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Home > Blogs > Greene County News > Archives > 2009 > January
January 2009
Trip from Lebanon to Xenia not so tender this week
I’ve been tenderized. Nearly every weekday I make the 26 mile trip from my home in Lebanon to the Greene County seat in Xenia.
It normally takes about 35 minutes if I travel the speed limit, which I usually do. Not this week. U.S. 42 has been a sheet of ice and snow since Tuesday evening and travel on it has been a challenge at 25 miles per hour.
Thursday morning a trip up to Beavercreek up U.S. 42 and 35 took well over an hour. Friday the situation was nearly as bad.
The problem? Rock hard ice immovable by man or machine. Driving 42 between Lebanon and Spring Valley is like being whacked repeatedly with a meat mallet. A few others who have made the trip compared it to “driving through a corn field” or “over frozen gravel.”
So after being tenderized a few times I decided to call an old colleague of mine now at the Ohio Department of Transportation District 8 to see who’s responsible for clearing my most traveled stretch of roadway.
“It’s us,” Spokeswoman Sharon Smigielski said right off the bat. It had to be the thousandth time she’d answered such a question this week.
Sharon went on to explain clearing the ice compacted to some area roads has been a difficult to impossible job for the nearly 18 crews at work in Warren and Greene counties. “It’s real tough on the equipment. Plows break,” she said.
I can sympathize. I think my car is going to need an alignment and new shocks after a few more trips up and down that road. Hopefully, the sun will be out this weekend to help clear up some of that ice and give those snow plow drivers working 18-hour days a much needed break.
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Sheriff’s deputies search for tractor supply robber
XENIA — Sheriff’s deputies are searching for the man they have on surveillance video snatching money from the register at a tractor supply store Jan. 27.
The man, described as 6’ 1” with a goatee and University of Kentucky hat, entered the Tractor Supply Company along U.S. 35 in Beavercreek Twp. at 6:55 p.m.
He looked around the store for a few minutes before paying for a candy bar with a five dollar bill. As the register was open the man grabbed money and ran out.
Police have not released the amount of cash he fled with in a red sedan. No weapon was used and their were no injuries. Anyone with information can contact sheriff’s deputies at (937) 562-4800.
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Bellbrook tavern making a splash
For those who haven’t been there since Al’s Dinwiddies became McIntosh’s Pub & Grub, the tavern that has long been a Bellbrook staple is holding its first special event under new ownership.
On Saturday night, Jan. 31, McIntosh’s is holding its First Time Ever Band Bash, with the group Five O’Clock Friday performing at 9 p.m.
Kerry McIntosh bought the tavern at 6 E. Franklin St. from Alison Sublett-Davis in July and has since invested in new paint, carpet and TVs.
They’ll be showing it off Saturday night.
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Xenia schools to give bond issue a second try
XENIA — School board members will vote Feb. 9 to put a bond issue request for additional tax dollars to build and renovate schools before voters in May.
The decision comes after voters easily defeated a combined bond and income tax request in November that would have raised $80 million. The district needs to raise that money to participate in a $127 million building plan approved by the Ohio School Facilities Commission.
A community survey found voters found board members were unable to adequately communicate the need for the money over the volume of the presidential race, according to school officials.
The district’s building plan, which includes nearly $50 million in state tobacco money, has at its centerpiece a new high school on land south of the city on U.S. 42. Board members are planning a widespread “grassroots campaign” in the run up to the May vote.
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Most drivers handling the snow well
A lot of people say Ohioans overreact to snowstorms. “Just drive slower and brake early and you won’t have any problems,” they grumble.
Bellbrook and Sugarcreek Twp. drivers have apparently been listening.
As of 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, police in both jurisdictions said they hadn’t responded to a single traffic crash, on the day of the year’s biggest snowstorm so far.
Pat yourself on the back … just not while you’re driving.
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Digging out begins across the county
XENIA — After “terrible” road conditions this morning, Jan. 28, brought on ice and snow, Greene County officials are working to make the evening commute a little easier for those who made it to work.
Colin Lamb, Greene County Roads superintendent, said crews would concentrate on primary streets before getting to secondary roads to clear up to 10 inches of snow and ice that fell in the last two days. The county cares for 660 lane miles of roadway.
Conditions went from bad to worse this morning after night time ice gave way to morning snow making roads nearly impassable in some areas. County Sheriff Gene Fischer declared a Level 2 Snow Emergency, ordering drivers only to travel if absolutely necessary.
Despite the poor travel conditions, police in the county have reported few accidents, none of which are serious.
Weather forced municipal courts in Xenia and Fairborn to close for the day and the Greene County Courthouse to affectively cease operations for the day.
The storm also impacted local businesses. The Greene in Beavercreek pushed back opening times first to noon and then 4 p.m. because of the weather.
