The Mayors’ House
By Rex Bevis
The year 2020 opens with a new Mayor for the Village, Mr. Bill Brown, who has moved up from his Village Council position to take the reins as Mayor. A heart-felt congratulations and thank you from the staff of the Mariemont Town Crier for Bill’s willingness to take on the responsibilities of being Mayor.
and his wife, Marie, occupied the house for many years. After Mr. Jordan’s passing on March 27, 1959 while serving as Mayor, his wife remained in the house until she sold it in 1963 to Mr. and Mrs. Glenn (and Janet) Dammert.
Growing up in the house with her parents Glenn and Janet was Debbie Dammert Brown, wife of our new Mayor
Bill and wife Debbie, pictured above, reside in the beautiful and historic white farmhouse at 4030 Lytle Woods Place, that was also the home of Mariemont’s first Mayor, E. Boyd Jordan, who became Mayor in 1941. The intersection of Mariemont’s first Mayor and her eleventh Mayor is significant enough to warrant a bit of history on the “Mayors’ House.”
The house was built in 1906, and there were no other residences within the vicinity at the time of construction. E. Boyd Jordan
Bill. Following Mr. Dammert’s death in 2011, Bill and Debbie Brown, who were living on Miami Bluff Drive, seized the opportunity to return to Debbie’s original home and acquired the house from Mom Janet in 2013.
In addition to growing up in the 4030 Lytle Woods Place farmhouse, Debbie told me that she and Bill held their wedding reception in the house in 1973. Also, in the mid 1980s, Debbie’s sister Holly was married in the living room of the house in
a wedding ceremony conducted by then Mayor Dick Adams.
Both Bill (Class of ’69) and Debbie (Class of ’70) Brown are Mariemont High School graduates, and Bill is the first MHS graduate to become Mayor of Mariemont!
Although not growing up or living in the house, frequent visitors are Bill and Debbie’s son Ted (MHS Class of ’03) and his wife Natalie, who are both attorneys living in Columbus, and their young children Owen and Colin. There is a lot of 4030 Lytle Woods Place history for the Mayor’s son and grandchildren to absorb!
Once again, congratulations Bill! We wish you the best of success as the 11th Mayor of Mariemont.
Mayors of Mariemont
E. Boyd Jordan June, 1941 – Mar., 1959
John J. Farley April, 1959 – 1959
Russell S. Geil 1960 – 1961
Charles Straley 1962 – Sept., 1977
Arthur J. Davies Sept., 1977 – 1979
Clarence M. Erickson 1980 – 1983
Richard E. Adams 1984 – 1991
Donald L. Shanks 1992 – 1995
C. Michael Lemon 1996 – 2000
Daniel J. Policastro 2001 – 2019
William Brown 2020 -
Letters from Residents
I read the interview with former mayor Policastro by Town Crier reporter Pete McBride with great interest in the February 2020 Volume XLIV, No. 5 issue. During his 19-year tenure as mayor, Mr. Policastro accomplished many things and he deserves credit for them. However, there appears to be a modicum of revisionist history or inaccuracy of events in several items prior to 2001 discussed in the interview.
For newer residents interested in Mariemont’s history, for historians, and for preservationists, all would be better informed on the actual chronology of events and the attributions associated with them by reviewing old Town Crier issues at Mariemont Preservation Foundation, council meeting minutes and planning commission meeting minutes for the years 1992-2000.
Thank you, Town Crier and MPF, for reporting and preserving the history of this great Village.
Mike Lemon 3958 Miami Road
A Special Council Meeting was conducted Monday evening, February 3 in Council Chambers for current Council Members to select a new Council Representative to fill the seat of Bill Brown who of course is now Mayor. Since the demise of Village of Mariemont Town Meeting as a source of Council candidates, I am not at all surprised to see that current Council, prior to the filling of the vacancy, was comprised of four Representatives living in close proximity to one another on the South side of Wooster Pike; one
Representative lives North of Wooster Pike. The Town Meeting District Map has had four of the six districts primarily located on the North side aligning with more than 60% of the residents of the Village living on the North side.
At the Special Council Meeting, several residents including myself argued in favor of adding a qualified Representative living on the North side. Kudos to the four Village residents who submitted their interest to be on Council and who eloquently stated their credentials. Although Council differed on which candidates they preferred, Council Representatives generally acknowledged that the current geographic representation was not ideal. Unfortunately, in a split vote Council missed this opportunity to more closely align the Representatives to
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Letters (from page 2)
the Village population. Now there are five Representatives living South of Wooster Pike and one Representative living North of Wooster Pike.
Some may argue, and have argued, that it really doesn’t matter where these Representatives live. What the heck, we are a small Village. However, to this resident and others with whom I have spoken, issues such as real or potential elimination of greenspace, which exclusively affect residents on the North side, are being determined by Council Representatives who do not live in the affected area, and are not impacted by their decisions.
I realize that the Town Meeting District system of selecting Council representatives is gone. A proposal that deserves study I believe is to establish a Charter form of Village Government and elect Representatives in a different manner. One idea that I submit for discussion is to have four District representatives, elected by public vote, one for each of
Village
four geographic Districts recognized by the Hamilton County Board of Elections. Additionally, two ‘at large’ Representatives would be elected by public vote. This proposal restores some balance to Council and also permits candidates to run at large if they are blocked by a seated Council person in their District.
My thanks to the many dedicated residents who are currently serving on Village Council and to the four who sought the open seat on February 3. And kudos to Mayor Brown for his exemplary handling of the Special Meeting in which not all parties were in agreement. Nice job, Mayor
Rex Bevis 4011 Miami Road
Letters from residents are solely the opinions and suggestions of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of Mariemont Town Crier publishers or staff.
Note from the Editor:
The Town Crier staff is gathering info for upcoming article ideas. If you know of anyone who fits the following themes, please email me at suzy.weinland@gmail.com.
• Parent and adult child who work together or have a business together
• Residents who’ve written a book
• Bilingual residents
As always, the Town Crier welcomes story ideas and photos!
Thank you!
Suzy Weinland, Publisher & Managing Editor
The
Club
The Town Crier would like to thank our supporters! Funding for production of the Town Crier comes solely from our advertisers and your contributions. Individuals contributing throughout the publishing year will have their names included in each remaining issue. Your contribution can be mailed to: Mariemont Town Crier c/o Matt Weinland, 3812 Indianview Avenue Mariemont, Ohio, 45227
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Staff
Contributors Kim Beach kimbeach13@gmail.com
Rex Bevis rexbevis@fuse.net
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Peter McBride pete0948@gmail.com
Photographers Steve Spooner me@mariemontstuff.com
Carriers
D avi D a n D rews
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a lexis & o livia C lark
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P axton l esseuer
a lly M aier
Z a C h M aier
C lara & P arker n i C hols
Julie Northrop
Jan Timothy Riker
David Robisch
Pat & Steve Salay
Carolyn & Ed Tuttle
Charles & Gretchen
Thomas
Rachel & Jim Votaw
Village Church of Mariemont
Suzy & Matt Weinland
o wen P roffitt w ill Q ueen
n oah v ana G s
C lara v au G han
D avis w i C kha M
B ray D en & D ylan w olu J ewi CZ
(Siblings listed together share routes; siblings listed separately have their own routes)
April deadline: The deadline for the next Town Crier is March 10, 2020 All camera-ready ads and articles must be submitted by 5p.m. to Matt Weinland at MariemontTownCrier@ gmail.com. Articles should be sent via email in Microsoft® Word, with photos sent as jpg files of at least 350KB. Payment and advertising contracts should be submitted to: Matt Weinland, 3812 Indianview, Mariemont, Ohio, 45227
The Mariemont Town Crier, LLC, "The Voice of the Village of Mariemont," is published monthly from Sept. through Dec. and Feb. through May as a service to residents and organizations of the Village of Mariemont.
