buildingcincinnati

From the 12/22/06 Blade: Smokeless bar won't blame ban for empty tables By JENNI LAIDMAN BLADE STAFF WRITER It's 3:30 p.m., and Andy's Bar and Grill in Perrysburg Township has one employee for every customer. Of course, there are only two customers. "I've made 7 cents. I had one table since noon," said Kristy Day, the Northwood woman waiting tables in the four-month-old restaurant/bar. "It's funny; it's usually hard to find a seat," said Jeff Purvis, who just got out of work at a Toledo Post Office. "But when I walked in, it was just these two [employees] listening to music." Read more: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061222/NEWS17/612220316/-1/NEWS From the 12/22/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Businesses seem to be complying with law Being close to the Pennsylvania line could be a double whammy for some. By WILLIAM K. ALCORN VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER Checks at several businesses along Belmont Avenue found substantial compliance with the intent, if not the letter, of Ohio's new SmokeFree Workplace Act. The law went into effect Dec. 7 and prohibits indoor smoking in public places. Enforcement rules are being formulated. A large percentage of places appear to not have the required no-smoking signs at their entrances that contain the toll-free telephone number — (866) 559-6446 — for reporting complaints to the Ohio Department of Health. More information about the law can be found at the toll-free information line at (866) 634-7654. Read more: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/346113151623129.php From the 12/22/06 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: No smoking law doesn't apply to post office By TAMARIA L. KULEMEKA The Eagle-Gazette Staff [email protected] LANCASTER - Not every Ohio employer is mandated to abide by the state's new smoking ban - which went into effect Dec. 7 - and the United States Post Office is one of them. The post office is a federal employer, so some state rules that apply to other businesses, such as the smoking ban, don't apply to the employer, according Steve Rennick, lead safety specialist at the USPS Columbus district office. "The state can't come in and enforce their rules in a federal facility," Rennick said. "We have our own no smoking policy for customers and employees and will continue to enforce that." Kristopher Weiss, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Health, concurred that the state doesn't have jurisdiction over federal facilities. Read more: http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061222/NEWS01/612220304/1002/rss01

From the 12/21/06 Sun Courier: Other locations smoke-free as well Thursday, December 21, 2006 By Mike Kezdi The Sun Courier Although area bars and restaurants have been at the center point of the new statewide no smoking regulations, other businesses, including city governments, must comply. Many of the businesses already were nonsmoking, but a caveat to the law also requires that there be no smoking near doors, windows or air intakes for buildings. Also included in the ban are vehicles owned by the business for employee use. Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/suncourier/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/116665063516660.xml&coll=4 From the 12/21/06 Findlay Courier: What ban? Many customers still lightin' up in local bars By JOHN GRABER and MIKE SOBCZYK STAFF WRITERS A handful of patrons were enjoying cocktails and cigarettes at Wooley Bulley's around 3 p.m. Wednesday. It may sound like a no-brainer scenario for a bar setting, but it's technically illegal to smoke in most public establishments since a statewide smoking ban, passed by voters last month, went into effect on Dec. 7. But many bars, clubs and restaurants soon discovered that the new law has no enforcement provisions -- yet -- and decided to let customers smoke. The Ohio Department of Health will determine the enforcement rules by June 7. Read more: http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2006/Dec/ar_news_122106.asp#story2 From the 12/21/06 Chillicothe Gazette: Smoking ban extends to police officers as well By LOREN GENSON Gazette Staff Writer Law enforcement officers are not above the law, said representatives from the Ross County Sheriff's Office and the City of Chillicothe Police Department. Recently community members have reported seeing members of law enforcement around the county lighting up in company cars on company time, which, according to a measure passed by voters Nov. 7 is no longer legal. Read more: http://www.chillicothegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061221/NEWS01/612210320/1002/rss01

I can't believe I liked them in 7th grade. As for the pic, it's too blurry but I would guess California as well. That's where the whole hair scene came from.

