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Northwest Press

January 19, 2011

EDITORIALS

LETTERS

Editor Jennie Key | jkey@communitypress.com | 853-6272

COLUMNS

Your Community newspaper serving Colerain Township, Green Township, Groesbeck, Monfort Heights, Pleasant Run, Seven Hills, White Oak

CH@TROOM

communitypress.com E-mail: northwestp

Green’s receipts more than disbursements For the year ending Dec. 31, 2010, Green Township had total receipts of $53,676,123 and total disbursements of $46,159,776. This compares with the previous years as set out is accompanied chart. One of the primary reasons for the increase in receipts was the general obligation bond issued on Feb. 9, 2010, for $9,895,000. Other major sources of funds in 2010 were the gross receipts of the tax increment equivalent fund ($25,159,982), general fund ($5,832,433), safety service levy ($3,866,848), fire levy ($3,578,739) and road & bridge levy ($1,081,134). One of the primary operating funds for Green Township is the general fund. The gross receipts

for the general fund dropped approximately $2 million from 2009. In 2010, the general fund receipts totaled $5,832,433 compared to Thomas $7,759,458 in Straus 2009. The primary reason for Community the decline was Press guest less money comcolumnist ing in from the Ohio estate tax. The estate tax income fell from $4,922,506 in 2009 to $2,625,465 in 2010. Fortunately, the township had only $4,664,650 in disbursements from the general fund in 2010.

This left a positive cash flow for the general fund in 2010. Another positive for the township is the strong increase in gross receipts from the TIF fund. The gross TIF receipts, before disbursement to the various school districts and fees, have increased from $8,960,393 in 2003 to $25,159,982 in 2010. The township netted over $8 million from the TIF in 2010. The EMS fees collected by the Green Township Fire Department have increased from $212,498 in 2003 to $1,151,509 in 2010. However, the EMS fees have somewhat leveled off in the last four years. Receipts for the Nathanael Greene Lodge increased from 2009 over 30 percent in 2010 to

CH@TROOM Palin’s politics

“I was surprised the Bengals did not hire a qualified General Manager to replace Mike Brown. Einstein said it best many years ago: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results”. IF Mike Brown were president of a company he would have been fired many years ago. Go Figure!” T.D.T.

“Why would Lewis not want to return? Where would he go? He has a sweet deal and is much loved by the team owners. People forget that all sports are games and not actually productive jobs.” J.K. “Marvin Lewis is returning, as he is not ‘too expensive,’ and because Mike Brown can control him; plain and simple. Keeping him wasn’t what was best for the Bengals, but what was best for greedy Mike Brown.” C.H. “We should have let the Bungholes got to Baltimore; we also often pay to light up an empty stadium. This make a lot of sense.” J.K. “Great decision. Coaches can only do so much. The players have to do their job at all times and not toss the blame on the coachins staff, which is a copout.” Bev S.

What is your favorite winter activity? “My favorite winter outdor activity would be going to CVG and getting on an airplane heading to Mexico.” J.R.

Year 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

PRESS

Receipts and disbursements

Receipts Disbursements $53,676,123 $46,159,776 $44,374,366 $40,041,459 $39,359,902 $36,817,043 $35,954,132 $34,044,675 $33,750,458 $31,437,257 $25,541,580 $26,171,263

61 percent of the income for Green Township’s general fund. Approximately 7 percent of Ohio estates are actually subject to the estate tax. Ohio does not collect an estate tax unless the estate’s net taxable value is greater than $338,333. Eighty percent of every dollar Ohio collects in estate taxes is returned to the city, village or township where the person lived. Thomas J. Straus is the Green Township fiscal officer.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

What is your reaction to Marvin Lewis returning as the Bengals head coach?

“Marvin Lewis should have been let go. And Carson Palmer. I am one of a few that support Mike Brown. He owns the team. He can do whatever he wants to do. It is not his fault that the team lost more games than they won. I haven’t seen him or Marvin Lewis donning a uniform and and running for a touchdown. They are the bosses, with Brown in command. To be honest with you, I don’t care for football. I’ll watch it sometimes, but I can’t get caught up in all the hype associated with winning, playoffs, superbowl.In fact, I tell people around me: I hate football!” J.E.T.

$416,429. This is the fourth straight year there has been an increase in receipts for the lodge. Even though there have been many positives in the last year for Green Township, the budget problems confronting the state of Ohio, along with almost every state, raises some serious financial concerns. Possible legislation to end the Ohio estate tax would have a major impact on the township’s general fund. Also, elimination or reduction of the Local Government Fund by the State would also have a serious impact on the Township without some additional revenue sources. The Ohio estate tax receipts and the local government fund account for approximately

@community

GARY LANDERS/STAFF

The return of Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has many fans questioning the team’s committment to winning.

