FLOWER BOXES

The township is removing our old street signs/post and adding them to the top of the stop signs. Right now, I have an e-mail into Mike H. about what our options so we can keep the flower boxes. I'll keep everyone "posted" on this ...

Neighborhood Updates: Street Captains and Help Wanted!

Street Captain Meeting for 2006 Neighborhood Directory, Saturday, APRIL 1st, 3 to 4 p.m. at Donna's 491 Deanview Drive. If you cannot attend, please let me know through e mail only ... Still looking for more street captains for View Place, Beechtree, and Wellesley.

Help Wanted: Experienced person for VPCA's "work crew" for stripping, repairing, and painting flower boxes on Friday, April 7th, from 9 to noon; lunch at Paneras afterward... Bring whatever you have laying around in your workshop ... rags, scrapers, hammers, nails, etc. Please RSVP to me (Donna) on this one.

Plans for Easter Hunt underway; look for announcement at Memo Board

Information about I-75 Closures

From neighbor Melanie Allen - Community Outreach - Voter Education & Training CoordinatorHamilton County Board of Elections
824 BroadwayCincinnati, Ohio
45202513 / 632-7030
(Office) 513 / 632-7076 (Fax:)
Melanie.Allen@hamilton-co.org


Wyoming - Effect of I-75 Closures

Friends, this is a "heads up" which I hope you will> share with your> neighbors. > > Last night Wyoming Council voted unanimously to> support my motion to oppose> the ODOT planned closure of the Galbraith Road I-75> exits which many of us> use in our commutes or leisure driving. The issue is> one I have been> bringing to council, as the rep to OKI, and it now> faces us as an imminent> prospect. (More details are on the city website,> wyoming.oh.us)> > I write to encourage you and neighbors to attend> next Monday's special> meeting at the city council chambers at 7 pm. We are> launching a coordinated> grass roots effort to keep Galbraith accessible and> we frankly need the> skills of wide variety of our residents. > > Ask your neighbor, if I-75 access were cut off,> would your home be worth as> much to new buyers?> > The agenda that I have proposed to the city council> follows.> > WYOMING COMMUNITY> AD HOC TASK FORCE> ON INTERSTATE ACCESS ISSUES> Jim O'Reilly, Councilmember joreilly@fuse.net> > Council committed on Feb. 21 to actively oppose> closure of I-75 Galbraith> ramps and to consider other impacts of the "Through> the Valley" project.> Building on Mayor Savage's 3-part program, let us> enlist community members> to help with each of the three areas of work to be> done in the next 7 weeks> before the April ODOT Wyoming meeting. > > POLITICAL> > A. Easiest sell to a politician: "Just let it be as> it is."> B. Politics must be driven by campaign fundraising> C. Candidates go where the money is, to fund their> TV needs ($80k/wk)> D. Wyoming residents are politically savvy and> involved "prime donors"> E. Leverage is greatest prior to gubernatorial> election, now>>11/7/06> F. Attract Strickland, Petro, Blackwell during SW> Ohio visits> G. Convince them to pledge "no change to Galbraith> exit" in their new> administration of Ohio Dept. Trans. (ODOT)> H. Once the Gov. is on record, bureaucrats can't> play usual games> I. Buttress this with Sen. Pat Clancey on Sen.> Transportation Com.> J. Enlist Raussen (not on relevant committees) for> additional help> > > BUREAUCRATIC> > A. Follow the flow of money> B. OKI done, now ODOT > TRAC > Budget > Build> C. Intercept the closure decision at ODOT if> possible: 4/06, 6/06> D. Make persuasive record to do no changes at> Galbraith> E. Convince TRAC (Chip Gerhardt) champion to> advocate for us> F. Persuade appropriators - Tom Raga, Lt Gov> candidate from Mason, is> vice chair of appropriations - to champion our> "least cost alternative" as a> net savings to the project> G. Get Alan Schreiber's advice as highest ranking> insider (commutes to> Ohio PUCO Chair from Reily Rd. home)> > TECHNICAL> > A. Traffic studies from OKI files> B. Meeting with ODOT Lebanon field office, Diana> Martin> C. Commuter patterns surveys> D. Use patterns - where do people drive and why?> E. Traffic engineer consultant report needed:> leaving Galb. Ramps open> will not ruin the I-75 project> > > Please forward this invitation to others in Wyoming.> Thanks for your> consideration. > > Jim O'Reilly> Councilmember> >

Report of Township Meeting 3/14/06

Notes were submitting by Finneytown Board of Education Officer and former VPCA President, James E. Wright




SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
3/14/06


Police Chief Report: 120 applied and the top 20 will continue in the process i.e. interviews, physicals, and etc. The number of expect hire is not yet known.
I asked about data for problem areas and the Chief stated it was broken into zones. He would provide me with that data later.

