Signing off for the holidays

Just like last year at about this time, we’re going on hiatus until the first of the year so we can get into the full spirit of the holiday season. We’re also going to give some thought to how we can improve our blog in the coming year. If you have any suggestions for us, you can either leave them in the comment box or email us at betternorwood@aol.com.

We appreciate all who have sent us news tips, information about local events, etc., throughout the year and invite everyone to let us know if there’s something going on that could use some extra publicity. Special thanks to people who have either gone on the record with us or guest blogged: Donna Laake, Rick Dettmer, Vic Schneider, Tom White, Casey Brown, Keith Moore, Lt. Tom Williams, Jr., candidates who participated in the candidate blog series, and most recently, Steve Thornbury whose three blogs have kept us all informed about the Auditor position.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!

Medpace launches inpatient drug testing unit

Yesterday’s Business Courier announced that Medpace has opened a 50-bed Clinical Pharmacology Unit on Wesley Avenue across from its Norwood headquarters. The unit will be open 24/7 and will provide patients with amenities that include flat-screen TV’s, video games, DVD players, desktop computers, wireless access, and enclosed outdoor courtyard with full-service catering. Redorbit has more details about the new facility, which they say is in Cincinnati. Perhaps that's what the Medpace press release stated.

NHS and Mt. Healthy High to split $1M grant

The Enquirer is reporting that Norwood High School will be splitting a $1 million grant with Mt. Healthy High School that a federal program called Upward Bound has awarded. Cincinnati State Technical & Community College will be administering the program over the next 4 years to help students from low-income families improve their grades and study skills in preparation for college.

Announcing....Jim Stith is Norwood's new City Auditor

Following is a letter from Steve Thornbury informing the Hamilton County Board of Elections that Jim Stith has been selected to replace longtime City Auditor Donnie Jones. We join everyone in congratulating Mr. Stith on his appointment!

December 17, 2007

Timothy Burke
Chairman
Board of Elections
824 Broadway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-1345

RE: Appointment of James Stith – Auditor City of Norwood

Dear Mr. Burke,

This is to inform you and the Board of Elections that on December 17, 2007 a meeting was held of the Central Committee of the Norwood Republican Party. During this meeting, after considerable discussion, a vote was held to appoint James (Jim) Stith to the vacated seat as the Auditor of the City of Norwood. Mr. Stith will finish out the term that Donnie R. Jones vacated with his written notification earlier this year. Mr. Stith’s appointment is to be considered effective at 9:30 PM of this day.

Mr. Stith will be in contact with the Board of Elections personnel to finalize any paperwork necessary.

Best Regards,

Steve Thornbury
Chairman
City of Norwood
Central Committee
Republican Party

cc: Tom Williams, Mayor, City of Norwood
Norwood City Clerk of Council
Norwood City Elected Officials


Addendum: Most everyone in Norwood knows that Jim Stith challenged incumbent Keith Moore for Norwood’s Ward 1 council seat this past November. His campaign website is still accessible for those who would like to learn more about him and see his picture. Also, Mr. Stith participated in our candidate blog series with this submission.

NCS Treasurer Tony Wright has resigned

This one got by us until we saw this brief mention in yesterday’s Enquirer: After one year on the job, NCS Treasurer Tony Wright resigned at the last BOE meeting. He will be taking a position in the private sector. Tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. the BOE will convene for a special meeting to interview applicants for treasurer in executive session.

By our count, Mr. Wright is the 3rd school treasurer to resign since Cary Furniss left for the Lebanon School District the latter part of 2003. Is high turnover in the school treasurer business now the norm?

Steve Thornbury: Update on the City Auditor position

The Norwood Republican Central Committee is meeting Monday evening, December 17, 2007 to name a replacement for the remainder of the current term of the Auditor’s position. The person appointed will serve-out the remaining term which ends on December 31 of this year. This is being done to satisfy the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code 733.31 (D) (2) which states:

“(2) Not less than five nor more than forty-five days after a vacancy occurs, the county central committee, acting through its members who reside in the city where the vacancy occurs, shall meet for the purpose of making an appointment. Not less than four days before the date of the meeting the chairman or secretary of the central committee shall send by first class mail to every member of such central committee who resides in the city where the vacancy occurs a written notice which shall state the time and place of such meeting and the purpose thereof. A majority of the members of the central committee present at such meeting may make the appointment.”

