WestChesterBuzz.com

Mitt Romney encourages people to vote early as he speaks at Jet Machine in Roselawn last Thursday, Oct. 25. Photo taken by Leigh Taylor. Romney will be in West Chester Friday, Nov. 2, just a few days prior to Election Day.

For those who haven’t voted already, there are many helpful online tools to find out what exactly is on your ballot and who exactly are the candidates.

In West Chester and Liberty Township, some of the most significant races that will be on your ballot include the presidential U.S. Senate, Butler County Commission, 52nd House District and Ohio Supreme Court races.

Here are some links that you might find helpful before heading to the polls on Election Day 2012 next Tuesday.

Romneys and Ryan coming to West Chester Friday - Ann Romney will join her husband and Paul Ryan on the campaign trail here this Friday, with a stop in West Chester. The rally will be at the Square at Union Centre on Centre Pointe Drive. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with the event starting at 7 p.m.

Enquirer presidential endorsement: Mitt Romney – The Cincinnati Enquirer recently endorsed Mitt Romney for president, calling President Barack Obama’s four years of recovery too slow and too weak. To read more, visit the Enquirer’s Election page.

Ohio poll: Tight race now even tighter - Jane Prendergast reports for The Cincinnati Enquirer that the race for the White House continues to be too close to call in Ohio, according to a new Enquirer/Ohio News Organization Poll that shows President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney each with 49 percent support from likely voters.

Enquirer senate endorsement: Brown dedicated to Ohio’s needs, problems – The Cincinnati Enquirer recently endorsed Sen. Sherrod Brown, pointing to his personality, while not honed in charm school, has been mostly an asset to the Ohio working people and businesses that he’s stood up for.

Senate numbers creep closer - Deirdre Shesgreen reports: Ohio’s hotly contested U.S. Senate race has tightened in recent weeks, with Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown snagging the support of 51 percent versus 47 percent for Republican state Treasurer Josh Mandel, according to a new Cincinnati Enquirer/Ohio News Organization poll.

Butler County race features fresh faces, strong ideas – Sheila McLaughlin of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported last week on the Butler County commissioners race: 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.

PRIMER: 52nd House District - Patrick Wolande writes about the 52nd District State Representative candidates Branden Rudie (Democrat), Bob Coogan (Libertarian) and Margaret Conditt (Republican).

PRIMER: Ohio Supreme Court - Dan Horn of The Cincinnati Enquirer writes about the Ohio Supreme Court races between Mike Skindell (Democrat) and Terrence O’Donnell (Republican); Bill O’Neill (Democrat) and Robert Cupp (Republican); and Yvette McGree Brown (Democrat) and Sharon Kennedy (Republican).

Posted in: Election, Events, News, Political events |

Tags: Tags: 52nd House District election, 52nd House District race, Butler County commission race, Butler County Commissioner electiion, Butler County Commissioners, Butler County Election 2012, election 2012, Liberty Township election, Ohio election 2012, presidential election, presidential election Ohio, presidential race Ohio, U.S. Senate Ohio election, U.S. Senate Ohio race, West Chester election

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.

Student not seriously injured after being struck by car - As many parents were on their way to pick up their children from Cherokee Elementary School last Wednesday, a car struck a student just a half-mile from the school at around 4 p.m. The female student was on her bicycle crossing from the south side of Kyles Station Road to Aspen Trails Boulevard when an Acura SUV hit her, according to Ohio Highway Patrol Sgt. Brian Bost.

Junior Eric Eichler helped Lakota East earns its first-ever trip to the postseason when he ran for a touchdown and threw for another in a 33-21 win at Lakota West Oct. 26, 2012. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Lakota East spoils Lakota West’s season with upset -Lakota East spoiled Lakota West’s season with a 33-21 upset win at Lakota West High School Friday night. The win knocked rival Lakota West out of the postseason and qualified Lakota East for the postseason for the first time in school history.

Lakota West wins second straight district title in soccer - For the second straight season, the Lakota West boys’ soccer team is making a postseason run. Last Thursday, the Firebirds won their second straight district title with a 2-0 win against Xenia at Lebanon High School. The Firebirds (16-1-2 overall) will now face Wayne (13-4-2 overall) in a regional semifinal matchup scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. at Sycamore Junior High.

