LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Author: Guest Column

  • Mary Ann Lynn: Use your vote to keep the positive momentum going in Loveland

    Mary Ann Lynn: Use your vote to keep the positive momentum going in Loveland

    Mary Ann Lynn has been a Loveland resident for 21 years and lives in the Huntington neighborhood in Clermont County. (Provided Photo)

    by Mary Ann Lynn

    Two years ago, unprecedented resident engagement and activism drove sweeping change on Loveland’s City Council. The outcome of that grassroots effort was the removal of three out of the four members of the Fitzgerald-led council majority. In the two years since, we have seen a return to civility, increased resident engagement and terrific progress by the current council majority. On election day, Loveland residents have an opportunity to ensure continued progress and remove the last remnant of the Fitzgerald regime.

    Mayor Kathy Bailey has provided smart, effective leadership and a strong voice for the impressive progress seen in our city over the past two years, and she has done so with integrity, approachability, and a steadfast commitment to resident engagement and transparency. She is a regular fixture at downtown businesses and events and embodies all that a public servant and civic leader should be.

    Kent Blair was appointed to Loveland City Council by Mayor Bailey to complete Mark Fitzgerald’s term and has proven to be a hard-working and committed servant and with a fresh perspective. Blair asks questions that no one else is asking, challenges the status quo and does so, not out of arrogance, but in an earnest effort to be sure all interests and perspectives are considered at every turn. 

    Andy Bateman is the real deal and deserves to win the council seat currently held by Angie Settell. Andy grew up in Loveland and is now starting his family here. He has been serving the Loveland community since 2014 as a volunteer and committee member on a wide array of city and county organizations, including the Loveland Historical Society and the City of Loveland’s Trees and Environment, Historic Preservation and PR/Communications committees. Bateman is smart, knowledgeable, hardworking and committed, and would be a stellar council representative.

    Angie Settell may be a name familiar to voters, as she is seeking her third term on Loveland City Council, but I hope name recognition doesn’t land her another term. Settell is the sole remnant of the Mark Fitzgerald council majority and, in my opinion, has behaved like a spoiled child since the 2017 election when her former allies (Fitzgerald, Gross, Zamagias) were voted out or petitioned out of office. Settell has refused to align with the new council majority on major initiatives, yet she is hard-pressed to vote against these efforts that will so clearly benefit our community. As a result, Settell has abstained, recused herself or simply refused to vote on numerous key motions and has missed several council meetings where key votes were taking place. As the saying goes, “row, or get out of the boat.”  Let’s get someone in that council seat who will contribute, collaborate and work toward a brighter future for Loveland. 

    Bailey, Blair, and Bateman bring very diverse backgrounds and perspectives to Loveland City Council. What they have in common is a commitment to bring Loveland to its full potential without losing the small-town charm we all love, and to govern in a way that never loses sight of our town’s history and or respect for its residents. Vote for the three Bs on election day!

  • Wayne Pagel: Proposed Loveland School Levy Defies Logic

    Wayne Pagel: Proposed Loveland School Levy Defies Logic

    by Wayne Pagel

    There is a logical reason for voting against the 42% tax increase proposed in the Loveland School Levy: a 42% tax increase is illogical. Unconscionable. Federal Income Tax. Ohio State Income Tax. Loveland City Income Tax, State and local sales tax. Hamilton, Clermont and Warren County property tax. 

    Wayne Pagel is an 11 year resident of Loveland residing on Rich Road.

    Our own most recent property tax disbursement indicates that 60% of those taxes were disbursed to the Loveland School District.  Through its proposed levy, the Loveland School Board feels that portion should be 77%. A bigger slice of a larger pie. 

    Good for the community? The 14 other recipients, including Family and Children Services, Public Library, Mental Health, Senior Services, Indigent Hospital Care, should understand that the School Board’s deep dive into the pockets of the taxpayers of Loveland to build Fine Arts Centers, Student Collaboration Areas, and artificial turf practice facilities may put a squeeze on any revenue increases or levies in the foreseeable future. There is a limit to how much we can afford and after all, the School Board seems to be first in line. It’s doubtful the board members will form any PACs, hire any consultants, or orchestrate any media campaigns for those causes representing the other 23% of the community’s needs.

    Loveland Schools are stellar. They receive the highest ratings possible.  Our teachers are incredible. They deserve to be well compensated. They are. These things are being accomplished because of the commitment and dedication of the people, including parents, doing the hard work of coaching and educating our children every day. A reasonable, practical approach to revenue enhancement would have been well received and supported. Opposing this one by no means represents a lack of concern or support for Loveland educators. 