The vacancy occurred on November 6 when the current Auditor, Donnie R. Jones, submitted a letter to the Hamilton County Board of Elections resigning his current position. At the same time this letter was submitted, the Auditor also submitted a letter to the BOE stating his intention of resigning his elected position which is to begin on January 1, 2008. As of today, December 15, there has been no further action that I am aware of on the part of Mr. Jones in regards to the status of his elected position.

- Steve Thornbury
Chair, Norwood Republican Central Committee


Click here if you missed Mr. Thornbury's first blog (11/15/07) on the Auditor position.

Speckled Bird Café has it going on this month

Even gingerbread baking

Among the many events scheduled at the Speckled Bird Café on Mills Ave. this month is local artist Rebecca Weller’s art opening today from 7 - 10 p.m. As always, musical entertainment is booked for Saturday nights, including some old swing jazz. And then there’s learning how to make gingerbread on December 18, followed by the December 20 crafts show. Click here for their complete December schedule.

Two robbers pose as Norwood Police - throw the book at ‘em!

According to the Enquirer, Josh Harber, 25, of East Walnut Hills, and Kenneth Bush, 20, of Norwood have been charged with robbery and impersonating police officers, specifically Norwood Police officers. The two allegedly gained entry to an Oakley home in the 3000 block of Robertson Avenue near midnight last night, stating they were Norwood police officer needing to speak to the victim about a suspect they were looking for. They patted down the individual, then stole $120 from him.

New Year’s Day Inauguration Ceremony

Newly elected Norwood City officials will be sworn in at noon on January 1, 2008 at the Norwood Middle School Auditorium on Sherman Avenue. Each official will be given the oath of office by a person of his/her own choosing, whether it’s a good friend, spouse, child or other relative. And, of course, we’re all invited to attend and wish them our best as they begin their terms serving our community.

Family Fun Night at Grace Church this Saturday

Grace Church on Slane invites every member of every family to a fun-filled evening of music, art, sweets, fellowship and more this Saturday.

When: Saturday, Dec. 15, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Where: Grace Church, 2221 Slane Avenue
For Fun:
1. The Promise Singers (accompanied by Dave Stevenson & Greg Stevens) will give a benefit concert at 7 p.m.
2. There will be potluck desserts!
3. Artwork on display (and for purchase)
4. Christmas movie for the kids with crafts & snacks. (nursery care available!)
5. Youth activities for all ages!
More information: Grace Church at 531-3253

Norwood Service League’s Community Christmas Celebration

The Norwood Service League and Ashland Avenue Baptist Church are inviting everyone to the Community Christmas Celebration they’re hosting this coming Sunday:

When: Sunday, December 16 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, 4255 Ashland Avenue
Special Treats: music, snacks, fun, and everyone under 18 will receive a stocking
Door Prizes: drawings include one girl’s bike and one boy’s bike
More information: Norwood Service League at 924-2560

Xavier Newswire: more may be named in discrimination suit

Last week, the Enquirer reported two female Xavier University professors had filed 2 gender-based discrimination lawsuits against the university and several of its high ranking officials. One suit was filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on 11/20/07 seeking $15 million, and the second was filed on 12/5/07 in U.S. District Court seeking $20 million. The latest edition of the Xavier Newswire identifies the Xavier officials named thus far in the lawsuits and says more may be added. The article also includes this link to the 15-page federal lawsuit, which provides details of the professors’ allegations against the various parties named, and says the first court date will be Jan. 7, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in Hamilton County Court House room 340 with Judge Steven E. Martin presiding.

Siemens celebrates completed $30 million expansion

According to Mayor Tom Williams at last night’s council meeting, he and most of Norwood’s elected and appointed officials attended Siemens Energy & Automation’s Open House celebration Monday. Also among the 100 guests were Gov. Strickland, U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, and Ohio Rep. Tyrone Yates. Dennis Sadlowski, president and CEO of Siemens Energy & Automation, told today’s Enquirer, “The expanded facility has shortened the distance a motor travels in the plant through the manufacturing process from six miles to two miles. That helps us deliver the motors to our customers more quickly.” The Norwood facility employs more than 400 people and assembles and tests large electric motors used in industrial and factory automation.