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Bellbook, Sugarcreek work through the snow
With a manager named Adam Snowden, perhaps it was little surprise that Bellbrook’s Blue Berry Cafe opened on time during the snowstorm Wednesday morning, Jan. 28.
The snow was heavy and the streets were slick, but much of Bellbrook and Sugarcreek Twp. went about their business as usual Wednesday.
Bellbrook snowplows made pass after pass on Franklin Street, while Greene County and Sugarcreek Twp. trucks fanned out to hit other roadways.
At 9 a.m. Wednesday, neither Bellbrook nor Sugarcreek Twp. had any traffic accidents to report, perhaps helped by the lighter traffic volume, as schools were closed.
Snowden said the Blue Berry did a decent breakfast business Wednesday, although, “almost everybody who has come in here had a 4x4 truck,” he said.
Dot’s Market manager Rob Bernhard said the grocery store had fewer customers than usual, after seeing heavy traffic the two days before the storm. Dot’s did get a little excitement Wednesday, as one customer turned in a $10,000 winning lottery ticket.
City and township offices remained open Wednesday.
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Greene County declares Level 2 Snow Emergency
XENIA —; Snow and ice continued to make travel dangerous across Greene County Wednesday, Jan. 28, forcing the sheriff to declare a Level 2 Snow Emergency.
That means motorist should only drive if absolutely necessary. It’s a good thing too, because County Roads Superintendent Colin Lamb says streets are in “terrible” shape.
“Road conditions are terrible,” he said. “And now we are getting hammered with snow.
Crews have been working 12 hour shifts since yesterday to clear the 660 lane miles in the county. Lamb was hopeful his crews could begin improving road conditions once snow lets up around midday.
It appears drivers were taking safety officials Tuesday advice to heart and are slowing down because Ohio Highway Patrol troopers are responding to numerous cars off the road, but no serious accidents.
The weather was also forcing business owners to alter their operating schedules. The Greene in Beavercreek announced it would open at 4 p.m. today because of the hazardous driving conditions.
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Dress collection to aid women at need
CEDARVILLE — A local university student is collecting prom and bridesmaid dress to help at risk women in the Dominican Republic.
Cristin Murschel, a Spanish major at the college, has partnered with faculty member Joy Fagan and the are collecting gowns for Dress for Success.
Murschel said she decided to start the collection after meeting suffering women in San Pedro de Macoris.
Murschel and Fagan have collected 350 dresses so far. To donate contact Fagan at faganj@cedarville.edu or 937-766-7753, or drop off dresses to Room 249 in the Center for Biblical and Theological Studies.
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Fairborn re-instates assistant manager spot
FAIRBORN — After a handful of years without one, city leaders have re-instated the position of assistant city manager.
Council members voted earlier this month to add the position and City Manager Deborah McDonnell hopes to have a candidate working by early summer. The proposed salary range is $64,000 to $89,000.
“It will be someone dedicated to economic development,” McDonnell said. “We have a lot of opportunities coming our way and we need the resources to put towards that.”
The position was eliminated prior to McDonnell joining the city in 2007 and she said council members have told her they were sorry they got rid of the assistant manager’s spot.
Now, if the manager is out of town, the fire or police chief must fill in. The city plans to advertise for the economic development based position this spring, she said.
The community development department, which handles planing, zoning and code enforcement, currently also oversees attracting new businesses. Under McDonnell’s plan, the new assistant manager would take over economic development leaving the development staff to work on revitalization.
“One of the things we have to do as a community is clean ourselves up and present a better face,” McDonnell said.
Fairborn, like many Miami Valley Communities, wants to gain all it can from the new jobs and residents expected to be created by the Base Realignment and Closure legislation that will begin to impact the region next year.
McDonnell, who worked in economic development in upstate New York before coming to the city, has repeatedly pushed for better property maintenance, grants for facade repair and other measures to shine up the city and attract new businesses and residents.
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Teen mom released from jail
XENIA — The Beavercreek teen whose baby died after being born at home has been released after serving one month of a six-month sentence.
Greene County Common Pleas Court Judge J. Timothy Campbell signed the order releasing Katherine Waugh just before lunch Monday, Jan.26. Her lawyer, John Paul Rion, filed the motion requesting her release Jan. 8.
Waugh pleaded guilty in October to one count of child endangering in deal with prosecutors who recommended the Carroll High School graduate serve probation.
Two days before Christmas Campbell sentenced Waugh to up to six months in the county jail after a pre-sentencing investigation by the county probation department found she lacked remorse over the March 21 death of her daughter, Kylie Nicole Waugh.
