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Proposed rules for inflatable pools appear sunk for good Odd 2-2 planning commission vote means proposals will not go on to Harrison City Council
After two years of trying to tighten up city jawad@registerpublications.com regulations regarding inflatable swimming pools, Harrison’s planning and zoning department’s proposals appear to be sunk for good. Joe Awad Harrison Press Editor
The city’s planning commission turned away the latest proposed ordinance changes from Dan Brooks and his staff Tuesday, May 14, when an odd 2-2 tie doomed the initiative. Mayor Joel McGuire made a motion to recommend the changes to city council, which has the final say, then joined Planning Commission President Julie Baker in smashing the proposals like a pancake. New Planning Commission members Cindy Abrams and Andy Graf voted to recommend the proposals to council for approval, but a tie is a loss when the planning commission recommends approval Mayor Joel McGuire to council, said McGuire. Planning Commission member and city councilman Bill Nyer was not present because he was in Germany on a business trip. At issue was safety versus parental responsibility and what McGuire and Baker called an “overreach” of government. Modern inflatable pools, which can be 18 inches deep or deeper, have concerned Brooks for more than two years. A staff member discovered such a pool in an alley without any fencing around it or any other provision to prevent a young child from wandering into the pool and creating a safety issue. In April 2011, council shot down a more elaborate proposal from Brooks, but the stream-lined version did not convince McGuire or Baker that council members should get a look at the new version. “I think this depth of 18-inches in a blow-up pool is a little bit of an overreach for government,” said Baker. “In my thinking, common sense should prevail with these blow-up pools. Having said that, I know there are some property maintenance people who feel very strongly, and we have had some incidents in the city where we have seen pools, as such, left unattended, and so I know there are some safety concerns for young children.” The proposals from Brooks essentially said the inflatable pools should follow the same rules as in-ground and aboveground permanent pools. Key among the provisions: *A pool must be at least 10 feet from the property line. *A pool must be walled or fenced to prevent uncontrolled access. The fence or wall must be at least 4 feet high. *The fence must be locked at all times other than when the pool is being used. *A fence permit when required, zoning certificate and pool permit all must be obtained, and all permit fees paid. Graf said inflatable pools are clearly a safety issue, and recommended the proposed regulations apply to all pools 18 inches deep and deeper, including isolating them with a fence or barrier. “You have to draw a line somewhere. That’s my opinion,” said Graff, explaining the 18-inch level is as an “ascertainable standard.” People who fill and empty inflatable pools daily are not the problem, but people who fill inflatable pools and spend a considerable time away from home present a problem, he said. Abrams, a pool owner, said if she is required to have a fence around her pool then anyone with a pool of any type should adhere to the same regulations. “If you and I have to abide by the rules then why doesn’t every one else regardless of what kind of pool it is? So why not get a hundred dollar pool and blow it up, and not have to worry about the maintenance ...” she said.
photos by Patricia Huelseman/Harrison Press
Theresa Finnigin, a professional organizer and expectant mother with her second, explains the basics of room-byroom organization. From how to keep clean countertops to tips on choosing bed linens, Finnigin offered sound advice to the many listening ears at the April MOPS meeting.
Local moms collaborate at MOPS
Moms of youngsters enjoy helpful tips and loving support at monthly meetings Patricia Huelseman Harrison Press Staff Writer phuelseman@registerpublications.com
“Being a mom is beautiful and hard, and finding hope in the midst of colic and no sleep is life-giving.”
