Loveland, OH- On Monday, December 4th, Loveland City Council held elections for mayor and vice-mayor. After months without a mayor following Mark Fitzgerald’s resignation, Loveland unanimously voted 5-0 to elect Kathy Bailey as mayor and Rob Weisgerber as vice-mayor. Former vice-mayor Angie Settell refused to vote as she “could not remain impartial”.
The packed city council meeting saw a handful of regular attendees move from the audience to the governing body. Neal Oury, Tim Butler, Ted Phelps and Rob Weisgerber were victors in the November election. Weisgerber and Phelps, as a result, retained their council seat. The meeting began by swearing in newly elected members Oury, Butler and Weisgerber into office.
Tim Butler speaks with his wife before the meeting
Butler accepts his council seat
A packed city hall claps
Neal Oury accepts his council seat
Ted Phelps accepts his council seat
Rob Weisgerber accepts his council seat
Previous mayor Angie Settell
Kathy Bailey accepts role as mayor
Bailey gives an acceptance speech
Bailey, gavel in hand, begins role as mayor
Rob Weisgerber accepts role as vice mayor
Weisgerber gives an acceptance speech
Bailey signs a document in order to secure her position as mayor of Loveland
Pamela Gross and Stephen Zagamias were defeated in their bid to be re-elected. Since Mark Fitzgerald’s resignation on August 14th, Loveland has operated without a mayor. Previous vice-mayor Angie Settell called the meeting to order and immediately addressed the open mayoral seat and called for nominations; Bailey was the only nomination. She was approved by five members of the council with Settell refusing to vote.
Bailey has been a Loveland resident for 22 years and raised children in the city. Bailey has been an assistant prosecuting attorney for Hamilton County since 1992. She has a B.A in sociology with a focus on criminology from Miami University and attended the J.D. University of Cincinnati College of Law.
Bailey will miss her first meeting as mayor (and the first missed meeting since being elected to council) to pick up her daughter, Kaitlyn, from Ft. Sill in Oklahoma where she is completing advanced millitary training.
“We are all here because we love serving this city. I’m honored to be given the opportunity now to serve your city as your mayor,” Mayor Bailey said in her acceptance speech.
The council seat of former mayor Mark Fitzgerald will remain vacant after newly elected members take office on Monday, December 4. They will appoint a new mayor who can then nominate someone for the remaining two-years of Fitzgerald’s term.
Eight people ran for election to the council on November 7 for four open seats and Andy Bateman received the 5th most number of votes. Have the voters spoken? Should Bateman get a seat on City Council?
CITY OF LOVELAND COUNCIL (Includes Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties)
4 to be elected – 4 year term
Andy Bateman – 901
Tim Butler – 2009
Pamela Gross – 799
Barry Kuhn – 704
Neal Oury – 1912
Ted Phelps – 1875
Rob Weisgerber – 1833
Stephen G. Zamagias – 341
Andy Bateman – 347 E. Loveland Ave.
Clermont County Votes – 193
Hamilton County Votes – 610
Warren County Votes – 98
Total Votes – 901
Tim Butler – 1102 Hickory Ridge Ln.
Clermont County Votes – 454
Hamilton County Votes – 1370
Warren County Votes – 185
Total Votes – 2009
*Pamela Gross – 343 Huntington Dr.
Clermont County Votes – 139
Hamilton County Votes – 571
Warren County Votes – 89
Total Votes – 799
Barry Kuhn – 806 Kenmar Dr.
Clermont County Votes – 139
Hamilton County Votes – 509
Warren County Votes – 56
Total Votes – 704
Neal Oury – 401 Lowell St.
Clermont County Votes – 483
Hamilton County Votes – 1254
Warren County Votes – 175
Total Votes – 1912
*Ted Phelps – 137 Pheasantlake Dr.
Clermont County Votes – 436
Hamilton County Votes – 1263
Warren County Votes – 176
Total Votes – 1875
*Rob Weisgerber – 240 E. Loveland Ave.
Clermont County Votes – 435
Hamilton County Votes – 1230
Warren County Votes – 168
Total Votes – 1833
*Stephen G. Zamagias – 212 Thomas Paxton Ct. Zamagias was appointed to serve the unexpired term of Linda Cox after her resignation.
