Loveland, Ohio – The City’s 1.75 Mill Fire and EMS levy passed at the ballot box on May 3.
At the time of its introduction by the Council, it was estimated property tax revenue produced would be an additional $727,638 per year and the amount would be sufficient to “maintain Fire and EMS services”, according to the City Manager. The estimated cost to an owner of a home with a $100,000 market value is $61.25 per year.
Loveland, Ohio – Here are the candidates voters chose to run against each other in statewide and U. S. Senate and Congressional seats in the November 8 General Election this Fall.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
• Mike DeWine and Jon Husted (R)
• Nan Whaley and Cheryl L. Stephens (D
Attorney General
• Jeffrey A. Crossman (D)
• Dave Yost (R)
Auditor of State
• Taylor Sappington (D)
• Keith Faber (R)
Secretary of State
• Chelsea Clark (D)
• Frank LaRose (R)
Treasurer of State
• Scott Schertzer (D)
• Robert Sprague (R)
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
• Jennifer Brunner (D)
• Sharon L. Kennedy (R)
Justice of the Supreme Court – Term Commencing 01/01/2023
• Terri Jamison (D)
• Pat Fischer (R)
Justice of the Supreme Court – Term Commencing 01/02/2023
CLEVELAND —In response to the Ohio Supreme Court’s rejection of the third proposed state map due to partisan gerrymandering, All Voting is Local Ohio State Director Kayla Griffin released the following statement:
Background: At the moment, state and local officials are preparing for a May 3 primary. On its face, Revised Code § 3501.054, known as the collaboration ban, purports to bar any public official responsible for administering or conducting an election from collaborating with any nongovernmental entity on activities related to voter registration, education, poll worker recruitment, or similar election-related activities.
As there are no solidified maps at this time, elections officials are facing uncertainty while preparing for the upcoming primary, which is leaving voters in limbo. We are urging Senate President Matt Huffman and the Ohio Senate to allow elections officials and community groups to collaborate on voter education by repealing the collaboration ban immediately. Election officials and nongovernmental entities must not be held back from working together to mitigate the impact upon voters brought on due to the delay in finalizing congressional and state maps.
Voters all across the state could face last-minute poll consolidations, changes, and/or closures. As districts change, they will have little, if any, time to figure out what candidates are on the ballot. Our leaders and elections officials must allow for an all-hands-on-deck approach for accurate and fair preparation. This will only be possible if elections officials and community groups — including faith, service, and civic groups — are allowed to work together towards educating voters on last-minute changes and keeping voters up to date on information they may need to ensure they can accurately and fairly cast their ballot.
Loveland is a vibrant, bustling, and prosperous city. Which is why the question of increased parking space is an issue. People come to Loveland to live and visit because it is quaint and unique. Another asset that Loveland enjoys is an educated, engaged, and energized resident population. This is an asset that many towns would covet and that could be used to great advantage. Sadly, however, the mayor’s council continues to deny residents a vote on the parking garage, keeping them from actively participating in their own city. Instead of seeking a clear mandate through referendum to go forward with the plan, the council claims that all decisions, regardless of impact and cost, belong squarely with them. This lack of respect for residents’ role in Loveland’s future causes controversy and encourages mistrust of authority. A referendum would take away the controversy completely – the voters would have their say and all questions about the soundness of a garage and discord between residents on either side of the issue would simply dissolve.
The council could easily calm this discord and start to heal the damage caused by the garage proposal. By creating a referendum for the garage, the council sends a clear, strong, unequivocal message that they care what voters think; that they listen to the will of the people; that they trust the residents to make wise, thoughtful decisions. There is a bonus to the referendum for newly elected council members. By voting in favor of the referendum, the new members would prove beyond doubt that they are living up to their campaign promises to listen to residents.
Whether in favor of the garage or opposed to the garage, every resident in Loveland should have a voice in this momentous decision. And Loveland residents should not have to force the council into the referendum by collecting signatures. The path of pitting residents against council by collecting signatures to force a referendum is beneath Loveland city council and its constituency. This would only cause further distrust and anger among residents, which is not in Loveland’s best interest.
