Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: government

  • Andy Bateman joins Bailey and Blair in pursuit of Council Seat

    Andy Bateman joins Bailey and Blair in pursuit of Council Seat

    Loveland, Ohio – There will be 3 elected to a 4-year term of Loveland City Council on November 5, and as of Monday evening 3 have submitted sufficient signatures on Nominating petitions to be placed on the ballot. Current Mayor Kathy Bailey, incumbent Kent Blair, and on his second try, Andy Bateman, have all have qualified.

    Andy Bateman

    Bateman told Loveland Magazine last week that he had submitted sufficient signatures to the Hamilton County Board of Elections (BOE) and that the signatures have been validated. He ran a distant 5th is his first try to be on City Council in the 2017 election.

    All three are guaranteed victory if no one else files to run.

    Current Councilwoman Angie Settell’s term ends this December.

    Blair is 2-year incumbent

    Blair is running for the seat he was appointed to when former Mayor Mark Fitzgerald quit office on August 14, 2017 after petitions were circulated putting his recall and his council seat on the ballot. The petition recall effort could have resulted in a head-to-head race, Fitzgerald vs. Neal Oury who circulated the petitions.

    Up until August 18, of 2017, Blair was one of nine candidates on the ballot for four City Council seats. Blair removed his name from consideration so he would not take votes away from Rob Weisgerber, Ted Phelps, Neal Oury, or Tim Butler. It was a pre-arranged deal, under a possible scenario if Fitzgerald’s seat was not going to be on the ballot. After a ruling by the City Attorney, Mayor Bailey was allowed to appoint Blair to the seat that was still open in January of 2018.

    Weisgerber, Phelps, Oury, and Butler were elected in 2017.

    Word on the street is that former Councilwoman Pam Gross has picked up petitions from the BOE, however, that would not necessarily mean that Gross is running. She may or not circulate petitions, or she may have picked up the petitions for someone else who is interested in being on Council. Gross also ran in 2017 to keep her seat however was roundly defeated for re-election, finishing behind Bateman.

    Loveland School Board race

    No one has yet filed petitions to be a member of the Loveland Board of Education. There are 2 open seats for 4-year terms. Current Board Vice-President Kathy Lorenz is, however, gathering signatures. Word on the street is that current Board President Art Jarvis is also collecting signatures.

    The deadline for candidates to file nominating petitions to the BOE, either in the City Council Race or for a School Board seat is Aug 7.

    Loveland City Council will ask voters to approve a revised Charter on November 5 and the Loveland Board of Education is expected to place a Bond Issue on the ballot.

  • [Loveland Magazine TV] Councilwoman Angie Settell expresses concerns about proposed City Charter

    [Loveland Magazine TV] Councilwoman Angie Settell expresses concerns about proposed City Charter

    Loveland, Ohio – While speaking about proposals to change the City Charter, Councilwoman Angie Settell raised concerns about whether the Finance Director should be reporting to the City Manager or City Council.

    She said that the Council’s first responsibility is to be the keeper of the taxpayer’s money and that there needed to be checks and balances and a level of protection was being eliminated for no valid reason.

    She also raised concerns about proposed changes to the role of the Vice-Mayor in situations where the Mayor is incapable of performing their duties.

    The occasion was during a meeting on June 11, when Council was holding a public hearing to receive comments regarding proposed revisions to the Charter of the City.

    Councilmembers, Ted Phelps and Tim Butler; and acting Solicitor Matt Fellerhoff responded to Settell’s concerns.

    Read the proposed and current charter here: Proposed Loveland Charter

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  • [Video] Alex Burnett takes Loveland Police Department oath

    [Video] Alex Burnett takes Loveland Police Department oath

    Loveland, Ohio – Alex Burnett was sworn into office on Tuesday, June 11 at City Hall during the council meeting. Chief Sean Rahe introduced Burnett and Mayor Kathy Bailey administered the oath.

     

     

     

    Brunett’s bio provided by the City:

    Chief Rahe introduced Officer Burnett by stating that he immigrated to the United States from Russia in 2001. Officer Burnett joined the United States Marines thereafter and was deployed to Iraq in 2004. After a seven-month deployment he was assigned to a reconnaissance training where he was deployed to Iraq a second time with a scout team. After four years of service, Alex was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. Alex put himself through the police academy and was hired by the Ohio State Highway Patrol where he served for the past seven years.

    What is  ?

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  • Old Loveland bowling alley to be home to Oasis Turf and Tree

    Old Loveland bowling alley to be home to Oasis Turf and Tree

    Loveland, Ohio – In 2014 City taxpayers, through the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) purchased the site of the closed, Loveland Lanes bowling alley. The CIC demolished the building in 2015 in preparation of looking for a buyer. In April of 2017, the CIC sold the property for $540,000 to Lebanon based Schueler Group who said they would look for investors interested in building a combination of professional/medical office and retail, including restaurant space on the 6.53-acre parcel. Construction was planned to start in April 2017.

