Citizens For A Better Norwood

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Supt. Amodio: Duke Energy cuts NCS tax payments by $384,000

This past May, Duke Energy reported its 2010 1st quarter earnings jumped 29%, earning the company $445 million in profit compared to $344 million in the year-ago quarter. "We're off to a good start, but there's a lot more to do," said Jim Rogers, Duke's chairman, president and CEO. In what appears to be a move to further increase profit, Duke Energy is reducing its property tax obligations by $40 million per year while it appeals the state valuation of its personal property The impact on local government entities has been described as “staggering.”

Following is NCS Superintendent Rob Amodio’s account of exactly how Duke’s plan will negatively affect Norwood students:


Duke Energy Corporation is reducing its property taxes to Norwood Schools by $384,000 (or about $175 per child) next school year. Duke Energy Corporation took this action as part of its overall plan to reduce its property tax obligations by $40 million per year.

Duke’s strategy to increase profit from 2009’s $1.1 billion comes at a time when Norwood’s students will experience a $1.7 million reduction in programs and services next year. Norwood’s students were already going to experience larger classes and fewer instructional programs because of $1.7 million in cuts needed to balance next school year’s budget. Duke’s strategy and its late notification to the district make it even more challenging to implement cuts for a school year that begins in about nine weeks.


· Duke plans to reduce its tax payments to Norwood City Schools by $384,000 next year.
· Norwood Schools has already implemented $1.7 million to balance its budget.
· Duke has increased Williams Elementary electricity cost from between 5.8% and 8.4% since 2007.
· Dukes Energy stock price is up 15.64% since June, 2009.
· Duke Energy profit jumped 29% in the first quarter of 2010.


The Norwood City School District does not believe that the reduction in taxes is warranted and is concerned about the impact on students, and other taxpayers. The district believes that Duke Energy Corporation should pay its taxes and rely upon the State of Ohio process for tax assessment.

Rob Amodio
Superintendent
Norwood City Schools

Norwood High School one of region’s best workplaces

Norwood High School has been named as one of 60 local companies on the Enquirer Media’s Top Workplaces in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky list. Specifically, NHS ranks #21 out of 30 in the “small companies” (under 150 employees) category. In partnership with Workplace Dynamics, the Enquirer surveyed 37,712 workers at 105 local organizations before a total of 60 of them rose to the top.

This Enquirer article states, “Workers in these places believe their organizations operate on strong values and ethics. They cite opportunities to learn and grow in the job. They're motivated by senior managers who "understand what is really happening." And they're encouraged to balance professional and personal pursuits.”

Congratulations to NHS for getting high marks on the Enquirer’s survey!

(h/t Laura)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Invitation to Jim Stith's Wine Tasting at Linden Pointe

http://www.votestith.com


Please join special guest
Steve Chabot
for our
Wine Tasting
at
Linden Pointe
Thursday July 1st
6:30-9:00 PM

Lobby of Linden Pointe
4900 Montgomery Rd
Norwood, OH 45212
(at Montgomery Rd and the Norwood Lateral)
www.LindenPointe.net

Join Jim for
Hors d'oeuvers, Wine,
and Live Music.
$50 per person
Tickets available online or at the door
R.S.V.P. by clicking here
or call (513) 828-8449

It is time for a responsible government,
but we need your help to make it happen!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Urology Group moving from Central Parke to American Laundry site

The Business Courier has announced the Urology Group will start construction early next year on a new $15 million, 45,000 square foot headquarters on 4 acres it purchased last year at the old American Laundry site. Hoping to use nearly $14 million in tax-exempt bond financing, the medical practice could start the project as early as February 2011, with a move-in possible 7 months later. The group’s headquarters has been the Central Parke complex since 1998. CEO Earl Walz said, “The building is starting to show its age and it’s dated. We’re tenants in this building, and we’re more interested in owning and operating a facility.”

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, June 29th
The Space Panter's Juggling Company
3 p.m., Families

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

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

Thursday, July 1st
Teen Craft Club
Sand Art
1 p.m., Ages 12-18

Harry and the Potters
Join Us For a Wizard Rock Concert by Harry and the Potters!
6:30 p.m., All Ages

For more information, call 369-6037.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Earthquake tremors felt in Norwood; 2 buildings evacuated

According to Fox 19, at 1:45 yesterday, tremors from a Canadian earthquake were felt throughout the Tri-State. In Norwood, both the American Laundry Building on Section Avenue and the office building at 2100 Sherman Avenue were temporarily evacuated when employees reported feeling the tremors. There were no reports of damage or injuries. We didn’t feel a thing. Did you?

