October 2015 - City of Montgomery, Ohio
Transcription
October 2015 - City of Montgomery, Ohio
A Publication provided by the City of Montgomery ® Montgomery Bulletin October 2015 Live at the Uni seats going fast On October 5, two stellar musicians from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, violinist Stacey Woolley, and violist Steven Rosen, will kick off the Live at the Uni music series, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The program will feature classical favorites. On October 19, Montgomery resident Tom Steele (pictured) and friends will delight with jazz, folk and pop renditions. Steele leads two popular local ensembles, Toast and Slice, which appear regularly at Parker’s Blue Ash Grille and Desha’s Tavern. In addition to performing popular standards, Steele writes and performs his own music as well, and has worked as a session musician for advertising jingles for many years. Steele recently won two Emmy Awards for his original theme music for locally-produced documentary films. Expect his return performance with Live at the Uni to include some terrific musicians. On November 2, the series concludes with the exciting music of The Klezmer Project. All concerts will be held at the historic Universalist Church at the corner of Montgomery and Remington Roads. Each concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and will last about an hour. Montgomery Inn will once again sponsor the post-concert receptions. There is no charge for these concerts; however, a free will contribution of five dollars is welcome. Due to limited seating, reservations are encouraged, and can be made by calling City Hall at 891-2424, or online at montgomeryohio.org. Twin Lakes is this season’s sponsor of Live at the Uni. Harvest Moon October 10, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Swaim Park. Celebrate the harvest season with fun activities that include s’mores, crafts, hayrides, pony rides, face painting, food, entertainment and more. Montgomery firefighters will be serving cheese coney dogs and other concessions. Volunteers are needed to help with this event. If interested, please call 792-8329. Craft tent sponsored by: City Council Message & Council Corner Community partners enrich Leadership Academy 2016 Free solar workshop Document Destruction Day Festival of Trees Contest seeks contenders Page 2,3 Page 5 Page 6 Page 11 Page 15 In regards to City services Here is a hypothetical question: Should the City clear all resident’s driveways of snow in the winter, or just do the streets? Can you see any problems with the City taking on those thousands of driveways? This is a far-fetched scenario, but the following questions are ones we regularly examine: By Ken Suer • What services should the City provide? • What areas are the responsibilities of individuals? • What are critical services and what services are just “nice to have” but not that essential? • Are we providing the right services, at the right cost, and of the right quality? A group of residents recently proposed that the City adopt a curbside leaf vacuuming service. After several months of investigation and much citizen input during the August 5 City Council meeting, we decided against the proposal. Council did decide to expand yard waste collections in the fall of 2015 from five to eight weeks, plus three extra Saturdays in January 2016. Staff and Council researched the practices of other communities, looked at equipment, and examined much leaf collection data. While there is no doubt that the vacuum proponents have been passionate about their cause, Council also heard from many people who had the opposite opinion. Council is not convinced that vacuuming is desired by the majority of residents. The City’s current approach is environmentally sound and the City has been repeatedly recognized for its recycling achievements. The City (and our Environmental Advisory Commission) also encourage leaf mulching and/or the use of toters as best practices in leaf collection and disposal. Some have said that a vacuum system would be cheaper than what we are doing now. Council disagrees. Any new service has to be paid for by some means and not just now, but into the future as well. Some suggested that we dip into our “Reserves” (or “rainy-day funds”). Council chooses to maintain our reserves as a key element of our ongoing financial stability. Here is an interesting analogy (from a 2014 Federal Reserve study): “Forty-seven percent of Americans say they either could not cover an emergency expense costing $400 or would manage by selling something or borrowing money.” Those households are “living on the edge” and various municipalities are in the same straights. Fortunately, we are not in that category. While some cities utilize a vacuuming system, others do not. All have various reasons for what they do or don’t do. Each community must make its own decisions as to how to best allocate financial and personnel resources. Council has the responsibility to examine the pros and cons of new proposals in the context of our budget and larger City operations. It is not realistic or prudent to attempt to implement all ideas that are put forth. Council appreciates the opportunity to work with citizens on new ideas or concepts for services or anything else, but ultimately we must make what we feel is a sound decision for Montgomery - even if that decision does not please everyone. Come join in the holiday decorating fun Come be part of something bigger. Help decorate downtown Montgomery for all to enjoy this upcoming holiday season. The City of Montgomery, in conjunction with the Montgomery Woman’s Club, will start the Holiday Decorating project in November. The first phase is the greenery and bow “fluffing” workshop at 9:30 a.m., November 7, at the Recreation Annex Building, 10115 Montgomery Road. Join in the task of getting the greenery and bows ready for hanging. Plan to be part of the next phase, the decorating of downtown Montgomery, on November 9, (rain date of November 10), starting at 9:30 a.m. and concluding around noon. Volunteers on this date will meet at the Universalist Church at the corner of Remington and Montgomery Roads. Come and devote time to one of the City’s signature holiday projects. Any amount of time given at either or both phases of the project would be greatly appreciated. Then feel the pride, as you drive through downtown Montgomery and think, “I helped to do this, I am part of something bigger, for the good of all.” For more information or to be on the volunteer roster, contact DeAnna Gross, volunteer coordinator, at 792-8329 or [email protected]. 