    Most of us share in the common goal of providing a good education for our children, saving for their college educations, paying for a home, retiring comfortably. These taxes do not guarantee meeting the needs of our children or for that matter our teachers, rather they are a list of wants. Dollars directed from your income to pay for the Board of Education’s wants can’t be invested for your children’s college expenses. Taxes rarely go down, or away. We can pay off our mortgages and debts, but these taxes will continue well into our own retirements. When children starting school next fall graduate from college, they will have 20 years left to pay on this inherited levy should it pass on November 5th. 

    Educating our children is our individual and collective responsibility.  Setting an example of making practical, economically prudent choices with our financial resources should be part of that education.

    Send the message to the Board of Education that the community deserves and demands a better approach. Vote Against the Loveland School Levy on November 5th

     

  • After waiting 23 years the work has started on the restoration of Ramsey Paxton Cemetery

    After waiting 23 years the work has started on the restoration of Ramsey Paxton Cemetery

    by Rob Geiger

    What a beautiful day on Monday, September 16th, 2019 turned out to be not only weather-wise but after waiting 23 years the work started on the Ramsey Paxton Cemetery located on Ramsey Drive in Loveland, Ohio. 

    The Rainey Tree Service started early that morning to remove the old rusted chain-link fence, started the clearing of bushes and trees. “We got the trees in the nick of time!” stated Steve Rainey, owner of the Rainey Tree Service, “Since the roots were pretty far gone due to rot, and damaged by ants. Most of the wild Cherry Trees we just pulled them out, roots and all.”  The tree service company worked hard for three days to get the cemetery shipshape removing all the potential hazards that could harm the new fence, removing and grinding the stumps, and reworking the ground that was disturbed in the process. 

    Eads Fence Company started their work by installing the new fence on Thursday, September 19th and got much of the project finished. I arrived in the late afternoon on Thursday and I was astonished most of the project was finished and how wonderful the new fence looked? I could not help but look at the surrounding area imagining what the old Ramsey Farm must have looked like when the first interment took place in March 1813 with Lt. Col. Thomas Paxton the first permanent white settler in the Virginia Military Track. 

    We are waiting for the installation of a section of fence and setting the gateposts before the gate can be restored and put into place. We are hoping this part of the project will be completed by mid to late November 2019. The headstones are scheduled to be cleaned by October 22, 2019, by Cold Jet located on Wards Corner Road. I’m looking into how much it would cost to have a new marker placed on the weathered limestone slab of Lt. Col. Paxton’s grave having the same verbiage that was once etched depicting his contributions when he fought in the American Revolution and the Battle of Fallen Timbers. If the cost is substantial, we might have to wait for the next group of caretakers of the cemetery to take on that project? Hopefully, it won’t be another 23 years.       

    I could not help myself getting choked up a little to see what was accomplished in the last four days and how many people were involved to make this project a success! Everyone who was and is involved by donating money and or their time should come up to the cemetery see the great progress in preserving one of our great landmarks in the area!    

    We are hoping in the Spring of 2020 to have a formal rededication of the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery. Please continue to look for additional updates with the Loveland Magazine publication.

    Loveland Magazine is the Media Sponsor for the restoration of the Ramsey Paxton Cemetery.

  • Stephanie Savely on School Levy: What do we agree on?

    Stephanie Savely on School Levy: What do we agree on?

    Stephanie Savely lives in the West Loveland Historic District in Loveland

    by Stephanie Savely

    The levy is driving a wedge in our beautiful town. Can we “push pause” for just a minute? Can we take a deep breath and focus on what we agree on?

    I believe, if asked, most of us would say that:

    • We love our “little” town. 
    • We know the value and importance of providing a good public education. 
    • We know that our school buildings need work and some probably even need to be replaced.

    Most would even agree that there are probably some items, regardless of the actual dollar amount, in the levy that aren’t “mission critical.”

    So, I have one simple question. What harm is there in asking the school board to take the overwhelming amount of feedback they have received and revise the plan?

    This isn’t an all or nothing situation. Our city is more important than that.

    This problem has been years in the making, and a few more months won’t matter.

    Our community, our schools, our neighborhoods, our friendships are worth coming together and tackling this well. Together.

    Don’t forget, we ARE Loveland Strong.

