City Auditor: AOS passes 2008 Audit, approves 2008 CAFR

The City of Norwood has passed its 2008 Audit and the Auditor of State has approved the 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), the first to be published since 2003. City Auditor Jim Stith told us, “Producing the 2008 CAFR required a complete overhaul of our accounting system and was made possible by the hard work of our Deputy Auditor Marcus Patterson. We are currently preparing the 2009 CAFR to be released this spring.” Click here to view the 165-page on the Norwood Auditor website.

January 2010 Earnings Tax Report

A monthly feature

Individual………….$ 80,083.94
Business……………$ 308,655.11
Withholding…….$ 1,113,206.26
TOTAL……………...$1,501,945.31

Collections thru January 2010….……….....…...........$1,501,945.31
Collections thru January 2009.............................$ 1,353,380.19
11% increase in collections over 2009.……………….....$ 148,565.12

Unidentified man victim of hit-and-run

Lt. Tom Williams, Jr. of the NPD told the Enquirer the driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a 65-year-old gentleman walking near the corner of Park and Forest last evening sped away from the scene. The unidentified man died a short time after being transported to University Hospital. Channel 9’s report says that it appears the impact threw him onto the vehicle’s roof, and he landed 500 feet away. Channel 9 also says a nearby security camera stopped operating just before the accident, leaving police without a description of the vehicle involved. According to Channel 5, police said they do not have any witnesses and are looking for anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 352-3040 or the NPD at 458-4520.


3:00 PM UPDATE: The Enquirer is reporting that Luis A. Urbina, 74, died at University Hospital after he was struck at 7:15 p.m. yesterday in the 2400 blck of Park Avenue, just past Linden Avenue and less than a block from his home. According to NPD Sgt. Thomas Stein, the driver who sped off was driving a light-colored vehicle, which has “got to have some pretty good damage on the front end. We are kind of at a loss right now. We are hoping the guilts get the better of somebody once they sleep on it.”

UPDATE: City of Norwood Homepage is back online

Mayor Williams just informed us that a technician has the City of Norwood Homepage up and running again. The issue is being investigated, but so far, the source of the problem has not yet been specifically identified.

Norwood police arrest 3 last night in undercover drug bust

The Enquirer is reporting the Norwood police announced today that 3 suspects were arrested last night and charged with various drug trafficking charges. Shannon Ziegler, 32, who allegedly sold heroin to undercover police at least 4 times in the past month inside Norwood city limits, was taken into custody after fleeing to Catalina Avenue in Bond Hill. The other 2 suspects, Nicole Taylor, 22, and Dennis Cook, 23, were arrested when police found marijuana growing in their Globe Avenue home and prepared for sale. Cook was charged with possession of drugs and illegally having a gun, a Savage Arms 12-guage shotgun, while being a convicted felon.

Superintendent Amodio: facts about the 9.48 mil school levy

Recently, we asked NCS Superintendent Rob Amodio to provide our readers with factual information about the 9.48 mil levy Norwood voters will decide on May 4. We thank him for responding by sending us the following article that will also be published in the Norwood Star:


The Norwood City School District has recently taken several courses of action to stabilize the financial future of our school district. The Norwood City School District is facing a $1,500,000 operating deficit for the fiscal year 2011. The district is also facing the impending expiration of two Emergency Levies. The first Emergency Levy expires on December 31, 2010 with the second expiring December 31, 2012. In an effort to address these financial challenges, the Norwood City School District Board of Education has chosen to take the following courses of action.

The first course of action is to cut operating expenses. The Board of Education has directed me to present a plan to them no later the March 18th Board Meeting to reduce expenses by $1,500,000 for the next school year. We are currently in the process of studying all areas of our operations including but not limited to staffing, purchasing procedures and contracted services to create a plan that will allow us to make cuts with the least negative impact on the education of our children.

The second course of action taken by the district has been to place a Substitute Levy on the ballot for May 4, 2010. The Substitute Levy is the combination of the two existing and soon to be expiring Emergency Levies and does not increase your taxes. The levies combined generate approximately $4,200,000 in tax revenue for the school district. The Substitute Levy will be an ongoing levy and will not have to be voted on every five years as required by law for an Emergency Levy. By making the levies ongoing it will save election and preparation costs going forward. But more importantly, the district’s financial base will be more solid and programs for children more stable.

Successful passage of the Substitute Levy WILL LOWER THE PROPERTY TAXES of each Norwood resident by about $8.00 per $100,000 of property value. Shifts in local property valuations have enabled this reduction to Norwood residents. In addition to asking that you continue your support of existing levies, the district will continue its ongoing fiscal conservation as we move forward. Like you, we will be responsive to the economic challenges facing us all.

