Montgomery - City of Montgomery, Ohio

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®
Montgomery
April 2015
Bulletin
Safety Village
Registration Opens April 27, 2015
The City of Montgomery will
conduct Safety Village this summer
for children ages 5 and 6. Safety
Village is a one-week, summer safety
camp where children learn about
various aspects of child safety. Safety
Village is designed to help children
make wise decisions in potentially
dangerous situations, as well as how
to handle emergencies they may
encounter. Students learn basic pedestrian and traffic safety rules, 9-1-1
basics, animal, water, school bus and fire safety. Safety Village will be held
at Swaim Park in two one-week sessions, rain or shine. The first session is
scheduled from June 15-19, 2015. The second session will be presented
from June 22-26. Each week offers morning classes from 9:00 a.m. to
noon or afternoon classes from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Montgomery Police
and Fire Departments coordinate and direct the safety program. Children
will be instructed by a Montgomery Police Officer and a certified teacher,
with assistance from junior high school, high school and college students.
Safety specialists will visit the classes and teach about their respective
areas of expertise. Children who reside in the City of Montgomery may
attend free of charge. Children of nonresidents may attend for a fee of
$25 each. Payment is due upon registration, with checks made payable to
the City of Montgomery. Registration for Montgomery residents begins
April 27 at 8:00 a.m. Open registration begins on May 4, as space permits.
Registration can be made online at montgomeryohio.org. Registrations
will also be accepted at the Montgomery City Hall. Mail-in registrations
cannot be accepted for this program. In order to allow more children to get
through the program, only first time participants will be allowed to sign up.
If you need more information, please contact Officer Bob Otte at 985-1600.
Free family event
promotes safety awareness
The annual Safety Awareness Day will take place Saturday,
April 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This free family
event will be held at the Montgomery Safety Center, 10150
Montgomery Road, at the corner of Montgomery and
Hopewell Roads.
Police and fire department personnel will be on hand to
show various equipment and services. Staff demonstrations
will include fire extinguisher training, vehicle extrication
demonstration, and a SWAT unit will be present to answer
questions.
There will be free face painting, various booths with
giveaways, music by the Hamilton County
Police Association’s “Most Wanted”
band and free refreshments,
courtesy of the Blue Ash/
Montgomery Rotary
Club.
Volunteer Assistants Needed for 2015 Safety Village
Being a Safety Village assistant is a great way to occupy a teen’s time and help them give back to the community. It is a great way to
accumulate a good number of volunteer service hours for those who may have a school requirement, for a job application or for a
student’s college application. The program is in need of 40 teen volunteers (age 14 years and older by June 15, 2015) this year. Volunteers
must be available for a week-long commitment, June 15-19 and/or June 22-26, for shifts of 8:30 a.m. to noon and/or 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Multiple shifts are available. To receive the week and shift wanted and/or to sign up with another volunteer for the same shift, please sign
up early. Those interested should contact DeAnna Gross at 792-8329 or dgross@ci.montgomery.oh.us.
City Council Message
& Council Corner
Leadership Academy
visits Bethesda North
Hospital
Business Listing
offers choice to
Montgomery residents
Spring Plant Swap
scheduled
Page 2,3
Page 4
Page 6
Page 10
Montgomery Photo
Competition Winners
Announced
Page 15
THE NEXT FIVE YEARS...
Montgomery has a
distinctive brand, and
it is definitely brick-a
credit to our recently
retired Community
Development Director,
Frank Davis.
By Todd Steinbrink
The vision to preserve
our past has set Montgomery apart in
look and feel from every other suburb
in Cincinnati. We have also been very
fortunate over the years to carefully craft
a commercial and residential balance that
affords us the ability to proactively set
high-quality service standards, host an
array of events and pursue development
opportunities when presented. But every
community must always be looking forward
to meet the ever changing needs of its
citizens.
Over the next six months, City Council
and staff will again embark on the City’s
five-year strategic planning process.
Identifying the direction for the future,
while honoring our “brand,” requires the
feedback of our citizens balanced with the
fiscal realities and operational priorities
of a municipal government. The process
includes prioritizing the investment needed
to maintain our current infrastructure, to
deliver the desired levels of services and to
carefully consider where and how to expand
on the brand that is Montgomery.
Soon you will receive a survey from the
University of Cincinnati’s Center for Policy
Research. It is one of the best tools we have
to gather opinions from our nearly 10,000
residents. The more input we receive from
our residents, the better Council and staff
can craft a vision for the next 5 years.
Please take time before you begin the
survey to give thought to the “brand” that
Montgomery is, and what it is we want it
to be. That insight will help us define the
priorities of local government and push us
to reinforce what our community is known
for now and in the future. We are fortunate
to live in such a remarkable community and
look forward to its even brighter future.
Do you have to file a Montgomery Income
Tax Return? Most likely YES!
1.
2
3.
4.
5.
6.
Are you a resident of and/or domiciled to the City of Montgomery?
id you have any taxable income in 2014? This includes, but not limited to, W-2 wages, rental income, business
D
income and gambling winnings.
Have you previously filed a City tax return and not been placed in retired status?
Are you self-employed and performed work in the City limits?
Are you a business doing work in Montgomery?
Are you a business located in Montgomery?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions for tax year 2014, you need to file an income tax return with the City of Montgomery.
The City has MANDATORY income tax filing for all ages and income levels. The City does give credit for taxes paid to other municipalities, up
to 1% of taxed wages; however, you still must file, even if you do not owe any tax.
For assistance completing your tax return, please bring your W-2 form(s), the front page of your Federal 1040 form and any supporting
Federal schedules with you. The tax office will prepare your local return without cost and no appointment is necessary. For your
convenience, there is a locked container at the front desk of City Hall for an easy and safe drop-off of your forms and information. Afterhours, there is a drop-off slot in the front door at City Hall.
