Category Archives: news

Call to Artists

Posted on June 2, 2009 by | Leave a comment

The Xenia Mural Society, a component of Greene Giving, is issuing a Call to Artists for original and creative designs for a mural with the general theme of “Trails” to be placed on a building in Xenia. For this mural, “Trails” can be interpreted loosely to include anything historical or currently relative to the Xenia area from buffalo trails to Native American trails, Pioneer trails, early roadways, railroads, hiking, or bicycling or any combination of these.

The Xenia Mural Society will be facilitating the creation of a number of pieces of public mural art in Xenia. The Society is made up of interested citizens who have volunteered their time and expertise to provide direction and focus for the mural project; to help building owners locate funding for the mural art from the private and public sectors; and to promote expansion and preservation of other Xenia murals in the future.

The honorarium for the winning artist’s design for the “Trails” mural will be $500 and the design will become the property of the Xenia Mural Society. The final mural will be completed by a muralist working in conjunction with the winning artist and the Society. If the selected artist has the ability and desire to complete the actual mural he or she will be encouraged to submit a proposal for the entire project. Given current economic conditions, the Society is working to have a “brush ready” project prepared in order to facilitate creation of a mural or murals as soon as funding permits.

The deadline for submission of up to three detailed sketches per artist is July 1, 2009. Several possible sites may be viewed online at www.XeniaMurals.org. There are currently two buildings whose owners have agreed to discuss hosting a mural: Building 1, Montgomery Insurance and Investments is located at 114 S. Detroit St. and has a side wall space of approximately 75X25′ and building 2, Express Yourself Coffeehouse and Art Gallery is located at 78 E. Main St., and has a side wall space of approximately 75X14′. All or part of the wall surfaces may be incorporated into the rendering. An Application Form should be submitted with each set of sketches. A printable form is available at www.XeniaMurals.org.

Finalists will be selected by the Selection Committee of the Xenia Mural Society and will be asked to submit a full color rendering on canvas or other suitable material, no smaller than 24″ in width, which must be received by August 15, 2009. Final competing designs will be displayed for public comment at Xenia’s Rail & Arts Fest on August 22. The winning submission will be announced at Xenia’s Old Fashioned Days, September 19, 2009.

For more information visit www.XeniaMurals.org or email info@xeniamurals.org or phone the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce (937) 372-3591.

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Beautify Your Property Win An Award

Posted on May 30, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Now there are two win-win programs for beautifying your home. In a previous post, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) said they will award the best implementer of their Air Quality Advisory action program. And, now, Xenia will pass out awards to property owners who enhance and beautify their properties the best.

A worthy comparison might be the Christmas Decoration Awards program in which residents are given public kudos for Christmas displays receiving the most votes.

During the month of June, July and August, you could win a pack of environmentally-friendly lawn beautification equipment and your picture in the Xenia hall of fame, or at least in the Xenia Daily Gazette.

You’ll have to ask the Recreation Department officials whether any capital improvement prizes will be included in the awards. That is, I mean money, fertilizer, trash bags, or other substantial award.

Seriously, the Board for Recreation, Arts & Cultural Activities (BRACA) established the Beautification Awards to encourage Xenia residents and other owners to develop and maintain their properties in an attractive manner, thereby improving their own neighborhood and ultimately the community as a whole. The Awards are a way to publicly recognize those individuals whose efforts qualify as personal property enhancement within the City.

What is required to qualify for a Beautification Award? Here are the things the Board will be looking for:

Structural Condition: Is the exterior of the site and any other buildings on the property in good repair?

Horticultural Aesthetics: Are there any flowers, shrubs, trees, garden, or other vegetation?

General Appearance: Neatness of the front and sides of the property. Are they litter-free? Are the surrounding areas such as an adjacent alley, abutting street curb and gutter also neat?

Lawn Condition: Is it mowed? Are weeds under control? Is it patchy with bare spots? Does it look like a golf course?

Edgings: Are the edges along driveways, sidewalks, and patios clean and trimmed? Are there weeds, grass, etc. in the sidewalk cracks and curbs? [This should be a sub-heading to the previous category]

Bonus: Extra points may be earned for work or displays that might be considered extra special, patriotic, or timely. Some examples are fountains, pools, gazebos, flagpoles, ponds, etc.

Unlike MVRPC’s Air Quality Awareness Awards program, the Beautification Awards program last five months not three. Awards will be given during the months of June, July, August, September, and October. You may nominate your own home, if you wish. Nominations may be turned in or mailed to the Recreation Department located at City Hall, 101 N. Detroit Street, Xenia, OH 45385. Nominations should be received by the 25th of the month preceding the award month.