    On August 21, by a unanimous vote, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the site plan for Oasis Turf and Tree to build a 26,284 square foot office/warehouse complex (8,183 square feet of office/business space and 18,101 square feet of warehousing) that will serve as the company’s headquarters with up to 70 employees.

    The site will include a detention basin located in the northwest corner of the property and seventy-nine (79) parking spaces with three (3) handicap spaces.

    Oasis Turf and Tree is currently at 8900 Glendale-Milford Road. The new location will be at 897 Loveland Madeira Road across from the Loveland Kroger store.

    Donate to Camp Fire Relief

    “Our hearts are with the entire community of Paradise and surrounding areas affected by the Camp Fire. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the…

  • City Council calls special meeting for Wednesday, Oct. 17

    City Council calls special meeting for Wednesday, Oct. 17

    Special Meeting Notice

    Loveland City Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, located at 120 W. Loveland Avenue.  The purpose of the meeting is to consider the following legislation:

    Ordinance authorizing the City’s participation in financing special energy improvement projects in cooperation with the Suburban Communities Energy Special Improvement District; authorizing the execution of documents to effectuate such financing; and declaring an emergency

    Ordinance determining to proceed with the acquisition, construction, and improvement of certain public improvements in the City of Loveland, Ohio in cooperation with the Suburban Communities Energy Special Improvement District and declaring an emergency

    Ordinance levying Special Assessments for the purpose of acquiring, constructing and improving certain public improvements in the City of Loveland, Ohio in cooperation with the Suburban Communities Energy Special Improvements District, and declaring an emergency

    An executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 121.22 (G)(1) to discuss the terms and conditions of employment, hiring, or discipline of a public employee.

    And any other business as may properly come before the municipal body at the meeting may be considered and acted on.  

    This meeting is open to the public.

    City of Loveland

    Misty Cheshire

    Clerk of Council

  • Libertarian Party statement on ballot access in Ohio

    Libertarian Party statement on ballot access in Ohio

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    Libertarian Party of Ohio

    Media Statement: Ballot Access July 02, 2018, 14:00 EDT

    For further information, contact:

    Harold Thomas, LPO Chair harold.thomas@lpo.org (614) 581-6832

    David Jackson, Communication Director david.jackson@lpo.org
    (614) 560-1237

    July 2, The Libertarian Party of Ohio filed petitions containing 102,762 signatures with the Secretary of State to regain ballot access taken away from the citizens of Ohio four years ago because of Republican Party politics

    They intended to destroy the Libertarian Party in Ohio.

    But liberty and choice persevered. We have more volunteers and more enthusiasm than ever. Putting us through the political tricks has made us stronger.

    We are stronger knowing that 102,762 voters are signed their names to give Ohio more and better choices to address our economic and social issues. Ohioans want solutions, and sense that the way forward might lie in less government, instead of more. These petitions came from all 88 counties showing support from every part of this state. We are building from a broad base of voters from every economic level; all racial backgrounds; all faiths, and all sexual orientations, helping the ever-expanding diversity of our party.

    We know that establishment trickery will not end here. We have attorneys armed with the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Ohio. We know of some recent federal court decisions in other states that have made challenger party ballot access easier, not more difficult. Our attorneys are ready to deal with any obstacles they throw our way. However, we seek no fight, just open dialog and new ideas.

    The establishment parties will try to convince you that we are “Republicans-lite” or agroup of spoilers whose primary purpose is to throw elections one way or the other. Some will even try to make you believe that we are anarchists bent on social chaos. Don’t believe them. The Libertarian Party has members all around you and is the only party with a consistent philosophy and platform — one we have followed, faithfully, since our inception nearly 50 years ago. Our philosophy is based on this Golden Rule, which call it the “non-aggression principle.” No one, including government, has theright to use force to promote a political or social agenda. Government aggression should only be used to protect our lives, our property, and our rights from those who would kill, rob, and cheat us.

    Libertarians believe that government exists for one purpose, which Thomas Jefferson made clear in the Declaration of Independence. We are endowed with certain inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that the purpose of government is to secure these rights. The framers of the Constitution reinforced the Declaration when they wrote in the Preamble that government’s purpose is to “establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

    It is a government for adults who can make their own decisions, build their own careers, and have values they want to pass on to their children. Our political system is broken because we have forgotten that. We have allowed our politicians – at all levels –to behave like children, focusing on trivial issues, fighting the cultural wars of past generations, and doling out favors to their largest contributors.

