Did You Live in Springfield Township in the 1930's, 40's or 50's? If So, We Want to Talk to You!

(SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Hamilton County Ohio, June 16, 2011) Springfield Township is working on a Fall and Winter Community Activity Guide Book with a spotlight on the Township's history. The 1 to 2 page spotlight will be focused on growing up in Springfield Township during the 1930's, 40's and 50's. We would like to highlight living in the various neighborhoods and your memories of calling Springfield Township home.



If you are interested in being interviewed for this story by a Community Press reporter, please send your name, phone number, how long you have lived in Springfield Township and your neighborhood affiliation to kflamm@springfieldtwp.org. A list of interested residents will be compiled and sent to the Community Press for interview scheduling. We will take contact information for interviews until Wednesday, June 22, 2011. The story and your photos will be published in the guide book this August.



We are also looking for recent photos of fall and winter in Springfield Township for the cover. Submit your photo today!



To view the current Spring and Summer Community Activity Guide Book, visit the Township's homepage at www.springfieldtwp.org. There, you can download a pdf copy of the guide. Inside you will find information on summer camps, local pools, recreational activities and events from all over Springfield Township. 23,000 guide books were distributed through the Hilltop and Northwest Press. Finneytown Kroger also carried copies in the lobby. (Sorry, we do not have any more copies left.)





About Springfield Township



Springfield Township is a first ring suburb in the Greater Cincinnati area consisting of approximately 16 ½ square miles and 39,755 residents. The Township is governed by an elected Board of Township Trustees who is dedicated to delivering reliable and superior services to create a sense of community, enhance property values and improve the quality of life for residents and businesses in the Township.

Links:


4th of July neighborhood parades



July 5 - 9 Kids Fire Academy (Ages 8-12)

July 12: Next Trustee Meeting

July 11-15 Junior Fire Academy (Ages 13-17)

July 11 - 16 - Kids Police Academy (Ages 8-13)

July 13 - Touch A Truck Event

July 21 - Cincinnati Civic Orchestra Concert

August 4 - Ohio Military Band Concert

Good Detective Work in View Place

These two burglers didn't know they were messing with a neighborhood like View Place!

One guy is already arrested because he was traced to the stolen jewelry recovered in a pawn shop on Colerain. It just so happens that one of our neighbors did a little detective work visiting pawn shops looking for her stolen  jewelry. Lo and behold, she found a few of her precious memories and contacted Springfield Twp. Police! This is the same woman who drove around nearby neighborhoods in Colerain Twp. looking for the vehicle that many of the neighbors described to her! (At least 5 neighbors reported a dented white "work" truck parked in a "home for sale" driveway and got a good description of the two guys who were knocking on doors asking if somebody named "Amy" lived here.)


Just another reminder why it's a good reason to contact the Springfield Twp. Police to report people who are walking around the neighborhood or parked in driveway where they don't belong!

UPDATE ON FUTURE OF SEPTIC SYSTEMS IN OHIO

I'm sharing correspondance I received from the Ohio Department of Health in regard to clarifying how the new laws will impact neighborhoods like ours:

Ms. Saul,








I enjoyed speaking with you last week concerning your neighborhood in Hamilton County . It is my understanding that the community has been identified by Hamilton County Public Health and the local sewer district as a priority area for sanitary sewers due to concerns with the large number of discharging household sewage treatment systems and poor surface water quality in the area. You asked in your June 5, 2011 email (copied below this correspondence for your convenience, if a Sewage Treatment Systems (STS) program staff member would be available to attend a neighborhood meeting in June or July of this year to address questions concerning the existing household sewage treatment systems in the area and how future rule changes in the STS program may affect the situation.







Unfortunately, I have been informed that we are unable to commit to attending the meeting at this time. I am more than happy to address specific questions by email or telephone. Please feel free to forward specific questions from the neighborhood meeting or to circulate my contact information if members of the community feel more comfortable addressing their questions and concerns to me directly. You should also feel free to contact Hamilton County Public Health with any questions concerning the rule changes and rule development process. Hamilton County Public Health is a member of the Ohio Department of Health’s STS Rule Advisory Committee. Tim Ingrim and Chris Griffith, with that agency, are very active in the rule development process.







Their contact information is:



Hamilton County Public Health



250 William Howard Taft, 2nd Floor



Cincinnati, OH 45219



513.946.7800





I look forward to working with you and your neighbors,







Nathan Johnson, RS



Residential Water and Sewage Program

Bureau of Environmental Health



Ohio Department of Health



246 North High Street



Columbus, OH 43215



(614) 644-7181

(614) 466-4556 (fax)



nathan.johnson@odh.ohio.gov

Neighborhood Watch

Be on the look out for any vehicle that backs into your drive or your neighbors drive and waits there and suddenly pulls away after they notice you're watching them. Don't approach them but you can be pretty intimidating when you're taking down their license plate number from across the street.  If they're legit, they will completely understand you're just doing your job as "good neighbor" back here in View Place.

Quickly write down  licence #s and call Springfield Twp. with the description and license especially if they suddenly pull away and hide their head from your view.  Also, if you see a person walking around your neighbor's property and you don't know if your neighbor is home, just call the Springfield Twp. and let them know you are concerned there is a person you don't recognize on the property.  Get a good description of the individual and/or vehicle. 

These people may not be burglers, but this is how burglers get away with what they do.  They have a driver who "waits" in a vehicle close to where the burglery is taking place.

Membership Contributions from Commonwealth:

A big thank you goes out to the following neighbors and to Mrs. Beall for taking the time to update the directory for her street:

Beall
Bullock
Wallace
Criddle
Brady
Ringgenberg paid twice!!!
Hunn

Burglery Reported in Neighborhood

Heads up, Neighbors.

Roxanne just called with the very distressing news.

She and Dave went out for a few errands this morning and came home to find their house was burglerized. 

PLEASE CONTACT SPRINGFIELD POLICE IF YOU HAVE ANY DESCRIPTION OR INFORMATION IN REGARD TO ANYTHING YOU SAW OUT OF THE PLACE THE PAST FEW DAYS. FOR EXAMPLE, PEOPLE OR VEHICLES THAT WERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WERE "OUT OF PLACE."




Just a reminder, too, to have your neighbor's phone number handy to call them if you see someone walking on their property. If they don't answer the phone, contact the police to report anything suspicious or people walking around your neighbor's house that you don't recognize as the owners.



Springfield Township police reminded us a few years back about reporting people or cars that don't belong in the picture. It may be a contractor distributing flyers or a visiting out-of-town uncle but let's get in the habit of calling and letting the police handle the rest when the owners are not around.  

The non-emergency number for the Police Department is 729-1300 if you have any questions or concerns.









I have an independent contractor right now working on my chimney so I called my neighbors so they wouldn't be concerned.

Teri's Update about Covenant Church

This just in from Teri on Keats:

"I was walking around the Covenant church grounds this evening and came upon the groundskeeper. He informed me the church is not moving, just changing their name. He also informed me of their plans to fill in the huge park area along the borders of those living on Keats, Beechtree and ViewPlace. He informed me they are going to remove all the trees on the interior of the property and build a rec center for youth. I said why don't they do that away from people's homes and on the other side of the church. He did not know but said they are planning to begin this work within the year. I for one am distressed about this and the effect it will have on our already dwindling home values. I think we as a community need to be good neighbors but that needs to be reciprocal. I do not think destroying the grounds and building on property that runs alongside our homes is a neighborly thing to do. What can we do to proactively deal with this situation? How can we save the grounds and not further destroy our property values? A rec center is great but certainly away from people's homes where the traffic and noise will be greater. Thoughts? What steps can we take? Thank you for reading this."




Suggestion:

Teri,   Contact Pastor Shelley at the church.   Tell him about your concerns and  that you think it's important  to work out a design that will not detract from the privacy of the area that many of the neighbors have enjoyed over the years.   This is a really great church with a really terrific congregation. I'm sure they'll be very supportive.

Next, I would call Chris Gilbert at the Township 522-1410 to see what influence we have over where the youth  rec. center is built on the property. One would think that a center focusing on youth recreation would be closer to the church building.  (Accessible to where supervising church staff  are more likely to be congregating?) 

Once we get all the information, we'll call a neighborhood meeting.  One is in the planning stages late June or early July.

Thank you for Membership Dues!

Michele & Jeff on Wellesley!

Thank You, Blossom Hills

Mrs. Rizzi and Mrs. Hutchins have been really helpful collecting directory and membership donations:

The following have paid their membership dues on Blossomhills:

Dick and Sally
George and Barbara
Donald and Sheila (Prrrrrfect!!)
David and Elizabeth
Jim and Ruth
Garnail and Donna
Richard and Marjorie
Jim and  Peg
Fran
Bill and Sondra
Ed and Cynthia

Thank You, Mrs. Beall

Mrs. Beall collected two pages of information and membership donations from neighbors on Commonweath!  I'm just adding the email addresses to the contact list at Yahoo! right now.  I'll note later who the neighbors are that made a membership donation. (I forgot the envelope at home so I can't do it right now!)