Clermont County Votes – 66
Hamilton County Votes – 238
Warren County Votes – 37
Total Votes – 341
*Incumbant
(The unexpired term term (till 12/02/2019) of Mark Fitzgerald has yet to be filled). Fitzgerald resigned on 8/14/17 rather than face a recall election this November. The other members of the current council whose terms expire in 12/02/2019 are, Angie Settell and Kathy Bailey.
LOVELAND CITY SCHOOL BOARD (Includes Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties)
3 to be elected – 4 year term
Michele N. Pettit – 2953
Ned Portune – 2961
Eileen Washburn – 2963
Dave Blumberg (Write-In Candidate)* – 403
*We will report on election night how many write in votes were received. It is not until the official count that we will have a true total of “valid” write in votes.
The other members of the current Board whose terms expire in 12/31/19 are, Kathryn Lorenz, Ph.D. and Art Jarvis. Tim Taggart was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Linda Pennington. The term ends after this November’s election. This Board position is one of the open seats you see above (3 to be elected – 4 year term).
HAMILTON COUNTY ISSUES
ALCOHOL, DRUG ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Links associated with a candidate’s name are to the Candidate Statement provided to Loveland Magazine. Go HERE to read all of Loveland Magazine’s Election News PUBLISHED IN 2016 – 2017
Mary Ann Lynn says, “Let’s keep the positive momentum going.”
by Mary Ann Lynn
Earlier this year, 2,000 Loveland residents voiced their distrust and lack of confidence in then-Mayor Mark Fitzgerald by signing a petition for his recall. If Loveland voters want to continue the progress started with the recall effort, we must elect individuals who are committed to change the way Loveland City Council conducts business.
Council candidates Rob Weisgerber, Neal Oury, Ted Phelps and Tim Butler deserve your vote on November 7. Each is committed to lead our city with transparency, resident engagement and collaboration. Incumbent candidates Weisgerber and Phelps have served our city with unwavering integrity and dedication,
Council candidates Rob Weisgerber, Neal Oury, Ted Phelps and Tim Butler deserve your vote on November 7.
and have consistently displayed respect for Loveland residents and our city’s laws/charter. Newcomers Butler and Oury bring new ideas and fresh perspectives, but with the same commitment to ethics and greater effectiveness. That’s why these four candidates have been endorsed by two community organizations – Neighbors for Loveland and the Loveland Community Heartbeat PAC.
Let’s keep the positive momentum going. Let’s get back to working together – Loveland City Council, residents, community organizations and the chamber of commerce – to make good things happen! Please vote for Weisgerber, Oury, Phelps and Butler for Loveland City Council.
On December 15, 2016, a Loveland City Hall newsletter was sent to residents announcing, “Downtown Development on the Horizon.”
The announcement continued, “Thus in 2017, the plan is for the current City Hall to be demolished. The planned replacement (elevation renderings shown above) is a four story building.“
The story sounded a little fishy to Loveland Magazine as we keep a pretty close eye on City Hall and we had never heard of the proposal, let alone how it could be a done deal. Also to be sure we did not miss something we researched past meeting minutes and found no council vote… no discussion… nothing. Someone at City Hall had written a story that wasn’t true, yet that didn’t stop the Loveland Herald from running with the story. Why wouldn’t they, they would not know better as they had stopped attending Loveland Council meetings years ago. Never-the-less, the Herald was able to gather enough quotes to write about the imminent demolition of Loveland’s City Hall.
Loveland Magazine never reported the story because we knew it was not true.
The newsletter and the Herald story fit the textbook definition of “fake news”, except it wasn’t going to end up being “fake” if City Hall could get away with the backroom scheming it took to hatch the plan. Many residents had different ideas.
The other things residents became aware of was the sudden announcement to impose very high fees and severe restrictions for community groups holding public events. Many residents had different ideas.
Add to that, the announcement that Donna Bednar would not be re-appointed to the Loveland Beautification Committee, and the subsequent resignation of all but one member.
Add to all of this upheaval was when behind City Hall’s closed doors a decision was made to “Trademark” the name Christmas in Loveland and the surprise announcement that City Hall had usurped the event that belonged to the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance.