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Jim Stith invites everyone to his Campaign Kickoff Party



I am looking forward to seeing you at our Campaign Kickoff Party on Thursday night. Please consider forwarding this invitation to your friends.

Remember that contributions to my campaign are eligible for an Ohio Tax CREDIT of up to $100.


Campaign Kickoff Party
Thursday June 24th
6:30-9:00 PM


Norwood Community Center
1810 Courtland Ave.
Norwood, OH 45212
(at the corner of Courtland and Carter)

Drinks, Snacks,
Live Music and Fun!
$25 per person
Tickets available online or at the door
R.S.V.P. by clicking here
or call (513) 828-8449

Monday, June 21, 2010

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, June 22nd
Movie Day
3 p.m., Ages 5-12

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

Wednesday, June 23rd
Preschool Storytime
11:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

For more information, call 369-6037.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Light blogging

We want our readers to know that we are taking a little time off from blogging, but please don’t hesitate to send us announcements and news items of local interest as we will continue to publish submitted material. We hope to be back on a full schedule soon.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

May 2010 Earnings Tax Report

A monthly feature

Individual………….$ 96,822.92
Business…………….$ 50,245.53
Withholding…….$ 1,051,028.76
TOTAL…………....$1,198,097.21

Collections thru May 2010….……….....…...........$6.730,219.24
Collections thru May 2009...............................$7,646,874.34
11.94% decrease in collections over 2009.……..($916,655,10)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Finance and Audit Committee meeting today

The Finance and Audit Committee is meeting today at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers to discuss 4 agenda items:

1. Ambulance Request
2. Police Department - CIS Cars
3. Beech Street Project
4. City Finances – General Operations

Monday, June 14, 2010

NPD nails and jails prolific thief

With the help of DNA, Detective Mike Huston was able to solve 15 cases of breaking and entering that started in December, 2009. William Goddard of Kenilworth Avenue was finally arrested this past Thursday and charged with multiple counts of breaking and entering in Cincinnati and Norwood, and more charged are anticipated. Lt. Tom Williams, Jr. tells us $10,000 worth of stolen property has been recovered so far.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, June 15th
Live Reptiles At The Library
3-4 p.m.

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

Wednesday, June 16th
Preschool Storytime
11:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

Thursday, June 17th
Teen Craft Club
Fun, Friends, Food!
1 p.m., Ages 12-18

Friday, June 18th
Friday Morning Book Club
Still Life
By Joy Fielding
10:30 a.m.

For more information, call 369-6037.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Two upcoming events at NEXUS Community Garden

The new NEXUS (Norwood-Evanston-Xavier Urban Sustainability) Community Garden on Cleneay Ave. near McGrath Health and Wellness Center is hosting two events:

Saturday, June 19
NEXUS Community Garden
“Make Your Own Fertilizer” Composting Workshop
Cleneay Ave Near McGrath Health and Wellness Center
10:30 a.m.
More information: 745-3560


Saturday June 26
NEXUS Community Garden
Ask-an-Expert Gardening Q &A’s
Cleneay Ave Near McGrath Health and Wellness Center
10:30 a.m.
More information: 745-3560

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Biz Courier: P&G recalls some Iams canned cat food lots

Yesterday, P&G announced recall of all varieties of Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten food in 3-ounce and 5.5 ounce cans, with expiration dates of September 2011 to June 2012. Cats being fed solely with recalled products could be at risk for thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency.

Customers who have purchased the recalled products should discard them, and call P&G toll-free at (877) 340-8826 for a refund. The hotline is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., EST.

The short and long of email scams

We rarely bother reading the many email scams from overseas in our CBN spam box, but when we saw that 35 of them had accumulated over the last 10 days, perhaps a record, we decided to take a peek. Incredibly, people do fall for these poorly composed, often meandering and incoherent emails announcing huge cash winnings. A program we saw recently highlighted an elderly woman whose bank account was wiped out after she responded to one of these scams. Were it not for this sad fact, these emails would be strictly hilarious.

We've decided to share two scams with our readers. The first is short and to the point, but we’re not sure what we’ve “won.”

1. Congrat: You Have Won ?1,000.000.00GBP. Confirm this receipt by sending your Name, Address, Tel, occupation etc to (DELETED).

The second one caught our attention because it’s from the FBI, beefed up with a member of the clergy helping out. We had no idea we’ve already been scammed by corrupt government officials holding up receipt of our $5.8 million fund. Will the FBI come after us for violating the Disclaimer Notice at the end?

