LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Author: Guest Column

  • Regional stakeholders weigh in on Loveland’s proposed parking garage

    Regional stakeholders weigh in on Loveland’s proposed parking garage

    Photo of the Little Miami River in downtown Loveland by David Miller

    All Stakeholders Must Weigh In on Proposed Parking Garage

    by Jeanne Nightingale, Citizens for Rights of the Ohio River Watershed (CROW),  Sierra Club Miami Group,  League of Women Voters Natural Resources Committee, Woman’s City Club of Greater Cincinnati

    The Little Miami State Park, located within the beautiful and historic Little Miami River valley, has been designated as a federal and state scenic river. It is protected because of its water quality, panoramic setting, and the many historic sites that can be found along its banks. The historic City of Loveland has become the gateway to the linear park trail that meanders 50 miles along the river valley, a popular destination for cyclists, paddlers, and hikers. 

    It is not surprising that Loveland’s business community welcomes the opportunity to accommodate out-of-town visitors to the scenic park by building a parking garage 100 feet from the Little Miami River trail head. Since downtown parking is scarce, such a facility would be convenient for customers frequenting the growing number of restaurants, shops, and businesses that make this charming old town an even greater tourist attraction.

    And yet, what is an asset for some is a liability for others. The residents of Loveland have been given no chance to weigh in on the proposed two-story 270-space garage parking garage in the heart of their town and adjacent to the confluence of two natural waterways, the Little Miami River and the O’Bannon Creek. There is a growing concern among many Loveland residents that such a structure would destroy the very scenic park that attracts tourists in the first place. 

    By law, and in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1547 of the Ohio Revised Code the Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is charged with appointing an Advisory Council representing local interests to assess the ecological viability of building such a structure within reach of the Little Miami State Park. Nevertheless, the City Council of Loveland has proceeded – with zero community input – to apply for millions of dollars in government grants to build the garage behind Loveland’s City Hall.  

    The Little Miami River, in fact, traverses an ecologically vulnerable flood plain. Trail volunteers report their never-ending battle of keeping the trail free of conditions that cause flooding on parts of the trail-clogged culverts, erosion caused by bridge embankments, adjacent developments, and other obstacles that interrupt the flow of water away from the trail surface. Even a few inches of rainfall can cause permanent flood damage. With the ground’s inability to absorb or impede the flow of water, the consequences can be disastrous. And yet, no data-driven environmental impact studies have been done to date.  

    Mature trees – vital for maintaining the permeability of the forest soils and preventing erosion and flooding – will need to be cut down to make room for this imposing concrete structure. Have wet weather studies been done to assess the impacts of increased stormwater runoff from the bulldozed ground, demolished building and asphalt surfaces, or the discharge from the requisite catch basins and storm sewer pipes needed to manage stormwater overflows? What would be the measure of air pollution due to increased particulate matter as well as increased noise pollution? Have any of these environmental concerns have been addressed?

    Communities that dwell within natural watersheds have the legal right to participate in constructive dialogue and debate on matters that put the health, biodiversity, and safety of the ecosystem in which they live at risk. Loveland City Council must hold a public hearing before it takes a vote on the proposed downtown parking garage. Addressing the parking situation in this unique town should rightfully include all stakeholders in the discussion. 

  • Rally this Saturday at City Hall to ask for public engagement on proposed parking garage

    Rally this Saturday at City Hall to ask for public engagement on proposed parking garage

    “Make Your Voice Heard About the Garage Proposal“

    by Lauren Enda

    Everyone is invited to a rally this Saturday, February 19 at 1 PM in front of Loveland City Hall. Members of the community are asking the city council to engage with the public before building a parking garage in historic downtown Loveland. There are too many unanswered questions surrounding the garage proposal.