To obtain a copy of the nomination form, go here or pick up a copy from the Receptionist at City Hall. If you have questions get answers by calling the Parks & Recreation Department at 376-7275.

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State Representative Jarrod B. Martin On Foreclosure Moratorium

Posted on May 21, 2009 by | Leave a comment

State Representative Jarrod B. Martin (R- Beavercreek), today responded to the passage of House Bill 3 from the Ohio House of Representatives.

House Bill 3 passed along a vote of 54-43. The measure establishes a six-month foreclosure moratorium in Ohio and requires lenders to pay a $750 filing fee to the Department of Commerce, on top of existing court filing fees.

“Today was a frightening day for the citizens of the State of Ohio. The House Democrats took action through the passage of House Bill 3 to insert big brother government into private contracts and the intimate relationship of attorney-client privilege”, Martin said.

Republican concerns include the constitutionality of several provisions, including the establishment of an additional filing fee, which creates a barrier to the courts. The moratorium also remains a concern as Republicans have argued it sets a dangerous precedent for the expansion of such practices in the future, and will create a backlog in the courts once the mandate is lifted.

Martin said, “I’m not a lawyer and I’m not a judge, but I’m pretty sure that Article II Section 28 of the Ohio Constitution says ‘the General Assembly shall have no power to pass retroactive laws, or laws impairing the obligations of contracts…'”

On several occasions during the more than three hour debate the House Republicans offered alternative legislation that would address the intention of helping those facing foreclosure, however, with the exception of one amendment requiring contact information for the Department of Job and Family Services be provided on foreclosure notices to borrowers, their offers to work in a bi-partisan manner along with the remainder of their amendments were tabled by House Democrats.

Martin stated, “I found it very offensive when my Democrat colleagues stated that they would prefer to work any further changes to the bill through the Senate rather than working with House Republicans in a bi-partisan manner.”

Most House Republicans believe the market response to the legislation will lead to increased cost and risk to borrowers and lenders; causing higher fees, higher down payments, and a rise in interest rates.

“I believe this bill will inevitably pass the burden onto other Ohioans and will result in further market declines”, Martin said.

The bill will now head to the Senate. It is likely that the Senate will not immediately address the bill with any further deliberation as they continue to work through Ohio’s budget shortfalls.

Representative Jarrod Martin serves the 70 House District in western Greene County including the cities of Fairborn, Beavercreek, and Xenia.

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Posted in Beavercreek, economy, Fairborn, House of Representatives, news, politics, Xenia

Change you can actually believe in…

Posted on May 19, 2009 by | Leave a comment

I overheard a preacher talking about how the Roman Emperor Caligula used the slogan “change you can believe in.” He used it during his campaign to convince people of the Empire and their elite patrons in Rome to elect him as the new Caesar. The grand sales pitch was a promise to return imperial rule to the glory days of Caesar Augustus, and it worked.*

As we witnessed not many month ago, it also worked for the smooth talking junior senator from Illinois. And, many fundamentalists still believe Obama will yet make good on his sale pitch.

Did I say fundamentalists? Sorry, I meant to say secular fundamentalists.

Anyway, for those left behind in the dust of reality the “change you can believe in” is a slogan whose reality is fading away like a lot of other hot air.

In Xenia, however, genuine positive change is actually occurring. The following are some examples:

In February of this year, Roger’s Jewelry which operated for over twenty years at 76 Xenia Towne Square closed shop due to the economy. The former manager of Roger’s Jewelry has re-opened another jewelry store called Beyer Jewelers.

Downtown Cafe has re-opened at 104 North Detroit Street in the former space occupied by “What’s Brewing Café.”

Walgreen Pharmacy is open for business. It will initially employ 15-20 employees.

W & W Dry Cleaners is now operating at 75 West Main Street.

B.S. Systems Inc. is now operating at 141 Little Vine Street. This is a start up business that assembles and package machinery parts. (I’m not sure what the B.S. represents.)

Not only are new businesses opening or reopening, but other businesses are expanding their facilities to increase the enjoyment of patrons. For example,

Dairy Kings Delite located at 698 Cincinnati Avenue has expanded their outdoor patio sitting for their customers. Old-fashion ice cream cones and sundaes … yummm … my sweet tooth has fits just thinking about it.

Kennedy’s Korners, Inc. on West Second Street has added an outside patio sitting area for the customers of Cheng’s Restaurant and Carry-out.