2 October 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org Council Corner September 16 Montgomery City Council met in its regular monthly Work Session on September 16 at City Hall. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m., with public comment welcomed on each item before City Council. Pending Legislation An Ordinance Accepting Publicly Dedicated Easement Rights and Storm Water Improvements from Property Owners in the 7900 Block of Shelldale Way (3rd Reading) A Resolution Accepting the Amounts and Rates as Determined by the Budget Commission and Authorizing the Necessary Tax Levies and Certifying them to the County Auditor-Tax Budget An Ordinance to Make Appropriations for Current Expenses and Other Expenditures of the City of Montgomery, State of Ohio, During the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2016 A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a LPA Local-Let Project Agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the Ham-US 22-15.35 Montgomery Road Sidewalk Project, PID No. 99954 RECENT COUNCIL ACTION Approved Legislation September 2 Resolution No. 25 2015 A Resolution Authorizing an Assessment for the Cutting of Noxious Weeds and Removal of Debris/Trash Resolution No. 26 2015 A Resolution Authorizing an Assessment for the Cutting of Noxious Weeds and Removal of Debris/Trash These pieces of approved legislation can be reviewed on the City’s website at montgomeryohio.org City seeks donation of official holiday tree The City of Montgomery is looking for a potential holiday tree to be located in the downtown Heritage District for the upcoming holiday season. Have the perfect tree that has outgrown its location? Consider donating it to the City for the annual holiday celebration. Contact Terry Willenbrink at 792-8320 or twillenbrink@ ci.montgomery.oh.us to donate. October 2015 3 Farewell to Jim Hanson After serving almost 42 years in public service, Jim Hanson is hanging up his hat. The City of Montgomery is fortunate that eight of those years Jim served as our esteemed finance director. Prior to joining the City of Montgomery, Jim worked for the Ohio Auditor of State, 26 years as the finance director for the City of Fairfield and for a couple of years at the City of Hamilton. During his years with the City of Montgomery, Jim served as the staff liaison for the Financial Planning Committee of City Council, was a trustee for the City’s group insurance pool and a committee member for the Government Finance Officers Association National Committee on Retirement and Benefits Administration. In addition, Jim was responsible for overseeing all areas related to City finances, including the operating 4 October 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org and capital budget, income tax administration, management of the City’s debt and investment portfolio, as well as, support for all City departments. “Jim and I have known each other for many years and Jim has always been consistent in his decision-making and recommendations for the financial health of the City of Montgomery, and for the public sector in general,” stated City Manager Wayne Davis. “He is a well-respected professional and public servant, who has taught his peers many things along the way, including the City’s finance department team. The City’s outstanding financial health and position can be substantially attributed to Jim’s leadership and technical skill set. We are all better for having worked with Jim.” Jim’s expertise, guidance and vast knowledge have been a great asset to the City during his service. His leadership, dedication and integrity have provided an example for all to follow. Jim is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Linda, his daughters and their families, including four joyous grandkids, as well as, more time on the golf course. Don’t rake those leaves - mulch them into the lawn It’s great to have big shade trees in the yard, but come fall, some may start to resent them. Those big trees drop leaves, meaning extra work, hassle, and lost time. However, there’s good news. A recent Michigan State University study shows that people can forget about raking, blowing, and bagging leaves and, instead, just mulch them with a lawn mower and feed the lawn with a turf builder found at a nursery or homeimprovement store. The study found that it will save time, improve the soil and add nutrients. Here’s how to do it: 1. Chop those leaves with the mower Take the grass catcher off the mower and mow over the leaves. Reduce leaf clutter to dime-size pieces. When about half an inch of grass can be seen through the mulched-leaf layer, the job is complete. Once the leaf bits settle in, microbes and worms work on recycling them. Any kind of rotary-action mower will do the job, and many kinds of leaves can be chopped up. Several passes on the mower can mulch up to 18 inches of leaf clutter. 