Thank you, Mrs. Beall!

Egg Hunt & Decorating Eggs

Rainbow Over View Place 2011

Geriatric Care for Mom - May 18th

CARING FOR MOM




Location: The Grove Banquet Hall (9158 Winton Road)



Free Seminar!



Register by calling 522-1154, or register online



Presented by Micki Fehring, RN, in partnership with West College Hill, North College Hill and Springfield Township Senior Centers



Caring for a parent comes with many challenges. Juggling between your child’s soccer game and your mother’s doctor’s appointments - managing to balance it all. Whether you are one of the 42 million people currently caring for an older adult or are just approaching the years when its time to take care of mom, this seminar will held guide you through resources you will need to make difficult decisions easier. Join us at Springfield Township’s Grove Banquet Hall to learn more about the vast options of care and tour through resources available to caregivers. Geriatric Care Manager, Micki Fehring, RN, will cover information on:



The stress of multi-generational care

Understanding the choices in care

How to pay for in-home care

Safety and independence



You will leave this series with a better understanding of the different types of care available and will be given a take-home resource guide.There will also be a series of follow-up sessions introduced that will focus more on one specific topic.(Dates for follow-up courses will be provided at the seminar)



About the presenter – Micki Fehring has been a registered nurse for over 15 years and is currently a Geriatric Care Manager for Care Advisers by Black Stone. Her role allows her to asses a patient’s needs, present them with the best choices of care and arrange for the care to begin.



Wednesday, May 18 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. **Light dinner will be provided**

Private Drive Collapses for Third Time in 15 years!

There is a private drive that has collapsed for the second time.  At least 6 neighbors need access through this road.    Are there any neighbors willing to help out?  The bids coming in are very expensive -- in the thousands -- and we are hoping to get some help from the neighborhood.  If you can help out, please contact viewplacenews@yahoo.com.  Make sure to identify yourself by putting your last name and address in the "subject" box otherwise I cannot open the email.

Thank You, Pinebrook!

A big thank you goes out to the neighbors living on Pinebrook who are at 100% for membership!  I just received from Mrs. Hutchins, a completed directory update form and $50.00 from the following residents:

Sharon and Chris
Robin and Robert
Fran and Chris
Terra and  Kevin
Rosalie

Thank you!

Letter About Meeting with MSD/Health Department

Date: March 31, 2011




To: Mr. Tony Parrott, Director

Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD)

1600 Gest Street

Cincinnati OH 45204



Fr: Joseph Gorman, President

(513) 325-5202 cell; jgorman@fuse.net



Re: March 29, 2011 Meeting on Proposed Sewers in the View Place Neighborhood



I attended the March 29, 2011 Meeting on Proposed Sewers in the View Place Neighborhood as a representative of the Finneytown Civic Association (FCA). The View Place neighborhood is part of Finneytown and the FCA has several members in that area.



The meeting was called to order by Donna Saul, president of the View Place Improvement Association. One-hundred and forty (145) households have been identified as potential problem properties that will apparently have to transition from septic tanks to public sewers. MSD reps Brent Tuley and Bill Wooten, and, Chris Griffin from the Cincinnati Health Department presented information on this transition process, including bringing a petition for these residents to vote on this project. No proposed sewer locations were presented by MSD, and therefore, people voting on the petition were not fully informed as to what they were voting for.



Springfield Township trustees, staff, and the FCA were not invited by MSD or the health department to participate in this meeting. MSD should have done a better job notifying community stakeholders and be a bit more sensitive to the affected households. The idea that a household will be spending at minimum $12,000 for a sewer connection is daunting. Many residents left the meeting confused, angry, uninformed, and, probably not in the mood to participate in communications with MSD.



Please do a better job connecting with the community when homeowners must face expensive and impactful sewer projects. In these tough economic times, with rising sewer costs, many homeowners, who, on the edge of financial despair, may have to decide to either save their homes and install new sewers, or, simply walk away and abandon their house.



The FCA is having a regular meeting, Monday, April 25 at 6700 Winton Road at 7 p.m. We invite MSD to attend this meeting. I am sure many questions involving the sewer project will be forthcoming. The FCA will also help spread the word for future MSD meetings in Finneytown.



Cc: Springfield Township Trustees; View Place Improvement Association

History of Finneytown by David Bean

Finneytown Origin and First Families





Finneytown, A Town of the Mind

By: David Bean



It is on the maps. People all over the area can find it, but few people know its secret. Finneytown isn’t a town at all. All that legally exists of Finneytown is a local school district. The image of a town is a mirage. Though the area is simply a neighborhood of Springfield Township it is, to its residents, much more. In the minds of most who live here it is a community, which has a long and storied past. From the time of the Hopewell Indians it has been a place of residence. Today it is viewed as a residential neighborhood with its center at the crossing of Winton and Galbraith Roads. For most of the two hundred years since the Battle of Fallen Timbers it has been a small rural agricultural community peacefully located on the hilltop above the Millcreek. Its center at the intersection of Northbend and Winton.



On the first day of April 1795, an 87-year-old preacher purchased a Section of land (640 acres) from John Cleves Symmes for $426 and 2/3 located in Township #3 (Springfield). It is with this purchase that the story of Finneytown begins. The old Preacher, Rev. Ebenezer Ward, was traveling through the area and visiting his friend, Rev. John Smith (who later would become one of Ohio’s first two Senators), at the settlement of Columbia. A few months later the Reverend David Barrows who was on his way to the signing of the Treaty of Greenville reported the preacher quite ill. Reverend Barrows helped the dying man write his Last Will and Testament (June 18,1795). In it Rev. Ward left his wife Phoebe all the household possessions they had shared (cooking pots, sidesaddles, etc.).



The section of land just purchased; he left to his namesake grandson, Ebenezer Ward Finney. Finney had been orphaned at the age of 5 and had grown up in his grandfather's home. He was, in 1795, 41 years old, a husband, a father of 4, a successful farmer in Rensselaer County, New York, and a Revolutionary War veteran. Finney could trace his ancestry back to Peter Finney who died in Greenwich England in1620 Peter’s widow, “Mother Finney” emigrated with three children in 1631 coming to Plymouth in Massachusetts Bay Colony.



After learning of his inheritance and after the crops were in, Finney traveled the frontier in the winter of 1798 to inspect the land. What he found had been called the “Miami Slaughterhouse” by residents of the Kentucky settlement called “Limestone” (now Maysville)until Wayne’s victory three years before. It was a heavily wooded hillside and valley close to the Millcreek River, not far from the Ludlow Station (one of the early blockhouses). A wagon road crossed the north edge of his land (The North Bend to Carthage Trace... today known as Northbend Road). An Indian trail bisected his land north to south and the General Quarter Sessions for Hamilton County had just agreed to widen the path from Goudy’s Mill northward to Winton’s Plantation. (Which was located somewhere near the current Winton Woods High School). There were other neighbors in the area. Col. Oliver Spencer had started a farm in 1795 near the current Finneytown High School. Isaac Spinning settled near the present St. Nicholas Greek Church and the McCash family who lived near present day St. Bartholomew Church. He returned to New York and set about selling his farm. When he returned in 1800 he led a party of 14 which included his wife Rachel, their children Abby, Betsy, John, and their oldest daughter Lois and her husband David Sprong and their 3 sons. (Lois and David would eventually produce 11 sons). Rachel’s brother Samuel Raymond, his wife and two daughters. They arrived on the muddy landing at Cincinnati on a flatboat after negotiating the Ohio from Pittsburgh along with their wagons, oxen, and household possessions in September 1800. They made an unusual party because there were so many women and small children in the group.



Rev. John Smith was executor of Rev. Ward’s will and instructed to solve a conflicting claim to the land In exchange he was given the Northwest quarter of the section which he later sold. Brother- in- law Sam Raymond and Son- in -law David Sprong each bought 80 acres at the bottom of the hill (today’s Wooden Shoe Hollow and Winton Terrace). The Southwest corner of the section was sold to David Gray ( Gray Road) Ebenezer Finney himself kept the Northeast corner, a hilltop location for his farmstead located near the intersection of the Northbend to Cartage road and the road to Winton’s Plantation. Finney, faithful to the upbringing in a preacher’s home, donated a plot of land for the construction of a small church of the New Light order and not far away gave the Township Trustees 1/2 acre of land to be used as a Public Cemetery. It is known now of course as God’s Half Acre



The 1/2-acre included a mound, which was thought to be a burial mound of the earlier Hopewell tribe. The small cemetery remains today (though somewhat overgrown and in need of care) next to the Winton Road water reservoir. Buried here are the remains of some 59 early pioneers. There are numerous burials of infants who did not survive the first year and one mother and daughter who both died in birth. The average age at death was 41, but 60 % of the burials were of people under the age of 20. However it appears if you made it to adulthood long lives could be expected as about 38% of the burials were of people over 60. The largest number of burials occurred between 1835 and 1850, which coincides with outbreaks of cholera in the county. There are three Revolutionary War Veterans here ( E.B. Finney, John Dodson and David Sprong). Five veterans of the War of 1812 are here as well.



