Budget fails

Requiring a super majority vote of 5, the 2011 budget, which still contained $1 million in police and fire concessions that the Republican council majority rejected Tuesday night, failed to pass during last night’s 16-minute Special Council meeting. With Mr. Thornbury absent, Council President Jane Grote broke a 3-3 tie by voting with fellow Republicans in favor of passage. This means two deadlines are being missed. Today, the Certificate of Estimated Resources was to be submitted to the Hamilton County Auditor, and tomorrow is the date the state requires a budget.

Prior to the vote, Law Director Ted Kiser said the law doesn’t give much guidance about the budget, although expenditures cannot exceed the Certificate of Estimated Resources. Apparently, the rejected $1 million in police and fire concessions could remain in the proposed budget so long as they are never executed in violation of current union contracts. Ohio Revised Code says “no money shall be drawn from the Treasury” in the absence of a budget.

In regard to the $1 million in concessions still in the budget, Mr. Sanker recalled statements made by City Auditor Jim Stith (he was absent) stressing that fictitious numbers can’t be forth in the budget. While it’s acceptable for a budget to be off by $50,000, Mr. Sanker said, we’re obligated to payments without the concessions in budget, and we would knowingly be off by $1 million.

Mayor Williams responded to Mr. Gabbard’s questions regarding whether or not more concessions have been offered by the police and fire unions. Mayor Williams said he had received a “clear no” last night because the unions believe their rejected offer was good. He indicated their positions have hardened in the aftermath of the negative reception some council members gave their offer. Asked if the 2-year contract council rejected last night is still on the table, Mayor Williams said “as far as I know.” That’s not exactly a “yes.”

Mr. Mumper stated this week’s payroll is the last one covered by the temporary appropriations ordinance. Ms. Laake said she understands anything paid after today will be contingent on a budget passing, and that one would have to pass in order for the next payroll to be paid in two weeks.

Just as the meeting adjourned, Ms. Grote announced that tonight’s Special Council meeting is canceled. There are no Finance Committee meetings or other Special Council meetings scheduled. The next regular council meeting is Tuesday, 4/12/11.

R’s reject union concessions; budget passage iffy?

A dizzying number of motions were voted on along party lines during last night's Special City Council meeting. Keith Moore, Joe Sanker, and John Mumper, the 3 Democratic council members, wanted the police and fire union contract ordinances moved on the agenda ahead of the budget ordinance so they could be approved before the budget vote. Their concern about the order of the votes centered around the fact that the union concessions are represented in the 2011 budget and should be approved in advance of the budget vote. Republicans Vic Schneider, Steve Thornbury, Donna Laake, and Michael Gabbard voted against changing the order.

Most of the Republican members stated they don’t want to commit the City to contracts as long as 2 years because of concern that revenues will continue to shrink. Michael Gabbard suggested shortening the term to 1 year; Donna Laake stated she would be satisfied with 6 months, which would give time for all 4 unions to offer concessions that would “share the pain.” She specifically suggests they consider a 5% pay reduction and giving up longevity pay. The clerical and public works unions are currently considering a 36-hour work week, but a decision isn’t expected for several weeks.

Without a vote passing the 2 union contracts prior to voting on the budget, Mr. Moore and Mr. Mumper indicated they would not vote in favor of a budget that contains unauthorized union concessions. The budget ordinance had its first reading at Friday night’s Special Council meeting but failed to get a 2nd reading with a party line vote of 4 to 3.** Council President Jane Grote stated a super majority of 5 is required to pass the budget.

What did pass last night were motions rejecting the fire and police contracts and instructing Mayor Williams to continue negotiating with the unions. He is expected to report any progress at another Special Council meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. Tomorrow is the deadline for the budget to be approved.

There was much more to the meeting than we can recount here. We invite readers to fill in the many blanks and to correct us if we have made any factual errors.

**8:45 a.m. CORRECTION: We just received an email from a councilperson that states, “I'm pretty sure we did have a second reading of the appropriations ordinance.”