Lakota East and Lakota West win district titles in volleyball - Lakota East and Lakota West clinched Division I district girls’ volleyball championships Saturday at Lebanon and punched their tickets to respective regional semifinals. Shannon Russell was there for The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Community wins in clash of the Lakotas - Michael D. Clark of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported on the real impact of Lakota East/Lakota West football week.

The Speedway at Cincinnati-Dayton Road near I-75 was selling unleaded gas for $2.97 a gallon last week. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber Oct. 26, 2012.

Time to fill up? Gas prices fall under $3 – Gas prices in West Chester fell under $3 last Wednesday and remained there through the weekend, causing long lines at the pump. For more gas prices or to search for the cheapest gas near you, visit Cincygasprices.com.

Liberty Township coat drive begins - All three Liberty Township fire stations started to serve as collection sites for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s annual coat drive last week. The goal, organizers say, is to collect 4,000 new or gently used coats by Dec. 1. Coats are need for all age groups from infants through adults. Coats can also be dropped off at 11 Gold Star Chili locations in Butler County.

Liberty Township administrator named Indian Hill manager – Administrator Dina Minneci is poised to leave Liberty Township in November to become the city manager of Indian Hill, Sue Kiesewetter reported last week for The Cincinnati Enquirer. Minneci was selected from a field of 45 applicants.

Democratic candidate Jodi Billerman is running for the open Butler County commission seat. The Enquirer/ Joseph Fuqua II.

Butler County race features fresh faces, strong ideas – Sheila McLaughlin of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported last week on the Butler County commissioners race: 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.

Lakota Local Schools still faces financial hole - Michael D. Clark of The Cincinnati Enquirer: Lakota Schools have slowed but not stopped its financial bleeding, officials said during Monday evening’s school board meeting. The school system – impacted by three tax levy defeats in the last two years all resulting in historically deep personnel and program cuts – still faces insolvency in 2014, officials said.

Homearama 2013 in Liberty Twp. to break ground Nov. 8 – The Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati (HBA) recently announced that it would hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its Homearama 2013 location, Carriage Hill in Liberty Township, on Nov. 8 at 1:30 p.m. The homes featured in the showcase will be priced between $700,000 to $1.2 million. Of the eight homes in the show, two have already been sold.

West Chester taking submissions for annual holiday parade - West Chester Township is now taking submissions from local individuals, businesses and organizations interested in participating in the annual holiday parade on Saturday, Nov. 17. The parade, and the tree lighting to follow, is held in conjunction with the Olde West Chester Christmas Walk, sponsored by the Merchants of Olde West Chester.

Posted in: Events, News, Schools, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Administrator Dina Minneci, Butler County Commissioners, Butler County Election 2012, Cherokee Elementary, Dina Minneci, gas prices, Homearama, Homearama 2013, Homearama Cincinnati, Homearama Cincinnati 2013, Homearama Liberty Township, Homearama Liberty Township 2013, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East volleyball, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West soccer, Lakota West sports, Lakota West volleyball, Liberty Township Administrator Dina Minneci, Ohio gas prices, student struck by car Cherokee Elementary, West Chester Ohio gas prices

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 morning. (Stories are listed in order of date – due to a short-handed staff, there will not be a “Last week in West Chester” post next Monday)

House Speaker John Boehner talks jobs at Hamilton plant: U.S. House Speaker John Boehner visited ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America in Hamilton last Monday morning and called on President Obama to work closer with republicans to revive the economy faster. Acknowledging the nation’s ebbing jobless rate, which dropped to 8.3 percent in January compared to 8.5 percent in December, Boehner said the recovery should be further along.

Rick Santorum wins local Tea Party straw poll: Mitt Romney may have won the Nevada caucus and recent primaries in Florida, South Carolina and New Hampshire, but he finished third in the Liberty Township Tea Party straw poll last Monday night. Ironically, Santorum went on to win caucuses in Minnesota and Colorado, as well as a nonbinding primary in Missouri the following night.

Lakota high schools announce National Merit Finalists: Lakota West and Lakota East announced early last week its National Merit Finalists. Receiving the honor from Lakota West High School included seniors Johanna Blake, Sophia Cramer, Kayla McGinnis and Adam Williams. Meanwhile, Dwight Hu, Whitney Wyckoff and Laura Moak received the honor from Lakota East High School.

Firebirds pull away late to defeat Lakota East: After losing by the score of 74-34 to Lakota East last season, Lakota West has defeated its school district rival twice this winter in two closely contested basketball games. The latest victory for the Firebirds took place last Tuesday night when they outscored Lakota East 30-17 in the second half en route to a 57-46 win.