  • Chamber honors best of the City

    Chamber honors best of the City

    Advertisement

    Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance will host its Annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday, November 20, at Receptions in Loveland.

    “Each year we feel it is time to say, thank you, to our businesses for all they do for our community. We look forward to honoring them for enhancing our community and making it a better place to live,” said CeeCee Collins, President of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance.

    The Annual Awards Dinner event begins at 5:30 PM with a Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction. Proceeds from the Silent Auction will benefit a local non-profit, Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank, and the Chamber’s Scholarship Fund. The event also includes live music, a plated sit down dinner, and the Awards Presentation emceed by John Popovich. The Awards Presentation will honor businesses and individuals in the following 12 categories:

    • Business of the Year
    • Emerging Business of the Year
    • Non-profit of the Year
    • Beautification Award
    • Community Involvement Award
    • Business Community Advocate Award
    • Sustainability “Go Green” Award
    • Health, Wellness & Fitness Business of the Year
    • Recreation Business of the Year
    • Community Responder Award
    • Young Professional Award

    Businesses were encouraged to nominate each other, as well as themselves. You may register to attend this event online at LMRChamberAlliance.org. Prices are $55 for an individual and $400 for a table of 8.

    Special Guests Cee Cee Collins and Meredith Taylor Talk Future Events…

  • Forty years and going strong, thanks founder, Pat Furterer

    Forty years and going strong, thanks founder, Pat Furterer

    by Ann Barfels

    It all started when she was eight years old. Patricia Heffelfinger loved to produce plays with the neighborhood kids in Ridley Park, PA. Her love for theatre continued and she was always encouraged by her late husband Fred Furterer who she married in 1954. She continued performing with the Barnstormers in Ridley Park and then with the Battle Creek Civic Theatre in Michigan.

    In 1977 Pat and Fred moved to Loveland. Pat went to audition at another local theatre but couldn’t find the address! She came home and told Fred, “I’m starting a community theatre company in Loveland!” And 40 years and 115 shows later, Loveland Stage Company is an active and vibrant part of the community.

    Pat Furterer, founder and President Emeritus of Loveland Stage Company which is celebrating its 40th year and 115th production with “Cole-An Entertainment-The Life and Fabulous Music of Cole Porter” opening Nov. 1. – Provided Photo

    The first meeting of the as-yet-unnamed theatre group was in the Furterer’s living room in the Pheasant Hills neighborhood on May 1979. Pat put an ad in the paper inviting anyone interested in starting a community theatre group. Those responding to that first meeting were: Dick and Deirdre Dyson; Betty Rajewski; Kathy and Ron Barrett; Dennis Novak; Roger Goldwire; Steve McGowan; Trish Williams; Diane and “Moldy” Moldenhauer; Kate Camele Arnold; Anne Woolley; John Schneider; Sue Lundy; Sally Housemeyer, Mary Ellen Camele and Kitty Kieffer. Kate Arnold is in the current production of “Cole” and Deirdre Dyson was the artistic director of the most recent production of “Mamma Mia”. Dick Dyson is currently on the board and Sue Lundy and John Schneider are still active members.

    After deciding on the group’s name, the first show, “My Three Angels”, was presented in October of 1979 with two shows at the original Loveland Hurst High School on Lebanon road.
    The Loveland Kiwanis Club was still active at this time and the two groups joined efforts for a few years. “Bye Bye Birdie” was presented in 1978 and was the final Kiwanis Kaper event.

    Pat says the biggest hurdle the group has faced was finding a permanent home. At various times they have performed at the original Loveland Hurst High school, Shields Crossing (a restaurant now closed) Greater Loveland Historical Museum and at Nisbet Park. But they needed a permanent home. They received permission in 1997 from the City of Loveland to have a fundraiser for Loveland Stage company in the abandoned Crist movie theatre with the idea of eventually purchasing the building. “ There were no restrooms and no air conditioning and the building had been inhabited by “critters.” It was a mess” says Pat. The Loveland Fire Fighters Association, a non-profit group, purchased the theatre and leased it to the stage company for $1 a year. After 6 months, they gave the building to the group with certain stipulations. Pat attributes much of this effort to Otto Huber, Assistant Fire Chief at the time, and currently Fire Chief.

