NORTHEAST
SUBURBAN LIFE
Your Community Press newspaper serving Blue Ash, Montgomery, Sycamore Township, Symmes Township
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
75¢
BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS
Montgomery: No texting while driving Violators can be fined up to $150 By Jeanne Houck jhouck@communitypress.com
MONTGOMERY — Better not let your fingers do the talking while driving in Montgomery.
Montgomery City Council approved an ordinance Jan. 2 that mirrors the recently passed state legislation prohibiting drivers from texting while driving. “We are creating local legislation to allow cases to be heard in our local mayor’s court,” Montgomery Police Chief Don
Simpson said. Montgomery City Councilwoman Gerri Harbison agreed. “Council passed the ordinance for safety reasons and to mirror the new state law,” Harbison said. “It will take effect 30 days after passage.” Ohio’s new law says adults
are not allowed to write, send or read a text message while driving, although they can only be cited for texting if police pull them over for another offense, such as speeding. Drivers under the age of 18 are not allowed to use any electronic wireless communications device to text, make a
phone call, email or play a video game and can be cited solely for using a device, the state law says. People found guilty of texting while driving will be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $150, See TEXTING, Page A2
Possible new shelter considered at Bechtold Facility would include restrooms
Get into the
By Leah Fightmaster
ZONE(S) at Summit Park
A rendering of the "great lawn" to be developed at the Blue Ash Summit Park. PROVIDED
Themed areas based on geography, topography of land By Jeanne Houck
A rendering of the pavilion canopy and observation tower to be built at the Blue Ash Summit Park. PROVIDED
jhouck@communitypress.com
BLUE ASH — Visitors to Blue Ash’s new Summit Park soon will be able to get into the “zone” – or zones. Consultants have put together a report on plans for the 130-acre park at the former Blue Ash Airport off Glendale-Milford Road with the following zones to be phased in over several years: » Commons zone – for civic gatherings and performances. It will include restaurants and bistros as well as a glass-covered canopy to protect people involved in activities such as ice skating in inclement weather. Fountains and ponds are planned. » Adventure zone – to feature a dog
park, picnic area, adventure play area and a sledding hill. An observation tower is planned. “Already at a high elevation in Hamilton County, an observation tower at
FAST TEMPO B1
BROTH FORTH No reason to stew over quick-to-make meals. See Rita Heikenfeld, B3
The Sycamore Choral program began the 2012-2013 school year at a brisk pace.
Summit Park will allow observers to see off into the distance of neighboring cities and even downtown Cincinnati,” said Emily Schaffer, a spokeswoman for Blue Ash. » Frontier zone – with a more passive character to include a bikeway along Plainfield Road that also runs through the park, cross country trails and possibly BMX riding. “If there is demand in the future, there will also be a family golf practice facility located just across Plainfield See ZONES, Page A2
lfightmaster@communitypress.com
Sycamore Township is considering the construction of a new, improved shelter at Bechtold Park. Parks and Recreation Director Mike McKeown said shelter five, which was in the back of the park, 4312 Sycamore Road, could be rebuilt with some improvements made to it. Those improvements could include adding restrooms, which the original shelter didn’t have. Law Director Doug Miller said that shelter construction in a park could likely fall under the community improvement requirement of using tax increment financing, or TIF, adding that the worst that could happen would be replacing that money from another area of the budget. “I think you’re on pretty firm footing if you’re using TIF money to build a new shelter or make repairs,” Miller said. The Board of Trustees considered replacing all the shelters that were in similar condition, but decided that it isn’t necessary right now. Adding restrooms would require extra work, because both sewer and water lines would have to be run to the shelter, but could be a major improvement because there are no restrooms in the back of the park. Both Trustees Denny Connor and Cliff Bishop asked McKeown to bring back recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Board before making a decision, so the board can consider its options. For more about your community and to sign up for our newsletter, visit www.Cincinnati.com/SycamoreTownship.
Contact us
News ..........................248-8600 Retail advertising ..............768-8357 Classified advertising .........242-4000 Delivery ........................576-8240
Vol. 49 No. 45 © 2013 The Community Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
See page A2 for additional information
WWW.COLUMBIACHEV.COM
COLUMBIA
ATTENTION JOSEPH GM CARD AT C H E V R O L E T YOU HAVE A FRIEND IN HOLDERS!! WE CAN DOUBLE OR TRIPLE Member of
AUTO GROUP
THE CAR BUSINESS! 9750 MONTGOMERY RD.
513-891-7200
YOUR EARNINGS WITH THE GM CARD PLUS-UP OFFER!
2013 EQUINOX $0 DOWN!
MSRP $24,580 COLUMBIA DISC -$2600 BUY FOR
21 980
$
,
OR
199
$
SALES HOURS: PER MO., 39 MO. LEASE. 10K MILES MON-FRI 9-8, SAT 9-6 LEASES ARE 10K MILES PER YEAR, $1995 DOWN, PLUS FIRST MONTH PAYMENT, DOC/LIC/ACQ FEES & SALES TAX ARE EXTRA. ANY AND ALL INCENTIVES APPLY. 20¢ PER MILE OVERAGE; TO BUYERS WITH 800 SUN 12-5 BEACON SCORE OR BETTER PLUS TAX. NOT EVERYONE WILL QUALIFY. OFFER ENDS 1-31-2013. PICTURES MAY NOT REFLECT ACTUAL DEALER STOCK. DEALER NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.
WWW.COLUMBIACHEV.COM