Butler County property owners can now find out what a proposed levy will mean to their tax bill through a link on the auditor’s website.
Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds has added information to each parcel listing to include specific tax information involving every applicable levy.
To check, go to www.butlercountyauditor.org and conduct a property search. The new section is listed in the directory to the left of the page.
Jodi Billerman. The Enquirer/ Joseph Fuqua II.
Sheila McLaughlin reports:
Three political newbies are vying for a seat on the board of commissioners in Butler County, where spending is the resounding theme in a community that is steeped in debt and faces $900,000 in cuts to get through the end of the year.
“Right now what we are seeing is a lack of fiscal responsibility from a party that claims to be fiscal conservatives,” said Democratic candidate Jodi L. Billerman.
The county’s debt, at $67.5 million, is out of control, she said, while county officials forecast that 83 percent of the debt will be paid off in 10 years.
Billerman, Republican T.C. Rogers of West Chester Township and Libertarian Daryl R. Olthaus of Milford Township have lined up to grab the seat of outgoing longtime Republican Commissioner Chuck Furmon.
- More 2012 Ohio election news from WestChesterBuzz.com
Daryl R. Olthaus. The Enquirer/ Joseph Fuqua II
Furmon was ousted in the primary election in a three-way race between him, Rogers and Ohio Rep. Courtney Combs, who loses his statehouse seat in January to term limits. Rogers beat out Combs by 13 votes.
None of the three current commission candidates have run for public office before.
- Butler County Candidate list
Even though the Butler County commission and the majority of county government is dominated by Republicans, Billerman and Olthaus both say they want to see some balance .
“We’ve had a lot of issues lately,” said Olthaus, who is bothered by the string of scandals and criminal convictions involving former officials . “ I want to be the person on the commission that says, ‘Let’s look at this a different way,’ or to kind of be the watchdog outside the Republican Party.”
- Butler County Board of Elections website
T.C. Rogers. The Enquirer/ Joseph Fuqua II.
Billerman, who is running because the local Democrats asked her, said she is not a diehard liberal. “Some of the labeling just doesn’t really suit me and I know I’ll lose votes because there is a D behind my name,” she said. “I took a concealed carry class. I’m a wicked shot. You can’t exactly call me a Teva sandal-wearing, organic-eating vegan. I’m not. I genuinely believe I have something to offer.”
Rogers, a home builder and real estate agent, is running on his experience as a businessman and member of a county budget task force. “I’ve created jobs year after year. I think I already have a relationship with county officials … so I don’t have to have any break-in period. I can be a manager from day one whereas they would be an apprentice,” he said of his political opponents. He said the county can’t continue to spend money it doesn’t have. He’d like to look into saving money on some services and equipment by sharing with Butler County cities and townships.
Barry M. Horstman reports:
The U.S. Supreme Court today cleared the way for Ohioans to cast early in-person absentee ballots on the final three days before the Nov. 6 election.
In a major legal victory for President Barack Obama’s campaign, Justice Elena Kagan denied Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s request to overturn or put on hold lower federal court rulings that authorized early voting on the final Saturday through Monday before Election Day.
Shortly after the court ruled, Husted set uniform early voting hours for those days in all 88 counties: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m-2 p.m. Monday.
The U.S. Supreme Court today sealed a legal victory for President Barack Obama’s campaign in the pivotal state of Ohio, leaving intact a ruling that restored early voting rights for the weekend before the Nov. 6 election.
Ohio Republicans had sought to cancel early voting that weekend for everyone except members of the military. A U.S. appeals court in Cincinnati blocked the plan last week, saying it probably violated the constitutional rights of non-military voters. In a one-sentence order, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge to that ruling, filed by Ohio’s Republican secretary of state and attorney general.
Democrats and Republicans have jockeyed in Ohio for months over early voting, an option used heavily by blacks, women, the elderly and low-income people, according to the appeals court. A trial judge cited an estimate that 100,000 Ohioans would vote in the three days leading up to Election Day.
No Republican has ever won the White House without capturing Ohio, which controls 18 of the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency. (more…)
The West Chester Tea Party will host a “meet the candidates night” Tuesday during its regular monthly meeting at its volunteer center at 5430 Beckett Road.
T.C. Rogers of West Chester is the Republican candidate for the open Butler County Commissioners seat. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II during a voter forum in February.
Participating in the event are Butler County Commissioner candidates and 52nd District State Representative candidates.
Among those scheduled to attend include Branden Rudie (Democrat – Ohio 52nd District), Bob Coogan (Libertarian – Ohio 52nd District), Margaret Conditt (Republican – Ohio 52nd District), Daryl R. Olthaus (Libertarian – county commissioner) and T.C. Rogers (Republican – county commissioner).
Jodi Billerman (Democrat), who is running for the open county commissioner seat, was not listed on the Tea Party’s list of candidates scheduled to participate in the event.
