Archive for Editorial – Page 3

OLLI: A Bargain for the Fifty and Older Set

by Rich · Comments (0)
25 May

OLLI-program-full               OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, is an affiliate of the University of Cincinnati that offers three eight-week quarters of classes (fall, winter, spring) plus summer classes for Seniors who love lifelong learning. Classes are held on the main campus at the Tangeman University Center as well as at UC Blue Ash, Adath Israel, the Sycamore Senior Center and elsewhere. The cost per quarter is $85 that opens the door to over 120 course selections that will stimulate your curiosity and thirst for knowledge.

The curriculum includes a broad range of classes including history, science, computers, music, the arts, writing, current events, hobbies, estate planning, medicine and many more. Each week during each quarter, an exciting three hour seminar (WOW) on a special topic is offered at the Sycamore Senior Center. Most days, a one-and-a-half hour ‘Brown Bag’ lunch from 12:30 to 2PM is held at UC Blue Ash.

In 2013, over 1800 students experienced the joy of learning at OLLI. The average age of students that attend OLLI classes is 68 years with 60 percent being women and 95 percent college graduates.

You can get more information and register for classes by visiting the website at www.uc.edu/ce/olli

 

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Categories : Editorial, Mariemont Schools
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The Mayor’s Bulletin… Misinformation?

by Rich · Comments (0)
18 Apr

Chicken Little? “The sky is falling!”

Chicken Little is an endearing and amusing folk tale all of us have heard or told. It has a moral to it, warning us against hysterical beliefs that disaster is imminent or against being unreasonably afraid. The story of Chicken Little came to mind when I read the latest Mayor’s Bulletin (April 2014).

Despite the innocuous title, the Bulletin article “MARIEMONT.ORG IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE VILLAGE”  had little to do with websites. This was another  use of an “official” Mariemont publication, paid for by Mariemont taxpayers, that digresses from the topic of the Village of Mariemont website into a personal attack, an atttempt to intimidate and bully, and projection of unreasonable conclusions  on other issues. Let’s dissect this article from the Bulletin,hopefully making more rational comments and sense than it contained:

“MARIEMONT.ORG IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE VILLAGE”

“At Town Meeting, a few citizens were still confused about the Village’s website, so once again, I want to point out to everyone that the Village’s official website is www.mariemont.ORG.  The website with the domain name of www.mariemont.COM is NOT a Village-authorized site.”

  • The Village of Mariemont does not have statutory authority to authorize sites or domain names.
  • Mariemont.com has voluntarily and repeatedly expressed publicly and on its website that it is not connected to the Village government and is an independent site, presenting independent viewpoints and information on Mariemont and surrounding communities. These recurring attempts in the Mayor’s Bulletins to discredit it and diminish it border on libel.
  • Mariemont.com existed long before Mariemont.org!

“The publisher of this unofficial website wrote a letter to ODOT in support of running the Eastern Corridor through our South 80 Park – something we have vehemently opposed!”

  • Why continue to claim this is an “unofficial” site when it clearly is not Village sponsored nor paid for by the Village?
  • What relevance does this comment have to either web site?
  • What is the point of these repeated attempts to deride a differing viewpoint?  While some may not agree on the direction or objectives of the Eastern Corridor, it does not prevent one’s freedom of expression. Differences of opinion and the ability to express them are basic rights and recognized as a sign of a healthy democracy! Where is the respect for others’ opinions?

“Our experience with ODOT leads us to believe that they will use this letter against us, saying that it indicates support from Village residents to build the Eastern Corridor which would destroy our historic parkland and possibly cause us to lose our status as a National Historic Landmark by paving over an important historic Native America village site.”

  • What experiences with ODOT are being referenced here and why would these lead you to believe ODOT would use the letter against the Village? If you’re going to make these claims, provide FACTS, not opinions, assumptions or innuendos.
  • Does anyone seriously believe ONE letter will carry more weight or sway ODOT to act against Village wishes compared to the many opposing letters and opposition groups involved in this project? This is hyperbole at its finest.
  • What evidence exists Mariemont could lose its National Historic Landmark designation if the Eastern Corridor is built? Is there a letter from the Interior Department or cite from a federal act verifying this? My review of the National Historic Preservation Act and 36CFP Part 800 – Protection of Historic Properties did not indicate any reasons for losing an historic landmark designation. What’s the basis for this fear-mongering comment?