2. Feed a lawn to speed up the process Microbes do a better job recycling carbon from leaves when they have nitrogen. A turf builder can help break down mulched leaves faster. Grass will grow better, and microbes will work harder after mulching leaves. When spring arrives, the leaf litter mulched up in the fall will have disappeared. The rake will look dusty and neglected, while the grass will look greener. Mulching: a Better Use of Resources Local taxes pay for trucks to pick up leaf bags, which often end up in landfills. When leaves are burned, it sends up clouds of carbon into the atmosphere. Mulching leaves simply recycles a natural resource, allowing for richer soil for free. Community partners enrich Leadership Academy 2016 Most leadership academies sponsored by cities across the country provide a lecture-style overview of local government services. A City staff member will stand up in front of a group of residents and share the importance and effectiveness of the services they provide. Many times, it is only designed to persuade the participants that local government is a value for their money. The Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy (MCLA) has received national recognition for being something different. At MCLA, the goal is to do things a little more creatively. First, is the mistaken notion that local government has all the answers. The City views MCLA as an opportunity for a two-way dialogue with residents seeing residents as a valuable resource in refining services and planning for the future. MCLA participants are seen as partners in struggling with the tough questions facing the community. Workshops are designed to harvest the aggregate knowledge and experiences of Montgomery’s most important stakeholders. Secondly, MCLA believes that local government is a “subset” of the larger community. Neighborhoods, businesses, schools, religious institutions and others are all equally important. That is why MCLA calls on some of the community partners, such as Ohio National Financial Services, Sycamore Community Schools, Bethesda North Hospital and Twin Lakes Senior Living Community, to share their stories with the participants. The City, with these partners, seeks to provide a wellrounded experience for those wishing to “look behind the curtain” of the Montgomery community. MCLA has received national attention for this creative approach. If interested in applying for MCLA, visit the City website, montgomeryohio.org, for more information or call Ray Kingsbury, director of citizen engagement, at 792-8359. Application deadline has been extended to October 9. October 2015 5 Trees a priority for Montgomery As many of Montgomery’s residents may know, the City of Montgomery has been awarded tree City USA status by the National Arbor Day Foundation every year since 1997. This award requires a community to commit to four basic standards: • • • • Having a tree board or commission, Having a tree care ordinance in place, Having a community forestry program with an annual budget of $2 per capita, and Doing an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. In times of dwindling resources for many Ohio cities, why should it be a priority to invest in the maintenance and promotion of the trees here in Montgomery? According to a new report from the journal Scientific Reports, leafy, tree-lined streets are not just good for property values - they may also be good for your health. Researchers in Toronto report that adding just 10 trees to a single city block could improve how healthy a person feels as much as if they made an additional $10,000 a year or if they were seven years younger. The study also found that residents of neighborhoods with highertree density are less likely to have cardio-metabolic conditions like hypertension, obesity and diabetes, and that living near trees has a positive effect on one’s perception of overall health. “Our data is correlational, so we can’t say trees are causing better health; we can only say they are associated with better health,” said Marc Berman, director of the Environmental Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Chicago, and the senior author of the paper. “Greening the face of a City has real economic benefits. We already know that it’s good for air quality, property values, controlling water, and now we are showing it’s good for health, too.” As part of its efforts to maintain both the City’s Tree City status and the many benefits provided by a healthy urban forest, the City of Montgomery offers two ways for citizens to contribute to the local treescape. • The Street Tree program is a way for property owners to obtain a street tree for a co-pay of just $75. The co-pay covers a portion of the cost of the tree and the labor for planting it in the public right-of-way. • There is also the Commemorative Tree Planting program, in which a $250 gift will plant a single tree in honor of a special someone in your life. That gift will grow in beauty and value, while enhancing the City’s environment. Most of all, your gift will be a legacy to our City, helping create an attractive and pleasant place to live, work and play. For more information on either of these City programs, please go to: montgomeryohio.org/pages/tree-programs/ City Arborist Terry Willenbrink conducts an Arbor Day Walk every April in one of Montgomery’s six parks or in Johnson Nature Preserve. For more information on The Arbor Day Foundation and Tree City USA, please go to: arborday.org/programs/treecityusa/standards.cfm Free solar workshop Montgomery is currently offering incentives to residents and businesses who install a solar system for their buildings. The City will waive the building and zoning permit fees with a cap of $1,000 for the remainder of the calendar year to help make solar photovoltaic systems more affordable than ever. The Montgomery Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) and community development department will sponsor a free workshop to explain the basics of photovoltaic energy production, the Solarize Cincinnati program and the City’s incentive program on Thursday October 8 at Terwilliger Lodge in Dulle Park beginning at 6:30 p.m. The solar workshops will be conducted by representatives of the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance and a certified solar installer. If you would like to attend the October event, RSVP to Tracy Roblero, community development director, at [email protected] or 792-8312. Additional workshops will be held throughout the remainder of the calendar year if you are unable to attend in October. 