Anderson Twp: English Garden Home Wood Development is seeking to build a 15-lot subdivision off of Markley Rd. The 3.8 acre subdivision will be on the east side of Markley, between James Hill Dr and Beechmont Ave. Demolition of the homes at 1102 and 1120 Markley Rd would be necessary for the access drive, which will be a public street named English Garden Lane. The 15 lots will surround a cul-de-sac. (1102 and 1120 Markley) Round-up: City of Cincinnati EAST WALNUT HILLS 1315 Burdett Ave has been rehabbed and is on the market for $214,900. It has never been valued at more than half of this amount, and not even half of the surrounding properties break $100K. EAST WALNUT HILLS It has taken a few years, but the rehab of 2332 Gladstone Ave is complete. MADISONVILLE 4436 Lucerne Ave is being upgraded. MT WASHINGTON A new single-family home will be built at 6149 Mariwood Ln. This project, by Housley Homes, is erroneously listed as 6491 Mariwood in the real estate listings. At $232,850, the home will be 3 BR/2 BA with an attached frontal two-car garage. MT WASHINGTON Mt. Washington seeks input on master plan Forest Hills Journal, 1/29/07 Mt. Washington residents will have an opportunity to offer feedback on the community's comprehensive plan. An open house will begin 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Mt. Washington Recreation Center, 1715 Beacon St. "It will be an informal gathering in which people can talk to the heads of each subcommittee (that prepared the plan)," said steering committee chair Jacob Williams. Topics will include housing, economic development, historic preservation, transportation and quality of life. Land use maps will also be on display. "Given the process the city (of Cincinnati) laid out, I think we did a pretty good job (with the plan)," Williams said. Discussions on the plan began about a year and a half ago. About 50 volunteers and city employees helped in preparing the plan. NORTHSIDE 1834 Chase Ave has been rehabbed for resale. No good photo exists of its "before" condition, but it was red, painted brick. The trees have been cut back and this home can be enjoyed from the street again. OAKLEY 2726 Atlantic Ave has been rehabbed, mostly consmetically. SOUTH CUMMINSVILLE 3618 Roll Ave has been condemned. It's been vacant for at least six years. The owner has not replied to any of the City's orders. This home, built around 1890, might not be around too much longer. WALNUT HILLS The two-family at 647-649 E McMillan Ave has been razed for a parking lot. How much parking is needed here? None. This was simply a way to comply with orders on the property by eliminating the problem. Round-up: Metro BETHEL Batavia Township intersection to be closed for repair and reconstruction Clermont Sun, 2/2/07 One of Batavia Township's most problematic intersections will get a boost of sorts sometime this summer when the Bauer Road, Old SR 32 intersection is closed for repairs and reconstruction. The intersection, which is located just east of Batavia, currently features a large dip in a curve that creates a hiding place for oncoming traffic, resulting in several traffic accidents over the years. "That's a real bad intersection," said Batavia Township Administrator Rex Parsons. "Given the growth with the Cross Pointe subdivision and the growth on the other side of SR 32 on Bauer Road, with the county offices, people coming to and from that generates a lot of traffic. You can't see very far and there are more cars coming faster, making for a bad intersection. We've been wanting to address this." According to Parsons, the township and county will be working together to make the improvements, which will benefit both a township and county road. A grant will contribute much of the half million dollar pricetag for the project, which will also use matching funds from the county and township. "We spoke with the county engineer and agreed to partner on it," said Parsons. "We actually agreed to do this intersection and another in our township. The county got some Ohio Public Works Commission money to do this work. This will replace a bridge there as well, which is a win-win for both of us. They're getting their bridge replaced out of this." COLD SPRING Cold Spring to monitor traffic at school site Campbell Community Recorder, 1/30/07 The City of Cold Spring plans to monitor traffic in and out of the Cold Spring Crossing shopping center this year where a new elementary school is expected to open in the fall. The new Crossroads Elementary School was designed to handle up to 750 students, but the district plans to start school with about 500 students enrolled. Monitoring traffic flow in the city, especially at the Crossroads Boulevard and Bunning Lane intersections with U.S. 27, is a strategic focus this year, said Cold Spring Mayor Mark Stoeber. Campbell County School District Superintendent Anthony Strong has expressed a willingness to work with the city and is working to provide a bus schedule in the next month or two, Stoeber said. Several weeks ago the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet installed a device at the Crossroads Boulevard and U.S. 27 intersection that allows police to change the light manually if traffic warrants, said Cold Spring Police Department Chief Ed Burk. COLERAIN TWP This new home was built at 2342 Washington Ave in the Mt. Healthy Heights subdivision, on vacant land purchased for $6,000. FORT WRIGHT Fort Wright wants to widen Kyles Lane Erlanger Recorder, 1/26/07 City administration is pursuing federal money to widen Kyles Lane. City administrator Larry Klein said a proposal was drafted to Senator Jim Bunning seeking the funds. The project would wide Kyles Lane from Highland Pike to Farrell Drive, and add sidewalks along both sides. Klein said the estimated cost of the project is $2.75 million. "Each state gets money from the gasoline tax each year, and we're looking to get some of that money earmarked for this project," explained Klein. "This would be a huge public safety project, and we're hoping that we can get this done as soon as possible." The Kyles Lane and Farrell Drive intersection sits on a steep grade, limiting the sight visibility of people driving or walking in the area. Farrell Drive is the only entrance to a number of facilities, including Fort Wright Elementary School, Atria Highland Crossing, St. Charles Care Center and Northkey Community Care. According to the proposal, poor road conditions also poses a safety threat to emergency vehicles, who may have trouble getting to facilities at times. HIGHLAND HEIGHTS School land to be park Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/1/07 