Fire Chief Report: Kids Fire Academy will start some time in June. This project will focus on fire safety, 1st aid and environmental weather awareness.

Recreation Report: Great American Clean Up: Meet at Sr. building class rm. A 9158 Winton Rd. Registration begins at 8:30 am Clean up from 9:00 until noon. Food, drinks, T-shirts will be provided along with fun during and after project. Targeted areas will be Winton and Galbraith roads.

Contact numbers 513-522-1410

The web site is www.greatamericancleanup.org

Senior/Community Services: Medicare Matters question and answer period along with learning more about the program is scheduled 3/20/06 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at 9158 Winton Rd. contact numbers 1-800-648-1176 and 513-522-1154

Meet at Sr. building class rm. A 9158 Winton Rd. and take pictures with Easter Bunny April 9th 1:00 thru 3:00 pm


Administrator’s Report: Finneytown’s school resource officer agreement passed to get renewed.
Wyoming Council voted unanimously to support my motion to oppose the ODOT planned closure of the Galbraith Road I-75 exits which many of us use in our commutes or leisure driving.

Springfield Township Trustees are in agreement with the area communities and will send one or two representatives to attend a hearing regarding this matter 3/21/06 in Columbus.

Declaring a Nuisance: properties that are listed are declared as nuisances 7710 View Place Dr. 8405 Cottonwood Dr. 8413 Cottonwood Dr. 785 Finney Trail and 1027 North Bend Rd.

Energy Report: there are no guarantees that the prices will not be cheaper, however they should get cheaper in the long run.

New Ballot Issue: TELL amendment (Tax payers’ Bill of Rights) the context of this is that you will not be allowed to spend more that 3.5% of the monies allowed. This had a negative impact in Colorado on all levels; they are currently trying to amend it. Example is energy prices have risen more than 3.5% and in order for the budget amount change you have to get 50% of registered to say yes. We can not get 50% to come to the poles.

A Message From View Place Resident and Finneytown Current School Board Member

Submitted for posting from the Office of
James Wright, View Place Resident and Finneytown School Board Member:


FINNEYTOWN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BLUE RIBBON FINANCE COMMITTEE

Tuesday, February 13, 2006

The following members were present: Chris Auffrey, Ben Lawrence, Kevin
Berlon, Randall Parsons, Dan Howett, James Wright, Kevin Holder, Dale
Miller, Barb Parry, Bob Earley and David Oliverio.

I would like to thank members of the Blue Ribbon committee for doing such a fantastic job monitoring the expenditures of the monies.

Keeping a good handle on the value of education as well as putting in perspective the amount of currency spent on our students is worth it.

Finneytown as compared to some of the other district we get more houses for our dollars as well several extra curricular activities.

Finneytown’s our property taxes repay rated 7th out of 23.

Winton Road Expansion Project: Mr. Lawrence reported on the Hamilton County's planned

Winton Road Expansion Project between Reynard and Fleming projected to begin next winter.

The committee chose May 1 at 7:00 pm as the date and time for its next meeting.

Mark reported on the Finance Committee meeting.


Finneytown Athletic Association Report

I was Unable to make meeting this past month. I will communicate with the President or Vice President and bring a report next month if I cannot attend the meeting in March.



LEGISLATIVE LIAISON REPORT

Governor delivers final State of the State address

Gov. BobTaft delivered his eighth State of the State address on Jan. 25, announcing his goals for the rest of his term and the remainder of the 126th General Assembly.

Taft discussed several topics, such as mortgage lending and workers’ compensation reforms, but primarily focused on education. He called for a more rigorous core curriculum requirement for high school graduation, beginning with the class of 2011. The "Ohio Core" plan would require all students to take:

four years of math (including Algebra II);
three years of science (including biology, chemistry and physics);
four years of English;
three years of social studies;
two years of foreign language.
He also proposed an expansion of the school breakfast and lunch program to serve an additional 120,000 children.