“What’s more, we have heard rumors that ODOT is using the four-lane Eastern Corridor like a ‘Trojan Horse’ to lay the groundwork for extending I-74 through our community and into Clermont County.”

  • Who told you these “rumors?” What evidence or facts were presented to give any substantiation to them? Was any investigation or fact finding conducted to verify or dismiss them?
  • Promoting unsubstantiated rumors in a Village sponsored publication would be unsavory and unctuous.

“Can you imagine an expressway running through the South 80 Park?  It would fill our quiet neighborhood with a constant roar of traffic and fill our air with pollution from the large volume of cars passing through.”

  • It already exists. What about the traffic, noise and pollution created every day from the 30,000 cars passing through the heart of Mariemont, and next to schools and parks? This is nothing more than pandering to the emotions of opponents to the Eastern Corridor.

“No longer would the South 80 Park and/or the Concourse be places for relaxing and enjoying nature as they were intended.  Because it is prone to flooding, the area could never be used for playfields or a shelter house. “

  • Because it’s prone to flooding, does that mean we can’t have the South 80 trails or camp site we’re using today? Schmidt baseball fields, Riverbend music center, and other facilities are located in the flood plain of the Ohio River and are used year after year, flood after flood. Why would the South 80 be any different?

“Obviously the publisher of this letter did not have all the facts or understand the significant ramifications of ODOT’s plans before sending that letter to ODOT.  Now that everyone is aware of how harmful this would be to the Village of Mariemont, we respectfully ask that this letter be rescinded and let ODOT know that, in the best interest of this community, the publisher no longer supports the construction of the Eastern Corridor.  Certainly anyone who cherishes the peace and tranquility that is the Village of Mariemont would not want it replaced with a major expressway! Please let it be known that you do not agree with the statement in the letter to ODOT! “

  • What is this obsession with a letter that was written two years ago expressing a differing viewpoint?
  • This is nothing more than a BULLYING tactic and attempt to discredit someone who has a difference of opinion.  Surely the Village has not become a community where people cannot disagree or have a difference of opinion?
  • Why isn’t the” publisher” mentioned several times in this article ever identified? Fear of libel?

While I initially applauded the purpose of the Mayor’s Bulletin to communicate regularly with residents of the community about issues, events and activities in the community, I cannot condone it for what it has become. It’s time for Mariemont Council and its Solicitor to stop allowing the use of taxpayer money to promote unfounded rumors, unsubstantiated claims, personal vendettas and personal agendas in a Village sponsored and paid publication.

The sky is not falling Chicken Little. it’s just a little thunder!

Mike Lemon

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Early childhood development and education

by Rich · Comments (0)
29 Mar

Is it time to place a greater emphasis on early childhood development and education?

Richard Wendel MD, MBA

The American educational system is a favorite media target for criticism because of low test scores, subpar graduation rates, lack of teacher accountability, contracts that entrench underperforming teachers, underfunding, out-of-date technology, parental indifference and poorly motivated children. The data comparing our system with that of other developed nations is damming and we seem to be producing school dropouts and graduates with skill sets that do not match the needs of the marketplace. There are too few engineering, science and technology graduates and too many graduates with bachelor degrees in the soft liberal arts that frequently are the entry point to low paying jobs that cause graduates to bump along the poverty line with unpaid educational debt. This debt burden often delays getting married, raising a family and purchasing a home.

I believe our school systems get a bum rap and are not the primary reason our students underperform and here is why. It is widely estimated that over 80 percent of brain development in the human occurs before the age of five. Now if 80 percent of brain development occurs before age 5 with a decelerating rate of development after that, then we can assume that more than 50 percent of brain development takes place in the time interval starting in intrauterine life and ending at age two. To support this supposition, the circumference of the head of the average male at birth is 13.7 inches and at 2 years of age 19.4 inches; whereas in the male adult it is just 21-22 inches, an increases of a mere two to two and a half inches.  Intuitively, this frontal occipital circumference of the cranium correlates with the size and function of the brain.