West Chester firms to cut 375 jobs: Nearly 400 workers in West Chester will lose jobs later this year as result of termination notices filed with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Liz Claiborne Inc. confirmed an announcement last year that it will shut its distribution center at 8741 Jacquemin Drive by Sept. 1, eliminating 365 jobs. Separately, Schneider Logistics Inc. said it would eliminate 10 positions by the end of March.

Butler-Warren Road widening project to begin this month: The widening of Butler-Warren Road should ease congestion for thousands of motorists in southeast Butler County and southwest Warren County by year’s end. Plans call for a 2.2-mile stretch of the road between Tylersville and Liberty Way/Mason roads to be widened from two to five lanes at a cost of almost $10 million. County Engineers announced last Wednesday the project would begin Feb. 27.

Butler County Commission candidates participate in forum: Candidates in the Butler County Commission and Butler County Clerk of Courts races participated in a voting forum at the Lakota West Freshman Campus in West Chester last Thursday night. The event attracted a good crowd and featured Republican primary commission candidates including current county Commissioner Chuck Furmon, state Rep. Courtney Combs and political newcomer T.C. Rogers. Also taking the stage in the commission race forum was Democrat Jodi Billerman and Libertarian Daryl R. Olthaus. Both, Billerman and Olthaus, will run in November against the winner of the Republican primary March 6.

Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs opens in West Chester: Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs will open its first Ohio restaurant at 10 a.m. Friday in West Chester. The restaurant, which will be open regularly from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday, is located at 9216 Allen Road in the former Tazza Mia Café off Union Centre Boulevard. The sub chain, which has 96 locations in nine states, prides itself on its freshly baked bread, sliced-to-order meats, healthy food options and inexpensive catering.

Posted in: Business, Election, Events, Government, News, Political events, Schools, Sports, Student achievements, Tea Party, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Board of Elections, Butler County Commissioner electiion, Butler County Commissioner primary, Butler County Commissioners, Elaine Herrick, Goodcents Cincinnati, Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs, Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs Cincinnati, Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs West Chester, Goodcents West Chester, John Boehner, John Boehner Cincinnati, John Boehner photos, John Boehner West Chester, Ken Korn, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Last week in West Chester, Liberty Township Tea Party, Plan for America’s Job Creators, Super Tuesday Ohio, ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America, ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America Hamilton plant, VanGorden Elemenatry School, West Chester Tea Party

Candidates in the Butler County Commission and Butler County Clerk of Courts races participated in a voting forum at the Lakota West Freshman Campus in West Chester Thursday night.

The event attracted a good crowd and featured Republican primary commission candidates including current county Commissioner Chuck Furmon, state Rep. Courtney Combs and political newcomer T.C. Rogers.

Also taking the stage in the commission race forum was Democrat Jodi Billerman and Libertarian Daryl R. Olthaus. Both, Billerman and Olthaus, will run in November against the winner of the Republican primary March 6.

During the forum, all candidates answered the same questions that included how they would lower the county’s debt, if the county airport should be sold, if the county can justify giving raises to its employees, if they agree with the county sheriff’s immigration policy, how can the county fund the Liberty Town Square retail development project, among others.

• Find out what is on the ballot March 6 on the Butler County Board of Elections page
• Information on the Butler County Commission race

All of candidates provided what their approaches would be in lowing the county debt, which forum host and West Chester Township Trustee George Lang said was at $90 million.

Rogers recently criticized Furmon, saying there is a “mountain of reckless spending” in Butler County government. During the forum, Furmon defended recent expenses.

As far as the airport was concerned, all of the candidates agreed that it was an asset. Only Olthaus was open to selling it, noting that it could be better run privately instead of by the government. Rogers thought it would be a good time to market the airport after seeing reports that the airport in Blue Ash will likely close. According to Rogers, another airport couldn’t be built within 200 miles of the airport in Butler County.

