to refund to taxpayers any excess money collected from a senior services levy passing in 2005.
Levy architects say it was an “honest mistake” that the levy has collected $14 million more than is needed, and is on track to reach a $21 million surplus by the time it sunsets in 2010.
While commissioners agree on giving most of it back to taxpayers, Commissioner Gregory Jolivette has proposed using a portion of it to fund programming and capital projects at local senior centers.
“The surplus money collected is not the elected official’s found treasure to be squandered on their next pet project or to be used to hire more of their friends and relatives,” Zettler said in a prepared statement. “It is money that should be returned to the taxpayers that paid it as quickly and economically as possible.”
See Zettler’s statement in its entirety below:
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TweetLevy surplus to be discussed Thursday
At its quarterly meeting scheduled for later this week, the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio will be discussing the projected $20-plus million surplus on the senior services levy Butler County voters approved in 2005.
We’ve been covering this story since Commissioner Gregory Jolivette suggested some of that money be given back to county voters in the form of a property tax rollback. Read that story here.
We then featured a pair of stories about an upcoming decision by the COA regarding the future of case management and intake services for local seniors, and how that decision could impact local service providers. That decision will be handed down on Friday. Read that story here.
This week’s meeting takes place at 3 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, at Workforce One of Butler County, 4631 Dixie Highway, in Fairfield.
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TweetPolitics in the prosecutor’s office?
Last night’s Butler County Republican party meeting had plenty to offer. Read a wrap-up report of the night here.
But there was one comment that I thought was odd and wanted to put out there.
After Hamilton attorney Tim Evans and Barbara Schneider Carter, a magistrate with common pleas court domestic relations division, gave their speeches seeking the party’s nomination to run for juvenile judge, the floor was opened to questions. Someone asked both how long they had been a registered Republican.
Evans said he had been a member of the party all his life. Carter said she was raised a “Cincinnati Chabot Republican,” and had always supported the party, but changed her party affiliation when she worked for John Holcomb. Holcomb was the last Democrat serving in county-wide office when he died in 2000.
Her statement: “It was expected when I joined the prosecutor’s office under Holcomb that we register as Democrats.”
Didn’t U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales lose his job for something similar? Does the same rule exist under Republican Prosecutor Robin Piper?
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TweetGovernor appoints panel to fill Area III Court job
Press release from Ohio governor’s office:
Columbus, Ohio - The Ohio Judicial Appointments Recommendation Panel is currently accepting applications to fill a vacant seat on the Butler County Area III Court.
The seat has been vacant since the resignation of Judge Robert Hendrickson, effective August 15.
The Butler County Court has jurisdiction in all areas within Butler County not subject to the territorial jurisdiction of any municipal court. The Butler County Area III Court includes the City of Monroe and West Chester Township.
Applicants for the Area III Court position must be a resident and registered elector of Butler County and not yet 70 years old on the day they begin their duties, as dictated by Ohio law. In addition, they must be admitted to practice law in Ohio and have maintained their legal license for six years prior to assuming the judicial post or served as a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the United States.
To continue service in the position, the appointee must run in the November 2008 judicial election.
In the case of all judicial vacancies, applicants must follow the guidelines set forth by the Ohio Judicial Appointments Recommendation Panel to ensure their eligibility for appointment.
Applications must be submitted directly to the judicial panel and will then be distributed to the at-large and regional panel members. Details and the full text of the application procedure are available on the judicial panel’s Web site http://ojarp.org/.
Requirements for all applicants include submitting a letter of interest, resume, panel questionnaire at http://ojarp.org/Documents/OJARP%20QUESTIONNAIRE%20INTERACTIVE.pdf, and no more than six letters of recommendation.
Additional details about OJARP and the application process can be found on the Governor’s Web site at www.governor.ohio.gov.
All materials submitted by applicants for a judicial vacancy will be considered public record under Ohio law. Applicant communication with panel members must be directed to the entire panel; all attempts to contact or influence a panel member are prohibited. Applicant questions and concerns should be addressed to Kent Markus or Jeff Ruppert in the Governor’s Office at (614) 466-3555.
Applications for the Butler County appointment must be received by 5 p.m. August 26. The application timeframe has been shortened due to the timing of the vacancy.
Candidates must be available to interview in person on August 28 in Columbus. Individual candidate times and interview locations will be determined at a later date.
Governor Strickland has selected the following individuals to serve on the regional panel for the current Butler County vacancy:
- Christopher Rodbro, owner, Chris Rodbro Insurance Agency
- Linda Weeden-Harris, attorney; employee and labor relations specialist, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Frank Cloud, business manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 648
- Elizabeth Yauch, attorney, sole practitioner
- Lois Wood, retired school teacher; board member and mentor of Friends in Action (mentoring program for at-risk youth)
- Mike Gmoser, attorney, Holcomb, Hyde and Gmoser LLP
At-large panel members:
- James Ray (panel chair), retired judge, Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division
- Janica Pierce, attorney, Chester Willcox and Saxbe, LLP
- John Kulewicz, attorney, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP
- Betty Davis, president, Community Concepts, Inc.
- Isabel Framer, court certified Spanish/English interpreter; chair of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Judicial Interpreters and Translators
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TweetEvans gets the nod
Of 175 votes cast, the winner needed 50 percent plus one. Tim Evans received 139 votes, making him the party’s candidate for juvenile court judge.
See below for the details.
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TweetMilbauer steps out of judge race
Jeffrey Milbauer has pulled out of the nomination process to be the Republican party’s candidate for juvenile judge.
That leaves Hamilton attorney Tim Evans and Butler County Common Pleas Court Domestic Relations Division Magistrate Barbara Schneider Carter.
Both have given speeches outlining their credentials.
Carter focused on her resume and philosophy: “This is our first and best opportunity to touch families and improve the lives of children…and thus improve our own communities.”
Evans touched on his electability and support within the party: “We are going to be in a difficult race, it’s going to be (necessary) to not raise money but to begin spending money immediately.”
Party leaders are voting right now.
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TweetCrites, dozens of others gather for Republican meeting
The meeting where the Butler County Republican party is expected to name their candidate for juvenile judge is getting ready to begin. This is the seat vacated by Judge David Niehaus, who died July 31.
In attendance are dozens of local leaders, as well as Michael Crites, candidate for Ohio Attorney General. Crites offered this statement: “Butler County is one of the critical counties for me to carry in order for me to be elected.”
Crites is vying against Democrat Richard Cordray for the seat after Marc Dann stepped down amid controversy.
The meeting is now starting.
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TweetGOP to nominate juvenile judge, screen for area judge
The Butler County Republican Party is meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. to name their nominee for the juvenile judge post left open by the death of Judge David Niehaus.
As usual, I will try to blog live from the event.
Whomever the GOP picks will go up against Kathleen Dobrozsi Romans, who the Dems picked for the post last week. While many presume Romans will be Gov. Ted Strickland’s pick to fill the post until the November election, the governor’s choice is far from official.
Republicans have also started screening candidates for the Area III Court judge job left open by the resignation of Judge Robert Hendrickson. The Dems have put up Glenda Smith for the job, and the only GOPer publicly seeking the office at this point is Dan Haughey.