Excerpts from the 2006 NPD Annual Report

A regular feature

In our last installment of this series, we published a letter to Chief Shlie that described the various duties of the NPD’s Criminal Investigation Unit as well as a chart with the numbers of investigations for various offenses. Below are some of the CIS anecdotes that appear in the report:

Homicide Offenses
James Roberts: On 1/1/06, James Roberts M/W, 38, was taken to University Hospital and was pronounced dead upon arrival. An investigation revealed that Tina Overbay had injected James with heroin. Tina was charged and convicted of the involuntary homicide of James and pled to 5 years in jail.

Colin McClain: In 1998 Colin McClain was living on Kenilworth Avenue in Norwood. He was found stabbed to death in his apartment, and the case proved no viable suspects. On February 23, Arthur Barnett, M/B born 2/25/61, was interviewed in reference to this homicide. Fingerprint evidence and his confession led to him being charged with homicide. He was later found guilty of the homicide and given 15-life sentence.

Phyllis Maue: On January 5, Channel 12 aired a cold case show on Phyllis Maue. CIS opened this 1982 case and was able to bring resolution to the family for who the actual suspect was and what the facts showed. The killer dies several years ago, and CIS is working still to recover the remains of Phyllis to bring the family some finality. Interviews and evidence discovered led to the killer who was last seen with her and left behind other evidence…

Robbery Offenses
U.S. Bank - 4525 Montgomery Road: On 5/5/06, Tonya Cotton, 20, entered the U.S. Bank and presented a note to the teller stating she had a gun. She instructed the teller to place the money in her purse…and left. She was arrested in a motel in Cincinnati and is now awaiting trial.

Shell Station - 2564 Williams Avenue: Tony Morrison entered the store on 7/21/06 and threatened to stab the employees if they pushed the alarm or called police. Subject was unable to open the register but took the keys to the register and the store phone. Convicted.

Check Smart - 3834 Montgomery Road: Employee Tara Burns reported that she had been robbed by a male black individual on 8/9/06. A large amount of currency was taken, due to Tara having left it in the safe the night before. Investigation revealed that no robbery occurred and Tara stole the money and made and acted out a false Robbery. Still awaiting trial on felony theft and tampering with evidence.

Street Robbery - 2000 Sherman Road: Occurred on 11/8/06 when Justin White M/W, 16, approached victim at 200 Sherman. Justin pulled a gun on him and attempted to rob him. Justin was bound over as an adult and is awaiting trial.

Home Invasion Robbery - 4571 Smith Road: Occurred 6/21/06 when Willie O’Neal knocked on the door and when victim opened the door, Willie Forced his way in with a loaded handgun and wearing a mask. Victim fought back and Willie fired a shot into the hallway. Victim struggled and obtained the gun from Willie who fled in a getaway car. The car was stopped and Willie was arrested. He was convicted and given 4 yrs. in prison.

Norwood is last stop on Caroline Kennedy's book tour

Saving the best for last on her book tour, Caroline Kennedy will be promoting and signing “A Family Christmas” at the Norwood Joseph-Beth Booksellers from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. this Friday, December 14. According to today’s Enquirer, this will be her first time in Cincinnati. Event guidelines for the signing are now available by clicking on Events at the the Joseph-Beth website.

Buffalo Wings & Rings opening in Norwood

According to today’s Enquirer, Buffalo Wings and Rings is opening its 26th franchised restaurant at 4747 Montgomery Road this Wednesday, December 12. The location is the former Brinkley’s at the Norwood Quality Inn, pictured here on the BW&R website. “We are pleased to be part of the Norwood community and to offer hungry guests the best food in town,” stated Emad Altaly, franchise owner. “Enjoy food and conversation in our dining room area or cozy up to the bar in our sports bar café to catch the latest football score.” Let's hope this means the business community and others can finally reserve private areas again for meetings and special occasions, regardless of whether they offer the best food in town or not.