I can assure all residents of the city of Norwood that we have been and are currently serving as sound stewards of their tax dollars. Recently the Norwood City School District was recognized by Mary Taylor, Ohio Auditor of State, with the “Making Your Tax Dollars Count Award” for excellence in fiscal recording, efficiency and careful spending as a trustworthy guardian of our residents tax dollars. Fewer than 5 percent of public entities receive this award each year!

Norwood City Schools continue to challenge our students daily with an instructional program of great rigor. The fruits of these challenges have been recognized this year with Norwood High School being recognized by Cincinnati Magazine as one of the top 30 public and private High Schools in the region with our math and science concentrations being specifically touted as one of the top 5 in the region. This is only one example of the high quality work completed by the staff and students in each of our building as we strive to reach excellence each day.

If you have any questions pertaining to our budget reductions, the Substitute Levy or Norwood City Schools in general please feel free to contact me at 924-2500 or via e-mail at amodio.r@norwoodschools.org.

Rob Amodio
Superintendent
Norwood City School District

4 stories from the NPD file: Norwood police get their men

We appreciate Lt. Tom Williams, Jr. providing our readers with information about 4 recent incidents that illustrate how our police officers go about their work. He especially wanted community members to the know the follow up on 2 Norwood suspects who made the local the news.

1. Over the weekend, an officer attempted to stop a car for a red light violation at Wesley and Norwood Avenues. The driver refused to stop, and a chase ensued north on Montgomery Rd. and down Losantiville until the officer lost sight of the vehicle. With assistance from the Golf Manor police, the vehicle was found unoccupied on Vera Ave. The Madeira K9 Unit was available and quickly responded to the scene. When the suspect was found hiding under a vehicle in the 2600 block of Vera, he was also found with heroin and marijuana. In addition to being charged with various traffic violations, Lawrence Brown of 4500 Erie Avenue in Madisonville was also charged with felony drug possession failure to comply. This incident started at 2:45 a.m. and concluded less than an hour later.

2. Monday, Norwood police found and arrested Timothy Neubacher who was wanted on a felony child endangering indictment. Neubacher is the Norwood resident accused of leaving his 9-day old baby on a bed that was too close to a baseboard heater on January 17th. The infant's cries were muffled after she wound up getting wedged between the wall and the mattress. Neubacher discovered her hours later after she had suffered burns so severe she had to be hospitalized. Following his indictment by the Hamilton County Grand Jury, Neubacher failed to turn himself in on February 2 as planned. An investigation by a CIS detective led to an address on Curzon St. in Northside where Norwood police arrested Neubacher and then took him the Justice Center.

3. Also on Monday, Officer Mark Weitzel stopped a car on Ross Avenue for not having headlights. The driver, Nathan Baxter, was arrested for driving under suspension. Norwood police at the scene observed a bag of marijuana under the seat of one of the passengers, Ricky Wright. After getting the driver’s consent to search the vehicle, (lo and behold), police found a large backpack with over 2 lbs. of marijuana in the trunk and a handgun stolen from Versailles. Wright was arrested and charged with felony drug trafficking, felony drug possession, and felony receiving stolen property.

4. Yesterday afternoon, a man broke into a home in the 3900 block of Floral Avenue. A neighbor who was at home saw the man and scared the him off, then immediately called 911. Minutes later, Det. Mark Garner located the burglar at the corner of Elsmere and Hudson. He turned out to be John Spinnie, the same Norwood resident who was charged last April with multiple Norwood and Cincinnati home burglaries and who was arrested outside the Hamilton County Justice Center for allegedly stealing the vehicle he drove to own arraignment. We hope these new charges will finally keep him in the pokey and out of Norwood homes for a good long time: burglary, felony escape warrant, and probation violation.

City of Norwood Homepage is down

The City of Norwood Homepage isn’t currently online, but we’re told City officials are aware of the problem and working on a solution. In the meantime, click here if you want to download 2009 tax forms from the Treasurer's office, and click here to visit the Building Dept. The issue is expected to be addressed at tonight’s 7:30 p.m. council meeting.

Ohio EPA hearing this Thursday re Hilton Davis toxic waste

Ward 1 Councilperson Keith Moore sent us this flyer regarding the Ohio EPA’s plan NOT to clean up toxic waste at the Hilton Davis site on Langdon Farm Road in Pleasant Ridge. The Hilton Davis property, he tells us, borders our own Fenwick Park. Citizens Concerned about Hilton Davis is hoping at least 100 people will attend the Ohio EPA hearing this Thursday, February 25, at 6:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Ridge Community Center at 5915 Ridge Ave. to urge clean up the site instead of merely entombing the waste under a thin layer of soil or clay.