But all that could change after the party screens applicants. A release that just came in from the Butler County Republican party:
The Butler County Board of Elections required filing deadline for County Court Judge, in order to be on the ballot, is 12:00 Noon, Monday August 25, 2008. Additional information on qualifications and signature petitions may be obtained from the Board of Elections at 513-887-3700.
Accordingly, this vacancy which is due to the recent resignation of Judge Robert Hendrickson the Butler County Republican Party will begin the screening for candidate endorsement for Butler County Area Court Judge on Tuesday August 26, 2008. This unexpired term election will be held on the November 4, 2008 general election.
Anyone who wishes to appear before the screening committee for this office must notify Sandy Ewen, Administrative Secretary, in writing no later than 12:00 Noon, Monday August 25, 2008. At 513-893-5292 or fax 513-858-4634.
Who do you favor for either of these races?
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TweetKathleen Klink Appointed to MetroParks of Butler County Board
Press release from MetroParks of Butler County:
Kathleen Klink has been appointed as a new Park Commissioner to the Board of Commissioners, MetroParks of Butler County, to complete the unexpired term of Jackie Parrish. Mrs. Parrish resigned effective July 31, 2008, to spend more time with family after serving for 7.5 years.
The new board member - Kathleen L. Klink of Hamilton, Ohio - was appointed and sworn in by Judge Randy T. Rogers of Butler County Probate Court on Monday, August 11, 2008.
Ms. Klink has worked as a public educator in Ohio, Virginia and Maine, is a retired school superintendent of 12 years at Lakota School District, and is currently the Associate Vice-President for Online Learning at Butler Technology and Career Development Schools.
Among Ms. Klink’s current community involvements are several community boards including the Hamilton Community Foundation, the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra, the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, and the Extension Agency of The Ohio State University. She is also a Vision 2020 Commissioner-City of Hamilton, a Council Member of the Miami University-Middletown, and a Council Member of LifeSpan-Planned Giving.
Ms. Klink has received many awards and recognitions during her career among which are Superintendent of the Year-State of Ohio, YWCA Outstanding Women of Achievement, Harvard Institute for School Leadership, Exemplary Education Leader for The State of Ohio, and Business Person of the Year-West Chester/Liberty Chamber of Commerce.
Other members of the Board of Park Commissioners are Gregory T. Amend, Cincinnati area businessman and Liberty Township resident, and Edward L. Dwyer, U.S. Bank executive and West Chester Township resident. Members of the Board of Park Commissioners serve for three-year terms without pay and make the policy decisions needed to chart the future course for Butler County’s park system.
“We welcome Kathleen to the Park Board,” said Executive Director Jonathan Granville. “Her extensive community experience will be a beneficial contribution to the future development of MetroParks of Butler County.”
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TweetMcCain v. Obama - Who will win Butler County?
If past voting records are any indication, it will be Arizona Sen. John McCain.
In today’s paper, we take a look at voting records in Butler and Warren counties, and it doesn’t bode well for Barack Obama. Local voters have gone for Republicans 3-to-1.
Obama says he’s concentrating on Republican strongholds like this one, though, as part of a strategy memo released last week. And he’s bringing resources to bear, outnumbering local McCain staff and opening offices in Hamilton, Middletown and Oxford.
While this is a new strategy for Democrats, Republicans say they’ve always courted small counties. After all, McCain has visited Butler County several times and Obama has yet to set foot here.
But it’s not about winning. It’s about eroding McCain’s lead. From today’s article:
While McCain may be the odds-on favorite to win voters here, Obama could win the ultimate prize — Ohio and the presidency — if he can reduce the GOP’s margin of victory, which has helped the Republican candidate win consecutive terms in the White House.
“I think (Barack’s) got a legitimate chance,” said Gene Beaupre, a political science professor at Xavier University. “We are not talking about him winning Republican strongholds. We are talking about his ability to make inroads with voters who are on the fence.”
So what do you think? Who will win Butler County? Who will win Ohio?
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TweetCates trying to keep DHL in Wilmington
Press release from the office of state Sen. Gary Cates, R-Butler County:
COLUMBUS—State Senator Gary Cates (R-Butler County) will attend a joint hearing of the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee and the House State Government and Elections Committee next week to discuss the potential impact of DHL’s plan to transfer its operations from Wilmington to Louisville, Kentucky. Sen. Cates, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and other legislators on the panel will have the opportunity to hear from state and local officials, as well as affected workers.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at Building 2 of the ABX Airpark Facility, 145 Hunter Drive, Wilmington, Ohio 45177.
“DHL’s plan to move from Wilmington to Kentucky would not only be a tremendous blow to Clinton County but workers and local communities throughout southwest Ohio,” said Cates. “I look forward to talking with area residents and listening to their concerns, and I hope to work with my colleagues in the General Assembly, as well as other state and local officials, to do all we can to keep DHL in the region.”
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TweetZettler on why he’s running
Jack Zettler says I was inaccurate in my paraphrasing of why he’s running for Butler County auditor, and he’s not trying to prove that a Democrat can win county-wide office.
Why he says he’s running:
“The people of Butler County are sick and tired of scandals in local government. We deserve better. It is clearly time for a change. I want to return honesty and integrity to the auditor’s office.”
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TweetCommissioner: Keep tax agreement in county
Here’s a different angle to the GE Aviation deal with West Chester Twp. announced late yesterday, Aug. 14. Read about the announcement here.
Commissioner Gregory Jolivette is urging West Chester leaders to form a partnership within the county to collect income taxes from the company’s expected 1,400 employees.
The creation of a joint economic development district, a partnership with nearby communities that allows townships to generate income tax, is part of the deal that brought GE to eastern Butler County.
The partnership joins townships with municipalities, who collect the income tax. Typically, a third party (a city, for example) acts as the accountant on the tax.
Commissioner Gregory Jolivette said he hopes West Chester Twp. officials “would give added weight to communities in Butler County” when they make their decision on a partner. West Chester could go with another city outside the county to administer the JEDD.
“We’re eager to work with a community in Butler County, but in order to maximize the benefit for residents of West Chester, we’re going to look at all possible partners,” Boyko said.
West Chester officials said a decision about the JEDD isn’t expected until later this month
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TweetA Republican for Area III court
No sooner did I post below that Glenda Smith was the only candidate for Butler County Area III Court — replacing Robert Hendrickson, read the story here — than I get confirmation of a Republican candidate.
Oxford attorney Dan Haughey resigned as Hendrickson’s campaign chairman today and announced a run for the job. He’s a former prosecutor and magistrate in Hamilton Municipal Court.
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TweetAnother judge, and a new party chair
It’s been a busy night.
When the smoke cleared, the Butler County Democratic party named a candidate for county auditor, two judge candidates and a new party chairman Thursday night.
Hamilton attorney and certified public accountant Jack Zettler accepted the nomination to run for auditor against incumbent Roger Reynolds, who the GOP appointed to replace former auditor Kay Rogers after she pleaded guilty to bank fraud.
Zettler said he was no the fence on whether to run again — he lost a bid to Rogers in 2006 with 48 percent of the vote — but was won over by a slew of “scandals in local government,” he said.
