Loveland Magazine

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News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Tag: council

  • Barry Kuhn’s Campaign Statement

    Barry Kuhn’s Campaign Statement

    EDITOR’S NOTE:
    Barry Kuhn is a candidate for Loveland City Council and provided this Candidate Statement to Loveland Magazine.
     

    Loveland Magazine invites all candidates for public office in the 45140 zip code or within the Loveland City School District boundary to send a similar Candidate Statement for publication. Send to lovelandmagazine@cinci.rr.com

     

    My name is Barry Kuhn, and I’d like your vote for Loveland City Council on November, 7th.

    I have been a resident of Loveland for over 40 years. This has allowed me to see the progress our city has made over the years in making Loveland a place where people are want to live, and raise their families. I am involved in several local organizations, and feel that I have a good understanding of the things that our citizens want from their local government. My experience of the last few years serving on the city’s Finance Committee has exposed me to the budget process, and where our tax dollars are being spent. I am also the Vice-Chairperson on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Serving the city in this capacity has allowed me to develop strong working relationships with the various departments in City Hall. My experience in the business world has allowed me to develop leadership skills, and the ability to partner with different groups in working towards our goals. I am also an effective communicator. I plan on leveraging all my experience in making myself successful as a member of City Council.

    Our city has gone through some tough political issues this year. My top priority will be increasing the amount of communication between City Council and our residents. I will be looking for opportunities to expand resident participation in decisions that are made regarding city owned land development, city policies or ordinances that effect organizations or businesses, and other matters that directly impact them. My goal would be to hold quarterly or semi-annual town meetings so that a dialog can occur outside of City Council chambers. This will allow our residents an opportunity to have their voices heard and have their questions answered. Another priority will be to review the City’s Charter, and its’ ordinances. Our city has changed over the years, and I believe that our Charter may need updating to change with it. I support both the direct election of our city’s Mayor, and term limits for our elected officials. These changes would require a Charter Amendment. City Council should take an active role in ensuring that our Charter is serving the citizens of Loveland. Another top priority would be to repair the relationships between City Council and our local Chamber of Commerce, Farmer’s Market, Amazing Race, and other organizations and businesses that make our city a great place to live. We need to view them as partners, and collaborate with them instead of viewing them as enemies. We’re all in this together, working towards the same goal. Making our city the best that it can be.

    Thanks for your consideration. If you have any questions, or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly at barryk98@gmail.com. 

  • Hamilton County BOE denies protests filed against Gross and Batemen nomination petitions

    Hamilton County BOE denies protests filed against Gross and Batemen nomination petitions

    Norwood, Ohio – Loveland resident Patty Horton-Sandmar filed protests over the nominating petitions to run for City Council of Pam Gross and Andy Bateman. Both candidates had already been certified to be on the Fall ballot, but Horton-Sandmar told the Hamilton County Board of Elections (BOE) this afternoon that the paperwork the pair submitted had fatal flaws because they did not follow the letter of the law..

    At the BOE hearing today the Board overruled Horton-Sandmar’s protest in both cases.

    Horton-Sandmar alleged that the address of one of Gross’ five nominating committee members was wrong. The address listed according to Horton-Sandmar was 274 Shadow Ct. and it should have been 274 Shadow Wood Ct. Gross said it was an innocent error because when she filled out the form she used the address she saw on the “Walking List” of registered voters, a spread sheet provided by the BOE. The BOE determined that if Gross had expanded the spread sheet “cell” she would have seen the entire correct address.

    In the case of Bateman’s petition, Horton-Sandmar alleged that the candidate turned in 83 signatures of registered voters and that was eight more than allowed by the Ohio Revised Code and 33 more than allowed by the Loveland Charter.

    In overruling the protests the BOE determined both petitions were in substantial compliance with election law.

    Below are the protests Horton-Sandmar submitted to the BOE, and the response Gross submitted. Bateman did not file a written response however did explain his position at today’s hearing. Gross and Horton-Sandmar also testified today at the hearing.

    The hearing was broadcast live on Loveland Magazine’s Facebook page. Go to the -21:40 minute mark to watch the agenda items of interest to Loveland voters.

    Horton-Sandmayr Protest of Pam Gross Petition

    Pam Gross response

    Horton-Sandmayr Protest of Andrew Bateman Petition

    This story was up-dated at 7:15 Am on 8/31/17

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  • Business group seeks transparency during election

    Business group seeks transparency during election

    Loveland, Ohio – Businessman Tim Canada placed a four-inch thick binder on the shelf under the speaker’s podium before speaking at the Loveland Council meeting on August 22 saying he represented several local businesses. He said that since there was so much said during the campaign to recall former Mayor Mark Fitzgerald charging him with not being transparent, he was putting all candidates on notice. He said, “Going forward every candidate and council person will be under scrutiny for transparency.” He said their efforts would also be directed at The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance and the Loveland Community Heartbeat PAC. He said the business people would be speaking for the next eight weeks about transparency – going back to 2007.

