Milford, Ohio – Stepping Stones will host the 2023 Viva La Bloom fundraiser with a new theme and location on Saturday, September 9th at the Little Miami Event Center in Milford. Event chair Nancy Aichholz invites you to a fun, “Vegas” themed night full of games, entertainment, a fabulous silent auction, and dinner by Cincinnati’s best food trucks. Try your luck at one of our casino-style games throughout the night for a chance to win the Grand Prize.
Nancy Aichholz will host the 19th Annual Bloom for Stepping Stones.
Bloom benefits Stepping Stones’ mission to build pathways to independence and promote inclusion for people with developmental and physical disabilities. Show your support for the community by buying tickets or becoming a sponsor.
“We are excited to celebrate Bloom in a new location with a new theme this year,” said Nancy Aichholz, event chair. “The funds raised from Bloom go a long way to support Stepping Stones’ impactful programming and we hope that you will join us.”
Gail and Fred Fischer (NKY) attend Bloom last year. (Provided Photo)
Event tickets are $150 per person. The Little Miami Event Center is located at 310 Mill St. in Milford, Ohio. To purchase tickets, visit CincyBloom.org. Volunteers are needed for the event. Visit Bit.ly/BloomVolunteers to sign up. For more information, contact Sara Schaser at 513-965-5103 or email Sara.Schaser@SteppingStonesOhio.org.
Who: Stepping Stones
What: Viva La Bloom
When: Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Where: Little Miami Event Center
Why: To raise money for year-round programs benefiting children, teens and adults with disabilities.
Stepping Stones is an impact agency that serves individuals with disabilities in day and overnight programs that increase independence and promote inclusion. Founded in 1963, the agency provides educational, recreational and social programs at locations in Batavia, Indian Hill, Norwood and Western Hills. For more information, visit www.SteppingStonesOhio.org.
Batavia, Ohio – Nearly $1.75 million in federal funds have been targeted for a variety of projects to benefit communities and non-profits throughout Clermont County, ranging from home repairs for seniors to a program that teaches about gardening and healthy food preparation.
The Clermont County Board of Commissioners on June 28 selected the 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) projects to be included in the Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
CDBG projects were selected from 2023 CDBG applications as submitted from local jurisdictions and non-profits. Projects were awarded based on the overall benefit to low and moderate income areas and persons.
The Clermont County Department of Community and Economic Development (CED) works with communities to leverage multiple funding sources for their projects, such as CDBG, HOME, Capital Bill Funds, ODOD Demolition Funds, OPWC, FEMA, FAA, OEPA, as well as others.
The 2023 CDBG projects include:
Clermont Senior Services Inc. Home Safety Repair Program: $115,000
Home Repairs for Seniors including accessibility, furnace, plumbing, electrical repairs. Many wheel chair ramps and grab bars that keep seniors living in their homes and damaged floor repairs will be completed. It is estimated that 36 families and over 50 people will be assisted.
Clermont County Community Alternative Sentencing Center (CASC): $71,000
This is the very successful program the Board has funded for a number of years as an alternative to jail for those residents struggling with addictions. This provides much needed counseling and treatment and helps many of our residents turn their lives around.
Clermont County General Health District Homeowner Septic Rehab Program: $100,000
Fund 10-15 septic system repairs or replacements for Low income residents through forgivable loan. The Health Department will combine these funds with WPCLF and H2Ohio funding from Ohio EPA.
Clermont County General Health District Newtonsville Sewer Connection Program: $100,000 Fund 10-15 sewer connections for low income residents through forgivable loan.
Housing Opportunities Made Equal Fair Housing Program: $15,000 HUD required Fair Housing Program. This organization provides fair housing training to groups such as realtors and landlords and assists renters when they have complaints or concerns about their housing situation.
OSU Extension Clermont County Demonstration Gardens/Food Science Lab: $82,000 Construct demonstration vegetable gardens and replace outdated food science kitchen for demonstration of gardening and healthy food preparation to JFS Clients and other low to moderate income persons.