Zettler said a Republican auditor can’t adequately serve as a watchdog to an all-Republican government.
“(Reynolds) got appointed by the same group that’s in power, that’s holding all the offices he’s watching,” Zettler said.
But Zettler less than three months to mount a campaign against Reynolds, who has a campaign chest of $12,218 and a sizeable line of credit for the race.
Kathleen Dobrozsi Romans accepted the nomination to run for the common pleas court vacancy created by the death of Juvenile Judge David Niehaus July 31. Romans is a juvenile court magistrate appointed by Niehaus and former assistant county prosecutor.
“I don’t know anyone in Butler County who has a better resume in the work I do,” she said.
The Republican Party will name her opponent in the race Monday, Aug. 18.
Glenda Smith resigned as vice chairman of the party’s executive committee to run for an Butler County Area III Court judgeship vacated by the resignation of Robert Hendrickson Wednesday, Aug. 13.
Though the race is non-partisan, Smith received the party’s endorsement, giving her access to party resources in the race. Smith is a local attorney, and the only announced candidate for the race so far.
The party also named Matt Von Stein as chairman, replacing former chairman Ron Wardrup who resigned after being charged with driving under the influence. Von Stein is president of the Hamilton IBW.
Von Stein spoke of the need to recruit young Democrats and increase contributions to the party.
“We’re getting our (butts) handed to us right now, and we need to do something about it,” he said.
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TweetZettler enters auditor’s race
Local attorney Jack Zettler has announced he will run against Republican Roger Reynolds for the job of Butler County auditor.
Zettler made this announcement here at the Butler County Democratic party’s meeting, saying he’s doing it to prove that a Democrat can win county-wide office in Butler County.
The party is now discussing a replacement for the late Butler County Juvenile Judge David Niehaus.
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TweetRomans confirms judge race
I’m at the Butler County Democratic party meeting at Butler Tech, where the local Democrats are expected to name candidates for several last-minute races.
I was just handed a press release announcing that Kathleen Dobrozsi Romans is running for the unexpired term of Juvenile Judge David Niehaus, who died July 31. Her resume says she’s been a Butler County Court of Common Pleas magistrate since 2003, when she was appointed by Niehaus.
Local Republicans will name their candidate for that seat Monday. And Gov. Ted Strickland has yet to announce an appointment that will serve until the November election.
Before that, she was an assistant county prosecutor under John Holcomb, who was the last Democrat who hold county-wide office as county prosecutor.
The meeting is getting ready to start.
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TweetCOA CEO: Concern over levy surplus ‘understandable’
The following is a letter to the editor sent to us today, Aug. 14, by Suzanne Burke, chief executive officer of the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, the administrator of senior services in Butler County:
By Suzanne Burke, CEO, Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio
Many Butler County residents are understandably concerned and angered by the report of a $20 million surplus in the tax levy fund that supports the Elderly Services Program. There is also concern about reports that some senior centers are in danger of closing. I’d like to explain the surplus and clarify how the program and levy work.
Before the Elderly Services Program (ESP), seniors of modest means had few options if they needed help to remain in their homes. One option was to move to a nursing home, deplete their savings and go onto Medicaid, the government insurance program for the poor. That’s unfortunate for them, but also a bad deal for taxpayers to pay for institutional care if it’s not needed.
In 1996, voters approved the tax levy that enabled ESP to begin. With this and every subsequent levy vote, taxpayers have allowed thousands of their elderly friends, neighbors and relatives to remain with safety and dignity in the homes and community they love. And they’ve done it at a fraction of the cost of nursing home care ($4,800 a month vs. $330 a month).
In the Aug. 13 story, “Contract’s impact worries senior services agencies,” Partners in Prime CEO Steve Schnabl said his senior centers would become “extinct” if his organization is not awarded a contract to provide care management for ESP.
The levy, however, was not designed to fund senior center operations; its sole purpose is to help disabled seniors in their homes. The levy helps many seniors who are homebound, frail, and unable to use a senior center. Senior centers have other sources of funds, such as the federal Older Americans Act, and they existed long before the levy.
Of course, the larger issue is the projected $20 million levy surplus.
Since the levy passed in 2005, Council on Aging has monitored levy expenditures against projections and reported to the program’s community oversight board. When the second year financial information was available, Council on Aging and members of the board approached county administration about the projected surplus.
Let me add here that levy funds are not held by Council on Aging, but remain in the county treasury until Council on Aging receives payment from the county for actual expenses.
In determining the size of the levy, Council on Aging joined with others including county officials; provider agencies (Partners in Prime, LifeSpan and others); and members of the community board.
At the time of levy forecasting (spring, 2005), there were several issues that impacted the millage recommendation. Major factors included: a reported waiting list of nearly 900 people; a change in state tax law; and provider reports that their rates should be higher due to rising costs.
The biggest factor was the waiting list. All signs pointed to pent-up demand and growing need for the program. We expected that most people on the list would enroll if the levy passed, but we had no way of knowing the actual number. We also projected that if the levy passed, the program would see a rapid influx of new clients within the first year.
In fact, 536 people enrolled from the waiting list. The others no longer needed services because their health had improved, they had moved to a nursing home, or they had died.
In addition, we didn’t see the rapid initial enrollment we had anticipated. Since that first year, however, enrollment has been gaining speed. Since the levy passed, client enrollment has increased by 46 percent. If we continue at current pace, by 2010, we will be only 81 clients lower than the original projections in 2005.
For the impact of change in state tax law, the levy committee relied on the expertise of the county auditor. Around Ohio, there were different interpretations of what the law’s impact might be. A conservative interpretation was used in Butler County and actual revenues have been higher.
With regard to provider rates, a very unexpected thing happened. Providers reported it was costing them more to provide services. The levy amount was adjusted accordingly. However, increasing competition has driven prices down. That’s a good thing, but it did add to the surplus. About $3.5 million of the projected surplus resulted from Butler County’s competitive marketplace.
I say sincerely that everyone involved with this program takes their responsibility to the seniors and the taxpayers very seriously. Many taxpayers actually take pride in being able to help disabled seniors. And, if you were to visit clients in their homes, you would hear nothing but gratitude. It is now up to the county commissioners to determine the best course of action for the surplus.
To read more about the Elderly Services Program and the people it helps, please visit our Web site, www.help4seniors.org.
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TweetFurmon: Levy surplus ‘an honest mistake’
A decision to ask for a 2-mill county senior services levy in 2005 that has left more than a $20 million surplus is being described as “an honest mistake” by leaders of the campaign.
But architects of the levy said if they had to do it all over again, the result would be the same.
Commissioner Charles Furmon said Thursday, Aug. 14, that he spoke with Mel Baker, the then-treasurer of the Elderly Services Board, about their projections, “and he said it was an honest mistake.”
Commissioners were informed earlier this month about a projected $21 million surplus in the 2-mill senior services levy of 2005. Financial documents provided by the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio show the levy fund currently has a nearly $14 million excess. It’s not expected to grow to $21 million until 2010.
“In retrospect, perhaps it was a mistake. But we thought we had good facts. It was an honest evaluation (of the need) at the time we did this,” Baker said.