    October 20, 2008, marked another, and more heartbreaking hurdle. In the early morning hours, a fire started in the upstairs of the theatre and quickly consumed the entire roof. Once again the Loveland Fire Department stepped up and immediately started a fund for repairing the damaged building. Pat remembers friends and neighbors giving her checks for the restoration and especially remembers one little boy who gave her the contents of his piggy bank so the building could be repaired. Peggy Goodwin wrote several grants which also helped with the backing. A campaign to raise funds “Rebuild and Play On” led by Deirdre Dyson helped to bring in necessary funds to get more repair work done. And 13 months later, the curtain opened at the renovated theatre with the Ohio premiere of “Miss Saigon”.

    Come and see the group’s 40thyear celebration “Cole – An Entertainment-The Life and Fabulous Music of Cole Porter” November 1-17

    Besides founding the group, Pat has held every board office and is currently President Emeritus. She has also done every job necessary to produce a show from directing to producing to publicity to stage manager, etc. but has never done lighting or sound. Those that know Pat think that if the need was there, she would do that too!

    Her all-time favorite role to perform was Mame in Bonnie Schanz’s production of “Mame” and her favorite all-time show that she has directed was the group’s first production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in 1986 with Chuck Wente as Tevye and Jeanne Smearsoll Welsh as Golde.

    And in case any of you have heard the rumor, Pat says, “Yes, we do have a ghost! Mr. Crist comes to visit on occasion and loves to mess with our lighting equipment!”

    Celebrating 40 years of award-winning, quality community theatre, with special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. and Derek Glynne, the Loveland Stage Company will present “Cole-An Entertainment – The Life and Fabulous Music of Cole Porter” opening November 1 through 17.

    The Mermaid Theatre’s production is based on the words and music of Cole Porter, devised by Benny Green and Alan Strachan, with original music arrangements by Kenneth Moule.

    Come and see the group’s 40th year celebration “Cole – An Entertainment – The Life and Fabulous Music of Cole Porter” November 1-17 at the theatre located at 111 S. 2nd St. (Rt. 48) Loveland, 45140. Performances on Nov. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 are at 7:30 PM and on Sundays, November 3, 10 and 17 at 3 PM. Tickets are $20. For groups or handicapped seating call 513-443-4572 or visit the webpage at http://lovelandstagecompany.org.

     

  • Pat Ahr: A new candidate vies for Loveland City Council seat

    Pat Ahr: A new candidate vies for Loveland City Council seat

    by Bill and Cyndi Gillings,

    Changes in the City of Loveland are happening rapid-fire. After recovering from a devastating fire in its downtown in 2017, Loveland has reinvigorated its charming historic core by expanding

    Bill and Cyndi Gillings live in the Paxton Woods neighborhood of Miami Township.

    recreation, shopping, and restaurant/bar options. By anyone’s estimation, the city’s growth is on a steep trajectory with its ambitious city master plan, creation of a historic preservation district, and the addition of new venues and events. Loveland is dreaming big.

    “Pat Ahr enters the Loveland City Council race with a “Breath of Fresh Air” campaign that promises better city-citizen communication, equal focus outside the historic core, and fiscal responsibility.”

    Into this exciting phase steps Pat Ahr. A new face on the Loveland political scene, Ahr is a 15-year Loveland resident and retired registered nurse. She is running for a city council seat in the November 5 election, prompted to do so by a few key issues.

    More Conversation, More Kindness

    “I believe that as a city we are not communicating as well as we should,” Ahr says, laying out one of the pillars of her campaign. “I want to include all of Loveland in city discussions.” Ahr believes the current makeup of the city council has lent itself to block voting, and that the city would be better served by having a wider variety of viewpoints represented by elected officials.

    “We need different voices on the council and not just people who agree on every point and push things through,” she emphasizes. “While I think that the council has done a lot to move Loveland forward, they are viewed–as a group–by many in the city as unkind. I want to bring kindness back to the council. We need to treat each other with respect. And I want the community to be involved in this transition to civility.”

    If elected, Ahr will lean on her expertise as a communicator to make sure the public has a seat at the discussion table. This is second nature to her. “As a nurse, you must communicate at multiple levels–dealing with doctors, nurses, patients, patients’ families, and insurance,” she lists. “The communication is endless.”

    Ahr will institute office hours for the public so all citizens can share their opinions and ideas outside the only current outlet for doing so: the monthly city council meeting. “Twice a month, I will hold meetings so the community can talk to me about what is going on in Loveland,” she says. “We’ll meet at a local restaurant or coffee shop, and I will encourage people of all ages to come. We must connect on a different level than just through the information put on the city website or by attendance at council meetings where you have to sign in to talk and where you can’t rebut as you would in a normal conversation. I want to give–and receive–more information than what you can get from that format.”   