Felicity Franklin PTO Felicity Cool Tools for School: $10,000
Purchase of school supplies for children of needy families including backpacks, binders, pencils. This program was run successfully before but funding has been lost currently for the program. Approximately 300 back packs will be stocked with supplies and additional supplies on hand during the school year.
Streetlight Ministry Homeless Outreach Program: $25,000
Outreach to homeless in form of sleeping bags, meals, clothing, transportation, ID and Birth certificates, and connecting clients with services such as helping them with IDs and Birth Certificates.
Tate Township Parking Lot at Bethel Cemetery/Park: $90,000
Construction of parking lot with paving. Township has provided the gravel base which is installed. The Township has purchased additional land adjacent for a park and plans for trails.
Wayne Township Former Newtonsville School Roof: $70,000
Pay 70% of Roof for building up to maximum of $70,000. The building houses two non-profit food pantries that serve the LMI community.
Williamsburg Township Emergency Service Building Upgrades: $147,000
Upgrade outdated and dangerous electric system in building to operate while on backup generator already purchased. Switch electric from 3 phase to 1 phase.3 new HVAC Units that operate on 1 phase electric. Update Kitchen for EMS/ Fire employees.
Clermont County Community and Economic Development (CED) planning and administration of grants: $189,469
The 2023 HOME projects include:
Clermont Housing Corporation (CMHA) Veterans Village Housing Project: $640,000
Clermont County Community and Economic Development (CED) planning and administration of grants: $70,000
Clermont County Community and Economic Development (CED) activity delivery: $40,000
Batavia, Ohio – Commissioner Bonnie Batchler was elected President, and Commissioner Claire Corcoran, Vice President, of the Clermont County Board of Commissioners for 2023 at the January 9 annual Reorganization Meeting. Commissioner David Painter is also on the Board.
The 2023 meeting schedule for Regular Sessions was also established. The commissioners are scheduled to meet every Wednesday of the year, except for certain holiday weeks, and the second and fourth Mondays of the first six months of the year. All meetings are scheduled to begin at 10 AM. Commissioners are mandated to have at least 50 Regular Sessions during the calendar year.
Commissioners offered comments and reflections relating to 2022 and thoughts about 2023.
“This past year, and the past two years, have been two of the most rewarding years of my life, serving the county in a different capacity, working with Commissioner Painter, Commissioner Corcoran and the whole staff here at the county,” Commissioner Batchler said. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know people that I didn’t know before that work for this county. What dedicated people we have. I look forward to this coming year and business that is going to take place to move this county forward.”
“Excellent board, excellent staff here at Clermont County,” Commissioner Painter said. “Clermont County is definitely moving in the right direction… It was a great year. ’23 I think will be an even better year.”
Painter singled out the new Purina facility, work on State Route 32, small business expansion, Hamilton Safe consolidation, a new Land Bank, county investment in roadways, block grant projects, Juvenile Court expansion, a new sewage treatment plant in Newtonsville/Wayne Township, and Ivy Point. He said Clermont County has one of the lowest sales tax rates in Ohio.
“We did accomplish a lot in the past year,” Commissioner Corcoran said. “I think we need to reflect on why we are here. We are here as commissioners as leaders – and that means we are relying on everyone in this county.”
Corcoran mentioned county employees, elected officials, Economic Development, the Budget Management Office, Human Resources, judges, Safety…. and others in attendance. She cited social service agencies who work with Job & Family Services, the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce, and the Kiwanis Club.
“I just love that everyone comes together,” she said.
After the reorganization meeting, Corcoran was sworn in for a second four-year term.
Photo: (from left) Husband Jeff Corcoran, son Keegan Corcoran, daughter-in-law Amber Corcoran, daughter Kelsi Corcoran, and Commissioner Claire Corcoran.
Claire Corcoran says she looks forward to her second four-year term on the Board of County Commissioners and believes Commissioners will spearhead a collaborative effort to keep Clermont County moving ahead. She will be Vice President of the Comission.
Corcoran, has lived in Goshen Township since 2001. From 1974-1988, she worked in the Division of Domestic Relations for Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, where she was a manager focusing on home and child support investigations.