During the event, there will be a five minutes speech per candidate followed with a question and answer period.
Registration and networking for the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. There is no charge to attend.
For more information about the West Chester Tea Party, visit its website www.westchesterteaparty.org.
Posted in: Election, Events, News, Political events |
The Butler County Board of Elections has launched a local campaign, aimed to donate money to charities, churches and other organizations, in hope to recruit poll workers for the upcoming election Nov. 6.
Liberty Township resident Catherine Brink votes on Super Tuesday March 6, 2012, in Ohio. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.
The “Share Your Day … and Your Pay” program allows poll workers to combine their efforts and earn up to $1,000 to donate, as well as receive a tax deduction.
Poll workers can still keep their money earned. According to the Butler County Board of Elections, poll workers can individually earn between $125 and $180 depending on their roles.
In order to become a poll worker, you must be at least 17 years old, be a registered voter in the county which you plan to be a poll worker in, not been convicted of a felony and not be a candidate for the election in which you are working.
There will be a set-up meeting for poll workers at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5. On Election Day, Nov. 6, poll workers will need to be on hand from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. or until all duties are completed. The polls will be open for voters from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
To learn more about becoming a poll worker and the “Share Your Day … and Your Pay” program, contact the Butler County Board of Elections at 513-785-5711 or visit www.butlercountyelections.org.
Posted in: Election, Events, Government, News, Political events |
The Butler County Board of Elections has launched a local campaign, aimed to donate money to charities, churches and other organizations, in hope to recruit poll workers for the upcoming election Nov. 6.
Liberty Township resident Catherine Brink votes on Super Tuesday March 6, 2012, in Ohio. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.
The “Share Your Day … and Your Pay” program allows poll workers to combine their efforts and earn up to $1,000 to donate, as well as receive a tax deduction.
Poll workers can still keep their money earned. According to the Butler County Board of Elections, poll workers can individually earn between $125 and $180 depending on their roles.
In order to become a poll worker, you must be at least 17 years old, be a registered voter in the county which you plan to be a poll worker in, not been convicted of a felony and not be a candidate for the election in which you are working.
There will be a set-up meeting for poll workers at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5. On Election Day, Nov. 6, poll workers will need to be on hand from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. or until all duties are completed. The polls will be open for voters from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
To learn more about becoming a poll worker and the “Share Your Day … and Your Pay” program, contact the Butler County Board of Elections at 513-785-5711 or visit www.butlercountyelections.org.
Posted in: Election, Events, Government, News, Political events |
The FairTax will be the topic at the Liberty Township Tea Party meeting next Tuesday, April 9, at VanGorden Elementary School, 6476 LeSourdsville-West Chester Road, at 7 p.m.
Steve Curtis, who is director of FairTax Ohio, will be the speaker.
According to information on ohfairtax.org, the FairTax would repeal the federal income and payroll taxes and replace them with a retail sales tax on all new goods and services.
Curtis writes on how FairTax would work:
Simply put, we’d pay our taxes when we buy new goods or use common services. If we buy a new car, we pay taxes. If we buy a used car… no federal taxes at all. If we buy a used home, we’d pay no taxes on the home, but we’d pay taxes on the services of the real estate agent who helped with the purchase. More importantly, we’d have our whole paycheck with which to make those purchases. For most of us, that would be a 40 percent raise right off the bat.
Meanwhile, Tea Party member Ken Korn will present “Four Minutes with Our Forefathers,” an ongoing series that examines the United States Constitution, how it was written and why it is important.
For information about the Liberty Township Tea Party, visit www.libertytownshipteaparty.org.
Posted in: Events, News, Political events, Tea Party |
To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.
Lakota West senior Zak Farmer pitches during a 9-2 loss against Mason Monday, March 26, 2012. Photo by Adam Kiefaber.
High school baseball begins – Last Monday, both Lakota West and Lakota East began the 2012 baseball season with a loss during the inaugural Reds Future High School Showcase at Prasco Park Legacy Field in Mason. Lakota West lost by the score of 9-2 against rival Mason, while Lakota East lost to Hamilton 4-2.
Scholarship created to honor student involved in fatal wreck – The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty announced last Monday that it has established a scholarship fund to honor a Lakota West student, who died after being involved in a fatal car wreck March 16. The Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student at Lakota West High School that exhibits Stepaniak’s qualities.
Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia. Photo taken by Tony Jones.
Lakota seeks students’ input on cuts – Cincinnati Enquirer Michael D. Clark reported that Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia is reaching out to some of those hardest hit by Lakota’s recent $10.5 million in budget cuts – students. Mantia said during Monday evening’s Lakota school board meeting that she will invite students in May to discuss in person the sweeping changes.
Jack in the Box could open in mid-July – A spokesperson with Jack in the Box said last week that it is “only a matter of days” before the company breaks ground on its first restaurant in Ohio. The location, off Tylersville Road near I-75 in West Chester, is expected to be open by mid-July. The target date of the opening could be changed to due weather.