Rachel Finney died at 66 years of age in 1821 and Ebenezer followed her the next year at age 67. The last adult from the original pioneer group to die was Samuel Raymond who passed away at 87 years in 1861. The last burial was 86 year old Mary Bruen (1882).



Samuel Raymond sold his farm at the bottom of the hill to William Cummings and moved to the intersection of the Road to Winton’s Plantation and the Northbend to Carthage road in 1803 building his home and blacksmith shop there and that gave rise to the development of the economic community. Four of his descendants would follow in the trade and the shop would remain until the 20th century.



A school was started in the basement of the Church (much needed as the census of 1800 showed that 3 out of 5 persons in Hamilton Co. were under the age of 16) with a school marm hired by the local citizens instead of a school master. They must have chosen well because a story has been passed down about a young boy who carried his lunch pail to school and placed it on the windowsill beside his desk, a neighbors hog came by and rooted the pail out the window. The school marm showed great wisdom in face of crisis and dismissed the entire class to pursue the renegade and save as much as possible of the lad’s lunch. That seems to me to be a great form of physical education. The first building to be used exclusively as a school was built in 1860. Where kids went to school between the demise of the New Light Church and this one room school is unknown. William Cummings built the frame structure (or was it log?) on a foundation of bricks fired locally. At one point over 60 children were served by this one room structure. In 1875 a new frame building was constructed and enlarged in 1880 to two rooms.



In 1905 A petition was filed to create Special District School #10 and the first Board of Education was elected. It included Barney Sprong (a grandson of David Sprong, husband of Ebenezer Finney’s daughter Lois) as Treasurer. Two teachers were employed, Mr. T.G. McCalmont ($750) and Miss Menerva Harris ($500). Miss Harris remained at the school for 27 years. A new brick structure of two rooms a gymnasium/auditorium and basement lunchroom and furnace room were built in 1915. That structure is of course surrounded by many additions and still serves as the heart of today’s Whitaker Elementary that you all made famous (or infamous as the case may be.) Do any of you remember the “Sauerkraut dinners” which served as a major fundraiser in those days? The meat was butchered locally and the ladies of the Finneytown Social Club (precursor of the PTA stuffed the sausage casings and made their own Kraut. Reportedly Mr. Wright then the Principal, took part in this preparation as part of his community relations program.



Tremendous change occurred around the hilltop community during these early years. Four years after Finney’s party arrived, not only were there enough people to create a county but enough to allow Ohio to become a state (with Rev. Smith being elected one of the two State Senators) After the burning of Washington in the War of 1812, a Bill was passed by the House of Representatives to make it the National Capital.



Cincinnati became a major river port and came to be known as the Queen City of the West. Proctor and Gamble parlayed $7500.00 and pig fat into floating soap millions. The Civil War raged and John Morgan and his raiders scared everyone from Harrison to Lockland with a raid through the northern part of the county. One local resident reportedly moved his prize mare into the living room and drew the drapes as word of the raid spread. (It may be that the horse owner or storyteller also had a lot of the wooden matches that were sold at the tavern, which would be known as the Finneytown Inn. If you do not know that story, check with Tom Whitaker as I understand that is where he got his early training.)



The Roeblings built their bridge across the Ohio then moved on to Brooklyn. The Century turned, Doughboys marched off to war in Europe and truck farms began to appear in Wooden Shoe hollow where Sam Raymond had originally settled. Autos appeared and the roads changed from dirt to gravel but still churned into dust in the summer or mud and frozen ruts in the winter. The township finally paved Winton in 1926.



In 1930 the Depression had begun and a new face appeared in Finneytown belonging to a man who was to direct the schools through a most remarkable period.



There were 50 families in Finneytown and 41 children attending District School #10 when Telford Whitaker was hired to serve as teacher and acting principal. The children went to the local school until they completed the 8th grade and then went as tuition students to Mt. Healthy, or Hughes, or Wyoming. Following the second world war a remarkable transition occurred.



Between 1948 and 1958 the school population increased by 368%. Suddenly the sleepy agricultural region was jarred by the return of veterans with the GI Bill, a baby boom and industry in the Valley that was desperately trying to satisfy the demand for consumer goods that had been postponed by the war.



Farms gave way to subdivisions. Fields became shopping centers and new shops appeared daily. During this 10-year period the residents were presented with 9 tax levies and bond issues as the school district struggled to keep up. Finneytown School had addition after addition added but it still wasn’t enough. In 1953 the State of Ohio passed a law saying any school district not operating a K-12 program would have to merge with another which did have such organization.



As you well know Finneytowners went off to Mt. Healthy, or Wyoming or Hughes after the 8th grade. After protracted discussion a decision was reached in 1955 that a high school should be built and a bond issue was passed to buy land for it and again expand the elementary building. Because of limited bonding power the new secondary campus was built in stages and by the time the school was partly ready in 1958, the first class of Finneytown 9th grade students populated the classrooms and site also hosted grade school students as well.



By 1959 the population of the district was 8194 and forty-four percent were under the age of 19. The pressure was finally reduced when Cottonwood School opened in 1962 and all elementary students were housed in elementary buildings. The first graduating class marched proudly to its ceremony following the Superintendent and Class Sponsor, Telford Whitaker.



A Bond issue provided for third elementary school (Brent) in 1964. Telford Whitaker retired in 1965 two years after hiring me and that probably meant he had seen enough. Just think, he supervised the growth of a school with 41 kids and two rooms to over 3000 and 4 school sites. The peak enrollment was 3200 in 1967 - 1968 and the largest class graduated in 1976 with 301 members.



Just 10 years later the class of 1986 graduated with just 149 members. Brent school was leased to the Township. Your building, now known as Whitaker Elementary was recognized as one to the top elementary schools in the state and was named the Elementary Hall of Fame in 1986.



A second growth spurt has occurred in the community and it has become necessary to reopen Brent School. In fact it was necessary to hold Kindergarten classes at the secondary site for two years until Brent became available again. Additions have been made at Brent School, Whitaker School, and the Secondary Schools in 1999.



While the schools and suburban community of today is different than the agrarian nature of its first 150 years the residents seem to share many of the same values as those early residents. Most are hardworking practical people who see quality education for their children as the best way for them to succeed and that education is a good investment even if it means sacrifice.



The people of today are also people who put down roots and who have made a commitment to one another that they will do what is necessary to pass on a little better place to their children. These are people who know and love. They are the ones who make Finneytown, A Town of the Mind.



The above has been extrapolated and borrowed from many sources including oral histories conducted by community residents, scout groups, women’s clubs, school officials and historical records by David Bean a teacher (retired) from Finneytown High School. He is currently working on an expanded version of this article.

Accepting Nominations for VPCA President

Anyone interested in becoming  VCPA President, please submit nomination at viewplacenews@yahoo.com/ by June 2011. 

Due to spam, please submit in "subject" of email your last name and address.

Phone Directories are underway!

A 15 minute neighborhood meeting was held before the septic information &  petition meeting. 


1) New phone directories are underway

2) New leadership is needed since the President will be resigning after the new directory is completed hopefully after June 2011.

3) Money from the treasury will be used to pay for the flower boxes, Easter Egg hunt, and 4th of July parade.

Residuals from Our Septic to Sewer Meeting

There were over 140 people in attendance. Petitioner addressed  the group about the challenges they are facing with  failing system and why they are petitioning.   Petitioner was informed that the county is offering to install sewers for costs that will not exceed $12,000 with minimal costs for hook up.  Loans for this can be paid over 20 years.  Cost of repairing the current system might not be good investment if health department will be enforcing new sewers in the future.

MSD stated  that residents would be responsible for costs not exceeding  $12k -- county finds money for low interest  20 years loans per resident  to put in a new sewer.  The process could take longer than 38 months and blue prints are drawn up after the resident's vote.   The home owner is  required to pay for the hook up from the house.  Cost here will  vary depending on location of home.