    Canada said that Halie Rebeccaschild had used two different names on campaign finance reports submitted to the board of elections that were submitted by the recall campaign committee. He inferred it would be election falsification and that it would be a fifth-degree felony to do so.

    Canada continued saying, “It bothers me to do this, but I am going to do it anyway.” He then went on to talk about a candidate for Council, Neal Oury, outlining past law suits he has been involved in and his personal bankruptcy.

    After Canada made the public statements that were aired on the live Facebook feed of the council meeting by LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV, Rebeccaschild and Oury were asked if they would like to respond to the things said about them by the business group.

    Here are their responses:

    – Halie S. Rebeccaschild

    Loveland Community Heartbeat has amended the filing to correct the error. The mistake was in part due to a name change and the treasurer referencing an account not current with the name change at the time of entry to the ledger. Contrary to Mr. Canada’s suggestion, a filing error does not equate to a felony. According to the Hamilton County Board of Elections Campaign Finance Department, amendments to filings are quite common.

     

    – Neal Oury

    During August 22, 2017, Loveland City Council meeting business owner Tim Canada raised concerns over law suits in which I have been named and my experience with personal bankruptcy. Regardless of Tim’s motive in bringing these to light, I do recognize that as an individual seeking public office, such matters are up for public scrutiny and I will address them directly.

    With regard to the lawsuits mentioned… I’ve spent thirty plus years in the property management and the building and construction business, and sadly, law suits are a reality of these industries. Six of these cases were dismissed due to a lack of grounds; in one action, six suits were filed for back taxes and I was named only as the mortgage holder for properties that I had sold on a land contract. Two suits were decided in my favor. The remaining suits were related to the bankruptcy.

    With regard to my filing for personal bankruptcy… I will be honest it was an extremely difficult time for me and my family, and a situation which I am not eager to talk about. The culmination of the economic downturn in 2008-2010, the housing market and remodeling business depleted to nothing. My mortgage on my business property was with 5/3 Bank who called my mortgage due. Unfortunately, the economy did not recover and the lack of business led to a situation where I was not able to meet my financial obligations. However painful the experience, I took responsibility, made reparations, and continue today following through on my commitment to pay that debt. It has been a long and difficult road, but as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.

    To the degree that Tim felt it necessary to bring these events to light for the sake of transparency, as was demanded of Mark Fitzgerald during the recall drive, I will point out some very relevant differences. First, I have never been accused of fraud, as was the case with Fitzgerald; I have never been fired from a job due to issues of integrity. It appears Fitzgerald has been accused of misusing public funds, my financial hardship affected no one but my family. I have never walked out of nor been booed at any meetings. I take pride in my integrity to do what is right.

    When I declared my candidacy for Loveland City Council, it was not with any pretense of my being perfect or not having experienced failure in my life. That decision was the result of my lifelong desire to make Loveland a better place, with city leadership that is inclusive, responsive and respectful of its citizens and to have an open dialogue with the community. With my candidacy comes a promise that I will work tirelessly for Loveland and with Loveland.

    Respectfully submitted, Neal Oury

    Below are excerpts from the speech Canada gave at the Council meeting.

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  • How to apply for Loveland Council vacancy

    How to apply for Loveland Council vacancy

    Loveland, Ohio – Former mayor Mark Fitzgerald’s resignation from City Council leaves an opportunity for someone wishing to serve the remaining two years of his term. Fitzgerald resigned his position when faced with a recall election this November. A successful candidate must pass the muster of four of the remaining six members.

    The City Manager issued this press release inviting residents to apply for the empty seat:

    Loveland City Council will begin the process of filling the unexpired term of Councilman Mark Fitzgerald, whose term was set to expire on December 2, 2019.

    Loveland residents interested in serving in this position are encouraged to submit an application and a resume to the Clerk of Council by 4:30 p.m. on September 5, 2017, at City Hall, located at 120 W. Loveland Avenue, Loveland, OH 45140. Applications are available at City Hall or on the City’s website, www.lovelandoh.gov.

    Applicants must be a registered voter, must reside within the City, have lived within the City limits for at least one year preceding the appointment, and be at least 18 years of age.