Probation officers recommended Waugh spend four years in the women’s prison in Marysville because of her attitude and lack of regret. Stephen K. Haller, county prosecutor, said he believed Campbell didn’t want to throw Waugh “to the wolves” at Marysville and instead sentenced her to county jail.
At her sentencing hearing Dec. 23 Waugh repeatedly told Campbell she was sorry for the infant’s death. “It’s my fault. It’s hard for me still to talk about. No parent would ever do something like that,” she said.
Paramedics found Kylie Nicole swaddled in a blanket on Waugh’s bed at her home on Dayton-Xenia Road after her parents called 911. Waugh concealed her pregnancy from her parents and teachers and gave birth in her bathroom. She only told her mother about the child in the parking lot of a local hospital. An autopsy ruled the cause and manner of death “undetermined.”
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Mental health board names new leader
XENIA — The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Clark, Greene and Madison counties announced this morning, Jan. 26, that is has named Kent Youngman it’s new president.
Youngman and the rest of the board will likely be embarking on a levy campaign later this year after Greene County voters turned down a request in November.
Here’s the press release announcing Youngman’s appointment:
Dr. Joseph Keferl, Chairperson, announced the selection of Kent Youngman as the new President and CEO of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Clark, Greene and Madison Counties.
Dr. Youngman has been with the MHRB for ten years, initially as the Vice-President for Programs and most recently as Assistant CEO. Prior to working for the board, Dr. Youngman was the Director of Mental Health Services at the Greene County Educational Services Center in Yellow Springs.
“The MHRB is pleased to have Kent as the CEO for the Board. We are in a challenging environment that calls for fresh, new leadership, collaboration, and partnerships within our communities. We are confident that Kent can provide the leadership we need to effectively serve those in the three county area who need help with mental health and drug and alcohol problems,” said Dr. Keferl at a recent day-long planning retreat.
The MHRB is responsible for planning, monitoring and evaluating mental health and alcohol and drug prevention and treatment services in Clark, Greene and Madison Counties.
“Our goal is to provide the highest quality, most cost-effective services to a vulnerable population,” said Roger Roberts, a Board member from Madison County who chairs the Alcohol/Drug Committee of the Board. Judy Hoy, Vice-Chairperson of the MHRB, stated that “Kent brings the expertise we need to design services and allocate dollars that meet the needs of the many people who receive services from contract providers of the Board.”
The MHRB is engaged in a strategic planning process that involves reviewing community needs, setting goals and objectives, discussing priorities in light of budget cuts and generating new ways to work more closely with service providers, community partners and those who benefit from MHRB services. Board members met on Saturday, January 17 to begin the planning process and will meet again at the end of February.
Dr. Youngman received his doctorate from the University of Cincinnati and has been adjunct faculty at Wright State University in the Department of Human Services since 1999. He has also been a probation officer and worked in a private practice. He is active with the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities. He lives in Beavercreek.
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Beavercreek receives financial award
BEAVERCREEK —State Auditor Mary Taylor will be at the Walnut Grove County Club today to speak to the Beavercreek rotary and while she’s there she will present school Superintendent Dennis Morrison and Treasure Stephen Maag with an award.
The honor is to recognize the districts effective use of taxpayer money, according to Taylor’s staffers.
Beavercreek voters just approved an $84 million bond issue request in November to build and renovate schools in the growing district.
Last night board members apparently decided to hold off on asking for a renewal of a small permanent improvement levy until at least November. The measure is set to expire next year and has been renewed by voters three previous times.
The 20-year-old tax issue raises about $800,000 for the district to buy books, buses and other improvements.
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Humane society offering discounted spay/neuter
XENIA — The Humane Society of Greene County is offering discounted spay/neuter certificates during the month of February.
While certificates are always available, February’s discounted rates are in honor of Spay Day USA 2009 a national campaign to inspire people to spay and neuter their pets.Â
The certificates apply to cats or dogs adopted from the Greene County Animal Shelter. In 2008, over 1,300 cats and dogs were spayed or neutered through the efforts of the Humane Society of Greene County, which is a volunteer non-profit organization.Â
To see if you qualify for one of their programs, call 937-376-3001. For more information, visit their web site at: www.humanesocietygreenecounty.com
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MVRPC backs Bellbrook-Spring Valley bikeway
The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission included the Bellbrook-Spring Valley bikeway connector among the seven projects it recommended for federal funding for the government’s 2010 fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1.
The bikeway would link Bellbrook (at Sackett-Wright Park) with the well-established Little Miami Scenic Trail in Spring Valley. The routing of the bikeway is still an issue, as some property owners have said they are opposed.
The MVRPC recommended $4.7 million in federal funding for the $6 million project. Final MVRPC recommendations will be given to the region’s congressional delegation in March, so the delegation can promote the projects in Washington for funding.
Also on the MVRPC’s federal funding request list was $10 million for work on U.S. 35 interchanges in the Beavercreek area.