In recent times, mandatory preschool and all day kindergarten have been given a higher priority to address and correct learning deficiencies and level the educational playing field for disadvantaged kids. In preschool, the Kindergarten Readiness Test is a good reproducible metric for evaluating intellectual skills. Most studies show improved long term academic performance with quality preschool for underprivileged children. In our inner cities, full day Kindergarten offers defined benefits as well.

The intellectual nurturing of the infant before preschool is more problematical, but probably more imperative and productive on a time weighted basis. Public dollars might produce better educational benefits if a larger share were directed toward prenatal care and the environment surrounding a child’s first two years of life.

No amount of remedial training can completely reverse the ravages of neglect during infancy. For instance, recent studies of prisoners placed in solitary confinement show that the lack of stimulation produces brain atrophy and deranged thinking. This is analogous to the effects that might be anticipated from the neglected infant.

Results from more intrusive intervention in the toddler age group are difficult to measure. How do you evaluate the toddler with rudimentary verbal skills and a limited ability to emote? How do you measure neglect in environments where there is a void in stimulation with little touching, cuddling, verbal exchange, reading, love, play and nurturing?

All the solutions to this problem that infects a sizeable segment of our society impinge upon our fundamental human rights to privacy and independence in a free society. The solutions are also stymied by religious and moral considerations as well as politics, entitlements, social justice and ignorance. Neglected infants are innocent victims and the society needs to adopt a more aggressive approach to the realization that bearing a child is a privilege that carries with it an enormous responsibility.

Our teachers and school administrators do a great job with limited resources. Most short comings in our educational system can be explained by adverse selection due to impoverished environments. To get better outputs you need to improve the quality of children entered into the system. Better child care coupled with preschool is a recipe to improve test scores and graduation rates to serve the job market. Moreover, teachers will be grateful to teach highly motivated students.

“Success by Six’ sponsored by the United Ways is an exciting program that supports a ‘whole child’ approach. It has been introduced in more than 350 cities. It monitors the home environment, access to medical care, security and adequate nutrition. Without addressing these root causes for ‘slow learning’, the cycle of underachievement and ignorance will continue to erode the American dream for millions of our children.

 

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Alcoholics Anonymous: a history of successful treatment

by Rich · Comments (0)
23 Mar
Click the Image to enlarge

Click the Image to enlarge

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self supporting through our own contributions. A. A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

OUR HOTLINE, (513) 351-0422, FOR THOSE WITH ALCOHOL PROBLEMS IS ANSWERED 24 HOURS A DAY / 7 DAYS A WEEK

3040 Madison Rd. Room 202
Entrance is on Allston St.
Cincinnati OH 45209
(513) 351-0422
aacincinnati@fuse.net
http://www.aacincinnati.org/
OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Friday 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

 

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Curbside Recycling: “Penny wise and Pound foolish”

by Rich · Comments (4)
16 Feb

“Penny wise and Pound foolish”

Mariemont is a walkable community where residents enjoy many conveniences that other communities do not. One of these is the pickup of recyclables and garbage from the rear of the homes. In discussing this convenience with two realtors that focus their sales in Mariemont, both indicated that this distinguishing service was a significant selling point for real-estate in the Village and helped to sell our homes at the highest prices in the County or about $225-$250 per square foot.

Now the Village officials are considering moving recycling pickup to the curb for a savings of $17,000 per year according to the Easter Hills Journal article on January 29th.  With approximately 1300 household in Mariemont, this figure equates to $13.07 per year per household. With convenience and ambience and real-estate values in mind, this is the height of “penny wise and pound foolish.” Already we are paying a $75 per year waste collection fee plus a $2 dollars sticker fee for each waste container. According to the budgetary figures for the Village of Mariemont in 2013, these fees and assessments provided approximately $204,000 to subsidize waste collection. The Village kicked in about $80,000 to fulfill the waste collection contracts.

When municipal budgets are under stress, elected officials tend to cut services and this appears to be the case in this instance. Unfortunately, in many, if not most, communities curbside recycling is only the prelude to curb waste collection.

With regard to recycling, do we really want our curbs cluttered for over 24 hours per week with a cost savings of 3.6 cents per day per household? And how about the inconvenience and how you must make arrangements when you are away for whatever reason?  This issue makes Mariemont special and should be openly discussed. What an issue to lay on a Council comprised of 50% new members?