The city of Highland Heights now owns the seven-acre Highland Heights Elementary School property with plans to convert it to a park. The city bought the property from the Campbell County School District for $385,000 and closed on the sale this week. The school of 320 students will close at the end of the school year May 16 and move into the new Crossroads Elementary in Cold Spring. The city will allow school personnel to remain on the property until Sept. 15. After the school vacates, the city will start work on a city park, Mayor Greg Meyers said. The goal is to have a soccer field, baseball field and possibly a volleyball field, Meyers said. But that could change, he said. Meyers expects the park will be open by summer 2008. Alexandria Recorder: City closes deal to buy school (1/30/07) INDEPENDENCE Library's opening crowded Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/29/07 Freezing weather couldn't keep people from flocking to the grand opening Sunday of the new $8.9 million William E. Durr branch of the Kenton County Public Library in southern Kenton County. "If it had been real pretty weather, we might not have been able to handle a bigger crowd," said Milton Mains, library board of trustees' president. "It just shows the support that the people of this county have for our library, and I'm very pleased with the way the building looks, and I'm certainly pleased at this turnout today." More than 1,250 people attended the grand opening ceremony, which included a performance by the Simon Kenton High School band, a ribbon-cutting by library and state officials and a visit from the library's namesake, William E. Durr. Chris "The Whip Guy" Camp also performed his bullwhip routine for a standing-room-only crowd. He holds the Guinness World Record for most whip cracks in a minute at 222. The branch at 1992 Walton-Nicholson Road replaces the smaller Independence branch, which closed in late December. The new 39,000-square-foot facility includes drive-through window service, an outdoor reading garden, more than 90,000 items in the collection, 59 public computer terminals, a circus-themed children's department with more than 35,000 items, public meeting rooms, study rooms and Wi-Fi capabilities. KENTON COUNTY Donated land will be preserved as natural park Kenton Community Recorder, 1/30/07 George Wolsing is using his love of nature to give a gift to the entire county. Wolsing, an Independence native, recently completed a donation of 42 acres to the Kenton Conservancy, a local group dedicated to preserving the natural areas and green space of the county. Wolsing said the area will be turned into a naturalist park, the only one if it's kind in Kenton County. Wolsing, who at one time owned close to 300 acres off Cody Road, was born on the land, and worked as a farmer on it for 70 years. Now 85, he said he wanted to be sure it was preserved in it's natural beauty. "I thought this particular area would be ideally suited for a park, because it runs along the Banklick Creek and there's a lot of wildlife there," said Wolsing. "I didn't want to see that get ruined by a developer or someone coming in to build on it. This way, it will be left how it is so everyone can enjoy it." Janet Scanlon, a board member of the Kenton Conservancy, said the land will remain largely untouched, except for the addition of some hiking trails. LOVELAND City awaits Y officials' partnership decision Loveland Herald, 2/1/07 City officials could reach a partnership agreement with the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati by Feb. 7. The agreement would be another cleared hurdle for the city's administration, which seeks to develop a recreation center on 24 acres between Fallis and Rich roads. The agreement has been deliberated for months. So has planning for the recreation center. According to City Manager Tom Carroll, many have inquired about the Y's membership fees for Loveland residents and outside individuals. Some say it should be cheaper if their tax dollars are paying for it. MADEIRA This teardown project at 7049 Shawnee Run Rd isn't so bad. It's a definite improvement to what was there and a definite improvement over most new construction we're seeing these days. It can be yours for $480,000. MONTGOMERY Officials answer Twin Lakes questions Northeast Suburban Life, 1/26/07 The final plans for a senior-housing development are still before the city's planning commission. The commission could continute discussions the project at its Feb. 5 meeting. Twin Lakes, a senior-living organization, has plans to develop 13 homes between Hopewell and Schoolhouse Roads. The homes have frequently caused interested parties to raise questions about its plans. Thus, Northeast Suburban Life asked readers what questions they had about this development. In an effort to acquire answers, the questions were addressed to city officials, Twin Lakes officials and CDS Associates Inc., an architecture firm in Blue Ash examining the project. MT HEALTHY Mount Healthy makes final push for bond levy Hilltop Press, 1/26/07 Officials in the Mount Healthy City School District are making a final push to get voters to the polls on Feb. 6. There is one issue on the ballot: a 6.1-mill bond issue that would allow the district to consolidate, replacing its eight aging buildings with three new sites: two elementary schools and a grades 7-12 campus. Officials say the consolidation plan could save $1.5 million in operating costs. Board president Steve Harness said the savings will be from reduced maintenance costs, improved energy efficiency, and consolidation of educational resources. District officials want to issue bonds to pay the local share of school construction under the Ohio Classroom Facilities Assistance Program, which will be about $33 million over 23 years. NEW RICHMOND New Richmond High School to be renovated Clermont Sun, 2/2/07 The New Richmond High School is receiving a much needed and long overdue face lift. The New Richmond Board of Education passed a resolution commencing with the $2.274 million repair/renovation project in December. At a special meeting Jan. 25, the board approved the final estimated price tag and awarded the contracts to the following three companies. The general contracting contract was awarded to R.J. Belschel, the ventilator and mechanical work involved was awarded to Quality Mechanicals, and the Sidewinder Electric Company was awarded the electrical contract work. "This is going to be a significant and major project," said superintendent Tom Durbin. "The front of the high school (which was built in 1965) is in serious need