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From the 12/2/06 Enquirer: Judge urges Comair talks Pilots, company seek deal on cuts BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Comair and its pilots union will return to the bargaining table Monday after a bankruptcy judge urged both sides to continue negotiations. Judge Adlai Hardin's comments came after four days of hearings on Comair's request to reject its contract with the pilots and impose $15.8 million worth of concessions. Comair is trying to emerge from bankruptcy with lower costs that it says will boost its ability to attract new business. Hardin may take longer than a week to rule. Meanwhile, the union is holding a vote to authorize a potential strike with results due Dec. 11. Both sides say they've wanted to cut a deal all along even though differences on the level of givebacks remain. J.C. Lawson, chairman of the 1,600-member pilots union, said they still seek a deal. Full story at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061202/BIZ01/612020337/1076/BIZ

Both from the 12/1/06 Enquirer: Comair, pilots to restart talks BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Comair and its pilots union will return to the bargaining table Monday after a bankruptcy judge urged both sides continue negotiations. The talks will be the first since Nov. 16. Judge Adlai Hardin’s comments came after four days of hearings on Comair’s request to reject its contract with the pilots and impose $15.8 million worth of concessions. Comair is trying to emerge from bankruptcy with lower costs that it says will boost its ability to attract new business. Hardin’s ruling may take longer than a week. Meanwhile, the union is holding a vote to authorize a potential strike with results due Dec. 11. Both sides say they’ve wanted to cut a deal all along even though differences on the level of givebacks remain. Full story at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061201/BIZ01/612010333/1076/BIZ Delta reports Oct. losses down 70.8% BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Bankrupt Delta Air Lines reported Thursday that its losses for October dropped 70.8 percent to $88 million from $301 million a year ago. The Atlanta-based carrier, dominant operator out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, said its operating loss was down 95.4 percent to $9 million and its loss before bankruptcy costs was down 67.3 percent to $64 million. The company said it has $3.8 billion in cash, equivalents and short-term investments on hand, including $2.7 billion that is unrestricted. Delta said its revenue for the month was $1.4 billion but did not release a year-ago figure. More at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061201/BIZ01/612010332/1076/BIZ

From the AP, 11/30/06: Comair pilots' union testifies in court BY VINNEE TONG | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK - The union representing Comair pilots testified Wednesday that pilots narrowly ratified a January agreement that contained terms more favorable to the company than those in the proposal now before a bankruptcy court. The Air Line Pilots Association opened its defense against rejection of its labor contract, part of the company's effort to emerge from bankruptcy protection alongside its parent Delta Air Lines Inc. Cory Tennen, the lead labor negotiator for ALPA, testified that pilots narrowly approved a January agreement for $17.3 million in annual concessions under threat from Erlanger-based Comair that Delta would shut it down. "Company negotiators repeatedly stated that if they did not get the $17.3 million, the company would simply shut down," said Tennen, a captain who flies 70-seat aircraft for Comair. He said the threat of closure convinced ALPA it should allow the 1,500 Comair pilots to vote on the concessions deal, which was approved by a small margin. The January agreement was negotiated in November and December of last year. Full story at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/BIZ01/611300326/1076/BIZ

From the 11/29/06 Enquirer: Pilots' lawyers grill execs In court, Comair, Delta insist on need to cut BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER NEW YORK - Lawyers for Comair's pilots grilled executives for the regional airline and its parent company Delta Air Lines Tuesday about the Erlanger-based carrier's financial condition - and its need for concessions now from the union. The testimony was part of a U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing on Comair's motion to nullify a contract with the 1,600-member union and impose $15.8 million in wage and other cuts. Shawn Anderson, Delta's senior vice president of supply chain management, affirmed that Comair was projecting a $50 million profit this year but said its cost-cutting efforts fell short of Delta's expectations. Comair lost $120 million in 2005, according to Delta. Last January, pilots approved $17.3 million in cuts over four years. But that was contingent on Comair reaching set concessions from flight attendants and mechanics. The flight attendants subsequently agreed to cut annual costs by $7.9 million, $1 million lower than required under the pilots' deal. That forced Comair to renegotiate with pilots. The parties are in court because they haven't reached a new deal. Full story at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/BIZ01/611290340/1076/BIZ

From the 11/22/06 Enquirer: Delta taking jets from Comair Shift to SkyWest service could cost 264 jobs BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER ERLANGER - In a cost-cutting move, bankrupt Delta Air Lines said Tuesday it would reassign 12 Comair jets to another regional carrier by February. It was the first of several awards expected by year's end from a bidding process this fall. The announcement means the potential elimination of jobs for an estimated 264 pilots and flight attendants - a figure Comair officials would not confirm. The locally based regional airline said it would attempt to manage the job cuts through attrition rather than layoffs. Comair officials have confirmed that 70-seat jets operated by Comair typically employ 11 pilots and 11 flight attendants apiece. Delta officials said St. George, Utah-based SkyWest Inc. would take over operation of the dozen 70-seat CRJ700s early next year that fly dozens of flights out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron. Passenger service would not be changed. Full story at http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061122/BIZ01/611220345