February 2011 Earnings Tax Report

A monthly feature

Individual…………….$ 68,765.03
Business……………….$ 113,945.00
Withholding…………...$ 752,430.71
TOTAL……………….....$ 935,140.74

Collections thru February 2011….……….....…...........$2,228,240.44
Collections thru February 2010..............................$2,555,501.62
12.88% decrease in collections over 2010.……………..($327,261.18)

Lawsuit alleges Norwood evicted 2 men illegally

Legal Aide Society attorney Jessica Powell has filed a lawsuit against Norwood on behalf of two men who claim City officials violated their Constitutional rights 10/6/10 by evicting them from their 1-bedroom Maple Ave. apartment with less than 12 hours notice. The suit is filed against Building Commissioner Gerry Stoker, Police Sgt. David Lewis and 5 unnamed City employees who allegedly helped facilitate the eviction.

According to the building’s landlord Bonnie Littrell, Norwood officials told her they were they were tired of reports of Jones and Waller - and other tenants - getting drunk, fighting and causing so many problems that the building had more than 100 police calls in an eight-month period. "I think they were picking on (Jones and Waller) because they were a problem," Littrell said of the eviction orders. "I don't think it was properly handled by the city."

The suit states, Norwood "adhere(s) to a policy, custom and practice of issuing arbitrary and baseless vacate orders to tenants that it deems are in violation of its building codes or (who) they feel are otherwise unsuitable," and cites three eviction notices filed in a week against Farris and Jones. It seeks to have declared illegal Norwood's eviction and threats of prosecution of the pair, to permanently bar Norwood from illegally evicting them and for unspecified money damages. "Pure and simple, this is a case about the city abusing (its) authority," Ms. Powell said.

Missing from the Enquirer’s account is the City’s side of the story, which we suspect is because City officials do not comment on pending litigation.


NOTE: Recently, we have deleted/edited a number of comments that have violated our commenting policy, which is under links on the right hand side of the page. Please stay on topic and make your arguments without insulting, demeaning, inflammatory, taunting, etc., remarks about individuals and groups.

Update: City Council & Finance Committee meetings

Jane Grote, President of Norwood City Council, hereby calls 3 (three) Special Council Meetings to discuss the Permanent Appropriations for 2011 and Modification of Union Contracts. The meetings will be held on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, March 29 at 7:30 pm in Council Chambers
Wednesday, March 30 at 7:30 pm in Council Chambers.
Thursday, March 31 at 7:30 pm in Council Chambers

Finance Committee: the meeting scheduled for Monday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.has been canceled.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Wednesday, March 30
Movers and Shakers Storytime
10:00 a.m., Ages 1-4 with adult

Preschool Storytime
10:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

Finance Committee puts budget in the black!

The Finance Committee came up with a balanced budget last night that will be presented at City Council’s Special Meeting tonight. During the meeting, Mr. Moore went through what seemed to be his own version of a budget, which drew on $616,000 in the Reserve for Contingency Fund that had not yet been tapped. Between his and Mr. Sanker’s numbers for the most part, the 2011 budget is now roughly $25,000+ in the black. Unless new financial information surfaces tonight, City Council will consider a budget that appears to fund all City positions.

Attending the Finance Committee meeting were Councilpersons Keith Moore, Joe Sanker, Victor Schneider, Donna Laake, Steve Thornbury, and John Mumper, as well as Mayor Williams.

Xavier Police agreements with Cincinnati and Norwood Police

Xavier Police, a state-certified police agency under Ohio Law, now has the authority to patrol off-campus streets where students frequently travel as a result of new concurrent jurisdiction agreements with Cincinnati and Norwood Police Departments. The agreements went into effect March 1.

A concurrent police jurisdiction is a written memorandum of understanding which provides Xavier Police with police powers and authority within the cities of Cincinnati and Norwood as defined under state laws and city ordinances.

The collaboration among the three departments will enhance safety both on and off campus.

Xavier Police completed a training and implementation program focused on the new policies of the agreements. The training also included supervisors from the Cincinnati and Norwood Police Departments.