Concerns that were shared:

• Old septics  recently replaced with a county approved septics
• New homebuyers
• Homes currently passing inspection
• Gravity sewers are cost prohibitive for some residents.
• Interest on loan from county
• Homes that  had failed and are currently in compliance 
• Service contracts
• Violation of environmental laws impacting Caldwell
• Watershed - location of new sewer lines
• Economy
• Trees and natural areas in View Place
• Neighbors abandoning homes
• Unknown costs to neighbors and unknown design
• Intepretation of legislation and environmental laws
• Risks vs. Benefits of sewers in some areas
• Back up of raw-untreated sewage into basement from "cut and paste" sewers in hilly area
• Easement issues
• Petitions collected in one area of View Place determining outcome for other area
• Fairness of petition going to homes where hook ups will be easier.
• Trust
• Lost investment in landscaping, driveways
• Law of diminishing returns

Toward the end of the meeting Health department representative stated a directive is more likely to be enforced to convert to sewers  in the future but did  not address how it would be enforced.

Clean Up Town

Springfield Township is in need of volunteers for the Great American Cleanup, scheduled for April 16, 2011; 8:00 a.m. to noon. Please register online if you are interested in helping out! Together we can make a difference.

Link: http://www.springfieldtwp.org/GreatAmericanCleanUp.cfm



Projects will include:

Painting a room at the Senior/Community Center

Planting flowers in our community gateways

Painting/ Staining park message boards

Picking up litter in designated areas – (parks, creeks, neighborhoods, highway onramps)

Landscaping project at the Grove Park – in front of Banquet Hall

Assisting local residents in need of light yard work and/or repair



Kimberlee Flamm

Projects, Events & Communications Coordinator

Springfield Township Administration

9150 Winton Road

Cincinnati, OH 45231



Phone: 513-522-1410

Fax: 513-522-1411



Email: kflamm@springfieldtwp.org

Website: www.springfieldtwp.org

March Madness in Finneytown!

Just a reminder about the meetings if I can get them straight here:

The Springfield Township Master plan open house is Tuesday - but at two available times (10am-noon and 6-8pm) It will be a very informal walk thorough and you can spend as little time as you wish to view the concepts.  (Allen Room in main administrative building, NOT THE GROVE.)

Neighborhood Meeting is Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. at the Apostolic Covenant Church

Public Hearing on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. about Master plan.

Sewers and Septic Meeting

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Covenant Apostolic Church-Gym

7630 View Place Drive




View Place Civic Association Meeting Agenda:

6:45 p.m  Flower Boxes and New Directory Forms



7:00 p.m.    Discussion about the possibility of a local public sewer being constructed in our sub-division.  There will be a petition circulating at that time where you may indicate your support or opposition to the potential project.

A representative from MSDGC & The Hamilton County Health Department will be available to assist in answering questions.

Click Here For Springfield Township Press Release

Joseph Honerlaw, Trustee

Tom Bryan, Trustee

Gwen McFarlin, Trustee

John Waksmundski, Fiscal Officer









For Immediate Release

For More Information

Contact 522-1410






Neighborhood Master Plan Draft Now Online


Open House and Public Hearing Scheduled







(Springfield Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, March 10, 2011) Residents and businesses are encouraged to take a look at the draft version of the newly released neighborhood master plan. The plan was first introduced to a crowd of over 200 people at The State of The Township Community Address last Sunday. The draft is now available as a pdf download from the Township's website and is available for viewing in hard copy form at the Township's administrative offices (Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Online, visitors may also watch a short video explaining the process that the Township took to design the plan. Additional video will soon be created to explain the plan in its final version.



The community will have an additional opportunity to have their questions answered and view displays featuring components of the plan at an open house scheduled for March 29th, 10:00 a.m. until noon and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. There will not be a formal presentation at this open house, however Trustees and staff will be available to discuss the components of the plan one-on-one.



A Public Hearing will be held the following evening, March 30th at 7:00 p.m. Residents are invited to state their comments on the record at the Public Hearing. The plan could be adopted at the public hearing, or recommended changes could be made for plan adoption at a later date. The Open House and the Public Hearing will take place at the Administration Complex, 9150 Winton Road in the Allen Paul Community Room.



The Neighborhood Master Plan has been a two-year project involving resident feedback and professional consultation with the design firm KKG. The plan involves the designation of twelve specific Township neighborhood districts and the creation of unique individualized plans for each. This plan involves the study and analysis of existing conditions in each of these areas from a physical condition, land use and zoning policy standpoint and provides specific recommendations regarding both short and long-term goals and policies that should be implemented. The Township Neighborhood Master Plan also provides operational and service delivery recommendations regarding specific areas that were identified through the planning processes as areas of weaknesses or as opportunities for success. As a special feature of the plan, conceptual drawings for "The Core Area" with mixed use along Winton and Galbraith Roads are included.

















Springfield Township Links





· Download the draft version of the Neighborhood Master Plan



· Watch the State of the Township Community Address



· Download the NEW Community Activity Guide Book (Download from the homepage)



· Mad Science Fire and Ice Show - March 11 7p.m.





· African Drum Performance and Workshop Event - March 12





· Neighborhood Master Plan Open House March 29 (10am-noon, 6-8p.m.) Public Hearing March 30



· Playhouse in the Park's Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse - April 15



· Great American Cleanup - Volunteers Needed! April 16



· CERT Training Begins (Community Emergency Response Team) March 14



· Now accepting Registrations for Community Garage Sale



· Now accepting registrations for Mother Son Picnic



· Classes at The Senior/Community Center Tae Kwon Do Intro to Bridge Lifestory Scrapbooking Taking Care of Mom Information Workshop



· Community-Wide Events Calendar Link

















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2 Homes in Foreclosure on Deanview Drive...

The very two last houses at the end of the street are in foreclosure on Deanview Drive.  Since this is the best time to buy and invest, please mention to your family and friends about the two homes here if they are looking for an investment.

Arlene Norris of Beechtree Passed Away

Just heard that Arlene Norris passed away this month.  Some of the neighbors in View Place remember Mrs. Arlene Norris who was endeared  as one of the "originals" of the neighborhood -- someone who found time for gardening, parenting, and coordinating schedules that would run rings around most of us today.

Missing Yorkie-Diabetic

Please help!

PeeWeeDuffy is missing!

Contact:

513-821-8104

513-884-1746

513-602-7649

513-344-6901

400 Deanview Drive

Household Treatment Systems in View Place

There is a proposal  currently under review by Ham. Co. Board of Commissioners for MSD to  run a sewer pipe up W. Northbend from Seymour.  Current residents from 504 to 565 W. Northbend  petitioned MSD and were approved in May 2010.   If the Ham. Co. Board of Commissioners pass it, residents who petitioned can expect new sewers as early as 2012. 

While this will have little impact for people living in the View Place neighborhood, it has opened a much needed dialog with the Ham. Co. Board of Health, MSD, and some of the residents here in View Place who have learned that this neighborhood is considered an "area of concern"  with the Board of Health due to the number of household treatment systems in use. 

If you have any questions about  your current household treatment system or passing inspection, contact Ham. Co. Board of Health, Chris Griffith at 946-7800.  Here is a link to law and rule information regarding sewege treatment.  Chris also has a record of pass/fail inspections. I am also adding a web link to explain "pass/fail" outcomes and how that impacts the homeowner.  Please look at the article about a lawsuit that was filed over an incompetent "dye test."

If you have any questions about converting household treatment systems to sewer, contact MSD engineer Brent Tuley at 557-5914.  The process requires a majority vote.  As with any petitions, make sure you have all the facts before you sign.

Rest In Peace, Douglas J. Lippincott

We just heard the news about Fred and Donna's son who died on Tuesday.   Our hearts and prayers go out to the Lippincott family and friends.

Blogging Live at the Township Neighborhood Meeting Nov. 4, 2010

I'm writing this as Mike is address the different representives from around Springfield Township:

Mike reported that the Residential Rental Inspection Program is currently being reviewed with all issues and concerns being addressed.  There is so much that the law will allow the township to do to move ahead so most likely, Mike Hinnekamp says that there will besome kind of  registration when tenants change hands and inspections will be conducted when there is a complaint lodged about the rental property.

He also announced on December 4th -- there will be a Winterfest for the township children from 1 - 4 p.m.  Madcap Puppets will be here!

 
****

Here is an outline about what we'll be discussing specifically about the Individual Neighborhood Planning Meeting:

Issues, assets, and organizations
Existing Land Use
Existing Zoning
Proposed Land Use
Development Strategies

Stakeholder Meeting-- People were invited to the meeting to get feedback about the proposed  "Core Development" area which was earlier in October. 
The "Core" Redevelopment Area
Develop Round Table

Final Product will include a township wide operation policies and strategies and the plan will be prepared from Dec. to Feb.   March 6th, the Annual State of the Address will be announced PUBLICALLY.  March - Aril there will be time to review and make changes.  And in April there will be a final plan adoption by the Board of Trustees.