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS: Press releases, photographs and event calendars are welcomed. Please contact Suzy Weinland at MariemontTownCrier@gmail.com to discuss article ideas. All submissions are due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. The editorial staff reserves the right to select and edit articles for both content and space. Photos sent as .jpg files via email are preferred, but originals also will be accepted and returned upon request. Signed letters to the editor are accepted and will be published as space allows. The Town Crier reserves the right to edit letters for length. Letters to the Editor reflect the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Town Crier Staff.
INSERTS: As a public service to the non-profit organizations of Mariemont, the Town Crier accepts inserts for a flat fee of $75, due at the time of delivery (check made out to Mariemont Town Crier). Inserts must be pre-approved and scheduled with the editor, printed and separated into stacks of 50, and delivered to Tiffany Proffitt at 3858 Homewood Rd. by the 20th of the month prior to publication. Please contact Tiffany ahead of delivery at tmproffitt@fuse.net or 513-271-0672. Inserts and ads of a political nature are not accepted.
ADS: All camera-ready ads must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the 10th of the month prior to publication to Matt Weinland at MariemontTownCrier@gmail.com. Payment and advertising contracts should be delivered to Matt Weinland, 3812 Indianview Avenue, Mariemont, Ohio, 45227, and must be received prior to publication. The Mariemont Town Crier, LLC. 2018 (c)
Community
1N5 Set to Sell Out 5th Annual Spring4Life Event
1N5 will host the Fifth Annual Spring4Life event on April 18, beginning at 7 p.m., at the Summit Hotel. It will feature delicious fare, live music, a storytelling series, an open bar, and numerous opportunities – including silent and live auctions - to support evidencebased mental health education programs in area schools.
Last year’s event raised $140,000. The event continues to grow year-to-year, and is expected to potentially sell out this year.
Mariemont resident Nancy Eigel-Miller, 1N5 founder and executive director, said, “The past growth of this event really shows that our community supports the necessary changes we must make to stop the stigma around mental health conditions that prevent so many youth from getting the treatment they need and deserve. We know that earlier intervention leads to better outcomes, but students must be educated on mental illness and mental wellness in order to truly thrive both academically and personally.”
To register for Spring4Life, go to www.1N5.org/events. Student tickets are $25,
individual tickets are $100, and a table for up to 10 individuals is $2,500.
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American Carpet Masters Is A Widmer’s Company
Pictured left to right: Sarah Coyne, Caden Fahrnbach, Brooke Kelly, Jacqui Grega, Natalie Utt, and Justin Mackey.
Garden Club of Mariemont turns 80
By Mary Alice Maze
On April 26, 1940 the Garden Club of Mariemont was founded by gardening enthusiasts and civic-minded ladies of the Village of Mariemont. This year the Club celebrates its 80th anniversary and is proud to be the oldest continuously active organization in Mariemont! We will be celebrating 2020 with our Village neighbors for the entire year with stories, history and fun. Stay tuned via the Town Crier - Let the story begin!
The year is 1940. World War II is underway, the Village of Mariemont is 17 years old, and Mrs Harold Bredwell was chosen as the first president of the Garden Club of Mariemont. The women of the club plan for the creation of Victory
Gardens as the war continues into 1941.
The Victory Gardens were located in what is now known as Patriots Park, located between Wooster Pike and Elm Street. The ladies grew vegetables for their home use, which allowed farm-grown food to be allocated toward the war effort to provide meals for US soldiers.
Isn’t it fitting that the Garden Club of Mariemont’s 1941 Victory Garden location is now named Patriot’s Park?
Stayed tuned for the next chapter of our story in the April issue of the Town Crier!
SAVE THE DATE!
The Garden Club of Mariemont’s annual plant sale will take place Saturday May 9, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Village Green in
front of the Municipal Building on Wooster Pike. Hope to see you there!
In this 1942 news clip (courtesy of MPF), four original members of The Garden Club are shown enriching the soil at the Victory Gardens for vegetables and flowers.
Village
Amy Weiss Memorial Scholarship Update
Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation Update
The Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation (CSF) moved just as the February Town Crier went to press. Anyone wishing to donate via regular mail to the Amy Weiss Memorial Scholarship for Girl Scouts, please make your check payable to the Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation, indicate “Amy Weiss Memorial Scholarship” on your check, and mail to the new address:
Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation
324 East 4th Street, 2nd Floor Cincinnati OH 45202
Donations can still be made online as well at: www.cincinnatischolarshipfoundation.org.
Please remember to indicate that your donation is for the “Amy Weiss Memorial
Scholarship,” so that donations are directed properly.
Applications Now Open
The scholarship is now officially open and accepting applications from Girl Scouts who are graduating high school seniors, with at least a 3.0 GPA. While most CSF scholarships are need-based, the Amy Weiss Memorial Scholarship is not. To apply, go to: https:// www.cincinnatischolarshipfoundation.org/ apply-for-a-scholarship/. The application is a general form for all CSF scholarships.
Troop 40829
Eighth grade Cadette Troop 40829 had a day of service at A Child’s Hope International where they packed meal packets for people in need in India. They helped pack over 125
thousand meals! Currently, they are also busy planning a trip to Chicago in the spring!
What Would You Like to See at the Mariemont Pool?
A task force has been formed to gather information to improve the Village of Mariemont Pool. We would like your input! Please visit www.Mariemont.org and click on “2020 Pool Survey” under the Quick Links at the bottom left of the page to complete a short survey. All are welcome to provide feedback (yes, even kids!) by the end of March.
Troop 40829
By Kim Beach
The Turf Club: Burgers, Bros and the Best
Tom Kunkemoeller and his brother Marc bought The Turf Club at 4618 Eastern Avenue in January 2019 and have worked hard to rebrand the burger restaurant and share their unique experience with Cincinnatians. Tom is running The Turf Club and Marc has been running their jointly owned Deer Park restaurant, Chicken on the Run, since 2014.
Tom has a long history in the restaurant business. He has held almost every job at several Montgomery Inn restaurants, starting as a takeout cashier. He was promoted to bartender and eventually became General Manager at the Montgomery Inn East (until the tragic fire) and then back to the Boathouse to round out his career.