From the 11/28/06 Dispatch: Delaware lands two new plants Companies to bring more than 100 manufacturing jobs Tuesday, November 28, 2006 Paul Wilson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Delaware has beaten other Ohio communities and the state of Georgia for more than 100 manufacturing jobs. Two companies, which are joint ventures of Propel Industries of Columbus, will move their headquarters to Delaware. V &P Hydraulic Products LLC, currently in Lewis Center, and Sky Climber LLC, currently of Stone Mountain, Ga., will build twin 45,000-square-foot plants in the city. Sky Climber makes scaffolding for such things as window washing and high-rise construction. V&P makes custom hydraulic cylinders used in the mining and construction industries. Being next to each other will allow the companies to share resources such as purchasing, employees and management. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/28/20061128-E1-00.html Council to fund design to expand Justice Center ThisWeek Delaware, 12/3/06 City officials last week took another step toward providing more office space for local court and police operations by appropriating money to design an expansion to the Delaware Justice Center. With an architect already in place, Delaware City Council last Monday unanimously approved a measure to spend $135,000 to design an addition to the Justice Center at 70 N. Union St. The move will allow MKC Associates Inc., which has offices in Delaware and is the oldest architectural engineering company in Ohio, to begin designing the expansion immediately. Officials from the city and the company are working toward completion of the project prior to January 2008, when a second Delaware Municipal Court judge is expected to be sworn in. The decision to expand the Justice Center was made last year after city officials balked at a plan to contribute about $11.2-million to help build a new Delaware County Courthouse, which could have housed the Delaware Municipal Court. At that time, the courthouse project was estimated to cost $56.1-million.

From the 12/6/06 Springfield News-Sun: Grant could aid cleanup City requests $200,000 for work at former site of International truck and engine plant. By Samantha Sommer Staff Writer Wednesday, December 06, 2006 The city of Springfield will apply for a federal grant to clean up most of the former International Truck and Engine Corp. plant on Lagonda Avenue. The $200,000 grant request is due Thursday, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will notify the city in May on whether it gets the money. City commissioners discussed the grant Tuesday night. International has demolished all but the original factory building, typically the most expensive part, and is doing environmental testing. Those tests have shown lead and benzo(a)pyrene contamination, common at old industrial sites in Springfield, said Shannon Meadows, executive assistant to the city manager. "It doesn't have nearly the contamination that many expected," she said. Cleanup cost estimates aren't known because the testing isn't finished. But Meadows expects it will exceed the EPA grant and plans to apply for a Clean Ohio grant next year. The potential reuse of the site is undetermined, but Meadows said it likely will be a commercial or industrial use. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/05/sns120606citycommission.html From the 12/5/06 Springfield News-Sun: Schools, city examine tax agreement By LaToya Thompson Staff Writer Tuesday, December 05, 2006 URBANA — Urbana City Schools and the city must reach a tax agreement by Dec. 31 that could finance the construction of a mile and a half of streets around the district's future building site adjacent to Mercy Memorial Hospital and the YMCA. The two parties exchanged information Monday night about a Tax Increment Financing contract, or TIF. The agreement would freeze the tax value of a specified property when it is enacted, then the increased assessed value of the property goes to the municipality to fund capital improvement projects, such as streets. For instance, if a land's tax value is $1,000 this year and increases to $2,000 next year, the $1,000 increase would solely belong to the city. The school district and other county agencies and departments who earn revenue through property tax would not see an increase but continue to get the same amount. Urbana officials plan to try a TIF at the Urbana Commons that contains the Wal-Mart Supercenter, an area that changed from agricultural to commercial this summer. MORE: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/04/sns120506urbana.html Tipp City group exceeds goal for veterans honor in park Dayton Daily News, 12/10/06 The volunteer Veterans Memorial Committee picked a historic day — Pearl Harbor Day — to announce a major accomplishment in the drive for a memorial to honor all veterans, including those who served in World War II. The committee praised local residents, foundations and clubs and organizations for helping it raise $88,500, exceeding a $62,000 goal. Memorial plans include a 12-foot black granite monument surrounded by memorial bricks in a new city park planned at the intersection of West Main Street and Hyatt Street. The City Council this fall voted to name the small park Veterans Memorial Park, at the urging of the committee. The committee earlier convinced the city to locate the memorial at the highly visible intersection at the entry to the downtown instead of in another park off the main street. Former Wal-Mart site still awaiting tenants Celina Daily Standard, 12/9/06 Seagulls from Grand Lake are the only visitors these days to the abandoned Wal-Mart building in Celina. Although Wal-Mart officials - specifically their own realty division - and Lakewood Village Shopping Center owner Austin Management are busy trying to market the nearly 69,000-square foot building, it remains empty. Ohio has the second-largest number of abandoned or soon-to-be abandoned Wal-Mart buildings in the U.S., a growing phenomena as more Supercenters appear, according to Wal-Mart Realty's Web site. Texas leads the country with 32 former stores awaiting tenants; Ohio has 20 and North Carolina is third with 19. There are currently about 280 Wal-Mart buildings for sale across the country. In May 2005, Wal-Mart left the smaller building along Havemann Road and moved across the street to the new 204,000-square-foot Supercenter, also leaving behind a lease that doesn't expire until Jan. 2010, company spokesman Kevin Thornton said. "We usually try to find subtenants, buy out our lease or try to sell the building ourselves," he explained. U.S. funds to shore up 3 local landmarks Urbana Daily Citizen, 12/6/06 A $150,000 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant will go toward restoring and renovating the 1888 Sowles Hotel in downtown Urbana, the 1837 Second Baptist Church in Mechanicsburg and the 1881 Mt. Tabor Church in northeast Salem Township. "We're excited about the possibility of completing the Second Baptist Church, as well as contributing to work on the Mt. Tabor Church and the Sowles Hotel," said Sandy Gonzalez of the Champaign County Preservation Alliance. Former Urbana resident and historian John Bry wrote the grant application last year on behalf of CCPA, Gonzalez said, adding the group owns the Mechanicsburg church, while the Turner Foundation in Springfield owns the Sowles and Salem Township owns Mt. Tabor Church. Gonzalez said it hasn't been determined how these Economic Development Initiative Funds, which will be passed through the city of Urbana, will be distributed among the projects. She said estimates for wish-list items are being compiled and provided to Charlie McFarland of the Turner Foundation, which is using its grant expertise to assist with the project.