The tax office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As April 15th approaches, the tax office will be providing
extended hours for the convenience of residents, using the following schedule:
• Monday – Friday
• Saturday
• Wednesday April 6-14 April 11
April 15
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. – noon
7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
For any questions, call 891-2424 and ask for the tax office, or visit our
website at montgomeryohio.org. Additional Montgomery tax forms or
federal extension request forms are also available on the City website.
2
April 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org
Council Corner
March 18 Work Session
Montgomery City Council will meet in its regular monthly business session on March 18 at City Hall. Meetings
begin at 7:00 p.m. with public comment welcomed on each item before Council.
Pending legislation
A Resolution Authorizing the Hamilton County, Ohio Fire EMS, Mutual Aid Agreement
RECENT COUNCIL ACTION
Approved legislation
March 4, 2015
Ordinance No. 4, 2015
An Ordinance Amending the Schedule of Municipal Compensation (passed 7-0)
Ordinance No. 5, 2015
An Ordinance Authorizing an Amendment to the City of Montgomery, Ohio, Agreement and Plan of
Industrial, Commercial, Distribution and Research Development with Montgomery Community
Improvement Corporation (passed 7-0)
Ordinance No. 6, 2015
An Ordinance to Amend Appropriations for Current Expenses and Other Expenditures of The City of
Montgomery, State of Ohio, during the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2015 (passed 7-0)
These pieces of approved legislation can be reviewed on the City’s website at montgomeryohio.org
For more information
about leaf collection
in the City of
Montgomery,
please visit
montgomeryohio.org
to review the recently
updated Frequently
Asked Questions.
GRA land to be developed soon
The Gateway Redevelopment Area (GRA) is comprised of approximately 11 acres on the east side
of Montgomery Road at Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway, including the old Chevrolet and Ford
dealerships and some land previously owned by Hamilton County. The property has recently been
transferred to the Montgomery Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), who is the designated
agency to promote economic development within the City. The CIC recently issued a Request for
Qualifications (RFQ) to seek a team of qualified real estate developers with experience in mixed-use
infill projects to partner with the CIC on the redevelopment of the Gateway Redevelopment Area.
The CIC received 13 submissions in response to the RFQ. At their meeting on Wednesday, March 4,
the CIC agreed to convene a selection committee composed of two-to-three members of the CIC,
the city manager, the law director, the finance director, the public works director and the community
development director to review the submissions and make a recommendation to the full CIC on
which developers will move forward in the process. The committee is expected to begin its review in
late March and make a recommendation to the CIC in April. At that time, the CIC will issue a Request
for Proposals (RFP) to the teams that were selected to move forward in the process. The CIC, on
behalf of the City, will then select a master developer based on their vision for the site, proven track
record in completing high-quality projects complementary to the surrounding area and a track record
of attracting and successfully negotiating with quality end users. The CIC will look for a developer
committed to a pedestrian- oriented urban design that also is sensitive to the traffic flow and parking
needs of the area.
April 2015
3
Sycamore
Community
Schools and the
Leadership Academy
visits Bethesda North Hospital
City of Montgomery Make
the Connection
Sycamore Community Schools and the City
of Montgomery recently completed the
first step of a service sharing effort that
combines the computer networks of both
organizations to gain efficiencies and save
tax dollars.
The first step of this service sharing effort
was accomplished through the installation
of a high-speed fiber optic cable from
Montgomery City Hall to Montgomery
Elementary along Montgomery Road and
from the Montgomery Public Works building
to Sycamore High School on Cornell Road.
These two links now extend the network
reach and capabilities of both organizations.
The cable installation was budgeted and
paid for by the City of Montgomery. The
City of Montgomery contracted with
Sycamore Community Schools for network
management and support.
Cost savings
The City of Montgomery will recover the
cost of the installation of the fiber optic
cable over a three-year period. After three
years, the City will save approximately
$12,000 per year.
Improved Operations
The combined network extends the reach
of both organizations to better serve the
Montgomery community and Sycamore
Community Schools student population. The
high speed connection finalizes a long-term
project to connect all City facilities through
modern fiber-optic cabling.
Future possibilities
Future possibilities are endless. The next
potential project is the combining of both
telephone systems into one, saving costs for
both organizations. In addition, the sharing
of the knowledge between the technology
departments will further enhance network
operational efficiencies.
“This is a great example of a shared service
that will result in better service to the
public, increased operational capacity and
lower costs” said Matthew Vanderhorst,
community and information services
director.
4
April 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org
MCLA Class 2015 goes “hands on” with Bethesda’s Da Vinci Surgical Robot. Applications
are now being accepted for MCLA 2016 at montgomeryohio.org
Living up to its promise, the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy 2015 (MCLA)
took the ultimate “look behind the scenes” of our community, when it visited Bethesda
North Hospital. Bethesda, Montgomery’s largest employer with 3,034 employees, did
not disappoint.
Starting with an impressive reception and overview by Barb Boyne, Chief Operating
Officer of Bethesda North Hospital, this year’s twenty-three MCLA participants were
treated to a special glimpse few will ever see with a “backstage guided tour” of hospital
operations.
This session, “Health Care: Montgomery’s Signature Industry”, is consistently one of
MCLA’s highest rated workshops. It provides citizens with an opportunity to go “hands
on” with cutting edge technology such as the Human Patient Simulator and the Da Vinci
Surgical Robot.
A special thanks goes out to Bethesda North Hospital, along with our other community
partners, Twin Lakes Senior Living Community, Sycamore Community Schools, Ohio
National Financial Services and the Hamilton County Emergency Regional Operations
Center for making the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy an experience few
residents should ever miss. Applications are now available for MCLA Class of 2016.