    But it’s not just how city council communicates, it’s also what they are communicating about that concerns Ahr. “To date, all the focus of the city has been on the downtown district, but we are outgrowing what we can do there. We need to be bringing in new businesses with taxable revenue comparable to other towns in Cincinnati. And we need to address the unique needs of all areas of Loveland.”

    Ahr points to the Loveland-Madeira Road Corridor as an obvious focal point. “I attended community meetings for the city’s master plan, and I listened to parents talk about how they have to drive to Anderson and Milford to get to places that kids really enjoy–like Jump Zone and entertainment venues like that,” she says. “Could we have a year-round pool? Or a Loveland workout center, like the Y that was planned years ago, to keep people in Loveland? We invite all these people from outside to enjoy our downtown, but we need to look at what people who live here would enjoy.”

    Soothing Municipal Headaches

    After improving communication with the public, Ahr’s second mission will be to address the city’s parking issue. “The city’s third-party master plan designers said we have enough parking in the city and that we just need to educate the public about where it is,” she says. “But now the city has put out an RFP (request for proposal) for a parking garage with $7 to $8 million price tag. And they are guessing at costs. They should have done a preliminary RFP and then put the idea of the garage out to the public as an idea with an accurate price tag on it,” she says.

    “Pat Ahr has lived in Loveland for over 15 Years

    Retired Registered Nurse for 43 years

    Expertise in Brand Management and Marketing

    Regional Marketing Director across the Midwest

    Managed Direct Sales for Multiple Businesses and Organizations

    Understands Government Regulations having Assisted with Buyouts and Takeovers”

    Considering the amount of money a garage could cost taxpayers, it is worth looking at alternatives first, Ahr says. “Let’s follow what the master planners suggested and educate the public on where to park. Maybe create a map we put in restaurants and in holders on the bike trail that would help people navigate the town and figure out where to park,” she suggests. “Try things first and build on the ideas before spending taxpayer money.”

    The fiscal responsibility that colors Ahr’s opinion on the parking garage flows through her opinions on everything with which the city gets involved. This attention to management, processes, and regulation comes from her experience participating in acquisitions and takeovers of healthcare entities during her 43-year nursing career.

    Take the school levy as an example. While not a city financial issue on the face of it, the school levy concerns Ahr. “Right now, the number-one thing everybody is talking about is the school levy and what is going in where and why we are being asked for so much money. People support schools for different reasons, both emotional and intellectual. I believe in education, but at what cost? I think every family needs to make the decision to support or reject the levy for themselves.”

    That said, she has an eagle eye on what this school decision could mean for the taxpayers of Loveland. “The city must look at infrastructure to support the school,” she reminds. “The City is saying the schools are separate from us, but we need to be working together with them or we will blindside the taxpayers down the road on infrastructure costs, such as road improvements, after and on top of the tax for the schools.”

    On a Personal Note … And An Invitation

    Politics is in Ahr’s DNA. She is the great-great-granddaughter of our nation’s 12th president, Zachary Taylor (1784-1850). A Kentucky native, Taylor was a full-fledged war hero through his service in the Mexican War. He was in office for only 16 months before he died. “He was a president against slavery,” Ahr says proudly.

    As important as her illustrious roots are her present-day kin. She and her husband, Barry, have four children and nine grandsons. That’s right–all boys. “I love them so much,” she says. “And we have one more on the way.” No word on the gender of the new addition, which is okay with Ahr. “I look forward to two surprises in November,” she says.

  • Linda Holtkamp on school levy: “Loveland Gives!”

    Linda Holtkamp on school levy: “Loveland Gives!”

    by Linda Holtkamp

    We are a generous city, especially where our schools are involved. We have passed levy after levy after levy, by comfortable margins, whenever we were told there was need.

    Now, we are being told there is great need, urgent need, to bring our facilities up to date.

    Linda Holtkamp lives in the Plantation Pointe subdivision in Symmes Township

    And it’s going to require enormous sacrifice. The schools all need to be extensively revamped or demolished, and it will cost each property owner thousands of dollars, additional, every year, for a very long time. 37 years at the minimum. And, well, most of the money will have to be paid forever.  We are going to build big, and we are going to build new. Renovating, for the most part, is not an option.