Tom had been bit by the restaurant bug, and when the Turf Club was available to purchase, the Kunkemoeller brothers came to the rescue. They thought it was important to keep this local icon in business for the local burger lovers, families and neighbors. The restaurant still contains the neon signs it was so famous for and the 52-seat burger joint still boasts the previous menu. Burgers with specialty cheeses, toppings and sauces are the Turf Club go to. They also serve a menu full of seafood, grilled chicken sandwiches and tasty appetizers. The Club stocks an extensive list of domestic, imported and specialty beers, as well as
many wine options and cocktails.
Family is important to the brothers. Tom has been married to Janice for over 27 years, and their 25-year-old son TJ works at The Turf Club. Tom met Janice when working at the Montgomery Inn. A graduate of Sycamore High School and then Xavier University, Tom has lots of local roots and
relationships. He grew up playing golf at Terrace Park Country Club and has many friends from the Mariemont area. He spent lots of time hanging out in the Village and his favorite spot is the Concourse. When asked his favorite place of all time, Tom quickly answered with “Augusta National” during the Masters Tournament. He was
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Marc (left) and Tom (right) Kunkemoeller, owners of The Turf Club
Turf Club (from previous page)
lucky enough to go to Augusta when you could walk up and buy a ticket at the gate.
The Kunkemoeller brothers would like to invite all the folks of Mariemont and the surrounding areas to stop in and enjoy a burger at The Turf Club. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday and is closed on MondayTuesday. The Turf Club caters to young families, empty nesters, groups of singles, and is always the perfect spot for a date night.
When asked about restaurant heroes, Tom mentions Buddy LaRosa and his favorite saying, “Good, better, best: Never let it rest ‘til your good is better and your better is best.” But Tom’s favorite motto will always be, “When there’s a will, there’s a way.”
For more Turf Club info and to see the full menu, visit https://turfclubcincy.com/.
Lisa Larkin, MD, FACP, NCMP, IF Maria Wright, MD, NCMP
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By Margaret Jevic
It’s official: 600 lbs. of holiday lights diverted from the landfill this year! Last year we rang in around 200 lbs. of lights - not bad for our first year. We know you all love and use the Ace bin, but we certainly were not expecting three times the amount of lights as last year! It took five trips to Cohen Recycling
Village Holiday Lights Record Broken
by three different volunteers. Thank you to everyone who brought us lights; your small effort makes a huge difference in the landfill problem.
Ace Hardware deserves a gold medal for putting up with our overflows after some major influxes of lights. This past year we have been realizing we are rapidly outgrowing our Ace
location, so Sustainable Mariemont has been on the lookout for public collection options to expand our reach. If any alternative collection sites come to fruition, you all will be the first to know.
Holiday light collection ended on February 29, so we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming of collecting dead batteries, empty and label-free pill bottles, and used ink cartridges. With spring right around the corner, as you do any cleaning or organizing, hang on to items that can have a second life. Sustainable Mariemont will be posting tips on recycling as well as information on where to donate usable items.
Visit our Facebook page, Sustainable Mariemont, to see all the latest updates. You can also email us at SustainableMariemont@ gmail.com. We love hearing from you!
One of five trunks full of broken holiday lights that Sustainable Mariemont volunteers took to Cohen Recycling at the first of the year.
By Carolyn Hohl
Plant Native Plants This Spring!
Sustainable Mairemont would like to encourage you to consider planting more native plant species in your garden this spring!
What are native plants? Native plants are plants that have evolved in this region. These plants have adapted to compete with our native species and are susceptible to natural enemies like herbivores and parasites. These natural enemies allow these plants to be more easily naturally controlled without the use of manmade pesticides and chemical products.
What are invasive plants? Invasive plants have been brought here unnaturally and can quickly out-compete native plants for resources. This reduces the abundance and diversity of our native flora. There are even cases of invasive plants competing with natives for pollinators, by attracting pollinators to their blooms and away from native flowers.
Why should you plant native flowers, shrubs, and trees in your yard? The Cincinnati Nature Center lists five great reasons on their website. First, native plants are more likely to survive and thrive. Second, native plants are easy to maintain and use less water. Third, native plants provide food and shelter for butterflies, bees, birds, and other local wildlife. Fourth, your yard can become a natural space for urban wildlife that may be migrating through, such as the monarch butterflies. Fifth, your garden will become an important part of saving our local plant species by stopping invasive plants from taking over in our area.
How do you know what to plant? The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden has put together a guide to help you select native trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, vines, and grasses. This list was created through the trials and usage in the urban/ suburban, Midwest conditions. You can visit the Zoo’s website at http://cincinnatizoo.
Campaign to Support LLS and Remember
Former Resident Doug Thompson
By Kim Beach
This month a team of women from Mariemont and surrounding communities will embark on a mission to help cure cancer. You are invited to join them in this life-saving effort!
The team, “Buckeyes Beating Cancer” (BBC), will begin their endeavor on March 18 at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Man/Woman of the Year kick-off to be held at The Summit in Madisonville. The Man/Woman campaign is a 10-week fundraising competition that raises money for the LLS. The man and woman, with the help of their team, who raises the most money for the organization is deemed the Man/Woman of the Year.
Team BBC will be raising money in honor of Doug Thompson, a 17-year resident of Mariemont who lost his battle with leukemia on December 7, 2018. The team, quarterbacked by Village resident Kim Beach, is named “Buckeyes Beating Cancer” because Doug was a huge Ohio State football fan. The BBC team is made up of friends of Jill and Doug Thompson, and many teammates are part of a bunco group of which Jill was a member when she lived in Mariemont.
There will be several fundraisers and opportunities to be a part of this Villagewide effort. Please look for a flyer in the April Town Crier that will detail the upcoming events. If you are interested in getting more involved, please contact Kim at kimbeach13@gmail.com. Go Team Buckeyes Beating Cancer!
Buckeyes Beating Cancer team members include: (Back) Carol Winstel, Laura Dolle, Cy Zack, Nancy Lonnemann (Front) Donna Goheen, Kim Beach, Chris Teghtmeyer. Not pictured: Holly Walsh, Erika Hinebaugh, Mary Beth York, Ellen Fakes, Shannon Gilmore, Kelly Snyder, Laura Dailey, Beth Moone, Penny House, Maria Borgerding
What’s New at Kiwanis of Mariemont
Hello, neighbors. It’s been a while since the Kiwanis of Mariemont has shared what’s new! We thought we’d take the opportunity to first review what Kiwanis is and how we help in the community, and then give you some updates.
Who We Are
Kiwanis is a service club that is directly connected with the Mariemont School District. Our members live in the Mariemont School District and nearby communities. In the four Mariemont school buildings we support:
• Warriors Walk Tall
• Builders Clubs
• Key Club
• JH Stock Market Game
• HOBY Leadership program
• Mentoring for Warriors Beyond
We have granted over $250,000 in college scholarships over the last 2 decades ($15,000 in 2019 alone). These efforts are supported by our fundraisers:
• Art & Craft Fair
• Holiday Nut Sales
• Golf Tournament (Look for info on this year’s event in the April Town Crier!) Fairfax Fall Festival
What’s new?
We now have a separate 501-C3 Foundation – Kiwanis of Mariemont Childrens Foundationwhich is a fully tax deductible charity.
Our website is being upgraded for ease of use and greater functionality.
food and drinks.