Initially, Commissioner Gregory Jolivette said he would like to give some of the money back to Butler County property owners in the form of a $100 property tax rollback. He said Thursday his desire would be to cut back a percentage of property taxes depending on the size of residents’ tax bills.
“The person paying $200 a month on their property shouldn’t be getting the same amount as the person paying $20,000 a month on their property,” Jolivette said.
At this point, how much could be rolled back — Jolivette has suggested $14 million — is still up in the air. He will be meeting with officials from the county auditor’s office in the coming weeks to determine how the whole process would work, and whether residents could see some relief on their January or July 2009 tax bills.
The remaining surplus, Jolivette said, could be given back to service providers for programming or capital improvements.
Some senior services providers said reducing the levy fund could put a strain their businesses, and that allocating money away from the levy’s primary function — in-home care — could set a negative precedent.
“I think it (the levy balance) is critical for the continuance of the programs to keep that money there,” said Cynthia Stever, chief executive officer for LifeSpan.
Voters approved the 2-mill levy in 2005 to provide money for in-home services for county seniors. And the surplus occurred as a result of several factors, COA officials said, among them: Tax collections exceeded expectations by nearly $600,000; a waiting list of 900 shrunk to 536 because people moved away, moved into retirement communities or died; and the number of new clients grew stagnant, which mirrored provider rates and staffing requirements.
On a related note, we ran a pair of stories this week about an impending decision by COA to contract with LifeSpan or with a conglomerate of Partners in Prime and the Middletown and Oxford senior centers to administer its case management services.
The decision, expected on Aug. 22, could mean Partners in Prime may be forced to close their satellite locations in Hamilton, Fairfield and West Chester Twp. Partners in Prime CEO Stephen Schnabl said if LifeSpan is awarded the contract, his organization would be ill-equipped to deal with the resulting financial loss (he said the agency would lose about $614,000, or a third of its budget).
Many residents said the projected surplus should be used to fund those senior centers. By law it cannot. The money was approved by voters to be used on in-home services, and not senior centers.
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TweetWill Democrats pick an auditor candidate tonight?
I’m told they will. The Butler County Democratic party is meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at Butler Tech, and rumor is they’ll have a candidate for county auditor.
The job came open when former auditor Kay Rogers pleaded guilty to bank fraud. The Republican party replaced her with Roger Reynolds, who has been preparing for November re-election since.
But while the Democrats say this is a vulnerable position, they have yet to put forward a candidate, and the deadline to file is nearly here.
Who will it be? While many have predicted another run by local attorney Jack Zettler, others have said he’s hesitant to make what, at this point, would be a monumental fund-raising and campaigning effort before November.
We hope to blog live from the meeting tonight. So stay tuned.
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TweetGE tax abatement approved
HAMILTON — The final step in a tax incentive program that could bring GE Aviations to West Chester Twp. — and with it nearly 1,400 jobs — was cleared after county commissioners gave their stamp of approval.
As expected, Butler County commissioners Thursday, Aug. 14, approved the 100 percent, 15-year property tax abatement for GE Aviation.
Although GE isn’t expected to make its final decision until today, Aug. 15, the company has selected the site of the former Queen City Sports Complex, 9267 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, for a two-building, 400,000-square-foot facility, which could house 1,400 employees with average annual salaries of $100,000.
To encourage the move, the township offered GE a tax abatement — roughly equivalent to $200,000 a year — for the length of its lease, expected to range from 10 to 15 years, according to officials.
The $13.2 billion company would bring $140 million a year in payroll to the area, said Brian Coughlin, the county’s economic development director.
GE Aviation spokesman Rick Kennedy has said communities in Hamilton County have also offered incentives to keep the facility there. But he added that the company is leaning toward the West Chester Twp. site.
Another important part of the deal is the creation of a joint economic development district, a partnership with nearby communities that allows townships to generate income tax. The partnership joins townships with municipalities, who collect the income tax. Typically, another municipality acts as the accountant on the deal.
Commissioner Gregory Jolivette said he hopes West Chester Twp. officials “would give added weight to communities in Butler County” when they make their decision on a partner. West Chester could go with another city outside the county to administer the JEDD.
“We’re eager to work with a community in Butler County, but in order to maximize the benefit for residents of West Chester, we’re going to look at all possible partners,” said township Administrator Judy Boyko.
West Chester officials said a decision about the JEDD — which wouldn’t hinder a decision by GE to locate there — isn’t expected until later this month.
Question: Do you think this is a good deal?
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TweetJudge Hendrickson resigns
It’s official. Butler County Area III Court Judge Robert Hendrickson is resigning. Read the story here.
His letter of resignation to Gov. Ted Strickland was to the point: “This letter is to provide you with proper notice under the Constitution of the State of Ohio of the official resignation of my judicial position as Butler County Court Judge effective Friday, August 15, 2008, at 12:00 noon,” it says.
So far, Hamilton attorney and Democrat Glenda Smith is the only candidate being bandied about.
Any thoughts on Hendrickson’s resignation or any potential replacements?
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TweetState looks to Butler County for voting machine, election petition problems
Butler County has been put at the forefront of two major issues this election year.
Several homeless people in Hamilton say they were paid $1 to sign a petition to put a payday lending issue on the November ballot. Read the story here.
Below (PaydayLending.mp3) is a recording from the Cleveland Plain Dealer of a petition circulator allegedly lying through his teeth to get people to sign the petition.
If true, this — and other allegations mentioned in the above story — is all very illegal.
…and…
Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and voting machine vendor Premier Election Solutions are trading lawsuits, largely due to a machine glitch first found here.
- In today’s paper, Butler County leaders say they have no choice but to use the machines, despite the glitch.
- Here’s more on the lawsuits.
- The Secretary of State’s office has a timeline of events here. ,
, Thoughts on either of these issues?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Statewide issues
TweetSome senior centers could face ‘extinction’
UPDATE: A lot of people have been asking about the senior services levy surplus that was reported last week, and wondering why the money can’t be used to keep the centers open. As outlined in the stories below, the senior services levy voters approved in 2005 was for certain purposes, such as in-home care and home-delivered meals. Levy money cannot, by law, be spent elsewhere unless approved by voters.
We ran a pair of stories today in advance of an Aug. 22 decision that could have a pretty wide impact in Butler County.
Providing senior services to the county’s 60-and-older population is a multi-million-dollar business, and a large chunk of that — case management and intake — is up for grabs.
The Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio will be handing down its decision later this month about whether to enter into a contract with LifeSpan or with a conglomerate of Partners in Prime and Middletown and Oxford senior centers. One of them will provide case management and intake/screening services for the next five years.
Officials from Partners in Prime say if they’re not chosen, it could mean the demise of its satellite centers in Hamilton, Fairfield and West Chester Twp. Read that story here.
Others — such as the Middletown Senior Center and LifeSpan — aren’t as convinced. Read that story here.
Question: What do you think about Partners in Prime’s claim?
Below is the study that set all this into motion. It was conducted by the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University. Download the 55-page document by clicking on the .pdf. See anything interesting?