According to Councilmember Bateman’s statement on 23 November 2021, democratic principles are alive and well in Loveland. This comment was seconded by Mayor Bailey. A referendum is your chance to prove it. Create a referendum and let democracy take its course. There is literally nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Almost everyone agrees that the parking situation in Loveland needs attention. Let’s create a parking committee. Loveland has almost 20 committees and not one of them is tasked with parking. Let’s invite residents to investigate options and alternatives that will be cheaper, more flexible, and less intrusive. Let’s work together to gather data, define the problem, and come up with a range of solutions that can be openly discussed and debated. Working on this project could bring people together instead of causing strife.
Myriad solutions are possible: institute valet parking; purchase an old-fashioned retro shuttle to get visitors to locations in downtown; increase use of Nature Preserve parking; use Loveland’s beautiful parks for events and gatherings instead of having every event in the downtown area. All of these could be accomplished for a fraction of what the garage would cost and keep our town quaint and unique. Each of these solutions would also greatly reduce traffic into the downtown area. Let’s take a breath, think outside the “parking garage” box, and have a conversation. Let’s work together to get it right.
The decision on whether to build the proposed garage is too important to get wrong. And it isn’t important enough to tear the city apart.
Do the right thing. Heal the conflict. Put the garage on a referendum.
YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE – YOUR COMMUNITY IDENTITY – YOUR COMMUNITY VALUES
My name is Kim Lukens. My home is located in the Brandywine Subdivision which is on the east side of Loveland. I need to access 275 West for my lifestyle probably 70% of the time. I have to drive by what some call Historic downtown Loveland, to Loveland Madeira Rd. over to 275 West to live out my lifestyle. This transit can take me 20 to 40 minutes because of congestion. I have been a resident of Loveland City for just over a year. My name is on the Nov 2nd, 2021 ballot for you to choose as one of Loveland’s City Council Representatives.
I have seen the current City Council which includes the Mayor and City Manager influence Loveland City’s identity and quality of life. Loveland city has been altered through zoning, voting, and saying YES to developers that want to build homes instead of supporting the development of a park. Saying YES to 25 multifamily townhomes on a dense amount of land, the annexation of 95 acres owned by a single owner for a development that would build 200 to 250 homes. The historic blueprint of downtown Loveland has changed. There is an increase in the number of restaurants. The product of alcohol seems to be heightened to the public such as advertised ‘’HAPPY HOUR”, emphasis on BAR food, DORA, musical bands inside some of the newer owned restaurants, the new Civic Center, over 70% of the CITY EVENTS involve accessibility or linkage to alcohol. I see this direction as not sustainable and having a negative impact on the Quality of Life.
What has happened to the value of the State-funded Historic Bike Trail that rolls for 100’s of miles from Southwest to Northern Ohio? The value of the Little Miami River which is a natural tributary and Lake Isabella. Where have the mature trees and woods disappeared too?
How important are historic preservations of buildings to you? The Joy of making a homemade picnic lunch, the Joy of reading a book, playing a game of cards, playing chess, or reading the newspaper at Nisbet Park.
Do we need curbside service or valet parking when we enjoy downtown Loveland?
Can we create a one-of-a-kind Walking City and work with the space we have for parking without building a garage? Can we walk one, two, or three blocks to work in and enjoy Downtown Loveland? Can we provide closer parking spaces for those who need wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or who have some sort of handicap?
I believe that the United Nations Sustainable model of how to achieve a High Quality of Life can work. Loveland City is currently not in a Sustainable Zone.
I hope that we can preserve our past, embrace our present and prepare for our Future.
I believe that we have to look at new models of Urban Planning. We need to embrace Colleges that are on the cutting edge of Sustainability, Security, and Resilience. Our world has been altered due to COVID, technical advances, our current situation with natural resources, immigration and other concerns and fears.
“First impressions may be lasting.” That was the phrase that Mrs. Erickson, my seventh grade English teacher, calmly used to greet her students on a first day of school more than 25 years ago. It was her cerebral attempt to control a classroom of rambunctious pre-teens, not through threats or punishment, but by suggesting that the way we carry ourselves matters—and that we only get one shot to project a first impression onto others—others who will use it as a glimpse into our true character. While that profound wisdom was largely lost on me at the time, it has stuck with me and proven true in the many years since. But the reflection to follow is not about Mrs. Erickson. It is, however, about another English teacher: Eileen Washburn—incumbent candidate for the Loveland Board of Education.