If you are interested in this highly interactive program, to apply, or for more
information, visit montgomeryohio.org or contact Ray Kingsbury, director of citizen
engagement, at 792-8359. Space is limited.
Montgomery Road
Did you know that Montgomery Road
used to be a dirt road called State Street?
This picture was taken at the intersection
of Montgomery Road and Cooper Road
looking north in approximately 1910. By
1824, State Street was a well-established
toll road used by travelers making the
trip from Cincinnati to Columbus. The
cost was 2¢ per mile for a horse team and
wagon. Farmers helped keep the road in
good condition by hauling rocks from the
nearby creek bed.
New employees join the City of Montgomery
Taylor
joins Montgomery Public
Works staff
Walter Taylor
comes to
the City of
Montgomery
from the City of
Blue Ash, where
he worked for
seven years
in the public
works facility
maintenance
department.
During that
time, he worked
at the City’s special events and performed
facility maintenance, electrical, plumbing,
carpentry, HVAC, and minor construction work
as well as snow and ice removal.
Taylor is a graduate of Sycamore Community
Schools and attended Live Oaks Vocational
School where he obtained an HVAC EPA
Universal Certificate.
Let your passion
blossom
The City is looking for individuals to make
a commitment to be more involved in the
leadership of the community. The following
City Commission might be the place to do
so. The initial step is to attend an upcoming
meeting of the commission to learn more
about project work and to meet current
members. The following commission has
an opening and is in need of a member to
complete its volunteer team:
Arts Commission
Members foster and promote the visual and
performing arts within the City. Programs
and events include the Photo Contest, Live
at the Uni Concert Series, and July 3 Patriotic
Concert. Meetings are scheduled for the
first Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. One
Commission position is currently open.
For further information and/or to apply for
the above position, contact DeAnna Gross at
792-8329 or dgross@ci.montgomery.oh.us.
Fink joins staff as recreation
specialist
Sarah Fink comes to the City of Montgomery from the
City of Mason, where she worked in Recreation. While
there she successfully worked on many projects within
the Parks and Recreation Department. Some of those
included the adult men’s basketball league, adult softball
league, summer concert series, instructional tennis,
fishing, camps, youth basketball league, a tennis festival,
facility rentals and an Education Across the Globe 5k
walk/run. She also has experience in recreation and
fitness from her work at the University of Cincinnati Recreation Center. While there, she
worked as a fitness floor coordinator, building supervisor and group exercise instructor
teaching a variety of yoga classes.
Fink has a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Promotion and Education from the University of
Cincinnati, and is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Health Promotion and
Exercise Management at the University of Cincinnati and is set to graduate this spring.
Kipper newest customer
service representative
Julie Kipper recently joined the Community and
Information Services Department as a Customer Service
Representative. She started her new position in February
of 2015.
Kipper is originally from Hudson, Ohio, but has lived in
the greater Cincinnati area for the past 20 years. She
brings many years of customer service experience from
her previous career with Comair Airlines, where she was employed for 18 years.
In her spare time, Kipper enjoys horseback riding, swimming, and lots of other outdoor
activities. She and her husband live in Liberty Township, along with their dog, Hazel.
They enjoy traveling, especially cruise vacations, and visiting their families in Florida
and Missouri.
Hays experienced with planning and zoning
Melissa Hays has 10 years of experience in community
planning and zoning, both in the public and private
sectors. Her local government planning experience
includes working for Anderson Township, the City
of Las Vegas and the Clark County (Nevada) School
District in various current and long-range urban
planning capacities. Most recently, she worked for
TEC Engineering, Inc. in Mason, Ohio, assisting local
communities with planning and zoning in relation to
development and transportation projects. In addition,
she holds a B.A. in Urban Studies with a concentration
in Planning and Administration and carries a minor
in Political Science from the College of Charleston,
South Carolina. Hays is active in the American Planning
Association and is a member of the American Institute
of Certified Planners.
April 2015
5
It’s Your Business, Montgomery
Good News About
Montgomery Businesses
The Christ
Hospital Announces
Montgomery Opening Plans
Outpatient Center Practices Start Opening in
April, Grand Opening May 9
The Christ Hospital Outpatient Center – Montgomery
will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, May 9
with a community open house from 10:00 a.m. - noon.
Offices will begin opening the week of April 6, starting
with imaging, lab services, pre-surgery testing, and
radiation oncology. Physician practices will move in
weekly throughout April and May.
Located ½ mile north of I-275 at 11140 Montgomery
Road, the Outpatient Center was designed to transform
the patient and family experience. It is the first
Christ Hospital Outpatient Center to offer centralized
welcome centers and Express Check-in services. It is
also The Christ Hospital’s first location off the main
hospital campus to offer full-service radiation oncology,
including a state-of-the-art linear accelerator and CT
Simulator. The Varian TrueBeam technology selected
for Montgomery was also recently added to The Christ
Hospital Cancer Center in Mt. Auburn.
TrueBeam allows clinicians to deliver treatment with
pinpoint accuracy, even for challenging cancers of the
lung, breast, abdomen, head, neck and others. The
image-guided treatment targets tumors with submillimeter accuracy and can synchronize the beam with
the patient’s breathing. This helps preserve healthy
tissue, especially whenever a tumor might be in motion
during treatment.
For more information about The Christ Hospital
Outpatient Center – Montgomery, including a full
schedule of openings, visit
TheChristHospital.com/Montgomery or call 585-1000.
6
April 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org
Business
Listing
offers choice to
Montgomery
residents
The City of Montgomery
recognizes that vibrant and
successful businesses are
an essential part of the
community. The City offers
an opportunity to promote
any Montgomery business
through an online listing
on the City of Montgomery
website. With 16,000 plus monthly visits, residents can utilize the website to
increase the awareness of their business. This is available only for businesses
in the City of Montgomery. Businesses are invited to submit business
information via an update form found on the webpage.
