NORTH CLERMONT
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CNE criticized for tax plan Vol. 29 No. 33 © 2009 The Community Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Fr. Lou, Rita move
We have again moved some of your favorite features to allow room for our high school sports fall previews. This week, you can find Father Lou Guntzelman’s column on page A6. Rita Heikenfeld’s cooking column is on page A7. The calendar is on B4. All will be back in their usual spot next week.
Election lists
The petitions are in and we have the names of those who will be running for office in November. FULL STORY, A2
Goshen students return to school
The first day of classes was Aug. 21 for the Goshen Local School District. Darrell Edwards, principal of Spaulding ElemLauren Riede entary, greeted students as they arrived at school. FULL STORY, A5
Collection time
In the next few days your Community Press carrier will be stopping by to collect $2.50 for delivery of this month’s The Community Journal. Your carrier retains half of this amount along with any tip Cameron you give to reward good service. This month we’re featuring Cameron Marshall, who is a new carrier in Goshen. He is off to a great start giving excellent carrier service to all his customers. For information about our carrier program, call Steve Barraco, 248-7110.
By John Seney
jseney@communitypress.com
Voters don’t want to be taxed out of their homes. That’s what residents of the Clermont Northeastern Local School District said as they voiced their concerns about a proposed inside millage tax increase during a public hearing Aug. 20. Faye Miller of Brushy Fork Road said the board should try for another bond issue rather pass the inside millage. “Please do not tax us out of our homes,” she said. Ron Yeager of Galley Hill Road told the board of education that raising the taxes without a vote “was one of the most devious things I have ever seen.” He said the board should allow residents to vote on a tax increase. Michael Boeh, a resident of the district, urged the board not to increase inside millage. He said the action would cause a backlash that might result in the repeal of the district’s 1-percent income tax. “You are thumbing your noses at the taxpayers,” Boeh said. Treasurer Brain Switzer said the decision to recommend moving the inside millage came after voters turned down bond issues to build a new high school. He said the inside millage option was provided by the legislature as a means for school districts to raise funds for capital improvements without a vote by the public. The board of education could vote on a one-time increase of up to 4.4 mills. The maximum increase would raise $1.2 million
JOHN SENEY/STAFF
Michael Boeh, a resident of the Clermont Northeastern Local School District, makes a comment at the public hearing Aug. 20 on a proposed millage increase. a year and cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 an additional $138 a year. Switzer said the revenue would be used for such things as adding air conditioning, making electrical and wireless Internet upgrades and replacing windows. It could not be used for day-to-day operations. Superintendent Neil Leist said “there was nothing we’re trying to keep secret about this.” Board member Mike Freeman said the tax increase was needed because “these buildings are
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“If you want the trust of the voters, inside millage is not the way to go,” he said. But Glenn Neely of Sugar Camp Road said the important thing is what the students need and pointed out the tax increase would only cost 26 cents a day. The board is scheduled to vote on moving the inside millage at its Sept. 17 meeting. The board could vote on an amount lower than the maximum 4.4 mills, or no increase at all.
Readers choose favorite businesses By John Seney jseney@communitypress.com
JOHN SENEY/STAFF
To place an ad, call 242-4000.
falling apart.” Board member Patty Spencer said the school district tightened belts after past bond issue failures, but without adequate funding the district would not be able to grow and move forward. Shanta Nipper of BelfastOwensville Road told the board she didn’t see why the schools need wireless Internet “if I have to cancel it in my own home” because of higher taxes. Dennis Camp of Tealtown Road told the board it came down to a matter of trust.
Some of the staff members at Goshen Family Practice include, from left, Jessica Johnson, clinical lead; Ange Sanger, business office team leader; and Heather Harris, medical assistant. The office was one of the winners of the Community Press Readers’ Choice Awards.
In June, The Community Press presented readers with a ballot of 100 categories so they could choose their favorites ranging from American vehicle to produce to women’s clothing. And readers responded, filling out newspaper and online ballots with their choices. You can find the complete list of Readers’ Choice favorites in today’s special section. We’ve talked with some of our readers’ top choices about how they keep their customers coming back. One of the winners in Clermont County is Goshen Family Practice at 1507 Ohio 28. “Our practice works hard at giving good service,” Dr. Kevin Bundy said.
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The practice has been in operation for 32 years; nine years at its present location. Bundy said the office has a staff of 15, including another doctor, Dr. Cynthia Villacis, and a nurse practitioner, Barbara Newman. Grant’s Farms and Greenhouses was another winner. Owner Danny Grant said he got into the greenhouse business in 1986 at his farm at 5552 Bucktown Road in Jackson Township. He has since added two other locations, one in Stonelick Township and one in Milford. He said he has about 4,500 feet of greenhouse space at the Bucktown Road location and offers a wide variety of vegetables and annuals. “I really appreciate it,” Grant said of winning the award.
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