6 October 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org BEEP Hear the where you Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm! SLEEP Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4-10, 2015 Half of home fire deaths happen between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are asleep. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Larger homes may need more alarms. For the best protection, install interconnected smoke alarms in your home. When one sounds, they all sound. years Test alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button. Some people, especially children and older adults, may need help to wake up. Make sure someone will wake them if the smoke alarm sounds. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or if they do not sound when tested. When the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place. www.usfa.fema.gov www.firepreventionweek.org Call the fire department from a cellphone or a neighbor’s phone. Stay outside until the fire department says it’s safe to go back inside. Insert Logo Here October 2015 7 Walk this way - taking steps for pedestrian safety Pedestrians shall move, whenever practical, upon the right half of crosswalks. Where a sidewalk is provided, it shall be unlawful for a pedestrian to walk along the roadway. Where a sidewalk is not available, any pedestrian walking along a road shall walk only on a shoulder as far as practical from the roadway. Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along a road shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway, and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway. Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross in any place except a marked crosswalk. No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally. For drivers: The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley, building, private road, or driveway shall stop the vehicle immediately prior to driving on a sidewalk. Montgomery is fortunate to have many, well-marked crosswalks, but before you head out on foot for a stroll, walk, or errand, take a few minutes to become familiar with the laws concerning crosswalks and their proper use. Who has the right of way? Laws regarding pedestrians and crosswalks: It’s important to understand duties and responsibilities, both on foot, and as a driver, as they relate to pedestrian laws. Both the Ohio Revised Code and Montgomery City Ordinances address crosswalks and their proper usage. For pedestrians: No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk into the path of a vehicle, which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. Contrary to popular belief, a pedestrian waiting to enter a crosswalk must yield to vehicles traveling on the roadway. The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian on a sidewalk. The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way - slowing down or stopping if need be - to yield to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle. Think of crisp fall days and what you can do for your community 8 The City is looking for individuals to make the commitment to be more involved in the leadership of their community. The following City Commissions might be the place to do so. The initial step in getting involved is to attend an upcoming meeting of a commission to learn more about its project work and to meet the current members. The following commissions have openings and are in need of members to complete their volunteer teams: Board of Zoning Appeals The Board of Zoning Appeals conducts public hearings and meetings to review and decide action on variance requests and other appeals related to the provisions and administration of the City’s Zoning Code. Commission members also assist with the Bastille Day event. Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. One Commission position is currently open. Arts Commission Members foster and promote the visual and performing arts within the City. Programs and events include the Photo Contest, Live at the Uni Concert Series, and July 3 Patriotic Concert. Meetings are scheduled for the first Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. One Commission position is currently open. For further information and/or to apply for any of the above positions, contact DeAnna Gross at 792-8329 or [email protected]. October 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org Take these steps to prevent cybercrime Cybercrime prevention can be straightforward when armed with a little technical advice and common sense - many attacks can be avoided. In general, online criminals are trying to make their money as quickly and easily as possible. The more difficult you make their job, the more likely they are to leave you alone and move on to an easier target. The tips below provide basic information on how you can prevent online fraud. 