Businesses move to
new locations within the City
Blue Cocoon has moved to 9361 Montgomery
Road and Kim’s Fine Design and Alterations has
moved to 9361 Montgomery Road, Suite F.
Girl’s World has opened at 7819 Cooper Road,
carrying a full line of clothes, accessories and gifts
for girls ages 4 to 14.
Saxby’s Coffee has opened at 9321 Montgomery
Road. Saxby’s features coffee, tea, smoothies,
frozen yogurt, pastries, salads and sandwiches.
There is also a drive-thru.
Coming soon: Cinque, a new restaurant by Nicola,
is opening in the location vacated by Germano’s
Restaurant at 9415 Montgomery Road. Nicola’s
will feature fine-dining Italian and will be open for
dinner, as well as lunch, Monday through Friday.
Hats Off . . .
to our 2015 Volunteer Walk of Fame exceptional
volunteers Boyann Bedell, Michael Harbison, Ron
Keeling, Phil Schwartz and Marcallene Shockey. These
exceptional volunteers have reached the goal of 250
or more volunteer hours and have been included in
the Volunteer Walk of Fame walk in Montgomery Park.
Hats Off to these exceptional volunteers!
Also, the week of April 12th is designated as National
Volunteer Week. It is an annual opportunity to publicly
acknowledge the enormous contributions made by
volunteers nationwide. Those volunteers, who make
their contributions with the City of Montgomery, help
to make Montgomery a community of engaged citizens.
In 2014, approximately 432 volunteers served at
the City’s events and projects. They shared their
time and expertise on such projects as basket and
beautification planting, maintenance of flower beds
and parks, recycling, Safety Village, front desk/office
support, Public Works assistance and the Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT). Volunteers also
staffed City events such as July 4, Bastille Day, DogFest,
Harvest Moon and Holiday in the Village, helping to
ensure that our attendees experience engagement and
community. In addition, 62 volunteers make a longtime commitment serving in a leadership capacity on
the City’s Boards and Commissions.
The City of Montgomery takes this opportunity
to extend its appreciation to each and every City
of Montgomery volunteer. They help to make
Montgomery a great place to live, work and play
through their dedication and commitment. Hats Off to
all City of Montgomery volunteers!
April Volunteer
opportunities
Basket Planting
(Adults)
Tuesday, April 7, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Public Works Building, 7315 Cornell Road
Help plant the hanging baskets that will
decorate the City
Arbor Day Seedling Bag & Tag
(Adults, teens, families, groups)
Thursday, April 23, 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Public Works Building, 7315 Cornell Road
Bag and Tag seedlings for Arbor Day distribution
to elementary students.
Safety Village Assistants Sign-Ups
(Teens - 14 years of age and older by June 15, 2015)
Weeks of June 15-19 and June 22-26
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Swaim Park at the corner of Cooper and Zig Zag Roads.
Assist with safety training of young children.
Monthly Recycling Drop-Off Project
(Adults, teens, families, groups)
Saturday, April 18, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Public Works Building, 7315 Cornell Road
Assist the staff by removing recyclables from vehicles.
Office Support at City Hall
For answering phones and office support tasks.
Need a people person to support the staff on
an as-needed basis. Join our Office Support Team.
For more specific information about any of these short-term projects,
contact DeAnna Gross at 792-8329 or
dgross@ci.montgomery.oh.us.
EMS SignPost protects residents in an emergency
The City of Montgomery Fire Department offers a city-wide service called EMS SignPost.
The program is free and available only to residents of Montgomery. Residents can
register online through the City website, montgomeryohio.org/emssignpost, or call the
Fire Department at 985-1633 for assistance with registration. By signing up, residents will
assist Montgomery’s safety personnel when they must respond to a health emergency
for a spouse, child, or older adult family member, or themselves.
What is EMS SignPost?
When you register on the secure website, the City’s paramedics will be able to use a
smart phone to quickly, reliably, and securely access a person’s health history in order
to provide better emergency care during a 911 health emergency. EMS SignPost is an abbreviated version of an individual’s health history
that has been stored on a personal, secure web page. It includes information such as medications, persistent health conditions, allergies, and
doctor contact information. The City also provides residents with a special access code to their personal web page. The code is written on a free
magnetic card that can be affixed to a refrigerator for easy access.
For more information, please visit montgomeryohio.org or call Julee Nies at the Fire Department at 985-1633 during regular business hours.
April 2015
7
Connect Montgomery groups strive for excellence in 2015
Montgomery Food Share had another successful food
donation on February 7 with 13 neighborhoods contributing
4,216 pounds of food and personal care items to the Free
Store Food Bank. Montgomery Food Share is always eager
to sign up new food donors to contribute to the every-othermonth food pick up. Please email foodshare@cinci.rr.com
or go to connectmontgomery.org to find out how you can
join as a participant in Montgomery Food Share, a 501(c)3
charity. The next pickup date is Saturday, April 4.
The Northeast Emergency Distribution Service (NEEDS) food
pantry’s mission is to provide emergency assistance to the
neediest families in the Northeast Cincinnati community and
they are currently seeking volunteers. The food pantry is
located at 8341 Kenwood Road.
In other news...
Since 1990 the Blue Ash/Montgomery Rotary Club has annually recognized outstanding citizens and entrepreneurs from the community
with special awards. This year, the awards will be presented at the 3rd annual Community Awards Celebration dinner on April 30 at the
Cooper Creek Event Center, 4040 Cooper Road in Blue Ash.
