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B1 Your Community Press newspaper serving Blue Ash, Montgomery, Sycamore Township, Symmes Township E-mail: nesuburban@communitypress.com We d n e s d a y, S e p t e m b e r
Candidate quiz
As we have learned over the last month, voters are frustrated because they say their elected officials don’t listen to them. This is your chance. What questions do you have for candidates on the November ballot in your community? What do you want to know about local ballot issues? E-mail your questions to nesuburban@community press.com. We will try to get answers to as many as we can.
Shofar, so good
Chabad Jewish Center’s nationally acclaimed Shofar Factory will be staging two free presentations at 1:30 and 3 p.m. in the Kroger Kosher department Sunday, Sept. 13. While filling your cart with Matzah balls, gefilte fish, freshcut roast, and more, the entire family will be entertained while making a Shofar from scratch. SEE LIFE, B1
Two new on Indian HIll board
Regardless of who wins in the Nov. 3 elections, the Indian Hill Exempted Village School District Board of Education will soon have a new look. Elizabeth Johnston is the only incumbent up for re-election this year, as Ted Jaroszewicz and Barb Hopewell have decided not to return to the Board of Education. SEE STORY, A4
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Mind their own businesses
Volume 46 Number 29 © 2009 The Community Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Hamilton County library levy on the Nov. 3 ballot is a 1mill levy. The millage was listed incorrectly in the Sept. 2 Northeast Suburban Life.
B E C A U S E C O M M U N I T Y M AT T E R S
Chambers, associations are making a concerted effort to help communities
Deer Park athletic director Rob Hamann
Correction
9, 2009
Web site: communitypress.com
By Jeanne Houck
jhouck@communitypress.com
Montgomery Mayor Gerri Harbison is welcoming two new business initiatives in the city. “The formation of viable business groups is always important and beneficial to our city,” Harbison said. “With the premier of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and Prosper Montgomery – a group of businesses located in our historic district – our businesses have been energized and able to network with each other. “In this economy, this is a great tool to maintain the viability of our business community within Montgomery,” Harbison said. The Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, established in June, is the brainchild of chamber Executive Director Paul Myers of Myers Associates Inc. The group already has about 15 members. Myers said the chamber will emphasize business development, visibility, networking and support – and that its “Montgomery First” pledge shows those that those words are more than just talk. “This is a commitment by chamber members to give a Montgomery business the first opportunity to conduct business with them prior to conducting a transaction with a non-Montgomery business,” he said. Myers said there are many benefits to having a chamber of commerce. “A single voice speaking for business concerns is an advantage to the business community,” he said. “Whether you are a small, medium, or large company,” Myers said, “a chamber is the ideal way to network and explore the business opportunities with individuals from other companies.” Harbison is scheduled to speak about Montgomery’s business climate Thursday, Sept. 10, as part of the chamber’s new “Mont-
JEANNE HOUCK/STAFF
Montgomery Mayor Gerri Harbison is one of the first guest speakers the newly formed Montgomery Chamber of Commerce is inviting to its “Montgomery Morning” series of presentations about the city’s economic outlook. gomery Morning” series. The series will feature speakers discussing issues of importance to the business community. Harbison will take the podium at 7:30 a.m. at Ohio National Financial Services, 1 Financial Way. Not a traditional chamber of commerce, “Prosper Montgomery” is a recent city initiative to work with businesses in the historic district on marketing strategies. The Blue Ash Business Association is 20 years old, but something new is brewing with the 95member group in Blue Ash. “Our new Web site is launching soon; hopefully we have worked out some kinks that will make it easier for all of our members to interact with us in many ways,” said BABA President Gloria Cook of Sibcy Cline. Cook said the group’s “main focus is to highlight our members’ businesses and networking among our members, as well as
Area alliances
Cook
Blue Ash Business Association President: Gloria Cook Dues: $175 a year No. of members: About 95 Phone: NA E-mail:
year, depending upon the number of employees No. of members: 15 Phone: 574-0957 E-mail: pmyers@myersassociates.org Web site: www.montgomeryohiochamber ofcommerce.com Point of interest: Formed in June
gloriacook@sibcycline.com Web site: www.babusiness.org Point of interest: Will soon launch a new Web site Montgomery Chamber of Commerce Executive Director: Paul Myers Dues: Range from $360 to $1,250 a giving back to the community through Matthew 25: (Ministries) and Hike for Hospice.” She said the group also funds a college scholarship and sponsors a trade show in the spring. “We like to be out in the Blue
Northeast Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Top officer: John Harris Dues: Ranges from $425 to $950 depending number employees Phone: 336-0125 E-mail:info@necchamber.org Web site:www.necchamber.org Ash community to show support for each others’ businesses as well as interacting at Blue Ash activities such as the opening of the new Recreation Center and working at the Taste of Blue Ash,” Cook said.
New dropoff for Symmes yard waste in 2010 By Amanda Hopkins ahopkins@communitypress.com
Starting in 2010, Symmes Township residents can drop off yard waste at LA Supply on Loveland-Madeira Road. Township Administrator Gerald Beckman said that during the months of the brush dropoff program, township employees are working extra hours with road projects and at the parks and that having another yard waste dropoff run by the township would cost more
1,350 SAVINGS
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8680 Colerain Avenue •
Upcoming dropoff dates Saturday, Sept. 19 – Symmes Township Administration building, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 – Symmes Township Administration building, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in overtime pay. The township would pay LA Supply $1,200 a month for the residents to use the dropoff site and for equipment use.
“I think we’d save some money,” Beckman said. They have also offered to give the township back the chippings from the yard waste, which the township uses on many of the area park paths. He also said it would help keep the township employees from being overworked. LA Supply will collect yard waste during store hours. The township will continue holding monthly dropoffs between the months of April and October.
4,000 SAVINGS
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On All 2009 Maxima 3.5 S 4 Available
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3 DAYS ONLY!
*Savings include dealer discount plus all Customer Cash. Sale ends 9/11/09.