I hope the people who applaud Sarah Palin and her radical political ideas are watching as she puts our legislators in the cross-hairs of a gun and other radical nuts follow suit. Six innocent people have died and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was critically wounded as she was listening to her constituents like a good rep should do. This is a result of Sarah’s brand of politics. Where is the common sense? Is this the new style of politics we are facing? No politician is safe with Sarah’s M.O. Herman Thompson White Oak

This week’s question

About letters & columns We welcome your comments on editorials, columns, stories or other topics important to you in The Northwest Press. Include your name, address and phone number(s) so we may verify your letter. Letters of 200 or fewer words and columns of 500 or fewer words have the best chance of being published. All submissions may be edited for length,

Social Security mess

I read Sue Denny’s column regarding Social Security, hoping to see how the looming shortfall will be addressed. Instead, she excitedly writes about a reunion of the original cast of “The Patty Duke Show,” as well as a public service announcement by Chubby

accuracy and clarity. Deadline: Noon Friday E-mail: northwestpress@ communitypress.com Fax: 853-6220 U.S. mail: See box below Letters, columns and articles submitted to The Northwest Press may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms. Checker. This poignant example of bureaucracies in action help explain the mess we’re in. I wonder what former celebrity they’ll get to announce when Social Security is bankrupt? Dave Matre White Oak

Do you think political rhetoric caused the deadly shootings in Tucson, Ariz.? Why or why not?

Be a bad weather friend: look for tape

Every week The Northwest Press asks readers a questions that they can reply to via e-mail. Send your answers to northwestpress@community press.com with “chatroom” in the subject line.

During this time of year, we are often dispatched for vehicles off the road or for a possible auto accident. In case of inclement weather conditions or situations in which officer are dispatched for vehicles, we have developed what we hope will be useful procedures not only for the police department, but for concerned citizens as well. We have developed what we hope will be useful practices, not only for the police department, but for concerned citizens as well. The practice will reduce the number of calls to dispatch for a police officer to respond and investigate the same vehicles who may be waiting for a tow truck or other assistance which we have already checked. When the officer arrives, if the vehicle is occupied, we will assist in any way that we can. If medical assistance is necessary, the appropriate agency will be called. The officer will identify the needs of the particular situation. If no one is at the vehicle and the

“For about 5 minutes, I enjoy shoveling snow. Then, I like to curl up with a good book in front of the fire.” A.T. “Running out and getting the paper and then going back inside.” J.K. “Sitting on my deck and watching the deer, birds and wildlife scamper through the fallen snow. Nature can be entertaining at times if you give it a chance.” Bev S. “When it is very cold outside and there is lots of snow, I prefer to stay inside. I put out suet and sunflower seed for the birds and watch them come to the feeders. I love to watch the children play in my yard and slide down the hill out back. When my children were little, a cold day meant baking or making soup. We would peel and cut up apples for a sweet cobbler or bake chocolate chip cookies. The best time was cutting up vegetables with my daughters and making soup. I used chicken or beef broth for the base and they could decide what to put into the soup. What a joy to make something with children and then serve it for supper!” B.D.N

vehicle is off the road and the officer has other incidents of priority the officer will use the department issued “Caution” tape to mark the Colerain vehicle. Police Lt. Often times Angela the inclement Meyer weather may not allow for a safe Community way to remove Press guest the vehicle at columnist that time. Officers will tie the tape onto the vehicle antenna or door handles. This step is taken to ensure the tape is visible to passing motorists or other police officers and emergency responders. Should a vehicle be off the road or into a tree line area, the Officer will hang the tape across the entry of the tree line or woods to allow passing motorists to know the vehicle has already been checked.

WHEN THEY MEET Land Use Advisory Board meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Colerain Township Government Complex, 4200 Springdale Road. Call 3857505 for information. Zoning Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month at Colerain Township 7 p.m. at the Colerain Township Board of Trustees meets on the Government Complex, 4200 second and fourth Tuesday of each Springdale Road. Call 385-7505 month at 7 p.m. at the Colerain for information. Township government Complex, Board of Zoning Appeals meets 4200 Springdale Road. Call 385on the fourth Wednesday of each 7500 for information. You can express your views to local officials by attending their meetings. Here is a list of the times and locations for local governmental meetings. All meetings are open to the public.

A publication of

Your Community newspaper serving Colerain Township, Green Township, Groesbeck, Monfort Heights, Pleasant Run, Seven Hills, White Oak

PRESS

The inclement weather and icy road conditions can be hazardous for anyone. It seems that everyone has a cell phone these days and folks call in runs all the time. Having the direction of travel or landmarks is extremely important for officers to be able to respond and help. If you are not sure which police jurisdiction you may be in, just call the dispatcher and they will make sure the proper agency is notified. Giving a landmark is usually the best way for them to clarify an exact response location. If you see the caution tape already on a vehicle off the road or in a median, save your minutes, it’s been checked. This will allow officers to be able to respond to new calls and avoid repeat checks on the same cars. If you have concerns or questions please call the police department 513-385-7504. Lt. Angela Meyer is Patrol Commander with the Colerain Township Police Department.

Northwest Press Editor . . . . . . . .Jennie Key jkey@communitypress.com . . . . . . . . . .853-6272

month at 7 p.m. at the Colerain Township Government Complex, 4200 Springdale Road. Call 3857505 for information.

Green Township

Board of Trustees meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Green Township Administration Building, 6303 Harrison Ave. The July 25 meeting has been cancelled. Call 574-4848 for information.