DELHI PRESS
Your Community Press newspaper serving Delhi Township and other West Cincinnati neighborhoods
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019 ❚ BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS ❚ PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK
Suspended priest from St. Ignatius will get ‘psychological’ assessment Dan Horn Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK
A development project at Westwood Town Hall has temporarily closed the building for months, but officials say the renovations to the area will bring "unique opportunities" to residents. PROVIDED/CITY OF CINCINNATI
Westwood plan aims for community building and community growth Laura Hobson Special to Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK
Westwood, the largest neighborhood in Cincinnati, is growing and has plans to expand further. Westwood Works has adopted a programming strategy at connecting people around the idea of community building and neighborhood growth as well as attracting new investment. Executive Director Leslie Mattie Rich said the idea for neighborhood growth centered on how it could attract more people, including a diversity of residents. Stakeholders in the neighborhood were interested in a vital place to live and work as well as create a plan for Westwood. YARD & Company, an urban growth fi rm, had a working relationship with Westwood and spent four to six months creating a plan for growth strategy for the Westwood Town Hall block. Representatives held a meeting in June for input. Ideas received included recruitment, organization, park and public space, amenities, streets, housing, offi ces and programming. Kevin Wright, principal, director of operations and strategy, YARD & Company, presented the Westwood Strategic Investment Brief to neighborhood stakeholders in December. Wright pointed out that it was not a full strategic plan, but a road map for the future of the neighborhood. The plan’s focus is a half-mile around the town hall. The plan’s highlights include tactics for active engagement and demand building, timeline and strategy for physical change, operation strategies for Westwood Works and a 36-month reinvestment work plan. Greg Hand, president, Westwood Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (WestCURC)
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The West Side priest who was placed on leave for violating child protection rules will get a “psychological and spiritual assessment” before Cincinnati church offi cials decide his fate. In a letter to parishioners Wednesday, July 31, Archbishop Dennis Schnurr said the Rev. Geoff Drew would not return to St. Ignatius of Loyola Church no matter what the assessment fi nds. Schnurr said the assessment would take place at an independent, in-patient facility, which he did not name. “That assessment, along with the recommendations of the professionals treating Father Drew, will be provided to me as input for deciding the appropriate next steps,” Schnurr wrote in the letter. He also wrote and underlined that “Father Drew will not be returning to St. Ignatius.” Church offi cials and Hamilton County prosecutors both have said they have received no allegations of criminal conduct involving Drew. But Schnurr also told parishioners this week that Drew was placed on leave because of behavior that violated the church’s Decree on Child Protection. Church offi cials have not described the behavior that prompted Drew’s removal. The protection decree, which has been in place since the 1990s, covers a wide range of violations, including sexual abuse, bullying, inappropriate language and being alone with children. At a meeting Monday, July 29, a large crowd of St. Ignatius parishioners questioned church offi cials about Drew and his suspension. The meeting, which was open only to parishioners, became so heated that Green Township police were called to the church. Some of the anger came after parishioners discussed whether Drew had faced similar allegations at his previous See PRIEST, Page 2A
The Westwood Town Hall Recreation Center is undergoing renovations. THE ENQUIRER/FORREST SELLERS
noted the scope of the plan focused on the historic business district and doubted that all the tasks would be completed in 36 months. He said, “YARD’s document will be an important component as Westwood dives into producing a true strategic plan to replace the outdated 2010 Westwood plan.” Some of the projects include a new park, 70 percent complete, around the Westwood Town Hall, additional restaurants, a bookstore, grocery, ice cream shop, benches and a bike rack. Other ideas are to lessen the speed of auto traffi c and add more crosswalks. Housing for both millennials as well as those aging and downsizing is under consideration. The plan also targets small businesses. SurSee WESTWOOD , Page 2A
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A priest at St. Ignatius Loyola Church is on a leave of absence effective July 23. Some parish members were invited to attend a meeting with officials from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office to discuss the leave and answer questions. CINCINNATI ENQUIRER FILE PHOTO
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