Passed by the House of Representatives the week of Jan. 23:

Board of education membership

House Bill (HB) 455, would allow employees of a city director of law to serve on a board of education for which the city director of law is not the legal adviser. It was favorably passed out of the House and now heads to the Senate.
School bullying bill

Substitute HB 276 requires:

each school board to adopt a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying of any student on school property or at a school-sponsored activity;
the State Board of Education to develop a model policy prohibiting student harassment, intimidation or bullying;
the state auditor to determine whether a district has adopted an anti-harassment policy.
The bill also clarifies that that local policies may not infringe on First Amendment free speech rights. In addition, it authorizes school districts to form initiatives to prevent bullying, and requires districts to provide training and education on student harassment, intimidation or bullying, if funds are appropriated for that purpose.

OSBA Delegate Report

I have not received anything formally from them as of yet.

Secondary Campus Report
1)

Coach Effner's Comments
"Ron is a two-time NCAA qualifier, where he has won a match each year, and is one of our co-captains. He represents all of what is good about coaching and being a student athlete.
2004-05 - Junior Season
NCAA qualifier...finished third at 184 in the EWL Tournament
2003-04 - Sophomore Season
NCAA Championship qualifier at 184...finished third at 184 in the EWL Tournament
2002-03 - Freshman Season
Posted a 22-17 record, finishing second at the Slippery Rock Open

Personal

Born Jan. 7, 1984 in Hopewell, VA....son of Lisa and Ron Howard...has a sister, Destanee, and a brother, Jaime. Ron’s digital media and film are his majors.

2)
Please view Finneytown Website for up to date as well as past information on the latest News.
3) The dinner date for seniors is Friday, May 26th!

Beth Mizelle and Marty Mayer can give you more information regarding this event.


SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP MEETING REPORT

SPRINGFIELD Township’s web address is www.springfieldtwp.org

Kroger Building has been purchased by developer. The plans are not yet forth coming; however, the developer will notify the Township of said plans.

There are three or four properties that have been declared nuisances in the Finneytown Community. After this has been declared the owner will be notified and repairs made at owner’s expense by the Township.

The property south of Xavier School has permits for filling in the land. The area is zoned for residential.

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT

I attended a luncheon were the Treasurer of the State was there to answer some questions.
Look to website for information regarding the financial condition of the state as well as programs that are available to help you.

The website address is www.tos.ohio.gov


I talked with some of the members on the STCC and Randy Parson’s regarding using the media package as a means of enhancing the district as well as business opportunities in the community.

STTC Website address is http://www.springfieldtwpchamber.org/

Thursday, May 12, 2006, 11:30 AM is the next meeting.Lunch: $5.00
RSVP to: Rhys Reynolds, 522-3885 rhys@howardreynoldsworks.com



Technology Committee Report
Nothing to report as of this date regarding Technology






VIEW PLACE REPORT

The VPCA currently have a website, the address is http://viewplacenews.blogspot.com

Congrats to Conner Doyl for making Eagle Scout.

VPCA have teamed up with the Springfield Township Police department to head of any potential crime.

Our thoughts and prayers are with The Hummer Family: Sue, Dan, Tom and Jeff

View Place Through the Ages

At the southern end of Springfield Township is a quiet residential community called the View Place Area. Its name was derived from View Place Drive which runs off North Bend Road and affords the only accessibility to the community.

The area encompasses one-half square mile and is comprised of 263 homes located on fifteen streets. The land is quite hilly with elevations ranging between 750 and 960 feet above sea level. It is basically located on a hillside overlooking Millcreek Valley to the east.

Early records indicate the land was once owned by Clara Ingersoll and Harold Anderson. In 1953 Ms. Ingersoll sold her portion of the area to Frank L. Jackson and Walter Tiemeyer who began dividing up the land into lots for houses. In 1963, Mr. Tiemeyer sold his protion to Morton Bruce. As the developers, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Bruce had the streets paved and the area surveyed so they could divide up the land into five areas known as Beacon Heights, Brookhill, Jill's Hill, Valley View Acres, and View Place Subdivisions.