2.) Unpaid Beneficiary,
It is obvious that you have not received your fund which is to the tune of $5.8million due to past corrupt Governmental Officials who almost held the fund to themselves for their selfish reason and some individuals who have taken advantage of your fund all in an attempt to swindle your fund which has led to so many losses from your end and unnecessary delay in the receipt of your fund.

The National Central Bureau of Interpol enhanced by the United Nations and Federal Bureau of Investigation have successfully passed a mandate to the current president of Nigeria his Excellency President Umaru Yar'Adua to boost the exercise of clearing all foreign debts owed to you and other individuals and organizations who have been found not to have receive their Contract Sum, Lottery/Gambling, Inheritance and the likes.

Now how would you like to receive your payment? wired bank transfer or by ATM card? ATM Card: We will be issuing you a custom pin based ATM card which you will use to withdraw up to $10,000 per day from any ATM machine that has the Master Card Logo on it.

Also with the ATM card you will be able to transfer your funds to your bank account. The ATM card comes with a handbook or manual to enlighten you about how to use it.

Your payment would be sent to you via any of your preferred option.

To effect the release of your fund valued at $5.8million you are advised to contact the director of payment Mr. Rev Larry Smith with the information below,
true the email address been giving to you (DELETED)
Telephone: (DELETED). On contacting him do provide him with the
following in formations:
Your full Name...
Your Address:................
Home/Cell Phone:...................
occupation..........................
Preferred Payment Method (ATM/wired bank transfer/home cash
delivery):................
age/sex...............................

This morning our local time i sent a fax to the office of the vice president Dr Goodluck Jonathan who issued a mandate to compensate scam victim like you through your prefered method of payment that will be shipped to you alongside the documents to back them up, the fax i sent to him was to let him know, who will be responsible for the Insurance document and Federal tax document on his response to me through same fax
he said he will talk to the president to send signal to the ministry offices where this documents are procured.

Mr Thomas Adeniran who directed you to me confirm to me that the procurement of the two vital document fee should be your only role. At this time confirmation from the ministry in charge for the preparation of the documents will cost you $100 that is $50 to Federal tax document while $50 to get Insurance certificate document accumulated sum charges for both is now $100.

You are therefore advice not to toy with this developments as a mandate was also issued to terminate the fund immediately if you fail to claim your fund soonest.

I have done my best as a clergy drafted newly to this position to assist people like you the rest is left for you. urgent response will enable me forge ahead towards the onwards delivery of your payment to your residential address.

Get back to me today so i can let you know the method of how you can send the $100 fee to enable the procurement of the back up documents against any further future stoppage from your country's government when it arrive your airport.

No one is charging you for the shipment fee that has been taken care of by the government so you do not need to pay for it. the required fee of $100 is the only fee you are paying and that's all no money of any kind will be requested from you.

Terms and condition Do you agree to make the $100 fee available for me to get the documents?

That all transaction should be kept secret untill after payment?

I await your response to this email so we forge ahead with your payment
delivery.

Thanks and God bless.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Thomas Adeniran, Federal Bureau of Investigation
CC: National Central Bureau of Interpol
*************************************************************
DISCLAIMER NOTICE:
Information contained in this email is confidential and intended for the
addresses only. Any dissemination, distribution, copying or use of this
communication without prior permission from the addressee is strictly
prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient of this
communication, please delete it permanently without copying, disclosing or otherwise using its contents, and notify the sender immediately.
For claims procedures send your details to (DELETED).

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

TOP program allows real estate taxes to paid in installments

In 1997, Hamilton County Treasurer Robert A. Goering started the Treasurer’s Optional Payment (TOP) program. Currently 13,000 commercial and residential property owners are enrolled. The TOP program enables property owners to prepay their January and June tax bills in installments without any service charges. Anyone who enrolls now would receive 4 coupons in August to begin paying off the January, 2011 tax bill in 5 installments. The 5th installment due would be reflected on the January tax bill, which would show the 4 previously made payments. For more information about the program, call 946-4788 or print this application form.

Monday, June 07, 2010

Mayor Williams corrects the record re special meeting

Last Wednesday, the Enquirer reported that Mayor Tom Williams “called a special meeting for June 10 at Norwood City Hall of all the city's elected officials to discuss the long-term budget situation.” (see 6/2/10 blog below). Mayor Williams asked us to publish his statement correcting the Enquirer’s account:

“I did not call the June 10 meeting. What I did was write a letter to City Council and other elected officials saying we need a meeting to talk about the finances. Subsequently, a motion was made and passed on council floor to put the matter into the Committee of the Whole, and COW Chair Donna Laake then called the meeting. If anyone was offended thinking I called the meeting, I apologize for the misunderstanding.”