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Inaugural address touches CSU students, faculty
WILBERFORCE — About 200 Central State University students sat in quiet awe as President Barack Obama laid out plans for his presidency.
For many it was a sight they never thought they would see in their lifetimes — an African American taking the oath of office and giving an inaugural address.
“I’m just speechless. There are not words to describe what I’m feeling right now,” said Lee Ingham, an administrator at the college. “I never thought (I’d see this), but after Barack Obama I began to believe.”
The historical significance wasn’t lost on the young students. Jeremy Jones, an 18-year-old from Chicago, said a few short years ago he wouldn’t have believed Obama’s election was possible.
“I’m very proud to see an African American sworn into office,” he said. “All the struggles we went through, we finally have the opportunity.”
Students Kamaria Pernell, of Dayton, and Toniesha Payne, of Columbus, recalled a phrase they heard from a history professor that originally came from the lyrical mind of hip hop artist Jay-Z.
“Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King Jr. could walk, so Barack Obama could run, so we can fly,” Payne said. “I think that says it all.”
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Community theater renovating new home
XENIA — After floating from venue to venue in the first years of it’s infancy XACT, the Xenia Area Community Theater, has a permanent place to dim the house lights.
Work is well underway to transform a historic building that was last home to a Harley Davidson dealership into a performance space and thrift store to help support operations.
Staff photo by Teesha McClam“We thought it was a good empty space downtown,” said Alan King, a member of the XACT board. “We really wanted to be downtown.”
It almost didn’t happen. Read why in the 1/22 Greene County Neighbors edition.
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Best sled-riding hills in Greene County?
If the weather forecast is right (always a gamble), we probably won’t see snow again until next week.
But last week’s snowfall got me wondering — what are the best sled-riding hills in Greene County?
Is there one spot that draws crowds every time we get more than a dusting? Does Beavercreek have better spots than Fairborn or Xenia or Bellbrook?
If you’ve got a favorite spot, or one that you went to as a kid, post your comment on this blog.
If anyone has a photo to back up the claim, send it to jkelley@daytondailynews.com, and we’ll post it with this item.
Happy sledding!
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Main Elementary students have a limo lunch
BEAVERCREEK — Staff photographer Teesha McClam took a ride with some elementary students who won a lunch and a ride in a limo for being the top sellers in a school fundraiser. Here’s one of the pictures she took:
Main Elementary third graders Camryn Locner, Hanna Purdin and Erica Jones and other classmates check out the limo before they go to lunch at Wendy’s on Dayton-Xenia Rd Monday January 12. A total of 15 students from Main Elementary School were top sellers in the school’s Midland Fundraiser and won a limo ride, from CSA Heritage, to Wendy’s on Dayton-Xenia Rd during lunchtime for a meal. The school raised around $10,000 from the fundraiser. Staff Photo by Teesha McClamSee some more photos in the 1/22 edition of Greene County Neighbors.
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Beavercreek junior embarks on inaugural trip
BEAVERCREEK — Nandini Srinivasan and her sister Malavika will soon have “stories to tell the grand kids,” despite still being in school.
To be accurate, Malavika already has hers. She was one of a quarter million supporters who gathered in Chicago’s Grant Park on election night to her President-Elect Barack Obama’s victory speech.
“Nandini’s sister is who got us involved in with Obama and the campaign,” said the Beavercreek junior’s mother, Sunan.
Now, Nandini is headed on her own historic trip to Washington D.C. to watch Obama be sworn in as the first African-American president as part of the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference.
“Malavika is pretty jealous,” said Nandini, with a smile.
The group of young leaders left for the capital Saturday and will have a whirlwind tour of the city in four days. Plans include speeches by Colin Powell, Al Gore and Desmond Tutu, a tour of the Capital Mall, and the Black Tie Gala.
Of course, there’s also the inauguration itself, reportedly one of the hardest tickets to get, ever.
“To be there in that atmosphere should be pretty incredible,” Nandini said. “It’s just been a milestone election.”
Nandini said she hopes to learn more about the direction Obama will take as a president from his inaugural speech.
“Being there, I hope to get a feel for how the administration will work,” she said. “Barack Obama has a lot to do.”
The historical significance of the event isn’t lost on the Beavercreek teen or her family. Both her mother, Sunan, and father, Raghu, immigrated to the U.S. from India having never voted in an election because they were too young.
“It’s just exciting for us as immigrants and as citizens of this country,” Raghu said. His wife Sunan added: “It’s the icing on the cake of a momentous part of history.”
Although Nandini says she’ll study astrophysics after high school, she believes Obama’s win will open many doors for many different people.
“For so long the world has been run by, well, old white men,” Nandini said. “This is paving the road for more Indian-Americans in government.”
