SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
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Your Community Press newspaper serving Anderson Township, California, Mount Washington, Newtown E-mail: foresthills@communitypress.com We d n e s d a y, J u l y 1 5 , 2 0 0 9
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Poll results
The results of the July 8 unscientific poll on our Anderson Township community site at Cincinnati.com/ andersontownship asking readers if the Forest Hills Local School District should conduct a feasibility study before deciding when to place an operating levy on the ballot are:
15%
(28) (5)
Total votes: 33
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Public access TV gets a boost Anderson Community Television is getting more help from the township. At a recent meeting, township trustees gave the public access station an additional $6,000 Take the per month through the end survey of the year. Anderson The resoluTownship is tion continued looking for the supplemental community funding the feedback on trustees authorAnderson ized in January. Community B u d Television. To participate in Gawthrop, execthe survey, go utive director of to www. Anderson Comanderson munity Televitownship.org sion, said the and click on money is from “What’s New!” the franchise fees cable customers see on the monthly bill, not from taxpayers. Gawthrop said Anderson Community Television faced income issues when Union Township pulled out of the system two years ago. “That cut the budget in half while maintaining the same workload,” Gawthrop said. Some of the money was used
LISA WAKELAND/STAFF
Anderson Community Television technician Andy Croiser, left, and production engineer Shane Reinert work the controls as Executive Director Bud Gawthrop, Finance Director Gail Low and production administrator Nicki Bishop watch. for the mandatory conversion to digital television and Gawthrop said the majority of operating expenses go toward payroll and insurance. Gawthrop said Anderson Community Television is looking for other ways to save money, including using dozens of volunteers and equipment donations. “In the interim, we are researching potential for other funding (that is) substantial and sustainable,” he said.
Possible funding alternatives include grants or commercials, and Gawthrop said the for-profit portion of Anderson Community Television would support the notfor-profit division. Township Administrator Henry Dolive said at a recent meeting the township is evaluating the value of Anderson Community Television to residents and seeking public feedback. Anderson Township resident Linda Colonel said she doesn’t
Forest Hills reluctant to discuss levy By Forrest Sellers fsellers@communitypress.com
How much state funding the Forest Hills Local School District receives in the next two years is a crucial component for Board of Education members deciding when to place an operating levy on the ballot. It appears unlikely, however, that the district will receive any increase in state funding – the district may even receive 1 percent less – next year under a proposed two-year budget currently being hammered out in the Ohio legislature. Under the proposed state budget about two of every three school districts would receive less funding in 2009-2010 than last year. The Forest Hills Local School District, which is rated excellent by the state, recently cut staff – including 22 teachers – and increased fees for junior high and high school extracurricular activities such sports after voters defeated its proposed 6.9-mill continuing operating levy May 5. School board members previously said they would not put a levy on the special election ballot in August.
Bissinger
Smith
Until the state’s two-year budget is approved and district officials know how much state funding the district will receive school board members are hesitant to say when they will put an operating levy on the ballot. Assuming the state budget is approved and funding is known a school district meeting later this month looms as another key factor in deciding the timing of placing a levy on the ballot. A finance meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 27, at the administration building, 7550 Forest Road. Board members said the finance meeting will likely determine how to proceed with an upcoming levy. The meeting will include a discussion on budget appropriations and the extent of state funding
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50¢
lwakeland@communitypress.com
Eastside residents have made their choice for the very best in The Community Press’ first annual Readers’ Choice Awards. We’re counting thousands of votes and will announce the winners in a special publication in August. Winners of the Kings Island tickets won’t have to wait, however. Those local residents will be announced in next week’s Forest Hills Journal.
No
B E C A U S E C O M M U N I T Y M AT T E R S
By Lisa Wakeland
Thanks for voting
85%
Web site: communitypress.com
Anderson Twp. trustees OK $6,000 more per month
Volume 49 Number 16 © 2009 The Community Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Yes
JOURNAL
which will be available, treasurer Rick Toepfer said previously. Toepfer said the district has not had an increase in state funding in five Heis years. Board member Forest Heis said he anticipates less money coming in from the state. “I want to see what the effect of the state budget will be as well as (the impact of) cuts that have already been made,” said Heis regarding the timing of a proposed levy. School board President Julie Bissinger was reluctant to discuss the timing of a levy request. “Until we have the budget meeting, I think it is premature to talk about the levy.” Bissinger said the financial outlook from Toepfer, as well as state budget projections, are needed before making a determination of a levy request. School board member Randy Smith said, “To me the timing will depend on what the treasurer comes back with on how feasible
watch Anderson Community Television, but said it’s good the township is supporting the station. “In the best case scenario, we upgrade our equipment and expand availability to residents,” Gawthrop said. “The worst possible scenario would be we sustain where we’re at, which is a good thing.” Anderson Community Television has five full-time staff and more than 20 volunteers. Learn more at www.ac-tv.org.
Public advice? At least one Forest Hills Local School District Board of Education member supports forming a financial advisory committee before deciding whether and when to place a proposed operating levy on the ballot. Forming a financial advisory committee would be a way to get additional expertise and also show accountability and transparency to the community regarding the budget process, said school board member Randy Smith. “This type of committee may help our community better understand the budget process and the extremely complicated public education funding process,” Smith said. School board President Julie Bissinger expressed caution, however, in deciding who would serve on a financial advisory committee. She said the selection process for the committee would need to be “professionally handled” and the district’s treasurer would likely play a vital role. it would be to hold off on a levy an additional year.” Board member Richard Neumann also said additional information is needed before making a decision regarding the levy. Board member Tracy Huebner was unable to be reached for comment.