It’s where the hashtag, “#lovelandtransparency” comes from.
This is where the stories below start and will give readers a final chance to catch up on our City Hall reporting (including the successful re-call effort of the sitting mayor) before they go to vote next Tuesday. These are resident views, candidate views, and some of the legal challenges both residents and council members faced this past year.
These stories below appear in the order they were published – oldest to newest.
Tim Butler is running for a seat on Loveland City Council
by Tim Butler,
We are all proud of our hometown of Loveland, Ohio. We have a dynamic downtown right on the Little Miami River, the bustling Loveland Bike Path, the gateway Nisbet Park, and a rich architectural history. We have energized neighborhoods with engaged citizens of many professions and skills. We have high-quality public and private schools and dedicated teachers and administrators. All these things and much more make Loveland a great place to live and work.
Loveland deserves a City Council which reflects the greatness of our community. We deserve elected leaders who enhance our City’s reputation, adhere to the City Charter, and perform the business of the people in the light of day, not the dark of night. We can do better. We must do better.
I’m asking for your vote for Loveland City Council. My commitment is to encourage and seek out community participation in Council decisions and to bring transparency and unity to our local government. I will work with our City government to manage the City’s fiscal affairs responsibly, and to continue the development of downtown and other Loveland neighborhoods while preserving our City’s historic heritage. The most viable way to attract development in this competitive environment is when potential businesses know they are dealing with a functional, honest, and reasonable City Council. I will encourage and enhance relationships between City Council, our business community, and Loveland schools.
The most viable way to attract development in this competitive environment is when potential businesses know they are dealing with a functional, honest, and reasonable City Council.
Most important, I pledge to bring reasonable, rational discussion and open, honest debate to our governing process and to provide a full opportunity for community dialogue and participation.
I’m a practicing litigation and employment law attorney and 28-year resident of Pheasant Hills. My wife and I raised five children in this community. I’ve served on City Council committees and serve as a lector and in various committees at St. Margaret of York. I consider public service in elected office the highest honor my fellow citizens can bestow. If elected, I will treat my position as a Council member as a public service, not as an opportunity for self-promotion or petty politics.
Walking the neighborhoods of Loveland these past few months, I’ve met hundreds of citizens and discussed your interests and concerns. Our citizens are interested, knowledgeable, engaged, and excited about this election and the issues and challenges facing our City. We have a unique opportunity to meet the needs of the City of Loveland today and to imagine and plan the Loveland of tomorrow for ourselves and our children.
I request your vote and invite you to join me in providing an open, responsive, and positive City Council to the citizens of Loveland. You deserve it.
Lynn Oury is the wife of Loveland City Council candidate, Neal Oury
by Lynn Oury,
My husband, Neal Oury of 34 years, was born and raised in Loveland, and graduated from Loveland Hurst High School in 1975. We currently live in the home Neal built 30 years ago, and where we have raised our two children. Neal has been active in our community, volunteering his time with several organizations and has served on previous city committees. Neal is currently the Material Sales Manager for Eads Fence Co. and the manager of our downtown local business; Loveland Hardware General Store. It is there that he hones his skills; that of organization, vision for the future of the company, hard work, and excellent customer service. As well, Neal is not afraid to get in the trenches and face conflict.
I am proud of his tenacity to overcome struggles, as well as his sense of teamwork to help others.
Neal has a big heart. He cares about his family, friends and community. Neal has a common sense approach to problem solving. As well, he will seek the wisdom of others whom he respects to gain understanding and knowledge. These attributes, as well as those listed above, are endearing to me. I am proud of his tenacity to overcome struggles, as well as his sense of teamwork to help others.
If elected, Neal will bring these attributes and skill sets to our Loveland City Council. Neal has a vision of vast community input, and a Loveland that includes a more cooperative and respectful City Council.
Please Vote for my husband, Neal Oury for Loveland City Council on November 7th!
My family and I have witnessed first hand all of the sacrifices my dad, Rob Weisgerber, has made for the betterment of the city he loves and its over 12,000 residents. Nothing he has done in last 20 years has been self serving. He has given up time with family and friends. He has come home early from vacations. He has missed games and practices. Do I wish he were at those events? Of course. But I couldn’t be prouder. I knew he was missing those things because he truly cared about Loveland and what happened to it and its citizens.
