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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > September > 22
Monday, September 22, 2008
Pipeline of conflict
Butler County residents are invited to a meeting Wednesday, Sept. 24, to discuss the proposed Rockies Express natural gas pipeline across the county with the Ohio EPA.
Rocky Express Pipeline, LLC, plans to build a 1,678-mile pipeline from Colorado to Ohio with the capacity to deliver 1.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to customers in the upper Midwest and Eastern United States. The proposal includes the construction of a 39-mile stretch of pipeline through Butler and Warren Counties. Before moving forward, the company must secure a water quality certification from the Ohio EPA.
The proposed pipeline is very controversial and some say only made possible by company ties to the Bush administration.
Here’s the meeting details:
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at Edgewood High School, 5005 Oxford State Road in Trenton.
And here’s state Sen. Gary Cates, R-West Chester Twp., on the meeting:
“This project could have a major impact on our communities and our area’s natural resources, so it is important that all local residents have the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns on the issue. I look forward to hearing the opinions of my constituents and will work to monitor the situation going forward.”
Here is the rest of a comprehensive piece our own Tom Beyerlein did on the pipeline, including claims that local residents’ concerns were being ignored.
What do you think? Do critics of the pipeline have valid points? Or is the need for the pipeline too great to be hampered by individual concerns? Do the safety and environmental concerns trump any need?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Statewide issues
Updates on two Democratic candidates
With all the windstorm craziness, two small developments in local races have almost gone overlooked.
Here is a press release we received from Tony Klimek, who is challenging Bill Coley for the 55th state house district:
Tony Klimek, candidate for the Ohio House, 55 District, has been endorsed by the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters. The OAPFF is an organization of more than 10,000 members throughout Ohio and has members that serve the 55th District in Middletown, Monroe, Liberty Township and West Chester Township. The endorsement from the OAPFF thanked Mr. Klimek for his “…leadership on matters of public safety.”
Tony Klimek, a Democrat from West Chester Township has made his commitment and active community involvement a major theme of his campaign. This endorsement demonstrates community support for his candidacy and his commitment to the community.
“I am continually impressed by our Fire Fighter’s professionalism and dedication to service. They put their lives on the line for our citizens everyday,” Klimek said. “I am honored to be endorsed by the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters and will work with them and other organizations to ensure that Ohio continues to provide quality public safety services for our citizens.”
Tony Klimek is a professional engineer and president of Terraine, an environmental and technology company. He and his wife Jan live in West Chester with their four children. More information about Mr. Klimek is available at www.friendsoftonyklimek.com.
…and…
A meet-and-greet event for Judge Glenda A. Smith, candidate for Butler County Area Court judge, will be conducted from 6-7 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 25. The event is open to the public and will be at the home of Dave and Georgia Gardner, 6278 Old Mill Court, Fairfield Twp. Another meet-and-greet is set for 6-7 p.m. at the home of Kevin and Keiya Myles, 2699 Stone Mill Way, Fairfield Twp.
Smith currently presides over the Butler County Area III Court in West Chester Twp. For more information about the meet-and-greet events go online to www.glendasmithforjudge.com or call (513) 382-7913.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Democratic Party
Auditor Reynolds giving back more than a quarter million dollars
Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds says he’s giving $256,300 in fees for handling levy funds back to the agencies and governments who need the money.
Reynolds announced Monday, Sept. 22, that more than $1 million in cuts he has enacted since taking over the office 150 days ago has allowed the refund. This includes renegotiating contracts and cutting 10 employees through attrition.
This created the first surplus in fees in 10 years, Reynolds said. “I believe our performance over the past 150 days will assure the public that we are on the right track and attentive to the needs of the citizens.”
The Butler County GOP appointed Reynolds to the office in April because former auditor Kay Rogers resigned after pleading guilty to bank fraud. Reynolds must now fend off Democratic challenger Jack Zettler.
Reynolds said there was a projected budget deficit at the office when he took over.
The refund will be divided among the governments and agencies who levy the taxes. $175,803 will be split among area schools; $25,112 among public safety agencies; $43,828 among special services such as Children Services, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and senior services; and $11,557 among local cities, villages and townships.
Said Reynolds:
“I would like to challenge the recipients of these funds to spend the money wisely. The taxpayers pay enough and it’s our jobs as elected officials to improve efficiencies and reduce the tax burden on the citizens of Butler County.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: County Auditor
After the storm - Cont’d
In this story that ran Sunday, Sept. 21, we take you moment-by-moment through the early hours of the Sunday, Sept. 14, storm that toppled trees and knocked out power countywide.
It includes these revelations, among others:
- The county Emergency Operations Center was never activated because the computer servers didn’t work.
- Five of Hamilton’s six fire stations didn’t have backup generators.
- Neither the county nor the Middletown fuel stations had backup generators.
- Tornado sirens never activated.
- Sheriff Richard K. Jones had no way of informing the public that it was illegal to be on the roads at one point.
- Cell phones and radios don’t work in the Emergency Operations Center.
It also includes some criticism of Emergency Management Director William Turner’s performance by both Jones and County Commissioner Donald Dixon. While some accuse Turner of doing too little to prepare for and respond to the storm, Turner apparently was never asked for assistance by any local fire or police department.
But, says Dixon:
“When a disaster hits, I don’t think you should have to be asked if you’re responsible for those services.”
Counters Dennis Conrad, EMA board chair:
“They (Turner’s critics) are trying to make a political point I believe, rather than worry about the issue of helping the public.”
Conrad does not want the sheriff taking over the EMA. And even some that are concerned about emergency response, such as County Commissioner Gregory Jolivette, are also worried about handing over the EMA as an emergency response.
This story touches on some of the same themes, plus how close the county’s water department came to shutting down and this thought: what if it had rained, what if this were a blizzard?
I live this quote by County Administrator Tim Williams:
“We’re lucky we had good weather, despite the wind.”
What do you think needs to be done to prepare for the next emergency, potentially this winter?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County