In the beginning the area was not served by utilities. After building their homes, early residents banned together to form the View Place Civic Association and petitioned The Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company to install electric and gas service. Subsequently water mains and telephone lines were extended in the area. One of the early settlers who still resides in the area is Mrs. Arlene Norris. She and her husband built their home on Beechtree in 1955. Theirs was the fourth residence built in the area.

In 1959, St. Xavier High School was constructed at the corner of North Bend Road and View Place Drive. A sewer line was installed from the school to an interceptor adjacent to Galbraith Road. Any of the residents of View Place that were on the high side of the this new sewer line were invited to tap into it at that time. Some residents took advantage of this opportunity and made the connection.

in 1959, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Cushman purchased 12 acres of land and several houses at the north end of the area from Harold Anderson. Mr. Cushman owned a business in Reading and in his spare time he planted and cultivated a peony farm on this land. Each year thousands of blooms could be seen on this farm before they were cut and taken to market. After retiring, Mr. Cushman sold his property to the Covenant Apostolic Church. In 1980, the church-school building was constructed on this land.

In 1993 a section of Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway was constructed on the north end of the community after many years of delay. This construction required the demolition of 5 housed in the area with subsequent loss of one street and shortening of another. There is no access to this highway from this community.

The View Place Civic Association is very active in civic affairs and organizes a number of activities for adults plus parades and parties for children during the various holidays.

- Submitted by Art Badger

ReCap of December's Township Meeting

POLICE DEPARTMENT

On January 18, 2006, there will be a self defense program which requires reservations with the police department. It is being held in conjunction with the police adademy.

The police department did receive a grant in the amount of $30,000.00 for the DARE Program.

The police have been taking some flack for being stationed at Wellsley Drive stop sign. The complaints were "don't the police have better things to do than be stationed at this stop sign?"

SERVICE DEPARTMENT

Under the Service Department they will be picking up Christmas trees starting December 27 through Jan. 12. Just put the tree at the curb on either Tuesday or Thursday for pick-up.

There were a couple of complaints on the snow removal, but not from our area.

ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

The annual organizational meeting will be held on December 29, 2005, at 8:00 a.m. at the township building.

The Energy Aggregation Update - An RFP will be published the second week of January '06.

The Board honored St. Xavier High School football team with a resolution that signs will be posted at four locations in the township stating that they were Division1 State Champions.

On January 11, 2006 at 4:30 p.m., there will be a zoning change hearing for three apartments to be placed on Caldwell Drive on top of the horse boarding barn (FYI).

I made a couple of comments to the Trustees for the excellent snow removal service, the Police Chief attending our last VPCA meeting and thanking Michael Hinnenkamp for his township update.

Very truly yours,


Bill Merusi

Thank You to VP Bill and Sondra!

For their contribution to the Flower Box Fund!

Welcome VCPA Members for January 2006

Retired Lt. Col. Probst and Linda!
Allan & Paula
Bob
James and Family
Steve and Bettie
Art & Mary - thanks, by the way! I understand that residents over 65 are exempt from paying dues. Your contribution and other contributions made by residents over 65 is greatly appreciated!!!


Special Note: Still haven't made it to the bank to deposit your checks from December... I'll to get up there by Jan. 14th.

Thanks for your patience!!

Decorating Flower Boxes for the Winter

Thanks to Marty and Chuck for decorating one of the flower boxes on View Place and to the rest of neighbors who decorated their mailboxes with bows and greenery! The lights and decorations make our neighborhood look good!

Lori's recommendation is to get evergreen cuttings and a few red bows to create a natural outdoor floral arrangement.

Let us know who else can contribute. Thanks again, Marty & Chuck!

Aniother Submission -

Welcome December Members!

Richard and Emogene, John and Sarah, Chris & Betty Jo and Family, Renee, Susan and Randy, Peggy and Eugene, Sharon and Donald

View Place Front Door Design

Here's a first draft offered at our last neighborhood meeting. Give Donna a call or write us if you have any suggestions or comments. There have been many offers from our neighbors who will lend us their expertise in developing a new look for our neighborhood. viewplacenews@yahoo.com. If you have any comments or suggestions, please forward them on as well. For those of you not yet on our e-directory, please identify yourself by street name. We cannot accept or respond to anonymous e-mails.