From the 12/8/06 Mount Vernon News: Controversy over apartments continues By Dylan McCament, News Staff Writer Friday, December 08, 2006 GAMBIER — Gambier’s Village Council discussed the future of an apartment complex on Wiggin Street at its meeting on Monday. The apartments have often been the target of criticisms by those who claim they are in a constant state of disrepair. Mayor Kirk Emmert reported that a public hearing was held Nov. 21 to solicit comments on a proposal to develop a new housing complex on the property and an adjacent property. The owner of the current apartment complex is Robert Rauzi; the owner of the adjacent property is Mark Ramser. Together the properties encompass 4.25 acres. The mayor said the plan for the development was criticized for having too many condo units for the size of the site, and for not being sufficiently creative or attentive to the character of Gambier. He said Ramser and Rauzi later withdrew their participation from the development’s application. Read more at http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/06/12/05/gambier.html

From the 12/6/06 Enquirer: Deal OK'd to buy ex-Kmart THE ENQUIRER FOREST PARK - Forest Park is finalizing a deal to buy the vacant former Kmart at Hamilton and Waycross roads, a site officials have long hoped they could redevelop. City Council members voted unanimously Monday night to proceed with the $806,000 purchase, which includes about eight acres. "We simply have to take advantage of the unique opportunity," City Manager Ray Hodges wrote about the sale in an e-mail to residents. He and Mayor Jim Lawler both have said they would like to include the site with other nearby property, including possibly the vacant Thriftway across the street, for a bigger redevelopment project for which they would create a tax-increment financing district to pay for the site and public improvements. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061206/NEWS01/612060369/1056/COL02 From Northeast Suburban Life, 12/6/06: Traffic study examines Twin Lakes proposal BY RICH SHIVENER | COMMUNITY PRESS STAFF WRITER MONTGOMERY - A new senior-citizen housing development near Hopewell Road could be approved by the city's Planning Commission Dec. 18. Twin Lakes, a non-profit organization, is seeking to build 13 dwelling units on three acres of greenspace property along Montgomery Road, next to the Montgomery Safety Center. Sam Boymel, a resident of Amberley Village, owns the property, according to city officials. Frank Davis, Montgomery's community development director, said Cincinnati Capital Properties Inc., a representative of Twin Lakes, will bring a final site plan before the commission Dec. 18. The original site plan, proposed to planning commission in July, has sparked some controversy. Residents of Forestglen Drive and its adjacent streets are concerned about the housing component Twin Lakes seeks to build on the Boymel property. "Many of us think the city ought to purchase the land and leave it as passive parkland or a nature preserve," resident Connie Pillich wrote in an e-mail. "Of course, there is no budget for something like this, although we have been seeking out some sources of funding." MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061206/NEWS01/612060382/1106/Local

