IN YOUR FACE
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Levy delay in NCH
Mount Healthy Elementary School collected food items for the school district’s giving tree.
Volume 73 Number 46 © 2010 The Community Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Lights, camera …
Here are a few display of Christmas lights you can drive by to enjoy – all within a half mile of each other: • The Zapfs at 2032 West Galbraith Road; • The Simpsons 2076 West Galbraith Road; and • The Dixons 2431 West Galbraith Road.
By Heidi Fallon hfallon@communitypress.com
HEIDI FALLON/STAFF
Adopting sports
Thanks to three Mount Healthy High School football players, three children will have a Christmas that’s a little merrier. – FULL STORY, A5
Let’s rock
The Hugh Watson American Legion Post 530, 11100 Winton Road in Greenhills, is planning to party New Year’s Eve. It will have a dinner and dance Friday, Dec. 31, starting at 6 p.m. with entertainment by the Cincy Rockers starting at 8 p.m. The buffet begins at 7 p.m. The cost is $20 per person and reservations are required by Dec. 27. Call 728-5335 or 825-3099 for tickets or more information. Proceeds benefit Post programs and projects.
Last chance for a tree
Jacob Miller, 13, a member of Boy Scout Troop 393, provides service with a smile and snowflakes as he sells a Christmas tree to Kevin and Janice Redmond of College Hill. There are plenty more trees to be had at the scout’s annual tree lot on West Galbraith Road in North College Hill.
Twp. kindergartners solve Santa mystery By Heidi Fallon hfallon@communitypress.com
It’s established that Santa spends Christmas Eve flying around the globe delivering toys. But, curious minds wonder what the Jolly Elf does after returning to the North Pole. Darla Barge’s Brent Elementary School kindergarten class pondered that very question and here are their answers. “He goes back to the North Pole and gets ready for next Christmas,” said Hunter Hartley, 5. “He doesn’t get any rest at all.” Mallory Sedgwick, 5, concurred. “He goes right back to looking at the toy list and seeing who is good and naughty, and just keeps working,” she said. Apparently, the consensus continues to be no rest for the weary. “Nope, he doesn’t even take a nap,” said Derek Edie, 5. “He has to go right back to work to be
ready for Christmas.” Julia Brissie said she thinks before heading back to the workshop, Santa does take a brief respite. Hunter Hartley “I think he and the reindeer, who are full of carrots and oats people sprinkle on the ground, have a little party to celebrate all the toys they made,” she said. “Then, they Julia Brissie go back to work.” Owen Larkins, 5, thinks differently. “He goes to Pizza Hut,” Larkins said after giving the question much thought. Elaina Williams, 5, said she thinks Santa returns to the North Pole and his favorite lounge chair.
Mallory Sedgwick
Derek Edie
Owen Larkins
Elaina Williams
“He goes and sits and relaxes,” she said. “He has a big massage chair and he’s all comfortable and nice. “When he’s delivering toys,” she added, “Mrs. Claus and the elves have a party and sing songs.” For more on your community, visit www.Cincinnati.com/springfieldtownship.
Environmental head lauded for service By Rob Dowdy rdowdy@communitypress.com
Indoor goods
The calendar, not to mention the thermometer, has moved the College Hill Farm Market indoors. Vendors set up their produce, baked goods and honey inside every Thursday. – FULL STORY, A2
To place an ad, call 242-4000.
Forest Park Environmental Awareness Director Wright Gwyn has instituted numerous programs. During a recent Forest Park City Council meeting, Gwyn was presented with a plaque and certificate for his two-decade commitment. After accepting the plaque, Gwyn said he was thankful but also surprised the years have gone by so quickly. “It’s hard to believe 20 years has come and gone,” he said. Gwyn has created several recycling programs for the city. He’s also organized the Winton Woods clean-up, rain gardens at local
“It’s hard to believe 20 years has come and gone.” Wright Gwyn Forest Park environmental awareness director schools and various environmental projects for the community and Winton Woods City Schools. Mayor Charles Johnson said while the recycling programs and community events Gwyn has created make Forest Park a better place to live, it’s the Environmental High IQ Bowl, a school program that turns environmental knowledge into a game show, that has made its mark on the city. “I think that is one of the great-
Gwyn
est things we do in the city,” Johnson said. Gwyn noted when he was hired in 1990, he planned to stay three years and move on to the next oppor-
tunity. “We’ve changed offices, and that’s pretty much it,” he said. Councilman Wynndel Burns said while he doesn’t expect Gwynn to remain the environmental awareness director for another 20 years, he suggested Gwynn stick with it “for another 10 years.” To read more on your community, visit www.Cincinnati.com/forestpark.
North College Hill City School District residents won’t be asked for more money in May. After two operating levy defeats, the school board has been debating whether to go back on the ballot in May, August or November. Members also have been d e b a t i n g whether to ask for another operating levy or try for an earned income tax. Superinten- Gellert dent Gary Gellert said the unknown factor in the discussions continues to be what his district will see in state funding cuts. He said speculation is that funding could be reduced 10 percent to 15 percent. North College Hill gets about 60 percent of its operating money from the state, which, Gellert said, is about $7.4 million. “Residents are telling us to make do with what we have,” Gellert said. “We will be able to make it through this school year, but next year we will be very vulnerable. “It all hinges on what the Harmon state is going to do.” What the state includes in its budget for schools won’t be known for certain until this spring. “We should have a better sense of the state funding in April,” said Board Member Carolyn Jones. Board Member Ron Harmon has a less than optimistic hope for state assistance. “I don’t know how we can maintain the programs we have next year,” Harmon said. “When you have to cut people, you cut programs. “Public schools are getting left behind and we’re not the only district in big trouble here.” The district has made nearly $2 million in cuts, the majority of which has been in staffing. If the board opts to go back to voters on the August ballot, it would have to decide by April 22. “Voters have asked us to work with the resources we have,” Gellert said. “We’ll continue doing that as long as we can.” For more on your community, visit www.Cincinnati.com/northcollegehill.