He has weathered all of the recent verbal abuse, lies, attacks and back stabbing with such dignity. He is an amazing example of what a husband, father and grandfather should be. My dad is honest and upfront. He has ALWAYS made decisions while on council not thinking “how does this benefit me?”, but “how does this benefit the people of Loveland?”. He is the smartest man I know and the citizens of The Sweetheart of Ohio are lucky to have had him working for them all of these years and for the years to come.
If the residents didn’t want him on council, they wouldn’t have voted for him time and time again.
A common sentiment I hear over and over is that Loveland City Council needs “fresh faces” and a “new start”. In my opinion, I would rather have someone advocating for me that has an established background and has the experience of 20 years of service, than someone “fresh” who doesn’t understand the processes or what has worked (or hasn’t worked) in the past. After all, when starting a new job, don’t we all seek out the people who have been there the longest for help and advice?
I also believe my dad has a lot more to bring to the table than just his experience as someone who has seen the ups and downs of Loveland politics. While having this past knowledge is something no other candidate can offer, it’s not the only aspect of his campaign that should be focused upon. He has, and will continue to come up with new, creative and cost effective ways to serve the citizens of Loveland.
Another common “argument” is that my dad is part of some “political machine” that has had the power to solely run the city of Loveland for the last two decades. Because of this, some think term limits need to be enacted to help give everyone a chance to be on council. If the residents didn’t want him on council, they wouldn’t have voted for him time and time again. Proper credit needs to be given to the people who have been happy with the hard work and intelligence he has brought and will continue to bring to Loveland politics.
My whole life, my dad has imbued a work ethic in me and my brothers that he has shown through and through during his time on council:
“If something is worth doing, do it to the best of your ability”
“Always do what is right, as opposed to what is easy”
“No shortcuts, take pride in your work”
The City of Loveland is lucky to have someone like Rob Weisgerber working tirelessly to improve all aspects of life for those who live, work and visit.
I am so blessed to have him as a role model in my life, and the lives of my children, and I am proud to share him with all 12,000 of you.
Former mayor and Loveland Valentine Lady, Linda Cox
Loveland, Ohio – The official dedication ceremony for the Linda J. Cox Trailside Parking Area will be held on Friday, November 3, at 4:30 PM. The parking area is located on East Broadway Avenue near the bike trail and Loveland Canoe and Kayak.
The City was awarded a grant in the amount of $295,500 from the State Capital Budget to construct the parking area, which has 125 public parking spaces with easy access to the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail. Several trees at the site were purchased through Loveland Magazine’s Tree Corps tree sale.
On September 13, 2016, City Council named the parking area after life-long resident, and former mayor and Loveland Valentine Lady, Linda Cox. The parking area includes a flag recently installed by Josh Badzik as part of his Eagle Scout Project.
We promise the best customer service, and beyond a doubt, the best selection of merchandise in the area Pizazz Studio is a whimsical gift shop in Historic Downtown Loveland.
Jonathan Goolsby says voters should consider voting for his friend Andy Bateman for Loveland City Council
by Jonathan Goolsby,
A few months back, my phone rang. I saw it was my friend, Andy Bateman.
Normally, we’ll just text; if he was calling, he had something important to say, so naturally I picked right up.
The usual buddy chit-chat, then the crux:
“I’m thinking about running for Loveland city council. What do you think?”
“I’m thinking about running for Loveland city council. What do you think?”
“I think you’d be a great candidate, Bateman,” I said.
And I meant it, too.
Before I tell you why I think so, I want to be up front about something, because I don’t want there to be any appearance of impropriety: I don’t live in the city of Loveland right now.
My folks do, and many of my friends do, so I maintain a deep interest in what goes on economically, socially, politically — heck, even on the high school ballfield — in my hometown.
And, for some time now, I’ve been thinking about moving back.
Like a lot of people my age, who grew up in Loveland, all I ever wanted to do was get out and see other, bigger places.
Well, now I’ve seen ‘em. Lived in a few. And I’ve learned that there’s absolutely something to be said for coming back home to the tranquil, gorgeous Little Miami Valley.