UPDATE East Walnut Hills: 2310-2312 Gladstone Here are renderings for the two townhomes. They are currently on the market for $599,900, 3 BR/3 BA. The homes that remain on the site are still standing. A demolition premit for the homes expired in February 2005. (The homes can be seen by clicking "LAST UPDATE".) There are currently no building permits applied for or issued. LAST UPDATE (2/12/06) UPDATE East Walnut Hills: New retail NE corner of McMillan and Victory A public hearing for the rezoning of parcels at 1202 and 1216 E McMillan and 2516 Victory Pw will be held in the Economic Development Committee, December 19 at 10:30 AM. Rezoning of these properties would allow a new retail development, anchored by Skyline Chili, on that corner. LAST UPDATE (11/27/06) RENDERING Colerain Twp: Trilogy Health Care Campus Yawn. Here's a rendering of the 108-bed assisted living campus that has been approved for Pippin Rd, just north of I-275. LAST UPDATE (9/7/06) Round-up: City of Cincinnati BOND HILL 1839 Avonlea Ave has been renovated for resale. CLIFTON The condo conversion of 3460 Whitfield Ave has been completed. There are three units. COLLEGE HILL After 11 months, 5654 Hamilton Ave was finally purchased from the mortgage company for $40,000. The home, built around 1830, was purchased by an investor. COLUMBIA TUSCULUM 3611 Morris Pl is currently being converted from a two-family to a single-family and is having the exterior restored to be historically correct. COLUMBIA TUSCULUM It looks like 4401 Eastern Ave is being renovated for possible residential and commercial use. I also noticed a deck structure being built on the outside. COLUMBIA TUSCULUM Plans were shown to the Columbia Tusculum Community Council for a new house to be built on the vacant land at 3733 Sachem Ave. Being in a historic district, the plans must be approved by the Cincinnati Historic Conservation Board. CORRYVILLE After 16 months, 241 Fosdick St finally sold for $25,000. The building is up to code. EAST PRICE HILL The Cincinnati Preservation Association is opposing a possible demolition of 716 Mt. Hope Ave, also known as the Moore-Knight House. The 4,000-square-foot-plus house, built around 1890, is an individually designated landmark. The 1.3-acre property, which also includes a barn/shed, was purchased by a developer in October. He has looked into ways of developing the property, including the demolition of the current structure and the construction of a residential condo. The site has city views. (no good photo exists) HYDE PARK The condo conversion at 2809 Griffiths Ave is complete. There are four units. NORTHSIDE I believe interior demo on 4204 Williamson Pl (Chase and Williamson) has begun. The building has been vacant since at least 2004. I'll update if I find anything out. (on left) PRICE HILL After seven months, 1216 Texas Ave was purchased from the bank for $34,900. This looks like the kind of house that the bank was trying unload and get off the books, and the buyer got a great deal. RIVERSIDE A substantial rebuilding of 4495 Hillside Ave is underway, including a rear addition and a second-story deck. WESTWOOD 3245 Stanhope Ave has had extensive renovations. (after only) Round-up: Metro BLUE ASH Rec center bids coming in Cincinnati.com (reader submitted), 12/8/06 Blue Ash officials this week are set to receive bids on its recreation center improvements. The planned changes for the center, funded by voters' November approval of Issue 15, include a new walking track, a two-story fitness center and an expanded lobby area. The improvements, which should start in late summer 2007, are expected to take about a year to complete. City leaders also will examine bids for the new golf clubhouse project, which will be big enough for individual dining and contain meeting/reception space and an expanded pro shop. According to planners who worked on the preliminary proposal before the November 7 vote, it would take more than 7.4 million golf balls to fill the volume of the new clubhouse. BOONE COUNTY Mine might have new life as a park Boone County Recorder, 12/6/06 A former gravel mine in Boone County north of Belleview could one day be a park. The Boone County Conservancy owns the 46-acre site near Ky. 18 and Ky. 20. Kristi Nelson, chair of the conservancy's board, said the organization's No. 1 objective is reclaiming the property, putting it back into more of a natural condition and preserving green space. "In partnership with the (Boone County) parks department though, if there is an appropriate use for recreation or any kind of park usage, we're interested in pursuing that," she said. Nelson was among officials and residents attending a workshop Dec. 4 at the Boone County Cooperative Extension Service about the project. She said it was premature to say if the conservancy would turn over the property to the county for it to become a county park. BOONE COUNTY Hobby park 'would be a gem' Boone County Recorder, 12/4/06 Boone County could be home to park where one could fly a remote-controlled airplane, control a model car, ride a model train or watch a toy boat move across water. The facility is something that people like Greg Morehead and Kenny Walker would love to see in Boone County. With such a park, Boone County could hosts events such as air shows and other events that would bring visitors to the community, Morehead and Walker say. "When I say it would be a gem for Boone County, it would be a huge gem," said Morehead, president of the Flying Cardinals of Northern Kentucky, a model aviation group. "It would be a feather in their cap like they'd never seen." A list of priorities for the county's parks department presented to the Boone County Fiscal Court listed the hobby park 26th out of 38 possible projects. David Whitehouse, the parks department director, said the hobby park is interesting but also said at this point there is no site for the park. DEARBORN COUNTY Land use debate kicks off Dearborn County Register, 12/8/06 About 50 people attended the first in a series of interactive public open houses being held to discuss the land use element of the Dearborn County comprehensive plan, Monday, Dec. 4, Sunman-Dearborn Middle School, St. Leon. County Planning Director Mark McCormack led the meeting, explaining the process and purpose of the land use element. The public was then encouraged to ask questions and provide comments. A summary of the meeting hopefully will be posted by the end of the week for review at www.dearborncounty.org/planning. Comprehensive plan and other related study materials also are posted on the Web site. Nine written comments were received during the open house. Most of the comments dealt with specific zoning issues, said McCormack. DEER PARK Deer Park council says no to rehab home Suburban Life, 12/4/06 A Webster Avenue home that had created some controversy in the community is up for sale. Last month the Deer Park City Council unanimously denied a zoning variance for the facility. The zoning variance would have allowed Donald and Patricia Whitaker to operate the home as a vocational skills facility for women. However, many residents said it was more like a halfway house that helped women who had just gotten out of prison. "The concern by residents was a primary factor (in the decision)," Deer Park Mayor David Collins said. FAIRFIELD Spinning fork may spin again Cincinnati.com (reader submitted), 12/4/06 The fork atop the Spinning Fork restaurant along Fairfield’s Dixie Highway may start spinning again. Last week the planning commission approved a change in the development plan for the restaurant, which opened in its present location more than three years ago. “The owner asked us to revisit the part of the plan addressing the rotation of the fork,’’ said Tim Bachman, director of development services. “Everybody asks why the fork doesn’t spin anymore,’’ said George Shteiwi, who owns the 25-year-old business, now in its second Fairfield location. The fork is part of the sign that sits on the roof on the facade of the building. When the restaurant opened in its current location the city sign ordinance did not allow for the rotation and it was not allowed in the planned unit development for the site. FOREST PARK School use considered in Winton Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/5/06 A group opposed to creating grade-level buildings in Winton Woods schools told the school board Monday that almost as much money would be saved keeping the elementary schools as they are. Parents of students who mostly attend Lakeside Elementary in Springfield Township said they agree with the proposed plan to close Cameron Park Elementary because it would cost too much to renovate. But the parents took issue with Superintendent Camille Nasbe's other recent recommendation to change the remaining four neighborhood elementary schools - including Lakeside - into schools with only two or three grade levels, drawing students from throughout the district. Nasbe has said it would save money and delay a levy proposal at a time when state support and enrollment are declining. The board may vote on her proposal Monday. HAMILTON Lindenwald getting makeover Hamilton JournalNews, 12/10/06 Debbie Doerflein remembers when Lindenwald had a bustling business corridor. Growing up in the southeastern Hamilton neighborhood, she saw vibrant activity on Pleasant Avenue and