Join Us for Breakfast!
Thank you for all your past support of these
We’ve added a Texas Hold ‘em Tournament fundraiser. This year’s event was a great success. Thank you to Bill DeCamp for opening up his office building for our event, and to Jersey Mikes, 50 West and Woodburn Brewing for sponsoring
We’d love to show you what Mariemont Kiwanis is about and welcome you to join us for one of our Tuesday morning meetings! We meet weekly at the Mariemont Elementary School cafeteria on Tuesdays from 7:40 to 8:30 a.m. Weekly speakers provide insight into issues of local interest by leaders in business, government and education. Our membership is made up of those in the middle of their careers, retirees, men and women; all who share the common goal to help the kids of our communities.
You do not have to come to every meeting to be a member of Kiwanis. Some of our members who make the biggest contributions to our mission only come to a few meeting each year. So if you are looking for a volunteer group to join, or would like to help the Kiwanis of Mariemont in some way, text a message to our membership committee at 513-404-1422.
For more information please check out our website at www.mariemontkiwanis.org.
Community
What’s Happening at the Mariemont Branch Library - February
Children
Movers & Shakers — 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays
Bring the little ones in for stories, songs, and dancing as they learn about the Library. Ages 1-4.
Library Babies 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays
Have fun, meet other parents and babies, and promote early literacy. Ages 6-18 months.
Tales to Tails — 4 p.m. Thursday, March 12
Read a story to Bonny the therapy dog. Ages 5-10.
Crafty Kids — 4 p.m. Thursday, March 12
Make and take a fun craft! Ages 5-10.
Japanese Calligraphy Workshop — 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31
Ryoko Reita from the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati teaches children the art of Japanese calligraphy in a hands-on workshop. Registration required. Grades 1-5
Teens
Hot Chocolate Book Club — 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 17
Warm up your winter months by joining our Tween Book Club! We are drinking hot chocolate and having a book discussion about Double Indemnity by Margaret Haddix Peterson. Registration is recommended. Ages 10-14.
Adults
Which Craft? Needle Craft Club 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, March 7 & 21
Stop by with your current work in progress for pointers or just to have fun with co-enthusiasts. Knitting, crochet, needlework — whatever you like to do.
Armchair Explorers: Cave Diving — 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 9
How did a local high school teacher end up on a National Geographic expedition swimming with sharks, penguins, sea lions, and turtles? Join Beth Quinones as she talks about her experiences aboard the Endeavor II as it traveled the Galapagos Islands in November 2019. Adults and teens. Registration is recommended.
Memory Café — 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12
The Memory Café is a welcoming place for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their care partners. Each month there is an opportunity to socialize and enjoy music, games, and other fun activities. Activities will vary each month. Registration is recommended.
Book Club — 6:45 p.m. Thursday, March 26
We are discussing Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. Copies are available at the branch.
Library hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
Mariemont Branch Library 3810 Pocahontas Ave. 513-369-4467
Public Library of Cincinnati Plans Improvements for All Locations
By Suzy Weinland
In December, the first part of a Facility Master Plan (FMP) that encompasses the Downtown Main Library as well as all 41 neighborhood locations was released to the public. The FMP identified a capital facility need in the range of $300-$350 million in today’s dollars; however, the plan’s recommendations limited project costs to funds available from the 2018 levy. These projects include: $120-$130 million in Design Projects, $20-$25 million in Capital Maintenance Projects, as well as approximately $2 million in Strategic Investments.
Every branch as well as the Downtown Main Library is receiving improvements over the next 10 years, in one of three categories: Strategic Investment – Small, but impactful, improvements such as laptop kiosks, maker equipment, and study pods Capital Maintenance – Replacement and repair work, such as HVAC, furniture, roofing, and carpeting
Design Projects – Significant improvements, such as major renovations, expansions, or relocations
A total of $98 million is projected to be available in the first five years, and the first part of the FMP identified the initial projects anticipated to launch through 2023. The balance of projects is conditional on continued funding streams including state and local funding. The recommendations may also be adjusted based on market conditions, critical repairs, and other factors beyond the Library’s control.
The first five projects, which launch in 2020, include the Downtown Main Library as well as the branch libraries in Price Hill, Walnut Hills, Elmwood, and Reading. The Mariemont Branch Library is considered part of the South East Planning Zone, along with Anderson, Hyde Park, Madisonville, Madeira, Mt. Washington, and Oakley.
Mariemont Branch is considered a capital maintenance and strategic investment project. As part of capital maintenance, the Library’s Facilities Department has identified that the branch is in need of HVAC and electrical upgrades. It is also recommended that it receive a strategic investment to improve the current facility and enhance service. A process led by Library staff with community input will identify how this investment should be made.
According to the FMP, Part II, page 86: “The branch does not have a dedicated meeting space, group study room,
with particular focus on recapturing courtyard space
• Noted support for a drive-up return
Beyond taking care of the capital maintenance items, as additional funding becomes available, the Library may explore opportunities such as enclosing the courtyard, renovating current storage space, or expanding the facility to increase public service space and include a meeting space and group study spaces. Once improvements are made to other branches in the South East Zone, the Library will evaluate whether
makerspace, or tech space. There is less demand from customers for public computer access at this branch than at most others. This branch predominantly serves caregivers with children.”
The Library led several community discussions this past fall, and the top three community input items included:
Develop dynamic, engaging, and flexible spaces with particular focus on social spaces for community use including a
Utilize outdoor spaces more effectively
customer usage changes for Mariemont, and consider making further improvements or tailoring spaces and services based on customers’ evolving needs.
To see the complete Facilities Master Plan for the South East Planning Zone, go to https://www.cincinnatilibrary. org/nextgenerationlibrary/findings/ FMPSouthEastZone.pdf
To see all branch recommendations and stay up-to-date on the project, go to CincinnatiLibrary.org/NextGenerationLibrary.
Robert Forsee Jr., President
New This Month at MariElders
Open Games
Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
This is a walk-in game playing group with members available to teach beginners and/or develop playing skills. Our Center
has many board and card games available, or feel free to bring in a game to share.
Open Puzzles
Thursdays at 2 p.m.
Join us on Thursdays for a new jigsaw puzzle each week! If you have any puzzles that you do not want, please donate them to our puzzle library, where members can check out puzzles and/or the Center will be able to use them with weekly activities.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company: Pride and Prejudice
Wednesday, March 11
One of the single most beloved stories of all time returns to the CSC stage in a fresh new adaptation that critics are calling “delightfully different,” “fizzy and festive,” and “unlike any adaptation of Jane Austen one has seen before.” Sweepingly romantic, with a good dose of the tongue-in-cheek, Pride and Prejudice follows the affaires de cœur of the witty and willful Elizabeth Bennet, as she finds that the path to true love can lead to the most unexpected of places.
Just the Guys
Thursday,
March 12
Guys, join us for a trip to the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum & Cincinnati Fire Museum with lunch at Washington Platform Saloon and Restaurant. Both Museums show artifacts and history of more than one hundred local, township, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies serving more than 600 documented communities in the Greater Cincinnati Area. The Washington Platform Saloon has New Orleans inspired food, and is well-known for seafood.