The Montgomery Woman’s Club will host its annual spring event on Saturday, May 2, at the Manor House, 7440 S. Mason Montgomery
Road in Mason. This spring event will feature a luncheon and fashion show. The fashions will be by Chico’s. The Woman’s Club Town Hall
Lecture Series will feature FBI profiler Clint Van Zandt on April 8 and 9.
Sycamore Athletic Boosters will host their annual golf outing on Friday, May 8 at the Blue Ash Golf Course.
The Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy Class of 2014 will serve as the coordinating group for Connect Montgomery’s Making
A Difference Day to be held on October 24. The purpose of this day of service is to highlight the importance of giving back to others.
Participants are encouraged to focus their efforts on causes about which they are passionate. If your organization, house of worship or
club would like to participate, please contact Julie Tople at 518-8880.
For more information on these and other member events, please visit connectmontgomery.org.
Swaim Park – a lot of park in a small space
Swaim Park is only 13 acres, but it is packed
with amenities. Features include a lodge, two
shelters, a gazebo, three play sets for various
ages, tennis courts, basketball court, volleyball
court, walking trail, nature and more. Come
see for yourself. April is the perfect time to
enjoy the park.
Here are just a few ways to enjoy it:
• Take a walk on the paved trail
• Watch the ducks on pond
• Identify various blooming trees
and plants
• Fish in the pond
• Picnic with friends
• Play volleyball or basketball
• Swing on the swingset
Experience all that Swaim Park offers.
The park was nominated as Best Park in
Cincy Magazine’s 2015 Best of the North
competition.
8
April 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org
Spring Crime Prevention Tips
Spring is just around the corner and we are all ready for winter to be behind us. Please remember that this is an opportune time to
secure your home or business. Spring is the time for outdoor activities and vacations, remember that this is also the time we see a spike
in property crimes. Homes and vehicles are often unlocked with open windows and doors. People often leave valuables such as cell
phones, laptops, briefcases, purses and bikes in plain view. Blooming trees and shrubs can block streetlights and obscure the view of the
residence from the street. Learn to keep crime at bay with these tips for enjoying a safe spring season.
•
Install lighting, dusk to dawn detector lights are preferred, on the home’s exterior.
•
Trim shrubbery around your home to eliminate hiding places.
•
Be sure that door locks are sturdy, functioning and of the proper type, such as dead bolt or key to key, where glass is present.
Have all locks keyed to one key only.
•
Be sure that double hung, casement, and sliding windows function and lock properly.
•
Please ensure that your address is clearly visible from the street for emergency and identification purposes.
•
Close and lock your garage door when you are not nearby.
•
Do not leave bikes unattended. Use bike locks to secure them when out of sight.
•
Alarm systems are effective if installed by a licensed company. Use the alarm system even if you go out for a short time.
•
Keep all doors and windows closed and locked.
•
Vacation planning is extremely important. Use light timers and notify the Police Department when you leave by calling 9851600 to make a “vacation check”, or visit the City of Montgomery website at montgomeryohio.org to complete and submit the
request online. Have a neighbor or friend keep an eye on your home.
•
Speak to your children about the importance of not giving out garage access and/or alarm codes to their friends. This can cause
some unwanted surprises.
•
Be aware of your surroundings when you walk, jog, or bike.
•
Always secure your vehicle when unattended and place valuables such as electronics, purses or money out of sight or in the
trunk.
Remember that for a crime to occur there must be an opportunity to commit the crime. By following the tips listed above, you can
reduce the possibility of becoming a victim. For more information, contact the Montgomery Police Crime Prevention Specialists, Officer
James Martin, Officer Tom Wagner or Sgt. Mike Plaatje at 985-1600.
April 2015
9
Spring Plant
Swap scheduled
Arbor Day tree seedlings available
Each year the Montgomery
Beautification and Tree
Commission distributes
approximately 900 tree seedlings
to local elementary schools in
observance of Arbor Day. The
tree seedlings are handed out to
students in grades kindergarten
through 2nd grade with hopes of
being taken home and planted.
Montgomery’s Beautification and Tree Commission
will sponsor its 20th annual Spring Plant Swap on
Saturday, April 25 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the City
Hall parking lot. The event is free and open to the
public.
The plant swap provides an excellent opportunity
for avid gardeners to find homes for their divided
perennials while being enticed by new garden
varieties. Commission members recommend that
attendees label their “swaps” by providing the plant’s
name and its sun or shade preference. Those wishing
to take plants home should bring bags or other
containers for transporting.
In addition, guests will have an opportunity for a
sneak preview of the annuals that were selected for
the City’s 260 hanging baskets that will be planted
by volunteers on April 7 to enhance Montgomery’s
Heritage District streetscape later this spring.
On Thursday, April 23, the
Commission members will meet
to individually bag and tag this
year’s tree seedlings and deliver
them to each school on Friday,
April 24, Arbor Day.
Matthias Geyer is shown with a
tree seedling that he received
from school three years ago. The seedling was planted in a pot for the first
year and then transplanted to the family’s yard.
Free Arbor Day Walk planned
The City of Montgomery will commemorate Arbor Day with an informative commentary and walk through Montgomery Park, hosted by
City Arborist Terry Willenbrink. The free walk through beautiful Montgomery Park is planned for Friday, April 24.
Participants will begin the walk & talk at 10:00 a.m. in Montgomery Park, located at 10101 Montgomery Road, and meet at the west end of
the parking lot on Schoolhouse Lane. The class will make its way throughout the park discussing anything and everything about trees and
shrubs.
“Arbor Day is an excellent time and opportunity to take stock of the trees on your property, while also considering other tree species for
your property that are excellent for our climate,” said Mr. Willenbrink, who has 29 years of experience with the City of Montgomery in
landscape design, trees and beautification.
The City of Montgomery has earned the status of Tree City USA for 19 years, meeting the standards established by the Arbor Day
Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forestry Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
For additional information, call Terry Willenbrink at 792-8320.