Norwood Presbyterian’s annual “Blue Christmas” service

Recently, we came across a brief mention of a “Blue Christmas” service coming up at the Norwood Presbyterian Church. Having had the blues a few times during Christmas ourselves, we decided to call the church and find out more about this special service in case some of our readers don't know about it and would like to attend. Many thanks to Vicki for quickly emailing us the following article from their December newsletter:

Just what IS a "Blue Christmas" worship service anyway?

I'm glad you asked! Many of us find it difficult to be "cheery" during the holidays because of our particular life situations. Perhaps you've lost a loved one to death and that means Christmas is a bittersweet time of remembering your loved one. Maybe you are out of work and/or just having a tough time with Society's commercialization of this Holy Day.

You are invited to come to Norwood Presbyterian Church's chapel on Sunday, December 23 at 2 pm for our annual "Blue Christmas" service. Surround yourself with others who will understand if you are feeling a little "blue" this Christmas. The service will give you an opportunity to quietly reflect on the true meaning of Christmas - welcoming Jesus Christ into our lives!

If you'd like more information, please contact the church at 531-1546. Here are directions to the church, which is located at 4400 Floral Avenue.

12/12/07 UPDATE: We just got another email from the church letting us know about their Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 9:00 p.m., which will include Holy Communion. Like all their services, it's "children friendly."

Enquirer: Lots of Davids replaced Norwood’s GM Goliath

Today’s Enquirer follows some of the history over the past twenty years since GM left town, specifically the developments of Central Parke and Linden Pointe on former GM properties. The article is a good companion piece to this 1992 New York Times article about Norwood post GM we published on 11/25/07.

Madeover Norwood Dispatch open for 911 calls

A big thanks to Relayman for sending us this link to yesterday’s Channel 9 story about the completed $100,000 extreme office makeover Norwood Dispatch won in a contest. Check out the great photo of their new digs. The new office includes an expanded conference room, a larger dispatch area with ceiling-mounted TV’s and improved detective offices, courtesy of a partnership between Miller-Valentine’s design team and First Financial Bank. We understand from a little Norwood birdie that the makeover was celebrated yesterday with an Open House. It’s great our dispatchers are finally out of the awful basement quarters at City Hall and into a pleasant work environment. Congratulations!

12/7/06 UPDATE: Thanks to another tip, we’re linking to these really cool videos on Miller-Valentine’s website that show the Norwood Dispatch extreme makeover before (ugly), during the construction phase, and after (awesome). The ugly clip shows the substandard toilet, break room, the awful paneling, and even old holding cells, plus there are interviews with several Dispatch employees.

Monday: Walk-in Flu Shot Clinic at Norwood Health Dept.

The Norwood Health Department still has flu vaccine available for residents who aren’t yet immunized this year. If you can’t make Monday’s walk-in clinic below, you can make an appointment for a flu shot Monday though Friday from 8 - 5 p.m. by calling 458-4600.

When: Monday, Dec.10, 2 - 4 p.m.
Where: Norwood Health Dept., 2059 Sherman Avenue
Cost: $15 except for those on Medicare. The Health Dept. will bill the cost to ALL forms of Medicare, i.e. HMO Medicares, etc.

First Financial moving headquarters to Cornerstone

First Financial Bancorp, the bank holding company for First Financial Bank in Hamilton, OH, is moving a handful of employees to Norwood’s Cornerstone by early next year. According to today’s Enquirer, “The new headquarters will house senior managers as well as key personnel from finance, legal, marketing, information technology, investment management, sales support and human resources.” CEO Claude Davis will maintain offices both in Norwood as well as the current downtown Hamilton location.

Santa Claus’ live call-in cable show next Thursday

It’s almost time for the kids and grandkids to call and “Talk to Santa” live from his workshop at the North Pole, compliments of Norwood Community Television. He’s anxious to know their Holiday wishes, and he can hardly wait to hear them say how nice they’ve been all year. And the kids will be enthralled by Santa. He was so entertaining last year that “Talk to Santa” won NCT the 2007 Philo Award for the live program category.

When: Thursday, December 13
Where: Norwood kids: 7-9 pm on cable Channel 23; kids outside Norwood: 7-8 pm on cable Channel 24
Drawing for movie tickets: All Norwood children who call and talk to Santa will be entered in a drawing for free movie tickets.