In case you were capable of missing the sign at the corner of Main and Orange, the news is that Tim Horton Restaurant has added another feature to their restaurant and it now includes Coldstone Creamery. Coldstone Creamery services unique ice cream creations, smoothies, cakes and shakes. The unique feature of the ice cream is its final preparation on a frozen granite stone.

All of this real change may not convince the emperor to put his clothes back on, but it will sure counter his obscene economic tactics a little.

* I suspect what Caligula really meant by “change they all could believe in” was that everyone   would eventually believe in his deity. They would not only believe, but they would be unified   by worshiping him. I wonder how Obama is doing? He was being hailed as the messiah.

Sources: Grace Baptist Radio Broadcast, May 17, 2009 and
                  Development Corner Newsletter, April 2009

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An official led prison break in Ohio

Posted on May 14, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Just as they favor giving convicted criminals stereos, digital cable TV, and free clothes and meals, liberals now support unmerited freedom of the duly incarcerated.

According to the Lancaster Eagle Gazette, leading the charge to release Ohio’s prisoners is Gov. Strickland. Throwing prisons out of their cells and into Ohio communities was supposed to take place
May 4. I guess Gov. Strickland chose Sunday to give his conservative and religious critics something to pray about.

That is how I read the Eagle Gazette’s special report.

With a near-record 50,919 inmates behind bars this month, as of May 4 Gov. Ted Strickland said he has no choice but to start releasing people because the state just can’t afford otherwise. His proposal is more than scare-tactic rhetoric. Ohio State lawmakers are considering sweeping prison reform in which prisoners will be sent to live in halfway houses in communities.”

A halfway house has no barred doors and windows. Consequently, the bad guys could leave and do more crime in our communities.

Why, then, our lawmakers bent on endangering Ohio communities. There are two reasons: (1) Prisons are overcrowded, and (2) the state says it can’t afford to our communities or provide for the welfare of so many criminals.

As an example, the Eagle Gazette claims that their own prison, the Lancaster’s Southeastern Correctional Institution, “houses 1,628 inmates when it is meant for 1,385.”

“Strickland predicts his proposed changes could reduce the prison population by 6,736 indefinitely and save state taxpayers nearly $28 million a year.”

The Eagle Gazette, however, refutes his claim. The report states that cost are about the same. But even if it did save the state $28 million, it would only reduce total costs by about 1.5 percent of it total prison budget.

What the Eagle Gazette didn’t mention was the underlying problem of state lawmakers criminalizing non-crimes. Not all crimes were crimes in the past and some laws that regulated moral corruption and crime have been repealed. There are crimes in which community rehabilitation would have been more effective and may have not only reduced future crime but also reduced the total costs.

The attitude of some goes something like this: It’s better to keep deadbeats and criminals off the street. Helping them find their place among the prison population makes the economy look better. High employment and growing GDP statistics attracts investors. Besides, it’s probably cheaper to imprison deadbeats than keep them on the more respectable welfare programs.

Source: Lancaster Eagle Gazette, May 9, 2009.

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Posted in economy, Governor, news, Ohio, politics

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Greene County Court Moves Mitchel Lawsuit to Allen County Judge

Posted on May 12, 2009 by | Leave a comment

According to Aileen Crawford, Greene County Common Pleas Court Assignment Commissioner, Judge J. Timothy Campbell moved Plaintiff John Mitchel’s public records lawsuit against County Prosecutor Steven Haller and four County Commissioners to former Third District Court of Appeals judge, Sumner E. Walters of Lima. In March Mitchel filed suit against Mr. Haller, current Greene County Commissioners Richard Perales and Marilyn Reid and former Commissioners Ralph Harper and Reed Madden to compel them to produce public records related to the $1.9 million BRAC Initiative Agreement awarded without competition to the Dayton Development Coalition in September, 2003. Ms. Crawford stated that jurisdiction moved to Judge Walters because of a possible conflict of interest between Judge Campbell and Greene County Prosecutor, Steven Haller.

In response to the announcement, Mitchel responded, “I’m pleased that Judge Campbell recused himself from the case and transferred jurisdiction to Judge Walters. Although it will delay final resolution of a citizen’s serious allegations that elected officials are withholding public records in violation of Ohio statutes, it’s an important step forward to shine a bright light on Greene County government. These records are just as important to the defendants as they are to the citizens. Our elected officials are entitled to their day in court, and of course Greene County taxpayers have a right to know where their tax dollars are being spent.”