Chris Gilbert is now presenting a map of Springfield Township and recapping what was discussed in individual neighborhood meetings:

In the Lexington Hgts. Wellspring and Glencoe --  they are trying to promote reinvestment in some of the neighborhoodsand commercial areas that need strategies to revitalize the housing. 

Golfway and North College Hill  -- identifying areas here to redevelop "housing stock" and improving aesthetics.  He pointed out some areas that offer opportunity to redevelop but reminds us that Springfield Twp will not take ownership, but point it out to developers.

Hamilton NE -- most of it is Winton Woods Park, but he pointed out the need to expand on  industrial development in "enterprise zone" along Hamilton Rd.They want to maintain some of the "rural" area around the park.

Seven Hills has a very bold proposed change in some areas -- converting  some of the neighborhoods in crisis to transition to light industrial area because it is so close to 275 -- the retail market is not rebounding and hasn't done so for some time.

Pleasant Run Farms -- it has a strong residential  identity, civic associations, parks, and will see very little change.  There was a small pocket neighborhood with rentals that needed  addressing due to a future school closing there.

Hamilton SW - huge redevelopment opportunity was identified near Rinks on Hamilton and issues with  "housing stock" areas.  Few of neighborhoods are in need for revitalization and reinvestment

Finneytown!!! That's us!  Major attribute was the close proximity to the highways and gateway to the township.  Identified redevelopment in commercial areas of Brentwood.  Also  pointed out that "core" area that was along Winton Road and around Ward Nursery for potential re-investment, streetscapes, for mix of commercial/residential! They see retail development as key to success here because it was identified in previous psychographic studies as "a core" for  people who live and work in the area. There might be some zoning changes presented in the future so everyone needs to pay attention here. (Follow this link to the initial meeting where this was discussed in detail:   http://viewplace.blogspot.com/2010/10/comprehensive-neighborhood-master-plan.html


The Valley Area had good access to I-75 and want to redevelop industrial in that area.  Looking at higher density residential housing to replace some of the tired single homes.  (Remember, this is a a long term vision.)

Winton NE comprises 50% of neighborhood. Potential for re-development as residential.  Lakeridge area has great potential for redevelopment. They see a restaurant, outdoor patio for the Winton Woods Harbor area.

Hollydale -- redevelopment and reinvestment

Winton NW - deterioration of housing stock requiring redevelopment.

Neighborhood Master Plan Steering Committee meeting

Neighborhood Master Planning










Springfield Township is a unique, diverse community that is comprised of many different neighborhoods, each with their unique character, attributes and needs. In addition, the Township includes one school district that is entirely within the Township and portions of six others. With a total of 39,755 residents and about 16,000 households, we recognize that an overall Master Plan for the entire Township may fail to address the individual and specific needs of a particular neighborhood. Therefore, we are creating a Master Plan process that embraces the Township for what it is - a community of neighborhoods. You care about your neighborhood, what it looks like and what it could be. It's where you call home. Creating many individually customized, but unified neighborhood and district plans, will allow us to better ensure our Township's sustainability and create a path for a bright future.



The Strategic Neighborhood Master Plan Map



This map outlines twelve "districts" that will be used to create a neighborhood master plan.



• What District Do I Live In?

Individual street listing of Neighborhood Districts (Click Here)









Phase One: Information Gathering





















Eleven neighborhood meetings were scheduled in the months of September & October (2009) to begin the process of creating a Township-wide master plan. Each neighborhood meeting began with a presentation of current neighborhood conditions: land use, economic conditions, housing conditions, rental statistics, crime rate, fire response time, road infrastructure, and neighborhood attributes. This provided residents with statistical information as it relates to where they live. The second half of the meeting was designed to gather specific suggestions from residents. This segment was used as an idea brainstorm from residents - things to make your neighborhood better, stronger, sustainable and prosperous. Residents from each neighborhood came with suggestions for the future. The suggestions were recorded and will become part of the next phase in the master planning stages.





Trustees are currently working with the Administrator and Department Heads to address some of the more easily remedied concerns immediately. The next stages of the master planning process will include resident volunteers participating on a steering committee. The committee will be comprised of residents who expressed and interest in participating and brings a level of expertise to the group. Committee Meetings will be scheduled throughout 2010. Progress will be reported through the Township's e-news and through our local media partners. The final plan will be presented in 2011.





Missed your meeting? Watch the taped meeting here.



http://www.waycross.tv/vod/government/springfield+township







Phase Two: Steering Committees

Springfield Township Trustees have selected 3 to 10 steering committee members to represent each neighborhood district. The committee members are all residents who live in the district they represent and have shown an interest in participating in the planning process. The committee members will participate in monthly seminars, learning more about the Township and then they are providing their feedback on specific aspects of the master plan. The seminars began March 2nd and will conclude with a near complete custom master plan in December.



Residents are encouraged to participate by contacting their steering committee members. You can receive meeting updates and have your opinions heard by any of the residents listed below.





• What District Do I Live In?

Individual street listing of Neighborhood Districts (Click Here)



* District captain



Finneytown North District

Gerri Frank

gerrifrank@gmail.com

Jim Golan

jgolan1@cinci.rr.com

John Rapach

johnrapach@fuse.net

Julie Stark

julieandrogerstark@yahoo.com

Sherry Kelley Marshall





Tracey Carraher

tracat@fuse.net

Bob Heglin

bheglin@msn.com

Richard Okenfuss

dickoken@aol.com

Wes Girdler

egirdlerjr@cinci.rr.com







Finneytown South District

Jeff Dean

jrdengenv@aol 761-6277

Donna Saul

viewplacenews@yahoo.com 821-5714

Susan Wagner

522-3618

John Listermann

johnwl97@fuse.net 522-0513

Bill Angert

billgert@cinci.rr.com 542-7504

Norbert Gilman

norbqasa@fuse.net 522-1570

Mike Battles

mike.battles@woolpert.com

* Dan Deitsch

dpoofdaddy@fuse.net 761-8619

Wicked Windows on Winton!

Full ViewWicked Windows on Winton!!!!


From: Springfield Township View Contact

To: donnahsaul@yahoo.com





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Having trouble viewing this email? Click here









Wicked Windows on Winton!



Where:

Businesses Along Winton Road











When:

Sunday October 24, 2010 at 1:00 AM EDT

-to-

Sunday October 31, 2010 at 12:15 AM EDT

Add to my calendar





Halloween is fast approaching and many businesses along the Winton Road corridor are painted for the occasion! Springfield Township is proud to announce the beginning of the annual Wicked Windows on Winton Halloween window painting contest featuring the talented students of Finneytown Middle and High School! Beginning this Sunday, visitors can tour the participating business windows and vote for their favorite one.



This year, the artwork of 20 students on 16 business windows can be voted upon. Participating businesses include:



Athena Foods - Painted by Brandon Jump

Curves - Painted by Karah Dillingham

Jansi Dry Cleaners - Painted by Keith Scholz

Donatos Pizza - Painted by Abby Oakman

Sibcy Cline - Painted by Bradley Frey and Ryan Hughes

Woody's Express Car Wash - Painted by Jordan Hughes

LaRosa's - Painted by Maddie Baker and Alaena Hoover

Powel Crosley, Jr. YMCA - Painted by Robert Roland

WesBanco - Painted by Nima Tamang

Liberty Tax - Painted by Emily Popp & Maria Galioto

Wendy's (window #1) - Painted by Courtney Chambers

Advance Auto Parts - Painted by Jason Zhang

Meals To Go - Painted by Corine Saul

Brueggers - Painted by Sami Zimmer

Wendy's Window #2 - Painted by Julie Weisenberger & Tory Owens

Graeters - Painted by Anisha Silva



Voting begins on Sunday, October 24th and runs through October 31st at midnight. There are two ways to vote, online at www.springfieldtwp.org/HalloweenWindows.cfm or by calling 522-2108. Only one vote by phone and one vote online per person. The student with the most votes will win $50 in cash! (Cash award and painting supplies all donated by the participating businesses.) The winning window will be announced on November 1, 2010.









Vote Online Starting October 24th!







Photographs of the painted windows will be online starting October 26th.

















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Springfield Township
9150 Winton Road
Cincinnati
OH
45231

Hunting Laws in Finneytown

Greetings on this lovely Fall day. I am sharing this email below from a resident questioning the Finneytown (deer) hunting laws. You may be surprised at what the laws allow.

If any of you want to help the Finneytown Civic Association address this issue, please email or call me at 325--5202.