Schedule of City Council and Finance Committee meetings

Jane Grote, President of Norwood City Council, has called 2 Special Council Meetings to discuss the 2011 Permanent Budget. The meetings will be held on the following dates and times:

Friday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Tuesday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers

Finance Committee Meetings
Subject for all: 2011 Permanent Budget

Thursday, March 24
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers

Saturday, March 26

Time: 9:00 a.m.
Place: Council Chambers

Date: Monday, March 28
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers

Unions: No new concessions but will continue talks

Mayor Williams and Safety Service Director Joe Geers reported during last night’s City Council meeting that the 4 bargaining units have declined to concede to the Finance Committee’s recent request for more concessions (see blog immediately below), although all of the units are willing to continue talks in the coming days and weeks. Mr. Geers said members of the public works and clerical unions want to know precisely how the proposed 36-hour week will impact sick days, pensions, vacation days, longevity pay, etc. before they will agree to anything. It appears the only concessions on the table are those the police and fire unions presented to City Council last Wednesday, and they will be formalized in writing for council to consider prior to passing a budget by the end of the month.

Regarding the budget, Ward 1 Councilperson Keith Moore expressed reservations about some of the numbers in Exhibit A, the proposed budget presented to council by the Finance Committee. He said he would not vote for it in its current form. Mr. Schneider took that to mean that Mr. Moore would vote only for his own budget and not Exhibit A. There appears to be a growing consensus, though, that whatever version of the 2011 budget council ultimately passes will be approximate only, or “fluid” as Mr. Mumper stated, because expenditures will inevitably change throughout the budget year, which will cause the need to reallocate revenue.

More Finance Committee and Council meetings are scheduled between now and March 29. We will post the schedules when they are available.

Finance Committee requests more union concessions

During last night’s Finance Committee meeting, Chairperson Victor Schneider announced that he delivered a letter to Mayor Williams formally asking him to immediately negotiate for more concessions from the 4 bargaining unions because the fire and police concessions (see blog immediately below) are insufficient to fill the budget deficit. The Finance Committee is primarily asking for a 36-hour work week from the public works and clerical unions and asking the fire and police unions to forego this year’s 2 - 2 ½ % pay increase. Mayor Williams is to report the results of the negotiations at tonight’s council meeting. Also, judging from last night's discussion, it appears closing Norwood Dispatch and contracting with Hamilton County are off the table for the moment.

Fire, police, public works concessions worth $4.7 million+

Following is a breakdown of the fire, police, and public works concessions announced at last Wednesday’s Special Council Meeting:

FIRE DEPARTMENT

1.) 4 Employees Not Replaced
2011 savings: $564,000
2012 savings: $528,000
2013 savings: $528,000
3-Year Savings: $1,620,000

2. Curbing Overtime
Capt/Fire/Inspector
2011: $150,000
2011: $150,000
2012: $150,000
3-Year Savings: $450,000

3. Cost Not To Hire
2011: $32,000
2012: -0-
2013: -0-
3-Year Savings: $32,000

4. Total Savings for all years
2011: $746,000
2012: $678,000
2013: $678,000
3-Year Total Savings: $2,102,000

POLICE DEPARTMENT

1. 4 Employee Not To Be Hired
2010 (2 down): $216,062
2011: $507,745
2012: $518,544
2013: $518,544
4-Year Savings: $1,760,895

2. Training
2011: $40,000
2012: -0-
2013: -0-
3-Year Savings: $40,000

3. Total Savings for all years
2010: $216,062
2011: $547,745
2012: $518,544
2013: $518,544
4-year Total Savings: $1,800,895

PUBLIC WORKS

1. Leadman Garage
2009: $55,000
2010: $56,000
2011: $58,000
2012: $58,000
2013: $58,000
5-Year Savings: $285,000

2. Truck Driver
2009: 49,000
2010: $50,000
2011: $51,400
2012: $51,400
2013: $51,400
5-Year Savings: $253,200

3. Truck Driver
2011: $51,400
2012: $51,400
2013: $51,400
3-Year Savings: $154,200

4. Truck Driver
2011: $51,400
2012: $212,200
2013: $212,200
3-Year Savings: $154,200

5. Total Savings for all Years
2009: $104,000
2010: $106,000
2011: $212,200
2012: $212,200
2013: $212,200
5-Year Total Savings: $846,600

GRAND TOTALS
2009: $104,000
2010: $322,062
2011: $1,505,945
2012: $1,408,744
2013: $1,408,744
5-YEAR TOTAL SAVINGS: $4,749,495

Addendum: Included in the police and fire unions' proposals is a request to extend the current contracts scheduled to expire 12/31/11 for 2 years beginning 4/1/11 with no pay increases in years 2012 and 2013.