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Posted in Greene County, news, politics

American Policy Roundtable Announces 40 Days of Prayer for Congress

Posted on May 7, 2009 by | Leave a comment

The American Policy Roundtable today called upon all Americans to lift the United States Congress in prayer for the next 40 days. The call went out via the national radio broadcast, The Public Square®, produced by the Roundtable and aired on over 140 radio stations and translators coast-to-coast.

“Criticism of Congress is high in every city and town, but the responsibilities before this Congress are even higher” stated David Zanotti, President/CEO of the Roundtable. “In the healthcare debate alone, Congress is now facing decisions that will impact every American. These are decisions that have life and death consequences for every household.”

The Roundtable has produced a daily Congressional prayer list to help people pray through the entire U.S. Congress, both House and Senate, in the forty days between May 7th and June 15th, 2009. The list is found on the Roundtable’s homepage at www.APRoundtable.org. Over one-million visitors log onto this site per year.

Individuals, churches, schools and organizations are all being invited by Internet email blasts to participate in the 40 Days of Prayer for Congress.

Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and George Voinovich are on the calendar for May 31 (25th day). Ohioans will be united in prayer
for their Representatives on June 6 and 7. Rep. Steve Austria day
is June 6. Dayton’s Rep. Mike Turner and House leaders John
Boehner and Dennis Kucinich are among others who will be remembered in Ohioans’ prayers.

For more information about 40 Days of Prayer for Congress, go here.

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Rep. Steve Austria on Cap and Trade Tax

Posted on May 7, 2009 by | Leave a comment

By Rep. Steve Austria

Under the cap and trade program, household energy costs are expected to increase between $1,600-$3,100 annually.

Last week, the House and Senate debated and passed the conference report to accompany the Democrats’ budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 13). This budget proposal paves the way for a massive new $646 billion energy tax, known as cap and trade.

Cap and trade limits the amount of carbon allowed to be released into the air. For example, if an energy-producing entity, like a coal-fired power plant, is unable to sufficiently lower its emissions; they must spend money to upgrade the plant or pay to release the carbon. This extra cost to industry is passed along to the consumer through increased energy prices. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that under this current proposal, the average American household’s energy bill could increase by $1,600 annually. According to one D.C.-based think tank, prices could increase to as much as $1,900, equivalent to what many families spend on groceries, clothes or property taxes in a given year.

In addition, states that rely on more carbon-intensive sources of energy, like coal, will suffer an even greater cost. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), approximately 90 percent of Ohio’s electricity generation comes from coal.

The program places new regulations on our domestic industries making them less competitive with countries, like China and India, that do not face similar restrictions. This could result in businesses establishing operations overseas or outsourcing jobs in an effort to dodge the regulations. This could further erode the job growth of the U.S. manufacturing sector where Ohio has a strong presence. Indeed, the impact cap and trade could have on the average American household, and Ohio in particular, is deeply concerning, specifically in this economic environment.

Source: E-Newsletter from Congressman Steve Austria, May 6, 2009

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April 2009 Porker of the Month

Posted on May 6, 2009 by | Leave a comment

By Marc Kilmer, Buckeye Institute Policy Analyst

Sitting in front of the “tube” is a favorite past time for some here in Ohio; and thanks to the Ohio Controlling Board, the Department of Development, and tax dollars from you, people across the country will now have one more channel to flip through. The Guardian Enterprise Group is proud to welcome Dot Two Entertainment, Inc. to Columbus, Ohio; and we are happy to award April 2009’s Porker of the Month to Mark Barbash and the Department of Development for this new television enterprise.

So what will new “family-friendly” television programming cost the taxpayers of Ohio? How about $25,000 to start. The State of Ohio Controlling Board under the recommendation of the Department of Development and Lt. Governor Lee Fischer, approved the $25,000 “Rapid Outreach Grant” to Dot Two Entertainmentfor costs associated with purchasing new equipment. In return Dot Two has promised to create and retain jobs. A key point though: a majority of the jobs retained are non-at-risk positions within the company.

It seems that by saying “new jobs” the company got another sweetheart deal: a $1.1 million loan that will also help with the purchasing of new equipment. The over one million dollar Innovation Ohio loan bears an interest rate of six percent for the next six years. Dot Two is a privately-owned company founded not even a year ago in July 2008. It is an expansion project by Guardian Studios, which produces commercials.