    Click here for the application form: Loveland City Council Member Application-1

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  • Apply to be appointed to Loveland Council

    Apply to be appointed to Loveland Council

    Loveland, Ohio – The resignation of Mark Fitzgerald from City Council has left a vacancy. Fitzgerald resigned on August 14 rather than face a recall election this November. The six remaining members will vote on a replacement. The City released the below press release seeking applicants for those wishing to be appointed to the vacant seat.

    Loveland City Council will begin the process of filling the unexpired term of Councilman Mark Fitzgerald, whose term was set to expire on December 2, 2019.

    Loveland residents interested in serving in this position are encouraged to submit an application and a resume to the Clerk of Council by 4:30 p.m. on September 5, 2017, at City Hall, located at 120 W. Loveland Avenue, Loveland, OH 45140. Applications are available at City Hall or on the City’s website, www.lovelandoh.gov.

    Applicants must be a registered voter, must reside within the City, have lived within the City limits for at least one year preceding the appointment, and be at least 18 years of age.

    Here is the application the City wants you to use: Loveland City Council Member Application-1

     

  • Council hopeful Andy Bateman’s Candidate Statement

    Council hopeful Andy Bateman’s Candidate Statement

    EDITOR’S NOTE:
    Andy Bateman is a candidate for Loveland City Council and provided this Candidate Statement to Loveland Magazine.
     

    Loveland Magazine invites all candidates for public office in the 45140 zip code or within the Loveland City School District boundary to send a similar Candidate Statement for publication. Send to lovelandmagazine@cinci.rr.com

     

    To Get Along We Have to Agree to Disagree with Civility

    by Andy Bateman,

    Recently I traveled to Italy for work and Iceland for vacation and while I was awestruck many times experiencing some of the most beautiful places in the world, I was most struck by how good it felt to return home. Every day that I wake up as a resident of Loveland, it is impossible not to appreciate the charm and beauty of this Little Miami River community. The natural landscape and our ancestral residents have given us this gift. Loveland, like so many other communities in this country, owes its identity to geography and history. But its future is shaped by the community of residents, businesses and organizations that call it home.

    I was able to attend a few of the more recent meetings of City Council. Each instance left me feeling frustrated with the lack of civility exhibited within our community. A recent article in the Cincinnati Enquirer asks the question, ​Is the national political climate affecting our local governments?​ Loveland is featured prominently in this story as a prime example of how disagreement has turned divisive. Too many times in recent memory these divisions have become dangerous. It’s toxic and I agree with those within our community ​who call for it to stop​.

    Prior to the premature adjournment of council on July 27th, Mayor Mark Fitzgerald read from a prepared statement quoting such notable Americans as Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King. Noble ideals as they may be, a more modern and plain spoken quote from Rodney King leaps to my mind. “Can we all get along?” he asked twenty-five years ago. To that I say clearly, no we cannot.

    We can’t get along because there are too many people in positions of power who are unwilling to get along, unwilling to work together to find compromise. And there are too many people unwilling to get involved, perfectly willing to let others do their thinking for them. Today it is remarkably easy to get trapped in an echo-chamber of self-validation. It is comfortable to surround oneself with people who agree with you and who belittle and denigrate those who do not. But this path of least resistance actually creates extreme resistance to progress and growth and does nothing for our community. We need to engage each other in challenging this divergent separation of beliefs and opinions into opposing camps and instead see things in more nuanced shades of gray.

    Despite the political climate which reverberates the loudest within the safe spaces of social media, I have faith that most people are willing to compromise and find common ground. To strive for a middle way is to strive for the community at large rather than its disparate factions. For two years our community’s achievements have been overshadowed by its behavior. For two years an active community has asked to be engaged in the process of local government. For two years I have sought active participation toward making our city a more positive place. I want to continue these efforts through direct involvement in the mechanisms of change. Therefore, I submit to the residents of Loveland my candidacy for Loveland City Council. At this moment our current council seems entrenched in their individual and divided positions, which is why this election cycle is so important. It allows for change at the behest of the people. I urge our community to inform themselves, choose to participate and speak truth to power as they elect their representatives to local office who will serve our community in a productive and constructive manner.

    Andy Bateman​ is a graduate of Loveland High School and has lived in Loveland since 2007. Cited articles:

    (​http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/07/28/national-political-climate-affecting-our-local-g overnments/485074001/​)

    (https://lovelandmagazine.com/open-letter-to-city-council-and-candidates-im-asking-everyone-to- please-stop/)

    Candidates and Issues on the November 7, 2017 local ballot

     

     

     

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  • Kent Blair withdraws as candidate for Loveland council seat

    Kent Blair withdraws as candidate for Loveland council seat

     

    A new day is dawning

    by Kent G. Blair,

    Any branding expert will tell you that a key to successful marketing is a clear, unambiguous message. After a long nightmare of municipal dysfunction, in November the voters in Loveland will have a crystal clear set of choices to make in their votes for City Council.