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MLK day event planned at Wilberforce museum
The National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center in Wilberforce will hold Has the Dream Been Realized? with Rev. Charles S. Brown, a student of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Event is at the museum Jan. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. 1350 Brush Row Road in Wilberforce, Ohio. Regular museum hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Closed on Mondays, except Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Observance.
Call Valena Randolph at (937)376-4944 x 115 for information.
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Snow-day rules fuzzy about early dismissal
I wrote recently about Sugarcreek Schools’ snow-day decision-making process, with Superintendent Keith St. Pierre saying safety would trump schedule concerns no matter how many days had to be canceled.
But the district faced an interesting schedule decision Thursday, Jan. 15.
The schools had a one-hour early dismissal planned for that day. When it became clear a few days ahead of time that there might be a 2-hour delay due to cold, the district saw that an already shortened day could be cut almost in half.
Students, parents and staff were notified that if a 2-hour delay was called, the early dismissal would be canceled. And that’s what happened Thursday.
St. Pierre said a big part of that move was because teachers and students needed more time in school with this being exam week, but he said there was also a state regulation angle.
There are minimums as far as the number of classroom hours required for a day to count, and St. Pierre said he was aware that Sugarcreek would have been right near the edge of those rules with a delay and early dismissal.
Kettering schools faced the same dilemma but did not cancel their early dismissal.
Ohio Department of Education spokesman Scott Blake said cases like these are evaluated individually, but if the early dismissal was for certain types of staff development activity, the schools would probably be OK, and the day would count.
Sugarcreek didn’t take that chance, so their day counted for sure.
Not a bad move, since school was canceled Friday, leaving the district only one more calamity day before it would have to add a day to the end of the year.
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Supporters line up to fight for drama teacher
BEAVERCREEK — High school drama students created quite a scene over the dismissal of their director during the Thursday, Jan. 15, school board meeting.
Dozens of drama students, their parents and friends came to the meeting in support of Dawn Stamper, drama and English teacher, whose supplemental contract to direct the spring musical was dropped in December. She remains a teacher at the high school.
“Our theater department is one of the best in the state and the nation, not in spite of Dawn Stamper, but because of her,” said Korteney Kamaka, a former student who was one of nearly 40 in attendance at the meeting trying to convince the board to revisit their decision.
Thursday’s meeting was just part of a month-long effort by students and others to get Stamper re-instated. Letters in support of her have appeared in area newspapers, more than 400 people belong to a forum on the social networking Web site Facebook and students delivered petitions with more than 1,000 signatures to school officials.
Students have repeatedly pushed board member to give a reason for not renewing Stamper’s supplemental contract, but the board has refused because members say the matter is confidential and was discussed in closed session.
Stamper also will not elaborate on the reasons she was given for the contract as director not being renewed because she plans to fight the decision through her union.
Stamper called the reasons “vague” and unfair considering her productions have been nationally recognized. “It’s like a football coach taking a team to state and then being fired the next year,” she said.
Stamper wept as student after student spoke on her behalf. Then she addressed the board. “It goes without saying your decision not to renew my contract was devastating to me,” she said.
In response to a public records request by the Dayton Daily News, school officials are expected to release Stamper’s personnel file and any documents about her performance as director that the district finds “constitute public records” next week that may shed more light on the situation.
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Crowd expected at Beavercreek school board meeting
BEAVERCREEK — The high school drama department is expected to bring a little unexpected action to tonight’s school board meeting.
Members of the drama department and others say they will be at the meeting to speak in support of Dawn Stamper, and English and drama teacher whose supplemental contract to direct the spring musical the board voted not to renew.
The board made the decision before Christmas and since then members of Stamper’s classes and productions over the past six years, as well as parents, have pressed district officials to revisit their decision.
Letters in support of Stamper have appeared on local newspaper editorial pages, a page made up of more than 400 supporters appeared on the social networking site Facebook and students say they gathered nearly 1,000 signatures on petitions to have the instructor reinstated.
Stamper said she was given “vague” reasons for the contract not being renewed and she plans to fight the decision through her teachers union.
Stamper said her dismissal from the drama department doesn’t make sense after her productions have been nationally recognized. “It’s like a football coach taking a team to state and then being fired the next year,” she said.
In response to a public records request from Dayton Daily News asking to view Stamper’s personnel file and correspondence regarding her performance as drama instructor, Nicholas Subashi, school district attorney, said Stamper’s personnel file and any documents that the district found “constitute public records” would be released next week.
Meanwhile, students and parents said they planned to speak during the public input portion of tonight’s 7 p.m. school board meeting at 3040 Kemp Road in Beavercreek.
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More foreclosure help on the way
XENIA — Greene County Commissioners decided Tuesday, Jan. 13, to update the county mortgage assistance program in hopes more people will apply for the help.
