WestChesterBuzz.com

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.

Ian Mellencamp, nephew of John Cougar Mellencamp, is making a name for himself in the modeling world. The Lakota West graduate has billboards all over the world. He also appeared in commercials and been featured in numerous ad campaigns. Photo provided by New View Management Group.

WestChesterBuzz.com also recently added a new video page last week. To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.

Cop rounds in Butler County now include schools – There are now frequent visitors at Lakota Schools who are armed but very welcome, Michael D. Clark reported last week for The Enquirer. Butler County Sheriff Deputy Mark Gilbert pulled his cruiser into the parking lot of Liberty Early Childhood School about 1 p.m. on a recent school day as part of his daily rounds in Butler County’s Liberty Township. It’s the latest strategy to strengthen school safety, say sheriff officials, who launched the new program last week for the county’s school districts and private schools.

PHOTO GALLERY: Mellencamp making a name for himself – In 2011, John Cougar Mellencamp called his brother in West Chester to let him know he had just seen his nephew on a billboard in Los Angeles. The billboard, which was also on display in New York City, Paris and China, was part of a Calvin Klein campaign that helped launch Ian Mellencamp’s modeling career that year.

Liberty trustee: It’s ‘immoral’ to accept federal funds – Liberty Township will apply for a federal grant to pay for construction and installation of a sidewalk, Sue Kiesewetter reported last week. But if the township is awarded the grant it is uncertain whether it would be accepted. Trustee David Kern voted this week against applying for a transportation alternative grant that would help pay for construction of sidewalks from the Liberty Junior School crosswalk at the Yankee Road/Dutchland Boulevard intersection to Cincinnati-Dayton Road, a distance of 3,250 feet.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart signed autographs for fans at the Sports Gallery in West Chester Township Tuesday, April 2, 2013. Afterward, he spoke about the team in 2013 and Ryan Ludwick’s injury. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

VIDEOS: Zack Cozart visits West Chester – Immediately after Opening Day last season, rookie shortstop Zack Cozart admitted that he was exhausted. After the game, he went back to his apartment and crashed. This year, despite the longer day (game lasted 4 hours and 45 minutes), Cozart said he had more energy after Monday’s opener.

VIDEO: Coyotes welcome at VOA park – Six coyotes are roaming the fields of Voice of America Park. But these coyotes are there for the park’s protection. MetroParks officials are going as far to say, these coyotes are park “employees’’. These six employees are plastic and have to be moved by park staff. However, their job duties are to protecting the park’s $3 million project, which includes 22 new multipurpose natural grass athletic fields.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Beacon Electric, Beacon Electric Cincinnati, Beacon Electric in Cincinnati, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, construction, coyotes, coyotes in Ohio parks, coyotes West Chester Ohio, David Kern, federal grant, grant, Guns in Lakota schools, guns in schools, Ian Mellencamp, Ian Mellencamp model, Joe Mellencamp, John Cougar Mellencamp, John Cougar Mellencamp's nephew, John Mellencamp, John Mellencamp's nephew, kathy dirr, lakota junior school, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota schools, liberty township, national debt, New View modeling, Richard Jones, Sheriff Richard Jones, sidewalk, Sports Gallery, Sports Gallery West Chester, tom farell, transportation alternative grant, trustee, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester, Zack Cozart, Zack Cozart Cincinnati Reds, Zack Cozart signing

David Kern / Provided photo

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Liberty Township will apply for a federal grant to pay for construction and installation of a sidewalk.

But if the township is awarded the grant it is uncertain whether it would be accepted.

Trustee David Kern voted this week against applying for a transportation alternative grant that would help pay for construction of sidewalks from the Liberty Junior School crosswalk at the Yankee Road/Dutchland Boulevard intersection to Cincinnati-Dayton Road, a distance of 3,250 feet.

He joined resident Kathy Dirr in opposing the use of federal dollars for such a project in light of the national debt.

“It is absolutely immoral to take money from the federal government. What we’re doing is taking borrowed money…and putting it on the backs of our children,” Kern said.   “Think of the children who will have to pay the bills. It’s shameful. It’s a disgrace.”

Trustee president Christine Matacic had a different take on the matter. She saw it as a safety issue.

“We already have people walking along Yankee Road and that area is so dangerous,’’ Matacic said. “As a township trustee one of my duties is to make sure we have safe infrastructure to get around on.”

Dirr called the sidewalks a luxury the federal government shouldn’t be paying for.

“We are flat-busted broke,” Dirr said of the federal government. “We should be prioritizing more – going for necessities rather than luxuries.”

Trustee Tom Farrell joined Matacic in voting in favor of applying for the grant but he said he wanted more time to collect data before deciding whether he would support acceptance of any grant money.

The project is expected to cost $300,000 to $500,000 with the grant paying 70 percent of the cost – if the township receives it – and the township paying 30 percent.