1 Hats Off . . . To the volunteers, Alec Bertok and Betty Will, at the DogFest and K-9 Kerplunk event held on Labor Day evening at the close of the pool. These volunteers helped with the Dog Race and contributed to the DogFest and K-9 Kerplunk event being a great evening of “citizen (and pet) engagement “and “community.” October/ November volunteer opportunities Harvest Moon Festival Keep your computer current with the latest patches and updates. Recent versions of Microsoft Windows and other popular software can be configured to download and apply updates automatically making it more difficult for a “hacker” to gain access to your system. 2 Configure your computer securely. Choose the right level of security and privacy based on your needs. Security and privacy settings can be easily configured without any special sort of expertise by simply using the “help” feature on your software. If you are unsure about doing this, contact your Internet service provider or the software vendor directly. 3 Choose strong passwords and keep them safe. Change passwords on a regular basis and do not share them with people whom you do not trust or know. 4 Protect your system with security software. Use anti-virus and your “firewall” to protect sensitive data such as personal information, social security numbers, and other information that you would not want public. 5 Holiday Decorating Workshop Saturday, November 7, 9:30 a.m. (adults, teens and families) Recreation Annex, 10115 Montgomery Road Help to prepare holiday decorations for display. Downtown Holiday Decorating Protect sensitive personal information. Do not respond to emails from scammers that request your social security number, bank account numbers or credit card information. Guard your email address. Avoid responding to emails from people you do not know, as this may cut down on the amount of “spam” that you receive, which is a frequent tactic that scammers use to contact unsuspecting victims. 6 Saturday, October 10, 4:30 – 8:15 p.m. (adults, teens and families with minimum age of 14 years) Swaim Park, corner of Cooper and Zig Zag Roads Participate in this fun family event by assisting with old-fashioned games, children’s crafts, concessions, a campfire and s’mores roasting. Review monthly bank and credit card statements and include a yearly review of your credit score. The impact of identity theft can be greatly reduced if you can catch it shortly after it occurs. Reviewing statements and credit scores can greatly reduce the amount of loss you may suffer. If you have any further questions about cybercrime prevention, please call the Montgomery Police Department at 985-1600 to speak with a certified crime prevention specialist. Monday, November 9, 9:30 a.m. to noon (adults) Rain date is Tuesday, November 10 Meet at the Universalist Church at the corner of Montgomery and Remington Roads Help to hang holiday decorations. For more specific information about any of these short-term projects, contact DeAnna Gross at 7928329 or [email protected]. October 2015 9 It’s Your Business, Montgomery Good News About Montgomery Businesses Bastille Day and 15 local businesses named Best of the North Congratulations to these Montgomery businesses for being named finalists in the Best of the North competition by Cincy Magazine: Sukhothai, The Original Pancake House, Germano’s, Brooklyn Pizza and Pasta, Rudino’s Sports Bar, Verde Salad & More, Debbie Pettis at Montgomery Hair Salon, Montgomery Jewelry, The Silver Diva, Sacksteder’s, Village Tavern, The Corner Pub, Montgomery Cyclery, Recker and Boerger, and Cincinnati School of Music. The City of Montgomery’s Bastille Day Celebration was named Best Festival. Unfortunately, Germano’s and Verde Salad & More are no longer in business, but are greatly missed. For more information on how you can support these businesses during the Best of the North competition to be held on October 7, please visit cincymagazine.com. Duke Energy offers an energy-saving program to small businesses Duke Energy’s Small Business Energy Saver Program offers special savings on energy improvements for small businesses. Local businesses could be eligible to receive savings on energy-efficiency improvements. Through this program, Duke Energy will pay up to 80 percent of efficiency improvements on lighting and refrigeration, and up to 20 percent on HVAC upgrades. Duke Energy will make the initial payment. Business owners will not have to wait for a rebate on the outlay of this expense. Business Blurbs The benefit to local business owners is that they can lower their business’s energy expenses in the future. The business must obtain an energy assessment, which may include recommendations on specific energy-saving improvements. Interestfree financing is available. Congratulations to Mike Sauer, CFP® / Edward Jones for celebrating 10 years of business in Montgomery. For more information, contact Duke Energy at 855-322-0998 or duke-energy.com/sbes. Life Worth Living, LTD chooses Montgomery Life Worth Living, LTD, a newly-established Montgomery business, located at 10597 Montgomery Road Suite 101, is a mental health outpatient counseling center specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. Their clinicians are uniquely trained in the therapeutic modality Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), proven successful in helping regulate one’s emotions and reducing vulnerability to future unwanted behaviors or symptoms. They have built a network of wellness consultants to assist in providing the most comprehensive care and ensuring higher rates of recovery. Their clinicians are proficient in the treatment of children, adolescents, adults, and families. Specific attention is also paid to trauma victims, as eating-disordered symptoms and addictive behaviors often surface in efforts to cope with their experiences. They have a licensed dietician on staff to aid in client’s recovery, as well as, help promote healthy lifestyle changes, providing the foundation for personal change. For more information, please