In regards to the pay freeze, Furman acknowledged that there is one currently – saying, “We are not issuing raises, that is not what we are about.” Although no single candidate appeared to be in favor of handing out raises, Billerman said that there should be a good compensation structure and would not favor a select few raises unless they deserve it. (more…)

Posted in: Election, Events, Government, News, Political events, Tea Party |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Commissioner electiion, Butler County Commissioner primary, Butler County Commissioners, Chuck Furmon, Courtney Combs, Daryl R. Olthau, Don Dixon, George Lang, Jodi Billerman, Lakota West Freshman Campus, Mary Swain, T.C. Rogers, West Chester Tea Party, West Chester Township Trustee, West Chester Township Trustee George Lang, West Chester Trustee George Lang

The West Chester Tea Party announced that there would be a voter forum for the March 6 primary race for the positions of Butler County Commissioner and Butler County Clerk of Courts in the Lakota West Freshman Auditorium at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The voter forum will be a chance for the electorate of Butler County to ask questions and hear from the Commissioner and Clerk of Courts candidates. West Chester Township Trustee George Lang is hosting the forum.

Don Dixon, who is running unopposed for one of the Commissioner openings, accepted an invitation to the forum.

In addition, invitations were accepted by Courtney Combs (Rep.) and T.C. Rogers (Rep.) who are running against Chuck Furmon (Rep. – incumbent) in the primary for the second Commissioner position.

• Find out what is on the ballot March 6 on the Butler County Board of Elections page
• Information on the Butler County Commission race

Candidates Jodi Billerman (Dem.) and Daryl R. Olthaus (Lib.), who will be competing in the November election against the winner of the Republican primary, have also accepted the invitation.

Both Clerk of Court Republican primary candidates will be in attendance, current Clerk of Courts Mary Swain and former interim Clerk of Courts Jeff Wyrick.

The event is free to attend and open to the public. The Lakota West Freshman Campus is located at 5050 Tylersville Road in West Chester.

Posted in: Board of Trustees, Election, Events, Government, News, Political events, Tea Party |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Commissioner electiion, Butler County Commissioner primary, Butler County Commissioners, Chuck Furmon, Courtney Combs, Daryl R. Olthau, Don Dixon, George Lang, Jodi Billerman, Lakota West Freshman Campus, Mary Swain, T.C. Rogers, West Chester Tea Party, West Chester Township Trustee, West Chester Township Trustee George Lang, West Chester Trustee George Lang

Cincinnati Enquirer’s Sheila McLaughlin reports:

Butler County Commissioner Chuck Furmon wants to hold onto his seat. But a state representative who is losing his Columbus job to term limits and a local home builder/real estate agent want to pull it out from under him in March.

Furmon, a former Hamilton mayor who has served as a county commissioner since 1996, faces a challenge from State Rep. Courtney Combs and political newcomer T.C. Rogers on the Republican primary ballot.

Combs, who represents the 54th District, has to give up that seat after five terms in office. He served as a commissioner for 17 years before heading to the State Capitol in 2004 in a job switch with then-State Rep. Greg Jolivette. The move, orchestrated by the Butler County GOP, was aimed at heading off a contentious Republican primary.

A fractured local GOP didn’t endorse any of the candidates for the primary race for county commissioner.

Rogers has been critical of Furmon’s performance as a commissioner, saying there is a “mountain of reckless spending” in Butler County government.

Furmon and his colleagues on commission have trimmed 350 positions from county government and reduced the general fund budget by about 17 percent, from $95 million to $79 million.

Bringing development to Butler County to create jobs is a common theme for Combs and Furmon. Both helped orchestrate the $500 million Liberty Town Square retail development by Steiner + Associates which is being planned at Liberty Way and Interstate 75 in Liberty Township.

Furmon and fellow commissioners recently approved a memorandum of understanding, agreeing for the county to contribute 60 percent of the costs of public infrastructure costs, which will amount to about $30 million in tax increment financing proceeds.

Combs, as a state representative, introduced successful legislation that established a special authority to own parking garages and other infrastructure improvements at the development, so the county won’t be financially responsible for maintenance.

The project, touted to be similar to Easton Town Square in Columbus, is expected to bring about 3,200 construction jobs to the county and employ about 4,600 people in permanent jobs when the development opens. It also will generate more than $1.5 million in new sales taxes for the county, according to Steiner officials.

Posted in: Election, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Commissioner Chuck Furmon, Butler County Commissioner electiion, Butler County Commissioner primary, Butler County Commissioners, Chuck Furmon, Commissioner Chuck Furmon, Courtney Combs, T.C. Rogers

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 morning. (Stories are listed in order of date)

West Chester Police identify passengers in fatal crash: Two people, who were killed in a strange crash Jan. 29 were identified and both tested positive for alcohol, according to information provided by the West Chester Police Department last Monday. The men, German Francisco Mejia-Rodriguez and Jorge Rosalio Rodriguez Lopez, are believed to have died from blunt-impact injuries and may have been dead for more than four hours by the time the wreckage was discovered.