lots of foot traffic, she said. A plan to give the business district entrance an extreme makeover may bring those days back, Doerflein said. "If people see Lindenwald is prospering and changing, then I think there will be more people who try to bring their businesses to Lindenwald and see that it's not a big scary place," said Doerflein, who owns Heaven Sent Bookstore on Pleasant Avenue. The rehab — dubbed the Lindenwald Streetscape project — will coincide with a water main replacement along Pleasant Avenue starting early next month and a road resurfacing project in 2008. The first phase of the project is to replace two blocks of water mains between Symmes and Belle avenues. That phase, which requires the east sidewalk on Pleasant Avenue to be broken up, will be completed near the end of February, said Hamilton Engineer Jim Collins. The second phase will be to replace the east sidewalk between Belle and Williams avenues with a brick walkway. The third phase will begin sometime in June to replace the west sidewalk with the same brick walkway. INDEPENDENCE Library closes, ready for move to new building Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/8/06 The Independence branch library will close for the last time at 5 p.m. Dec. 30. The closing is in preparation for a move to a facility that's four times larger, has double the staff and offers more programming and meeting space, library staff said. The $9 million William E. Durr branch at 1992 Walton-Nicholson Road will open at 2 p.m. Jan. 28. "We think it will be well worth the wait," said Susan Nimersheim, who took over as the manager of the Independence branch this week. The 7,000-square-foot branch was crowded when it opened in May 1995, said Anita Carroll, project manager and former branch manager. The new library will have 39,000 square feet, of which 25,253 will be public space. LOVELAND Council: How important is Y public input? Loveland Herald, 12/7/06 Two more public hearings on a new YMCA proposal have been scheduled at Loveland City Council meetings. The city is pursuing a partnership with YMCA in hopes to bring a recreation center to the city. The second hearing will be on Jan. 9 at 8:30 p.m. Comments from the first meeting Dec. 12 could not be gathered by a reporter before the Loveland Herald deadline. What began as a motion from Councilmember Katie Showler - who called for hearings about the recreation center Dec. 12 and Jan. 9 - shaped into a full-fledged discussion. The council unanimously voted in favor of scheduling the two public hearings. Each councilmember put in their two cents on the hearings and the proposal. Here's what they had to say: Todd Osborne: "I think that the second public hearing is redundant - that being we have open forum at every meeting. We will have already had a public hearing on the same subject on Dec. 12. So I think that we can have as many public hearings as we want, but we always have public hearings, and that's open forum. I don't see the point of a second public hearing. " Paul Elliott: "I think the point of the second public hearing is .... this such a big project. And as of yet, there are still many questions out there and details to be worked out. It just makes sense to have further discussion." MADEIRA Madeira field to get synthetic turf Suburban Life, 12/6/06 The half-century old football field at Madeira High School should be replaced with synthetic turf in time for the 2007 football and soccer season. The Madeira Schools Foundation, an alumni group, will oversee a two-part plan to replace the playing surface and renovate the stadium. The $1.5 million project was unveiled at the Board of Education meeting Dec. 4. "It has not been working the last couple of years," said Mike Hummel of the Madeira Schools Foundation. "It's probably the most used field in the county." MARIEMONT Historic barn continues to rest in Mariemont Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/4/06 Doubts about the future of Mariemont's historic Resthaven Barn have surfaced now that one of its prospective buyers has backed off the deal. Village officials had hoped the architectural firm of Childress & Cunningham Inc. in Walnut Hills and the Women's Art Club of Cincinnati would buy and restore the building, a relic from Mariemont's founding. But the Women's Art Club was the only party to submit a bid to buy the property. For financial reasons, Childress & Cunningham decided not to submit a bid at this time, Mariemont Mayor Dan Policastro said. The firm had planned to occupy the barn's second floor, and the art club was going to use the first floor for exhibits and meetings. Without the financial resources of the architectural firm, the Women's Art Club can't finance the $1 million to $1.2 million renovation unless it receives grants. MIAMI TWP (Clermont County) Miami Township to get outdoor amphitheater Clermont Sun, 12/7/06 Miami Township residents may soon enjoy an improved atmosphere for outdoor music performances. Recent moves made by the township administration have started a process to build a new outdoor amphitheater in Community Park that will add a beautiful new amenity for township residents. "We've been talking about building an amphitheater at Community Park for years," said township administrator David Duckworth. "It's one of those matters where we've never had the funds to do it. We received some state funding to the tune of $50,000 to apply towards an amphitheater. That's what got the ball rolling." When constructed, the new facility would be able to accommodate various outdoor performances, such as the annual performance by the Clermont Philharmonic. In addition, it could help expand programs such as that, bringing additional live music events to the township, or, when no music is available, quite possibly serve as a very classy picnic shelter. The details, said Duckworth, are still being ironed out. NORWOOD 2127 Cameron Ave has been rehabbed for sale. SPRINGDALE Springdale sells house after total renovation Tri-County Press, 12/7/06 Last year, it had chipping paint, a rusty light fixture in the front, sagging gutters and shrubbery in dire need of a trim. The vacant home at 703 Yorkhaven was an eyesore. For two years, Springdale officials received complaints about the house. But the property was tied up in foreclosure. For two years, city officials tried in vain to track down the owner, according to Springdale Mayor Doyle Webster. SYCAMORE TWP (Kenwood) New, larger BP station in the works Northeast Suburban Life, 12/8/06 The BP station on the corner of Kenwood and Montgomery roads was demolished in early November in order to rebuild a larger convenience store area with brick and stone exterior, a car wash where the previous incarnation's repair shop stood and larger canopies above the gas pumps. Sycamore Township Building and Zoning Administrator Greg Bickford said workers are also burying the utilities outside the station. Work on the BP station is scheduled to be completed in late January. SYCAMORE TWP Developers are planning to develop 8.25 acres of property at the southeast corner of Reed Hartman Hwy and Fields Ertel Rd. The development, designed to be compatible with the adjacent Brookwood Retirement Center, would include two two-story office buildings totalling 41,000 square feet. A third one-story building of 11,200 square feet would feature neighborhood-oriented businesses/services. There will be 246 parking spaces. The developer needs a zoning chane, and there is a public hearing before the Sycamore Township Zoning Commission on December 11. SYMMES TWP Church hoping to build in Symmes Loveland Herald, 12/7/06 Currently housed in Loveland, The Northstar Vineyard Community Church is looking to build a new facility in Symmes Township. K4 Architecture, which will build the site, is working out details that would grant the church a "conditional use" zoning to build the new church at 9745 and 9767 Union Cemetery Road, which is zoned residential. According to project manager Christopher Sample, the Religious Worship Facility would be built on a total of 8.37 acres of land and hold about 800 people. The current plan also calls for community amenities such as ball fields, playground equipment and park spaces. The facility itself would be approximately 26,000 square feet and would connect to a 227-space parking lot and more than 5,000 square feet of green space, including a retention pond on the south end of the property. All current plans are subject to change, and approval by the township will be on a conditional basis. WYOMING Wyoming to buy property, revitalize retail area Tri-County Press, 11/26/06 The city is buying retail property at 500 Wyoming Ave. so it can have direct control over the future redevelopment of one of the key pieces of property in downtown Wyoming. The property, once home to a flower shop and current home to the gift shop Fancy This, is being sold to the city for $430,000. "The redevelopment of that property with uses that will benefit the business district is very important," Wyoming City Manager Bob Harrison said. So important that the city plans to hire a consultant, the Buxton Co., to study and develop a profile for the redevelopment of the property, which was appraised at $520,000, Harrison said. "They'll provide some guidance in terms of retail firms we'd be able to target for that site," Harrison said.