call 257-2409 or visit lwlcincinnati.com. 10 October 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org New surgery center opens at Bethesda North Over the past few years, the number of operations that can be performed on an outpatient basis with minimally invasive surgical techniques has risen dramatically. In order to meet this growing need, Bethesda North Hospital is opening a new surgery center dedicated specifically to these procedures. The center actually reduced its number of operating rooms from seven to four in order to make them bigger to accommodate minimallyinvasive technologies. It also boasts two additional nurses’ stations and renovated waiting, pre-op and post-op areas. When the Bethesda North Minimally Invasive Surgery Center opens this fall, after a yearlong renovation of the previous center, “it will be the only one of its kind in the City,” says Sherrie Chenault, manager of the facility. “The pre-op rooms are now private, which is much more inviting for patients,” Chenault said. “The renovation also improves patient flow and makes processing more efficient.” The Bethesda North Minimally Invasive Surgery Center will focus on gynecologic Dr. Bryan Ellis invites patients to the newly-established Bethesda North as well as general outpatient Minimally Invasive Surgery Center surgeries “to provide the kinds of advanced technology that are not seen in any other outpatient center in this region,” Chenault added. It gives the center access to all of the hospital’s services on the same site, including medical testing, specialty care and hospital admission if necessary. “It is different from other ambulatory centers in that it operates in conjunction with a hospital rather than being freestanding,” she said. Join us for Document Destruction Day In an effort to help reduce identity theft, promote recycling and provide a way for residents to dispose of sensitive documents, the City of Montgomery’s Environmental Advisory Commission and Royal Document Destruction will be hosting a free community document shredding event on October 17 at the Montgomery Public Works Facility, 7315 Cornell Road from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To serve everybody efficiently, there will be a maximum of three boxes (copy paper size or similar) per person in line. Volunteers will be available to assist. Typical paper products to shred include: phone records, books, receipts, files, file folders, checks, medical claims, bank statements, old credit cards, invoices and any papers with your personal information. Paper clips and staples DO NOT have to be removed. Materials will be shredded onsite and a certification of destruction will be available upon request. One hundred percent of the paper is recycled. October 2015 11 International reception hosted by Montgomery Sister Cities Commission All community members are invited to attend Montgomery’s International Reception sponsored by the Sister Cities Commission. The Sister Cities Commission motto is “Bringing the World Together One Friendship at a Time” and this eagerly-anticipated yearly event encourages the connection of all Montgomery residents one friendship at a time. Children and non-Montgomery residents are also encouraged to attend. The social event is scheduled for October 11 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Terwilliger Lodge in Dulle Park, 10530 Deerfield Road. Participants should bring a favorite covered dish, appetizer or dessert to share at the international buffet table. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided by the Sister Cities Commission. Ethnic attire and/or entertainment shared by the guests (musical instruments, dancing, etc.) are always welcome and encouraged. To make your reservation to attend this event, please contact City Hall at 891-2424 or register online at montgomeryohio.org by October 1. Don’t delay; this free event is limited to the first 100 reservations. Montgomery resident Wendy Anthony and her daughter, Sofia, represented Spain at the 2013 International Reception. Sofia is wearing the traditional dress of Zaragoza, Spain. Free gift card to Saxby’s Coffee for correctly identifying this landmark If you recognize which landmark building is shown in the picture, send your answer to [email protected]. On October 19, a drawing from those correctly submitted answers will be held and the winner will receive a free $10 gift card to Saxby’s Coffee, located at 9321 Montgomery Road in downtown Montgomery. The correct answer will be provided in the following Bulletin. Information about the City’s landmarks can be found on the City website, in the landmark brochures available at City Hall or in a box on the wall of the Universalist Church, or by downloading the landmark app. Thank you to everyone for playing last month and correctly identifying the picture as the Pure Oil gas station located at 9426 Shelly Lane, which is the long-time home to Diekmeyer Designs. Congratulations to Tom Kelly who correctly identified the Landmark and won a $25 gift certificate to Z Place at 7823 Cooper Road and an extra special thank you to Z Place for donating the gift certificate. Disclaimer: Members of City Council, the Landmarks Commission, Landmark Owners, MHPA board members and employees of the City of Montgomery are not eligible to win. Get Your First Aid/CPR Certification The Montgomery Fire Department is offering an American Heart Association HeartSaver First Aid/CPR certification class on Saturday, October 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2: 00 p.m. There is a nominal fee of $15 to cover the cost of materials. For more information or to sign up, please call 985-1633. 