    Before spending millions of taxpayer dollars, council should: 

    1. Determine the exact need 

    2. Look at less expensive options – cost to build, maintain and enforce 

    3. Look at the environmental consequences – water runoff, noise, light, and air pollution 

    4. Address other priorities of the city, like traffic and the antiquated water systems that won’t be addressed because of this spending 

    5. Balance parking issues with how the massive size (about the size of a football playing field) will detract from Loveland’s charm 

    6. Let the citizens vote by referendum if council decides to move ahead

    Join us on Saturday if you believe the citizens of Loveland should have answers to these questions before moving forward. Sign the petition at the link below to let your voice be heard.

    Petition · Stop the Loveland Garage · Change.org


    by Lauren Enda,

    Lauren Enda lives in Loveland at Hidden Creek

  • Ramsey Paxton Cemetery improvements still ongoing and wrapping it up in 2022 with a dedication date May 7, 2022

    Ramsey Paxton Cemetery improvements still ongoing and wrapping it up in 2022 with a dedication date May 7, 2022

    by Rob Geiger

    In the last year, it has been a challenging time with serious health diagnoses, treatment, and the looming concerns regarding Covid. Plans were slowed down but our pioneer blood kept forging ahead keeping progress moving ahead. 

    We are winding up the capital improvements to the cemetery and it’s hard to believe the capital fundraising started in 2018 with two big line items completed in 2019 – removal of the dead and dying trees, the old rusted fence, installing the beautiful black aluminum fence, the installation of the one of a kind wrought iron gates in 2020 and two new headstones installed for Lt. Col. Thomas Paxton and Capt. John Ramsey. 

    This past year, 2021, Riverview Monuments came through with their commitment and supplied the cemetery with beautiful black granite remembrance markers for the unknown graves within the confines of the cemetery. Riverview Monuments also sandblasted the death date of Minerva Arbuckle Ramsey on her headstone and is currently working with the Daughters of the American Revolution, Clough Valley Chapter which commissioned bronze plaques to the matching black granite used for the remembrance markers to mark LT. Col. Thomas Paxton and his daughter Isabella Paxton Ramsey’s grave. The Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution is also coming up with their own marker for Captain John Ramsey to be installed in the cemetery. 

    We still could not find a local landscape company to even return phone calls to work on the grounds by leveling it out, planting grass seed, and providing grass management. Hopefully, we can find a company to provide this service in the early fall of 2022. 

    We are looking for volunteers to sand the flagpole and paint or donate a new flag pole in the month of April, 2022. 

    The Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association appreciates everyone that made this project a success! We could not even accomplish this task without some very key and instrumental partnerships. A huge “Thank You” to Loveland Magazine-our Media Sponsor, City of Loveland, Rainey Tree Service, Eads Fence Company, Loveland Legacy Foundation, Paxton’s Grill, Ramsey’s Trailside, and Riverview Monuments.    

    With the work coming to the end, we are pleased to announce the dedication of the cemetery in 2022. Please save the date: Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 1 PM at the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery across from 185 Ramsey Court, Loveland, Ohio. We will have more information in the next couple of weeks. Everyone is invited to attend and celebrate Loveland’s heritage along with the families of Paxton and Ramsey.

    For the ones that are not familiar with the historically significant of this cemetery the biography of Paxton and Ramsey are as follows:

    The Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery originated in 1813 with the burial of Lt. Col. Thomas Paxton, a Revolutionary War Soldier, on land that he received for his military service. Paxton’s original land grant was 1,100 acres generally speaking the Northwest section of Clermont County. In 1795 Paxton and his sons-in-law came to settle the land and a year later sent for their wives and children to join them in their new home. 

    Lt. Col. Paxton (1739-1813) served with George Washington at Valley Forge in 1777 and with General Anthony Wayne at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. Lt. Col. Paxton is considered the first permanent settler between the Little Miami River and the Scioto River in the Virginia Military Tract, credited with raising the first crop of corn, and was the founder of Loveland. Paxton’s involvement is quite extensive helping Lytle with surveying lands in Clermont County down to parts of today’s community of Hyde Park, having the first polling place in Clermont County, and helping with the statehood of Ohio.