Officials expect to be notified whether they are getting the grant by late May or June. If they were awarded the grant, there would be a second vote to accept it.

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Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: construction, David Kern, federal grant, grant, kathy dirr, lakota junior school, liberty township, national debt, sidewalk, tom farell, transportation alternative grant, trustee

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Liberty Township residents who are planning parades or other events that might require temporary road closures or use of township facilities will have to register with township officials.

Trustees approved a set of guidelines and a resolution requiring a permit at this week’s meeting. It will take effect in 30 days.

“When people do call, we want to be able to provide information,’’ said Melanie Brokaw, assistant township administrator who worked on the project. “We want to be pro-active.”

Brokaw said the project has been in the works almost a year, after the township had received an inquiry. The group subsequently changed its event and moved it elsewhere.

“But it brought it to our attention we didn’t have guidelines in place,” Brokaw said.

The township has created a six-page information packet to guide event planners. When possible, 30 days notice is requested for road closures of 72 hours or less. Sixty days notice is required for longer closures. Groups must also provide insurance.

Applications will be reviewed by sheriff’s representatives along with the township’s fire and service departments. Fees may be required under limited situations.

Information packets and permit applications can be picked up from and returned to the township’s administration building, 6400 Princeton Road.

Information: 513-759-7500 or www.liberty-township.com

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: liberty township, melanie brokaw, parades, permit, temporary road closures

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Liberty Township trustee David Kern has a new role on the board of trustees.

He is the organization’s new vice president through the end of the year. Kern was elected by board president Christine Matacic and trustee Tom Farrell to replace former trustee Pat Hiltman who resigned.

Matacic and Kern selected Farrell last month to replace Hiltman.

Farrell was then selected to serve as the board’s representative to the township’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Dependents Fund board of directors through the end of 2013. He replaces Hiltman.

The group meets on an as needed basis.

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: David Kern, liberty township, trustee, vice president

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Liberty Township’s board of trustees will vary from its traditional meeting date for its 2013 organizational meeting.

It will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2, at the township’s administration building, 6400 Princeton Road.

The board will elect a president and set its regular meeting schedule. Traditionally, the group meets at 6 p.m., on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

Trustee Pat Hiltman said he might ask for a variation in that schedule for January, due to his work travel schedule.

Trustees next meet at an 8:30 a.m., Dec. 27, special meeting, at the administration building, to adopt the 2013 budget.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: board of trustees, liberty township, Liberty Township board of trustees, Liberty Township board of trustees meeting, Liberty Township Trustee Pat Hiltman, Pat Hiltman

The Butler County Engineer’s Office reports that Millikin Road in Liberty Township is now open, after being closed between Liberty-Fairfield Road and Ohio 747 since Oct. 1 for a widening project.

Before the project began, Township trustees told The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Sue Kiesewetter that they were pleased that county officials were upgrading the road.

“It’s a well-needed improvement and addresses a safety issue,’’ Trustee Pat Hiltman told The Enquirer. “They’re taking an old farm road and bringing it up to current standards for safety.”

The project, which took place on a one-mile stretch of Millikin Road, included the widening of existing lanes from 10 to 12 feet. Furthermore, two-foot wide pave shoulders and a two-foot earth berm were added. Driveways and drainage features also had to be reconstructed to accommodate the widening.

In September, Kiesewetter also reported on other recent improvements to Millikin Road.

It is one of several projects – and the second improvement to Milllikin Road – completed in the last 12 months in the growing township. Last spring a section of the road between the north and south legs of LeSourdsville-West Chester Road was improved.

Other projects included adding a roundabout at Kyles Station and LeSourdsville-West Chester roads and the widening of Butler-Warren Road currently underway at the townships eastern edge.

“With recent and coming development in the area, Millikin Road is carrying more and more traffic,’’ said Greg Wilkens, Butler County engineer. “This project will make it much safer for cars, buses, and trucks which share the roadway.”

For more information on local road closures, visit www.bceo.org/roadclosings.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Engineer's Office, commute, construction, liberty township, Liberty Township construction, Liberty Township road closures, liberty-fairfield, milikin road, ohio 747, traffic, West Chester construction, West Chester road closures

Sue Kieswetter reports:

An open house will allow Liberty Township residents, businessmen and others to review progress on the update of the community’s Vision Plan.

From 5 to 8 p.m. this Thursday, there will be stations set up throughout the trustee’s meeting room at the administration building, 6400 Princeton Road. Each station will address one of eight topics.

This is the first major update of the township’s comprehensive plan since its 2006 adoption, said Jon West, director of planning and zoning. There have been two minor updates.

“We have to identify the long term vision of who we want to be when we grow up,’’ West said.

To do that, members of the 25-person Vision Plan Steering Committee will be attending a planning workshop. But before that happens, the committee wants the community to evaluate progress since the last public hearing held in April.

“Here’s the track we’re on. Do you agree with the direction?” West said. “Review our progress and give us feedback.”