    It’s time to stop this madness. It’s time to stop bickering and to start negotiating real solutions for Ohio. It’s time to engage in the politics of hope instead of the politics of fear. In this spirit, we will cooperate with members of the establishment parties and the Green Party on issues of mutual interest. Together, we can form policies designed to benefit all of us.

    On Saturday, July 14, we will introduce our slate of candidates to you and the people of Ohio. You will find that they represent a new generation of leadership with fresh ideas and a new perspective on governing our state.

    I invite you and all Ohioans to embrace the Libertarian Party and its candidates as we represent a true choice. We will not only show how to fix a broken system, and make it robust enough to secure the blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our posterity.

    -END-

  • Meet Tom Smith Loveland’s new Assistant City Manager

    Meet Tom Smith Loveland’s new Assistant City Manager

    by Tom Smith,

    I have been fortunate to receive an opportunity to be part of the great Loveland City team as the new Assistant City Manager.  My wife, Shuree, and I are from Layton, Utah. We have three children: Joshua, 14, Marissa, 9, and Tyson, 5. We enjoy the outdoors, motorcycles, and sports of all kinds.


    I enjoy being active in the community where I have coached soccer, basketball, and served as a Scout Leader for the Boy Scouts of America.

    Although we are from Utah, the majority of my family resides in Pennsylvania, Virginia, with a sister-in-law in Mason, Ohio. Consequently, I am a Penn State Nittany Lion, University of Virginia Cavalier, and of course a Utah Ute. As part of my formal education I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Utah Valley University and a Graduate Degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah. I have 12 years experience in the field of public administration, including my previous capacity where I served as the City Manager.



    My background is in public policy, land use, utility billing, capital asset management, planning and zoning, budget and finance, and human resource administration.

    I have been an active participant in the Utah League of Cities and Towns organization (similar to the Ohio Municipal League), serving as a member of the Legislative Policy Committee and the Land Use Task Force Committee for three legislative sessions. While on those committees I worked with local officials, lobbyists, and legislators to combat against the scrutiny and continued efforts of federal, state, and third-party organizations in restricting the local government control of municipalities.

    As part of my professional development, I am a member of the International City Managers Association where I am working towards receiving my Credentialed Manager accreditation. My ambitions also include becoming a certified planner through the American Planners Association.

    I am very fortunate to be a part of the City’s team. This is an exciting time for the City as it continues to experience growth and redevelopment. I am grateful to be brought on as a part of this wonderful team that the City Council and City Manager Mr. Kennedy have created. I am both eager and anxious to get started and to develop my relationship with you as well as the wonderful members of this community.

    513-683-1052
    215 Loveland-Madeira Rd
    Loveland, Ohio 45140

  • LSFD raise $11,600 for Firefighter Cancer Support Network

    LSFD raise $11,600 for Firefighter Cancer Support Network

    Loveland/Symmes firefighter, Deputy Chief Jon Frye was at the Loveland Bike Trail Saturday Morning collecting donations for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network

    Kim Siebenthaler a member of the LSFD was in front of Paxton’s Grill Saturday morning collecting donations as part of the National Fill a Boot Campaign that raised money for Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

    A message of thanks from the Loveland Symmes Fire Department:

    We would like to thank everyone in the City of Loveland and Symmes Township for all of their generous donations. Our Annual Fill the Boot Fundraiser was able to collect $11,600 for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. Chief Bryan Frieders, Deputy Chief of the Pasadena Fire Department and President of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network accepted the donation this past Tuesday evening at the Loveland City Council meeting.

    Chief Bryan Frieders (center), Deputy Chief of the Pasadena Fire Department and President of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network accepted the donation from Bruce Hawk and Jon Frye.

    FIREFIGHTER CANCER
    SUPPORT NETWORK

    We help firefighters and their families cope with cancer

    Since 2005, the nonprofit Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) has provided assistance and one-on-one mentoring to thousands of cancer-stricken firefighters and their families. FCSN also delivers extensive firefighter cancer awareness and prevention training nationwide.

    Cancer is the most dangerous threat to firefighter health and safety today.

    • Cancer caused 61 percent of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2016, according to data from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
    • Cancer caused 70 percent of the line-of-duty deaths for career firefighters in 2016.
    • Firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer than the general U.S. population.
    • Firefighters have a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population.

    There’s little data about cancer among volunteer firefighters, and the U.S. Fire Administration’s firefighter fatality statistics do not include cancer-related deaths, but it’s a stark reality: Firefighting increases cancer risks significantly for every firefighter.

    Wards Corner Chiropractic & Sports Rehab

      Loveland chiropractor Douglas Portmann, DC at Wards Corner Chiropractic & Sports Rehab is one of the best chiropractors in the Loveland area.

