News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area
Without fear or favor
Since 2004
When local daylight time is about to reach Sunday, November 5, 2 AM clocks are turned backward 1 hour to 1 AM local standard time instead.
Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier on Nov 5, than the day before. There will be more light in the morning.
NOTE from David Miller, Editor
Sunday, November 5 at 11:59 PM will be the last day Loveland Magazine will accept letters to the editor or guest columns relating to the election on Tuesday, November 7.
Beginning today, Loveland Magazine will moderate all future discussion until the election. Reader submissions (or comments on our Facebook Page) must be a constructive interchange. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will not be accepted.
In other words, if your submission is about a particular candidate or issue, it must be of a nature that is supportive. Last minute negative campaigning will not be published and negative comments will be deleted.
Kindergarten teacher Shannon Jones one of 13 in state of Ohio honored with distinction
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Early Childhood Center (LECC) Kindergarten Teacher Shannon Jones has been named a 2017 Jennings Fellow by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. Of the thousands of public school teachers in Ohio, Jones was one of 13 teachers selected for the honor, which was presented at The University of Cincinnati.
This highly regarded distinction honors master teachers in select areas of Ohio each year. Candidates, who have been nominated by their superintendents, participate in the Jennings Educators Institute during the fall. Participants earn the designation “Jennings Fellow” by showing application of what they have learned.
“Shannon Jones has never passed on a single opportunity to attend any sort of workshop, class, or professional development opportunity that is offered; that is a direct consequence of how driven she is to provide her students and their families with the best kindergarten experience possible,” said LECC Principal Kyle Bush. “She is a natural leader among her peers and in our school – always looking for ways to make our school, and by extension her own classroom, a better place to learn, grow, and be challenged.”
“Since 1959, the Jennings Foundation has recognized teachers who set an example by pursuing and implementing excellent teaching practices,” said Dr. Daniel Keenan, executive director, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. “We honor the Jennings Fellows because they demonstrate a commitment to further develop their own skills, to take action, and to reflect on those practices with their peers. This is what excellence is all about.”
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation was founded in 1959 to provide a means for greater accomplishment on the part of Ohio’s teachers and students. The Foundation awards grants to teachers, public school districts, and tax-exempt organizations that assist public elementary and secondary schools in Ohio and focuses its efforts on two themes: excellent teaching and deep learning.
For more information, please visiting the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation website: www.mhif.org.
Loveland, Ohio – Last Wednesday, Loveland Magazine partnered with the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance to bring the candidates for a seat on the Loveland School Board together at the Media Center of the Loveland Intermediate School to face voters and their questions. The forum was moderated by former Board President Dr. Judy McClanahan. She was elected to the Loveland Board of Education and subsequently served 12 years on the Board. During this time she served as President of the Board three times.
Candidates, Michele N. Pettit, Ned Portune, and Eileen Washburn were in attendance. Dave Blumberg could not attend because of a previous business commitment. Three will be elected to a 4-year term.
Here is the video of the forum. (Because of technical difficulties Pettit’s opening statement did not record. She repeated her statement for the camera after the forum concluded and that statement is added to the first video.)
by Neal Oury,
For the THIRD time, I am making transparent the information regarding the law suits in which I have been named and my experience with personal bankruptcy. Regardless of Ron and Fran Patterson, of Patterson Plumbing and Tim Canada, of Bond Furniture and their motive in bringing these to light AGAIN, this has become way more then bad politics. While I do recognize that as an individual seeking public office, such matters are up for public scrutiny, I will address each case individually. For this group to continue to attack me and attempt to damage my reputation, is not only incomprehensible, it is borderline harassment.
For this group to continue to attack me and attempt to damage my reputation, is not only incomprehensible, it is borderline harassment.
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. Of the suits in which I was named, all suits were related to real estate and only four were deemed by the court to hold merit. These four have to do with filing for personal bankruptcy protection.
With regard to my filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, I will be honest it was an extremely difficult time for my family and me. As a 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. I believe it’s these personal challengers that I’ve faced and overcome that give me an understanding of the struggles many of our residents may be facing. More, my ability to overcome them speaks to my integrity and strength of character.
Since the Patterson’s have currently specifically identified each case, I feel obligated to provide the specific details of each suit. Therefore, please refer to the spreadsheet breaking down each case, by case number, detailing each complaint and their outcome along with a summary above.
Since the Patterson’s have currently specifically identified each case, I feel obligated to provide the specific details of each suit. Therefore, please refer to the spreadsheet breaking down each case, by case number, detailing each complaint and their outcome along with a summary above.
I have repeatedly said, I will be accountable, open and honest with the community. Ethics is important to me. I will make sound and moral judgments in my decisions and my actions. Community engagement is necessary, I will participate in collecting residents’ and businesses’ input, and actively work to make a difference for the City of Loveland’s future. If elected, as a member of Loveland’s City Council, I will listen and respect the opinions of all council members, business owners, residents and guest. I will bring to this body a skill set of organization, rational decision making and a inclination to detail with honesty, common sense and integrity.