    Captain John Ramsey, a son-in-law, was buried in the cemetery in 1847, along with other family members until 1913. Captain John Ramsey (1764-1847) was a Revolutionary War Patriot and one of the first settlers of Clermont County with other family members. He was considered a proficient hunter even though his leg was amputated as a result of carrying out military duties.

  • Council Continues to Choose the Most Expensive and Damaging Option for Parking, Ignoring Other Options – with No Explanation Why

    Council Continues to Choose the Most Expensive and Damaging Option for Parking, Ignoring Other Options – with No Explanation Why

    Make your voice heard about this issue using petition link below

    by Lauren Enda,

    For the last several months, I have been speaking at council about the need for more conversation, study, and transparency about the parking garage proposal. Loveland needs to do something about the parking issue, that much we can all agree upon. The proposed garage is one of many, many options available to Loveland. Every other option is less expensive, less permanent, less damaging to the environment and less jarring to the landscape. And every other option would enhance, rather than detract from, Loveland’s brand as a quaint and historic area.

    Here is a high-level overview of just one option that would be free to Loveland taxpayers, drastically cut down summer traffic levels in Loveland, provide Loveland businesses even more customers and clients, and maintain our natural, peaceful downtown landscape. The Miami Riverview Park is approximately one mile away from Loveland and it sits on the bike trail. There are hundreds of spaces available – all free of charge. Loveland could mount a marketing and communication plan, teaming with Miami Township, to divert cyclists and walkers coming from 275 to park there and then ride or walk into Loveland – which on a bike takes about a minute. Cyclists or walkers from the east or Route 48 could park there as well without entering Loveland’s downtown area at all. 

    To get the word out about the parking alternative, we could post temporary signs on the trail directing people to Miami Riverview next time they are in Loveland – we could even include a QR code with a map directing them. We could make up information cards to put on windshields and for businesses to give to their customers. Loveland has a Marketing and Communications Coordinator on staff who could design more ways to get the word out about this idea. If cyclists parked at Miami Riverview, it would free up dozens, if not hundreds, of parking spaces downtown for Loveland residents, and reduce traffic. Miami Riverview is just one option of many. And it is free, easy, available now, with no construction, no environmental damage, and no controversy. Let’s pursue this option first.

    A parking committee could outline further options, weighing cost, return on investment, environmental damage, number of spaces, etc… Residents would be happy to talk through more options with members of council at any time. We do not have to choose the most expensive option. In fact, why would we choose the most expensive option? Choosing to spend millions of dollars unnecessarily shows a lack of respect for taxpayers and their money. Council needs to explain their course of action when other options are available. Let’s spend our precious dollars on other higher priority issues – our aging water system, traffic issues, or sorting out the Chestnut property. There are plenty of priorities to choose from that would benefit everyone.

    “I chose Loveland as my retirement home. A large part of my decision to move here was the bike trail and the downtown area and I am determined to protect that. I will fight to protect it.”

    Lauren Enda

    To make speeches and write articles takes a lot of work – and a lot of courage.  Partnering with and learning from a wide variety of individuals and organizations helps to learn about the garage and its detrimental impacts. Two of those organizations spoke at City Council on February 8th – the Sierra Club and the Citizens for Rights of the Ohio River Watershed. Both organizations acknowledge that parking must be addressed but saying the issue must be fully studied and the Council must give residents the ability to vote on a parking garage. Contacting Ohio’s Environmental Protection Agency, The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, multiple elected officials, and The Economic Development Administration has also widened my knowledge of the issue. 

    I chose Loveland as my retirement home. A large part of my decision to move here was the bike trail and the downtown area and I am determined to protect that. I will fight to protect it. I want Loveland to succeed. I want Loveland businesses to succeed. I want visitors to enjoy my town as much as I do. And I want everyone to have a place to park. Together, let’s find ways to provide that parking using a rational, systematic approach. 

    If you want to show your support for a more reasoned approach to the parking issues in Loveland, sign this petition. Council needs to hear from us that we want more data on the parking issue. Thank you.

    Petition · Stop the Loveland Garage · Change.org

    Lauren Enda lives in Loveland at Hidden Creek.