Oh God no...not Cici's. Anything but Cici's!

I use IE 6, sometimes Firefox and sometimes Avant. It depends on what I'm trying to do. Avant: http://www.avantbrowser.com/

From the 11/30/06 DDN: Work ready to start on new Brown Elementary The school, set to open in late 2008, is one of 27 buildings slated in $627 million plan. By Joanne Huist Smith Staff Writer DAYTON — Officials of Dayton Public Schools shivered through the ground breaking for the new E. J. Brown Elementary School the morning of Nov. 20, but they got the job done. The new building will be constructed on 6.8 acres at 48 W. Parkwood Ave., the site of the original E. J. Brown School, which has been closed for several years and was demolished in September. School district spokeswoman Jill Moberly said the new building will open in late 2008. The front of the proposed school — for prekindergarten through eighth grade — will face Parkwood, but Birchwood Avenue will serve as the main entrance to the school. Willowwood Drive will offer a secondary entrance for parents dropping off students and for visitors. The southern portion of the school site will be used for athletic fields, including softball in the southwestern corner. The project is part of a $627 million construction program in the district. Three new schools have already opened this year including: Kiser Middle School, 1401 Leo St., Belle Haven Elementary School, 4401 Free Pike and Wogaman Elementary School, 920 McArthur St. In January, an even bigger construction year begins with the opening of Cleveland Elementary School, 1102 S. Pursell Ave. Five more schools will follow in 2007, including the first new high school — a rebuilt Stivers School for the Arts at 1313 E. Fifth St. — opening next November. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/dayton/2006/11/30/ddn113006brown.html From the 12/1/06 DDN: Roosevelt High School to host final open house Public can tour the building this weekend; school opened in 1927 and will be demolished in 2007. By Scott Elliott Staff Writer Friday, December 01, 2006 DAYTON — From old classmates to curious neighbors, anyone who wants a final peek at historic Roosevelt High School can get a last look this weekend. The school district will hold an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday as a final farewell to the school. Demolition is planned for early 2007. Electricity is on in the building but heat is not, so school officials suggest dressing for the weather. When it opened in 1927 at 2013 W. Third St., Roosevelt was one of the largest high schools east of the Mississippi and it played an important role in the city's history. The school is remembered for its racial politics as the movement for integration began in the 1950s and for educating some of the city's most important leaders. After it closed as a school, Roosevelt was used as an administration building and hosted community programs from 1975 until 2004, when the school board consolidated its administrative operations and moved out of Roosevelt . MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/30/ddn120106roosevelt.html From the 11/30/06 DDN: Bridge cost nears $12M Miami County Commission OKs plan with Dayton engineers for replacement that follows federal rules. By Nancy Bowman Staff Writer TROY — When it's time to replace a bridge such as the Adams Street Bridge over the Great Miami River, it's a big job with a big price tag. The design of the bridge now scheduled to replace the 1922 structure in 2011 will cost more than $935,000 under an agreement the Miami County commission approved last week with Lockwood, Jones and Beals engineers of Dayton. The estimated cost of a replacement or renovated structure, including the engineering, is nearing $12 million, county engineer Doug Christian told the commission. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/community/content/localnews/neighbors/miami/2006/11/30/ddn113006miami.html Council approves rezoning of Groby's Dayton Daily News, 12/7/06 Kettering City Council has approved rezoning the Groby's property to bring in commercial and residential development along Far Hills Avenue. The council, on Nov. 28, held the second reading to rezone the property to an economic development overlay. After a 15-day appeal period from the date of the meeting, the rezoning will take effect. The planning commission will be responsible for final approval of details of the plan. Main Street residents opposed to change Springfield News-Sun, 11/30/06 More than 30 South Main Street residents signed their names to a petition protesting the possible rezoning of an office building at 1052 S. Main St. Building owner Ed McCall wants to change the zoning designation from multi-family dwellings and office space, to retail, restaurant and hospitality services. He said he has been trying to sell the 0.75-acre lot for about two years, and the current zoning code has limited potential buyers despite spending $25,000 in building repairs and renovations. Some councilmen said concerns have focused on what type of business it could be; for instance, residents don't want a gas station. "These people have to live there," Councilman Eugene Fields told McCall on Tuesday. "At 5 o'clock you go home and don't have to look at it."