    Until last Friday, August 18, I was one of nine candidates on the ballot for four City Council seats. When I was first asked to consider running, I made it clear to all that, while I want to serve, and believe that I would do a good job, the main outcome of the election must be removing the existing majority on Council. To help achieve that, if necessary, I would withdraw my own candidacy so that the full support of those in Loveland who share my goal could be focused, laser-like, on four candidates for four seats.

    With the recall election no longer a possible ballot question, the mathematics of the race have changed. It is in celebration of that victory, and in keeping with my commitment, that I have withdrawn my name for the ballot for November, and strongly urge any and all who share my views of the future of our city to support now and cast your votes when the time comes for Rob Weisgerber, Ted Phelps, Neal Oury, and Tim Butler. Four outstanding candidates, four outstanding members of this community, four outstanding civic leaders, for four City Council seats.

    We can reclaim a tradition of civic inclusion, collaboration, and consensus. Let a new day dawn in Loveland.

    Blair had previously sent a candidate statement and you can read it below.

    Kent Blair launches Loveland council campaign featuring resident engagement platform

    Also read all of Loveland Magazine’s reporting on the recall and other area election news HERE.

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  • Solicitor tells Council their meeting was not proper and Settell is not Mayor

    Solicitor tells Council their meeting was not proper and Settell is not Mayor

    “The election of Mayor and Vice Mayor at the special City Council meeting of August14,2017 was not proper.”

    – Loveland Solicitor Joe Braun

    Angie Settell took an oath of office to be Loveland’s mayor on Monday, a position that was stripped away in a legal opinion today.

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Magazine obtained a legal opinion written by City Solicitor Joe Braun today that throws a monkey wrench in the selection of Angie Settell as Loveland’s new mayor and Pam Gross as vice-mayor.

    In the opinion, Braun said that the special meeting called by then Mayor Mark Fitzgerald for last Monday was not a legal meeting and voids the business conducted at the meeting.

    The Clerk of Council had failed to post a notice of the special meeting 12 hours beforehand as required by Loveland law. The notice was put on the bulletin board outside City Hall four hours short of the 12 hours required.

    Braun said, “The day after the August 14, 2017, special City Council meeting, I was advised by Councilwoman Kathy Bailey that a resident contacted her and alleged that the City had failed to properly advertise the special City Council meeting. Specifically, the resident indicated that the Clerk of Council had failed to comply with Section 109.04 of the Loveland code of Ordinances.” Braun continued, “I cannot ignore the fact that the posting requirements of Section 109.04 of the Loveland Code of Ordinances were not adhered to by the Clerk of Council. As such, any action taken by Loveland City Council at its August 14, 2017, special meeting should be deemed without legal effect.”

    Mark Fitzgerald presided over what he assumed was his last Loveland Council meeting and facilitated the election of Angie Settell as the next Mayor. The solicitor ruled today that it was not a properly called special meeting of council.

    Fitzgerald stepped down as Mayor at the meeting so that he could still cast votes on who would be the next mayor and vice-mayor. The votes were 4-3 in favor of Settell and Gross. After the meeting was over, Fitzgerald distributed a letter that he was resigning from Council.

    Braun’s legal opinion does nothing to affect the decision by Fitzgerald to resign his seat on Council which he submitted to meet a deadline of the Hamilton County Board of Elections who gave him a midnight deadline to either resign or face a recall election in November.

    Council remains a six member body. Council must begin again at a legal meeting nominating one of their own to be mayor and vice-mayor. A decision not made easy because Council is evenly divided into two camps of three members each. Braun said that Settell remains as vice-mayor is now also the presiding officer of meetings and might remain as such until November when voters fill the four open seats on the fall ballot.

    A six member Council after the November election might still deadlock on a selection of mayor, vice-mayor, and someone to fill Fitzgerald’s remaining two year-term. Brauns opinion did not address that possible scenario.

    Braun’s opinion at least temporarily strips Settell of her Mayoral duties and her ability to unilaterally appoint Fitzgerald’s replacement if the 3-3 divided council cannot agree on who it should be. Before Braun’s opinion, Settell had to wait for 30-days to make an appointment, but as of today, he said the decision must wait until after the November election.

    Braun reached the following conclusions:

    (1) I cannot ignore the fact that the posting requirements of Section 109.04 of the Loveland Code of Ordinances were not adhered to by the Clerk of Council. As such, any action taken by Loveland City Council at its August 14, 2017, special meeting should be deemed without legal effect.