VPCA Secretary's Report on Neighborhood Meeting Summary

VIEW PLACE CIVIC ASSOCIATION
www.ViewPlaceNews.blogspot.com
ViewPlaceNews@yahoo.com
View Place Drive • North Bend Road • Wellesley Drive • Georgetown Court
Ipswich Drive • Commonwealth Drive • Beechtree Drive • Shelley Lane
Blossomhill Drive • Pinebrook Court • Keats Lane • Deanview Drive • Brucehills Drive

General Meeting
11/14/05
President Donna Saul called a general meeting of the neighborhood to order at the Covenent Apostolic Church on Monday, November 14, 2005, at 7:40 p.m.. She led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Officer Elections
Donna introduced officers who have been elected. The following were elected at the previous reorganizational meeting.
President—Donna Saul
Treasurer—Jeff Dean
Secretary—Sue Hummer
Two other officers, Civic Vice-president and Social Vice-president, were not elected then because nominees were not at the reorganizational meeting to consent. A vote was taken by mail and on-line. Christa Criddle has withdrawn her name as a nominee for both positions and agreed to be a communication director including editing a Grapevine newsletter. Electees for the other offices are:
Civic Vice-President—Bill Merusi
Social Vice-President—Katie Garrett
"Street captains" have volunteered for most streets. Needed are front section of View Place, Keats, and part of Beechtree.
Donna also reported that she attended the recent Springfield Township Trustees meeting to update them on the status of the VPCA and expressing our concerns on safety and the Kendall landfill on North Bend.
Treasurer
Jeff Dean reported a bank balance of $902 + $180 in dues not yet deposited. Dues of $10/household are currently being collected.
Safety Issues
Some safety issues had been brought up at the previous meeting: parking which requires drivers to drive on the opposite side of the street where the view of oncoming cars is obstructed; speeding, particularly on View Place; and running the stop signs at View Place & Wellesley and View Place & Beechtree in particular.
Opinions on suggestions of speed bumps, reducing the speed limit, no parking on some hills were gathered via website and Grapevine returns, and center lines to make drivers more aware they are driving on wrong side of street.. Donna reported mixed responses from survey. Those against the "no parking" were those that lived on the hills and who would be inconvenienced by the "no parking" restriction. There was also a very mixed response to the idea of speed bumps.
Police Chief Dave Heimpold and Sgt. Clayton Smith were present to address these issues. The Chief will place the Township’s speed monitor sign on View Place in the near future to remind drivers of their speed and will also take a traffic count at the same time. They will periodically monitor the stop sign to issue warnings/tickets if called for Speed bumps are not an option because of snow plowing, street maintenance. Center lines would be a good idea. Discussion followed that the visual reminders of speed and stopping and VPCA publicity can both be a deterrent. Publicity could include:
1) It costs $104 for a moving violation ticket.
2) If the police issue any warnings/tickets for speed or not stopping, we could make that known as a reminder to other drivers.
Other discussion: View Place is a "county road" and speed is set by county guidelines. Christa Criddle agreed to contact the County Engineer to find out about those guidelines.
The Chief also suggested that a general meeting topic be "Neighborhood Watch."
Reorganization
Sue Hummer reported finding copies of previous association bylaws dated from 1977. She has volunteered to write a basic set of Bylaws for operation of the association; they would cover purposes, officers and elections, and membership. Discussion followed about whether membership and dues collection should be by household or by individual member: Some households could have multiple adult voters while others might have only a single adult. Should only the "heads of household" be allowed to vote? Is it more fair to allow each property a single vote? There was no clear consensus. A survey will be taken on the website to help in drafting the bylaws.
Beautification
There is concern about the appearance of the entrance to the neighborhood and the old sign board . Resident Lori Lang had volunteered to suggest some ideas. She shared two pictures (attached). One is a planter box with "View Place" lettering that she suggested to replace the flower box at View Place and North Bend. The other picture is a replacement sign board with a bench for View Place and Wellesley. The planter box would cost about $200 with volunteer labor and would be constructed of treated wood. The sign board would be similar to existing one except larger with better shelter; Lori suggested this for the same location except parallel to the road to make it easier to use and not be in the drainage ditch. Estimated cost would be at least $500. Lori did not have a suggestion about what to do with flower boxes that are deteriorating.
Lori will talk to St. Xavier H.S. to see how they would feel about an entrance sign/planter placed on their property. Additionally, the sign board is on the road right-of-way and might require County approval; Lori will also check into this.
Some discussion followed: The planter cannot obstruct the line of sight down North Bend. Perhaps we don’t want to invite "robbery" by calling attention to the fact that we are a nice neighborhood. Maybe a better placement for sign would be on NE corner of Wellesley to obscure the ugly phonebox. Since the VPCA does not have much money to invest, we could set up a separate fund to take donations expressly for this purpose. The scale of the planter box would not fit the location with the wide expanse of St. X’s front lawn.
There are no decisions on any of this. Pictures will be posted on website for comment.
Communication
Christa Criddle passed out a draft Grapevine newsletter which invites news for future issues, shares names of neighborhood "street captains," and asks for household information for an updated neighborhood directory.
Kendall LandfillJeff Dean reported about a recent meeting with Springfield Township Administrator Mike Hinnenkamp regarding the Kendall landfill. Attendees were Bill Merusi, Donna Saul, Sue Hummer, and Jeff. Discussion was on neighborhood concerns and the multiple jurisdications who deal with these concerns:
The landowner may accept "clean fill" by obtaining a County Department of Health permit which has been done that indicates fill will continue through December, 2006. The Department has no enforcement duty however.
The County Soil and Water Conservation District requires the sediment basin to prevent overflow drainage from leaving the property and such things as seeding the dig areas not in use. They have enforcement duties but not much manpower to do this.
The stream through the property is on the Army Corps of Engineers maps; it flows into the Mill Creek. Any disruption of the stream should require a permit from them and they have a long backlog.
Springfield Township only has zoning authority over the property. If the Kendals would want to build on the land in the future, they would need to apply for a zoning certificate. The Township concurs with the neighborhood that the zoning should remain R-1.
If the Kendalls would want to build on the land, they would also need building permits from the County. Hepefully, the County would require proof that the fill land is stable before issuing any permits.
None of these entities formally communicate about such a project. However, the Township is willing to help us communicate with them about concerns and can monitor the situation by sending a Township car to observe periodically. Because neighborhood residents are in the best situation to monitor the site, we need to continue to do that and report any concerns. Comments should be funneled to either Jeff Dean or Bill Merusi who can follow up with the Township.
Other
The street light at the corner of Wellesley & View Place has been out. Cinergy is responsible and will be called.
When the County recently repaved View Place, the stormwater grates at Beechtree and at Wellesey were both installed above the drainage level. Christa Criddle will follow up with the County Engineer on those drainage questions.
AdjournmentDonna stated VPCA goals of 4 general meetings per year and 4 Grapevines per year.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Sue Hummer
Secretary