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Monday, June 7th
Monday Evening Book Club
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
6:30 pm., Adults

Tuesday, June 8th
Animals & Insects
Naturalist Lara Askill will excite your imagination & taste buds with delicious & nutritional samplings, handle live insects, learn about entomophagy & come with an open mind and mouth to have lots of fun.
3:00 p.m., Families
advance registration required*

Children / Preschool Storytimes
Books, songs, and a craft!
6:30 - 7:00 p.m., Ages 3-6

Wednesday, June 9th
Children / Preschool Storytimes
Stories, songs, and a craft!
11:30 a.m. - noon, Ages 3-6

Thursday, June 10th
Families / Family Fun Nights
Celebrate summertime with a festive family night at the library! There will be carnival games and prizes!
6:00 p.m., Families
advance registration required*

Friday, June 11th
Children / More Fun Stuff!
Lego lovers, build a monster creation and have your picture taken with it!
3:00 p.m., Ages 6-12

*To register, call 369-6037.

Friday, June 04, 2010

Entrepreneurs invited to enter Xavier’s X-LAB Competition

The Business Courier is reporting that Xavier’s Williams College of Business has launched their X-LAB Competition (Xavier-Launch a Business) to “identify the most determined, creative entrepreneurs with the most promising business ideas.” The five winners who will be selected will receive help writing a business plan or improving existing plans and finding investors. The program also seeks to help existing small- to medium-sized businesses improve and expand.

Applications will be judged on the viability of the business ideas the potential of the business owners, and whether the capabilities of X-LAB are a good match for the business.

Entrepreneurs are asked to apply by July 7 by using this online application. Applicants will be screened by faculty members and members of the business community. Winners will be announced Sept. 10. Anyone can apply, including students at Xavier or other schools.

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Bike Rodeo at Norwood Middle School


Bike Rodeo
Saturday, June 12th - Noon to 4:00 pm


Norwood Middle School
2060 Sherman Avenue - Norwood Ohio
  1. Bike Obstacle Course
  2. Bike Safety Lessons presented by the Norwood and Xavier Police Departments
  3. Norwood Cub Scout Pack 99 will be assisting with the rodeo
  4. FREE Bike Helmets to the first 100 children courtesy of Children’s Hospital Medical Center
  5. Refreshments courtesy of Kroger
  6. Ice Cream by United Dairy Farmers
  7. Children must be accompanied by an adult and must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian
For more information contact: Lt. Tom Williams @ 458-4545

Presented by
Norwood Police & COP – Citizens on Patrol Volunteers

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Rep. Steve Driehaus campaign event tonight in Norwood

Everyone is invited to meet U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 1801 Mills Avenue. He will start answering residents’ questions promptly at 6:30, and his team will be available to help groups organize on behalf of their causes and community groups. The event is intended to be positive, cordial, and supportive in the spirit and purpose of 1801 Mills. Light snacks and coffee will be served by the Express Guild. Click here if you have any questions you'd like to direct to Steve Driehaus' campaign.

Mayor Williams calls special meeting re budget problems

According to the Enquirer, Norwood’s income tax revenue is about 9% ($520,000) behind the city’s projected revenue. As a result, City is council is thinking about scrapping the $1.2 million Beech Street reconstruction project because is requires $400,000 in local matching funds.

Mayor Williams has called a special meeting for June 10 at City Hall for all elected officials to discuss the long-term budget situation. He told the Enquirer "The idea is to have everybody's input and build a consensus. We need to find out how serious the problem is and what the options are. I'm trying to get everybody to work together instead of arguing or finger-pointing." Norwood Auditor James Stith said the city is not in danger of failing to meet current expenses but that “we're worried about meeting expenses a year from now.”

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, June 1st
DDR For Kids
3-5 p.m., Ages 6-12
Sign Up In Advance For Time Slot

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

Wednesday, June 2nd
Toddler Jam Time
Ages 1-4 with Adult, 10:30 a.m.

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

DDR For Kids
3-5 p.m., Ages 6-12
Sign Up In Advance For Time Slot

Thursday, June 3rd
Teen Craft Club
Fun, Friends, Food!
1 p.m., Ages 12-18

For more information, call 369-6037.