From the 12/6/06 Toledo Blade: Dana seeks extension of bankruptcy-exit filing Dana Corp., Toledo's largest company, which has been in bankruptcy since March, has asked the court for an eight-month extension on its time to file a bankruptcy-exit plan. It wants to move the deadline from Jan. 3 to Sept. 3, saying it needs more time to complete its "difficult, if not daunting, tasks" to restructure. ---- More at: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061206/BUSINESS03/612060360/-1/BUSINESS

From the 12/5/06 Toledo Blade: German firm to buy Dana engine parts unit Auto supplier Dana Corp. said yesterday it plans to sell its engine parts business to German supplier Mahle GmbH for $157 million. The non-core operation of the Toledo Fortune 500 firm has annual revenue of about $670 million and has 5,000 employees at 39 facilities in 10 countries. ---- More at: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061205/BUSINESS03/61205004/-1/BUSINESS

From the 12/1/06 Toledo Blade: Dana can pay bonuses with caps to execs By JULIE M. McKINNON BLADE BUSINESS WRITER Toledo's Dana Corp. can pay long-term incentive bonuses to leader Mike Burns and five other executives for the next two years, but a cap must be specified since the men already are eligible for millions of dollars in annual incentives, a judge decreed yesterday. It remains unclear, however, whether retirees, unions, and other objectors to the plan endorsed by other unsecured and equity security holders will be among those with whom Dana has to negotiate. Contact Julie M. McKinnon at: [email protected] or 419-724-6087. ---- More at: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061201/BUSINESS03/612010379/-1/BUSINESS

DAMMIT STOP GETTING ARRESTED!!!!! If I were Mike Brown, I would require a mandatory three-day Diversions program for every member of the team. Of course, I'm sure the players union would not allow that. I'm amazed this team is even able to win because it seems that a large portion of its roster makes very questionable lifestyle choices.

The game is long over, but I thought this pic was great. It appeared in the 11/18/06 Toledo Blade: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061118/NEWS04/611180437/-1/NEWS

From the 12/5/06 Bucyrus Telegraph Forum: City OKs housing division Nod given to preliminary concepts By Kimberly Gasuras Telegraph-Forum staff BUCYRUS -- Project engineer Lyn Makeever presented a preliminary concept of a housing division to be built on Ohio 4 south of town near Carter Lumber on the Widman property. "The market studies show that this is the type of housing development Bucyrus needs," Makeever said as he went over plans for the proposed project with the planning commission Monday evening. Read more at http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061205/NEWS01/612050302/1002/rss01

Aurora Project gets cash to rehab home Toledo Blade, 12/7/06 The Aurora Project, which offers a haven for homeless women and their children, received $10,000 yesterday from the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund. The project will use the money toward the ongoing rehabilitation of a carriage house in North Toledo that will be used for residents ready for independent living. The Charlotte Schmidlapp Fund was founded in 1908 by Jacob G. Schmidlapp in memory of his daughter, who was 19 when she died in an auto accident. It is managed by Fifth Third Bank.

From the 12/7/06 Pulse-Journal: Trustees fine tune commercial area By Eric Schwartzberg Staff Writer Thursday, December 07, 2006 Mark Sennet spent $220,000 last December for a Hamilton-Mason Road home in the hopes of marketing the half acre of land it sits upon for an oil change business. But the developer's property is now part of The Highway Commercial/Entertainment District Overlay — one of four overlay districts trustees approved Monday. Each overlay district places new, stricter development regulations on top of existing zoning codes. While the other three overlay districts prohibit any type of auto related retail and service uses, The Highway Commercial/Entertainment District Overlay simply prohibits "auto repair not in conjunction with auto sales." The districts, which extend in part along Cincinnati-Dayton and Hamilton Mason roads, are scheduled to go into effect Jan. 4, 2007. With Hamilton-Mason Road scheduled to be expanded to five lanes, Sennet suggested trustees look to how business developed along a similar wide road – Union Centre Boulevard. "We're not going to compare Union Centre to any of this because we only have 18 percent of our township that we can develop into commercial development," said Trustee Vice President Patrick Hiltman. "And the whole point and tone of these overlay districts is to maximize the potential use of that commercial district." Hiltman also said placing an oil change business in the area would not contribute enough "bang for the buck" in a recently implemented joint economic development district. The special tax district collects 1.5 percent of worker earnings and business revenues. Trustee President Christine Matacic said the township needs to watch for the "right mix" of businesses that will best contribute to road maintenance revenues, she said. "And if we don't, what's going to happen to everything around us?" Matacic asked. "Values are going to start dropping and things are going to change." Trustee David Kern noted what he perceived as contradictions in the list of allowed services. "You have car washes, you have discount retail stores, bars, nightclubs, drive-throughs, all those fuel stations, but no, you can't have (an oil change business)?" Kern said. "It just doesn't jive." Township officials said Sennet could use a site plan review process to enable the zoning department to waive requirements for the site and allow oil change businesses. Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5126 or [email protected]. http://www.pulsejournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/06/pjw120706libmeet.html From the 12/8/06 Hamilton JournalNews: Public outcry prompts special meeting on Oxford throroughfare plan By Sean Strader Staff Writer Friday, December 08, 2006 OXFORD — Public concern over a proposed thoroughfare plan has led the city's planning commission to schedule a special work session on Wednesday at the Central Fire Station, 217 S. Elm St. Commission Chairman Paul Brady said one of the main goals of the meeting is to decide what to do with the outpouring of public concerns about the proposed plan that incorporates various new and altered roadways around the city and township. "We've got all kinds of issues to deal with," Brady said. "Moratorium issues, what development is coming and what isn't, the public comments we've got so far." The public is welcome to bring input to the Wednesday meeting, and there will be another public forum scheduled sometime in January. Brady said the role of the planning commission is to end up submitting a recommendation to city council on how to proceed. "We will take the technical report and align it with public comment as best we can," Brady said. "What we're doing is taking all the legal and technical aspects and putting it into a package that the city council can decide on." With something as large and complex as the thoroughfare plan, the planning commission's part in the process will probably take several months before anything gets forwarded to council, he said. The planning chairman said he couldn't officially comment on the concerns brought up at recent forums, but said he recognized the difficult position the city and township were in. "I think the people in both the city and the township aren't interested in a lot of growth," Brady said. "But when the Census Bureau tells you there's going to be growth, it's our responsibility to plan for it. It might not happen but you have to plan." http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/08/hjn120806planning.html

