F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 0 • M a r i e m o n t , O h i o • V o l u m e X L I V, N o . 5
A Community ‘Thank You’ to Mayor Dan Policastro By Pete McBrıde When I was first offered the opportunity (and honor) of doing an article for the Town Crier on our long-serving and recently-retired former mayor, Dan Policastro, I knew I would be in for a memorable and interesting experience. What I had not fully expected was the enlightening and entertaining Mariemont history lesson along the way. That’s not surprising, given Mayor Dan’s 26 years of dedicated service to the Village as councilman and vice mayor between 1994 and 2000 and as mayor from 2001 until the end of 2019. During that impressive tenure (including the longest of any previous mayor of the Village), Dan managed to serve at one time or another on every Village Council committee, to be elected vice president of the Hamilton County Municipal League, and to serve as a board member of the Small Government Projects Integrating Committee for Grants. In fact, there isn’t much in Mariemont’s last three decades that Dan Policastro hasn’t initiated, supported, sponsored, campaigned for (or against), or otherwise been involved with or been a part of. Thinking back to 1994, here are just a few items Dan led or helped with, which show his devotion to preserving Mary Emery’s vision of growth, prosperity, and quality of life in a unique community. •
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“The Strand” - Dan said it was an honor working with the Spinnenweber Family, Architect Denny Malone, Mayor Don Shanks, and Councilman Bruce Hoffman on this project, which is such an asset to our Village The re-launch and restoring of the Mariemont Movie Theater. Again, Dan gives
Kim Beach and councilman Bill Brown present outgoing Mayor Dan Policastro with a hearty "Thank You" and a proclamation for his years of service to the Village of Mariemont.
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credit to the Spinnenweber Family and Don Shanks. Retaining Kellogg-Keebler and attracting Haney PRC as local businesses. Top-tier new restaurants with outdoor dining areas, fountain refurbishing, and gorgeous plantings on a revitalized “Village Square.” The Emery Park, Jordan Park, Nolan Park, Livingood Park, Hampstead Park Condominium projects with Rick Griewe. Working with Jane McDonald and Tom Brinkman on the rescue of the historic Resthaven Barn and its “adoption” by The Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati. Major enhancements to our parks, our pool, tennis courts, and our Bell Tower. The co-founding of the Mariemont Civic
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Association. Working with Millard Rogers to make the Village of Mariemont a National Historic Landmark. And much more, including effectively campaigning with resident Karen Sullivan and Rep. Tom Brinkman against the Eastern Corridor project through the Little Miami Valley and rendering it a “non-starter.”
In early January, I had an informal sit-down with Dan, and asked a few specific questions about his years of service to Mariemont. Here are my questions and a summary of his responses: What originally motivated you to want to serve Cont'd on next page