    (2) The election of Mayor and Vice Mayor at the special City Council meeting of August 14, 2017 was not proper. Ms.Settel should maintain her role as the Vice Mayor of Loveland and serve as the presiding officer of all City Council Meetings given the vacancy left by the resignation of the Mayor as a member of City Council.

    (3) The decision to fill the empty City Council seat left by the resignation of Mark Fitzgerald vests with the remaining six members of this City Council Should those remaining six members not be able to reach a majority consensus before a new City Council is elected and seated in November 2017, then that City Council shall fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mark Fitzgerald under Section 2.03 of the Loveland Charter.

    (4) The position of Mayor of Loveland shall remain vacant until a new election takes place by the remaining members of City Council, or until an organizational meeting is held and a new Mayor is elected by the newly elected City Council in November pursuant to Section 2.05 of the Loveland Code of Ordinances.

    (5) Because the resignation of Mark Fitzgerald as a member of City Council took place after the special meeting, and not during it, the resignation is still effective as of 11:59 p.m, on August 14, 2017.

    Neither Settell or Gross replied to a request for comment before publication deadline.

    Here you can read the full text of the Solicitor’s Opinion: LOVELAND SPECIAL MEETING LEGAL OPINION-1

    This story was up-dated Friday, August 19 at 1:50 PM

    Read background about the illegal meeting:

    Mark Fitzgerald resigns as Loveland Mayor and councilmember

     

  • [Video] Eva Hunley: “Everything historical is going away.”

    [Video] Eva Hunley: “Everything historical is going away.”

    Loveland, Ohio – Eva Hunley, a resident of Historic Downtown, said at the July 11 Council meeting that when she moved to Loveland it was a historical town and now everything historical was gone. She asked why the train horns had to stop blowing and said the clock had quit ticking, and the chimes have stopped playing music.

    “Everything historical is going away and is gone and I’d like to know why it’s going away,” said Hunley.

    She mostly got patronizing laughs, except City Manager, Dave Kennedy who replied that the train horns stopped because the City created a quiet zone as part of the development agreement with Loveland Station Apartments in downtown and that the chimes were malfunctioning and he is working on the repair.

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  • Tim Butler launches Loveland council campaign

    Tim Butler launches Loveland council campaign

    EDITOR’S NOTE:
    Tim Butler is a candidate for Loveland City Council and provided this Candidate Statement to Loveland Magazine.
     

    Loveland Magazine invites all candidates for public office in the 45140 zip code or within the Loveland City School District boundary to send a similar Candidate Statement for publication. Send to lovelandmagazine@cinci.rr.com

     

    My name is Tim Butler and I am a candidate for Loveland City Council in this November’s election.  

    I am the father of five children – Katie, Claire, Annie, Colleen and Jack – and my wife Jackie and I are celebrating 35 years of marriage. I am a life-long Ohioan who grew up in Dayton and have lived in the Pheasant Hills neighborhood since 1989. I currently practice employment and commercial litigation in-house for an Ohio-based company. I previously served on the City of Loveland Law and Ordinance and City Income Tax Committees.    

    I am a parishioner at St. Margaret of York serving as a lector, former athletic director, coach, and member of various parish committees. I am very proud that my wife and I started the SMAC cross country and track program which has provided a meaningful athletic and life experience for hundreds of young men and women from St. Margaret and St. Columban.    

    Loveland has much to offer with a vibrant downtown, the geography of the Little Miami River and bike path bisecting our City, involved residents and well-kept neighborhoods, historic architecture, a great public school system, engaged churches of all denominations and a flourishing business community. Unfortunately, in the past year our City Council has not put the best face on our community with insider actions, partisan bickering and penny-ante political hijinks.  We are competing with our neighbors in Mason, Blue Ash, Montgomery, Symmes and Miami Townships for residents and new businesses. Our City Council can and must do better.  

    My pledge as a candidate for Loveland City Council is to enhance community participation in City governance while bringing much-needed transparency and unity to the process; help the City manage its fiscal affairs responsibly; continue the development of downtown and other Loveland neighborhoods while preserving our historic heritage; promote and maintain the Little Miami River and bike path; and enhance the relationship between City Government, the Business community and Loveland Schools. Most important, I pledge to bring reasonable, rational discussion and honest debate to our City Government and provide a full opportunity for community dialog and participation.  

    This is a crucial time for the City of Loveland which we love and treasure. Our citizens are watching and are engaged. I request your support and invite you to join me and return an open, responsive and positive City Council to the citizens of Loveland, who deserve it.

    Thank you for your interest. I will work to earn your support in November.   

    Tim Butler 

    Also read: Who is running for School Board and Council? – Other Election News