According to this Ohio Citizen Action article, a 1986 Consent Decree called for a trench filled with decades of hazardous waste to be cleaned up to the “highest possible standard,” which would involve extensive excavation and removal of the waste. However, Kodak, the company currently responsible for the cleanup, has proposed entombing the waste under the soil, which would forever forego future commercial or residential development of the Hilton Davis site. This recent CityBeat article, “How Clean Is Clean” has more detail about the issue and its history.

Leadership training benefits community organizations

Guest blog by Lupe Gonzalez-Hoyt

So often people wish to serve on boards of schools, nonprofit organizations, community and civic organizations. They have a vague idea of what this responsibility entails, and often figure “hard can it be to sit in on meetings?”

5 years ago, I chaired a Leadership committee for the ENX (Evanston-Norwood-Xavier) Community Initiative working to develop leadership training for grassroots leaders in our community. Two Norwood people who took advantage of this training are now effective board members and community leaders.

There is an opportunity for nonprofit board development through United Way of Greater Cincinnati Board Orientation & Leadership Development. One of our new board members graduated from this training and is doing an excellent job of leadership, and using his areas of expertise to benefit Norwood Service League. Call Taleen Cassidy at 762-7186 for more information.

Another leadership training opportunity for those who work for nonprofit organizations is The Nonprofit Leadership Development Institute of Executive Service Corp-Cincinnati. This a tuition based training is 1 day a month for 8 months, and includes a personal coach. I am personally committed to NLDI because my organization, the people we serve, and the donors who support NSL are benefiting from my participation. Call ESC at 791-6230 for more information.

Mention Norwood Service League referred you to these trainings. I’ll post other leadership trainings at other times.

As our city of Norwood and the community of people who live, work and raise our children, it is worth our time to invest in leadership training. Quality leadership is essential to any organization or group.

Lupe Gonzalez-Hoyt
Executive Director
Norwood Service League

Norwood City Auditor running for 33rd Ohio House District

City Auditor Jim Stith sent us the following announcement of his candidacy on the Republican ticket for the 33rd District seat vacated by term-limited Democrat Tyrone Yates. In January, Gov. Ted Strickland appointed Mr. Yates to Hamilton County’s Municipal Court bench. On the Democratic side, there will be a May primary between former Cincinnati Council member Alicia Reece and current Cincinnati Council member Laketa Cole.



After much consideration, my family and I have decided that the time is right for me to announce my candidacy for State Representative for 33rd House District.

While I love serving our community as Auditor for the City of Norwood I have been presented with an opportunity to serve my neighbors in a higher office. There is a desperate need for someone to truly represent our community in Columbus. Someone who will listen to our concerns and communicate our needs. Someone who will be responsible with our tax dollars and speak with a common voice. Someone who will bring hard work and common sense to our government. I feel that I am the right person for this responsibility now is the time to act.

I feel that being a fiscal conservative and financially responsible citizen makes me the right candidate in these difficult financial times. My 16 years of experience practicing Emergency Medicine has given me insight into the difficulties and suffering many people face as well as the problems inherent to our faltering medical system. As Norwood Auditor I gained experience reorganizing an ineffective government office. Now I want to take these experiences to Columbus to truly represent the people of my district.

The problem is not that there are too few taxes, it is that there is too much spending. Government has grown into a fat lumbering beast that is ravenous and ineffective. We must have a balanced budget and begin paying off our debt. It is time for leaders who understand that we must live on less than we make, that we can’t dig our way out of the bottom of a hole and must save for a rainy day.

When elected as your representative I promise to listen to the members of our community and be our voice in Columbus. I will be accessible to all our citizens and communicate the issues and activities of the State back to our district. I will be responsible with our money.

There is a reason it is called government service. True representatives make personal sacrifices to serve their neighbors. With your help I promise to serve with honor.

Jim Stith
Candidate for
State Representative
33rd District
www.VoteStith.com

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, February 23
Preschool Storytime
6:30 p.m., Ages 3-6

Wednesday, February 24
Preschool Storytime
11:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

For more information, call 369-6037.

Xavier Athletics at P&G Family Skates Day

This Sunday, February 21, Xavier Athletics will be invading Fountain Square from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. as part of the P&G Family Skates Day at the ice rink. Xavier student-athletes, cheerleaders and mascots will be in attendance to sign autographs, take photos, play games and provide giveaways.

Admission is free for kids 12 and under. This is a great opportunity to meet and mingle with your favorite Xavier athlete, cheerleader or mascot and check out Fountain Square’s ice rink!