Finance Committee meeting tonight

The Finance Committee is meeting at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers to discuss the 2011 budget.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Monday, March 21
Monday Evening Book Club
Alex and Me by Irene M. Pepperberg
6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23
Movers and Shakers Storytime
10:00 a.m., Ages 1-4 with adult

Preschool Storytime
10:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

Thursday, March 24
An After School Feast
Learn how to make 3 healthy after-school treats.
4:00-5:00 p.m., Ages 8-12
Advance Registration Required

Impact of laying off Health Department inspector

March 17, 2011

Dear Members of the Finance Committee and Council,

I am developing the 2010 Norwood Health Department Annual Community Report and I wanted to provide you with some statistics for your Nuisance/Health Inspector position from 2010 as I have these figures readily available. I am hopeful that this will be helpful to you in understanding what the impact of losing this position would mean to the Norwood community.

Nuisance Complaint Report Year 2010

100 General Nuisance..................................11

101 High grass or noxious weeds................716
102 Junk, debris, litter...............................227
103 garbage set out......................................90
104 Garbage removal from curb.................166
105 Garbage cans with lids...........................34
106 Store garbage from view of public..........24
107 Animal waste removal...........................18
108 Install/repair screening on
all exterior doors/windows..............................2
109 Reduce occupancy...................................5
110 BOCA Code housing violation..................11
111 Hot and cold running water......................0
112 Utilities (water, gas, electric).................171
113 Extermination program - begin.................0
114 Extermination, get professional operator...0
115 Rat proofing.............................................0
116 Rodents, rats..........................................28
117 Inoperable, unlicensed vehicle.................30
118 Enclosure for dumpster.............................0
119 Clean around dumpster.............................8
120 Concrete slab for dumpster.......................0
121 Animals, vicious and dangerous.................2
122 Animals, prohibited..................................20
123 Refrigerator..............................................7
124 Inside furniture outside.............................27
125 Trees.......................................................30
126 Eviction......................................................5
127 Smoking....................................................0
128 Group Home...............................................0
129 Living Conditions.......................................25
130 Heat..........................................................9
131 Animal Concerns........................................4
132 Bugs.........................................................91
133 Dead Bird....................................................0
134 Standing Water............................................1
135 Vehicle parked on unpaved surface.............17
136 Firewood on ground.....................................11
137 Tires...........................................................13
138 Brush/Limbs...............................................40
139 KOPS program.............................................48
140 Overgrown....................................................6

TOTAL GENERAL NUISANCE..........................1,897

Additionally, the Nuisance/Health Inspector collected 726 water samples to verify the safety of Norwood's Public Water supply. Please note that 152 of the 171 “Utilities” complaints were received directly from the water department as these units had their water turned off due to lack of payment of their water bill. Our Nuisance/Health Inspector will verify that the water has indeed been shut off and then the NHD will declare the property unfit for occupancy which generally helps in getting past-due water bills paid.

Please let me know if you have any questions about these figures.

Healthy Regards,
Pam

Pamela Walker-Bauer, MPH, RS
Health Commissioner
Norwood Health Department
458.4600

NFD & NPD offer $1 million in concessions

We are going to stay away from the details of last night’s Special Council Meeting to discuss contract notations except to say that Mayor Williams and representatives from the police and fire bargaining units presented council with concessions worth $1 million combined. Most if not all of the $1 million would result from not replacing personnel who resign/retire, i.e. maintaining less than the full complement per their contracts. The offer was not received with much enthusiasm by most council members because it does not cover the gaping hole still left in the budget and because it was presented only 14 days before council’s budget deadline. We gathered it will be discussed at this Saturday’s Finance Committee meeting posted directly below. What were your impressions of the meeting?

Finance Committee meeting Saturday

The Finance Committee is meeting this Saturday, March 19 at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers to discuss the 2011 budget.

Norwood Dispatch on the chopping block?

With only 16 days left for City Council to pass the 2011 budget, Finance Committee Chairperson Victor Schneider said during last night’s committee meeting that he had not heard back from either Mayor Williams or the unions regarding concessions such as going to a 36-hour work week and staffing the police and fire departments at less than a full complement. Nor had he heard back from Mayor Williams about the possibility of contracting with Hamilton County for our local 3rd shift dispatch. Without any new numbers to work with, Mr. Schneider stated the committee could no longer assume the $1.9 million dollar hole left in the budget had been plugged.