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MariElders (from previous page)
Lunch & Learn: Flipdaddy’s and Tao Float Loft “What is Floating?”
Friday, March 13
Over 60 years of research into Floatation REST therapy has revealed the power of weightlessness, total stillness and soothing salt water to act together as a healing force. Floating is one of the best methods for achieving deep mental relaxation and total physical relief. After lunch next door, we will be able to examine the floating pod, and ask questions.
Lunch Bunch: Hathaway’s Diner and Carew Tower Observation Deck
Wednesday, March 18
Hathaway’s Diner has been a downtown landmark in Carew Tower since 1956. Food Network thinks it’s the best diner in Ohio. Afterwards, we will take an elevator to the 49th floor to enjoy the panoramic views of downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky on Carew Tower Observation Deck.
Waldorf Spring Strings Concert
Thursday, March 19
We will attend the Waldorf Spring Strings Concert and enjoy the beautiful sounds of strings instruments.
Gemology: Diamonds and Precious Metals
Friday, March 20
Richard Wendel MD, MBA, and GIA Certified Graduate Gemologist will be bringing his modified OLLI Gemology class to our center. He will focus on diamonds and precious metals in this 45-minute class.
Lunch & Learn: Normal vs Not Normal Aging
Tuesday, March 31
This workshop will help members understand and recognize some of the distinct differences in “normal” and “not normal” aging. Includes engaging personal stories and physical dramatizations to establish greater knowledge of dementia.
Village
We will also address typical issues that occur from early stages of the condition, through mid-disease, and into the final care concerns that are part of the disease progression. Lunch prior.
THE MARIELDERS, INC. is a non-profit senior center dedicated to the enrichment of life for adults 55 years and older by providing activities and services. We were established in 1977, and membership is open to any older adult living in any neighborhood. For transportation services, we serve Mariemont, Fairfax, Madison Place, Plainville, and Terrace Park.
Please call 271-5588 to join us on any of the above activities!
By Kim Flick, MariElders Transportation Coordinator
Community Tune Out Stress with Music
We can all agree that stress is a part of life. How we deal with it is what matters. Stress can keep us alert and ready to avoid danger. But negative stress from continuous challenges can become distress. Problems sleeping, headaches, elevated blood pressure, angina, are just some physical symptoms triggered by too much stress. Using alcohol, tobacco or drugs for relief actually keeps the body in a stressed state.
Web MD states that 43 percent of adults suffer adverse health effects from stress. Stress related complaints account for 75-90 percent of doctor visits. Stress can also play a part in diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.
Researchers at Stanford University state that “listening to music seems to change brain functioning to the same extent as medication.” According to Pfizer Medical Team, music improves mood, cognition and memory, reduces stress, lessens anxiety, provides comfort and eases pain.
Music can positively impact vital signs and feeding behaviors in premature babies. Improved social responses, communication and attention skills have resulted from music therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders. Patients undergoing serious illness or end of life care can benefit from music to support coping with fear, anxiety and pain. Listening to music has been
shown to slow high heart rates and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. A recent review in the World Journal of Psychiatry found that music therapy can be an effective treatment for neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and dementia.
Music can inspire movement. (Take it easy on the Jitterbug if you haven’t done it in a while!) Faster upbeat music can make you feel more alert and optimistic about life. Conversely, a slower tempo can quiet your mind, relax your muscles, and make you feel soothed enough to release the stress of the day. When you hear music to your liking, the brain actually releases the chemical dopamine, which has positive effects on mood.
Current findings by the University of Nevada, Reno, indicate that music around 60 beats per minute can synchronize the brain with the beat, causing alpha brainwaves (8-14 hertz) – what is present when we are relaxed and conscious. To induce delta brainwaves (5 hertz) for sleep, a person could listen to calming music in a relaxed position for at least 45 minutes.
So how do you choose the best relaxation music? Use your ears. Explore. Search the Internet for suggestions on the types of music and songs you feel might work for you. It has been suggested that stringed instruments, drums and flutes are
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Stress (from previous page)
effective in relaxing the mind. If music has not been a part of your life, try light jazz, classical or easy listening genres.
When you’re feeling the shoulders tighten, the jaw clenching and the mind racing, stream some
Community
tunes from your smart phone, spin some vinyl LPs, drop a stack of 45s, crank up the Victrola, or put another nickel in the Nickelodeon. Music, music, music. To quote the late Lawrence Welk, it’s “Wunnerful, a-Wunnerful.”
Mariemont Area Chamber of Commerce: Join in!
Attention area businesses! Please join other local companies as we establish a local chamber for the Mariemont area. Goals of the chamber include:
• To further the interests of our local businesses
• To advocate on behalf of the business community
• To provide networking opportunities
• To offer cost-saving benefits to employers through SOCA (Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance)
• To work together on events that would showcase the local businesses
• To improve the economic, civic, and cultural wellbeing of the area
If you would like to be added to the list for future meetings, please email Kim Beach at kim@ insurethevillage.com.
Community
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Presents Two Fun Shows in March
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati presents Annie Jr. at the Taft Theatre February 29-March 9, and Harriet Tubman: Straight Up Outta’ the Underground at the Ralph and Patricia Corbett Showtime Stage, 4015 Red Bank Road, March 14 and 15.
Annie Jr.
Based on the popular comic strip “Little Orphan Annie,” and featuring classic songs like “Tomorrow,” and “NYC,” Annie Jr. is a heartwarming story for the entire family. Show times are:
Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Friday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Sunday, March 8 at 11 a.m. (SensoryFriendly performance) and 2 p.m.
All of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Broadway-style MainStage productions, including Annie Jr., are performed in the historic Taft Theatre, 5th and Sycamore Streets in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets start at $10 and are
available through www.ticketmaster.com.
School performances of Annie Jr. will be held March 3-6 and March 9, 2020 during the daytime hours. For details about how to purchase tickets to TCT’s school performances, visit www.thechildrenstheatre. com. A special sensory-friendly performance will take place on March 8.
Harriet Tubman
The Children’s Theater (TCT) On Tour brings the audience into this one-woman interactive storytelling experience, led by TCT Tour Manager and Resident Artist Brandi
knowledge and passion about real estate work
As a Mariemont alumna and current village resident, she is committed to our community. Malia can handle ALL your real estate needs whether you’re moving locally, across town or out of country. Real Service. Real Solutions.
Introducing Diana Hutchinson as Annie. (Photo by Mikki Schaffner.)
Theatre (from previous page)
Langford-Sherrill. Uncover the painful truth about America’s 200-year-old struggle with slavery when you play a part in this historic retelling. On this journey, audiences will follow Harriet Tubman, the most recognized conductor of the Underground Railroad. Nicknamed “Moses,” Harriet Tubman lived up to this name by gaining her own freedom as well as traveling back and forth from North to South more than 19 times and freeing 300 slaves!
This show is most enjoyed by students in grades 3-8 as well as adults. Show times are:
Saturday, March 14 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Sunday, March 15 at 2 p.m.
Community
Tickets are $10 (plus service fees), through ticketmaster.com or by visiting TCT’s Red Bank Road Ticket Office, M-F, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mainstage subscribers pay just $7 per ticket.