From the 12/5/06 Campbell County Recorder: Leaders map out courthouse future BY CHRIS MAYHEW | COMMUNITY RECORDER STAFF WRITER NEWPORT - What makes a good courthouse? A group of judges and other court officials have begun a process to answer that question and shape the design of another courthouse for Newport. It would be two years before any work could begin on a new facility. "It's a major undertaking," said Campbell District Judge Greg Popovich. Campbell County is the last of the three counties in Northern Kentucky to have its courthouse facilities upgraded with a new building, he said. The Kentucky legislature approved the project in 2006, putting Campbell County at the top of the state's list for a new building. The estimated $29 million construction costs can't be approved until the 2008 budgetary session of the legislature, said Garlan VanHook, an architect and facilities general manger for the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061205/NEWS05/612050364/1095/Local From the 12/6/06 Enquirer: $2M to finish hospice BY PATRICK CROWLEY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER EDGEWOOD - The largest private gift ever given to St. Elizabeth Medical Center will allow the hospital's foundation to complete its $6.5 million freestanding hospice unit. The St. Elizabeth Medical Center Foundation learned Tuesday night that it is the recipient of a $2 million gift from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr./US Bank Foundation. The gift will allow St. Elizabeth to finish the unit for terminally ill patients under construction on the medical center's Edgewood campus. It also will enable the unit to expand by four additional patient rooms to bring the number to 16. MORE: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061206/NEWS0103/612060400

Re: parking The only parking I have heard of is a 57-space garage structure that the developers want the city to fund. That doesn't seem like very much.

^ That foot turned out not to be human, but of some undetermined "non-hoofed" animal. :? A link: The man who runs a convenience store in Northside was robbed for the third time and shot for the second time in five months. His nickname should be "Apu": Cincinnati Enquirer: Store owner shot again (12/2/06) From the 12/4/06 Enquirer: Homicides already equal '05s Two new killings raise possibility of record BY JESSICA BROWN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER With two shooting deaths Sunday, the city has tied last year's number with 79 homicides, the highest in more three decades. The city's yearly modern record for homicides is 82, set in 1967, according to police records that date to 1950. Only two other years have experienced more homicides - 1968 and 1971 - with 81. "It's incredibly disturbing," Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz said about this year's homicide rate. "I'm just really saddened by it. It just leaves you speechless." http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061204/NEWS01/612040363/1077/COL02

From the 12/7/06 Enquirer: 13 Cincinnati school cuts confirmed BY JENNIFER MROZOWSKI | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Cincinnati Public Schools' board of education took a second vote Wednesday to cut 13 schools from its $1 billion construction project. The 4-1 vote solidifies an agreement with the state, which is helping to pay for the districtwide construction project to the tune of around $175 million. Board member Catherine Ingram voted against the plan. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061207/NEWS0102/612070355/1058/NEWS01 From the 12/4/06 Enquirer: Beginning work on school celebrated THE ENQUIRER Cincinnati Public Schools officials will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for Bond Hill Academy at 10 a.m. today. The 67,282-square-foot school will be a replica of the original Georgian Revival building, which was recognizable by its two-story portico front entrance lined with Corinthian columns. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061204/NEWS01/612040361/1056/COL02 From the 12/1/06 Enquirer: Parents get wish: Montessori school Input had big effect on new CPS building BY JENNIFER MROZOWSKI | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Cincinnati Public Schools officials broke ground Thursday for the new Pleasant Ridge School, which will be the system's first neighborhood Montessori school. Though the district will hold the keys when the building opens in 2008, residents, teachers and parents say they feel they are the real owners. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061201/NEWS0102/612010342/1058/NEWS01 From the 11/26/06 Enquirer: PHOTO: Dressed in blue and yellow school colors, which he wears almost every day, Principal Marvin Koenig stands in the hallway during dismissal at Walnut Hills High School. He himself will be leaving the school at the end of the year. The Enquirer / Carrie Cochran Principal stands tall for Walnut Koenig to retire from rarefied atmosphere BY JENNIFER MROZOWSKI | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER The veteran leader of Walnut Hills High School is retiring at the end of this school year, leaving some to wonder what's in store for Cincinnati's top public high school. Marvin O. Koenig has been the principal there for more than 14 years, helping the already-prestigious school - thought by many as the crown jewel of the city school system - gain national acclaim. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061126/NEWS0102/611260363/1077/COL02&GID=efp2+VdHI0ismE3tyhkbKkI/JhRCxmWtK6Ba/+9aXCA%3D