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Senior Services
TweetJudge Hendrickson may resign soon
The rumor mill is abuzz that Butler County Area Court Judge Robert Hendrickson will resign from his job before the end of the week.
Here’s why: Hendrickson is running for the 12th District Court of Appeals as the Republican candidate. If he wins in November against Democrat Laura Curliss, Hendrickson will have to leave his current job and a replacement will be appointed by the governor, a Democrat. That person would then run as an incumbent a year later.
But if he resigns now, the governor’s pick would have to run for re-election in November, giving him or her little time to mount a campaign.
In the interim, though, this would give the governor his second appointment in this Republican stronghold before this election, as the process to replace deceased Judge David Niehaus moves ahead. (Read a story about that here).
What do you think? If the governor appoints two Democrats, could they keep the jobs? Are there enough local Democrats to fill these roles?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Crime and courts
TweetReplacing Judge Niehaus - Update
We have confirmed candidates from both parties to replace Butler County Juvenile Judge David Niehaus, who died of a heart attack July 31. Both parties have yet to officially pick a ballot nominee, but here are the names in the hat.
Republicans:
- Hamilton attorney Tim Evans
- Butler County Common Pleas Court Domestic Relations Division Magistrate Barbara Schneider Carter
- Juvenile Division Magistrate Jeffrey Milbauer
Democrats:
- Middletown attorney and Juvenile Division Magistrate Kathleen Romans
Who do you think is best suited for the job?
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Crime and courts
TweetReplacing Judge Niehaus
The unexpected death of Butler County Juvenile Judge David Niehaus on July 31 has left Gov. Ted Strickland likely to appoint a fellow Democrat. This would be the only Democrat in county-wide office.
The governor’s office has sent out this press release on how the process will work:
Columbus, Ohio - The Ohio Judicial Appointments Recommendation Panel is currently accepting applications to fill a vacant seat on the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, due to the death of Judge David Niehaus.
Applicants for the Court of Common Pleas position must be a resident and registered elector of Butler County and not yet 70 years old on the day they begin their duties, as dictated by Ohio law. In addition, they must be admitted to practice law in Ohio and have maintained their legal license for six years prior to assuming the judicial post or served as a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the United States.
To continue service in the position, the appointee must run in the November 2008 judicial election.
In the case of all judicial vacancies, applicants must follow the guidelines set forth by the Ohio Judicial Appointments Recommendation Panel to ensure their eligibility for appointment.
Applications must be submitted directly to the judicial panel and will then be distributed to the at-large and regional panel members. Details and the full text of the application procedure are available on the judicial panel’s Web site http://ojarp.org/.
Requirements for all applicants include submitting a letter of interest, resume, panel questionnaire at http://ojarp.org/Documents/OJARP QUESTIONNAIRE INTERACTIVE.pdf, and no more than six letters of recommendation.
Additional details about OJARP and the application process can be found on the Governor’s Web site at www.governor.ohio.gov.
All materials submitted by applicants for a judicial vacancy will be considered public record under Ohio law. Applicant communication with panel members must be directed to the entire panel; all attempts to contact or influence a panel member are prohibited. Applicant questions and concerns should be addressed to Kent Markus or Jeff Ruppert in the Governor’s Office at (614) 466-3555.
Applications for the Butler County appointment must be received by 5 p.m. August 20.
Candidates must be available to interview in person on August 28 in Columbus. Individual candidate times and interview locations will be determined at a later date.
Governor Strickland has selected the following individuals to serve on the regional panel for the current Butler County vacancy:
- Christopher Rodbro, owner, Chris Rodbro Insurance Agency
- Linda Weeden-Harris, attorney; employee and labor relations specialist, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Frank Cloud, business manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 648
- Elizabeth Yauch, attorney, sole practitioner
- Lois Wood, retired school teacher; board member and mentor of Friends in Action (mentoring program for at-risk youth)
Mike Gmoser, attorney, Holcomb, Hyde and Gmoser LLP
At-large panel members:
James Ray (panel chair), retired judge, Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division
- Janica Pierce, attorney, Chester Willcox and Saxbe, LLP
- John Kulewicz, attorney, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP
- Betty Davis, president, Community Concepts, Inc.
- Isabel Framer, court certified Spanish/English interpreter; chair of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Judicial Interpreters and Translators
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County
TweetSheriff’s appraisers - The names
I’ve received numerous calls and e-mails asking for a full list of names of Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones’ foreclosure appraisers. See previous post here.
The list ran in the newspaper as a graphic, but I’m not sure it went up on the Web anywhere, though I did list them earlier in the week.
Here is the graphic that ran in the newspaper (There are two of them because we make two sizes, not sure which one will fit better until the page is laid out):
Do these names mean anything to you?
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TweetA year in, Fox still fixing children services
On Sunday, we ran a pair of stories about Children Services Executive Director Michael Fox’s first year in office.
While Fox has clearly followed through on some of his promises — such as increasing the agency’s ability to check the criminal backgrounds of adults who care for children in their care — the former commissioner’s critics aren’t so impressed.
Read those stories here.
Question: Has Fox improved the state of children services in Butler County?
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TweetSheriff’s appraisers are major campaign contributors
As the number of people losing their homes to foreclosure has increased in recent years, so have profits for a select few men and women with personal ties to Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones.
These are the appraisers picked by the sheriff to determine the value of homes going on the auction block. Last year, these 11 appraisers made a total of $491,175. This year, they made $320,030 as of Aug. 5. None of them hold real estate appraisal licenses, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Web site. And all of them are also regular contributors to Jones’ political campaigns.
Jones: “I chose people that I trusted and had some experience in real estate. All of them have experience of some type in real estate but it’s not required.”
So who exactly are these appraisers, how much did they make and how much have they donated to Jones’ campaign. An expanded story has those details here.
And what does the job entail? This story focuses on that, and includes this comment from local appraiser Todd Rose: “Anybody in our group would love to have a chance to do some of that, but because you’re not politically connected and there’s not a bidding process, you don’t really get a chance.”
What do you think? Should these appraisals be bid out? The sheriff isn’t doing anything illegal, but should there be more requirements on who he picks?
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County Sheriff's Department
TweetUnion responds to request for concessions
HAMILTON — Rank and file members of the union representing workers in the county’s Environmental Services Department are in “a holding pattern right now” over whether they will return to the bargaining table early and agree to salary concessions.
Earlier this week, county commissioners and the director of Environmental Services confirmed their request to the union that they take an across-the-board pay cut instead of following through with a plan that placed on the chopping block 22.5 staff positions.
Union officials said Friday, Aug. 8, the offer on the table from the county is a three year pay freeze.
In May, commissioners were presented with a plan from Environmental Services Director Sue Vance as a response to the county’s desire to cut rates for its water and sewer customers and pay down debt.
At the time, Vance said customers would see a savings of $7.32 for “a typical household” starting in 2009 if 22.5 positions were axed. She said the savings would continue through 2013.
However, commissioners put the brakes on the plan, saying they would rather find alternatives to cutting staff. They requested feedback from the 140-member union, but Commissioner Donald Dixon said this week all they heard were crickets.
Executive staff members — at least the president and vice president — at the union’s local level are out of the office until later this month. And decisions about whether they’ll open negotiations before the Jan. 16, 2009 contract deadline remain in limbo.