So say Mothers of Preschoolers, or MOPS, an international club that creates an atmosphere of solidarity among mothers of young children. Two young mothers found a great need for the group and after having attended a MOPS program elsewhere, Kimmi Litteral asked Valarie Jacobson to join her in creating a group for Harrison area residents. “I had attended a MOPS group at a different church and really enjoyed it, and there were so many of us here in this area,” said Litteral. “A lot of the MOPS groups are during the day, but a lot of us around here are working moms.” So Jacobson and Litteral put their heads together and started their own group that meets evenings at the Miami Whitewater United Methodist Church, Harrison. This was in March 2013. A year later, there are about 10 registered members and between 15 and 20 moms who visit every now and then “to try it out.” Each visitor has three opportunities to sit in on a meeting before the organization’s required $20 member-
ship fee is due. Membership includes a subscription to the quarterly magazine, Hello, Darling. “MOPS provides support and a place to relate to somebody, to talk to through this stage of life. … The early childhood years is such an important time of life, and it’s like none other,” said Litteral. Guest speakers provide useful information at monthly meetings. The authors of Adventures Around Cincinnati recently spoke about fun summer ideas. Tips on “couponing” was the subject of another meeting. Being a MOPS member offers the resources to have access to lead discussions, said Litteral. Most recently, Theresa Finnigin, a professional organizer, gave many practical tips at the April meeting. Finnigin, who is just showing her baby bump, was among three pregnant women in the room including Jacobson. Just before the meeting, a mother happily announced that her sevenmonth-old baby girl just said “mama” for the first time. The announcement, which was greeted with enthusiastic responses, encouraged a room full of chatter about babies’ firsts, and that most babies utter dada long before the precious mama. “I think it’s relationships,” which have the strongest impact as a member of MOPS, “knowing that they’ve gone through some of the same things,” said Littteral. Her second son, she said, was
Harrison Elementary PTA’s First Yard Sale Fundraiser can be viewed as a way to help upjawad@registerpublications.com grade the “yard” at the school, which needs attention to improve life for students, faculty and public. The fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to raise money to repair the track behind the school, replace 30-year-old playground equipment, replace the sweetgum trees that drop hard, round “gum balls” on which students and faculty have rolled their ankles, and other maintenance, said fundraiser coordinator Stacey Brotherton. “We would like to get those trees taken down. It would be nice to put up some shade umbrellas, but, of course, this all costs money. Likewise, the track in the back has potholes, so to speak. The funds are not there to allocate to buy gravel and patch it, or maybe seal it, so we don’t have to keep buying gravel and putting it in the potholes,” she said. With the theme “Sell Your Stuff or Shop for Stuff,” the event also includes vendor. Folks who want to purchase a yard sale booth still have the opportunity, said Brotherton. The yard sale is the start of a long-term effort to raise Joe Awad Harrison Press Editor
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89th Year, No. 21
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plagued with reflux issues when he was born. Her older son had not had any problems of the kind. “I struggled so hard with what do I do, what should I do? There were two or three other moms in the group whose kids had gone through it.” They recommended home remedies as simple as not laying him on his back. “There were relationships to help support me through that time,” she said. “Everything’s new … and so to find out this is not the end of the world. Your child is going to be OK. You know other people have experienced this, and it’s just helpful,” said Jacobson.
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the money required to make the improvements, explained Brotherton. She said the PTA had been sponsoring the same fundraisers year after year. Now members are hoping a new approach will attract more people and result in more money to get the jobs done. “It’s like Whitewater Valley. It took them three years to raise enough money to replace their playground equipment,” said Brotherton. Filling the holes in the track probably is the top priority but that goal will take thousands of dollars, perhaps as much as $3,000 to $5,000 to seal it, said Brotherton “Then, obviously, the trees need to be taken care of, and certainly the playground equipment. The kids are fine with what is there, but it would be nice to provide at some point, but for safety getting the track taken care of and the trees taken down would be our top priorities,” she said. As of Friday, May 16, the PTA had 23 yard sale patrons and 12 vendors/crafters, who will sell a variety of items. “We are willing to accept registrations to participate in reserving a space to sell their items until Wednesday, May 28,” said Brotherton. Registration forms may be printYard Sale, ed off harrisonelementarypta.com,
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“I had attended a MOPS group at a different church and really enjoyed it, and there were so many of us here in this area.”
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