What exactly can you expect to see when you are flipping through the channels? Well, according to their website, www.dot2network.com, lots of movies. The new network will premiere major motion pictures like “Gridiron Gang” and “Stranger than Fiction.” So what happened to their “family-friendly” programming? A look at their website seems to hint that it may not be their top priority. Out of the 20 shows listed on their on-air schedule, only four of them are focused on children’s programming. The other 16 are themed around cooking, traveling, and home improvements. So what does the company say to all of this? Well, a call to the stations manager left us talking to his voicemail. The company who started this expansion, Guardian Enterprise Group, is based here in Columbus but was not able to provide any answers.

The justification in providing the grant and low-interest loan was easy, according to the operating request made to the controlling board; “Ohio is in competition with multiple states for this project due to attractive tax credits and rebates. State incentives are needed to keep Dot Two in Ohio and create and retain jobs.” Dot Two has not even been around for a year, so what evidence does the state have that this company will even be around to retain jobs?

Guardian Television Network brought in more than nine million dollars in revenue in 2006 and 2007 that is before selling its main broadcast license last year. Guardian operated WSFJ, Channel 51 beginning in 1975, but the company has recently sold the station to another broadcast group in the hope of “restructuring” their company. Does a company that is in the process of “restructuring” deserve taxpayers’ funds?

This new television venture will distribute their content via satellite on digital sub-channels. A main reason Guardian decided to expand in this way was to help the company “share ad revenue.” Does this mean with the birth of digital television less than 60 days away, more and more television stations will be asking for state funding in order to take advantage of more stations and more content? Hopefully this is the end of grants and loan-breaks for television stations offering programs you could get free at your local library. Until then, sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy your tax dollars transmitting across the screen!

Source: Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions, April 26, 2009

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Posted in business, economy, news, Ohio, politics

Xenia taxpayers reject new taxes for new schools

Posted on May 5, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Xenia taxpayers rejected the school administration’s $79 million bond issue by a 16.6% margin. If my reading of the Greene County Board of Elections voting data is correct, voter turn out was still better than in February when Xenia taxpayer rejected the City’s enormous operating levy. Only 13% of registered voters went to the polls in February, but an impressive 26% turned out for the school’s bond issue. The 26% voter turn out was still low compared to the nearly 67% of voter turned for the November 4, 2008 presidential election.

Writers like to believe that their research, wisdom, or persuasion sway public opinion in the direction they think is best. Of course, writers are sometimes accused of being dreamers too. In my last commentary on this issue, I focused on the moral issue underlying the administrator’s near $100,000 effort to increase our taxes. That moral issue was the state’s $58 million give-away that was gained by what amounts to extortion. The state unjustly took millions of dollars from tobacco companies and justified it by setting aside a large chunk of their spoils. Yet, this particular moral issue was not likely an important factor in most voters’ decision.

One of the most likely factors was the economic recession. The inflated economy caused by high gas prices that added the necessary weight to an economy overburdened by bad credit and unsustainable debt levels collapsed our economy. Many investment advisors predict a long-term recovery. That is unless Obama’s New Big Deal prevents a recovery and thus creates an even worse recession. The loss of business, jobs, investment earnings make for an uncertain financial future. Adding more taxes is not a good idea right now.

Another factor affecting voter decisions was the push by school administrators to get a positive vote. I know of parents whose children were made to attend the vote-for-the-bond-issue rally held at Cox Field on Monday evening. For at least a week prior to Tuesday May 5, school officials and teachers were telling kids to encourage their parents to vote and they did. I also heard about teachers giving students extra credit for helping with get-out-the-vote activities. Some kids were given time off to do so as well. While attending the rally was mandatory for a lot of kids, the goal was to gets as many of their parents to enjoy the free food and the sales promotion gala. Some parents, at least, think it is wrong.

I bet you thought schooling was about learning the basics not the politics of government funding raising. We tend to forget that all school professionals have been trained by the vastly powerful education union lobby, the National Education Association (NEA). The same tactics used by those politics in Washington D.C. are also employed at home. That is why funding schooling with extortion money is not seen as a big deal. The same can be said of manipulating kids to pressure parents for the good of the agendas of politicians.

If their agenda would have produced the best types of schools, I might have been tempted to vote for it. School research proves otherwise. (See Xenia Community Schools Rebuilding Plan : Why Small Schools are Best)

As far as I can discern, Xenia taxpayers built all of their schools without state extortion money. Xenia citizens are capable of continuing that practice. The Ohio legislature will continue to appropriate money to assist school districts build new schools. If needed, it will still be available in the future. The solution to increasing local funding for education is increasing local wealth, which points beyond our local community to the political and economic causes preventing it.

By Daniel Downs

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Posted in economy, education, news, politics, taxes, Xenia Community Schools