TCT On Tour is bringing this production
to schools and venues around the TriState and throughout the region. If you are interested in booking, contact Violet Webster at 513-569-8080 x20 or email violet.webster@ tctcincinnati.com.
Locations:
Brandi Langford-Sherrill as Harriet Tubman from TCT On Tour’s production. Photo by Julia Fowler.
Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center
March at The Barn
Saturday Kids
March 7 - “Spring Artmaking for Families” by Beth Renick. Come and make seasonal art with your favorite adult. Messy, messy, messy, so wear your old clothes! Register at thebarn.regfox. com.
This series is generously supported by a grant from the Mariemont Preservation Foundation. Please include at least one adult per event. $5/ person (adult or child). Programs start promptly at 10 a.m.; seating is firstcome, first-served. To learn more about the Mariemont Preservation Foundation, visit mariemontpreservation.org
ARTflix stands At Eternity’s Gate this month
Mark March 12 on your calendar for March’s free movie. This month, the good folks at The Barn are presenting At Eternity’s Gate, a 111-minute biography about the life and times of Vincent van Gogh, starring Willem Defoe and Rupert Friend. The films explores van Gogh’s artwork, as well as his motivation not only “to see a landscape, but the eternity behind it.” (Unknown author)
Artistically Speaking
The Brush & Palette Painters have made their marks during the past year as they eagerly await spring and more opportunities for plein air adventures.
The Brush and Palette Painters are 24 intrepid women who take up the brush against the vagaries of weather to share their visions of Greater Cincinnati locales and beyond.
The painters invite the community to attend its annual show, which features
a wide range of 70 paintings in various media and styles, ready to hang in special places, including a number of smaller items. Plein air landscapes and landmarks are featured along with studio paintings created as the artists huddled in their shared studio during cold months when paint and fingers stiffen.
Please drop by for a chat at the Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center, titled Artistically Speaking, during their opening reception on Friday, March 6 from 5:30 and 8 p.m. Additional gallery hours include Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 14 p.m. through March 2 9.
Artists include the following: Nancy Achberger, Laurie Arshonsky, Martha Carmody, Mary Beth Dowlin, Helene Fondacaro, Adele Garneret, Nathalie Gerberick, Joy Glaser, Susan Grier, Sue Helbling, Carol Holland, Martha Howard,
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Barn (from previous page)
Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center
Diana Kilfoil, Kathleen Kilgallon, Christine Kuhr, Ivanka Lempitskiy, Dodie Loewe, Nancy Neville, Dana Olsen, Barbara Pask, Mandy Putnam, Nancy Reynolds, Bobbi Thies and Mary Jean Weber. Please visit Cincinnati Brush and Palette Painters at https://www.facebook. com/Cincinnati-Brush-and-PalettePainters-184707068217722/.
Hors d’oeuvres and wine au gratis.
Art and Architecture of Italy
From the Roman Empire to the Renaissance and throughout history, Italian artists, architects, and composers have left a legacy that has had an enormous influence on the art world. Thanks to art expert Gene Johnston, this inspiration can be yours. This spring, Johnston will be presenting a four-week lecture series featuring the artistic heritage of cities, such as Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan.
Gene Johnston, moderator, is an American/Parisienne who lives in Paris and in the US. She is also a designer of interiors, furniture, fashion, jewelry, and
owner of retail stores and art galleries. Johnston has served the community by offering lectures through various organizations through the years.
Lecture dates include March 26 - April 16 (4 weeks), on Thursdays from 1:30 to
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3:30 p.m. in the Loft. To register, please go to thebarn.regfox.com or call 513-2723700. The Barn welcomes walk-ins. The cost is $25 for the entire series.
Mark Your Calendars
April 5-26 : Woman’s Art Club Juried Show
April 17 : Annual Brettell Party
April 25 : Annual Paint-Out
May 1-5 : Hog Bristle Painters Annual Show
Classes for All
For a complete list of art classes at The Barn, please visit artatthebarn.org.
“You may have the universe, if I may have Italy.” ~ Giuseppe Verdi (18131901), Italian Composer
Village of Mariemont Outstanding Citizen Award Nominations
Due March 12 - to Joanee at joanee@mariemont.org by March 12, 2020. Contact Joanee for an application.
Regular Council Meeting
January 27, 2020
Mayor Brown asked for a moment of silence in memory of Carl Sturtz. He was 91 years old and had been a resident of the Village for 60 years. He said he actually met Mr. Sturtz in the 1960s when they both were active in the same church. We have lost many legacy residents recently.
Mr. Joe Stoner, 6924 Miami Bluff, President of Mariemont Preservation Foundation made a brief presentation to Council, sharing Mary Emery’s vision and John Nolen’s original design and plan for “A National Exemplar” community. He cited the 1979 Historic Register status and the more exclusive 2007 National Historic Landmark status granted by The National Park Service. These designations do not protect properties from demolition or inappropriate alterations by private actions, and while the Historic District is protected by local ordinances, the rest of Mariemont is not. For these reasons, and to prevent future problems, the MPF created a task force, co-chaired by Bob Van Stone and Aileen Beatty, with the mission to “protect the unprotected.” The task force hired and held many meetings with Sullebarger Associates, historic preservation consultants. Proposed zoning updates that mainly address demolition were approved by the whole MPF, and distributed to Council. There will be future proposals focusing on new construction and alterations. MPF realizes change is inevitable, and doesn’t want fossilization, nor hold the entire Village to strict preservation guidelines like the Historic District. MPF is asking Council to upgrade zoning code as proposed to maintain the character of our Village and uphold our property values in order to preserve for future generations what was left to us.
Fiscal Officer Borgerding said the 2019 numbers were not quite as prosperous as we hoped back when we did the budget July 2018. Revenues were short of what was expected (approximately $70,000-$80,000). He is more concerned with the expenses that are growing faster than what he believes it should be growing or he expected. Salaries we knew were going up and made a conscientious effort to pay Police and Fire more money and went out and passed a levy. It is the “other” operating type of expenses that have increased more than expected. We still have a million dollars in the bank. There are some things we can do to increase revenue and decrease expenses so no need to hit the panic button yet.
Village Government
Mayor Brown said the Village has a number of things presently in the works and several things for the future, including: Swim Pool Task force, garbage fees, Tax Office, etc. There will be a much tighter scrutiny over where the departments are within their budget. We do not want to wait until the end of the year to see that we have gone over budget. We want to catch this as we go along.
Mr. Bartlett said one thing he would love to move off of is the million dollar cash balance. In 2015 the Village had 2 million, now we have 1.5 million dollars with $650,000 in debts. It is not dire, but we really need to start getting more proactive. He has talked with local municipalities about how many months cash on hand they have (if an emergency happened): Fairfax 16 months, Terrace Park 10 months, Columbia Township 12 months, Mariemont less than 3 months. He believes we need to reach out to the community and ask for ideas/suggestions on what the Village can do. We should also share with them what steps the Village has taken. It is not dire, but there is a trend in place.