Liberty Town Square gets key go-ahead: Liberty Town Square, billed as the largest retail development ever in Butler County, cleared a key hurdle this past Monday when county commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding. The $300 million project, with its promise of 3,200 jobs during construction and another 4,600 permanent jobs for people who work there when shops open, languished for several years because of the economy.

Steel beams installed by J&B Steel being examined: The Cincinnati Enquirer reported last Tuesday that steel beams fabricated by a Jackson, Miss., firm and installed by J&B Steel Erectors Inc. of West Chester will be examined as part of dual investigations into the collapse Jan. 27 of the future Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati. Investigators are trying to determine why a steel beam supporting a section of the second floor collapsed while cement workers poured concrete on sheet metal on top of it.

Lakota student athletes honored on Signing Day: A total 30 seniors from Lakota high schools were honored on National Signing Day last Wednesday. Signing Day marks the first day high school football, soccer and cross country athletes can sign letters of intent. Many high schools across the country, like Lakota East and Lakota West, hosted special signing ceremonies throughout the week.

Lakota West upsets Lakota East: Down by a point with 10 seconds to go, Lakota East missed two shots as the game clock expired in a 40-39 loss to rival Lakota West Wednesday. The Firebirds’ win snapped a three-game losing steak against Lakota East. Prior to Lakota East’s three-game winning streak, Lakota West had taken down the Thunderhawks in 18 straight contests.

Lakota proceeds with $9 million in cuts: Before Lakota Schools can tackle its looming budget shortfall, all officials need to be on the same page – especially administrators and the governing board, said Superintendent Karen Mantia. Mantia, at last Wednesday’s board meeting, asked for clarification as to whether its five members agree that cutting $9 million to balance next school year’s budget is the way to go. After board discussion, members agreed and unanimously voted to order Mantia’s administration to proceed with planning the $9 million in reductions.

Anniversary of VOA marks beginning of national museum: Voice of America, which sent its original broadcast overseas 70 years ago this month, will see backers of its first-built transmitting station begin fundraising this year to become a national museum. Once restoration is completed in the spring, it will be up to the museum’s board of directors to raise approximately $12 million to make it a revenue generating landmark.

Lakota West knocks off Mason, 73-65: Senior wing Jackson Blue calmly hit two free throws with 45 seconds, as the Firebirds held on to upset Mason 73-65 last Friday night at Mason. The win moved Lakota West into a four-way tie for second place in the Greater Miami Conference. The Firebirds have won three games in a row and have three more to play until the regular season is over.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Commissioners, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Commissioner Chuck Furmon, Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati collapse, J&B Steel, J&B Steel Erectors, J&B Steel Erectors Inc., Jackson Blue, Karen Mantia, Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Last week in West Chester, Liberty Town Square, Liberty Township business news, Liberty Way, Liberty Way Interchange, Liberty Way project, Libertytown LLC, Mason basketball, National Signing Day, National VOA Museum of Broadcasting, National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting, Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, OSHA, reductions, school levy, Signing Day Lakota West, Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, superintendent Karen Mantia, U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration, VOA Museum, VOA Museum of Broadcasting, Voice of America Museum, West Chester business, West Chester business news

Cincinnati Enquirer’s Paul McKibben reports:

Liberty Town Square, billed as the largest retail development ever in Butler County, cleared a key hurdle Monday when county commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding.

The $300 million project, with its promise of 3,200 jobs during construction and another 4,600 permanent jobs for people who work there when shops open, languished for several years because of the economy.

The agreement includes the county, Liberty Township and developer Steiner + Associates of America.

Under the agreement, the county will pay up to 60 percent of the public infrastructure improvements not to exceed $30 million. The township will contribute 10 percent; not to exceed $5 million and a new community authority/developer will pay the rest.

Township trustees approved a memorandum of understanding last week to help fund $56 million in road improvements and a parking garage for the proposed project at Liberty Way and Interstate 75.

Steiner + Associates had asked commissioners for $55 million toward infrastructure improvements for the “lifestyle” retail center, which would be similar to Easton Town Center in Columbus and The Greene in Beavercreek.

Commissioner Chuck Furmon said the county will contribute $20 million in existing funds from a tax increment financing district, with another $10 million – possibly in $5 million increments – as Steiner reaches certain benchmarks in the project.