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  • DeWine can’t run from energy bailout bribery scandal as dirty laundry keeps piling up

    DeWine can’t run from energy bailout bribery scandal as dirty laundry keeps piling up


    COMMENTARY

    by MARILOU JOHANEK – Ohio Capital Journal

    Follow the money. Its corrupting influence runs through all the great scandals piling up in Ohio under Republican rule. From the biggest online charter school rip-off of tax dollars to the largest public corruption indictment in state history, money has paved the way to epic wrongdoing under GOP management. Find out who in Columbus is greasing palms, funding campaigns and writing public policy for private interests, and you’ll also discover who is standing in line with their hand out willing to reciprocate with public favors.  

    But when people in high places slip on hubris and expose brazen graft at public expense — and they always do — the swarm of politicians who were only too happy to pocket donor checks and look the other way scatter like insects under a rock that’s been lifted. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is one of those spooked bugs racing away from his political entanglement in the blockbuster bribery and money-laundering case that goes to trial this year. Three of the four indicted individuals who will be in court on federal racketeering charges — in connection with a billion-dollar ratepayer bailout of two nuclear power plants to benefit FirstEnergy and its affiliates — donated thousands to DeWine’s gubernatorial campaign. 

    So did the Akron-based energy giant at the heart of the bailout scheme. FirstEnergy has legendary pull with pliable politicians. 

    The state’s largest electric utility pumped $1 million into groups backing DeWine in 2018, according to a Dayton Daily News investigation following the money. The company also pumped big bucks into groups helping his daughter’s failed campaign for county prosecutor. DeWine hired multiple administration staffers and advisors with close ties to FirstEnergy, including a former top aide linked to one of the dark money groups implicated in passage of the bailout legislation (House Bill 6) written for and by the utility. 

    The governor also appointed and steadfastly supported Ohio’s former top utility regulator, now accused of profiting in association with the FirstEnergy scandal. DeWine knew of Sam Randazzo’s deep business relationship with the utility when he chose him at the urging of company executives. In a seemingly flagrant quid pro quo, the governor’s pick for the powerful chair of the state utilities commission pocketed a massive sum of money from FirstEnergy just weeks before his appointment. 

    But even damning disclosures of Randazzo’s $4.3 million utility bribe and his blatant efforts on behalf of FirstEnergy — constructing House Bill 6, delaying a company rate case, lobbying for legislation to save the utility millions — didn’t dissuade DeWine from expressing “great confidence” in his regulator. Even after the FBI raided Randazzo’s home as part of the FirstEnergy bribery probe and he resigned under a cloud of suspicion, DeWine praised him for doing “very, very good work as chair.” 

    Perhaps anticipating incredulity with that assessment, the Republican later suggested he was “open” to reforming the process for choosing state utility regulators. Eighteen months on, the DeWine-appointed nominating council that recommends PUCO candidates to the governor includes members tied to passage of the notorious bailout bill. 

    Even after the FBI arrested former House Speaker Larry Householder, who engineered approval of House Bill 6 and was subsequently charged with taking money to pass it, DeWine rejected an effort to repeal the corruption-ridden legislation. 

    “We need balance in our energy,” was all he could say about a bill passed with more than $60 million in bribe money. DeWine reversed himself but reiterated his support for FirstEnergy’s ultimate bribery goal — giving $1.3 billion in public money to two unprofitable nuke plants with new surcharges paid by everyratepayer in the state. 

    He had put the full weight of the governor’s office behind the nuclear bailout bill and signed the corrupt measure into law the very day it passed. The “energy” legislation championed by DeWine also put ratepayers on the hook to bail out two money-losing, hyper-polluting coal plants (one in Indiana) partially owned by other utilities and two FirstEnergy subsidiaries. Plus, the bailout boondoggle the governor couldn’t sign fast enough thoroughly gutted renewable energy and energy efficiency standards and removed all incentive to build more renewable energy projects in the state. 