of repairs. There are many things that are happening. There is water running down in between the walls that you can hear when it rains. This moisture is leaking out, running down the windows, and causing the deterioration of the metal brackets that secure the school's windows in place." There are many cracks in the walls from the ceiling to the floor, where original tiles are chipped and almost completely destroyed. There are even spaces in the walls that actually allow daylight to creep through. NORTH COLLEGE HILL 6933 Noble Ave has been rehabbed. SPRINGDALE Riley's opening here soon Cincinnati Enquirer, 1/20/07 Riley's Restaurant and Bakery, an institution in Greenhills for 26 years, will open a new location this summer as the anchor tenant of the new $5 million-plus Springdale Town Center, at Springfield Pike and Kemper Road. Ken Riley and his wife Gloria on Friday marked the 26th anniversary of the opening of their restaurant in a former chili parlor in the Greenhills Shopping Center. They said they haven't decided whether the new restaurant will be an outright relocation or a second location. "Our lease here runs into 2008, and we may tweak the concept here a little bit,'' said Riley. "The Springdale Town Center is such a beautiful shopping center, we couldn't pass it up." Riley said 85 percent of the customers are from outside Greenhills. Since opening in 1981, Riley's has expanded several times. The new restaurant, seating 200, will offer the same fare and baked goods as the Greenhills restaurant, he said. It will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The new Riley's will occupy the center of the 43,000-square-foot Springdale neighborhood center developed by Myers Y. Cooper Co. of Milford. Cooper acquired the land on the east side of Springfield Pike from the city and demolished several older buildings to make way for the new neighborhood retail center with parking for about 250 vehicles. SPRINGFIELD TWP Meeting explains road widening Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/3/07 Before major work starts Feb. 19 along Winton Road, Springfield Township officials are holding a meeting Wednesday to tell residents what's happening. The road will be widened from four lanes to five between Reynard Avenue and Fleming Road, and utilities will be relocated. The streetscape plan approved by the township also calls for new decorative sidewalks and lighting. The meeting is at 7 p.m. in Grove Hall, 9158 Winton Road. SYCAMORE TWP Township moving forward with land use plan Northeast Suburban Life, 2/2/07 Township officials are finding that working on a land use plan in-house is a timely process, but one that will pay long-term dividends. Typically sent out to a consultant for completion, Sycamore decided late last year to do the work itself, which will save thousands of dollars as well as make the plan a better fit for the community. A land use plan helps officials make decisions on potential developments. The plan - revised every five years - allows the township to deny developers permission to build, but isn't considered law and can be overturned or ignored. Township Administrator Rob Molloy said the "lengthy process" is in its earliest stages, and he doesn't expect the new plan to differ greatly from the current one. "You're not going to see any big changes," he said. Cincinnati Enquirer: Land-use plan being reviewed (1/29/07) SYCAMORE TWP New lodge in Sycamore Twp. closer to becoming reality Northeast Suburban Life, 1/29/07 After tearing down the fire-damaged Bechtold Lodge in August 2006 Sycamore Township officials are preparing to build its replacement. Trustees have said they want work on a new lodge/community center as soon as possible, and the township's parks and recreation board has been in talks about what and where the new lodge will be. Parks and Recreation Director Mike McKeown said while plans aren't yet official, the parks board is discussing expanding the lodge to include a gym area and reception hall, as well as larger meeting rooms, and placing it on the property directly behind the administration building. "The use there could really be multipurpose," said Al Godbey, parks board member. McKeown said in place of Bechtold Lodge, the township could build a "super shelter" at Bechtold Park, which would include a large picnic area and a fireplace, among other amenities. SYMMES TWP Symmes offer: $150K per acre Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/1/07 Voters will soon decide on a levy for the $7.6 million purchase of the 51-acre Rozzi's Famous Fireworks site for sports fields. Township officials last week announced the plan. After 70 years in Symmes, Rozzi's will move to Clinton County by May 2009. Rozzi's will stay open until the move to a 100-acre site in Wilmington. Two public meetings on the 30-year, 0.9-mill levy are set for 7 p.m. Tuesdayand Feb. 13 at the Symmes Safety Service Center, 8871 Weekly Road. The deadline to get the measure on the May ballot is Feb. 22. Once the family announced the land was on the market, the township made a quick offer. Symmes Trustee President Eric Minamyer said the board is moving quickly to keep any potential private developers from buying the land between Lebanon and Union Cemetery roads. Wilmington News Journal: Rozzi's expands county presence (1/27/07) Cincinnati Enquirer: Rozzi will sell out of Symmes (1/26/07) Loveland Herald: New Symmes levy to determine land deal (1/25/07) WILMINGTON Council split on requiring roadway Wilmington News Journal, 2/2/07 In a 4 to 3 decision Thursday, Wilmington City Council voted to not make extension of Lowe's Drive a precondition for a proposed annexation of a large tract of land on the city's north edge. City Councilman Scott Kirchner asked that any developer of the land be required to include a roadway from Prairie Avenue on one end of the property to the state Route 134 North end of the property. Kirchner's goal is to assure an exit onto state Route 134 North (Lincoln Street) to prevent a traffic influx into existing Denver Addition neighborhoods from the annexed land which is expected to become a residential development. There are many Denver Addition residents who oppose any annexation that potentially could hurt the chances of extending Lowe's Drive from Prairie Avenue to Lincoln Street. Councilman Don Wells and Councilwoman Cindy Peterson joined Kirchner in voting in favor of a deed-restrictive right-of-way that would guarantee the extension of Lowe's Drive as the property is developed. Council members who voted against the requirement were David Hockaday, Mike Wallace, Sandy Mongold and Mark McKay.