Mr. Schneider went on to say he had called an official with the Hamilton County Dispatch to discuss contracting our entire dispatch department, which currently costs in excess of $600,000 per year. The estimate he was given was approximately $266,000, which was based on Hamilton County charging $17.05 per dispatch event regardless of how many subsequent dispatches are made for the same event. Hamilton County would not charge for their first year of service. The City would be able to use that savings for any equipment that might be needed to make the transition. Mr. Schneider said the savings would be in the vicinity of $400,000 for the year. He stressed that proposed cuts are still in the talking stages until tonight's special council meeting when contract negotiations will be discussed.

Annual cost by school district for $100,000 home

The following list compares the portions of property taxes 23 Hamilton County school districts receive on a $100,000 home for Tax Year 2010. The data is taken from a report on the Hamilton County Auditor’s website to which we are unable to link. Interestingly, Norwood ranks #18.

CINCINNATI* …………………$1,324.11
DEER PARK ……………………$1,108.03
FINNEYTOWN…………………$1,610.92
FOREST HILLS…………………..$973.47
INDIAN HILL……………………..$731.23
LOCKLAND…………………….$1,052.39
LOVELAND……………………..$1,202.79
MADEIRA……………………….$1 330 52
MARIEMONT……………………$1,512.18
MILFORD………………………..$1,199.73
MT. HEALTHY………………….$1,273.44
N COLLEGE HILL………………$1,005.37
NORTHWEST**…………………..$859.18
NORWOOD……………………$906.63
OAK HILLS…………………………$836.00
PRINCETON………………………..$765.99
READING…………………………$1,054.16
ST. BERNARD…………………….$1,318.34
SOUTHWEST……………………….$700.78
SYCAMORE…………………………$948.96
THREE RIVERS……………………..$979.08
WINTON WOODS…………………$1,401.01
WYOMING…………………………$1,154.30

GREAT OAKS JVSD…………………..$61.71
BUTLER TECH JVSD…………………$58.68

*All schools except Cincinnati CSD & Northwest LSD participate in the Great Oaks JVSD.
** Northwest LSD participates in the Butler Tech. JVSD.

Two City Council meetings this week

Finance Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Agenda: 2011 Budget

City Council Special Meeting
Council Chambers
Wednesday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Agenda: Contract Negotiations

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Wednesday, March 16
Movers and Shakers Storytime
10 a.m. , Ages 1-4 with adult

Preschool Storytime
10:30 a,m., Ages 3-6

Friday, March 18
Friday Morning Book Club
Alex and Me by Irene M. Pepperberg
10:30 a.m.

Must read article about NCS teacher/chess coach Marshall Dykes

Don’t miss this inspiring and heartwarming Enquirer article about Sharpsburg science teacher and chess coach Marshall Dykes and his incredible Norwood Knights chess team. Remember your exception teachers? They were worth gold, weren't they? One of the saddest times in elementary school was passing the 3rd grade and leaving Mrs. Blackburn's class. Many thanks to Laura Hobbs for passing it along for our readers.

Finance Committee meeting tonight

The Finance Committee is meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers to discuss the 2011 budget.


3:05 PM UPDATE: Per the Clerk of Council's office, this meeting has just been canceled.

Norwood residents recycled 947.01 tons in 2010!

Health Commissioner Pamela Walker-Bauer emailed us the following press release issues by the Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District:

Congratulations Norwood residents! In 2010, you recycled 947.01 tons of metal, glass, plastic, and paper. Norwood recycled 153 more tons in 2010 than in 2009! Residents saved resources, conserved energy, and reduced pollution by recycling.

The recycling efforts in Norwood:

· Conserved enough energy to power every home in Norwood for more than a week.
· Reduced more greenhouse gas pollution than if every household in Norwood did not drive a car for more than three weeks.
· Saved 6,846 trees from being harvested.

Recycling reduces pollution so the air we breathe is cleaner, conserves natural resources so we will have them to use in the future, and decreases the energy needed to make new products. Recycling also boosts our local economy by creating 169,000 jobs and $6 billion in annual wages just in the State of Ohio.