Students, parents support renewal of NCS Athletic Director’s contract

The Kypost.com piece records comments of support made for Norwood City Schools' Athletic Director Jason Testerman outside the board room during last night’s BOE monthly meeting. The article states, “Close friends to Testerman say he's been told after this academic year, his contract as athletic director will not be renewed.” Although the matter was not on meeting agenda, two of the attendees, NHS graduate LeeEtta Shepherd and parent Valerie Marksbury spoke to the reporter about their high regard for Mr. Testerman. According to Ms. Markbury, "Jason has battled stage three Melanoma cancer and he has worked many a day after chemo treatments.” Superintendent Amodio says he cannot comment on staff members, which Mr. Testerman’s friends say is not what they were hoping for.

Clearing up confusion about Rumpke recycling trucks

One of our readers sent us the following email regarding his recent conversation with a Rumpke driver who was placing recyclables in what appeared to be a regular trash truck:

I know there has been some talk in the past on the blog about the Rumpke guys throwing recyclables in a trash truck. I thought I saw a driver doing the same thing this morning and I approached him about it. He told me the old recycling trucks were going away and the new recycling trucks were just trash trucks that were being segregated for recyclables. So, we can still expect separate trucks, but, at first glance, they will both appear to be trash trucks. Clear as mud?… I thought you might want to post something regarding this in case anyone else was confused.

Yes, well, we were confused, too, so we approached Health Commissioner Pamela Walker-Bauer for some clarification. She did some quick research and sent us the link to the “Frequently Asked Questions about Recycling” page on Rumpke’s website, which states:

Question: I have seen my recycling bin picked up by a truck that is marked Rumpke Recycling, but it looks like a Rumpke trash truck. What’s going on?

Answer: Rumpke Recycling trucks come in all shapes and sizes. Some recycling trucks are the older box trucks that have compartments that used to be used to separate the paper materials from the other recyclables. Other trucks look like our garbage trucks, but are marked as Rumpke Recycling vehicles. With the birth of single stream recycling in 2002, it was no longer necessary to pre-sort the materials. The box trucks, which offer limited capacity and demand smaller routes, are still used here and there, but for the most part, Rumpke Recycling is converting its fleet into traditional rear load trucks which offer much greater capacity and a compaction system.

Xavier Players & Madcap Puppet Theatre Present…

Annie Oakley’s Wild West Show

On Saturday, March 6 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Sunday, March 7 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Xavier Players will present Annie Oakley’s Wild West Show directed by John Lewandowski, Madcap Puppet Theatre’s Artistic Director. This is the third and final show in this season’s Hats Off series collaboration with Madcap and Xavier. Tickets cost $7 each and are currently on sale at https://xavier-players.ticketleap.com. They can be purchased by phone beginning Monday, February 22 by calling 745-3939.

Known as “Little Sure Shot,” Ohio native Annie Oakley was the most famous markswoman in the world. Now she stars in her own Wild West spectacular with a Madcap twist. The show celebrates history and American Folklore with a cast of comedic characters and thrilling, exciting stunts. With tall tales and even taller puppets, the show is a sure shot for entertaining the whole family!

Fifth Third bank robbery suspect arrested on Floral Ave. released

Kypost.com is reporting that the suspect arrested on Floral Avenue yesterday morning in connection with the Fifth Third Bank robbery (see blog immediately below) has been released. It turns out the 16-year-old was no bank robber; police said he was skipping school and hiding out in a backyard shed. Maybe it’s just us, but skipping school to hide out in a backyard shed on a cold day wouldn’t be our first choice. This kid certainly got a big jolt yesterday, but we’re left wondering about the performance of the Cincinnati K9 unit that reportedly tracked him to the Floral Ave. location.

Bank robbery suspect arrested behind Floral Ave. home

According to the Enquirer, four armed individuals entered the Fifth Third Bank near Hyde Park Square this morning, jumped over the counter and demanded “the big money” or “someone was going to get hurt.” Fortunately, law enforcement arrived shortly after the robbers ripped the plastic bag containing the money, which left a trail of cash as they fled the building. As the suspects drove west on Erie Avenue, a red dye pack exploded the plastic bag containing the cash, and men dumped it onto the street. At that point, the four took off on foot. Police arrested two people on Grandin Rd. just before 10:00 a.m. A 3rd individual was arrested at the Cincinnati Country Club on Grandin Road. The 4th suspect was arrested at 10:40 a.m. after being tracked by K9 to a shed behind a house in the 3700 block of Floral Avenue.

2:00 PM UPDATE: The NPD’s Lt. Tom Williams, Jr. just provided us with a few more details about the suspect arrested on Floral Avenue: Norwood police officers were in the area, including one in Burwood Park who spotted the suspect in one of the backyards just as the Cincinnati police officers were in the area with the K9 unit. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s helicopter also responded to the scene. The suspect was arrested behind 3760 Floral Avenue between Hazel and Morton Avenues.