Any more takers? So far I have 1.

As many of you may have noticed, I'm pretty swamped with the news stories. I'm still posting some stuff from December. (Or, I'm posting 25 articles on a topic all at once.) I'd like to have a little more time to actually enjoy the forum. I don't think I've given an opinion over a sentence or two on here in months. Plus, I've been neglecting my blog. If anybody is interested in posting some stuff, please PM me. It wouldn't be more than about ten stories per day, possibly less depending on the number of people involved. I'm still trying to work out the logistics of this, but I'd like to get a handle on how many people I should be planning for. Join Grasscat's Posting Army today! ;d

Are there any plans for RSS/XML or Atom feeds?

The story and pics from the opening that the pope mentioned, from the 12/21/06 Blade: PHOTO: James Savoy, right, walks across the bridge to shake a fellow worker’s hand after the final pieces were put in place. ( THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT ) PHOTO: The sun rises behind the Veterans’ Glass City Skyway, which will carry I-280 across the Maumee River northeast of downtown. An official said about 60 days’ worth of work remain. How soon it can be completed depends on the weather. ( THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT ) PHOTO: Iron workers use temporary steel rods and epoxy to secure the final segments in place. ( THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT ) I-280 BRIDGE Glass City Skyway reaches across river Final pair of segments are lowered into position By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER Fifty-three months after a casting yard two miles away produced the first precast concrete segment for the Veterans' Glass City Skyway, the last two of 3,008 deck segments for the $220 million landmark were hoisted into place yesterday afternoon. Bundled against a cold breeze, hard-hatted construction workers clicked pocket cameras to mark the occasion 130 feet above the Maumee River. "I've waited four years to cross that thing," Dwight Sawyer, an operating engineer from Swanton, said after walking across the newly closed gap in what will become the southbound lanes. "It's a milestone. You work hours and hours and hours and, finally, you see something accomplished." The bridge will carry I-280 over the river. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061221/NEWS11/612210331/-1/NEWS