    Those utility-written provisions have still not been repealed under a 2019 embarrassment that should have been scrapped outright. But the Republican-controlled legislature, complicit in the worst scandal “ever perpetrated against the people of the state of Ohio,” is content to become synonymous with corruption and fleece Ohioans on their monthly electric bills if that makes utility donors happy. The Ohio Manufacturers Association estimated electricity customers will pay a total of $1.8 billion in coal plant subsidies by 2030 — more than the cost of the nuke bailout — unless integrity intrudes on the General Assembly and House Bill 6 is fully repealed. 

    Don’t hold your breath. But remember, this outrage happened on DeWine’s watch and with his blessing. Ohioans didn’t know how crooked House Bill 6 was or how many politicians, including the governor, were willing to look away until federal prosecutors blew the lid off the alleged criminal enterprise to screw ratepayers in return for boosted political careers. DeWine is understandably trying to put as much distance as possible between his reelection campaign and the biggest open investigation of Statehouse corruption in the country. 

    But it’s hard to escape dirty laundry that keeps piling up when you can’t hide under a rock anymore.  

  • What’s at stake for Ohio families as the monthly child tax credit payment ends?

    What’s at stake for Ohio families as the monthly child tax credit payment ends?

    Commentary by Will Petrik – Ohio Capital Journal

    As we start the new year, parents are planning for the future and working hard to provide their kids a great quality of life. They’re facing challenges head on, including a surging pandemic, school closures and at-home schooling, and fewer affordable child care options.

    No child should go to bed hungry, and no parent should worry about keeping a roof over their head. But many of the same politicians who refuse to make the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share have failed to prioritize the stability, economic security, and dignity of children and families.

    The latest census data show an estimated 811,000 adults in Ohio didn’t have enough food to eat in the last week. An estimated 2.4 million adults had difficulty paying for usual household expenses in the last seven days. On top of that, Jan. 15 was the first time over 1.2 million families in Ohio didn’t get the monthly child tax credit payment since July 2021, because the Senate didn’t pass the Build Back Better legislation before the end of last year.

    The monthly payments provided many Ohio families relief from stress by helping them pay for the basics such as food, rent, clothing, phone, internet, and educational expenses. It helped more families get enough to eat and fewer adults with children reported having trouble paying for basic household expenses.

    The child tax credit helped Sophia Whitehouse, from central Ohio, start her own business providing mental health services to children. Before the child tax credit, it was nearly impossible to balance her work and care for her children.

    “The child tax credit has been a tremendous help paying for preschool and child care for my two kids under 5,” Ms. Whitehouse said. She said that losing the credit means she will have to sacrifice time dedicated to serving the community’s mental health needs, which will hurt her family’s income. “I will not be able to work as much, because I won’t have child care,” she said.

    Jason Carter and his wife live in Cincinnati. They had a baby girl at the end of July 2020. The monthly child tax credit payments provided a sense of peace for Mr. Carter and his wife because it was a chunk of money they didn’t have to stress about every month. “It helps us to survive, to plan and have hope for an improved quality of life in the future,” he said.

    Along with thousands of other Ohioans, Carter was laid off during the pandemic. He found a new job, but said it pays half as much. The child tax credit helped the Carters make up the difference. Now that payments have stopped, Mr. Carter said they could be forced to put some of their plans on hold, such as buying a new home.

    “This is a dream my wife and I have talked about for years, he said. “Now that we have our baby girl, we want to provide a home for her to grow up in, have a yard for her to run around in, to be happy, and to invest in ourselves. Without the child tax credit, the future we have dreamed about doesn’t seem as solid. It’s something that worries us. We’ve been working so hard to improve our quality of life. Now they throw another roadblock at us. How am I supposed to achieve the American dream?”

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=pNwZf7K4WrE%3Ffeature%3Doembed

    By letting 2021 end without passing the Build Back Better Act, certain Senators have pulled the rug out from under the Whitehouse family, the Carters, and millions of families across the country. Just as parents are facing increasing heating and food costs, they are losing the monthly child tax credit, which has provided Ohio families with an average of $442 a month since July of last year.