Concerned about water?
Do you have water-bill-phobia? Are you concerned about our local watershed? Want to know more
about rain barrels and rain gardens? Attend an informative presentation on April 28, at 7:00 p.m. at
Terwilliger Lodge, 10530 Deerfield Road, with guest speaker Gwen Roth from the Hamilton County Soil
and Water Conservation District. Roth will be sharing her expertise and experience, addressing these
and other questions.
If you would like to have your water/sewage bill reviewed, please bring it with you as a representative
from the Environmental Advisory Commission will be available to analyze your water usage.
There is no cost for this program; however, registration is required. Register online at
montgomeryohio.org or by phone at 891-2424.
10
April 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org
Montgomery commits to Taking
Root Campaign.
The City of Montgomery recently became a partner in the Taking Root Campaign.
The Taking Root Campaign is a broad-based collaborative established to address
the threats confronting local trees and forests and the current historic loss of the
region’s tree canopy. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage and promote
the planting of trees, to better manage local forests, to talk about the many
benefits of healthy trees and to foster a sense of stewardship among individuals
and communities.
The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI), the Green
Partnership for a Greater Cincinnati, the Green Umbrella, and The Cincinnati Zoo
& Botanical Garden are conveners of the Taking Root Campaign. The goal of the
campaign is to plant two million trees in the eight-county OKI tri-state region by 2020.
As a member of the Taking Root Council, the City of Montgomery will provide technical and
capacity support to the campaign including providing project advice, onsite counsel and training
related to tree planting, invasive plant removal and management practices. Look for more
information in the Montgomery Bulletin and on the City’s website featuring news about the Taking
Root Campaign and other tree-related articles.
Want to treat your lawn
in a safe and environmentally-friendly way? Consider this….
There is a wide variety of fertilizer, weed control, and pesticide products on the market to choose from.
If you read the labels, you will discover that there are organic and non-organic product options with differences worth considering.
When it comes to safety, organic products are usually the best bet for use around kids and pets.
Regarding the environment, the types and amounts of chemicals you use matter. If too much product is applied to your lawn, the excess
will be washed away by the next rain, becoming a stormwater pollutant. This stormwater eventually ends up in a creek, leading to the
Little Miami and Ohio Rivers. We swim, fish, and drink from these rivers, so it is in everyone’s best interest to keep them as pollution-free
as possible.
Here are some tips on how to minimize stormwater pollution:
• Try to keep yard clippings and leaves away from storm drains and creeks, as they introduce unwanted nutrients and organic matter to storm water runoff.
• Don’t over water your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
• Don’t over-use fertilizers, weed control, and pesticides. Follow the products recommended application rates and remove
“spill over” from adjacent driveways, sidewalks, and paved surfaces. Only apply fertilizers several times during a growing season as
needed (at eight-to-10-week intervals).
• When it comes to weed control, consider treating the individual weeds rather than the entire lawn.
• Compost or mulch your yard waste to be used as fertilizer, reducing the reliance upon commercial products. You may
apply 1/4-inch of compost on your lawn in the spring and fall, which may meet your lawn’s yearly nutritional requirements as
well as provide a portion of it’s nitrogen needs.
Lawns should be treated in the safest and most environmentally-friendly way possible.
April 2015
11
City of Montgomery
Recreation and
Events
Pool = Summertime Fun!
Summer is the perfect time for fun and relaxation. The City of
Montgomery pool is the perfect place to unwind, stay cool, catch some
rays, meet new friends and, best of all, it’s an activity that can be enjoyed
by the whole family. Residents and returning members may sign up
online at montgomeryohio.org. Memberships are also available for
purchase at City Hall.
Makos Swim Team
Movies, Games,
Hula and More!
The Montgomery Community Pool has a full schedule of fun
planned for 2015!
“Love the energy and vibe at the pool and the pool
parties and activities/events.” -- past pool member
comment from annual member survey
JUNE
Individual skill development, teamwork and summer fun is the
focus of the Montgomery Swim Team! The Makos swam strong in
2014 with many swimmers improving their swimming skills. Swim
team registrations began on March 11 for returning members and
then open to general registration to all pool members beginning
April 10. Cost is $105 for the first swimmer and $85 for additional
swimmers in the family. The swim team is a member of the TriCounty Swim League and will be participating in six to seven season
meets, local swim invitationals and league championships. The entire
team may participate in the league championships which are held
at Miami University at the end of July. Summer practices run from
8:30 – 11:00 a.m. for one hour sessions dependent on age and skills.
The latest information regarding meets, practices, parent’s meeting
and parent’s packet is on the City’s website, montgomeryohio.org. For
information about the swim team, call City Hall at 891-2424. Join the
Makos this year and make a summer of great memories!
Pool Gazebo Rental
Youth birthday parties and summer celebrations will be set apart in the
beautifully landscaped gazebo with a private grill where summertime
aromas of hamburgers sizzling will bring your guests together after
a cooling swim. Rates are $30 for the first hour and $10 for each
additional hour.
Groups that rent the shelter will be allowed to bring food into the
pool area to be served and eaten under the shelter. Group rate fee for
non-members is $3 per person (charged upon entering the facility on
the date of the event). To reserve the gazebo complete the request
form that is located online at montgomeryohio.org or at the front desk
at the pool.
12
April 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org
June 11 - Big Rig Gig, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., kids can explore a police car, fire truck, a backhoe and more!
June 19 - Luau Party 6 p.m., Dive in Movie at dusk
June 21 - Father’s Day appreciation–Free popcorn for pops!
JULY
July 4 - Splashtacular event with games and prizes, 2 p.m.
AUGUST
August 6 - Rootbeer float day at the pool, float races
and rootbeer floats, 3 p.m.