RPC recommends sketch plan for development in Pleasant Twp. Mount Vernon News, 3/17/06 The Knox County Regional Planning Commission approved a sketch plan for a proposed major subdivision in Pleasant Township.

Subdivision to have wider lots in one area ThisWeek New Albany, 3/16/06 MI Homes has amended its plan for the subdivision called Windsor, being built south of state Route 161 between state Route 605 and U.S. route 62.

Affordable housing efforts get help Business First of Columbus, 3/16/06 Two Columbus affordable housing initiatives will receive a combined $1.7 million in funding and loans from the state for the projects' development.

Hadler seeks input on Columbus Square Northland News, 3/15/06 The Northland Area Business Association's former president has tapped the organization to provide help on how he might best sell his retail center to shoppers and potential tenants.

Residents, complex reach compromise Columbus Dispatch, 3/14/06 More than 200 people crammed into Columbus City Council chambers last night. Many came anticipating an argument over their South Side neighborhood. Residents there said they needed to protect it from yet another complex for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics coming in without support or their input.

Council approves zoning for more single family houses Gahanna News, 3/8/06 A zoning decision by Gahanna City Council means more single family homes will likely be built in Gahanna. The 40.42-acre Manor Homes development at Clark State and Reynoldsburg-New Albany roads would have up to 60 single-family homes. MORE: http://www.snponline.com/NEWS3-8/3-8_ghallodium.html

Council approves OWU upgrades ThisWeek Delaware, 3/5/06 Ohio Wesleyan University's plans to conduct sweeping upgrades to its athletics facilities cleared another hurdle last week, after a portion of the project received the go-ahead from city officials.

From CityBeat, 12/20/07: PHOTO: Mike Miller takes a break while canoeing on one of the less obviously polluted sretches of the Mill Creek, a long-troubled urban stream. Photo By Mill Creek Watershed Council PHOTO: Do they know what they're getting into? Kids hang out near the Mill Creek. Photo By Mill Creek Watershed Council A Creek Runs Through It Mill Creek meanders from natural to nasty By Margo Pierce The Commodore of the Mill Creek Yacht Club believes the waterway is in better shape than it used to be. Although there are still abuses occurring today, it's "slightly better," according to Bruce Koehler. http://www.citybeat.com/2006-12-20/news2.shtml

From the 1/15/06 Newark Advocate: ThisWeek Licking County: Pataskala, Southgate to chat about project (1/7/07) Officials, residents offer insight on Southgate By CHAD KLIMACK Advocate Reporter PATASKALA -- People familiar with Southgate Corp.'s projects in other central Ohio communities speak highly of the Newark-based developer, but they also acknowledge some of the company's developments increased traffic in their neighborhoods. The feedback is important because Southgate wants to build a large-scale development on the northeast corner of Ohio 310 and Refugee Road in Pataskala. The company approached the city last year about rezoning about 95 acres on the corner from agricultural uses to a Planned Development District. The district, according to Southgate's plans, would feature condominiums, apartments, retail establishments, a senior citizen assisted-living facility and two large commercial buildings, one covering 80,000 square feet and another covering 120,000 square feet. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070115/NEWS01/701150306/1002/rss01