“We’re kind of in a holding pattern right now,” said Steve Reams, staff representative for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Ohio Council 8 in Cincinnati, of which the local union is a part.
Reams said the response was less than agreeable when rank-and-file members of the union were told “everybody’s pay would be frozen for three years.”
But, “We’re certainly hoping that we can work something out.”
A decision about negotiations is expected later this month upon the return of the union’s executive committee.
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TweetSenior advocates fear levy surplus could give wrong impression
Butler County commissioners all voiced support this morning of a plan to give back possibly $14 million to taxpayers of a senior services levy that brought in more money than expected.
The letter below is being mailed out Partners in Prime’s 1,555 members saying the agency serves vital needs and isn’t flush with cash, even though the Butler County’s senior services levy is looking at a $20 million surplus:
Hello for September 2008!
As I write this letter to you, our members, I am concerned about the future of the Butler County Elderly Service Program (ESP). In light of the recent news coverage about an estimated $20 million surplus in the program, I am concerned that the uninformed public could get the wrong impression that in-home services such as meals on wheels, home health aides and transportation are not a need in Butler County.
To the contrary - right now nearly 2800 people are receiving ESP services every day and the need for senior assistance continues to grow. But we see evidence that many county residents still don’t know they can ask for its assistance from ESP when they are in medical or physical need or face other serious difficulties that challenge their independence.
Often times, voters mistakenly believe that their ‘yes’ vote for ESP sends funds directly to the senior centers, when in fact the levy funds are administered through the Council on Aging, located in Hamilton County. Our agency does not have any authority over the fiscal management of ESP, and we never have. The fiscal management of ESP is and has always been out of our agency’s control. Through a contract initiated between Council on Aging and the Butler County Commissioners, Council on Aging has complete fiscal responsibility for ESP in Butler County. Although we have no fiscal authority concerning the administration of the Butler County Elderly Service Program (ESP), we do provide some of the ESP services under contract to Council on Aging. The contract does not automatically adjust during the year as we adapt to rising gasoline or food prices without reducing the level of quality in our services.
At the time of ESP’s inception in Butler County in 1996, our agency helped initiate ESP and we played a lead role in launching the first levy ballot at that time. Today, our viewpoint remains clear that in-home services provided by ESP play a critical role in the health and wellbeing of older adults until those seniors require the extra care only available in an assisted living or nursing home facility.
In our agency’s role as advocates for area seniors for the past 55 years, we place emphasis on serving older adults in their homes as long as is practical. We believe that the provision of in-home services such as meals on wheels, home health aides and transportation provides a triple win for the community in this way:
- Older adults can remain supported in their homes longer, and with just the right amount of assistance provided;
- Families and adult children of seniors benefit by remaining connected to their senior loved ones, and can continue to work and provide for their own families when assistance is provided to their loved ones as needed; and
- The community at large benefits through vital inter-generational neighborhoods and communities in which seniors remain active.
At this critical time, I urge you to get the facts and learn more about ESP for yourself. I can assure you that you will discover a valuable service that enhances the lives of senior citizens and their families and makes for stronger neighborhoods and communities.
My best,
Signature Steve Schnabl CEO
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TweetTwo lawsuits, one presidential candidate and a building becoming a monument
There’s a lot going on in Butler County today:
- John McCain is coming to town tonight. That looks ready to energize both local Republicans and Democrats.
- Butler County is being sued over the housing of goats.
- Butler County and the state are joining into a lawsuit against the maker of the state’s voting machines.
- Butler County commissioners plan to name the Juvenile Justice Center after the late Judge David Niehaus. Here’s a story on that:
HAMILTON — County leaders agreed Thursday, August 7, to rename the Butler County Juvenile Justice Center after deceased Juvenile Judge David Niehaus.
County Commission President Charles Furmon made the motion, saying Niehaus was “both tough and fair,” and had positively changed countless lives in his 27 years on the bench.
The vote was unanimous.
“It will signify that there’s a man who set the tone and set the model for administering juvenile justice in Butler County,” said Commissioner Gregory Jolivette.
Niehaus died of a heart attack Thursday, July 31. He was Butler County’s first juvenile judge, donning that robe 21 years ago.
West Chester Twp. Police Lt. Erik Niehaus, the judge’s son, was on-hand to thank commissioners Thursday and thank the community for their support.
“It’s nice to hear the stories of the lives dad has touched both as a judge and a person,” Niehaus said.
A formal renaming ceremony will be held in coming weeks, county officials said, after they consult with the family on how exactly to phrase the building’s new name.
What are your thoughts on any of these issues?
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TweetSheriff’s appraisers make big money in down market
As the number of people losing their homes in Butler County has skyrocketed in recent years, one group of people is reaping record profits. They are foreclosure appraisers, appointed by Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones himself to appraiser properties for sheriff sales.
Here are their names and how much they earned from appraisals (they get paid $85 per house and often do 20 a day) from January to December 6, 2007.
Charles Barrett - $41,650
William Campbell - $80,925
Christopher Derickson - $36,805
Robert Derickson - $79,590
Don Hershner - $24,560
Byron Johnson - $30,595
William Marquet - $11,390
David Saunders - $10,460
Joseph Schwarz - $36,550
Judy Shelton - $77,485
Donald Spurlock - $36,105
You may recognize some of these names. They include some prominent Republicans and one prominent Democrat.
Anything else they have in common? Check out an expanded look at how this process works in Sunday’s paper.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County Sheriff's Department
TweetCounty union asked to take concessions
UPDATE: Regarding poster “VietVet’s” comments below: The 2006-07 labor dispute between AK Steel Corp., and the International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 1943 was a lockout not a strike. What’s the difference? A lockout is called by a company, a strike is called by a union. AK Steel locked its union workers out when their contract expired.
Commissioners are asking the union representing workers in the county’s Environmental Services Department to come back to the bargaining table early and take concessions or accept a plan that calls for cutting 22.5 positions.
Commissioners Gregory Jolivette and Donald Dixon and Environmental Services Director Sue Vance confirmed the request, saying they are still awaiting a response about whether the union will open negotiations before its contract expires on Jan. 16, 2009.
“We’re asking them to come back to the table early in order to accommodate the goal of lowering rates,” Jolivette said. “We’ll do it either by internal cuts or concessions.”
Local union officials were unavailable for comment this morning, however others have said they let the rank-and-file know about early negotiations at a recent meeting.
In May, commissioners were presented with a plan to cut 22.5 positions from Environmental Services, a plan they said would save water customers about $7 per month. Read that story here.
And a story here about how they decided to delay the layoffs.
County officials have also said that negotiating a lower rate for water with the city of Hamilton could allow them to reduce staff through attrition instead of layoffs.
But when the answers to their questions failed to come in as expected, commissioners said they were forced to make a move.
“I’m positive they know we’re serious about offering our rate-payers a reduction,” Jolivette said. “How we get there, though, is up for negotiation.”
Vance said the county received “a favorable response from the union, and I think they’re willing to come back early.”
“They did agree to take a look at it, so that’s a good start,” Dixon said, adding that commissioners are expected hear back from the union later this month.