October 07 NFD Activities and Statistics Report

A monthly feature

This monthly Norwood Fire Department report is brief enough that we can publish it in its entirety, though we do format it just a little differently from the original.

A. Total of emergency responses for the month of July = 393

Medic Runs = 286
Fire Runs = 19 w/breakdown
Average Response Time on Runs = 4 minutes, 20 seconds (city-wide)

Number of incidents by type:
Fire Runs – 19 - (Building, Vehicle, Brush, etc.)
Overpressure, Explosion - 0
Rescue & Medic Unit Assists – 22 - (lock-in, extrications, traffic accidents, etc.)
Hazardous Conditions (no fire) - 14 - (power lines down, arcing, spills, etc.)
Service Call – 3 - (smoke removal)
Good Intent – 7 - (odor of smoke, controlled burning)
False Alarms – 42 - (false alarms, system malfunctions, smoke detector activated, etc.)
Special Incident - 0

B. Total Bureau of Fire Safety Inspections/Activities w/Breakdown = 965

1.) Bureau of Fire Safety Activities and Number of Activities:
Total Inspections – 110 - (residential, schools, churches, businesses)
Total Violations – issued 280
Total Violations – corrected 425
Total Block Inspections – 46 - (Unit #1, Unit #2, Unit #3 – Rental & multi-family)
Additional Activities - 104

2.) Breakdown of Fire Division Events:
Arson & Sprinkler Seminar
Hamilton County Accountability Committee Meeting
Hamilton County Fire Chief’s Meetings
Eastern Fire Chief’s Meeting
R.A.T. Training
CPR Classes
Fire Prevention Month - 9 tours given

Citizens on Patrol Update

Since our September COP update, two new volunteer recruits have completed their training and are on patrol, according to Lt. Tom Williams, Jr., Coordinator of the NPD-sponsored COP Program. We were glad to learn from him that soon all the volunteers will be trading in their lined warmup jackets for new winter COP coats that are on order.

In addition to their expanded patrols through our neighborhoods, Citizens on Patrol are also a presence in the parking lots at Surrey Square and the Rookwoods during the holiday season when thieves are on the prowl for vulnerable shoppers. Lt. Williams has coordinated this with management of the three shopping centers. The volunteers are patrolling from approximately 7 - 9 p.m., and when they spot any suspicious people or activities, they will use their radios to summon the on site security detail for assistance. If you see the COPs in the parking lots while you’re shopping, be sure to ask them for one of the holiday book marks with safety tips they’re handing out.

If you’re interested in joining this great effort to keep our neighborhoods safer, contact Lt. Williams at the NPD at 458-4545.

We want to thank everyone with the COP Program for all they’re doing to make our neighborhoods and holiday shopping safer for Norwood residents and visitors to our community. And Merry Christmas to all!

Norwood Historical Society's Annual Holiday Open House

It’s worth repeating

In case you missed our 11/21/07 blog about the wonderfully warm Holiday Open House the Norwood Historical Society treats us all to every December, here's a short version of the details:

When: Saturday, December 8; 4 - 7 p.m.
Highlight: Founding member Lucy Simpson will be presented with the very first Norwood Historical Society Lifetime Achievement Award, and she will make a presentation of the Norwood History slide show for which she is so well known.
Also: Light refreshments will be served; tours of the McCullough House for those who are interested in learning about its rich history
Where: McCoullough House, Lindner Park Nature Preserve; 2726 Cypress Way
Directions: Montgomery Road North; first street on right after Quatman. Lindner Park is on the right approximately 1/8 mile. Limited parking on property. Ample parking on Cypress Way.
Contact: Steve Thornbury at 373-9653

2 female professors file discrimination lawsuit against Xavier

Two weeks ago, an assistant professor and an associate professor in Xavier’s Communication Arts Department filed a lawsuit in the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court alleging gender-based discrimination. The Enquirer says the women are seeking $15 million for alleged discrimination against women, retaliation of assertion of rights and defamation. The university and several top ranking officials are named in their suit.