Before proceeding, I must admit that the apparent irony of sharing a “first” impression of someone who is already well known by this community is not lost on me. As the only candidate on the November 2nd ballot who will soon have fulfilled a full term of service on this board, Eileen has already been tested. Loveland voters have had four years to get to know her; four years to see her in action. But bear with me.
It’s not Eileen who’s new to the scene. It’s me.
Having lived in this district for what feels like five minutes (5 months to be precise), I have come to realize the “sticky” nature of this city. Residents love it here. They are from here, and they stay here. Everyone seems to know everyone. To be clear, I love this about Loveland, and I hope this describes my relationship with this community one day.
But for now, I’m still unpacking boxes and figuring it all out. Given the timing of my arrival in Loveland with the impending election, my lens (and conscience) is clear. My perspective is still fresh and unclouded. I see this as a unique strength in assessing the current pool of candidates.
My family and I moved into the district knowing virtually no one in the Loveland community. We have no family here. We have no political connections here. We have no “levy baggage.” For that I am grateful. There is so much I don’t know yet about this district. But for the sake of this discussion, let me share what I do know.
I know that this school district was a primary reason my family chose Loveland as our new home.
I also know that we moved amid a global pandemic and a period of social and political discord unmatched in our nation’s recent history. We are dealing with hard stuff that will fill history books in years to follow. Despite this, we came here still full of hope. We believed that in Loveland, we could give our kids the absolute best opportunity for a premier public education and a bright future.
Sadly, however, our optimism about Loveland Schools was immediately tested upon our arrival. The strife that greeted us was palpable. The wounds (on both sides) of failed levies were still being licked. The rhetoric was intense, and at times hateful. People who had been friends for 20 years were suddenly no longer speaking. And, people and events that were totally unfamiliar to my family just a few weeks prior were suddenly the only topics anyone we met wanted to discuss; these were seemingly the only things that mattered anymore. The crescendo for us was witnessing the police (yes, the police) respond to help calm the angry crowd at the very first School Board meeting we attended.
In those first few meetings I witnessed screaming. I heard accusations; I heard threats of litigation. I saw a physician flagrantly vote against masks in schools for our youngest students who are still vaccine ineligible. Where did we move, and what is going on here? Our “welcome” to Loveland was not a first impression that I wanted to last.
So, now back to things I do know and have recognized (it’s not all doom and gloom) as an unencumbered newcomer. First, I know we can still have hope. Second, that hope lies in Eileen Washburn.
I have come to know Eileen over the past few months, and who I’ve met is someone who is thoughtful, calm, and measured. When Eileen speaks, I hear a clear voice of reason that surmounts the noise around her. I hear commonsense policymaking, not political pandering. We need this now more than ever.
I know that it can be lonely at the top. Yet, I have seen Eileen bravely break away from the comfort and protection of the crowd, if and when it is in the best interest of the district’s students, families, and staff to do so. Eileen’s morals are unwavering, and her judgment is sound. In decision-making, Eileen chooses what’s right over what’s easy. Her work ethic is unparalleled.
I know that Eileen cares. As a parent of district students, she has a personal family stake in the success of our schools. As a teacher, herself (in a neighboring district), dedication to students is in her blood. Eileen is the teacher who will stay after school to support a student who is nervous about trying out for the basketball team (true story!). She’s also the kind of person who would never brag about that.
In closing, I want to be clear that I am not writing in support of Eileen because I am her neighbor, long-time friend, or family member. I am not writing this because she asked me to. I volunteered. I sought her out because I was impressed with what I saw in her. I am writing this because Eileen showed up for my family when we needed a leader on the board. I know that in her next term, Eileen will continue to advocate for the physical, mental, and emotional health and safety of my kids, and for their long term scholastic success—just like she has already done during our short time here. I also know that she’ll advocate for your kids too…whether you vote for her or not. She just can’t help it; it’s who she is.
And that’s my first impression of Eileen Washburn—one that will last a lifetime.