12 October May 2015 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org MontgomeryOhio.org Serve Your Community by Volunteering on Making A Difference Day Community Groups from across Montgomery commit to a variety of volunteer activities for Connect Montgomery’s Making A Difference Day on Saturday, October 24 Join us on Saturday, October 24 for Connect Montgomery’s Making a Difference Day. The MCLA Class of 2014 is coordinating the event, and you are invited to take this opportunity to give back. Share your talents, skills and time to create or choose a project that is important to you. The civic collaborative Connect Montgomery organizes the annual event to highlight the importance of service to others. Participants are encouraged to focus their efforts on causes about which they are passionate Here is a sample list of organizations that have identified their service projects. If anyone is looking for a volunteer opportunity, please contact any of the following organizations: • New Beginnings Program with Assistance League of Greater Cincinnati: Collect needed household items for domestic violence victims. Complete list of needed items on connectmontgomery.org • Contact Pat Eveslage: [email protected] Twin Lakes: Senior Living Community Writing letters to our troops in Afghanistan. Contact Nancy Schwandner: [email protected] • Blue Ash-Montgomery Rotary Club: Cleaning up Little Miami River Contact Dave Herschberger: [email protected] • Sycamore Senior Center: Clean up yards for seniors Contact Joshua Howard: [email protected] • St. Barnabas Episcopal Church: Third-grade reading level book drive for Assistance League of Cincinnati Contact John Nolan: [email protected] • City of Montgomery: Volunteering at Matthew 25 Ministries Contact Faith Lynch: [email protected] • Ascension Lutheran Church: collecting food items for the NEEDS Food Pantry Contact Cam Baker: [email protected] • The Community of the Good Shepherd: collecting winter clothing and other special needs for the Mary Magdalen House Contact Dave Scharfenberger: [email protected] Sign-ups may also be done on the Connect Montgomery website at connectmontgomery.org. Volunteer Celebration at Swaim Lodge Volunteer groups and individuals are invited to come and celebrate at Swaim Lodge on October 24 between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Check in with the MCLA Class of 2014 to be recognized and enjoy refreshments and a cookout sponsored by Horan Associates and Twin Lakes Senior Living Community. For more information, contact Faith Lynch with the City of Montgomery 792-838 or at [email protected]. As a part of Making A Difference Day, the Montgomery Woman’s Club will be at the Montgomery Farmers’ Market on Saturday, October 24, to sell ‘Expect Respect’ bracelets to promote awareness of teen dating violence and distribute educational materials to recognize abuse. October 2015 13 City of Montgomery Recreation and Fitness Classes Come and experience the newlyrenovated Recreation Annex Building and new-group exercise equipment. Register now for the next session of fitness classes. For more information and to register, please visit montgomeryohio.org or call City Hall at 891-2424. Pilates Takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 27 to December 22 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., 16 classes in the Annex Building. *No Classes on November 10 (Make up on November 14) and no classes November 26 This innovative Pilates class is geared towards using core body muscles (abdominal, obliques, back, and gluteal muscles) to get effective results in your midsection. This workout gets results in all the problem places by working on lengthening of the spine, proper alignment and posture, and a strong center to give you a slimmer profile. (Min 16/Max 25). Cost is $70 for resident and $75 for nonresidents. Yoga NEW Takes place on Wednesdays and Fridays, October 28 to December 30 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., 16 classes, at the Recreation Annex Building. *No Classes on November 6, November 27 and December 25 These yoga sequences will help you build strength, increase flexibility and find focus to help you to improve your fitness level and work through the stressors of life. Adaptable for all fitness levels (Min 16/Max 25). Cost is $70 for residents and $75 non-residents. 14 20/20/20 Takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 27 to December 22, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., 16 classes, Recreation Annex Building. *No Classes on November 10 (Make up on November 14) and no classes November 26 Designed to meet the needs of Baby Boomers, this class offers light cardiovascular exercises, light strength training, and light stretching for 20 minutes each. The instructor has experience teaching people over 50 and will teach to your fitness level, taking into account common physical concerns and the value of gaining and maintaining muscle strength. Some equipment provided. (Min 12/Max 25). Cost is $70 for residents and $75 for non-residents. Tai Chi Takes place on Tuesdays, November 3 to December 22, 8 classes, from 10:20 to 11:20 a.m. Tai Chi is located at the Recreation Annex Building. *Class on November 10 will be located at Terwilliger Lodge at Dulle Park. Often called a moving meditation, Tai Chi has its roots in martial arts. The movements are practiced slowly and smoothly with attention to proper posture and breathing. Tai Chi is easy to learn, effective and safe, it increases flexibility, muscle strength, heart/lung activity, aligns posture, improves balance, and integrates the mind and body. (Min 12/Max 25). The cost is $80 for residents and $90 for nonresidents. The City of Montgomery unveils newly renovated Recreation Annex building Over the summer, City staff have been working hard on renovations to the Recreation Annex building. Among the projects that “Over the past few months we were completed