Commissioners voted to change the now available $5,000 loan for homeowners behind on their mortgages to a $5,000 grant.
Since the program was instituted in 2007, 25 homeowners have requested applications, but only three loans have been made by the county department of development, said Melanie Brammer.
“The loan just isn’t working,” Brammer said. She added that homeowners already behind on a loan likely don’t want to add another one.
The county has $105,000 left of the original $120,000 of state funds granted to the county. The money must be spent by June 30.
In order to qualify for the grant homeowners must meet one of the following criteria as the reason for being behind on payments: Recent divorce, death of head of household or spouse, job loss, major illness or predatory lending.
Applicants must also show they can make their mortgage payments moving forward. Applications for the up to $5,000 grants will be considered on a first come first serve basis, Brammer said. The three outstanding loans will be converted into grants.
Commissioners also agreed Tuesday to be the lead agency for the disbursement of funds from the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 which will help municipalities offset the impact of foreclosures. Read more about that program in the 1/22 Neighbors edition. Or contact the department of development at 937-562-5642.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Fairborn, Sugarcreek, Xenia, Yellow Springs
Parks’ Family Swap? It’s not what you think
It sounds like a cheesy reality TV show, but it’s actually a nice park district event.
The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District is hosting the Family Swap program the next few days at the Community Center, 2751 Washington Mill Road.
You can’t trade in your brother, but you can bring family books, CDs and DVDs (up to a PG-13 rating) to the Community Center by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14.
For each item donated, you’ll get a ticket good for you to choose an item that another person has turned in.
The actual swap, where you get to pick your new item(s), is set for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15.
Any donations that aren’t claimed in the swap will be given to charity.
For information on any Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District program, call (937) 848-3535 or visit www.bellbrooksugarcreekparks.org.
And for information on swapping families, watch ABC on Friday nights.
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Bellbrook Fire likely headed to May ballot
It looks like the May 5 ballot is about to get even more crowded in Bellbrook and Sugarcreek Twp.
In its pre-meeting work session Monday, Jan. 12, Bellbrook City Council discussed the need to put a fire operations levy on the ballot. Without an additional levy, the city would continue transferring money from the general fund to pay for fire service.
Council did not take any official action, but all six members present in the work session agreed on the need for additional funding, with most of them leaning toward a 2-mill levy. That would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an extra 61.25 per year.
City Manager Mark Schlagheck said council will have to approve a resolution for the levy at its Jan. 26 meeting in order to start the process of getting on the May 5 ballot.
Three groups whose levy efforts failed in November are likely to be on the May ballot as well.
The Sugarcreek School Board has already approved a levy for May, asking voters for a no-increase renewal of the 9-mill property tax levy, changing it from a 5-year term to a continuous levy.
Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District officials have not finalized their plans, but Director Jeff Stewart said he expects the parks to put a replacement levy on the May 5 ballot that would cost property owners $1 more per $100,000.
And Sugarcreek Twp. trustees are expected to decide at their Jan. 20 meeting which type of fire levy to put on the ballot.
What levels of service and funding do Bellbrook and Sugarcreek voters believe are appropriate?
We’ll find out in a few months.
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Water line installation stops traffic
BEAVERCREEK TWP., Greene County — Patience pays when traveling Dayton-Xenia Road east of the city limits, where infrastructure work is stopping traffic.
Workers are well into a $3.3 million project to install new water mains along Dayton-Xenia to improve the county water system.
Jeffrey Hissong, sanitary engineering director, said the new raw water and treated drinking water mains will provide a loop along Trebein Road up to subdivisions near Fairground Road.
Work has been underway for weeks, but has just begun affecting traffic, with a temporary light being used around the installation sites.
The project, expected to be completed in June, is one of millions of dollars worth approved by the county commission in the past 18 months to improve the water system in and around Beavercreek.
Other work includes, new wells, more transmission lines and expansion of the Southwest Regional Water Treatment Plant in Beavercreek.
Commissioners also agreed Jan. 6 to solicit bids to replace a sewage lift station in Beavercreek along Indian Ripple Road.
The lift station is part of the Greater Greene-Little Miami Sewer District served by a treatment plant in Sugarcreek Twp. undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion with the help of Montgomery County.
Replacement of the lift station on Indian Ripple is expected to cost $500,000 and will include replacing 3,500 feet of sewage transmission lines. Bids are expected to be opened in February, and the project could begin later this year.
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Centerville, Sugarcreek still fighting over Dille case
Lawyers for Sugarcreek Twp., Centerville and the Dille family spent 3 1/2 hours before Greene County Magistrate George Reynolds on Monday, Jan. 12, arguing their motions for summary judgment in the Dille annexation case.