Ms. Palazzolo read the following from resident Cortney Scheeser, 6950 Nolen Circle, Mariemont Council 2010-2013. “I’m writing to encourage you to adopt changes to the Planning Commission and Architectural Review Boards; specifically lowering the barrier for Council to override their recommendations to a simple majority, in line with State of Ohio standards. Our Village has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to dilute the concentration of decision-making authority built up over the last 20 years. Decision making authority among fewer and fewer (often un-elected) people is simply un-Democratic, and we ought to right this. I witnessed first-hand many shortsighted decisions by appointed board during my time on Council. Some include: 1. Refusing JEDZ income from Columbia Township http://scheezer.blogspot.com/search?q=jedz 2. Removal of sidewalks from East Street http:// scheeser.blogspot.com/2012/08/718-planningcommission.html 3. Refusing grant money to improve the Murray 6 Way Intersection via a roundabout http://scheeser.blogspot.com/ search?q=roundabout. These decisions, whether right or wrong, aren’t the point. Rather, it’s that the (elected) council’s hands were tied – review and oversight was simply not possible. The super majority hurdle essentially ignored Council’s own knowledge and judgement and experience. While not part of this action, I would strongly suggest another change: prohibiting the Mayor or Council
Council Representatives
Rob Bartlett robbartlettcouncil@gmail.com
Avia Graves aviagraves@gmail.com
Marcy Lewis marcylewiscouncil@gmail.com
Maggie Palazzolo magpal00@gmail.com
Kelly Rankin kellrankincouncil@gmail.com
Mayor: Bill Brown mayor@@mariemont.org
from sitting on the ARB. Welcoming more people into the process of governing and spreading authority across a larger group of our community members engages our talented residents and leads to better outcomes. Please consider approving this first step.
Mayor Brown referred the matter of the Mayor and Council representative not sitting on the ARB. He said ARB is a seven member board and does have fairly good representation. He would like to have the consultant who worked with MPF come and give a tutorial to the ARB members to emphasize and stress the importance of historical preservation. Ms. Palazzolo suggested having a member of MPF on the board.
Mr. Mike Lemon, 3958 Miami Road, was granted permission to grant permission to address Council. With the Rules & Law Committee reviewing Village ordinances pertaining to the Planning Commission as they relate to the preservation and maintenance of this historic community. As Council deliberates on the Planning Commission, he asked that Council give due consideration to the following recommendations: 1. Planning Commissioners should be trained in Municipal Planning & Zoning Fundamentals to be appointed to the position as a commissioner, with a goal of certification as a planning commissioner and continuing education requirements. The Village should pay for any educational efforts with a goal of having a well-informed and knowledgeable commission. Too often members of the Commission have little or no background, experience or training in planning and zoning matters. On-the-job training was the only path
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Village Government
provided. Our historic designation, especially with regard to planning, warrants and deserves professional educated, trained or certified members who understand the relationship of planning and zoning to the preservation, goals and initiatives of the community, to the Mariemont Code of Ordinances, and to the law. We need only to look at the recent costly and challenging issues associated with the building and zoning issues for a medical office and business located on the Square to see the need for commission members who know planning and zoning fundamentals and zoning law. We certainly do not need a recurrence of that experience. If there is a shortfall of talent or knowledge, the Ohio Revised Code even allows for public members of the Planning Commission to be non-residents provided they live in the county. 2. The need for five members of the Board of Appeals, in this case Village Council, to overturn a decision of the Planning Commission seems excessive and unfair. The Ohio Revised Code only requires two-thirds, not three-fourths, of the Board of Appeals to overturn a Planning Commission’s decision. This very arduous task becomes almost impossible for an appellant where two of the five Planning Commission members are also on the Board of Appeals, which is Council. Even if the majority of Council disagrees with the Planning Commission, a super majority is required. If the Planning Commission is staffed with well-trained and experienced individuals, then there should be few appeals for technical or legal reasons. A vote of four members of Council should be plenty to overturn a decision, with Council having great confidence in the rulings of the commission. 3. As a member of the Planning Commission by law, the Mayor should be in an ex-officio capacity, a non-voting member. Being a full, voting member of the Planning Commission, the Mayor can often be a tie-breaking vote and be perceived as a biased member due to an agenda or other administrative responsibilities. The weight of the Planning Commissions’ decisions should be unbiased and free of undue influence. He thanked
Council for their consideration and wished them well in their deliberations.
Mr. Dennis Wolter, 3804 East Street, was granted permission to address Council. Something he thinks that would serve this governing body and community quite well is the Ohio Municipal League offers courses for newly elected Council members and it is a good overview on what goes on. Considering the educational level of the community he believes a lot of the training could be done in house. He can speak to some of the problems that occurred during his tenure on Council because of having a Mayor as a voting member of a commission. We were debating the parking along Murray Avenue. It was contentious. The Mayor had one plan and he wanted that plan in place. It was taken out of Council’s hands and placed in another commission. At the meeting, Chairman Charlie Thomas asked why they were hearing it when Council had to vote on it anyway. It caused a lot of confusion and heartache for people who have put work into something and then just have it taken away. The only thing we were able to do was change the angle of the parking to preserve the green space. He not only believes the architectural ordinances are in bad shape but all of the ordinances are in bad shape. He has several times tried to use the ordinances to make sense of something to find a pathway to a resolution and often times he finds the legislation just ends or is missing something. We need a group of people who can take pieces of the ordinances and work with some of the lawyers who work in the community and Solicitor McTigue and clean it up. We are flying blind and at the last minute we have to make bad choices.
Solicitor McTigue said he did not believe we need to talk too much about the past but he will say that in the past he did not learn about a lot of things that were going on in the Village until after the fact. He gave Mr. Bartlett credit for keeping him up to speed so he can weigh in when necessary. He believes all the points we have heard
this evening are well taken and we are taking steps to work on the Code of Ordinances and changes suggested.
Mr. Bartlett said the Ohio Municipal League has a template of a basic code book. He asked Solicitor McTigue if he could track it down. He thought it would be a good starting place. It would be helpful to the Rules and Law Committee.
Mr. Lemon said on the Ohio State Auditor’s website there are publications such as Village Officer’s Handbook, which will outline much of what Village is looking for.
Mayor Brown referred the review of MCO Code to the Rules and Law Committee.
Mr. Matt Ayer, 3908 Pocahontas Avenue, was granted permission to address Council. As a follow-up to Mr. Scheeser’s letter and Mr. Lemon’s thoughts he looked at the changes to the proposals in Section 37.01 of Planning Commission. In several places (of the existing section) the math is wrong and the proposal will fix the math. What is being proposed is to do what is consistent with what other statutory Villages do, which is 4/6 of Council members to overturn a decision. He believes it is good government and he agrees with the number. Experience in Planning is preferred in the revision to the code. He likes the suggestion that members receive training and certification. He thanked Council for looking at the matter.
With the upcoming Special Meeting of Council to vote on the Council member to fill Mr. Brown’s vacated seat, Ms. Palazzolo reminded Council of the process agreed upon and used in filling the Council vacancy the past two times (below), and proposed staying with the process due to precedent, but suggested that Council should review and agree again. After discussion, explanation and clarification it was agreed to change section 7d to read “Each Council member can only nominate one person, or can only second
one person.”