The money would back bonds that would be sold to pay for infrastructure.

“We want them to reach what they say they are going to do before we give the other $10 (million),” Furmon said.

Township trustees set several conditions on Steiner, including a prohibition on raiding other successful retail projects in Butler County – such as Bridgewater Falls in Fairfield Township – to fill Liberty Town Square.

The first phase of the project, worth $177 million on 60 acres, is expected to open around May 2014 with two department stores, specialty retail shops, a mix of restaurants, 100,000 square feet of class A office space and about 150 high-end apartments.

Groundbreaking is expected by November.

Improvements to Cincinnati-Dayton Road at the Ohio 129 interchange, partly to accommodate the increase in traffic from Liberty Town Square, already are being planned.

Yaromir Steiner, who founded the Columbus-based development company, put it on hold in 2008 when the economy tanked.

Since then, it has been scaled back in size and value. Steiner initially proposed the project at $500 million. When completed, Liberty Town Square will sit on 100 acres and include up to 2.5 million square feet of commercial space.

Posted in: Business, Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Commissioner Chuck Furmon, Butler County Commissioners, Chuck Furmon, Commissioner Chuck Furmon, I-75, Interstate 75, Liberty Town Square, Liberty Township business news, Liberty Way, Liberty Way Interchange, Liberty Way project, Libertytown LLC, Steiner + Associates

The West Chester Tea Party recently announced that there would be a voter forum for the March 6 primary race for the positions of Butler County Commissioner and Butler County Clerk of Courts in the Lakota West Freshman Auditorium at 7 p.m. Feb. 9.

The voter forum will be a chance for the electorate of Butler County to ask questions and hear from the Commissioner and Clerk of Courts candidates. West Chester Township Trustee George Lang is hosting the forum.

Don Dixon, who is running unopposed for one of the Commissioner openings, accepted an invitation to the forum.

In addition, invitations were accepted by Courtney Combs (Rep.) and T.C. Rogers (Rep.) who are running against Chuck Furmon (Rep. – incumbent) in the primary for the second Commissioner position.

• Find out what is on the ballot March 6 on the Butler County Board of Elections page

Candidates Jodi Billerman (Dem.) and Daryl R. Olthaus (Lib.), who will be competing in the November election against the winner of the Republican primary, have also accepted the invitation.

Both Clerk of Court Republican primary candidates will be in attendance, current Clerk of Courts Mary Swain and former interim Clerk of Courts Jeff Wyrick.

The event is free to attend and open to the public. The Lakota West Freshman Campus is located at 5050 Tylersville Road in West Chester.

Posted in: Board of Trustees, Election, Events, Government, News, Political events, Tea Party |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Commissioner Chuck Furmon, Butler County Commissioner electiion, Butler County Commissioner primary, Butler County Commissioners, Chuck Furmon, Commissioner Chuck Furmon, Courtney Combs, Daryl R. Olthau, Don Dixon, George Lang, Jodi Billerman, Lakota West Freshman Campus, Mary Swain, T.C. Rogers, West Chester Tea Party, West Chester Township Trustee, West Chester Township Trustee George Lang, West Chester Trustee George Lang

Butler County commissioners on Thursday abolished automatic pay raises for 240 non-union employees under their control in a measure that is expected to save $3 million over five years, according to a report on Cincinnati.com.

Reporter Sheila McLaughlin cover the story for the Cincinnati Enquirer:

The new system – developed by Clemans Nelson and Associates, the Loveland firm hired to conduct the $100,000 pay study for commissioners – eliminates annual “step” increases and creates unified pay scales so that workers with comparable jobs are paid similar wages.

Workers will receive raises based on general percentage increases approved by commissioners or through performance-based raises for exceptional work.

Clemans Nelson first presented the plan to commissioners in February but since has revised the report after collaborating with county human resources officials to adjust some job descriptions.

Commissioner Don Dixon, who proposed the pay study in 2009 as the county continued to grapple with budget woes, called the change “exciting.”

“It takes us from a step every year increase if you’re just here,” Dixon said. “It’s a monumental step. It will completely change the way we do business. But the whole world has changed from the way we used to do business.”

For the entire story, visit Cincinnati.com’s post “Butler Co. to nix some pay raises to save $3M.”

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Commissioners, Clemans Nelson & Associates, Don Dixon, merit raises, raises, step raises