From the 1/30/07 Enquirer: Building already has tenants Kenwood development about two-thirds leased BY MIKE BOYER | [email protected] BLUE ASH - Hills Cos., primarily a residential developer, is taking the wraps off its first new commercial development in more than a decade, a block south from its corporate office at 4901 Hunt Road. Kenwood Corporate Centre is a two-story, 34,000-square-foot office building at 9395 Kenwood Road. It overlooks the Ronald Reagan Highway and is adjacent to Hills' Kenwood Professional Building, a 52,000-square-foot building it renovated about five years ago. The new building is about two-thirds leased. Premier Manufacturing Services, a service provider to global automotive plants, will relocate its offices and 45 employees from Norwood to become the anchor tenant of Kenwood Corporate Centre, taking all 18,000 square feet on the second floor. Harry Nieman, president of the wholly-owned subsidiary of Voith AG in Germany, said Premier had outgrown its offices on Highland Avenue. It expects to move in March. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070130/BIZ01/701300328/1076/BIZ From the 1/26/07 Oxford Press: Oxford Press: Potential municipal building sites topic on Tuesday meeting (1/19/07) Citizens speak up about location Residents at special Tuesday meeting say they want city building to stay Uptown. By Sean Strader Staff Writer Friday, January 26, 2007 A large chorus of citizens stepped up to the podium at council's special meeting Tuesday, but their message was nearly unanimous: Keep the municipal building Uptown, or at least east of the railroad tracks. With a pressing need for new facilities for municipal functions, the police station and the Area I Courthouse, council will decide their future locations during its February and March meetings. "I would like to see the municipal facility stay in the Uptown area," said Steve Flee of 310 Erickson Dr. "We're going to live with this decision for 50, 75, 100 years, so let's do it right the first time." MORE: http://www.oxfordpress.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/25/op012607municipal.html

From the 2/1/07 Athens News: Local officials supporting latest school-funding proposal By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Thursday, February 1st, 2007 A proposed constitutional amendment dealing with school-funding issues in Ohio has drawn fire from critics around the state, but has several supporters locally, including one person involved with the filing of the original public-school-funding lawsuit. The proposed constitutional amendment on school funding was submitted last month to Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann. Getting It Right for Ohio's Future, a consortium made up of 12 statewide education groups, submitted the measure. Supporters hope to have the amendment on the ballot for Ohio voters in November. The proposal calls for several significant changes, such as creating an independent commission to oversee the public-school-funding system; eliminating the "phantom revenue" aspect of the current funding system; determining the levels of funding needed for all types of students; amending the state constitution to state that a high-quality education is a fundamental right for every child in Ohio; and forcing the Ohio Legislature to provide enough funding to public schools to ensure that each child receives a high-quality education. MORE: http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=27225

From the AP, 1/31/07: School funding plan ballot language OK'd Collection of 402,000 signatures can start soon Associated Press COLUMBUS - Ballot language was approved Tuesday for a fall initiative aimed at repairing Ohio's unconstitutional school-funding system. Attorney General Marc Dann said 4,538 of the 5,109 signatures submitted by the Campaign for Ohio's Future were valid, well over the 1,000 required by state law to establish a campaign to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot. The Ohio Ballot Board must now certify the language within 10 days. Supporter Jim Betts, a spokesman for the Getting It Right for Ohio's Future education campaign, said he was not surprised at the number of signatures they were able to gather given Ohioans' concerns about the way public schools are paid for in the state. He said after the ballot board acts, backers of the ballot issue will launch a grass-roots effort to gather the 402,000 required signatures to get on the Nov. 6 ballot. The deadline to submit those signatures is Aug. 8. http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16586374.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

From Dix newspapers, 1/24/07: Garrison unveils legislation to boost school funding for poorer districts Marc Kovac/Capital Bureau January 24, 2007 COLUMBUS -- State Rep. Jennifer Garrison plans to introduce legislation that would increase state funding to poorer school districts while decreasing burdens on property taxpayers. Garrison, D-Marietta, unveiled details during a press conference at the Statehouse Tuesday for bills that would boost parity aid for poorer districts and encourage all-day kindergarten. They're the latest offered in the Legislature, where lawmakers and others continue to seek solutions to the state's school funding woes. Earlier this month, a consortium of education groups announced its intentions to place a constitutional amendment before voters that would call for the implementation of a new school funding model. One of Garrison's bills would increase parity aid -- funding provided to the poorest school districts, taking into account residents' income and property taxes -- to a 9.5-mill level, versus the 7.5 mills used in the existing formula. Garrison said the legislation would increase state funding by about $140 million annually to schools that need it most. MORE: http://www.daily-jeff.com/news/article/1517471 From SNP newspapers, 1/24/07: School leaders call funding proposal a good first step By GARTH BISHOP A proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution purporting to fix the state's school funding problems is being eyed with caution, but local school officials say they are encouraged at least to see the issue being addressed. Last Wednesday, a group of education advocates submitted to state Attorney General Marc Dann a proposed amendment that, among other things, pledges to provide a solution to the state's unconstitutional school funding system and establish a high-quality education as a fundamental right of Ohio students. "Almost daily, we read that the state of Ohio has problems -- problems with its economy, problems with its workforce, problems with its education," said Jim Betts, spokesman for Campaign for Ohio's Future, the consortium that presented the amendment at a press conference last Wednesday. The amendment campaign is called "Getting it Right for Ohio's Future" and supporters include the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, Ohio Education Association and Ohio School Boards Association. MORE: http://www.snponline.com/NEWS1-24/1-24_allamendment.html