Daily Bellwether: Xavier loses 1st round of sex-bias lawsuit

One of our favorite blogs, Bill Sloat’s The Daily Bellwether, is back after a hiatus and reported yesterday that U.S. District Judge Sandra S. Beckwith issued a 28-page ruling last week that rejected Xavier University efforts to dismiss claims that 2 female professors faced illegal sex discrimination when they were terminated at the end of the 2008-2009 academic year. The Xavier Newswire reported in December, 2007 that Assistant Professor Dr. Miriam Finch and Associate Professor Dr. Tara Michels filed suit in Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas on Nov. 20, 2007 and in U.S. District Court on Dec. 3, 2007 against Xavier with claims of discrimination against women, retaliation for assertion of rights, defamation and breach of contract.

In her ruling, Judge Beckwith stated ". . . there is at least some evidence which would support a finding that Plaintiffs' conduct was not the true reason for their termination. For instance, the fact that none of the members of the Faculty Hearing Committee could pinpoint a specific incident in which Plaintiffs were guilty of gross dereliction of duty suggests that the committee's assessment of their conduct was highly subjective." The judge has scheduled an October trial in Cincinnati federal court on charges the women professors were subjected to age and gender discrimination, retaliation, and violations of the Equal Pay Act.

In regard to last week’s ruling, Bill Sloat blogged, “This is another major news story that suffers lack of attention in Cincinnati's corporate media.” We’re glad to see Mr. Sloat back reporting on often ignored news items about both Ohio and the more local community. We’ve reinstalled a link the The Daily Bellwether on the right hand side of the page.

Ham. Co. Business Center expands into leasing office space

The Hamilton County Business Center at 1776 Mentor Ave. is now offering market rate office space to start up companies that have graduated from the center’s incubator program. So far, three companies are leasing space at HCBC’s 1775 Mentor Ave. building: Sheet Dynamics, MobileTEK Consulting, and Transmissions LLC. According to HCBC Director Patrick Longo, "All three have graduated from the incubator program in the last nine months, and this allows them to continue to be in an environment where they can have conversations with us. They're also giving back to our companies by being mentors. So we have plenty of plusses for everyone." Yes, and one of those plusses is a nice one for the City of Norwood.

Invitation to 2nd Annual NYP Pub Crawl

Join the Norwood Young Professionals for the second annual NYP Pub Crawl on Saturday, February 27 to drink away those winter blues! We'll be visiting 8 of Norwood's most popular bars including those favorite neighborhood dive bars that you've been dying to visit. The bus will leave from Rookwood Pub at Rookwood Commons at 7:30 and make 7 more stops. A wrist band will give you access to drink specials at each place. The bus will drop you back off at Rookwood Commons after the round trip is over.

Cost for the night is $20 with proceeds going to support NYP. Spots will be reserved for the first 48 people that pay online via paypal. Click here to make your reservation and make your paypal payment to norwoodyp@gmail.com.

Hope you can join us!

Please remember to drink responsibly and arrange a ride home if necessary.

Norwood Young Professionals

Tom White: Public Works will spend today plowing

With up to as much as 7-9” of snow predicted, Tom White, Director of Public Works, just told us the main objective is to keep our main roads and the Norwood Lateral plowed and replowed throughout the day. There is still some salt on hand, plus a new shipment may be delivered today that was ordered last week. Public Works will start salting the streets either late today if the snow stops or tomorrow.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, February 16th
Preschool Storytime
6:30 p.m., Ages 3-6

Wednesday, February 17th
Preschool Storytime
11:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

Friday, February 19th
Friday Morning Book Club
Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
By Vicki Myron
10:30 a.m.

For more information, call 369-6037.

Poll: Do you support passage of the 9.48 mil school levy?

This short blog we posted last week about Norwood City Schools’ 9.48 mil levy that will appear on the May 4 ballot generated a whopping 94 heartfelt comments. That puts this issue right up there with the high volume of readers’ comments generated by our blogs about the proposed St. Aloysius school and the threatened closing of the Norwood Health Dept. Since the school levy is a pretty hot topic, we thought we’d let the discussion continue by posting another of our unscientific polls.

According to this Enquirer article, the levy combines 2 existing emergency levies scheduled to expire and will not increase taxes. Hamilton County has certified the levy will decrease taxes approximately $8.00 on a $100,000 home. Please answer our poll based on this and any other information you currently know or believe about the issue.

Do you support passage of the 9.48 mil school levy?
	Yes
	No
	Not sure yet
pollcode.com free polls

Reminder: Vote every day for “Refresh Burwood Park & Pool!”

Last week, we posted this blog about Norwood Recreation’s $250,000 grant application through the Pepsi Refresh Project online contest. With 17 days left to vote, we’ve got some work to do to vote the Norwood project from #35 up to the top for a win. Please cast a vote every day between now and February 28 by clicking here, and urge your friends and family to help out by emailing this blog to them.