On average, each household in Norwood recycled 204.32 pounds in 2010. That’s 8.85% of all the waste you generate. If you would like to see even more material recycled in 2011, check out the list below to make sure you include all these materials in your recycling bin. Don’t have a bin? Norwood makes it easy! Call 458-4615 to request your bin today!

Good Work, Norwood, your recycling efforts made a big difference!

Recyclable Materials
Plastic bottles and jugs (remove lids)
Glass bottles and jars (remove lids)
Empty aerosol cans (remove lids and tips)
Aluminum and steel cans
Paperboard (cereal boxes, etc.)
Junk mail and envelopes
Magazines, catalogs, and phone books
Newspapers
Cardboard
Office Paper
Brown grocery bags
Clean pizza boxes

Have a question about recycling? Call Hamilton County’s Recycling Hotline at 946-7766 or visit www.hamiltoncountyrecycles.org.

Invitation to WNNA meeting next Wednesday

Last month, the West Norwood Neighborhood Association reconvened in response to residents’ concerns that predatory businesses could occupy vacant commercial properties on Montgomery Rd. Their newly elected officers sent this letter to City Council and other elected officials asking for a legal mechanism to prevent these types of businesses. It appears the most likely mechanism in the short term is for the City to use is a moratorium. In fact, a moratorium of 6-months duration was placed on last night’s City Council meeting agenda for consideration but was withdrawn early in the meeting for reasons that are not clear.

WNNA invites all residents who are concerned about the issue to attend their meeting next Wednesday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Holy Trinity Undercroft on Montgomery Rd. Please use the parking lot side entrance.

February report for Keep Our Property Safe Program

In February, 2011 the KOPS (Police, Building & Property Maintenance, Fire and Health Departments) visited the following eight problem properties that were selected by the Norwood Police Department as habitual offenders:

1902 Courtland Avenue
1923 Waverly Avenue
5621 Rolston Avenue
2411 Harper Avenue
2413 Harper Avenue
4927 Wesley Avenue
2021 Worth Avenue
1800 Lincoln Avenue

These inspections resulted in all properties being issued orders and two of the properties being issued vacate orders and one felony arrest.

Respectfully Submitted,

Gerry Stoker, Building Commissioner
City of Norwood

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, March 8
The Web's Funniest Videos
Celebrate Teen Tech Week by viewing the best of the Internet. Ages 12-18 4:00
4:00 p.m., Ages 12-18

Wednesday, March 9
Movers and Shakers Storytime
10:00 a.m., Ages 1-4 with adult

Preschool Storytime
10:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

Poll: Do you support passage of the 8.61 school levy?

On February 23, we published a guest blog by Superintendent Rob Amodio (see below) in which he explained the 10-year 8.61 mill NCS levy that will be on the May ballot. It will generate $3.390,000 each year and will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $5 per week.

Please answer our unscientific poll based everything you currently know and believe about the levy.

Do you support passage of the 10-year 8.61 mill school levy?
	Yes
	No
	Not sure yet
pollcode.com free polls

Free: Xavier accounting students help with tax returns

Area residents and students may be eligible for Earned Income Credit

Xavier University accounting students will help prepare tax returns for low income, elderly and student taxpayers on Monday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. February 21 through April 11.

The students are offering free basic Federal and State income tax assistance to the Xavier, Norwood, Evanston, and Avondale communities through the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).

Getting help is easy. First, call 745-2828, to schedule an appointment or e-mail vita@xavier.edu. Appointments are scheduled at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm and only taxpayers with appointments can be assisted - first come first served at those times. Taxpayers should bring the following items to the appointment:

• a photo ID
• your W2s, 1099s (your last pay stub is not enough)
• Social Security Cards (you, your spouse, and your dependents)
• any tax-related documents
• a copy of last year’s tax return (if possible)

The service will be available in the Schiff Family Conference Center in Xavier's Cintas Center. Parking is available at the Cintas Center.

Assistance is available from 5:30-8:00 p.m. on the following Mondays:

• February 21
• February 28
• March 14
• March 28
• April 4
• April 11

Please note: assistance will not be available March 7 and March 21 because of conflicts.

Norwood Community Coalition needs our help!