Rogers declared winner after recount – Last week’s recount in the Butler County commission race confirmed that T.C. Rogers of West Chester Township won the Republican primary for Butler County commissioner. Rogers finished 13 votes ahead of former commissioner and State Rep. Courtney Combs. Rogers will face Democratic candidate Jodi Billerman of Liberty Township and Libertarian Daryl Olthaus of Somerville in the November election.
Lakota West pitcher Ashley Sharp pitches in a 6-2 win against Lakota East Friday, March 30, 2012. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II.
Amylin shares soar on takeover bid – Cincinnati Enquirer’s Mike Boyer reported that shares of drug-maker Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. in West Chester Township soared 54 percent Wednesday after a report that the company rejected a $3.5 billion unsolicited takeover bid from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Shares of the San Diego-based company closed at $23.77 – up $8.38 in more than 10 times normal trading – after Bloomberg News reported the company had rejected the $22-a-share offer.
Lakota West defeated Lakota East in softball – On Friday, Lakota West won its fourth straight against its school district rival. The latest coming by way of a 6-2 victory over the Thunderhawks. Last season, Lakota East was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the spring and lost only three of its 31 games. All three losses came at the hand of the Firebirds, including one that eliminated Lakota East in the state quarterfinals.
Posted in: Board of Education, Business, Election, Government, Levy news, News, Schools, Sports, Spring sports |
Sheila McLaughlin reports
Monday’s recount in the Butler County commission race confirmed political newcomer T.C. Rogers as the Republican candidate for November’s general election.
Rogers, a home builder and real estate agent from West Chester Township, remained 13 votes ahead of Courtney Combs. Rogers had 11,571 votes to Combs’ 11,558.
A recount in the Butler County commission race confirmed T.C. Rogers as the Republican candidate for November’s general election. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.
Earlier this month, Rogers appeared to have defeated two longtime politicos: Combs, a longtime state representative and former county commissioner, and current commissioner Chuck Furmon. Rogers kept his edge last week when absentee and provisional ballots were counted.
The race between Rogers and Combs was so close, the automatic recount was required by law.
But the numbers stayed the same after the 11-hour recount process at the Butler County Board of Elections, Director Lynn Edward Kinkaid said.
Neither Rogers nor Combs could be reached for comment.
Furmon still brought up the rear with 9,392 total votes in the primary race, so he’s out of a job next year.
The votes will be certified today.
Combs also loses his job in Ohio’s Statehouse in January because of term limits. He had hoped to return to Butler County as a commissioner, a job he held for 17 years before heading to Columbus in 2004.
Combs had said earlier that Rogers’ win signaled a change in Republican politics in Butler County.
Rogers subscribes to the tea party movement, and Combs is seen as part of the GOP establishment.
Rogers will face Democratic candidate Jodi Billerman, of Liberty Township, and Libertarian Daryl Olthaus, a registered nurse from Somerville, in the November election.
Posted in: Election, Government, News |
To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.
Community leader passes away – The West Chester and Liberty township communities grieved the loss A. Christian Worrell III, who was responsible for the Graydon Head Legal Counsel Butler/Warren Office and was a member of countless local committees. Worrell’s funeral took place last Tuesday afternoon.
T.C. Rogers. File photo.
My Furry Valentine to come back – The organizer for My Furry Valentine, a large pet adoption event that took place throughout Cincinnati, said that she expects to host another event next February. This past February, the main event was in West Chester. There have also been discussions to add another large pet adoption event in the summer or in the early fall.
Rogers keeps lead in commission vote – Political newcomer T.C. Rogers kept his edge over Courtney Combs as the Republican nominee for Butler County Commissioner last Tuesday when absentee and provisional ballots were counted. But the race is destined for an automatic recount by law because the margin is less than half of 1 percent. The recount is expected to take place this Monday.
West Chester playing role in Ohio’s economic development – The Atlanta-based magazine Site Selection awarded Ohio and Governor John Kasich first place in its annual Governor’s Cup rankings. The Governor’s Cup, which was announced in its March issue, ranks the 50 states according to their success in attracting capital investment projects. West Chester Township played a role in the state’s accomplishment.
Ezekiel "Zeke" Stepaniak. Photo provided.
The Cone opens for the season – A West Chester landmark and popular location in the summer, The Cone, officially opened for the season last Thursday with a surprise opening night. The seasonal destination is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday and from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Lakota community comes together after fatal wreck – Lakota West High School and others in the school community mourned the loss of one its students – junior Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak – and prayed for the recovery of another student – sophomore Ashley Stacy. Throughout the week, students showed their support in many ways.
Office Depot donates $97,000 in supplies to Lakota – The Lakota school district announced that it received $97,000 worth of office supplies from Office Depot. According to school officials, Office Depot donated 79,000 items that included highlighters, pens, trash bags, paper towels, batteries, glue sticks and binders.