August 7 - Luau Party 6 p.m., Dive in Movie at dusk
SEPTEMBER
September 7 - Doggie Swim (let your K-9 go kerplunk!) &
Dog Fest .Get your K-9 ready! 5-8 p.m.
“The luaus are a blast. The kids love them
and love to tell others about it.”
- Past pool member comment from Annual Survey
Tuesday FUN!
FUN TUESDAYS are back! Kids’ fun FREE activity on Tuesdays
at 3:00 p.m. June 16 – July 28. Come for an exciting, fun and
new activity each week. From the water balloon toss to the
biggest splash contest, kids now know this day and time! And
we can’t forget to mention prizes! New this year will be pool
scrabble and many more new and fun activities. Come out on
Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. to experience the fun yourself!
Variety of
membership options
offered to fit your life
Fitness
Options include: Standard = full season, Weekend = Saturdays and Sundays, Evening = after 5 p.m. daily and Midseason = starting July 12th.
Membership pricing
Resident
Single membership Couple (resident only)
Family
Family with sitter (resident only)
Senior single (60 & over)
Standard Weekend
$135
$98
$210
$156
$255
$182
$350
$248
$100
$73
Evening Midseason
$85
$85
$138 $138
$157 $157
$214 $214
$64
$64
Nonresident
Single membership
Family
Senior single (60 & over)
$215
$455
$135
$154
$322
$98
$133
$277
$85
$133
$277
$85
Business
Single membership
Family
Senior single (60 & over)
$155
$305
$110
$112
$217
$80
$97
$187
$70
$97
$187
$70
Referral Program returns!
This popular program is back again this year. Returning 2015
members can receive $75 off a standard full season membership
for referring a new 2015 member who signs up for a standard
full season membership. The new member must not have been
a member in 2014. The new member will receive $50 off their
membership. Seek out others and get the discount. Details
and other information will be available online soon by visiting
montgomeryohio.org.
A greaseless fryer is coming to the Montgomery Community Pool
this pool season! This will offer you and your family new and
healthy food options. More information will be coming soon!
GROUP & PRIVATE
SWIM LESSONS
Kids can learn a lifelong skill and experience the joy of swimming!
Five sessions of group swim lessons are planned and each session
runs Monday through Thursday for 2 weeks. Morning and evening
times are offered. For ages 4 and up, Level 1 beginners through Level
5 stroke development will be offered. New this year is a Frog and
Tadpoles class for ages 6 months to 3.9 years old. This new class requires parent participation and starts during Session B. Also, new this
season is our class size. A minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 kids are
permitted in each lesson. Session A swim lesson registration begins
Friday, May 8. The group swim lesson fee for pool members is $50
per session and nonmembers is $65 per session. Private and semiprivate swim lessons are offered as well. Private swim lesson request
forms will be accepted at the pool front desk when the pool opens.
Tae Kwon Do
April session begins April 1, 2015
Join us at the Recreation
Annex every Monday and
Wednesday evenings in
April from 6:45-7:45 p.m.
Register at the class or City
Hall, Cost $35 residents/$40
non-resident per month.
Great for children and adults.
For more information, call
Tom Hardy at 505-0138 or
563-8167.
WE VALUE YOUR
FEEDBACK!
Please take our fitness survey!
The City of Montgomery offers a variety of fitness
opportunities at our Recreation Annex Building with a focus on
a wide range of development areas from strength, flexibility
and cardio endurance for all ages and abilities. Classes focus
on current trends in programming taught by qualified and
certified instructors that keep participants motivated, safe and
progressing throughout the program. The City of Montgomery
strives to continually provide the community with the classes
and programs of interest to participants. Please take a
moment and fill out the Fitness Survey.
To access the survey or for more information, please visit the
City website, montgomeryohio.org, call Recreation Specialist
Sarah Fink at 792-8317 or email at sfink@ci.montgomery.oh.us
April 2015
13
Registration now open for the 2015 Kid’s Summer Camps
With camp topics of instructional tennis, golf, multi-sports, science, technology and theater, we are sure to have a camp that will
pique the interest of your child. Register online today at montgomeryohio.org
THEATER
Dates
Fun Summer Camps to Plan For
June 8 -17
Mon & Wed
Tennis Instruction for Pee Wee’s 9:30-10:30am
Tennis Instruction for Juniors 10:30-11:30am
For additional tennis lessons, contact The Club at Harper’s
Point at 489-9700
June 15-19
Mon –Fri
iDAP Microsoft XBOX Development Camp
Kids will use the latest technology to explore XBOX games.
June 22-25
Mon –Thurs
Ages
5-7
8-15
Cost
Times and
Location
$20
June 8, 10, 15 & 17
Weller Park
(Weather Dates June 12, 19)
8-17
$235
9am-4pm
Recreation Annex
Pre-K Golf, Skyhawks
Kids build confidence through training and proper technique
3-4
$55
9-10:00am
Weller Park
June 22-25
Mon –Thurs
Beginner Golf, Skyhawks
Kids learn the lifelong sport of Golf!
5-9
$75
10:30am-12:30pm
Weller Park
July 6-9
Mon –Thurs
Soccer & Baseball - Tinyhawk, Skyhawks
Kids will experience these two popular sports!
3-4
$55
9-10:00am
Weller Park
July 6-9
Mon –Thurs
Soccer, Baseball & Basketball - Minihawk, Skyhawks
Kids will experience a variety of sports!
5-8
$75
10:30am-12:30pm
Weller Park
$120
Ages 6-8 (9am-12pm)
Ages 9-13 (1-4pm)
Sat (12:15-1pm)
July 13-17 and
Theater Camp
July 18
Kids will learn a variety of Drama and Theatrical skills.