Norwood Recreation would use the grant to:

Add adult exercise area to the park area
Update the picnic area
Update the Pool and Pool area
Revitalize the entire Burwood Park facility

25th Hour Associates’ act of neighborly kindness

We support Norwood businesses by doing business with them whenever possible. Five months ago, one of us needed to find a contractor to build a special backyard structure. A friend referred us to a new business, 25th Hour Associates at 4314 Montgomery Rd., which is owned by Norwood residents, including a neighbor just 3 blocks away. Long story short, the project started and finished on time, and every 25th Hour employee we had contact with throughout was extremely professional and readily answered any and all questions. Upon completion, the Norwood building inspector knocked on the door to deliver his passing grade and stated they had done an excellent job - quality materials and no shortcuts. A subsequent landscaping project and small interior projects went equally well.

There are many fine contractors in Norwood. We’ve never had a bad experience with any of them and don’t want to promote one over all the others, but what happened yesterday was extraordinary and definitely noteworthy. At about 1:30 p.m., there was a knock at the door. There stood Kevin and Shane from 25th Hour with shovels in their hands. Probably seeing our look of total confusion, Kevin quickly said “We’re out today shoveling snow for no charge.” Flabbergasted, we said, “Tell you what, rather than shoveling, how about just cleaning the snow off the car? Really, that would be just plenty.” Well, that wasn’t quite good enough for these two. When we looked out later, the porch steps, the sidewalk to the street, the snow in front of and behind the car as well as car were cleared of snow. As it turns out, we just located 25th Hour on Facebook and Twitter where they announced their free snow shoveling services yesterday. We want to give Kevin and Shane a big cyberspace thank you for being such great Norwood neighbors! 25th Hour is a wonderful addition to the Norwood community, and we hope their business grows and prospers this year.

Xavier Players Presents "Spike Heels"

Modern Comedy Focuses on the Power of Women

From February 18-21 at 7:30 p.m. Xavier Players will present Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck directed by special guest Tim Waldrip who has appeared on Broadway, television and film. Tickets cost $5 in advance and $7 day of the show. They can be purchased online now by clicking here and by phone at 745-3939.

This contemporary comedy tackles female stereotypes by exploring sexual harassment, misplaced affection, and the possibility of a four sided love triangle. Two extraordinary women take on men and relationships with the empowerment that comes from a great pair of shoes. With Pygmalion references, the play exemplifies the fight for gender equality and uses humor to question traditional gender roles. The show is the perfect production for February, the month of romance!

In conjunction with the Players’ opening night performance, a young alumnae wine and cheese reception is being hosted by Women of Excellence and Young Alumni. It will take place in Gallagher Student Center Clock Tower on February 18 at 6:00 followed by a viewing of Spike Heels. Tickets for the event are $5 and can be obtained by clicking here or calling (513) 745-2081. Registration is limited to the first 50 people.

The theme of this show ties in with Xavier’s year-long celebration of 40 years of women on campus. It is the philosophy of the Xavier Players to combine real-life experiences in the form of meaningful service that relates to the issues presented in the plays. The Players believe it is in this act of service that one truly become socially aware. Xavier, as a Catholic Jesuit University, strives to form students intellectually, morally, spiritually, with rigor and compassion, toward lives of solidarity, service and success. Part of the way the Society of Jesus deals with prejudice is through the promotion of justice in bringing the marginalized to the mainstream.

Norwood Citizens on Patrol 2009 Summary Report

The following COPP 2009 Summary Report was submitted to Norwood City Council via the agenda for last night's canceled meeting. Clearly, the COPP volunteers do a lot more than simply patrol our neighborhoods. Thanks for everything you guys and gals do to improve our community!

Group Man Hours: 5600
Patrol Total Hours: 339 hours
Ride a Longs: 3 X 8hrs= 24hrs
Reports to Building Department: 28
Reports to Health Department: 17
Reports to Public Works Department: 9

COPP HAS REMOVED 900+ GRAFFITI TAGS IN NORWOOD to date
Developed and Delivered COPP training Course

Dispatch Reporting: Reporting Gas and Water leaks
Duke Energy: 25 Street lights not working (Faxed to Duke)
Graffiti on Buildings
Vandalism
Suspicious Activity

Found NKU Student ID card: Mailed lost student ID card to NKU Student Services
Traffic signals not working
Donated 8000 Pull tabs for Ronald McDonald House

Assisted with Traffic Control: Forget Me Not Fun Run

Guided Details: Norwood High/Middle School After School Patrol
Held Monthly Meeting/Training Sessions
Linden Point Community Garden Opening
Norwood Fire works/ COPP Display
Holy Trinity Festival/COPP Display, Patrol 3 days
Old Kroger Child ID kits/COPP Display
New Kroger Opening Display, Child I.D.Kits