Street Captains Assigned - More are needed for Commonwealth, View Place, Wellesley, Keats, and Beechtree!

We'll have a meeting soon to organize the information already collected from our neighbors.

Beechtree - David or Judith at 468 Beechtree, Jeff or Lisa at 565 Beechtree (thank you!!!)

Blossomhill - Jim or Ruth at 502 Blossomhill, Barbara at 542 Blossomhill, Sondra or Bill at 562 Blossomhill (thank you!!)

Brucehills - Patricia or Tom at 452 Brucehills and Peg or Chuck at 447 (thanks!!!!)

Christmas Lane & Colorama - Mary Noel at 566 and Janice or Mike at 524

Commonwealth - Elisabeth at 7369, Christa at 7368 (thanks!!!)

Deanview - Donna at 491, Fred at 490, and Natalie at 411 (thanks!!!)

Georgetown - Mark or Barb at 7280 (thanks!!)

Ipswich - Cathy (thanks!!)

Pinebrook - Fran at 7440 (thanks!!!)

View Place - Lynette at 7491, David at 7742, and Lori or Andy at 7621 (thanks!!)

Wellesley - Steven or Karen at 499, James and Marianne at 558 (thanks!)

For All You Naturalists in View Place

On Monday, Nov. 21st, Mark Shieldcastle will present " Wind Power Development and Bird Conservation, Are They Compatible" at the Audubon Society of Ohio meeting at Winton Center at 7:30PM. We are delighted to get Mark here from his duties as a wildlife biologist for the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources. Mark is also the Bald Eagle coordinator for the state of Ohio and Director of Research for the Black Swamp Bird Observatory at Oak Harbor, OH (nest to Magee Marsh). Mark is an excellent speaker and extremely knowledgeable about the birds of Ohio.