Loveland is a lovely place: great businesses, schools, and neighborhoods; a thriving downtown and endlessly entertaining bike trail; and, above all, its wonderful people, who help make the place truly special.
For 32 years, Tim Butler, my father, has been one of these people. He raised my four siblings and me in Loveland. Because the city has given him so much, he has tried to give back. He’s been, among other things, a parent, a coach, a local business owner, and, for the past four years, a member of Loveland’s city council.
He has taken his role on council seriously, knowing he serves the people of Loveland. He carefully studies the issues before Loveland city council, making sure he has a full understanding of them before voting. He also tries to ensure that the city council has all the relevant information on the issues of greatest importance to Loveland. And he seeks input from city residents, who entrusted him with his position.
He has agreed with his fellow council members on many of these issues. Sometimes, however, they have disagreed with him, leaving him in the minority on important votes. The most important of these involve the ongoing debate over the possible construction of a parking garage in the middle of Loveland’s downtown area. Tim has taken a position against this garage, citing its projected costs, its effects on downtown Loveland’s traffic and pedestrian flows, and the unlikelihood of its being consistently used to full capacity. He has proposed alternatives, such as making fuller use of other available parking in the area that often goes unfilled, and considering shuttle services. He has done all of this in good faith, trying to present his views honestly to his fellow council members.
Yet for his opposition to the proposed garage, Tim has been consistently sidelined by council. Members have engaged in procedural trickery to prevent him from starting the kind of discussion about the project that would be appropriate for one of the largest such efforts in the city’s history. And now, it seems like some members of council want him gone. In the current Loveland city council election campaign, two incumbent members and two new candidates are openly collaborating, all with the backing of the mayor, and with the implicit goal of knocking my father out of his position. This is unfortunate. A council without Tim Butler would almost certainly think about and discuss important votes less before actually taking them, to the likely detriment of Loveland’s future.
My father is not some reflexive contrarian. He will vote with other members when he considers them in the right, and has done so many times. But when his study of the issues leads him to a different position, he won’t go along to get along. That’s just not who he is.
So who is Tim Butler? He’s the kind of person the people of Loveland should want to remain their representative on city council. He will consider their interests, ask tough questions, and push for the kinds of discussions that will be necessary for Loveland to chart a successful course. In my father’s four years on council, he has put the people of Loveland first. He’s in it for them, and always will be. I’ve never known him to be anything else.
Jack Butler, is a graduate of St. Xavier High School (’11), and is from Loveland.
Kevin Dougherty, Loveland Board of Education Vice-President, posted a short video on his campaign website entitled “Thinking Through How To Choose – A Different Approach”. In it, he identifies the qualities that matter for Board membership as leadership, preparedness, motivation, commitment, and the ability to listen and learn. I agree with all of that – although I question how prepared anyone can be, or ever has been, for stepping into a Board role for the first time.
He goes on to say that “what a candidate supports or doesn’t support doesn’t matter unless he or she can get results.” I half agree with that. It doesn’t much matter what a person is for or against if he doesn’t get results. On the other hand, if a person gets results, what he is for or against is of central importance because that will determine what results he will attempt to achieve. However well the Board members in recent years might have scored with respect to Mr. Dougherty’s list of qualities, they certainly got results. To take only the most salient recent example, in 2019 they succeeded in getting onto the ballot a levy of historic proportions – which was voted down by the community 78% to 22%. Whatever the Board was for or against in 2019, it was clearly misaligned with what the community was for or against. It is hard to argue, then, as Mr. Dougherty suggests, that it doesn’t matter what “it” is as long as “it” gets accomplished. Of course, we want to elect Board members who can get results. For that very reason, it matters very much what those members support or don’t support.
I would actually expand Mr. Dougherty’s list. He mentioned being humble but it didn’t make his top five. Humility is an essential characteristic for being a successful Board member. Independent thinker is also imperative. I would rather see a Board grapple with issues in front of the public rather than come out and uniformly vote on things without much discussion.
Finally, it is essential to me, a voter and taxpayer, that Board members respect parental rights, support strong academics and a challenging curriculum, and respect taxpayers. It’s a tall order, but I think some of the candidates possess these qualities in abundance. Moreover, we have candidates who genuinely care about putting students first without alienating the residential district that foots the bill.