    “How am I supposed to achieve the American dream?”
     Source: U.S. Department of Treasury, “Advance Child Tax Credit Payments Disbursed each Month, by State,” accessed on January 10, July, August, September, October, November, and December https://bit.ly/2XGh9Gv

    The Senate must deliver for families. They must pass Build Back Better and make sure the expanded child tax credit is included in the legislation. Until they do, families will miss out on monthly tax credit payments that made a real difference in their lives.

    For Mr. Carter, Ms. Whitehouse, and millions of other parents and families across Ohio and the nation, there’s so much at stake. This is about security, opportunity, and parents’ dreams for the future. Our nation has the resources to provide stability and security for all families, but we now need the political will.

  • Council needs to provide data and obtain consent of residents to build parking garage

    Council needs to provide data and obtain consent of residents to build parking garage

    by Lauren Enda

    In 2017, Loveland faced a controversial issue similar to today’s proposed garage when the mayor at that time wanted to repurpose city hall. Neil Oury addressed the council multiple times on that issue. In one speech, he commented that it’s “important for open and honest dialogue to happen at all times and every person’s voice be heard and acknowledged”. I agree, but that has not been my experience. To open a dialogue and find answers, I sent six questions about the proposed garage to council members. Four members responded, and I thank Misters Ping, Butler, Bateman, and Hart. You guys are awesome. Hopefully, actions like these will finally encourage conversation about this momentous decision.

    Loveland needs answers about the garage, and I have been looking. I even read the 436-page grant application to the Economic Development Administration. During that research, I found no data-driven reason to build the garage. This is not an exaggeration or hyperbole. There is no data, only anecdotes, and guesses. In the absence of verifiable data explaining why council wants to build it, I will again quote Mr. Oury, “What is the hidden agenda?” 

    I worked in the US intelligence community for almost 30 years. In my career, I took part in various large government projects. But I have never witnessed so much government money being thrown at a project with so little data and with so little oversight. A referendum and the ensuing debate and dialogue it would encourage would offer some level of oversight since council would need to demonstrate why they prioritize the garage over other pressing projects. The council needs resident consent to change our town so dramatically.

    If you care about Loveland’s unique ambiance, you will oppose this garage

    The garage will deteriorate the charm of Loveland. The footprint of it would be approximately the same square footage of the playing area of a football field, not including the drives into and out of the garage. And two stories tall – literally tons of concrete would become our downtown view. Mr Oury again, “I would like to see the city maintain the charm and character that makes this place so wonderful to live in and for families to be raised.”     

    If you care about the environment even a little bit, you will oppose this garage

    The grant application stated that “no endangered species have been identified” and that “no direct impacts from the proposed project activities have been identified”. Neither of these statements are factual because neither issue has been studied. In addition, very mature trees will be ripped out of our downtown to pour concrete. Last year, Loveland was designated a “Tree City” by the Arbor Day Foundation. Since then, acres of forest at Blossom Hill were destroyed for a controversial housing project. And now Loveland is sanctioning more tree destruction. When will it end? Is Loveland a “Tree City” in name only? Council’s actions show a complete disregard for our natural spaces. 

    If you care about solving problems in a thoughtful, data-driven way, you will oppose this garage

    Loveland needs to study this issue. Really study this issue – to date, not a single study has been done on “why” the garage should be built or what the consequences would be if it were built. This careless approach to such a large investment is irresponsible. Here’s a blueprint on how council could handle this project:

    1. Create a Parking Committee and choose people with diverse opinions. 
    2. Commission a parking survey and traffic study to define the problem. 
    3. Ensure environmental concerns have been addressed with an impact study.
    4. Analyze the financial impact of downtown business on Loveland’s overall operations. Would a garage alter that? What is our return on investment? 
    5. Task the Parking Committee to develop a variety of options to address any parking shortfalls.    
    6. Share this information with residents BEFORE decisions are made and encourage two-way communication. 
    7. Include this data and resident input in a long-range, all-encompassing plan to tackle parking and traffic for today and into the future.
    8. Finally, if the council decides the parking garage is still the answer, then put it on a referendum and let the residents decide. 

