Fairfield-Echo.com

County v. Hamilton, part II

By Josh Rinaldi | Friday, May 16, 2008, 09:58 AM

Check out Josh Sweigart’s story about Butler County blaming Hamilton for its recent layoffs in the Department of Environmental Services.

In addition to the guilt factor of losing 22 jobs, about half of those are in Hamilton, which means that the city will lost 2 percent income tax on each job. If the combined salaries were $1 million, that’s $20,000 the city won’t get anymore. If the county has any leverage to get the city to lower its water rates, that’s it.

Deputy City Manager Charles Young responds that the city will miss the jobs, but he doesn’t anticipate any reductions in the county’s water rate, which is the lowest the city offers.

It’s also worth noting that the loss of income tax will harm the city’s general fund. But, the county pays its water bill into a separate fund that can’t mix with the general fund.

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County blames Hamilton for lost jobs

By Josh Rinaldi | Thursday, May 15, 2008, 05:25 PM

The Butler County Department of Environmental Services announced the cut of 22 1/2 positions on Thursday, May 15. You can read Dave Greber’s blog about it.

The reason it also ends up here on the city blog is that the department suggests one of the key culprits for the cut is the city of Hamilton Water Department.

In an address to the county commissioners, the department’s Director Sue Vance said “We’ve exhausted all efforts to negotiate with the city of Hamilton to lower our costs of purchased water to no avail. We’ve therefore had some very difficult decisions to make, particularly as they involve our employees and jobs.”

Josh Sweigart will have more on the issue Friday, but do you agree with Vance? Are the city’s water rates too high or is the county department just looking for a scapegoat?

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Additions to welcome signs?

By Josh Rinaldi | Thursday, May 15, 2008, 09:22 AM

At City Council Wednesday evening, Councilman Ed Shelton suggested that the City of Hamilton signs should bear the mayor’s name on them. Mayor Don Ryan wasn’t at the meeting; he was out of town.

Shelton’s argument was that lots of other cities have the mayor’s name on their welcome signs and that Ryan deserves it.

“I don’t think anybody sitting up here behind this area (where council sits) would say he isn’t one of the best mayors we’ve ever had,” Shelton said.

City Manager Mark Brandenburger will request the Hamilton Community Foundation to install such signs. Shelton suggested plaques that can be attached to the current signs. The signs will be removable and can be switched as new people become mayor.

What do you think? Should people know who Hamilton’s mayor is as they drive into town?

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Crime down in the Northend

By Josh Rinaldi | Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 02:07 PM

Police Chief Neil Ferdelman says crime is down in the Northend neighborhood. He cites efforts by the city’s weed and seed operation which is designed to integrate cops into the community as a preventive measure.

The department reports that violent crime is down 6 percent from 2005 and property crimes are down 25 percent.

The documents he submitted to the city can be read here: Northend.pdf

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SMART to go green

By Josh Rinaldi | Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 09:48 AM

SMART Papers announced late Monday that it would be expanding operations at its B Street plant with a green power plant. Though, SMART said the investment was years in the planning stage, had kept the matter out of public view and scrutiny.

“We believe in not announcing something until you are ready to go with it all the way. We kept it under our hats until we were ready to announce,” said SMART President Dan Maheu.

City officials were scarce to comment on the issue yesterday. Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce President Kenny Craig would call me back shortly after 7 p.m. Monday, May 12. He was excited about the project, but didn’t know much about the details. He said SMART had kept the matter very quiet.

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Another natural gas increase coming

By Josh Rinaldi | Monday, May 12, 2008, 09:22 AM

I’m spending my day today going through overtime reports for the city for the last two years. It’s a nice way to inch back into the fray having not been in the office since Tuesday.

Though, while I was out last week, the Public Utilities Commission approved another gas rate increase. The city just increased prices effective May 1.

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First Tee needs volunteers

By Josh Rinaldi | Sunday, May 11, 2008, 10:50 AM

I recently received an email from organizers of the First Tee program, which aims to teach young people values through the game of golf. It seems they need some volunteers as they get things going at Hamilton’s courses.

“The First Tee of the Greater Miami Valley, a youth development and character building organization, will be programming this summer at Nuxhall’s Golf Center, and Twin Run Golf Course in Hamilton. We are in need of volunteer coaches to work with young people from the area. You do not need to be a low handicapper to be a volunteer. We are looking for people that want to make a difference in the life of a young person. Number of volunteer hours are at your convenience.

For more information, please contact Mike Wolf, Hamilton Head Coach, at 513-756-0313.”

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