I have seen several candidates dismissed as being “inexperienced”. Obviously, anyone who hasn’t sat on a Board does not have the experience related to being on a Board, and every Board member in history was once in that position. If inexperience were a bar, there would be no Boards.
At the end of the day, an inexperienced Board seeking the right results is incomparably to be preferred to an experienced Board seeking the wrong results. Inexperience tends to correct itself; a bad result does not.
Lesley Hodge is a resident of Symmes Township and the Loveland City School District
Loveland, Ohio – On Thursday night the six candidates competing to be elected to Loveland City Council were the guests of Loveland Magazine and the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance at the Loveland Middle School.
Next Thursday, October 21, the Loveland School Board candidates will come together for a similar forum in the Loveland Middle School/Intermediate School Cafeteria at 7 PM. Loveland High School alum, Ricky Mulvey will be the emcee for the evening.
Candidates for Loveland City Council (4 to be elected to a 4 year term)
Tim Butler – 1102 Hickory Ridge Dr.
John Hart – 11349 S. Lebanon Rd.
Kim Lukens – 142 Hounds Run
Neal Oury – 401 Lowell St.
Ted Phelps – 137 Pleasant Lake Dr.
Kip Ping – 918 W. Loveland Ave.
Dave H. Stanton – 208 Sentry Hill Dr. (Withdrawn from Race)
The Loveland Magazine Election Guide
Loveland City Council
Candidates for Loveland City Council (4 to be elected to a 4 year term)
Tim Butler – 1102 Hickory Ridge Dr.
John Hart – 11349 S. Lebanon Rd.
Kim Lukens – 142 Hounds Run
Neal Oury – 401 Lowell St.
Ted Phelps – 137 Pleasant Lake Dr.
Kip Ping – 918 W. Loveland Ave.
Dave H. Stanton – 208 Sentry Hill Dr. (Withdrawn from Race)
Current members of Loveland Council
Kathy Bailey, Mayor (Term Ends December 2023)
Robert Weisgerber, Vice Mayor (Term endsDecember 6, 2021)
Andy Bateman (Term Ends December 2023)
Ted Phelps (Term endsDecember 6, 2021)
Tim Butler (Term endsDecember 6, 2021)
Neal Oury (Term endsDecember 6, 2021)
Kent Blair (Term Ends December 2023)
Loveland City School District
Member of Board of Education (3 to be elected to a 4-year term)
Colette Boyko – 11997 Riveroaks Dr.
Anna Bunker – 1020 Oakland Dr.
Jonathan Eilert – 716 Quailwoods Dr.
Elliot Grossman – 957 Ashire Ct.
Al Juram – 6399 Mueller Lakes Ln.
Elizabeth Mason – 1867 Timberidge Dr.
Michele Pettit – 40 Buckeye Ct. (Pettit petition to run again for school board rejected by BOE Read more…)
Eric L. Schwetschenau – 1211 Red Roan Ln.
Eileen Washburn – 10923 Rednor Ct.
Member of Board of Education (1 to be elected – Unexpired term ending 12-31-2023)
Kevin M. Dougherty – 12021 Millstone Ct, 45140
Current members of Loveland School Board
Dr. Kathryn Lorenz, Board President (Term expires 12/31/23)
Kevin Dougherty, Board Vice President (Term expires 12/31/21)
Michele Pettit, Board Member (Term Expires 12/31/21)
Dr. Eric Schwetschenau, Board Member (Term expires 12/31/21)
Eileen Washburn, Board Member (Term Expires 12/31/21)
August 23 – Write-in candidates must file declarations of intent by 4 p.m. (72 days before general election
September 17 – Military & Overseas Absentee Voting begins (46 Days Before Election Day)
October 4 – Deadline for voter registration for Nov. 2 general election (30 days before general election)*
October 5 – Early In-Person Voting begins and includes the Saturday, Sunday and the Monday before Election Day
October 5 – Absentee Voting By Mail begins (28 Days Before Election Day)
October 11 – Board of Elections Closed to In-Person Voting (Columbus Day).