The Dilles’ 270 acres along Wilmington Pike near Feedwire Road and I-675 were annexed from Sugarcreek to Centerville in 2006, but Sugarcreek says the annexation was improper. No construction has begun on a retail/residential complex proposed for the property.
Lawyers for Sugarcreek Twp. said in court Monday that the annexation petition was invalid, that Centerville City Council’s approval process for the annexation was improper, and that Centerville has agreed to finance the development with tax increment financing that would violate Ohio law by diverting property taxes away from the township.
Centerville’s lawyers say the fact that City Council has yet to pass any TIF legislation makes that point moot, and says previous court rulings don’t give a township legal standing to challenge an annexation that has been approved.
Reynolds said at the conclusion of the arguments that “there is no doubt in my mind” the parties could still reach a settlement, despite past failures to do so. In the meantime, he’ll rule soon on both sides’ motions for summary judgment.
Sugarcreek Twp. Administrator Barry Tiffany and Centerville City Manager Greg Horn, who were present during Monday’s oral arguments, declined comment.
If you want to see the docket for the case, go to www.co.greene.oh.us/pa/pa.htm, and enter case number 2006 cv 0784.
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No bond for 11-year fugitive
XENIA — Chi Quang Du, a fugitive for 11 years after allegedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend and her friend, will remain in the Greene County Jail without bond.
Du was arraigned in Greene County Common Pleas Court Friday, Jan. 9, on two charges of attempted aggravated murder. Magistrate Raymond Dundes ordered Du remain in the county jail and set no bond.
Du’s attorney, Tony Comunale, told Dundes he would request a hearing to review the decision to hold his client without bond. “I’m hopeful the court will set a bond,” Comunale said after the hearing.
Du was caught in Mississauga, Ontario in December where he was managing a cellular phone store. U.S. Marshals had been searching for Du and he has appeared multiple times on the television show America’s Most Wanted.
Du is accused of slitting his girlfriend’s throat and stabbing her and a friend who came to her aid multiple times in 1997. The attack occurred as the woman was leaving the Wright-Dunbar library at Wright State University.
Du was deported to Niagara Falls, New York last week and picked up Wednesday by Mark Adkins, investigator from the Greene County Prosecutor’s office.
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Township receives clean audit
BEAVERCREEK TWP., Greene County — Looks like Fiscal Officer Christy Ahrens has turned the township’s book keeping practices around.
Auditors have given the township a “clean” audit for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, according to Ahrens. Manning and Associates found no problems or weaknesses with the township’s “internal control structure.”
That’s a far cry from before Ahrens took office. State auditors were unable to audit the township’s books for 2004 and 2005 because of mistakes by previous fiscal officers.
Trustees paid an outside firm $35,000 to reconstruct the township’s finances so the state could perform its bi-annual audit.
Beavercreek Twp. has a annual budget of more than $20 million. Ahrens was appointed fiscal officer in 2006 and then elected in 2007. Trustees hired James Barone to assist Ahrens in 2007.
Read more about the audit opinion in the Jan. 15 Greene County neighbors.
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Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Merger Commission hits hurdle
Dr. Hugh Hinton of the University of Toledo, who was expected to guide a merger study for the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Merger Commission, died unexpectedly Dec. 17.
The Merger Commission spent its Wednesday, Jan. 7 meeting discussing what to do next, eventually settling on several courses of action.
While they wait to hear whether others at Toledo’s Urban Affairs Center could perform the study, commissioners are contacting other professional groups who might be able to do the work.
The commissioners also plan to review other recent merger studies to gain a mastery of the issues in play, and will work with city and township officials to create a “statement of work” or list of topics any outside study group would be expected to address.
The commission hopes to have one or more outside study groups make presentations at its next meeting, at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Sugarcreek Twp. offices, 2090 Ferry Road.
You can read more about the Merger Commission at www.mergerstudy.com.
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Used prom dresses sought for fundraiser
YELLOW SPRINGS — Prom season is a few months away, but any gently used formal gowns hanging around your closet could benefit the needy.
Donna Pitstick Haller and her daughter Anna are collecting donated dresses that will be resold in March for between $10 and $25. Proceeds benefit Starfish Inc., a nonprofit.
Dresses can be dropped off at Yellow Springs High School, 420 E. Enon Road, during school hours. Shoes, purses and jewelry also are being accepted.
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Beaver Valley Road to close
BEAVERCREEK — Beaver Valley Road will close Monday Jan. 12 for a month so workers can replace three culverts and shore up an eroding creek bank.
John Woltja, city construction inspector, said the $85,000 project needs to be completed before the roadway can be resurfaced. Money for the work comes from street maintenance funds.
The erosion problem, which is close to causing the road to fall into a creek, was discovered last summer when workers were going to repave Beaver Valley Road, Woltja said.