Joe Gorman, FCA President

> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:51:23 -0700 (PDT)
>
> Hello,
>
> I was given your name from a friend. I have lived in Finneytown my entire life,
> and my family when they came from Italy they chose Finneytown because it
> reminded them of their homeland. I own property in Finneytown my home and 8
> acres of land near St. Xavier high school, this has been in my family since
> 1942. Needless to say I was recently shocked when my son went hiking with his
> brother and two friends and came upon hunters. they were hunting on my property.
> I contacted the police and today I found out it is legal to hunt within 1000
> feet of a structure in Finneytown! This means if an animal was shot and wondered
> onto my property or even yours the hunter will follow it and wait for it to
> die.
>
> So I am asking you to please address this issue ASAP!! The Springfield Township
> Police were also shocked, but it was affirmed by the police Chief. I am trying
> to get the word out so we can stop this and change the law. This is just a
> warning for all in Finneytown, this includes bow hunting (that is what they were
> doing on my property) and GUN hunting. Be careful!
>
>
> Sincerely
>
> Regina Shatzer

Comprehensive Neighborhood Master Plan

View Place representatives: Jeff Dean, Donna Saul

Jeff Dean and I attended a presentation that focused on a master plan for Finneytown. While most of the plans are only a "vision" of what Finneytown might look like in 20 years, I can tell you that most of it is good news because it addresses the "front door" to Springfield Township and incorporates a shared vision of a self-sustainable community that does not rely on heavy property tax increases.

A while ago, Springfield Township hired the consultant team from Kinzelman Kline Gossman, Front Street Analytics, Graydon Head, KZF Design, to begin outlining a re-development plan for all the neighborhoods in Springfield Township.

After looking at the core areas throughout the township, residents surveys that were conducted over the past 2 years, and existing conditions of the Finneytown area, they were able to determine that what we were lacking in was an "identity" and a need for a town center for Springfield Township that promoted the kind of business development we want for our area.

It was determined that Finneytown was the ideal location for this "proposed town center "because of it's proximity to the RR Highway, centralized location in township, population, and buying power. While most of the plans were just a "vision" it made sense for the Township to begin drawing up plans for the future that would help us become self-sustaining rather than relying on property taxes for improvements. (Looking at the roads and failure the previous tax levies, it makes sense.)

The plan we looked at was fragmented comercial corridor that ran parallel to Winton Road starting at the Graeter's ice cream plaza area and ended at the Greek Church. The following influences determined the design of the space:


Residential neighborhoods
Institutions like St. X and P&G
Direct access to RR Hwy
Larger floorplate for pedestrian, bicycle traffic
Cultural landmarks

The plan would help enhance the neighborhood -- north connectivity -- and
mixed use of neighborhood and commercial use of existing land.

Included were:

Development business pods with green space
Garlbraith Road redevelopment
Winton cultural nodes
Connecting St. X and P&G parkway
Alternative connections for the neighborhoods to maintain feel of neighborhood
Green infrastructure


The Town Center would be self-sustaining for neighborhood serving retail - smaller destinations mixed residential -


It was explained that to fufill this vision, certain zoning restrictions along Winton Road that include green spaces in front would be needed to attract developers to invest in our community.

Most of the plans --- were met with a lot of enthusiasm with few exceptions.

There will be more news about this earlier this year ...

Roads in View Place ....

Due to the failed levy attempts and the limited budget resources, we discussed a plan for road improvements in south Finneytown. Right now, each street is rated for it's condition and it looks like we're not going to get any major work done in area except to fill in where cracks are most obvious.

The township officials proposed that each neighborhood had two directions to go in to resolve the road repair issues. One was that monies could be collected from individual property tax levies in each neighborhood to support it's road repairs. Two, we could continue with township-wide levies and get nowhere.

We'll hear more on this later. Please try attending the Springfield Township meeting or catch the meetings on Waycross.

Second Public Hearing Regarding Rental Inspections

The Second Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Interior Rental Inspections Will Take Place on Tuesday, October 12, 2010
At the Springfield Township Administration Complex
(Allen Paul Room)
9150 Winton Road


(Springfield Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, October 6, 2010) The Springfield Township Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. in the in the Administration Building, 9150 Winton Road on a proposed resolution amending the Township's Property Maintenance Code to include interior maintenance regulations for rental properties. The proposed interior regulations, if adopted, will only apply to single family and duplex residential rental structures and the existing premises on which those structures are located.


The rental inspection program is in response to the growing concern regarding the increase of rental properties in the Township and absentee landlords. If adopted, landlords will be held responsible for basic health and safety standards on their properties and would be required to have annual interior inspections conducted to ensure compliance with the interior maintenance standards.



Residents attending the public hearing will be permitted to address the Board of Trustees in support or opposition of the proposed amendments.

The Board of Trustees regular meeting will be held at the conclusion of the public hearing.

The public hearing and the meeting will be aired live on Waycross Public Access, Channel 23.

· View the proposed maintenance code here. (Includes the existing exterior codes for all residential properties, as well as the new rental inspection codes marked in red.)

· View the proposed rental inspection plan

· View the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the rental inspection proposal he

Church for Sale

Some of you have already heard through the grapevine that the Apostolic Covenant Church is for sale. I talked with the Pastor and one of his associates to let him know how sorry I was to hear about the move. They have been good neighbors here and like any good neighbor moving away, we are always sad to see them go.

Springfield Township July/August Newsletter

Springfield Township Newsletter




July/August 2010
Issue 11



Dear View Place Neighbors,

Since 2006 we have enjoyed seeing the results of saving our residents money with the Township's utilities aggregation programs. Ten years ago, we would never have imagined that local government would have the opportunity to help residents with utility expenses by purchasing our gas and electric as a group - instead of as an individual homeowner. To date, residents and small businesses have saved in excess of $2 million on electric bills from that program's inception in June 2009. The gas program has saved residents over $678,000 since it's inception in 2006. You will be happy to know that we have locked in a rate of 5.70 cents per kWh for all electric consumed during the billing months of February 2011 through January 2012. This rate is 17.2% lower than last year and could save you over $450 per year if Duke Energy's current average rate for generation charges remains unchanged.

We are always looking to find ways to save tax dollars, and to save residents and small businesses money in any way possible. We hope you are enjoying a bit of the savings - as we crank up the air conditioning in this 90 degree weather!

Sincerely,

Your Trustees -

Joseph Honerlaw, Gwen McFarlin and Tom Bryan

Link to learn more about the Township's Aggregation Program

Features
Electric Aggregation
Second Document Shredding Event
Summer Concert Series
Winton Road Streetscape
Master Plan Update

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP ANNOUNCES
NEW ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAM RATE AND CLARIFIES INACCURATE OFFER BY DUKE ENERGY RETAIL




Springfield Township officials would like to remind residents and small businesses to look for a notice that has recently been mailed concerning the new rate for the electric aggregation program supplied by Dominion Retail. Members in the program are being offered a very low fixed-rate of 5.70 cents per kWh for all electric consumed during the billing months of February 2011 through January 2012.


This offer is substantially better than a recent offer mailed to residents participating in the Township aggregation program by Duke Retail of 6.39 cents per KWh for the remainder of 2010 and 2011.

"Duke's offer is both misleading and inaccurate," said Township Trustee Joe Honerlaw. "Duke Retail fails to inform residents that the Township's aggregation program will offer a price in 2011 that is nearly 11% lower than the Duke Retail price offer. Therefore, residents who switch to Duke Retail will actually pay more for electric than if they remain in the Township's program," added Mr. Honerlaw.

Township Administrator, Michael Hinnenkamp strongly urges Township residents to call the Township to ensure they understand the complete picture and consequences of switching to Duke Retail's offer before doing so. "We've been working with our aggregation consultant Independent Energy Consultants, Inc. and have been watching the wholesale electric market very closely. We sought bids to continue our electric program now, because energy prices are very attractive. Duke Retail has been invited to participate as a supplier in our program since its inception but has chosen not to participate." Hinnenkamp added, "It is unfortunate that they have chosen to send out a letter promising savings to our residents when the result of switching will actually result in higher cost. Our program has provided an excellent alternative to Duke Energy's electric generation supply charges which currently average 9.43 cents per kWh. Collectively, participants in our program have saved over $2 million in our first year with Dominion Retail," he added.

Richard Zelenko, Dominion Retail Vice President said, "We're pleased to continue to serve the residents of Springfield Township. Current participants should look for an opt-out notice from Dominion Retail that was mailed late last week. These account holders will remain enrolled in the program for another year starting with February 2011 billing, unless they contact Dominion Retail and ask not to be included."

A Second Document Shredding Program Scheduled For Residents of Springfield Township
July 31, 2010 9:00a.m. - 1:00 p.m.