Keith Moore's Development News Roundup

A new regular feature

The latest good news is that Seek Research worked out the parking issues with the Zoning Board for the building they recently purchased at 2368 Norwood Avenue. The building has been apartments. The previous owner spent a huge amount of time and money making repairs to the building but has been frustrated on a number of fronts. Seek Research, a market research firm, will be moving to Norwood from Covington, Kentucky.

Schoolhouse Outfitters moved here a few years ago and has been a tremendous success story. Schoolhouse Outfitters will be moving from the current location on Franklin to a much larger building on Regent in order to accommodate their tremendous growth.

For those who don't know, the local operators of Gold's Gym have decided to end their association with Gold's, and will now be operating under the name Urban Active Fitness. The new Urban Active signs to that effect should be up at Cornerstone very soon. The Community Development Committee has been working with Urban Active on the best signage approach. And we did bring up the issue of putting Norwood on their marketing materials.

One of the issues that arose was the new Sign Code passed last year. The new Code reduces the amount of signage a business can put up. It was 2 or 3 square feet (depending on type of business) for every foot of frontage. Now, it is 1 square foot for every foot of frontage.

Cornerstone and Rookwood were built under the old Code, so new signs, including replacement signs (like Hallmark and Urban Active) have to be under the new Code. As a result, the businesses need to seek a variance from the Zoning Board to put up a new sign as large as the old sign.

In any event, the Urban Active sign will, I think, be an improvement, as the bright yellow neon from Gold's was a little too "retail" for a class A office building.

Keith Moore
Norwood City Council - Ward 1
Chair, Community Development Committee

NCS School Uniform Policy Survey

According to the NCS website, the Board of Education is considering a student uniform policy for the 2008-2009 school year for students K - 12. If the policy goes forward, students would wear a pre-approved uniform to school. Input from parents is being sought with a short survey that is due by this Friday, 12/7/07. Will Norwood parents support this?

Will Norwood be using beet juice on icy streets this year?

Last Friday, Channel 5 reported that Cincinnati officials are thinking about adding beet juice to the city’s road deicer because “the combination of beet juice, salt and calcium chloride drops the freezing temperature of liquid on pavement, and proponents said it also lessens the corrosive effect on cars.”

Tom White, Director of Norwood’s Public Works Department, told us this morning the city has no plans to purchase beet juice as a pre-treatment for icy street conditions. First and foremost, the City of Norwood doesn’t own the kind of equipment Cincinnati has to spread a beet juice concoction or any other liquid pre-treatment. Secondly, Mr. White has never heard of beet juice as a remedy for icy roads but said he would look into it. He seemed to concur that beet juice might pose a risk of staining whatever it spills on and accepted our sincere apology for giggling throughout our brief phone interview. After all, this in no laughing matter...or is it?

12//4/07 UPDATE: The City of Akron isn’t laughing too much about this. Their 11/28/07 news release tells just about everything you’d ever want to know about beet juice as a deicer. They’ve already experimented with it and plan to use it on a larger scale this winter. As for its color and odor, “experience shows the juice comes out more of a brown color and has the slight aroma of brewer’s yeast. Paul Barnett says it may be noticeable to your eyes, but not likely your nose (unless you stick your face in it).”

Xavier Players’ "The Snow Queen" starts this Thursday

Xavier’s website has this description of the Hans Christian Anderson classic tale, Snow Queen:

European artist and puppeteer, Irini Niculescu brings her magic to the classic tale about two friends who are "not brother and sister, but are just fond of each other as if they had been." When the boy Kay catches a sliver of the demon's magic mirror in his eye, he sees everything in the world as bad and twisted. Fascinated by the magical beauty of the Snow Queen, he goes in with her to her palace in the far frozen north. The story is told with narration and dance to the music of Arcangelo Corelli, and holds a valuable lesson about holding strong to what you believe in.

Xavier Players’ press release has more details.

When: 7:30 p.m.: Th. and Fri., 12/6 and 12/7 and Sat. and Sun., 12/8 and 12/9; 1:30 p.m.: Sat., 12/8
Where: Gallagher Student Center Theatre, Xavier Campus; free parking
Tickets: $15, $5 students and seniors
Reservations recommended. Call the Players box office at 745-3939