The road will be closed between New Germany-Trebein Road and the Interstate 675 overpass. Motorist will be detoured on New Germany-Trebein to Col. Glenn Highway to Old Yellow Springs Road.
The closure begins at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12.
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Fugitive now in county jail
XENIA — Chi Quang Du, the 11-year fugitive wanted for attempted murder who was caught in Canada last month, in now in the Greene County Jail.
Mark Adkins, investigator with the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, said he landed in Dayton with Du at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Du fled the Dayton area in 1997 after allegedly attacking his former girlfriend, Thuy T. Mai, and her friend Eric T. Borton outside Wright-Dunbar Library at Wright State University.
Mai’s throat was slit and her and Borton were stabbed repeatedly in the stomach, chest and back. Both survived.
Du faces two counts of attempted aggravated assault. He had been living in Mississauga, Ontario near Toronto where he managed a cellular phone store.
Du was arrested after police received at tip when he appeared on America’s Most Wanted. U.S. Marshals also were searching for him.
Du waived extradition and was deported to Niagara Falls, New York from Canada last week. Adkins picked him up from the Niagara County Jail in Lockport this morning.
Adkins said Du was cooperative during the transfer. An arraignment date could be set later this week.
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New business in Bellbrook
I wrote several months back about the intersection of Franklin and Main in the heart of Bellbrook having a vacant look — buildings either unoccupied or with no traffic.
Uniforms Etc sells medical uniforms and accessories.The city got a little boost when a Uniforms, Etc. store opened Monday, Jan. 5 on the first floor of 6 W. Franklin St. The store moved from Indian Ripple Road in Beavercreek.
Uniforms, Etc. sells medical uniforms from brands like Dickies, Landau and Barco, plus things like shoes and medical accessories for nurses.
I’ll have photos and details on the store in the Jan. 15 Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Neighbors section.
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New security rules aim to make courthouse safer
By Christopher Magan Staff Writer
XENIA — Greene County Common Pleas Court officials aim to make the court building a safer place in the new year by tightening restrictions on peace officers who carry weapons.
Beginning Jan. 1, law enforcement entering the court must be trained in court safety and security procedures if they wish to carry their weapons in the building, said Judge Stephen A. Wolaver.
The changes come as the Ohio Supreme Court pushes to increase courthouse safety and decrease the number of weapons in court buildings, Wolaver said.
The changes are not a mandate by the state, but a voluntary choice made by court officials.
“I think it will be safer and better for everyone with these new rules,” Wolaver said. If officers don’t want to store their weapons with court security, law enforcement officers must undergo a short training session.
The half-hour course includes a video that familiarizes officers with the courthouse, a review of security procedures, chain of command and the county sheriff’s department use of force policy, Wolaver said.
“It’s a brief and simple process,” he said.
A “vast majority” of officers who visit the court regularly have already been certified, he said.
Uncertified officers can stow their weapons with court security while they take care of their business at the courthouse.
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14 apply for Beavercreek council seat
BEAVERCREEK — Apparently having a seat on Beavercreek City Council is something aspired to by many.
Council Clerk Christine Bucheit received 14 applications by the Dec. 31 deadline to replace Councilman Jarrod Martin who has resigned after winning state office.
Martin was sworn in locally by Greene County Common Pleas Court Judge Stephen A. Wolaver Jan. 2. He will take his seat in the Ohio General Assembly as a state legislator representing Beavercreek later this month.
Beavercreek is becoming known for large fields of candidates for open seats on city council. In November 2007, 11 people ran for the four open seats on council in one of the city’s largest fields. Now 14 people are asking to be appointed to council. Clerk Bucheit said the last time council members had to appoint someone to a seat there were less than 10 applicants.
Former members of the board as well as candidates have applied for Martin’s seat. Council has 60 days from Dec. 31, when Martin’s resignation became official, to appoint someone.
Candidates are:
• David Brandenburg, a business representative with IAM and AW unions. • Antonio Corvo, cofounder of Keep Beavercreek Affordable political action committee. • Jason K. Head, sales specialist for Cox Ohio Publishing, which owns Dayton Daily News. • Brian V. Jarvis, Beavercreek Wetlands Association member and manager at Northrop Grumman Corp. • Francis R. LaSota Jr., the owner of a IT business. • Eric Marcus, Beavercreek Rotary president, former council candidate. • John R, Mitchel, former gubernatorial and congressional candidate. • Amol Soin, doctor and former Stark County Health Commission researcher. • Deborah L. Wallace, financial consultant and 2007 council candidate. • Farris L. Welsh, former city council member and regional planner. • Steven Wical, senior contracts, acquisitions and procurement manager. • Bob Wortham, planning commissioner and retired teacher.
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