Winton Center is located in Winton Woods County Park, just west of the stop light on Winton Road just north of Winton Lake. Hope to see you there, Allan Beach

Update from November Trustees Meeting 11/7/05

After submitting our survey results from neighborhood concerns in general, VPCA officers were invited to meet with township representatives. A summary of this meeting will be shared with the neighborhood at our upcoming meeting.

Senior Citizen-age neighbors should keep in touch with the township's Director of the Senior Center; she's applying for grants to get a bus to provide transportation to and from the Center. She also received about $3,800.oo in grant monies for classes for Seniors so don't forget to read the township newletters to get updates or give her a call at 522-1154.

Dec. 15th Eye Screening by appointment only: Call 522-1154 to schedule an appointment

"Code Red: is a phone calling system that notifies Springfield Township residents in the event of an emergeny through the phone but cannot be implemented because it is part of next years budget spending... not this year. So look for this later in 2006.

Leaf Pick Up on Tues./Thurs. ends Dec. 8th and this is the last week for "brush-pick" until April; call the Township at 522 -1410 if you have questions.

One of our neighbors representing the STAR/SAY Soccer Clubs reported how much this soccer club contributes to the overall revenue stream in the community and encouraged township officials to consider newer/expanded facitilities for all sports recreation to take advantage of this additional "income." STAR/Soccer clubs served over 1,000 township families and this does not include "opponent" families who come to the township for games/tournements.

It was also mentioned that when practice fields for any sport are taken away due to development a replacement area should be given first consideration. The example was given about how the township's new administration office/firestation building on Winton Road reduced the size of practice fields at the Grove offering no replacement. Another example given was the Service Department building eliminating the small baseball fields that used to be in Wellspring Park. Again, no replacements.

The long-term history is that the township does not replace fields that have been eliminated for various reasons unless someone donates one. As a township we need to provide facilities that interest young families if we want to attract them here.

Write me at viewplacenews@yahoo.com for your comments or feedback. Remember to identify yourself by last name and street name in the subject box for security measures.

Welcome View Place Neighbors (Renewed November)

David & Roxanne, Natalie, Elaine &Barry, Aaron & Katie, Tom & Alesia, Steve & Karen, Howard & Judy, John & Sally, Edward & Gwendolyn, Roger & Jeanne, Yvonne, Betty Jo, David & Heather, Frank & Babette, Kenneth & Joan, David & Hester

VPCA MEETING - Nov. 14th, Covenant Church at 7:30 p.m.

The VPCA Meeting will be on MONDAY November 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Covenant Church instead of our original plan on October 27th.

There are over 271 View Place Residents and 81 households have participated in our election and survey. We will extend our deadline to complete the survey and/or participate in our neighborhood election to Nov. 5TH.

Hello View Place Neighbors! (October)

Welcome our New/Old VPCA Members (Dues paid for 2006)

Sue & Dan, Donna & Mike, Jan & Ron, Lisa & Jeff,
Allan & Anita, Greg & Donalyn, Janet, Ruth, Robert & Sylvia, Sondra & Bill, David & Judith, David & Beth & Emmett, Mr. & Mrs. Bill O., Andy & Lori, Janet H., Sophie & Frank, Drs. Matt & Mary, Drs. Eva & Robert, Jesse & Bette, Mary Ann, George & Barbara, John & Helen, Jack & Rose, Fran & Chris & Family, Fred & Donna, Brandon & Christa, Annie & Dennis, Elena & Family, Jim & Ruth, Charles & Lois & Joseph, Florence, Rhonda, Richard & Sally, Cotton & Buck, Gilbert & Phyllis, Mario & Maria, Don & Consuelo, Charles & Mary, Mike &Brenda, Peg & Jim, Helen, Bob & Janet, George & Jeannette, George & Louise, Lynette & Jeff, Jim & Elaine, Jeannette, Chuck & Marty, Tom & Donna, Jim & Marianne, David & Roxanne, Betsy, Cathy & Family, Fred, May Noel, Larry, Tom & Patricia, Susan & Bill, Tom & Debby, Chuck & Peggy, Mike & Gina, Bob & Pat, Mike & Janice, Jack & Joan, Jan & Ann, Mary & Eldon, Louis & Zelda, Richard & Nancy, Stephen, Frederick & Mary, Lois & Ozie, D. Jean