    Repairing or using what we already have at the primary school level is off the table. We need new land, 110 acres of it, and it will cost $7.7 million dollars. It’s raw land, so, it will need massive amounts of expensive preparation before it can even be built upon. We need three new, state of the art buildings on that land, with brand new everything inside. Just figure about $92,000,000 for the whole project, and we have Preschool through 5th grade settled.

    Middle school is in pretty good shape, having been renovated when the high school was built. But, we could build outside bathrooms and clean up the sports area in the back, add an 8 lane track so the track team does not have to go all the way to the high school to practice, and new bleachers. The school needs a skylight because it’s too dark inside, and upgrades to the entrance. Let’s budget about $25,000,000.

    The high school is our newest complex, but still needs some high ticket items.

    For sports, the need is for turf on baseball, softball, and a multi-purpose field. Grass is not good enough, as occasionally it gets muddy. We absolutely need new concession stands and a new gateway entrance because, well, we just do. We should budget about $10 million for sports.

    The school itself has big, costly needs. The auditorium, while it is absolutely fine, almost brand new, is too small for Show Choir and band concerts. We need new, so let’s plan for the future in a big way. Let’s go with a two-story, 1,000 seat auditorium. Around that, we will build multiple band rooms, art rooms, and a photo studio. $16,000,000. Sixteen Million Dollars. Just for Fine Arts. That should do it. Good acoustics are pricy. 

    Remember that existing, beautiful, approximately 578 seat auditorium with years of usable life left? We will completely demolish that, level out the floor, and use that space for science labs. The Robotics Team members will get space there, along with lots of ultra-expensive equipment to further their projects. 

    The total budget for the high school reno and new building will amount to $53,000,000.

    As you see, almost half of the money is going to the two newest school complexes.

    Grand total, with more thrown in for overruns: $165,000,000. Plus $7.7 million for the land

    You will get great satisfaction sending the schools 43% more school property taxes each year. On top of what you already pay. And, this increase is so large, the schools will never need to ask for money again, right?

    Nope. Look for another levy in 3 years, for more operating expenses.

    That is a promise, as well.

    Join your neighbors and fellow taxpayers who find this plan, and the costs involved, totally unworkable.

    Vote AGAINST the levy on Tuesday, November 5.

    It’s OK to say NO.

  • Anna Bunker on “Buildings in a Tiger Nation”

    Anna Bunker on “Buildings in a Tiger Nation”

    by Anna Bunker

    As a mother of three kids, a school volunteer and a supporter of every teacher in the Loveland School District, I agree the classroom trailers and teachers on carts (not classrooms) are not a long-term solution. I also agree the District has no $0 option.   

    My question is how did we get to this point?

    First, how did the schools get into a position to have additional teachers without classrooms or the need for extra space (i.e. trailers) when all the data shows there has been NO significant student growth in the Loveland School district in 10 years?

    Second, the age of buildings is not a reason to abandon them and start anew. There are plenty of 80+-year-old schools throughout the United States and Cincinnati that are still serving their communities. If the school district had invested money into maintaining and improving these buildings this may not be an issue. For what it is worth, according to the 2018 Loveland City School District Financial Reports, the 2018 maintenance budget was cut by over $1 million between 2017 and 2018.

    I’ve heard comments praising the Board of Education for stretching levy money out past their original request, but there is another viewpoint. We, the Loveland voters, approved a levy giving the school district money to keep the schools operating and maintained, so why didn’t they spend the money? Some may call this fiscally responsible, but if the buildings haven’t been maintained and updated and now need to be replaced, isn’t that being fiscally irresponsible?

    CHALLENGE for the Board of Education

    I urge that the Board of Education and Administration to take a deep dive into the ROOT CAUSE of how the LCSD got the taxpayers into this situation of voting FOR or AGAINST one of largest School Levy requests in the State of Ohio and then, create processes and procedures to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future. 

    Personally, I cannot support giving the school district a gift of three new school buildings, which, if building maintenance process is not corrected, will need to be replaced after the bond is paid off in 37 years.

    In the September 12th information session at the High School, Superintendent Crouse told us that if the new $16 million Fine Arts Center with a 1,000 seat auditorium were added to the campus, the existing auditorium building would then be used for educational space including, adding a space for the Robotics team since they have to currently share space with the wrestling team.   