Guest blog by Deb Robison

It is hard to believe, but it is time for us to begin the process of writing the application to be considered for the 100 Best Communities for Young People in America award for 2011. It was a great honor for us to receive the award last year, but as you can imagine, the bar is even higher. The Norwood Community Coalition is beginning to work on the application. We need your help! The application consists of several sections that we must demonstrate where as a community we have addressed the following five promises:

Caring Adults All children need support and guidance from caring adults in their families, at schools and in their communities. These include ongoing, secure relationships with parents as well as formal and informal relationships with teachers, mentors, coaches, youth volunteers and neighbors.

Safe Places All children need to be physically and emotionally safe wherever they are — from the actual places of families, schools, neighborhoods and communities to the virtual places of media. They also need a healthy balance between structured, supervised activities and unstructured time.

Healthy Start All children need and deserve healthy bodies, healthy minds and healthful habits. These result from regular health check-ups and needed treatment, good nutrition and exercise, healthy skills and knowledge, and good role models of physical and psychological health.

Effective Education All children need the intellectual development, motivation and skills that equip them for successful work and lifelong learning. These result from having quality learning environments, challenging expectations and consistent guidance and mentoring.

Opportunity for youth to help others All children need the chance to make a difference in their families, at schools and in their communities. Knowing how to make a difference comes from having models of caring behavior, awareness of the needs of others, a sense of personal responsibility to contribute to the larger society, and opportunities for volunteering, leadership and service.

Additionally, there are sections regarding how the community prioritizes youth in policy making and decision making.

If you are aware of any program, initiative or event that might support any of these areas please feel free to send an email with any pertinent information to Deb Robison at Robison.d@norwoodschools.org or call 924-2768. We are hoping to make this year's application even better than last year's. For more information, please visit the America's Promise Website.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Deb Robison
Family and Children First Coordinator
Norwood Schools
2060 Sherman Ave. Norwood, Ohio 45212
513-924-2768

Suspicious fire on Harris Ave. under investigation

Following is a press release from Lt. Tom Williams with the Norwood Police Dept.:

Norwood Police in conjunction with the Norwood Fire Department are investigating a suspicious fire that occurred at 2715 Harris Ave today. Fire Units were called to that location for a fire in the first floor apartment around 11 am. The fire was apparently caused by a picture that was placed on the stove then set a flame causing minor damage. Witnesses state Joseph Ryan 42 ran out of the apartment yelling for residents to get out because the building was going to blow up. No one was injured as a result of the fire.

Moments after fire units arrived on Harris Ave, Joseph Ryan then apparently fell or jumped off the Beech Ave overpass on to E/B SR 562 below. This was less than a block from the site of the fire. Mr. Ryan sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries as a result.

The incident is still under investigation.

Lost dog found on Elsmere yesterday, returned to fire victim

According to the Enquirer, volunteers helping in the search for fire victim Shannon DeBra’s lost dog Xena found her yesterday around noon on Elsmere Ave. Xena escaped the house fire Monday night on Madison Ave. and ran off during the rescue effort. She is currently at Pet Spot at 2503 Norwood Ave., which has offered to cover boarding costs until a permanent home can be found for her.

Norwood student administers Alternative Breaks for Xavier

Xavier University’s Alternative Breaks Club (XUAB) marks its 10th anniversary this year. Over that time it has expanded from 3 service trips in the United States to 24 trips across the U.S. and abroad. Most trips occur during spring break, which for Xavier is March 7-11, but those overseas occur over summer break. The club is managed by a board of 13 students and a faculty advisor. More than 260 students and 25 faculty and staff participate, giving up fun in the sun for a more meaningful experience. XUAB is a member of BreakAway, a non-profit that promotes the Active Citizenship social movement nationally.

Kira Hinkle of Norwood is a senior Montessori education major at Xavier. She is chair of the Alternative Breaks Board. Her first experience with AB was in the spring of 2009 when she was a site leader for a West Virginia trip. Her love affair with Alternative Breaks continued last year she served on AB Board as a Site Coordinator and participated on the South Dakota trip. When not involved with AB, she enjoys her research as a Brueggeman Fellow, focusing on peace education for elementary-aged children.

"Alternative Breaks provides a unique opportunity for Xavier students to explore social justice issues beyond the walls of a classroom while developing real-world experiences in solidarity and leadership development” says Hinkle. “Our programs provide once in a lifetime opportunities and often change lives. An Alternative Breaks participant takes his or her experiences serving members of world communities and carries them everywhere they go. We hope to foster life-long values of being active in one's community, being open-minded, and identifying with others."