From 1988 to 2008, Corcoran worked as a supervisor and manager for Hamilton County Job & Family Services, responsible for a number of projects. From 2012-2015, she served as a Goshen Township Trustee, and from October 2015 through January 2016, as the interim township administrator. Corcoran also served on the Goshen Local School District Board from 2008-2011.
“We have accomplished a lot in the last four years,” she said. “And we will achieve much more in the future as we all do our part to keep the progress going.”
Photo: (from left) Husband Jeff Corcoran, son Keegan Corcoran, daughter-in-law Amber Corcoran, daughter Kelsi Corcoran and Commissioner Claire Corcoran
The Board of County Commissioners also made designations about service on a number of boards and committees:
• Board of Revisions, Batchler
• Automatic Data Processing, Corcoran
• Investment Advisory, Batchler
• Investment Advisory, Painter
• Records Commission (chairperson), Batchler
• Area 12 Chief Elected Official Consortium, Painter
* Area 12 Chief Elected Official Consortium (alternate), Corcoran
• Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments Executive Committee, Painter
• Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments Executive Committee (alternate), Batchler
• Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District Policy Committee, John McManus
• Tax Incentive Review Council, Painter
* Tax Incentive Review Council, Michael McNamara and Greg Bickford
* Prevailing Wage Coordinator, Mary Rains
• County Commissioners Association of Ohio Official Voting Representative, Painter
• Family & Children First Council, Corcoran
• Land Bank, Batchler
• Land Bank, Painter
• Planning Commission (alternate), Andrew Lawrence
• Jeff Harris was reappointed as county apiary inspector.
Batavia, Ohio – Claire Corcoran, President of the Board of County Commissioners, today announced the selection of Stephanie Hemmer-Haight by the Clermont County Board of Elections as their new director effective today. She will replace Director Julia Carney, who has accepted a position as Assistant Clermont County Prosecutor.
A news release issued this afternoon said that after considering “several impressive candidates”, the selection committee recommended Hemmer-Haight to the full board in today’s meeting. The board unanimously approved her as the new director.
“We wish Stephanie Hemmer-Haight the best in this very important role,” Corcoran said. “We feel fortunate to have such an experienced and well-rounded selection for this position.”
Hemmer-Haight received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Wilmington College and her Master’s Degree as an Intervention Specialist from Antioch University. She has been a county election official for nine years and has organized and led training for many of the county’s poll workers. She resides in Milford with her husband Michael Haight and their dog Pistol.
Currently, secretary of the Milford Fire Department Board, she is also involved with veteran’s organizations, American Legion Fish Fries, and the Republican Executive Committee.
Batavia, Ohio – The Board of County Commissioners voted on Tuesday to end a State of Emergency that had been declared on March 18, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The action was taken in concert with State of Ohio, which ended its State of Emergency on June 18.
The emergency declaration, along with a previous resolution delegating disaster functions in event of an absence of a quorum of the board, spelled out a succession of leadership and the authority of the county administrator in an emergency. It also exempted from the competitive bidding process purchases related to the emergency that were greater than $50,000 but less than $100,000, so long as no fewer than three informal estimates were obtained. The declaration also allowed the county to obtain state and federal funds.
Pam Haverkos, director of the Clermont County Emergency Management Agency, thanked the commissioners for their support throughout the pandemic.
“Clermont County has definitely proved that we are a really resilient community – and that’s a result of the relationships we have built, the collaborations amongst our public safety partners, public health department, healthcare providers, local government agencies, social service agencies, schools, non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations and residents,” Haverkos said.
“Response and recovery to a pandemic truly requires the ingenuity of the whole community,” she added.
Haverkos thanked Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit and Clermont County Public Health for their tireless work, often done behind the scenes.
“They are the backbone of our response and recovery operations,” Haverkos said.
Clermont County held its first preparedness meeting on Jan. 31, 2020. The county officially opened its emergency operations center on March 16, 2020. Initially, the emergency operations team met daily and it gradually transitioned into weekly COVID Defense Team meetings.
In January, an emergency hotline number (732-8500) was activated to facilitate access to vaccines. The number has received almost 17,000 calls. It remains in service.