October 30 – Applications for absentee ballots to be mailed for Nov. 2 general election must be received by boards of elections by noon (3 days before general election)
November 2 – General Election Day. Polls open at 6:30 AM and close at 7:30 PM.
Throughout the years, men and women in our armed forces have made great sacrifices to protect our freedom and democracy. Today, the courageous members of our military branches continue to serve our country so we all can enjoy one of our most sacred rights – the right to vote. Through the I Vote in Honor of a Veteran initiative, you can demonstrate the pride you feel for a veteran or servicemember and, at the same time, encourage others to vote on Election Day.
Wear an I Vote in Honor of a Veteran pin on Election Day to show your appreciation to those men and women who made it possible for you to exercise your right to vote.
To get your pin, click this LINK to submit a testimonial about how they’ve inspired you will be sent one.
By Elliot Grossman, Candidate for Loveland City School Board
The races for the Loveland School Board have strengthened my faith in democracy. For at least two decades, most candidates for the school board had run without challengers. That means the community didn’t have much of a choice of candidates. It also meant there was minimal discussion about the issues facing the school district.
This year, there are nine candidates for four seats. The exchanges of ideas among the candidates and voters have been robust. That shows people care deeply about the school district.
Once the winners have been announced, the community’s focus will shift to helping the school district move forward. Better times are ahead for the Loveland Schools, our community and our children.
My campaign is about hope, optimism and restoring trust. This is a great school district. It’s a big reason my wife and I moved to the Loveland area.
But it’s gotten off track with some poor decisions by leaders. The problem is that those poor decisions have led to damaged relationships with the community
Now, the district’s number one goal needs to be restoring trust. Without trust, the community won’t provide enough resources to the district. Without enough resources, the students will not get the education they deserve.
How do we restore trust? I have a plan:
First, the district needs to embark on a thorough and formal listening process — seeking out voices from throughout the community — to learn what type of school district the community wants. What are the community’s priorities for the district? For a decade, a Butler County school district has held what they call Community Conversations. They’re led by a neutral facilitator. We need to do that here. Communication needs to be a two-way process. Systems need to be set up to listen to parents, students, staff and the community on an ongoing basis. These conversations are about building a partnership with the community.
Second, after we’re sure we’ve sought out voices from throughout the community, we need to do a scientific survey to gauge voter sentiment before putting another levy on the ballot. We shouldn’t guess about whether a levy would pass. That could do even more damage if it fails.
I’m a strong supporter of public schools. I attended public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. I believe public schools are a great equalizer. They give children from all walks of life opportunities. I’ve given a big part of my career and civic life to supporting public schools. I have a daughter in the Loveland Schools. So I want the schools to thrive. But I’m not going to make decisions with just the students in mind. I will always make decisions with the best interests of the students and the taxpayers in mind.
How can I be so sure that we can turn things around? I’ve seen this situation before. Professionally, I’ve provided communication and community engagement services to school districts. In fact, I’m the only candidate who has provided professional communication and community engagement services to school districts.
I’ve attended hundreds of meetings of school boards and local governments in various communities as a news reporter and consultant to school districts for several decades. Additionally, I’ve attended meetings of the Loveland School Board as a parent, taxpayer and now candidate. I’ve learned what works and doesn’t work in school districts. I will bring those insights and ideas to the Loveland School Board.
A school district in western Hamilton county had failed two consecutive levies. I spent a year helping that district with communication and community engagement. With great leadership by a new superintendent, they passed a levy and just a few months ago they opened new schools. But again, I’m not saying we need new schools here. That’s up to the community.
Here’s another example about why we should have hope and optimism. This example shows the importance of setting priorities with our school district budget at a time when the district’s funds are stretched so thin.
For the first time this fall, the Loveland Schools are offering full-day kindergarten to all families who want it for their children. Significantly, the district expanded its kindergarten spots without additional salary costs. After a retirement, district leaders moved a teaching position to the Loveland Early Childhood Center as enrollment numbers changed in the upper grades. It’s all a matter of setting priorities with limited funds.
I know what needs to be done to move the district forward. I have the experience, the determination and the ability to listen to unite the community.
![[VIDEO] Meet the Loveland City Council Candidates](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/brad-greenberg-forum.jpg)