  • Blair gets Bailey nod for vacant council seat

    Blair gets Bailey nod for vacant council seat

    Loveland Mayor Kathy Bailey – File Photo

    Loveland, Ohio – On Wednesday, Mayor Kathy Bailey announced she has selected Kent Blair to fill the vacant seat on City Council. The council seat has been vacant since the resignation of Mark Fitzgerald on August 14 of last year. Blair will serve the remaining two-year’s of Fitzgerald’s term. Blair is expected to be sworn into office at the next council meeting scheduled for January 9.

    In a press release, Bailey said she conducted personal interviews with several candidates before making her decision. “I selected Kent because he shares my commitment to community engagement and transparency,” Bailey said. “The voters made clear this November what qualities they want in their council members, and Kent exemplifies them all. He is committed to working with this new council to make the City proud of the work we do, and the manner in which we do it.”

    Blair had submitted petitions to run for one of the four, four-year open council seats in last November’s election but withdrew from the race when Neal Oury submitted petitions to run.

    The Back Story

    On August 11 the Hamilton County Board of Elections ruled that Oury and the Loveland Community Heartbeat Political Action Committee (LCHPAC) had submitted sufficient petitions to recall Fitzgerald. The petition effort was successful, and could have resulted in a head-to-head race, Oury vs. Fitzgerald, however instead of facing the voters to retain his seat, resigned. That left Fitzgerald’s seat open and Loveland without a Mayor.

    Oury then submitted petitions to run for one of the regular open seats on Council and that is when Blair withdrew his petitions to run. It was an apparent deal with LCHPAC who endorsed five candidates. If there was not a recall election, Blair would withdraw making room for Oury’s name on the ballot. Others receiving the LCHPAC endorsement were incumbents, Rob Weisgerber, Ted Phelps, and newcomer Tim Butler. 

    Fitzgerald stepped down as Mayor at an August 14 meeting so that he could still cast a vote on who would be the next mayor and vice-mayor. The votes were 4-3 in favor of then vice-mayor Angie Settell and then, council member, Pam Gross. After the meeting was over, Fitzgerald distributed a letter that he was resigning from Council. The attempt to elevate Settell to Mayor was later ruled illegal by City Solicitor Joe Braun because there wasn’t proper public notice of the meeting. Braun also ruled that the council seat would remain open until new council members were sworn in on December 4 and a new Mayor elected. Bailey was elected Mayor.

    About Kent Blair

    Kent Blair is expected to be sworn into office at the next council meeting scheduled for January 9.

    In announcing his withdrawal from the ballot, Blair said on 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.”

    Blair is employed at U.S. Bank where he is an investment advisor and broker. He is a 12-year resident of Loveland and dad to a senior at Loveland High School. He has been a member of the Amazing Charity Race Committee since its inception and as a 7-year coach of SAY Soccer.

    In announcing his candidacy Blair said he would advocate for transparency and resident engagement. At the top of his list for reform is the makeup of the Community Improvement Corporation. Blair added, “I am a strong supporter of accountability of elected officials to the people they serve. I believe in process, good stewardship of resources, an expectation of inclusion, and sensible growth. Loveland should stand for all of the residents, not the few who lead it. Development of a future master plan must be approached with an emphasis on community representation, not strategic power plays that benefit only a few.”

    Bailey added, “I appreciate and thank all of those candidates who applied. This was a very tough decision, but I think Kent will be a great addition to the new council, and I am excited to work with him.”

  • Are you one 1,868 of who received administrative subpoenas for not filing Loveland Income Tax

    Are you one 1,868 of who received administrative subpoenas for not filing Loveland Income Tax

    Regional Income Tax Agency Web SiteRITA staff will be onsite at the Loveland City Hall on December 5 and 6 to process returns for those who elect to make an appearance.

    Loveland, Ohio – Approximately 1,868  administrative subpoenas were mailed by the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) this week to City of Loveland taxpayers who neglected to file a municipal income tax return for tax years 2011-2015 or failed to notify they had moved outside the city limits.

    All of the taxpayers that will receive the subpoenas were first issued a non-filing notice and were given an opportunity to respond before a subpoena was issued. There were 2,864 non-filer letters mailed in October, therefore, around 35% responded to these letters and will not receive an administrative subpoena. This response is comparable with the prior year.

    Taxpayers can avoid an appearance by e-filing delinquent returns at www.ritaohio.com, mailing the documents to RITA at: Attn: Compliance Department 198, Regional Income Tax Agency, PO BOX 470538, Broadview Heights, OH  44147-0538 or faxing to RITA at 440-922-3510.

    RITA staff will be onsite at the Loveland City Hall on December 5 and 6 to process returns for those who elect to make an appearance.

    Accounting Plus LLC

    Accounting Plus–Bingaman Accounting and Tax Service, LLC is a tax preparation, payroll and bookkeeping company locally based in Loveland, OH.