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Benefits of Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements

by Rich · Comments (0)
09 Feb

The Convincing Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids or Fish Oils in the diet

In 2012, an article in the Economist magazine postulated that marine mammals such as whales and dolphins evolved higher intelligence than land mammals due to their diet of fish. Many research studies support the belief that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils is protective to the aging of the human brain and heart. The Heart Association cites evidence that Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, lowers the level of serum triglycerides and slightly lowers blood pressure. Because omega-3 fatty acid is a precursor of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain related to mood, many psychiatrists also recommend omega-3 fatty acids to their patients.

The typical American diet is deficient in Omega-3 fish oil and few Americans eat 2-5 servings of fish per week to make up this deficit. For this reason, most physicians, especially cardiologists, recommend that patients consume a dietary supplement of 1000 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids per day. These gel caps are quite affordable and do not require a prescription.

As a physician, I have spoken to a number of nutrition specialists, and most recommend taking a daily dose of Omega-3 fish oil. Based on their advice, I also take 100 mg of the antioxidant CoQ10 and Vitamin D. My experience suggests that a Vitamin D supplement has an effect on the immune system and is protective against colds and respiratory infections.

-Richard Wendel MD, MBA

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A Closer Look at Mariemont Finances

by Rich · Comments (3)
09 Feb

“Lipstick on a Pig?”

To put “lipstick on a pig” is a rhetorical expression, used to convey the message that making superficial or cosmetic changes is a futile attempt to disguise the true nature of a product” – Wikipedia

When I first read the latest “Mayor’s Bulletin” (Jan. 2014), responding to my editorial article in the Eastern Hills Journal on the financial status of the Village, the “lipstick on a pig” phrase came to mind. The numbers and information presented in the bulletin certainly make the financial picture look rosy and solid to the untrained eye. But let’s look a little closer at what’s been presented, or better, what has not been presented.

The article touts the ending 2013 General Fund reserves increased $44,000 over 2012. Back in July 2013, the Village Clerk was projecting 2013 and 2014 to be deficit years but the mayor announced in a budget meeting a future estate tax receipt of $318,000 which would offset the deficit. The actual estate tax numbers for the 2013 were $246,195 in the General Fund and $146,334 in the Permanent Improvement Fund, or $392,529 total. If not for these estate tax infusions, the General Fund would have again incurred deficit spending as the Clerk projected, in the amount of $201,826 and the reserves would have been $1,114,278 at the end of 2013 instead of the stated $1,360,473 (an 18.1% difference). But left unsaid, based on current spending trends, is what will the General Fund reserve look like at the end of 2014, 2015 and 2016? No comments are made or numbers presented in the article about the future outlook and financial projections now that the estate tax is gone. Just the ending figures for 2013 are shown, a point in time, not a trend or forecast.

The Permanent Improvement Fund was highlighted in the article as a financial strength of the Village. Without the estate tax infusion of 2013, this fund would have been $569,119 rather than the $715,453 shown (a 20.5% difference). What is left unsaid is this fund can be used only for capital improvements and not for services such as police, fire and general operations. It’s the operating costs that are paid by the General Fund that is the major problem, not capital improvements. Although this fund is portrayed as being strong, left unstated are the payments for the new fire truck and the effect these will have on the amount of reserves. The remaining cost of the fire truck purchase alone is about $260,000 a year in 2014 and 2015 against a levy that brought in average revenue of $350,000 the last two years. That leaves about $90,000 a year available for all other capital improvements and equipment. (The article states the fund is used for “street improvements, trees, swimming pool, tennis courts, Municipal Building, etc.“)  These categories have averaged about $350,000 in expenditures over the last four years. And council just supported a $248,000 street improvement project for 2014, on top of paying the next installment payment for the fire truck. Are we going to defer street repairs, our tree program, our pool or our parks to pay for the new fire truck or will the $715,000 reserve at the end of 2013 just steadily drop in the next several years? Difficult decisions are ahead.

The article states “Always Looking Toward the Future.”  With 2013 being the last time estate taxes will be received, there is still a looming shortfall in General Fund revenues. Many of the new sources identified in the article have already been included in the 2013 revenue (one or two Greiwe condo buildings and the earnings taxes on those residents and 100 Kellogg’s employees). The article also identifies the Waldorf School as an additional revenue source for real estate taxes but the school is a non-profit tax-exempt institution. Without estate taxes or additional revenue streams, the General Fund reserve is going to start dropping unless spending is cut or taxes raised.