"Xavier’s Dorothy Day Center for Faith and Justice is proud to support the Alternative Breaks Club” says Chris Bridges, assistant director for service and justice at Xavier. AB provides a wonderful opportunity for over 250 student leaders and participants to turn their spring break into a service break and become more active citizens on campus and in their communities."

Norwood resident grieving loss of 11 dogs in fire

In addition to 11 of her dogs dying in a fire Monday night that destroyed dog rescuer Shannon Debra’s Madison Ave. home, 2 cats and a 7-year-old female Boxer-Labrador Retriever mix escaped the fire and are missing. Two of the three dogs rescued from the house were seriously injured, including 1 that will likely need skin grafts. The Enquirer has a photo slide show of Shannon having her injured dogs treated at MedVet animal ER on Red Bank Road.

Shannon, an attorney, founded both Recycled Doggies, a foster rescue organization, and Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry, which distributes donated pet food to pet owners in need. The group still plans to hold a donation drive for pet food from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Red Dog Pet Resort and Spa, 5081 Madison Road in Oakley.

Donations are being accepted to the Shannon DeBra and Recycled Doggies Benefit Fund at any Fifth Third Bank location and funds are being collected on a website called Chip In, which had amassed $4,585 in donations by 8:30 p.m.

Click here to learn more about Recycled Doggies.

Symposium for parents of children with special needs at X.U.

Raising children with special needs is a tough job. But it can also be very rewarding. That is the message of a symposium co-sponsored by the Center for Infants and Children with Special Needs at Cincinnati Children’s and Xavier University’s College of Social Sciences, Health & Education on Friday, April 8 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the Cintas Center. Tri-state parents raising children with special needs will find information, resources and networking opportunities in an effort to build family resiliency and learn to not only survive but to thrive. Plenty of free parking is available. Registration is $25, including lunch, and can be completed by clicking here.


The keynote address will be given by Dr. Michael Sorter, Director of Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Workshop presenters include:

Planning for Your Childs Financial Future - Northwest Mutual Insurance and Scott Silver of Paragon Financial
Dr. Kathy Winterman of Xavier’s special education department
Dr. Sarah Melcher, chair of Xavier’s Theology Department on Biblical Perspectives on Disability
Gary Tonks, Director of The Arc of Ohio on waivers
Tim Vogt director of Starfire Council and What’s Next - A support and networking group empowering individuals and families with disabilities
Joe Link and Dr. Sharon Merrill of Xavier’s education department about the XUC Initiative for college-bound children with special needs
Ava Fried about Cincinnati Children’s Special Needs Resource Directory
John Romer, Director of Hamilton County DD Services about Adult Advocacy Group
Sandy Keiser, LISW of Cincinnati Catholic Charities- When the Child of Your Dreams has a Disability
Joan Hoxsey, CEO Relationship Resources, LLC - Appreciative Parenting- from Surviving to Thriving, Appreciative Inquiry and Resilience.
Debi Smith- Director of Youth Services for Easter Seals
Sue Bitsko of Hamilton County Educational Service Center on Issues in Special Education

A resource fair will feature 30-40 service agencies, community agencies, companies and professionals specializing in medical support, recreation, community programs and services, home health, financial planning and more. The event is completely handicapped-accessible. Click here to register or to get more details, or contact Tom Knestrict at 745-3703 or by email at knestrictt@xavier.edu .

Madison Ave. fire fatal for 10 dogs

According to the Enquirer, as many as 10 dogs died last night in a fire at 2319 Madison Ave. Four other dogs were saved by Norwood firefighters. No one was at home with the fire started. Shannon DeBra is the owner of record. She is the president of Recycled Doggies, which launched the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry last year to distribute free pet food to owners in need, and was running a canine rescue out of her home. Capt. Cartuyvelles with the NFD said the fire is under investigation.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Wednesday, March 2

Movers & Shakers
Sing, dance, move!
10:00 - 10:30 a.m., Ages 1-4 with adult

Preschool Storytime
Stories, songs, and a craft.
10:30 - 11:00 a.m., Ages 3-6 with adult