    Historically, school boosters have been responsible for fundraising and paying for costs/maintenance for their activities. As taxpayers, we are responsible for electing the Board of Education who we trust to provide quality education to ALL our children, not just the athletes, choirs, bands or other extracurricular teams.

    CHALLENGE for Loveland Voters

    This levy will be a hardship for many Loveland residents. I have a challenge to anyone that is FOR the levy and this increase will not be a hardship on your family, please make a healthy donation to the Loveland Music Boosters, Loveland Robotics Team or the Loveland Athletic Boosters. Help these Boosters raise the money they need to improve their programs, but please don’t ask taxpayers to make sacrifices for these extracurricular programs.

    Loveland Music Boosters

    https://sites.google.com/site/lovelandmusicboosters/home

    P.O. Box 453

    Loveland OH 45140

    Loveland Robotics Boosters

    https://www.lovelandroboticsboosters.org/

    P.O. Box 272

    Loveland OH 45140

    Loveland Athletic Boosters

    http://lovelandathleticboosters.com/

    If you find this story useful and helpful in your daily life…

     

  • I think the proposed millage of 16.78 for any levy is ABSURD!

    I think the proposed millage of 16.78 for any levy is ABSURD!

    by Mark Leguillon

    My name is Mark Leguillon and I live on McKinney Road. I’m a longtime resident of the community and a graduate of the Loveland School District. I believe most people in our community think that quality education is important.

    However, I think the proposed millage of 16.78 for any levy is ABSURD!

    If passed, this levy will put thousands of those residents on a fixed income in financial risk. This would also include many others who live paycheck to paycheck.

    Renters should also be concerned, if this levy passes it is almost a certainty that their landlords will pass the cost on to them.

    The average additional tax burden to the folks that made Loveland a great place to live is about 42% – this is in an additional amount to an existing tax burden. An actual example – a homeowner currently pays $2,099 in school tax alone. This proposed levy would add an additional $878. That is $2,977 which does not include county and other local taxes (And Symmes Township is already talking about the need to place 3 levies on the ballot next year. I don’t know if the City of Loveland has any levies planned.

    What other product or service can you name that has increased by 42%?

    I’m happy and proud that Loveland has achieved the “Excellence in Education” award and we should thank all the staff and students for achieving that award.

    I have a few questions that I hope the superintendent or the school board will respond to in writing and release the answers to all media outlets within 7 days. To stay transparent. These questions are?

      1. Is there a secret super-duper excellence award that this levy would insure it can obtain? (in other words, how would this levy drastically improve the education of the student?)
      2. How does spending $10-$12 Million dollars on astroturf of engineered athletic fields improve the education of the student? Is there a direct correlation between these types of fields and much higher grade point averages?
      3. Do I understand that the Board has spent $100,000 of our taxpayer money that is not refundable and has committed to about $7.8 Million Dollars for the rest of the Grailville property without the levy passing?

    (I see this as the extortion part of your plan….)

    I am just waiting for that official to stand up and say “WE WILL LOSE THE $100,000 IF WE DON’T MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PLAN.

      1. DOES THIS REMIND ANYONE OF THE STREETCAR IN CINCINNATI??

    So you really know how I feel!

    I’m angry and I see these actions as careless and Irresponsible.

    Now I’m going to give you one hypothetical:

    If the taxpayers could demand a 42% reduction to the entire school district budget how do you think that would be received by the school district? Especially if it was only for 37 years (that is what you’re asking from the taxpayers in reverse).

    I understand that the last levy passed was a 5.6 levy in 2014.

    If the buildings are in such bad shape and there is an overcrowding problem. I believe these and other problems rest clearly on your leadership or lack of.

    Since the past problems were not addressed – what circumstances would create a want so large as to do financial harm to our neighbors

    In ending I would like to talk about process and reality.

    I understand that we hired consultants. My opinion of consultants is they exist for 2 reasons.

      1. They tell you about existing problems you should already know about,
      2. AND THE BIG ONE

    THEY TELL YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR WHETHER YOU CAN AFFORD IT OR NOT!

    DID THEIR REPORT INCLUDE THE PART ABOUT THIS LEVY BANKRUPTING MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS?

    IT DIDN’T CONCERN THEM THEY ARE CONSULTANTS –

    BUT IT SHOULD CONCERN YOU!

    [Video] Mark Leguillon addresses BOE on school levy

    Mark Leguillon spoke at the beginning of the meeting about the combined operating and bond levy of 16.78-mil that will be before voters on the November 5 ballot.

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