On Saturday, May 22, The Springfield Township Police Department hosted a document shredding event designed to help residents prevent identity theft. An industrial sized mobile shredding truck parked at the Administration complex to destroy personal files. The demand for the program exceeded all expectations! Over ten thousand pounds of documents were shredded during the four-hour event. Unfortunately, many were turned away after the truck was filled to capacity. With the encouragement of residents, The Springfield Township Police Department and Board of Trustees will host a second shredding event on Saturday, July 31. The event will take place in the back lot - closest to the Grove Banquet Hall at 9158 Winton Road. Residents may drive up to have professionals dispose of personal and confidential documents on site. No need to remove binder covers, folders, paper clips, or staples because the industrial shredders will easily cut through them. All shredded documents will be recycled. This service is for residents of the Township only and proof of residency will be required.The shredding will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., or when the truck is filled to capacity, whichever comes first. Please expect a line, and you are advised to bring a rolling cart or a dolly for heavy boxes.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States, according to the FBI. Approximately 7 million Americans become victims of identity theft each year. Help protect yourself and your family from identity theft by having your personal and confidential documents safely destroyed.

To protect your identity, it is recommended that you should shred:
Obsolete tax documents
Bank statements including cancelled checks
Credit card statements and credit card receipts and credit card offers
Financial account statements
Insurance documents
Business records
Any documents you want safely destroyed and recycled!

This service is only offered to residents, not businesses.

Public Meeting Announcement:
Wood Boilers





A public meeting will be held by the Springfield Township Board of Trustees on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. regarding the use of wood boilers on residential property in the Township. The Board will listen to residents with concerns and validations for wood boilers. This hearing is intended to listen to both sides of the debate, prior to consideration of placing any restrictions or bans on these systems. The meeting will take place in the Administration Complex at 9150 Winton Road. (The Allen Paul Room)

Enjoy the Summer with Springfield Township's Summer Concert Series!


Springfield Township's kicked off its free summer concert series in June. Here's more about the upcoming concerts for July and August:


Thursday, July 22
Cincinnati Civic Orchestra
Eleven Decades of Broadway
Pre-show and Dinner at 5:30 p.m (Dinner reservations must be made in advance)
Concert: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
**Will be held indoors at the Grove Banquet Hall


The Cincinnati Civic Orchestra was founded in 1929 and made its performance debut the following year. The orchestra is one of the oldest all-volunteer groups in the United States and has provided Cincinnati area musicians with the opportunity to make music together for almost eighty years. As part of their charter, they are committed to continuing to provide Cincinnati area residents with FREE public concerts. The concert, being held at the Grove Banquet Hall, will feature the best and most memorable tunes of Broadway! Sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Unique to this event, the Township is offering a dinner, complete with pre-show entertainment by cool jazz musician, Dan Jackson.
View the menu online now.
Register now for dinner.




Thursday, August 5
Ohio Military Band
7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Will be held on the back deck of the Senior/Community Center
Food: TBA


The Ohio Military Band is the oldest community band in the Cincinnati. It has been in existence since 1904, with roots tracing back to the 1854! Those attending the show can expect a beautiful variety of musical styles, including marches, classics, show tunes, and more.




All of the community concerts are made possible through the donation of services by the performing group. For more information, call 522-1410 or visit http://www.springfieldtwp.org/concerts.cfm#

Could Springfield Township Have Its Own Community Improvement Foundation?
Would you be interested in serving on a board?


It's an exciting buzz that is positively contagious! It seems residents in Springfield Township have recently been more interested than ever to make a difference in their community! This energized interest has been witnessed in countless small projects around our community that have been coordinated by residents just like you. We have most recently seen park improvements and small beautification projects taking shape. In the month of August, a local church will come together to paint street sign posts and trash cans. Another is working on a clean streams effort to reduce local waterway pollution. It's an amazing thing we are witnessing in our community and it is only the beginning of bigger and better things ahead. With the recent interest, discussions have begun on the creation of a new nonprofit community organization with the goal of raising funds to support community activities and neighborhood revitalization projects. If you would like to share your talents and participate in the creation of a Springfield Township improvement foundation, please send an email with your contact information to residentspeak@springfieldtwp.org.

Space Still Left For Springfield Township Junior Fire Academy!

The Junior Fire Academy camp program still has openings for kids between the ages of 13-17. This exciting program takes place July 26 - 30 (Monday-Thursday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Friday and is geared towards young teens who may have an interest in being a firefighter. Students will participate in hands-on fire safety activities. The program includes suiting up in firefighter's gear, breathing from a SCBA, using auto extrication equipment, fire extinguisher training and basic first aid and CPR. The camp is FREE and open to Springfield Township residents only. This is a unique and rare opportunity that any teen would benefit from!
Register online now.

Winton Road
Steetscape Soon To Get Finishing Touches!


As part of the Winton Road construction project, decorative light poles and fencing enhancements over Cross County Highway were planned to provide a welcoming "sense of place" in the community, specifically to the main shopping district in Springfield Township. Businesses and residents alike have been anticipating the completion of this project.

What Has Been Done:
The bases and electric connections for the light poles were put in place during the construction period last fall. The actual installation of the light poles has been slightly delayed due to a lengthy grant process that Township Trustees researched and applied for. Their hard work and wait payed off! Springfield Township was awarded the grant which will pay for more than 80% of the cost for the decorative elements in the streetscape plan.

What is Next and What is the Timeline:
Conditions of the state grant require that the project be managed by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and was subject to their bidding process. The streetscape project was bid in mid-June and later awarded to the lowest bidder. The accepted bid came in significantly less than the original estimate. The contractor has set the streetscape schedule and plans to have all projects completed this fall.

Road closure announcements from Hamilton County Engineers Office
SHADYBROOK DR (68 Block) ROAD CLOSURE JUST WEST OF VINE (SR 4)

Springfield Township received notice of a road closure for construction. The following press release is being passed on:

William W. Brayshaw, the Hamilton County Engineer, announced the closing of Shadybrook Drive, just west of Vine Street (SR 4) in Springfield Township. Work being performed by Langenheim & Thomson is a bridge replacement and is anticipated to last until August 20, 2010 (weather permitting).

Problems/questions should be directed to either Dave Langenheim with Langenheim & Thomson at 272-0022 or to Tom Brayshaw with the Hamilton County Engineer at 946-8419. For information on other Hamilton County projects, please visit www.hamilton-co.org/engineer

Neighborhood Master Plan - A Consultant Has Been Hired!

The Neighborhood Master Plan is at the halfway point of completion. Four out of the scheduled seven resident-based steering committee meetings have been held to develop strategies for improvement. These meetings have resulted in plans for steps to financial stability, marketing and improved communications, community services, and ways for dealing with specific issues in law enforcement. The upcoming meetings will focus on neighborhood stability and infrastructure. The Township has hired the urban design firm KKG to assist in the analysis of market conditions and in the development of specific neighborhood land use and redevelopment plans. The final plan will be unveiled to the public at the State of the Township address in February, 2011.

Going on Vacation? Call The Springfield Township Police Department

Did you know that the Springfield Township Police Department offers a service whereby you can call them to check on your house while your gone on vacation? Call 729-1300, give them the dates you will be gone and an officer will check on your home while you are away. Its a great service that many residents take advantage of - but many more may not be aware of!

Theft From Unlocked Vehicles


There has been an increase in media coverage lately regarding thefts from unlocked vehicles in the Tri-State area. Most of these news articles have involved communities surrounding the City of Cincinnati. Unfortunately, Springfield Township is not immune to this activity and the Police Department has seen an increase in these types of thefts in all areas of the Township. Most of these thefts are avoidable because they are crimes of opportunity. Our officers are working daily to not only solve the thefts that have already occurred, but also to prevent future thefts from occurring. As summer gets into full swing, we would like residents to keep the following things in mind when leaving their vehicles unattended in parking lots or driveways.

1) Always lock your car doors and make sure that windows and sunroofs are closed.
As stated before, most of these crimes are crimes of opportunity. Thieves will target a car with the doors unlocked or the windows down before they will take the chance of breaking a window or using other means of force to get into a car that might alert people to their activity.


2) Keep valuables and electronic devices out of site, including related power cords.

If a thief is walking down the street or through a parking lot and can see items of value in your vehicle, in their mind, the risk of having someone hear them break a window is worth the reward of getting an expensive MP3 player or a GPS unit. Thieves will also break into a car if they see the power cords for items such as GPS devices or phone chargers. They will break into the car in hopes that the actual units are still in the vehicle. Make sure that you take expensive equipment out of your car if you are parking it outside overnight or if you are going to leave your car unattended for some time. At a minimum, hide the equipment and cords out of sight in the vehicle if you can't put them somewhere else. Also be aware of loose change, wallets, or purses that are in plain sight.


3) Be aware of expensive stereo equipment visible in your car

The Township Police has arrested individuals in the past who have indicated that they broke into specific cars and stole the stereo equipment inside because they knew that it was there. They knew that the equipment was in the car because they saw or heard the owner of the car driving it with the stereo turned up loud. If you have expensive equipment in the car, remove the stereo faceplate and keep it out of sight or inside the house. Keep in mind that Springfield Township, like most communities, has a loud noise ordinance which restricts loud noise that is audible from a vehicle by more than fifty feet away.