have renovated the building to be more conducive to exercise. was a new ceiling with new Our goal is to provide a pleasing lighting that was environment that motivates the repurposed from community to engage in healthy the former Ford activities such as group exercise classes,” explained Sarah Fink, dealership site. recreation specialist for the City New exercisespecific flooring of Montgomery. was also added. The new flooring is a rolled-composite vinyl flooring that gives the look of real wood. The flooring provides the perfect balance of shock absorption and proper grip, which lends itself to being used by all age groups and abilities. In addition to the facility improvements, City staff have also added newer equipment that will enhance the exercise experience. Before After October 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org Events Festival of Trees Contest seeks contenders - Great creative fun! You are invited to decorate an artificial three-to-four foot tree in this fun contest. Past entries have exploded with creative twists. In the past, entries went for beauty with the contrast of white tree full of red birds, lit winter wonderland houses skirting the bottom of a tree and opulent ribbons and picks of glitter adding sparkle and brilliance. Others were themed with potting plants and gloves, a Grinch towering over a tree, and even the Eiffel Tower glittered on a French-themed tree. All of the entries were wildly creative and brought joy to all of the Holiday in the Village attendees. Enter as a group, family, business or as an individual. It’s not too early to start thinking of your creative theme and decorations. Entry forms are due by Monday, November 16. Your tree will be displayed at one of four locations during the Holiday in the Village event December 5. Additional details and information will be online at montgomeryohio.org Paintball Trip October 30 (register by October 23; signed waiver required), 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Ages 10-14 Participants will meet and return to the Swaim Park small shelter, located at the upper level parking lot on Cooper Road at 7650 Cooper Road. Participants will travel by bus to Paintball Country located in Hamilton. Kids can experience the thrill of paintball with team paintball games in the morning from 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., break for a pizza lunch followed by more paintball. There will also be a variety of other activities at Paintball Country, if time allows. Cost covers all paintball equipment, other activities and a pizza lunch. (Min 15/Max 40). Cost is $56. For more information contact Recreation Specialist Sarah Fink at 792-8317 or by email at [email protected] Coloring Contest Ages 2-14, Entries Accepted November 2-20 Let creativity show. Go wild with markers, crayons, glitter, sequins or whatever your child’s imagination can think of with our coloring contest! Kids can use any available materials that can be joined with paper. Coloring Contest entries will be displayed at the Holiday in the Village event in the Universalist Church on December 5. Starting November 2: download the coloring contest sheet at montgomeryohio.org or pick up at City Hall. Deadline is November 20: Return the coloring contest sheet by 5:00 p.m. on November 20 to City Hall to be included in the display. Categories are: Most Creative, Best Use of Color and Overall Skill. One entry per child. Winners will be chosen in the following age groups 2-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-14. Event is on December 5: Winners in each of the age groups will be notified in advance of the event and will be awarded a prize during the tree-lighting ceremony during Holiday in the Village. The grand prize winner will be notified in advance and will flip the switch to light the tree at the tree lighting ceremony at 5:00 p.m. on December 5. October 2015 15 Montgomery Bulletin HOW TO REACH US 10101 Montgomery Road Montgomery, Ohio 45242 City Hall 891-2424 ® Police Department (non-emergency) 985-1600 Mayor Fire Department (non-emergency) 985-1633 Planning/ Zoning/ Building 792-8309 Code Enforcement Action Line 792-8356 Public Works 792-8355 MontgomeryOhio.org Todd Steinbrink Presorted Standard Mail U.S. Postage PAID Cincinnati, Ohio Permit #2417 Vice Mayor Chris Dobrozsi Council Members Ann Combs Gerri Harbison Craig Margolis Lynda Roesch Ken Suer Clerk of Council Connie Gaylor City Manager Wayne Davis Read Then Recycle Montgomery Bulletin Sunday Monday 4 11 International Reception, Terwilliger Lodge, 5:00-7:00 p.m. 18 Tuesday 5 Beautification and Tree Commission, Public Works, 9:00 a.m. Fall brush collection for residents with Thursday trash pickup Arts Commission, City Hall, 5:00 p.m. Planning Commission, City Hall, 7:30 p.m. 12 Columbus Day Fall brush collection for residents with Friday trash pickup 19 Planning Commission, City Hall, 7:30 p.m. 25 26 October Events Wednesday 6 Fire Prevention Week 7 Council Business Session, City Hall, 7:00 p.m. 13 Environmental Advisory Commission, City Hall, 4:30 p.m. 20 Sister Cities Commission, City Hall, 7:00 p.m. 27 Board of Zoning Appeals, City Hall, 7:00 p.m. 14 Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 8 9 10 Parks & Recreation Commission, City Hall, 6:30 p.m. 15 2016 Montgomery Citizen Leadership Academy applications due (extended deadline) 16 17 Shredding event and cardboard recycling, 7315 Cornell Road, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Landmarks Commission, City Hall, 7:00 p.m. 21 Harvest Moon Festival, Swaim Park, 5:00-8:00 p.m. 22 23 24 29 30 31 Council Work Session, City Hall, 7:00 p.m. 28 School’s Out Trip, Swaim Park Shelter 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Trick or Treat, 6:00-8:00 p.m., rain or shine 3rd quarter 2015 taxes due