Members of the steering committee will be available to answer questions and receive comments on the topics at each station. The community will be asked to provide comments on economic development; land use and development; image and identification; trails, sidewalks and bike paths; transportation and infrastructure; public facilities and government; and parks and recreation.

“It’s critical we properly plan for the future of our community so this open house is an important step to gather feedback from residents and business owners,’’ said Christine Matacic, president of the board of trustees.

“The Vision Plan update will help us best direct our efforts to promote the growth of our commercial tax base with minimal impact on existing residents while preserving the character of the Liberty Township that more than 37,000 people call home.”

The public can view the committee’s progress and follow along through a new tab under the ‘planning/zoning’ section of the township’s website, www.liberty-township.com.

There, the steering committee has posted PowerPoint presentations, the 2006 comprehensive plan, meeting minutes, demographic information and several land use and other maps.

The township will also accept comments online from those not able to attend the meeting.

For more information, call 513-759-7500.

Posted in: Events, Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Christine Matacic, liberty township, Liberty Township trustee, Liberty Township Vision Plan, Liberty Township Vision Plan committee

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

A Liberty Township road will be closed up to a week next week while crews replace a culvert.

Linn Road will close 10 feet east of Yankee Road and .3 mile west of Delano Drive beginning Oct. 11.

Eastbound Linn Road traffic will detour south on Yankee Road, east on Kyles Station Road and north on Cincinnati-Dayton Road. Westbound traffic would reverse the route.

The road is expected to reopen the week of Oct. 15, weather permitting.

Information: www.bceo.org/roadclosings

Posted in: Traffic |

Tags: Tags: bceo, closed, commute, culvert, liberty township, linn road, road closed, traffic

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Liberty Township’s fire rating has been upgraded by two categories by the Insurance Services Office.

Effective Oct. 1 the township will be rated at a fire protection class 4, up from the class 6 rating it now holds. The ratings are oftentimes a factor in the premium structure of many insurance providers.

“It’s good news,’’ said Chief Paul Stumpf. “It’s very rare to drop. Our goal is a class 1 but there are none in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana – there are only 61 class 1 departments in the United States.”

The township was last evaluated for a rating in 2001, the chief said. Factors contributing to the improved rating since the last evaluation include:

• The addition of the third station and third frontline engine
• Acquiring a ladder truck and reserve engine
• Putting thermal imaging cameras and Hurst combination jaws of life/cutters on all frontline engines
• Transitioning to around the clock staffing at all three stations
• Additional training hours including using the fire training tower at Butler Tech’s Public Safety Education Complex

“We should be proud of this two class jump as it’s an indication that we have grown the department responsibly and effectively and have made sensible investments in our personnel as well as in our equipment,” Stumpf said.

“It’s nice to have these things validated by ISO, a very credible source, and it should make the residents of Liberty Township feel good about the fire protection services available in our community.”

The department has 98 career and part-time firefighters that provide service to the 28-square mile township.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: fire rating, insurance services offices, liberty township, Liberty Township Fire Department, paul stumpf, upgraded

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Work to widen a one-mile stretch of Millikin Road in Liberty Township begins Oct. 1 and will continue through mid-November.

While the work is being done the road will be closed between Liberty-Fairfield Road and Ohio 747.

Township trustees say they are pleased that county officials are upgrading the road.

“It’s a well-needed improvement and addresses a safety issue,’’ said Trustee Pat Hiltman. “They’re taking an old farm road and bringing it up to current standards for safety.”

It is one of several projects – and the second improvement to Milllikin Road – completed in the last 12 months in the growing township. Last spring a section of the road between the north and south legs of LeSourdsville-West Chester Road was improved.

Other projects included adding a roundabout at Kyles Station and LeSourdsville-West Chester roads and the widening of Butler-Warren Road currently underway at the townships eastern edge.

“With recent and coming development in the area, Millikin Road is carrying more and more traffic,’’ said Greg Wilkens, Butler County engineer. “This project will make it much safer for cars, buses, and trucks which share the roadway.”

The John R. Jurgensen Company was awarded the contract to do the work, after submitting the low bid of $645,008. It will be funded entirely from the Butler County Engineer’s Office budget.

Existing lanes in the one-mile stretch of roadway will be widened from 10 feet to 12 feet. Crews will also add two-foot wide pave shoulders and a two-foot earth berm. Driveways and drainage features will be reconstructed to accommodate the widening.

Although the road will be closed during construction, access will be maintained for residents, businesses, school buses and emergency vehicles. All others will have to use detours.

Eastbound Millikin Road traffic will detour south on Liberty-Fairfield Road, east on Princeton Road and north on Ohio 747. Westbound traffic would reverse the route.

The road is expected to reopen sometime during the week of Nov. 19, weather permitting.

Updates on the status of the work will be posted at www.bceo.org

Posted in: Traffic |

Tags: Tags: commute, construction, liberty township, liberty-fairfield, milikin road, ohio 747, traffic