Assisted with Traffic Control: Urology Group 5K Run Traffic Control
Manned Substation on Rain out patrol nights

Assisted with Traffic Control: Xavier Balderdash Run (Traffic Safety South
Norwood Streets)
Detail: Cintas Flu shoot Clinic
Detail: 13-Norwood Health Department Flu Shoot Clinics
Reported Aggressive Pan Handler Rookwood
Reported Possible Drug use Victory Park
Distributed Safe Holiday Shopping Tip Book Mark Rookwood
Reported Fight At Norwood YMCA After School
Reported Missing Street Signs, Manhole Covers
Marched in Norwood Day Parade
Patrolled All Norwood City Parks
Civilian Volunteer Coordinator Norwood COPP Removed Graffiti from Victory Park

Submitted by:
Bill Graff, Norwood Civilian Volunteer Coordinator
and Norwood Police Department

(Program funded by tax deductible donations)

Tonight’s City Council meeting canceled

Per the Clerk of Council’s office, this evening’s 7:30 p.m. regular City Council meeting has been canceled because of weather conditions. If necessary, the meeting will be rescheduled.

Vote Norwood in 2010 Best of Cincinnati Readers Poll

One of our readers alerted us that CityBeat has its 14th annual Best of Cincinnati poll open for online voting through Sunday, February 21. Among the Norwood establishments appear in various restaurant categories on the ballot are J Alexander, Quatman’s Café, Indian Mound Café, Speckled Bird, and Indian Daata.

The ballot consists of six major sections: Eats, Public Eye, Jocks, Goods & Services, Out & About and Urban Life. There are a total of 238 categories for you to choose your favorites. You can vote in as many or as few categories as you'd like. You can also write in your favorite by clicking “create your option.”

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, February 9th
Preschool Storytime
6:30 p.m., Ages 3-6

Wednesday, February 10th
Preschool Storytime
11:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

Saturday, February 13th
Hatha Yoga
Learn How To Increase Flexibility, Alignment, & Relaxation With Jeane Speier
11 a.m.

For more information, call 369-6037.

Xavier University celebrates Black History Month

As part of Black History month, Xavier University will present the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, a collection of African American memorabilia, on February 23 and 24 in the Clock Tower Lounge of the Gallagher Student Center from 10-5 both days. The mission of the Mobile Museum is to recognize and celebrate the contributions, achievements and struggles of African Americans. The museum is free and open to the public. 101.9 The Wiz will be in the food court of the Gallagher Student Center from 3-5 pm on February 5 with free music and giveaways. For a complete listing of Xavier’s Black History Month events, please visit www.xavier.edu/BHM.

Khalid el-Hakim is the founder and curator of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum. An educator with the Detroit Public Schools, he received his Bachelor of Science in Social Studies and Business Education at Ferris State University. As a music executive, he has managed various artists, including 2006 Grammy award nominee Umar Bin Hassan of The Last Poets, platinum award-winning artist Proof of D12, Taja Sevelle, and Versiz. His passions for education and history led him to start collecting Black memorabilia 15 years ago. His award-winning collection of over 2,000 artifacts dates from slavery to Hip Hop culture.

Author Sam Greenlee will give a free lecture open to the public in Xavier’s Gallagher Student Center Theatre at 7 pm on Tuesday, February 23. Greenlee was born in Chicago in 1930 and educated in public schools. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He served in the Army for two years as a first lieutenant, then studied international relations at the University of Chicago. A career with the United States Information Agency sent him on assignment promoting American culture overseas. He was one of the first black foreign service officers, with assignments in Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Greece between 1957 and 1965, leaving after he became disillusioned. In The Spook Who Sat by the Door, published in 1968, “spook” is a double entendre - a racial insult directed toward Blacks and as a slang term for spies. It is about a black CIA operative hired to demonstrate the agency’s multiracial outlook. The agent quits and uses his spy training to start a black revolutionary protest movement in Chicago. Unpublishable in America, the book was accepted by a London publisher and quickly became an underground favorite. Greenlee has received the United States Information Agency meritorious service award for bravery during the 1958 Baghdad revolution; Sunday Times (London) Book of the Year award for The Spook Who Sat by the Door, 1969; Ragdale Foundation fellowship, 1989; Illinois Arts Council fellowship, 1990; Illinois Poet Laureate award, 1990.

APB: Follow the Norwood Police Department on Facebook

Yesterday, Lt. Tom Williams, Jr., the NPD’s Community Liaison Officer, told us he just created a Facebook page for the Norwood Police Department. It already has 40 fans as of this morning, including one of us. To locate the page, just do a Facebook search for Norwood Police Department. Once you’re there, you’ll see two links: one to the NPD’s website, which Lt. Williams tells us is undergoing an overhaul and should be online again in the not too distant future; the other is to www.nixle.com, a website that enables local, county, and state law enforcement and government agencies to connect with residents who sign up (it’s free) over cell phone, email and the web.