Union officials from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 3396 — which represents about 100 of the department’s 142 employees — and the AFSCME regional council in Cincinnati did not return calls seeking comment.
Question: Should union members take concessions to save 22.5 jobs?
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TweetSheriff Jones v. McCain
Courtesy of Ohio politics correspondent William Hershey:
Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones doesn’t think much of fellow Republican John McCain’s views on immigration and McCain will find that out on Thursday morning, Aug. 7. McCain is expected in Butler County for a fundraiser.
Jones told the Dayton Daily News on Wednesday, Aug. 6, that he is running a half page ad in the Cincinnati Enquirer on both Thursday and Saturday, Aug. 9, with this script:
“Sen. McCain Why haven’t we heard from you on immigration?
Are you avoiding this American issue???
We are all EARS”
Here is a former post with links to a series Hershey recently did on Jones’ immigration views.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County Sheriff's Department
TweetLevy surplus may mean property tax rollback
UPDATE: Scroll down to see the levy budget and fund projections. (Too small? Click on the upper right corner of the document to view full screen.)
Butler County Commissioner Gregory Jolivette is proposing to give back to voters more than half of a $20 million excess from the senior services levy voters approved in 2005.
In a letter sent to the other two commissioners today, Jolivette said he’d like to see $14 million of the $20 million given back to county homeowners in the form of a property tax roll back.
The remaining $6 million could be used by the Council on Aging of Southwest Ohio — who is the contracted administrator of the county’s senior services and its funds — and the county’s senior services programs managed by Partners in Prime, Lifespan and others.
The Butler County Elderly Services Program Board monitors funds and makes programming decisions, but commissioners have the final word.
Jolivette said because there are nearly 150,000 landowners in the county, each would receive about $100 back in property taxes. He said he will have a more definitive answer on that in the coming weeks.
“I take my endorsement and willingness to place levies on the ballot very seriously,” Jolivette said in the letter. “When we ask our fellow citizens for tax dollars we pledge to be good stewards of their money.
“If we overestimated our revenues versus our needs we need to admit it. Our credibility is at stake for this and future levy campaigns.”
Issue 6 was a 2-mill replacement levy that officials said would generate $76 million over its five-year life to fund the program, or about $14.9 million each year.
In actuality, the levy is estimated to generate more than $80.6 million from the levy. The program’s annual operating budget is expected to be just over $62 million. And according to financial documents, the Elderly Services Board will have a surplus of more than $18 million projected for this year, growing to more than $20 million by 2010.
Stephen Schnabl, executive director of the Butler County-based Partners in Prime said he was “shocked” after hearing of the excess.
“The administration of the program obviously isn’t able to accurately project (numbers and funds) as we all have expected they could and should,” Schnabl said. “The fiscal management has been with the COA, and I can’t imagine how they could have miscalculated so egregiously. I’m just shocked.”
Schnabl said that estimates of the number of new clients each year and how much they’ll cost “is an educated guess.”
He said in 2005, the county was serving approximately 2,200 to 2,300 local seniors. There were also 900 people on a list waiting for services, Schnabl said.
Schnabl said by the time the waiting list was addressed, it had dwindled to 500 prospective clients because people had moved away, moved into a retirement community or died.
He said the levy amount also included money for a six-month “cushion” to give COA more time if the next levy — which was expected in 2010 — failed.
“But I still don’t understand how $20 million is accumulated,” he said.
In his nine years with the county, Lowery said he’s never seen a levy surplus.
“Levies are not designed to have a surplus at all,” he said. “Supposedly, you set the levy to spend the money on a specific purpose.”
According to COA, those purposes in 2005 included funding what was expected to be an increasing demand for elderly programming — a 78 percent increase in the number of people 60 years and older by 2020 — and a list of 900 people waiting for services.
COA officials said there are several explanation for the surplus: Tax collections exceeded expectations by nearly $600,000; the waiting list of 900 shrunk to 536 because people moved away, moved into retirement communities or died; the number of new clients grew stagnant, which mirrored provider rates and staffing requirements.
“Projecting these numbers isn’t an exact science,” said Paula Smith, communications specialist with COA. “You just have to work with the numbers that you have.”
Jolivette said he was concerned a surplus from a levy could result in voter mistrust. But he said the approach to the next senior services levy — expected in 2010 — should be different.
“Certainly, (COA and the Elderly Services Program) made a mistake in their last projections,” Jolivette said. “And we want to make sure they don’t repeat that.”
Question: What do you think about the surplus? What happens the next time senior services — or another social services — asks you to support a levy?
NOTE: See the Elderly Services Program’s budget (provided by COA) below.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: County Commission
TweetReynolds gearing for fight. But against whom?
Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds still has no Democratic challenger. The Dems have until Aug. 20 to name a challenger for what they claim is a seat weakened by former auditor Kay Rogers.
But Reynolds is gearing up for a fight.
Campaign finance forms filed last week by Reynolds show that he has $12,218 on hand for the campaign. While this isn’t much for this big of a race, Reynolds also has lines of credit from himself, Raymond Reynolds and Carlos Todd.
Here’s the report:
Reynolds wasn’t required to file, because last week’s deadline was only for candidates who aren’t running this year. That includes Rogers. Her finance form is here:
What do you think? Does Reynolds have what it takes, financially or otherwise, to hold the seat? Does the fact that Democrats have yet to forward a candidate tell us anything?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: County Auditor
TweetJolivette meets Obama
County Commissioner Gregory Jolivette just called and directed me to this story about Sen. Barack Obama’s visit to a roadside market in eastern Ohio. Particularly, to this line:
Greg Jolivette asked Obama about his basketball playing.
Though our Jolivette does shoot hoops, I’ve heard, this was not him in the story. Apparently it was his son. And if you click to the third photo in the story, the little girl in pink who looks like she’s chewing the presidential hopeful out is Jolivette’s grand-daughter.
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TweetMerger study list narrowed to three
Commissioners have narrowed the list of companies who will study and initiate a merger of the county’s social services departments from six to three.
Click here to read more about the first story we did about all of the proposals and what commissioners were expecting. The social services departments — Children Services, Jobs and Family Services and Child Support Enforcement Agency — include about 600 total employees.
And the finalists are:
• Cincinnati-based Management Partners Inc., which said the project could cost between $76,000 and $447,500;
• St. Paul, Minn.-based Public Strategies Group, which said the project would cost them between $236,000 and $600,000, and;
• Cleveland-based LNE Group — whose West Chester Twp. operation is directed by former GOP Executive Director Scott Owens — which said the study would cost between $200,000 to $300,000.
The three companies will be asked to meet with commissioners, department heads and others to get a better handle on the project’s scope, said Butler County Administrator Tim Williams. After that, the groups are expected to provide a more accurate picture of exactly how much the merger will cost to study and implement.
Thoughts?
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TweetSalary study suggests ‘rapid-fire’ increases ‘understandable’
The salary study that commissioners asked for in May has been completed, although at this point, it’s still too early in the review process for them to get a handle on its entirety.
But the analysis does include a summary that provides insight into the raw numbers.
Commissioners asked for the study of employees in their social services departments to see how they match up when compared to other Ohio counties’ rate of pay.