Respectfully submitted, Neal Oury
Neal Oury is a first-time candidate for Loveland City Council
Loveland chiropractor Douglas Portmann, DC at Wards Corner Chiropractic & Sports Rehab is one of the best chiropractors in the Loveland Area.
“Let’s talk about character, by all means.”
by Halie Rebeccaschild,
Neal Oury has offered to dedicate himself to the good of the Loveland community though public service as a city council member over the next four years. He has fought to remove those who have sought to exploit our city, selling it off without your input, and for that, he’s facing serious backlash. Many people might not have had the courage to do what he did, standing up to Mark Fitzgerald this year. People are afraid, and we can see why from the character assault on Neal Oury. It takes tremendous character to bravely face down those with very little themselves.
Many people might not have had the courage to do what he did, standing up to Mark Fitzgerald this year.
Now, he’s being accused of hiding financial difficulties he faced nearly a decade ago. Let’s talk about that.
Neal Oury filed Ch 13 bankruptcy years ago and has continued to pay his debts, overcoming a serious financial setback. That’s exemplary! His family has a proven track record of overcoming obstacles. When asked, he has responded with openness, honesty, and humility about a painful time in his life.
Previous life lessons do not necessarily create bad people.
Previous life lessons do not necessarily create bad people. In the case of Neal and Lynn Oury, it’s created warm, compassionate, community-minded survivors whose record of volunteer service in the last ten years right here in Loveland would put most people to shame. They served this community even as they worked to overcome their financial difficulties of the past.
Neal Oury is an honest and humble community-minded, public servant who has overcome challenges, which is exactly what we need leading our city going forward. He’s proven that he has the life experiences and fortitude to lead us out of the mess Mark Fitzgerald and his majority voting block on city council created. More, he’s pledged to give residents a voice by driving neighborhood representation.
I say, bring on Neal Oury for city council. Let’s see what he can do to help move Loveland forward and out of the mess of the last 2 years.
Vote Oury on November 7 with pride!
Best regards to you, Loveland neighbors.
Halie S. Rebeccaschild B.A., M.A. is the Secretary of the Loveland Community Heartbeat Political Action Committee
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.
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Loveland, Ohio – You can turn in your unused or expired prescription medication on Saturday, October 28, from 10 AM until to 2 PM at Loveland Elementary School, 600 Lebanon Madeira Road, and Loveland Middle School, 801 S. Lebanon Road, with convenient drive-thru drop-offs.
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and anonymous means of disposing of prescription drugs. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of the abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
by Shanda Gentry
When Loveland’s alarm clocks ring on November 8th all the work that the candidates and residents have put into this election will be done but the work for our city will just be beginning. Loveland has eight candidates vying to represent us, choosing the right ones is imperative so we don’t go back to where we have been. We have weathered fights over our Loveland Farmers Market, fees charged to vendors working in our city, a recall petition times two of our former mayor, and much infighting amongst the remaining members of council.
My votes go to Neal Oury, Tim Butler, Ted Phelps and Rob Weisgerber. Transparency, resident engagement, and ethical behavior is a promise from all four and that is imperative for me.
Rob Weisgerber represents continuity and history to me. Rob has been on council through good times in Loveland and bad and he is the first to admit that decisions made with the greatest intentions sometimes backfire in the long run. His humility and willingness to devote so much to our city along with continuity and history pull a vote from me for Rob.
Neal Oury represents new ideas but with a great background in Loveland and in management that will be a huge asset to Loveland. Neal has proven his character by his decision to be open with personal hardships he has endured and his neighborly attitude of helping Mark Bersani of Loveland Canoe when their building flooded in March and Neal was right there to lend a hand.
Tim Butler is an innovator who created the SMAC track and cross country program that has served thousands of girls and boys in the Loveland Area. He is someone who has a fresh approach to city council but is a practicing attorney so following rules and regulations is second nature to him. We need someone on council who brings fresh eyes to Loveland but with a backbone to stand up for what our city needs and deserves and Tim brings that in my opinion.
Ted Phelps is another existing councilmember, with less time in the seat than Rob, but still brings some consistency of working with members of City staff and residents. Ted is always attentive during council meetings to whoever is speaking, as an attorney he knows that shows respect. My vote for Ted is due to his always friendly and open to opinions even those he doesn’t agree with but he is extremely respectful and throughful in his interactions.
These four gentlemen will bring a fantastic combination of history with new opinions, attentiveness and respectfulness with a strong backbone to push back when needed, lifelong residents of Loveland and those who have absorbed ideas from other cities, knowledge about rules and regulations in many areas but most important a desire to represent and engage with each other and the residents of our town.
Join me in voting for Neal Oury, Ted Phelps, Tim Butler and Rob Weisgerber on November 7th.