4) Report suspicious activity in your neighborhood to the police right away

In last month, our officers have arrested individuals in three separate incidents where people were breaking into cars at night. In one of those cases, a person called our department to let us know that there were suspicious persons on the street late at night. The caller thought that the kids might be going through unlocked cars. Officers patrolled the area and located two kids who were subsequently arrested for breaking into a car and taking stereo equipment from it. Had the officers not received the call, the suspicious kids may have never been arrested for the theft and the owner may still be trying to recover the property.

Many people feel that the activity that they have witnessed is not important enough to call the police about or that it is too late at night to bother the police so they will call in the morning. Often times, had the call been made when the activity was witnessed, there would have been a good chance of stopping the criminal activity and making an arrest. Don't hesitate to call if you see something that does not look right.

Keeping these simple things in mind will not guarantee that you will not become a victim of a theft. It will, however, make thieves think twice about victimizing you. If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact the Springfield Township Police Department at 729-1300.



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Personal History Writing Workshop Offered at the Springfield Township Senior/Community Center



Your life experiences could fill a book! Love and loss, hard work and fun, choices and challenges, heroes and villains, mistakes and lessons - your life has all of these elements. It is an amazing story, and you are the best one to tell it!

The Springfield Township Senior/Community Center is launching a new writing program designed to help you discover new ways to look at your life experiences and ways to share and preserve them for future generations through a Personal History Writing Workshop. This four-week workshop, conducted by Mary Ann Mayers, owner of Extraordinary Lives, will help you chronicle several stories and build the momentum to continue saving and sharing stories with family and friends.

The Personal History Writing Workshop will be held at the Senior/Community Center from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, August 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th. Cost for the series is $40 for Springfield Township residents and $50 for non-residents. Participants will need a 3-ring binder and pen for each class.

Register Now!
Registrations may be taken online, over the phone at 513-522-1154 513-522-1154 or by e-mail to tschneider@springfieldtwp.org. Please note that a 4% fee applies to online credit card payments by PayPal.




Community Garage Sale Recap



Springfield Township hosted its second annual Community Garage Sale on June 5. The event attracted over 1,200 shoppers! Upon completion of the event, one and a half semi-trucks full of donations were collected for Goodwill. All in all, it was a great event!

Watch the NEW "Talking With Springfield Township" Episode on Waycross



Waycross Airs "Talking With Springfield Township"

Watch it online now

Featuring:
An overview of Township projects from Administrator, Mike Hinnenkamp:
Aggregation programs saving residents money

Winton Road streetscape progress

Project efficiency to save money

Master Plan Update

· Marilyn Pappas and Lt. Kevin Richards from the Township Fire Department go over the warning signs for a heart attack and demonstrate the effectiveness in the technology carried on the ambulances.



Quick Links


Community Calendar & News Board


Neighborhood Master Plan


View Trustee Meetings online

Visit Us on You Tube

On Facebook

Receive Tweets on Twitter

Township Directory

Census 2010

Community Concert Schedule

Waycross Community Media

Renting the Grove Banquet Hall


Phone Numbers



Springfield Township Administration Offices
522-1410

Springfield Township Police
729-1300

Fire Station 79
(Winton Road)
521-7578

Fire Station 75
(Burlington Road ) 851-3030

Service Department (Roads)
522-1410

Senior/Community Center 522-1154

The Grove Banquet Hall (Rentals)
522-1154

Property Maintenance Complaint
522-1410
nuisancecomplaints
@springfieldtwp.org

Hamilton County Roads: 946-8900


Hamilton County Board of Elections
632-7000



Upcoming Community Events
See event details and more events here



July 13
Trustee Meeting at 5:30 p.m.

July 22
Dinner & Concert with the Cincinnati Civic Orchestra
Make Dinner Reservations!

July 23, 24 & 26
St Bartholomew's Festival

July 31
Springfield Township Resident Document Shredding Program (FREE!)

August 5
Free Community Concert -
Ohio Military Band

August 10
Trustee Meeting 5:30 p.m.

August 18
Public meeting on wood boilers







Submitted Announcements

The Winton Woods School District is looking for host
families for the Global Youth Leadership Camp. The camp dates are from July 12-23rd, 8:45-3:30 at the Winton Woods Intermediate School. The students will need their own bed (not their own room), transportation to and from the camp, and a packed lunch. They have medical insurance and their own spending money. PLEASE consider opening your home to one or more of the Chinese students....you won't regret it! Contact Mimi Khayo, at khayo.mimi@wintonwoods.org for more info.

___________________

Volleyball coach needed: Hamilton County Math and Science Academy is looking for an experienced volleyball coach to coach 7TH and 8TH grade girls. Please forward resume to 2675 Civic Center Drive, Cincinnati , Ohio 45231 or send an email tmoore5691@yahoo.com
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Dr. Alan Robertson, who has been Interim Superintendent of the Finneytown Local School District for six months, was named superintendent.

Finneytown faculty and staff learned of his appointment at the annual faculty-staff end of year district meeting on Monday, June 7. The board met at a specially called Board of Education meeting on June 2 and offered the position to Dr. Robertson. He was given a two-year contract upon his formal appointment on June 21, 2010 at the Board of Education meeting.


Introducing Dr. Robertson to the staff, Finneytown Board of Education vice president Laura Horn said that while the board was sad to see the former superintendent leave, "We felt confident that Dr. Alan Robertson would step up to the plate and assist us to the end of the school year."

She added that although the board had to fill a vacant board seat, pass a levy and then find a superintendent, "Alan was there every step of the way during the past six months. This speaks volumes of his dedication and commitment to Finneytown schools, the teachers and the community."

Robertson received a standing ovation as he took the stage to shake hands with Mrs. Horn.

Dr. Robertson thanked the board and the staff then addressed the crowd, "Our community - not just the parents of the students, but the community - cares about our schools. We still have to be under the guise of fiscal responsibility. The community has invested in us and we have an expectation to make sure that the parents and non-parents know what we're doing. We're good but we're going to get better, because that's what the community expects of us."
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Waycross Community Media is offering area boy scouts the opportunity to earn up to three merit badges this summer - Cinematography, Photography, and Communications.
Each badge will require attendance at three sessions over three days. The schedule is as follows:
Cinematography: August 17, 18, 19 from 9 AM 10:15 AM
Photography: August 17, 18, 19 from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
Communications: August 17, 18, 19 from 12 PM - 1:15 PM
To register, visit http://www.waycross.tv/scouts. For more information, contact Heather Wiltse at 825-2429 or heatherw@waycross.org.



Ohio Missing Children Clearinghouse 2009 Annual Report, now available online


View the 2009 Report here

In 2009, more than 20,000 missing child reports were filed by parents or guardians in Ohio; more than 700 of those were for children under the age of 12. While 97% of the children were eventually recovered safely, thousands of parents were forced to face their worst nightmare.

The Ohio Missing Children Clearinghouse has worked with parents and schools for almost 20 years to keep kids safe. The Ohio Attorney General's office operates the Clearinghouse, which compiles data on missing children, acts as a liaison with law enforcement and partners with the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to train and provide educational materials to teachers, parents, children and law enforcement. Additionally, the clearinghouse issues Missing Child Alerts and Missing Adult Alerts, coordinates with law enforcement in the issuance of AMBER Alerts and works to raise awareness of the problems surrounding runaway children, human trafficking, kidnapping and missing adults.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office has also produced the Kids Safety Passport, a useful tool for parents to record their child's personal identification information including fingerprints and social networking site login and password information. It is available at no cost from the office by calling the Attorney General's Help Center at (800) 282-0515 (800) 282-0515 . The Kids Safety Passport can also be found online .(Click on underscore)




Pass it on!
Many residents are not signed up to receive e-news from the Township. Pass this email along to your neighbors and encourage them to register for news and event updates.

If you are interested in volunteering for special events, let us know! Email your name, address, phone number and areas of interest.







Forward email

NO COST MAMMOGRAMS

From: Samiya Sebastian
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 19:41:33 +0000
To: Kim Flamm
Cc: Ami Brown
Subject: RE: No Cost Mammograms

Hello:

I’m Samiya Sebastian, from the mobile mammography van, and we’re having an event on July 24th, 2010 at Rink’s Flea Market. We’re providing No-Cost Mammograms from 9:00a-2:00p. No-Cost means co-pays will be covered for those who have insurance and complete cost will be covered for those without. I have attached a flyer; please share it with women 35+. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via email.

Thanks,
Samiya Sebastian, Health Education Intern
898 Walnut Street YWCA of Greater Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513.361.2157 (p)
ssebastian@ywcacin.org