Public Health has administered 36,632 vaccinations. Combined with vaccinations from other providers, about 45 percent of the county’s residents have received at least one dose and 41 percent have completed their vaccines.
Vaccinations continue for those ages 12 and older.
“We can’t thank your staff enough and the whole health department for coordination from the very beginning all of the way through – daily updates and keeping everyone posted, most of all taking care of the citizens of Clermont County,” said Claire Corcoran, President, Board of County Commissioners. “What a tremendous, tremendous job all of you did.”
“Every communication meeting there for a while seemed like there was always new information, a new change of direction,” Commissioner David Painter said. “It really was a changing environment where you had to adapt. We realize how stressful that was.”
Commissioner Bonnie Batchler added: “You and your staff are always there in every emergency in Clermont County. From my heart, I thank you for what you have always done.”
Loveland, Ohio – Clermont County Public Health and the University of Cincinnati Clermont College are partnering to open a new COVID-19 vaccination site at the Student Activities Center on the college’s Batavia campus.
The vaccination site will open on Saturday, March 13. Appointments must be scheduled. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
The new site will more than double the number of people who can be vaccinated in one day by the health department. Public Health has been vaccinating up to 300 people per day to date; the new site will accommodate 600 or more people per day.
Clermont County Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit
The quantity of the vaccine that Public Health receives weekly has increased from about 200 doses during the first week of February to more than 1,200 doses during the first week of March.
“We’re looking forward to working with UC Clermont to get more of our residents vaccinated,” said Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit. “Throughout this pandemic, we have relied on many of our community partners along the way, and this latest partnership will benefit the entire county. We’re grateful that UC has stepped up to provide the much-needed space.”
“We are excited to partner with Clermont County Public Health to provide the space for this critical service to the community,” said UC Clermont Dean Jeff Bauer. “The vaccination effort is crucial to guiding us out of the pandemic, and we are proud to be able to help.”
How to register
To register for an appointment, residents can use the new online scheduling site, which can be found at https://ccphohio.org/covid-19-vaccine-info/. Anyone without internet access can call 513-735-8500 for assistance with scheduling an appointment.
Currently, any Ohio resident aged 50 or older is eligible to be vaccinated. Other groups that are eligible include people with certain congenital medical conditions, law enforcement officers, childcare workers and funeral services employees. The full list of eligible people can be found online at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine.
Batavia, Ohio – Caleb Peterson has been appointed Dog Warden by the Board of County Commissioners. Peterson pledged to operate the Clermont County Animal Shelter as a no-kill facility, according to a release by the County.
Caleb Peterson
Commissioner David Painter said, “Clermont County has a unique need to ensure that we do everything that we can to save the lives of animals unless it is absolutely medically non-viable, or because of temperamental disposition the dogs can’t be retrained, and after an attempt has been made to be able to rehome these animals.”
Peterson said, “A 90-percent save rate would qualify as a no-kill shelter and that is absolutely the goal and how we intend to move forward.”
Peterson served as Senior Animal Services Officer for the city of Memphis, Tenn., for more than two years before relocating to the area with his wife, doing a residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He supervised 15 other officers while investigating allegations of cruelty, neglect and abandonment.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of Tennessee.
Bonnie Batchler, Claire Corcoran, and David Painter
Batavia, Ohio – Claire Corcoran (middle in photo) on Jan. 11 was elected President of the Board of County Commissioners by commissioners Bonnie Batchler and David Painter, who was chosen as Vice President.
The board established Wednesdays as well as the second and fourth Mondays of the month (for the first six months) as their regular meeting days.
She brings 19 years of experience as a Pierce Township trustee, the past eight as president of the Clermont County Township Association.
Her background also includes a 14-year stint as the EMS Chief of the Pierce Township Volunteer Fire Department. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Clermont County Community Services and the Senior Service Housing Board. She is a member of the Clermont County Law Enforcement Appreciation Selection Committee and the Ohio Public Works Commission grant committee.
Batchler fills a position vacated after three-term Commissioner Ed Humphrey decided not to seek re-election.
Batchler said public safety remains a top priority. She cited her years in public safety and the fact that two of her daughter-in-laws are police officers.