The article next identifies “Steps Taken to Reduce Expenses.” It speaks to actions taken but not to the results of those actions. It states that over the past several years, staff was reduced from 25 full-time employees to 20. However, in the July 8, 2013 Budget Meeting Minutes the number was stated as 18. One would expect wage and benefit costs would have decreased significantly with a 20% reduction in staff. But Village Annual Financial Statements show Wage & Benefit costs in the General Fund jumped from $2,252,970 in 2012 to $2,466,767 in 2013, a 9.5% increase. Even if one looks at the last three years, the reduction in staff still resulted in an increase of 12.2%.

The article further states three additional full-time firefighter positions were eliminated and the police chief and fire chief positions were consolidated as a step taken to reduce expenses, saving $200,000. A review of firefighter wages and benefits shows General Fund expenses dropped $112,042 between 2009 and 2013 and the Paramedic Fund expenses for wage and benefits dropped $59,024 for a total of $171,066. Consolidating the police and fire chief position apparently saved only $28,934. The fire chief was paid significantly more, so where did the additional savings claimed by the mayor go?

The next cost saving identified was elimination of Village employee annual incentive bonuses. The amount of money “saved” by the elimination was not identified. Incidentally, these “bonuses” were intended to reward employees for outstanding performance and not as automatic annual payouts. Despite this elimination, wage and benefit costs still continued to increase, as identified above.

In conclusion, the “Mayor’s Bulletin” article states: “As anyone can see by the ending balance on the Treasurer’s report above, the steps we have taken have been and will continue to be effective in combating the cuts made by the State.”

Really? Please pass the lipstick!

Mike Lemon
Former Mayor and Councilman

 

For more about Mariemont Finances by Mike Lemon, visit this post

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Loss of our Voting Rights: A New Ordinance

by Rich · Comments (0)
01 Feb

Loss of our Voting Rights: A New Ordinance would eliminate two elected Mariemont Officials.

The Mayor has unilaterally and with no publicity introduced an Ordinance that would eliminate two elected officials; the Village Clerk and the Village Treasurer. These positions would be consolidated into a ‘fiscal officer’ that would be a Mayor’s appointee that served at the pleasure of the Mayor and could reside outside the Village of Mariemont. This would eliminate a very important check and balance in Village Government as well as an internal mechanism for audit and the loss of an advisor to Council and the Mayor. It would greatly enhance the Mayor’s authority.

The Mayor has tried to quietly push this Ordinance through under the radar of public scrutiny. Already, two readings have occurred at Council Meetings with an intent for final passage of the Ordinance with a third reading at the Council meeting on February the 10th.  The Mayor has made no mention of the Ordinance in his December and January Mayor’s Bulletins, has not held a Civic Association meeting to discuss the Ordinance, has not aired the Ordinance in the Community Press, has not assigned it to a Council Committee for consideration and, if you listen to the ICRC videos of Council Meetings, you will note that the Ordinance is only mentioned in passing.

This is the most important piece of legislation to come before Council in many years, and I encourage all concerned residents to e-mail or phone their representatives to at least delay passage until there has been thorough discussion of the measure within the Village of Mariemont.  We welcome comments on the Mariemont.com blog from all Mariemonters.

At the Council meeting on 2/10/2014, the Ordinance was passed unanimously by the Council after the third reading without discussion.

Village Contacts

Dennis Wolter, District 1, dwolter@mariemont.org

Joe Miller, District 2, jmiller@mariemont.org

Eric Marsland, District 3, emarsland@gmail.com

Maggie Palazzolo, District 4, magpal00@gmail.com

Mary Ann Schwartz, District 5,  maschwartz51@gmail.com

Jim Tinkham, District 6, jimtinkham@yahoo.com

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Ohio Community Governments Struggle

by Rich · Comments (0)
12 Jan

An opinion piece in the Enquirer on January 9th cut to the crux of the financial problems facing local governments in Ohio. Dusty Rhodes, the Hamilton County Auditor, and Greg Harris, a former Cincinnati councilman, provided the insightful commentary. Both agreed that the State of Ohio has a budget surplus at the expense of local governments.