    If the residents of Loveland do nothing, this city-altering garage will be built without resident consent. If you oppose this garage, please contact your city council members immediately. 

    kbailey@LovelandOH.gov; tphelps@LovelandOH.gov; abateman@lovelandoh.gov; kping@lovelandoh.gov; jhart@lovelandoh.gov; tbutler@lovelandoh.gov; kblair@lovelandoh.gov

    Lauren Enda lives in Loveland at Hidden Creek

  • Let Loveland Heal – Create a Referendum for the Garage

    Let Loveland Heal – Create a Referendum for the Garage

    by Lauren Enda

    Loveland is a vibrant, bustling, and prosperous city. Which is why the question of increased parking space is an issue. People come to Loveland to live and visit because it is quaint and unique. Another asset that Loveland enjoys is an educated, engaged, and energized resident population. This is an asset that many towns would covet and that could be used to great advantage. Sadly, however, the mayor’s council continues to deny residents a vote on the parking garage, keeping them from actively participating in their own city. Instead of seeking a clear mandate through referendum to go forward with the plan, the council claims that all decisions, regardless of impact and cost, belong squarely with them. This lack of respect for residents’ role in Loveland’s future causes controversy and encourages mistrust of authority. A referendum would take away the controversy completely – the voters would have their say and all questions about the soundness of a garage and discord between residents on either side of the issue would simply dissolve.

    The council could easily calm this discord and start to heal the damage caused by the garage proposal. By creating a referendum for the garage, the council sends a clear, strong, unequivocal message that they care what voters think; that they listen to the will of the people; that they trust the residents to make wise, thoughtful decisions. There is a bonus to the referendum for newly elected council members. By voting in favor of the referendum, the new members would prove beyond doubt that they are living up to their campaign promises to listen to residents.

    Whether in favor of the garage or opposed to the garage, every resident in Loveland should have a voice in this momentous decision. And Loveland residents should not have to force the council into the referendum by collecting signatures. The path of pitting residents against council by collecting signatures to force a referendum is beneath Loveland city council and its constituency. This would only cause further distrust and anger among residents, which is not in Loveland’s best interest.

    According to Councilmember Bateman’s statement on 23 November 2021, democratic principles are alive and well in Loveland. This comment was seconded by Mayor Bailey. A referendum is your chance to prove it. Create a referendum and let democracy take its course. There is literally nothing to lose and everything to gain.

    Almost everyone agrees that the parking situation in Loveland needs attention. Let’s create a parking committee. Loveland has almost 20 committees and not one of them is tasked with parking. Let’s invite residents to investigate options and alternatives that will be cheaper, more flexible, and less intrusive. Let’s work together to gather data, define the problem, and come up with a range of solutions that can be openly discussed and debated. Working on this project could bring people together instead of causing strife.

    Myriad solutions are possible: institute valet parking; purchase an old-fashioned retro shuttle to get visitors to locations in downtown; increase use of Nature Preserve parking; use Loveland’s beautiful parks for events and gatherings instead of having every event in the downtown area. All of these could be accomplished for a fraction of what the garage would cost and keep our town quaint and unique. Each of these solutions would also greatly reduce traffic into the downtown area. Let’s take a breath, think outside the “parking garage” box, and have a conversation. Let’s work together to get it right.

    The decision on whether to build the proposed garage is too important to get wrong. And it isn’t important enough to tear the city apart.

    Do the right thing. Heal the conflict. Put the garage on a referendum.

    Lauren Enda lives in Loveland at Hidden Creek

  • Linda Bergholz: “Your support allows us the privilege of helping our neighbors in need.”

    Linda Bergholz: “Your support allows us the privilege of helping our neighbors in need.”

    by Linda Bergholz

    As the year comes to a close, I am amazed at everything we’ve accomplished together in 2021. Clients are back in the pantry, we have a van to help with transportation, children attended our back-to-school event to select supply filled backpacks and spirit wear, another successful Pass it On filled Thanksgiving baskets and Holiday Food Bags, numerous food drives, fund raisers, runs, and reading events were held on our behalf, monetary donations to help clients with financial assistance continued to come in; it is truly remarkable.