Mon –Fri and Sat
Terwilliger's Lodge and Downtown
6-8
9-13
July 20-23
Mon –Thurs
MadScience Kids will be a Chemist, Engineer, Secret Agent
and an Aerospace Engineer for a day. Kids will learn through
demonstrations and hands on activities.
6-12
$140
9am-12pm
Terwilliger’s Lodge
July 27-31
Mon –Fri
iDAP Mobile Application Development - Classic Video Games
Kids will use the latest technology and software to create a
video game for mobile devices
8-17
$110
9am-12pm
Terwilliger’s Lodge
Register online at www.montgomeryohio.org or call 513-891-2424 for more information!
14
April 2015 MontgomeryOhio.org
City of Montgomery
Arts and Entertainment
28th Annual Montgomery Photo Competition
Winners Announced
Sixteen photography winners were announced at the 28th Annual Montgomery Photography Reception and Exhibition held on March 8 from
1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Universalist Church. The event, sponsored by the Arts Commission, featured judges Liz Dufour and Jim Callaway and an
exhibit of 190 photographs. The competition included adult entries from the greater Cincinnati area and youth entries representing seven
area schools. Each award recipient, listed below, received a professional critique of his/her winning photograph and a $100 award prize.
Student Winners
Lauren Shassere*
Becca Moskowitz
Morgan Hamel
Julie Mattis
Grace Hertlein
Jeremy Borchers
Jacob Mortensen
Binta Toure
Adult Winners
Ron Wilson*
Katie Brenkert
Bekkie Harper
Karen Ashcraft
Fred Haaser
Donna Sharp
Laura Needham
Tim Needham
*Winners of Best in Show
Lake Maligne by Adult Winner Fred Haaser
The winning entries were exhibited at TriHealth Fitness and Health Pavilion during the month of March.
Grab your friends for Dinner and a Movie on Friday, April 24
Looking for a new way to enjoy a fun night out with friends?
The Montgomery Arts Commission invites you to attend the
last movie in the winter Final Friday Flix film
series when they present “Chef,” a comedy
for food lovers and aspiring cooks of all kinds,
on Friday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m at Terwilliger
Lodge. This movie is the story of a frustrated
restaurant cook who breaks away to open a
Cuban-themed food truck, hoping in the process
to reconnect with his estranged family
members. “Chef” stars Jon Faverau, Robert
Downey, Jr., and Scarlett Johansson, and is
rated R for language and some suggestive
situations. Admission is $5.00 per person and includes a
free bag of popcorn.
As a special feature of the evening to complement the theme of
food and drink, moviegoers can arrive at 6:00 p.m. to enjoy the
tasty offerings of Cuban Pete Sandwiches, one
of the area’s most well-known food trucks serving
up its own popular and delicious Cuban specialties!
Diners will be able to charge their food and drink
purchases to their credit card.
Another highlight of the evening will be a lively Q&A session
with Susan Cohen who will lead participants in a spirited
discussion after the film.
Seating is limited and advance purchase of tickets is highly
recommended. Go online to montgomeryohio.org. For more
information about the Final Friday Flix film series, call 891-2424.
April 2015
15
Montgomery Bulletin
HOW TO REACH US
10101 Montgomery Road
Montgomery, Ohio 45242
City Hall
891-2424
®
Police
Department
(non-emergency)
985-1600
Mayor
Fire
Department
(non-emergency)
985-1633
Planning/
Zoning/
Building
792-8309
Code
Enforcement
Action Line
792-8356
Public Works
792-8355
MontgomeryOhio.org
Todd Steinbrink
Presorted
Standard Mail
U.S. Postage
PAID
Cincinnati, Ohio
Permit #2417
Vice Mayor
Chris Dobrozsi
Council Members
Ann Combs
Gerri Harbison
Craig Margolis
Lynda Roesch
Ken Suer
Clerk of Council
Connie Gaylor
City Manager
Wayne Davis
Read
Then
Recycle
Montgomery Bulletin
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
April Events
Wednesday
Thursday
1
Easter
12
Beautification & Tree
Commission, Public
Works Bldg., 9:00 a.m.
Arts Commission, City
Hall, 5:00 p.m.
Planning Commission,
City Hall, 7:30 p.m.
6
13
Brush collection for
residents with Monday
trash pickup
19
20
Planning Commission,
City Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Brush collection for
residents with Tuesday
trash pickup
26
27
Safety Village sign/ups,
City website or City Hall,
residents only
Brush collection for
residents with
Wednesday trash pickup
7
Basket Planting Project,
Public Works Bldg.,
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
14
Environmental Advisory
Commission, City Hall,
4:30 p.m.
21
Sister Cities Commission,
City Hall, 7:00 p.m.
28
Board of Zoning Appeals,
City Hall, 7:00 p.m.
3
Good Friday, Sycamore
Schools closed
8
Landmarks Commission,
City Hall, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday
2
Council Business Session,
City Hall, 7:00 p.m.
Registration begins for
2016 MCLA Class
5
Friday
9
Parks & Recreation
Commission, City Hall,
6:30 p.m.
15
10
Registration for new swim
team members open
16
17
4
Passover
11
Help filing 2014 City
Tax Returns, City Hall,
9:00 a.m. - noon
18
Cardboard Recycling,
7315 Cornell Road,
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
2014 City Tax Forms
and/or Extension
Requests due
22
Council Work Session,
City Hall, 7:00 p.m.
23
Tree seedling bag and
tag day, Public Works
2:30 p.m.
29
30
First Quarter 2015
City Taxes due
Arbor Day Walk,
Montgomery Park,
10:00 a.m.
Final Friday Flix,
Terwilliger Lodge,
7:00 p.m.
24
25
Montgomery Safety
Awareness Day,
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Spring Plant Swap, City
Hall Parking Lot,
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.