Mr. Rhodes feels that the current State Administration and a compliant Legislature is encouraging local governments to “tighten our belts” with “shared services” and “conservative government.” He goes on to say, however, that the vast majority of local governments are operating conservatively and have already tightening their belts and sharing services whenever positive.

Mr. Harris contends that in Ohio the operation of local governments is antiquated pointing out that Hamilton County alone has 48 local governments. In 2009, he notes that Hamilton County taxpayers spent $275 million on 48 fully equipped police departments, some of which cover areas less than 1 square mile.  He goes on to say that this overlap of services creates self-defeating jurisdictional issues that are reinforced by the political clout of entrenched power that holds tremendous sway over local elections.

The elimination of estate taxes and certain property taxes will dramatically shrink the revenue streams of all local governments in Ohio. As was pointed out in a November editorial on the Mariemont.com blog, the Village of Mariemont during the past ten years collected $3,370,347 in estate taxes and that if there had been no estate tax, the Village would be $2,054,243 in debt at the end of 2012 rather than having $1,316,104 in reserves.

These figures provide a look into the magnitude of the problem and a recent article in the Eastern Hills Journal revealed that recently the Mariemont Council had to approve a $390,000 appropriation to cover its budgetary shortfall in 2013. These numbers bring into stark focus the squandered opportunity to form a JEDZ with Columbia Township and the need for our leaders to become proactive in producing a balanced budget. Shared and consolidated services may become the only option other than higher taxes, which in Mariemont are already some of the highest in Hamilton County.

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Electric Aggregation – Compelling Financial Benefits

by Rich · Comments (0)
03 Jan

Electric Aggregation – Why haven’t the residents of Mariemont reaped the financial benefits? 

Since 2001, when Ohio Electric Choice began, consumers have been able to purchase electricity from retail providers/suppliers other than their traditional utility companies. In addition, local governments have been able to form aggregated groups of residents to purchase electric power at discounted rates. A subsequent plethora of mailings and phone calls of offerings from alternative suppliers for lower electric rates became very confusing for the average homeowner. As a result, many owners began looking to their elected officials to take the lead and ensure they were receiving fair rates and service. Many jurisdictions throughout the state responded by choosing to offer an alternative option for residents to save money, forming aggregation programs.

To begin an aggregation program, a community must be certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. This is accomplished through a ballot initiative. If approved by the voters, local government negotiates a favorable rate with a qualified energy supplier of electricity and makes it available to residents. Those citizens who participate typically save between 10 and 15 percent on their electric bills.

In July 2012, Mariemont Councilman Cortney Scheeser made a recommendation to council to explore the possibility of electric aggregation after talking to an electric aggregation broker about the concept and process. The mayor assigned the topic to the Council Finance Committee in July. The committee held meetings October 8 and November 12 in 2012 but never submitted a report to council on its recommendations after meeting with the broker. The topic lingered on the council agenda for months and months. It was removed from the agenda late in 2013, after fifteen months or more, with no action by the mayor, finance committee or council.

As a separate transaction, the mayor and the finance committee chairman met with the broker and signed an agreement to lower electric rates for Village structures, ignoring the opportunity to lower rates for residents and businesses! A new 2-year contract was recently signed at a rate of 5.45 cents/kilowatt hour but no steps were taken toward a residential aggregation program.

Many Hamilton County communities have chosen to implement aggregation for the benefit of their residents and businesses. Here is a sampling of communities with electric aggregation (all at 4.5 cents per kilowatt hour) and their cost savings to residents and businesses in the first ten months of 2013:

Community        Savings               
Amberley Village $228,592
Cheviot $ 246,739
Columbia Twp. $154,176
Glendale $157,750
Green Twp. $1,397,462
Indian Hill $ 457,410
Lockland $141,653
Springdale $387,648

These are real savings going to residents and businesses in their respective communities. As an illustration, Columbia Township has saved participating residents $134 per household and $1,793 per business just in the first ten months of 2013.

How much money could Village leaders have saved the residents of Mariemont if they had acted promptly on Councilman Scheeser’s recommendation? How much longer will it be before Village leadership takes steps to implement aggregation and by conservative estimate, save the Village’s residents and businesses over $300,000 per year? Who is asleep at the switch?

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