Whereas the Ohio Attorney General has determined that council is who decides what process is used to fill any vacancies and council would like to ensure consistency in this process going forward, this is to document the process to be used when filling vacancies on Mariemont’s council.
At the first council meeting when a council member has announced that he or she is resigning, a schedule will be created which includes the following:
When an announcement will be distributed throughout the Village about the pending vacancy and the process for applying for the open role. This should be as soon as possible to allow as many people to participate as possible. A variety of methods for communicating this should be used in order to reach as many residents as possible.
A deadline for when applications must be submitted to the Village Office. Ideally, this should occur 2 weeks after the announcements go out. Also, any data that is required on the application should be listed as well.
A date when council will meet to listen to each candidate as well as constituents, and decide who will fill the vacancy. This meeting must be within 30 days of the vacancy occurring on council.
Any groups may choose to meet and align their support behind any given candidate. That candidate will be considered alongside all of the other candidates who have submitted their names at large.
Once the applications have been submitted, each council member will make an effort to meet and vet each of the candidates to assist in the selection process.
Once all the applications have been submitted, the names shall be released to the public via normal council communications.
Because the process is led by council, the meeting will be conducted as a Special Meeting of Council.
A quorum is required in order to have the meeting. Per Ohio Revised Code, a quorum is defined as a majority of the active members of council. So if there are two vacancies, a quorum would be reached if three of the remaining four council members are in attendance.
The process at the Special Meeting of Council will be as follows:
Each candidate will be given an opportunity
Village Government
to speak. They will be limited to six minutes. The speeches will be given in alphabetical order.
Residents will be given an opportunity to endorse any of the candidates or to ask any question of the candidates. The discussion will be limited to the candidates only. Each resident can speak only once and is limited to three minutes.
Once all of the residents have been given a chance to speak, council will close ranks. This will be an opportunity for council to talk among themselves about the candidates before voting.
Once council has finished their deliberations, there will be an opportunity for each council member to nominate or second a candidate. Each council member can only nominate one person, and can only second one person.
If only 2 candidates are nominated, then council will be asked to vote for 1 of the 2 candidates.
If more than 2 candidates are nominated, the
voting will be done one candidate at a time in the order that they were nominated and seconded.
The first candidate to achieve a majority vote of the council members present is appointed to the vacant position. If there is a tie (for example, if two vote in favor and two vote against a candidate), then per Ohio Revised Code, the Mayor gets to break the tie.
If council goes through all of the candidates nominated and seconded, and is not able to reach a majority vote on any of the candidates, then once 30 days have passed since the vacancy was created, per Ohio Revised Code the Mayor gets to decide who fills the vacancy, using the pool of people who submitted their names to fill the vacancy.
If nobody submits their name, then after 30 days have passed since the vacancy was created, the Mayor will fill the vacancy with a resident from the Village.
MPF Seeks Members, will Publish Mariemont Directory & Village Guide This Spring
As our Village landscape begins to awaken from its winter slumber, we can see and appreciate the beauty of Mariemont in a new season. It’s also a great time to join the Mariemont Preservation Foundation!
Membership contributions allow MPF to preserve and promote the unique qualities that make Mariemont a desirable, family-friendly, and truly exceptional historic community. MPF annually supports community initiatives and events, educational and arts programming, and preservation activities. This spring MPF will also continue its biennial tradition of publishing the Mariemont Directory and Village Guide. For more information, including membership opportunities and Directory availability, visit mariemontpreservationfoundation.org.
“Over 80 Years of Service”
Community
Village Worship Services
Mariemont Community Church
Mariemontchurch.org
Denis Beausejour, Senior Pastor
Paul Rasmussen, Worship Pastor
Jamie Moore, Discipleship Pastor
Leslie Seetin, Children’s Director
Mariemont Community Church welcomes you to their Sunday services, held at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Parish Center building, 3908 Plainville Rd. All activities are held at the Parish Center unless otherwise noted.
Worship Nights on 2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings - 6:30-8:00 p.m. The second Wednesday is contemplative worship; the fourth Wednesday is celebratory worship.
Coming Up
New Sermon Series: “Idols”
March 1 “The Idol of Image and Approval”
March 8 “The Idol of Consumerism and Materialism”
March 15 “The Idol of Work and Achievement” March 22 “The Idol of Family and Relationships” March 29 Conclusion: “Replacing Idols”
EMI’s Renewing the Mind - March 21, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the Parish Center, 3908 Plainville Rd., 45227
Village Church of Mariemont
Villagechurchofmariemont.org
Todd Keyes, Pastor
Jamie Keyes, Children’s Ministries
The Village Church invites you to bring a friend or neighbor and join them for worship services each Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Mariemont Memorial Stone Chapel on Cherry Lane. Children’s Sunday School for pre-K through 6th grade is provided during the service at our Oak Street Building, 3920 Oak St. (corner of Oak and Maple), just a block from the Chapel.
Coming Up
Mark your calendars and Join us for Easter Weekend!
- Good Friday Service: April 10
Service at Noon / 11:45 Carillon Prelude at the Bell Tower Pavilion, with Carillon Music.
- Sunrise Service: April 12
7 a.m. at the John Nolen Pavilion (Near the Mariemont Swim Club). A simple celebration service with a Resurrection Drama.
- Easter Service: April 12
10 a.m. at the Mariemont Memorial Stone Chapel
Ongoing
Wednesday Night Dinner - Join us every Wednesday in our Oak Street Building (3920 Oak St.) at 6 p.m. for dinner and engaging Bible discussion. RSVP for dinner by calling 513-515-1551.
Whiz Kids - Weekly after-school reading program at Mariemont Elementary; anyone interested in tutoring a child in this program please contact Jamie Keyes at jamiekeyes6@gmail.com.
Men’s Breakfast Discussion - First Saturday of each month at 8 a.m. in the Oak Street Building fellowship hall.
À bientôt
As the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end." Such is the case of the legendary Mariemont Florist, aka: Events & Florals of Mariemont or The Flower Shop of the Village
A transition is in the air, and life as we have known it the past 18 years will change as we take up new residence in the village of Zionsville, Ind. Our new journey will begin March 31, 2020 as Events & Florals of Mariemont closes our doors of "day to day"operations in the Village.
The Flower Shop of the Village will now reside at 70 S. Main St., Zionsville, Ind., yet we will continue to serve Cincinnati as one of our premier business and event destinations. As we open the doors to our new location, I hope you will continue honoring us with your business, and consider visiting us at our new home!
I have so much appreciation for all that Mariemont and the surrounding communities, residents, and businesses have brought to us through the years. Your loyal support and friendship, the networking and referral opportunities, the shared vision for the growth and enrichment of the Village and community - all are beyond inspiring. The value that you have imparted on my life and business is innumerable.
I leave you with nothing less than the greatest of thanks, appreciation, affection, and love. I am honored to have been a small inspiration to our lovely quaint Village of Mariemont. I will treasure the memories and all of you forever.
Never say goodbye, but simply À bientôt /See you soon
Donna Lennox Events & Florals of Mariemont