Transportation and economic development also rank high on her priority list.
“You’ve got to have good roads to have good economic development,” she said. “I have been amazed at what the county has been able to do with economic development this past year, with Nestle Purina and other openings. Just look at what will happen when the pandemic is not around.”
In addition to her career in public services, Batchler possesses 43 years of experience working in private industry. After seven years at Cintas, she embarked on a 36-year career at Senco Products. She retired as a Senior Credit Analyst.
She grew up in the town of Bethel. In May, she celebrates 26 years of marriage to her husband Mike, owner of Batchler Heating Services. They have two children and seven grandchildren.
Batavia, Ohio – Clermont County says that in 2021, the average residential water and sewer bills (due every two months) will increase by $5.88. These are changes recommended by the NewGen Strategies & Solutions consulting firm. Approval by the Board of County Commissioners is expected at their Dec. 28 meeting.
According to the County, the annual rate increases are projected to increase revenue 9.5 percent for water and 3 percent for sewer and will help pay for ongoing replacement of an “aging” treatment, distribution and collection system as well as regular maintenance and operation.
“We pride ourselves in providing affordable water and sewer rates,” said Lyle Bloom, the director of the Clermont County Water Resources Department. He noted that sewer rates are currently less than the 1993 rates and the last water rate increase came in 2015.
Clermont County “by far has the lowest water and sewer rates in Southwest Ohio” according to NewGen. You can read their report HERE.
You can contact the Clermont County Water Resources Division
Batavia, Ohio – Unable to negotiate a contract with the sole bidder for animal shelter services, the Board of County Commissioners rejected the Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society’s (CACHS) proposal for 2021-2023.
Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society had requested a yearly contract of $848,726, more than double the current contract of $419,000.
According to a press release, Clermont County had countered with a $500,000 proposal, based on the research of what neighboring counties pay for animal services.
“The County has rejected our bid to continue running the Clermont County Animal Shelter at a 98% no-kill status in favor of running it themselves,” said a statement issued by CACHS. “The funding they offered failed to cover even basic services for dogs and provided no money for cats. We’re unable to continue financially supporting the County’s significant shortfall. So, it’s with great pain that we’ve made the decision to withdraw services from Clermont County.”
Commissioners stated that they are committed to a clean and well-maintained animal shelter that maintains a low euthanasia (or no-kill) philosophy. The County said that they want to keep the momentum going since first committing to keeping a low euthanasia rate in 2015.
According to the press release, In 2020, the County is paying $419,000 to CACHS, which was an increase over the $310,000 called for in the third year of the contract. The County also provides a 10,000 square-foot shelter at no charge. The shelter receives revenue from the Dog and Kennel Fund as well as a contribution from the County’s General Fund.
According to a statement by the County, “When adding in the costs of the shelter, its utilities and upkeep, the county’s funding is competitive to similar-sized counties.”
Now that the county has abandoned further negotiations they say they intend to provide a “top-quality animal shelter going forward.” The County plans to hire its own staff and continue to encourage the adoption and fostering of pets.
David Painter
“It was unfortunate that we were unable to get a contract with Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society,” said David Painter, President, Board of County Commissioners. “I want to thank all members of CACHS for a job well done providing animal care for the citizens of Clermont County.”
“It’s very unfortunate that we cannot come to agreement with an organization that has provided quality service over the past three years,” Commissioner Ed Humphrey said. “When we’re getting into budget reserves, we simply can’t afford to spend another $400,000 – especially when they were able to provide services at about the rate that was offered.”
Commissioner Claire Corcoran said: “In moving to the future, I’m dedicated to providing the best care possible in our shelter.”
CACHS says on their website, “Our hearts ache for a community of animals and people who now face an uncertain future.”
In a further statement, CACHS said, “We are crushed by the decision of the county to opt out of a humane society partnership that has paid dividends for Clermont County residents and animals and brought elite, nationally-recognized no-kill animal sheltering to the county.”
In a pop-up statement on their web site, Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society says, “We need your help to find forever homes for all the animals in the shelter. The County has made it clear they will only provide services for dogs within the state mandated 3 day stray hold effective January 1st.”