As you can see below for yourself (by clicking on the .pdf), the county’s Personnel Director Douglass Duckett warns those reading the summary to take the numbers as a whole.
Says Duckett in the summary: “Only when we are significantly out of market taken as a whole do I think we face a problem. Often, I have a problem with unions ‘cherry-picking’ the data (looking for a few results to support an already existing viewpoint), and I encourage anyone reading this to avoid that approach.”
For the story on the summary and commissioners’ initial reactions, click here.
Again, for the .pdf of the summary, click the link below titled “Salary Survey Summary.”
Question: What do you think?
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TweetImmigration and politics
Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones has been in the news a lot lately expounding on his favorite topic: immigration.
Immigration has been touted as one of the hot-button issues during this year’s presidential election, and reporters William Hershey and Jessica Wehrman had a great package of stories in Sunday’s paper on the issue locally.
- In this story, they talk about the problems with the current system, how it is threatening to tear one West Chester Twp. family apart and what sheriff Jones wants to do about it.
- This story takes a much broader view at this complicated issue, what’s been done to address it at the state and federal levels, discrimination some say the current system leads to, and how a 2006 stabbing in Mason plays into all of this.
- An analysis of Democrat Barack Obama’s and Republican John McCain’s stances on the issue can be found here. To some, these views beg the question ‘do both back amnesty?’ Find an answer to that here.
- Though he’s one of the most prominent local Republicans, Jones said he would have to hold his nose to vote for McCain, largely due to this issue.
Videos:
Charts:
What do you think about this issue? Do you agree with Jones? Which presidential candidate has the best approach to these problems?
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TweetKeno starts in Butler County today
Birthdays. Addresses. Old football number. Favorite digits. At 11:04 a.m. today, Aug. 4, keno kicks off at various establishments in the county.
Butler County has 25 businesses among the nearly 800 establishments statewide that will start featuring the Ohio Lottery’s new keno game today. Another 2,000 are expected to offer the numbers game by the end of December, lottery officials have said.
The Lottery Commission said it hopes to generate $73 million in new revenue by July 2009. Gov. Ted Strickland proposed the game as part of his plan to fill a projected $733 million deficit in the state budget during the next year.
Click the “Continue reading” feature below to get the complete list of the local businesses that will offer keno.
Or click here for a searchable database for all the keno sites in the state.
Question: Will you play keno? Do you think it will be a boon for the state’s struggling economy? Will it affect local businesses?
Keno numbers will be drawn every four minutes between the hours of 11:04 a.m. and 1:44 a.m. Players choose between one and 10 numbers out of 80 and then win jackpots based on how many numbers match among 20 selected by a statewide computer system.
The maximum jackpot could be $2 million for a $20 bet that places all 10 of its numbers among the 20 displayed on the monitor.
Here are the local sites:
AMERICAN LEGION POST #138 427 S 3RD ST HAMILTON
RIVERBANK CAFE 102 MAIN ST HAMILTON
TURNER GILL’S 2556 MILLVILLE OXFORD RD HAMILTON
HAMILTON LODGE #36 925 PYRAMID HILL BLVD HAMILTON
CHARLEYS THROTTLE STOP 7121 DIXIE HWY FAIRFIELD
CLUB KRICKET 4737 DIXIE HWY FAIRFIELD
MEMORIES SPORT BAR 6679 DIXIE HWHY FAIRFIELD
WILDWOOD PUB 5877 ROSS RD FAIRFIELD
FAIRFIELD BOWLING LANES 5181 DIXIE HIGHWAY FAIRFIELD
RICKS TAVERN 5595 BOYMEL DR FAIRFIELD
SYMMES TAVERN 500 WESSEL DR FAIRFIELD
PAR’S PLACE 6126 WINTON RD FAIRFIELD
JUNGLE JIM’S MARKET INC 5440 DIXIE HWY FAIRFIELD
BACK PORCH SALOON 9626 PRINCETON GLENDALE RD HAMILTON
HILLBILLY HEAVEN 2502 ATCO AVE MIDDLETOWN
MADISON INN BAR & GRILL 101 S FRONT ST MIDDLETOWN
FRICKER’ S 4810 ROOSEVELT BLVD MIDDLETOWN
LUCKY DOG TAVERN & GRILLE 7029-7031 YANKEE RD MIDDLETOWN
F O E AERIE #528 1300 1ST AVE MIDDLETOWN
BILLS OPEN DOOR CAFE 2715 BURBANK AVE MIDDLETOWN
FRATERNAL ORDER OF ORIOLES 3010 S MAIN ST MIDDLETOWN
SILVER LEAF LODGE 456 912 8TH AVE MIDDLETOWN
INDIAN CREEK TAVERN 6206 MAIN ST OXFORD
THE BALCONY 116 1/2 E HIGH ST OXFORD
BRICK STREET RESTAURANT 36 E HIGH ST OXFORD
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TweetCombs wants stiffer penalties for corpse abuse
Just received this press release from state Rep. Courtney Combs, R-Hamilton:
COLUMBUS— State Representative Courtney Combs (R- Hamilton) announced today plans to introduce legislation which would increase the penalties for gross abuse of a corpse. This legislation is in response to the incident that took place in Hamilton County where a former coroner’s office employee sexually assaulted a homicide victim 25 years ago.
“A heinous crime such as sexual abuse of a corpse deserves a punishment more severe than the current law provides,” Combs said. “This bill would ensure that people who are in contact with a human corpse are held accountable for any inappropriate actions.”
Currently the penalties for abuse of a corpse are a fifth degree felony which carries a six to 12 month prison term. Rep. Combs bill would increase the penalties to a third degree felony which carries a prison term of one to five years. Currently the bill is in the process of being drafted by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission.
There has been an outcry from the community including the Butler County Sheriff, Richard K. Jones who sent Rep. Combs a letter on July 30th calling for a change in the law.
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TweetJudge Niehaus dead at 64
Butler County Juvenile Court Judge David Niehaus died of a heart attack last night. You can read the story here.
As Butler County’s first juvenile judge, it’s hard to overstate his impact on youth justice in Butler County.
Niehaus made the national spotlight recently when he threatened a man with jail time if his daughter didn’t get her GED. Read about that here.
I’ve had several people call me wanting to share how much of an impact Niehaus had on their lives. One was County Commissioner Gregory Jolivette, who played on a youth basketball team Niehaus coached when Jolivette was in high school.
“Butler County is really going to be losing a very passionate and caring person who cared about kids even though sometimes he had to deal with some tough love sentencing Butler County children.”
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TweetWhat’s it cost to get by in Butler, Warren counties
A report released Wednesday says a single mother with a preschool child would have to make $34,071 to make ends meet without public or private assistance. This is more than twice the U.S. poverty guidelines.
The report puts Butler and Warren counties among the most expensive in the state to live.
Read the story in our paper here.
The report is below, it goes through all the costs of living in all the counties across Ohio and compares different family types (one child, two children, married, single). Butler County is on page 56. A map comparing all the counties in the state is on page 10. The federal poverty guidelines are on page 9.
What do you think? Are the report’s findings accurate?
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