    On behalf of everyone at LIFE, a big thank you to everyone who donated food and household items, volunteered in the pantry, led a food drive, donated money, or supported us in other ways to have such a successful 2021. Your support allows us the privilege of helping our neighbors in need. 

    This issue highlights information about our services, events, corporate sponsors, how you can help, and more. Visit our website to learn more about how you can get involved.

    Sincerely,

    Linda Bergholz
    Executive Director
    LIFE Food Pantry
    www.lifefoodpantry.org

  • Guest Column: MOVING FORWARD

    Guest Column: MOVING FORWARD

    by Mike Meldon Jr.

    I’d like to start out by saying congratulations to the Mayor, Vice Mayor and all of the council.  Election season and all the drama that comes with it is now over and it should be time to move forward.  My fear though is that some people are not content getting on with business, but instead want to sow drama, division and anger- a polarization that is most likely fueled by the national political climate or brought on by ‘rage addiction’ from social media .  Hyperbole and gaslighting are being used to sway the public against this council and its mayor in particular.  

    I have just 4 points I’d like to make:

    1- All good conspiracies begin with a seed of truth- as does this one.  That one thing that people can look at- see as true- and then move forward believing the lies thrown there upon.  They used this truth to build a story of a mayor and council that does not listen to the people and that stifles speech. This is a straw man argument.  Anyone that watches council regularly can see the true nature of its members and its mayor.  

    Yet- the exaggeration and feigned disgust is spread in newspaper headlines, podcasts, and in private conversation. Ugly and childish names are thrown about describing council members in order to sway the public into looking at particular members as ‘good’ and the others as ‘bad. The only true remedy here is for people to tune in and pay attention- close attention- to council meetings and to lean towards the positive, knowing that this council is looking out for our best interests overall.  I believe that given the attention it deserves, the facts and the integrity of this council will shine through.

    2- ‘The people are at the top’- we have been hearing that a lot lately.  It is a great reminder of the setup of Loveland’s governance and the respect that it has for its citizens- the group it needs to listen to most..  I don’t think anyone on council or in the community would want it any other way.  But please don’t confuse this with council rules, procedure, or the representative democracy that makes up our city government.  While the people are supposed to be thought of primarily in decision making- it does not mean that the people make the decisions.   We elected this council to do a job- that job is to become well informed on an issue and then vote in a manner that they believe is best for Loveland.

    3- The council was said to have not ‘followed the will of the people’ by not voting for the highest vote-getter in the last election for mayor.  This again, is being used to fuel frustration in the public forum, yet Loveland has never voted for a mayor in this fashion.  Loveland, like most cities our size, has it’s council members vote on one of their fellow members,  the one that they believe best fills the role.  This council did as all councils have done in the past, they followed the rules as they were supposed to- responsibly and with the city’s best interest in mind.

    Those that are saying that this council is already ignoring “the will of the voters” are trying to spin and define ‘that will’ on their own and for their own agenda.  We all know the many reasons why election numbers differ- especially when not all members are up for re-election at the same time.  To try to define the ‘people’s mandate’ from the last election is presumptuous at best and manipulative at worst.  

    Finally- dissent.  I believe dissent is necessary and needed in this complicated and groupthink world.  But, behind that dissent needs to be honesty,  integrity, and work.  Dissent used for grandstanding or to merely separate yourself from the pack may make for good political posturing for those not paying attention, but it does the city no good at all- it only hurts it. 

    True and honest dissent can lead to compromise.  And compromise- it  could be argued- is the best outcome in a democracy such as ours.  Our nation was built on compromises and those of us in relationships know that compromise is a key to success.  

    I wish this council many successes and it is my hope that the community follows along and sees how lucky we are to have this council working for us.

    Thank You!!

    Mike Meldon Jr

    Loveland Tree and Environment Committee Chairman
    Loveland Recreation Board Clerk