I’m still somewhat active in the Loveland Stage Company. I visit my parents and my friends out there once every couple of weeks or so. I hit up the Whippy Dip. Sometimes, I work from the Starbucks out on Loveland-Madeira.
But when I read and hear about strife and incivility in council chambers — between councilmembers, between councilmembers and the citizens they serve, and yes, between citizens themselves — I think twice about that yielding to that homeward pull.
I don’t like seeing my people at each other’s throats. And if that’s the way folks are gonna operate on a day-in, day-out basis, well, you can count me out. I value my serenity.
But I don’t think I have a monopoly on that.
I think most folks value peace and positive cooperation. It’s just that tensions have been running high — not only in Loveland, but throughout our nation — and people are trapped in cycles of frantic reactivity, when they should be fostering measured, rational proactivity.
They’ve forgotten to listen to each other. They’ve become convinced that government should be a zero-sum game.
“But Andy Bateman isn’t that kind of guy.”
But Andy Bateman isn’t that kind of guy.
How do I know? He and I have been great friends for over 20 years. And friendships don’t last that long if one or the other party is intractably rigid.
“So, you know about everything that’s been going on with Council, right?,” he asked me.
“Lord, yes.”
I was shaking my head on the other end of the line. He knew I was, too, because he sort of chuckled.
“That’s why I want to run. I want to listen to people.”
Now, pause and let that sink in for a minute:
“How many thirtysomethings volunteer with their local historical societies? How many go to city council meetings? How many still use the library for something other than Facebooking?”
A candidate who believes his primary responsibility on Council would be to listen.
Not to preach. Not to adhere to one ideology or another. Not to talk down to people he doesn’t completely agree with. Not to ram pet projects through without regard to other peoples’ feelings.
To listen to people.
And to take what he hears and use that to shape his decision-making. To act conscientiously, candidly and respectfully.
Good night, are we talking about actual democracy here?
“Yeah, man, I just think that people don’t listen to each other enough. I think there’s a real need for it here.”
“Bate, you gotta run. Seriously.”
“I am. I just wanted to know if you thought it was a good idea.”
“I think it’s a great idea. And I think others will, too.”
Look, I get it. He’s my friend. Maybe you think I’m just making an impassioned plea to you on his behalf on that lone basis.
Sure, Andy Bateman and I played in the Loveland High School marching band together. We acted in the same school plays. We ate lunch at the same cafeteria table nearly every day (and I can assure you, he was just as interested in local history, politics and service to other back then — it’s what he talked about).
We ran around town making silly video projects, driving maybe a bit too fast, listening to music maybe a bit too loud. Like most small-town kids, we raised a bit of good-natured, light-hearted hell in our time.
“But having watched Andy grow up — and having grown up with him — over the past 20 years, I can tell you that he has rare qualities.”
But having watched Andy grow up — and having grown up with him — over the past 20 years, I can tell you that he has rare qualities.
He has a candid, open nature. If you talk with him, he’s consistently interested in knowing what you’re thinking, but he’ll tell you what he’s thinking, too. And you’ll know what he’s telling you is the truth.
He’s flexible. I’ve never known Andy to be entrenched or dogmatic in his views. He’s a classic pragmatist. You disagree with him? Tell him why. Show him evidence. He’ll reason with you, and he’s always open to compromise.
When he makes mistakes, he owns them. Andy takes personal responsibility to learn from mistakes and make positive changes. Best of all, he doesn’t tend to repeat them.
“When he makes mistakes, he owns them. Andy takes personal responsibility to learn from mistakes and make positive changes. Best of all, he doesn’t tend to repeat them.”
He’s someone who has never stopped being curious about the world around him and who’s never stopped learning. He’s not afraid to move forward.
But he’s also well-grounded.
How many thirtysomethings volunteer with their local historical societies? How many go to city council meetings? How many still use the library for something other than Facebooking?
Not many.
But that’s Bate. What you see is what you get. You deserve a representative like him.
On Tuesday, November 7th, I hope you’ll vote for my friend, Andrew Bateman, for Loveland City Council.
![[POLL] Should Andy Bateman be appointed to City Council?](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/andy-batenam-appointment.jpg)
by Peter Weisgerber,