2009 Earnings Tax Report

Total Earnings Tax Collected for 2009.………………….$16,613.298.00

Individual…………………………..........$1,330.541.99
Business,…………………………............$3,669,570.14
Withholding……………………….........$11,613,185.98
Total Collected Tax Year 2009.….$16,613,298.00
Refunds Year 2009.………………….......$434,135.64
2009 Net Earnings Tax Collected………………..............$16,179,162.36


Comparison of Years 2009 and 2008
Net Earnings Tax Collected 2009.………………………$16,179,162.36
Net Earnings Tax Collected 2008.………………………$15,377,934.93
2009 Net Earnings Tax Increase…………………………….$801,227.43

Norwood police arrest man for importuning NHS student

Approximately twenty minutes after a man allegedly propositioned a Norwood High School student on Allison St. as he walked to school, Norwood police located and arrested Michael Devirglio and charged him with felony importuning. The student immediately hurried to school and reported the incident to Principal Bradley Winterod. According to the Enquirer, DeVirgilio is being held at the Hamilton County jail. Let’s hope overcrowding doesn’t result in his release. Great job by the student, Mr. Winterod, and the NPD!

Channel 12: NPD needs help locating indicted Norwood man

Norwood Police are asking the public to help locate Timothy Neubacher who failed to turn himself in yesterday as planned in connection with his recent indictment on a child endangering charge (see 2/1/10 blog below). If you can help police locate him, call CrimeStoppers at 352-3040.


2/3/10 UPDATE: Lt. Tom Williams of the NPD told us at 8:45 a.m. that Timothy Neubacher remains wanted on a felony child endangering 1 charge. He may be driving a red Pontiac Grand Am. You can also call the Norwood Police at 458-4520 if you have any information about him.

Vote every day for “Refresh Burwood Park & Pool” grant!

Jenny Wallace, Executive Director of Norwood Recreation, has applied for a $250,000 grant through the “Pepsi Refresh Project,” which is giving away a total of $1.3 million monthly in an online voting contest in which ideas and projects to improve communities around the country are submitted by individuals, businesses, and nonprofits. The Pepsi project is accepting 1,000 ideas each month this year in increments of $5k, $25k, $50k and $250k.

In brief, Norwood Recreation would use the grant to:

1. Add adult exercise area to the park area
2. Update the picnic area
3. Update the Pool and Pool area
4. Revitalize the entire Burwood Park facility

Visit the Norwood Recreation website to see a prototype of the proposed Burwood project.


How to secure the $250,000 grant for Norwood:

1. Vote religiously once a day every day this month by clicking here. Initially, you will be asked open an account by providing your email address, a password, birth date, etc.

2. Click on the email option directly below this blog and send it to every friend and family member in and out of Norwood so they can vote daily, too.

Two $250,000 grants will be awarded each month based solely on the number of online votes cast, so let’s all get crackin' to make sure Norwood Recreation is in the top two for February! And kudos to Jenny Wallace and everyone at the Norwood Recreation Commission for entering this contest.

BOE approves levy for May ballot, won’t raise taxes

The Enquirer is reporting that the NCS Board of Education voted unanimously yesterday to place a 9.48 mil levy on the May 4 ballot. The levy combines 2 existing emergency levies scheduled to expire and will not increase taxes, according to NCS interim Treasurer Ernie Strawser. In fact, he said the county has certified the levy will decrease taxes approximately $8.00 on a $100,000 home.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Monday, February 1st
Monday Evening Book Club
Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
By Vicki Myron
6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 2nd
Preschool Storytime
6:30 p.m., Ages 3-6

Wednesday, February 3rd
Toddler Jam Time
Ages 1-4 With Adult
10:30 a.m.
Preschool Storytime
11:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

Friday, February 5th
Learn Haitan Dance Moves!
Celebrate African-American History Month
4-5 p.m., Children & Families

For more information, call 369-6037.

Norwood man indicted for leaving baby too close to heater

According to Channel 12, Norwood resident Timothy Neubacher, 28, was recently indicted on a charge of child endangering for allegedly leaving his 9-day old baby too close to a baseboard heater on January 17th. Court documents state he put the infant on a bed that was too close to a heater. She ended up getting wedged between the wall and the mattress so that her cries were muffled. By the time Neubacher discovered the child hours later, she had suffered severe burns on her face and chest and is currently hospitalized at Shriner’s Burns Institute. Police have not said where the child’s mother was at the time of the incident.