CACHS:What Exactly Happened?
Clermont animal services have been underfunded for decades. When Clermont Animal CARE signed a contract for $310,000 to begin services in January 2018, we assumed the money provided by the contract and offered by the county as the “estimated budget for services” covered the services required in the contract. We were wrong.
After 3 years of running the animal shelter at its highest level in county history and maintaining a 98% no-kill status, we uncovered that the county budget was woefully low. The money from the county was not even covering basic services and our humane society funds were being pulled every month to fill the gap. This shortfall left our humane society budget in the negative every month – financials that were reported to the county every quarter. We brought this to the attention of the county in the summer of 2019 and after several months of disagreements, we were given a small increase but were then asked to pay for building expenses that we, nor the previous operators, were not required to pay previously. Expenses that are outlined in the Ohio Revised Code as the responsibility of the county.
To run the Clermont County shelter at a 98% no kill level, it takes a budget of approximately $1.3 million to attract and keep exceptional staff and Animal Control officers, pay for lifesaving medical procedures, and provide community support. It costs money to save animals and the $848,000 we asked the county for is to cover the cost of the basic dog warden services they are obligated to provide per Ohio Revised Code 955, (at an average salary of $16/hr for our staff). Everything else? We’ll cover that with our humane society operational funds, donations and grant funding.
CACHS: What is No Kill?
Clermont County, as is their right per local ordinances and state law, is under no obligation to fund anything other than stray dog services. Services for owner-surrendered animals, keeping dogs alive past the 3 or 14-day stray hold, and any services for cats, are not required. That didn’t stop Clermont Animal CARE from providing those services – and WE’RE NOT ASKING THE COUNTY TO PAY FOR THAT. We will continue to do so, provided that they pay, for the first time ever, a fair budget for the services they are contracting for. We will help Clermont maintain the lifesaving we’ve achieved over the past 3 years and hold true to our calling of saving every savable animal.
If the county itself will be taking over the shelter on January 1st, with county employees assigned the task of carrying out basic county ordinances and obligations, what happens to pets whose owners can no longer keep them? What happens to stray dogs on Day 4? Will the county simply not take them in? Will stray dogs be given a chance at a live outcome after 4 days? What happens to cats? Will the citizens of Clermont just have to deal with seeing sick, injured, inbred cats with no options for helping them? Will the people of Clermont carry the burden of trying to find funding for vet care, transporting to spay and neuter clinics for TNR, or hope to get lucky that just one of the rescues or private shelters they call has the space available to say yes? We cannot imagine looking at the very people who elected you into your position and saying “too bad, we aren’t required to do anything to help you.”
CACHS: What Happens Next?
The county’s proposed staffing model and budget leave us highly concerned about their commitment to no-kill animal services. Simply put, they do not have the staff, expertise, industry network or money to keep Clermont’s no-kill levels where they are. Levels that they purport to be committed to – but if you’ll notice, they never mention cats in their reference to “no kill sheltering”. And it is alarming to us that in their very first move of taking over operations, we were informed in an email from County Administrator Tom Eigel dated 12/8/20 that the county will only take responsibility for dogs in the 3 or 14 day hold periods as of December 31, 2020. All dogs and other animals are the responsibility of the Society. So what they are saying is that any dog in the shelter prior to December 29th, any animal that was surrendered, and all cats currently in our care do not have a place in the county shelter beginning January 1st. That’s not the way No-Kill works.
Stay strong, Clermont County. Together, we have shown what can be done to save lives in our community. Clermont Animal CARE is still fully committed to continuing our work as the county animal services provider, but it’s time to say “no more” to underfunded budgets, undervalued services and taking advantage of the goodwill of the humane society and those in the community that care about animals.
It’s hard to get anyone to agree about anything in today’s political climate, but animals unite people across all backgrounds and party lines. The lives of these animals hang in the balance. If this is important to you, we encourage you to respectfully share your thoughts with your elected officials and ask them if they can spare 0.014% of their $85M surplus to fund elite lifesaving animal services with fair wages for the staff on the front lines.
