BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTB1
CLERMONT
Randy Baumgardt, owner/chef at LaDonna’s Cafe on Ohio Pike
Your Community Press newspaper serving Amelia, Batavia, Batavia Township, New Richmond. Ohio Township, Pierce Township, Union Township, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Township E-mail:clermont@communitypress.com Web site: communitypress.com
Vol. 30 No. 43 © 2010 The Community Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
We d n e s d a y, N o v e m b e r 1 0 , 2 0 1 0
By John Seney
A simple toy aimed at kids was the result of scientific research done by a Batavia Township native. Jason Heikenfeld, an associate professor of electronics and computing at the University of Cincinnati, said he was working in 2004 and 2005 on the technology to produce better electronic displays. FULL STORY, B1
Officials in the Central Joint Fire and EMS District will have an additional $1.1 million a year to replace aging equipment and hire additional firefighters, thanks to passage of a 2.9-mill levy Nov. 2. The levy received 3,148 votes in favor to 2,788 votes opposed. The vote totals are not certified. “We’re thankful to the voters and residents of the district for
their support,” Chief Kevin Riley said. “I was very grateful our residents saw fit to pass it,” said Lee Cornett, a fire district board member and Batavia Township trustee. “It speaks well of the fire district and the job they do.” The levy was the first new one on the ballot since the district was formed in 2001 to serve Batavia Township and the village of Batavia. A 5.5-mill levy passed in 2001 generates $1.9 million a
By John Seney
Duke driver pleads guilty
Although there was a lot of focus put on completing and opening the two new elementary schools, the West Clermont Local School District maintenance and custodial staff spent a lot of time this summer making upgrades and repairs to the district’s 10 other buildings. FULL STORY, A6
passed in May is not generating enough extra revenue to make an impact on police funding. He said the department needed the addiEllington tional funding to replace an officer who retired and replace aging police vehicles. “We cannot make it through 2011 without cutbacks,” Sucher said. The 10-mill levy would have generated $734,144 a year in revenue, based on tax year 2009 valuations, according to information provided by the Clermont County Auditor’s Office. The combined 3mill and 7-mill levies generate $587,493 a year. If the 10-mill levy had passed, both the 3-mill and 7-mill levies would have been canceled. “We’re working hard to keep our budget tight,” Ellington said. “People are just tired of taxes.” For more about your community, visit Cincinnati.com/amelia.
jseney@communitypress.com
Voters in Clermont County have voted to continue to support Children’s Protective Services and the Mental Health and Recovery Board. FOR MORE ELECTION RESULTS, SEE PAGE A2.
West Clermont repairs buildings
the department needs new heart monitors, rescue tools, mobile data terminals and turnout gear. Riley also wants to hire three additional firefighters. He said the district will not begin the process of ordering new equipment or hiring firefighters until the vote count is certified. “It was only a few hundred votes,” he said “We’re going to wait.” For more about your community, visit Cincinnati.com/bataviatownship.
year, according to the Clermont County Auditor’s Office. That levy will continue to be collected. The new levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 house $88.81 more a year for a total of $223.96, according to the auditor’s office. It is a continuing levy and does not expire. The equipment that needs to be replaced includes two fire engines, two EMS units, a water tender, a brush unit, two staff vehicles and a command vehicle. In addition,
Layoffs possible after Amelia levy defeat
County-wide levies approved
A Duke Energy driver arrested for drunken driving after he was involved in a crash in the village of Batavia pleaded guilty Wednesday, Nov. 3. Kenneth E. Mathers, 60, of Tate Township avoided a jury trial in a plea agreement between prosecutors and the defense. He entered guilty pleas to three counts of aggravated vehicular assault, a third-degree felony. A fourth count, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, was dismissed. FULL STORY, A5
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CJFED to improve services jseney@communitypress.com
Batavia native invents toy
B E C A U S E C O M M U N I T Y M AT T E R S
PROVIDED
Treats from police
Pierce Township Police Chief James Smith hands out candy to Halloween trick-ortreaters Saturday Oct. 30. Officers were posted at the highest pedestrian locations throughout the township with lights flashing to slow traffic and protect children. It was the ninth year for the program and not a single child has been struck during that time, Smith said.
Layoffs in the Amelia Police Department are possible with the failure of the 10-mill levy needed for operations. “We have some tough decisions to make,” said Mayor Leroy Ellington. “There will be layoffs coming in the future.” The levy received 506 votes in favor to 557 votes in opposition. The results have not been certified. “I am very disappointed,” Ellington said of the results. “I think we made a good case for the need for additional revenue.” There are 10 officers in the Amelia Police Department, five full-time and five part-time. During some shifts there is only one officer on duty, said Police Chief Jeff Sucher. In May, voters approved a 3mill replacement levy, but rejected a 7-mill replacement levy. The current 7-year levy was passed in 1999. Sucher said the 3-mill levy
New Richmond rejects renewal levy By John Seney jseney@communitypress.com
The renewal of a five-year operating levy was rejected by New Richmond voters Nov. 2. The levy renewal received 295 voters in favor to 318 votes in opposition. The vote totals are uncertified. “I’m disappointed,” Mayor Ramona Carr said. “At the next
council meeting we’ll probably discuss whether to put it on the ballot in May.” She said village officials also may have to look at possible budget cuts. Passage of the 3-mill levy would not have resulted in an increase in taxes. The levy was for a period of five years, beginning in 2011 and ending in 2015.
The Clermont County Board of Elections will meet later this month to certify the election. At that time, there also will be provisional votes to be included in this vote total. Deputy Director Mike Keeley said several hundred provisional ballots were requested Election Day. However, he did not know how many were from individual communities. For more about your community, visit Cincinnati.com/newrichmond.
TONY TRIBBLE/CONTRIBUTOR
State champion
Batavia Twp. approve treatment center By John Seney jseney@communitypress.com
To place an ad, call 242-4000.
Batavia Township trustees Nov. 4 gave final approval for a private
drug and alcohol treatment center at a 51-acre site. The trustees Sept. 7 approved the rezoning of the site from agricultural to planned development.
See CENTER on page A2
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Michelle Thomas of Glen Este celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the Girls Divison I Cross Country State Championship Nov. 6. For more about the race, see Sports, A7.
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