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This Month's Citizen Survey:
Pepper Presidential Caucus Part Two
Six months ago we asked for your thoughts on the upcoming primaries. With the candidates decided, we want to know your opinions about the upcoming election, including your vice-presidential picks.
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July's Pepperspective -- Starting a PepTalk!
For about a year, I've been promising myself (and a few others) I'd start a blog. There's just so much going on in and around Cincinnati and Hamilton County, and too much need for continual input from citizens across the spectrum--and a blog is the best way I can think of to keep up.
Expect this blog to highlight important news in this community and beyond, give my perspective on that news, ask for your input on items and issues of the day, and respond to events and happenings going on around us. Who knows, maybe it'll offer a chance to set the record straight on critical or controversial issues being discussed in the community (including correcting the occasional misinformation disseminated by others), or answer questions citizens have about the way government works, or doesn't work.
I call it PepTalk because amid all our challenges and hurdles, not to mention the ups and downs of politics, I am an optimist about our great community. With our wonderful assets, citizens and traditions, our best days are ahead of us--and I hope the discussions on this blog will help lead us in that positive direction.
Most importantly, I look forward to hearing from you as much as possible about your views on how to head in that direction.
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County Launches Effort To Get High School Drop-Outs Back on Feet
In June, Hamilton County Commissioners unanimously approved an innovative effort to identify and turn around the life of high school dropouts. Connect to Success, a newly formed collaboration of more than a dozen local service providers, will focus on helping 15- to 25-year-olds who have no GED or high school diploma. The most important result: these young people will get the opportunity for the education and/or job skills they need to be productive and successful members of our community.
"Helping get these kids off the street and back in a positive direction is critical," David said. "Our goal is to reduce crime, while building skills and creating opportunities for our young people."
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Duke Changing Tree-Cutting Policy
Amid weighty issues of policy and budgets, it's often the small quality of life issues that make or break a community. This is why David and the other commissioners responded so quickly on hearing constituent concerns about the recent (tree) clear-cutting practices being implemented by Duke Energy. The clear-cutting policies were drastically undermining the streetscape and "green" nature of several communities, particularly in the areas of Green and Miami Township.
David contacted Duke officials immediately and urged them to pursue a solution that respected the communities' and residents' need to preserve the trees and greenery so central to their quality of life. David is happy to report that Duke met with community officials and leaders and has since committed to a more thoughtful policy that will, we hope, solve this problem. David has encouraged Duke to apply this new policy across the county and region, which they have said they will do.
Much thanks goes to the leadership of Green and Miami Township for their hard work on this issue, and to Duke officials for being willing to listen to the community's concerns.
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Nuxhall Way Dedicated
On June 10th, David and other community leaders officially dedicated the southernmost block of Main Street (where Great American Ball Park is located) as Joe Nuxhall Way, in recognition of the "Ol' Lefthander's" contributions to baseball, Greater Cincinnati and the community he loved. That date marked the 64th anniversary of Nuxhall's first big league win, which he pitched against the Cardinals at Crosley Field at the age of 15.
"I spent so many summer nights listening to Joe call a Reds' game--it was part of being a kid in Cincinnati," David said. "I was honored to help make this tribute to the man who gave so much to Reds fans and the broader community."
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David Calls For Spending Lockdown
Facing tough mid-year budget decisions and a potential $24 million deficit for 2009, David put forth a motion calling for a Spending Lockdown for Hamilton County. Despite having made a lot of cuts in the 2008 budget, a weak economy has led to sluggish revenues ($12 million short of projections), putting the County in a difficult financial situation. To immediately tackle the problem, David is proposing that County departments suspend all nonessential purchases and spending. More to come on this and other budget-cutting ideas in the coming weeks.
"Unfortunately, this isn't a choice. You can't spend more money than you bring in," David said. "A bad economy is going to force us all to make some tough decisions."
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Congratulations to Cindy Male of Monfort Heights, winner of last month's Hamilton County Trivia Quiz. Incredibly, Cindy answered 14 out of 16 questions correctly. Thank you to everyone who participated in the quiz and remember to take part in this month's Pepper Presidential Caucus.
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| To find the cheapest gas prices in Hamilton County
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| Are you a bargain hunter?
Click Here to visit the Hamilton County online surplus auction |
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Quick Links
To visit the County website and learn more about the County Commissioners and County business
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Hamilton County Recycling Programs Free to County Residents
Hazardous Waste Collection Program:
March 1st - November 22nd.
Yard Waste Drop Off:
March 29th - November 30.
Computer Recycling:
March 31 - December 30th.
For more information about these free collection programs - including further details about acceptable and unacceptable items and times facilities are open, call the Recycling Hotline at 946-7766 or visit http://www.hamiltoncountyrecycles.org.
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