From the 1/23/07 Dispatch: School-funding proposal attracting few friends Tuesday, January 23, 2007 Jim Siegel THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH When it comes to school funding, Gov. Ted Strickland, Ohio’s big-city mayors and Democratic state lawmakers share at least two things in common these days. All have insisted that the state must do more to fund schools and ensure a high-quality education for all students. And none is throwing support behind a proposed constitutional amendment that purports to do that. The proposal, if approved by voters, would make monumental changes to Ohio’s school-funding system, handing budget-writing power to the state Board of Education and shifting the cost burden to the state, away from local property taxes. In the early going, the education coalition that includes representatives of teachers, school boards, administrators and parents is moving forward with its plan without much backing from those outside the realm of kindergarten through 12th grade. House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, said the group never contacted her or her members about the plan. Considering how active legislative Democrats have been in calling for additional school funding, "I think that is why you find so many of us surprised and disappointed," she said. "When you are not inclusive, and you don’t include those who must find the dollars, I think people will be more resistant." MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/23/20070123-D6-02.html

From the 1/22/07 Dispatch: DEBATE OVER PROPOSED AMENDMENT Judges would enforce ‘right’ to education Monday, January 22, 2007 Jim Siegel and Cathy Candisky THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Few would disagree that every child is entitled to a high-quality education. But making it a "fundamental right" in the Ohio Constitution, as called for in a proposed amendment unveiled last week, could have broad legal consequences, placing education on the same level as the right to vote and freedom of speech. It would shift more power to the Ohio Supreme Court, which would get final say over every education budget passed by the state legislature. Critics say similar changes in other states haven’t worked. Experts also say that defining education as a fundamental right, instead of the current constitutional language requiring "a thorough and efficient system of common schools," could empower justices to more directly order lawmakers to change the system. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/22/20070122-A1-01.html

From the 1/21/07 ABJ: Who'll have school-fund leverage? Dennis Willard Beacon Journal Columbus Bureau From 1997 to 2002, Bill Phillis and the coalition of school districts that successfully sued the state over school funding had -- to use the Seinfeldian term -- hand. In those five years, Phillis' coalition had hand (or leverage) because three times, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in its favor and against the Legislature and two governors. On Dec. 11, 2002, the Supreme Court ruled for a fourth time that the way the state pays to educate 1.8 million schoolchildren was still unconstitutional, and then the justices did something unexpected. They dropped the case. There would be no enforcement of the ruling. There would be no appeals. Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, who loves to brag about telling visiting Ukranian judges that tanks are not needed to enforce judicial rulings in Ohio or this country, was presiding over a tankless court that could not enforce its own ruling. Phillis' Coalition for Equity & Adequacy in School Funding has not had hand since. MORE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16512285.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

From the 1/19/07 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: What you're paying LEVY UNCERTAINTY Proposal has put schools in a bind Friday, January 19, 2007 Jennifer Smith Richards THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Forget arguing about whether the proposed school-funding fix — the one that could become a constitutional amendment — will work. The immediate debate in school districts: whether to go to voters in November and ask for more money, when the amendment also would be on the ballot. School treasurers say the early word is that districts will skip the November ballot to avoid voter confusion. Some districts say they’ll opt for spring elections, although they say uncertainty might confuse voters then, too. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/19/20070119-A1-04.html From the 1/19/07 Milford-Miami Advertiser: School funding group presents case to council BY DANNY CROSS | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER MILFORD - Ohio Citizens for School Funding Reform, a local group concerned with failing school levies, introduced its cause to Milford City Council Tuesday, Jan. 16. The organization began researching Ohio's school funding policies after the levy failed in May. Linda Malott, one of five group core members, said with state funding decreasing, too much of the burden for funding public schools is placed on residents passing levies. Malott cited the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding, an organization started in 1990 to challenge the constitutionality of the Ohio school funding system. On its Web site, www.ohiocoalition.com, the organization said the process has been ruled unconstitutional four times during the past 11 years. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070119/NEWS01/701190490/1119/Local