MM2011_JunJul.pdf

Mason Matters June / July 2011

Inside This Issue: 2 3 4 3, 5 7-8 9-10

New Census Population Community Garden Emergency Readiness Construction News Business News Around Mason

City Closer to Little Miami Bike Trail Connection CITY OF MASON - BIKE PATHS

CITY ofOF MASON - BIKE PATHSRoad, a section of Snider n a fortunate sequence events, the part of Tylersville City of Mason developed its first-ever Road, and Mason-Montgomery Road in front Bicycle and Pedestrian Way Master Plan just of the schools had bike paths. The master plan prior to the improvement of many of the steered the development of new bike paths CITY MASON - inBIKE PATHS major thoroughfares in the OF city. Connecting conjunction with the improvements made neighborhoods to downtown, parks, schools, to Mason Road, Socialville-Fosters Road, and other community areas was a primary Western Row Road, and other key corridors goal of the plan, finalized in 2001. in the city. As a result, the city’s network of When the master plan was completed, only bike paths has grown from about nine miles to BR EW ER

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Check the map for the locations of these bike path segments (highlighted in yellow).

For a bigger version of the map, visit www.imaginemason.org.

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1.04 miles

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Mason Sports Park – from parking lot at left of entrance, along driveway to path along creek, to bridge, and back to the parking lot

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Mason Road – corporation limit to Main Street

1.36 miles

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Snider Road – Mason Road to U.S. 42/Reading Road

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Western Row Road – Snider Road to Tylersville Road

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Tylersville Road – Snider Road to Western Row Road

2.49 miles

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LEGEND LEGEND Roads Roads Existing Bike Paths Existing Bike Paths Highlighted Bike Paths Highlighted Bike Paths City of Mason Parks City of Mason Parks City of Mason Corporation Limits City of Mason Corporation Limits City of Mason SCALE Engineering, City of Mason Building & SCALE 1" = 3,000' PlanningBuilding Department Engineering, & LEGEND 1" = 3,000' Planning Department

Roads

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Existing Bike Paths Highlighted Bike Paths City of Mason Parks

Mason Matters

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—see BIKE TRAIL on pg. 6

How Far Will You Ride?

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over 18 miles in just ten years.

Last year, a path along Mason Road was completed, connecting neighborhoods along Mason Road to downtown. A new 2-mile path along U.S. 42 between Tylersville Road and Castle Drive is included in the construction that begins this year. A path is also included

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From the City Manager

Eric Hansen, City Manager We appreciate your calls, visits and e-mails to the Mason Municipal Center to discuss what is going on in the city. I encourage you to call 513.229.8500 or stop in any time during business hours if you need information or assistance.

Dear Mason Resident, If you can remember back 5 or 10 years ago, it is probably obvious to you that Mason has grown. Just how much has been identified by 2010 U.S. Census figures that were released a few months ago.

Estimates that put Mason at around 30,000 residents have proven correct. The official figure is 30,712 residents in 2010. This represents about a 40% increase since 2000. Not surprisingly, the pace of growth has slowed compared to the previous 10 years when the population nearly doubled. This can be attributed in part to the national economic conditions and in part to the declining availability of undeveloped, residentially-zoned land in the city. I expect this slowdown in growth to continue. Studies conducted for the recent Comprehensive Plan update indicate that the city will reach its maximum population at around 33,000 residents, possibly in as little as five to ten years.

To house the new residents, the number of housing units in Mason has increased about 40% as well, to 11,471.

In contrast to the national conditions, Mason’s vacancy rate has remained steady compared to 2000. Only 4% of the city’s housing units are unoccupied, compared to 31% statewide. Mason has become a more diverse community, with our minority populations tripling over the last 10 years to about 15% of the total population.

City Council and city staff have worked hard to keep pace with the growth in the city. Rapid increases such as Mason has experienced over the last 20 years, coupled with the economic climate, present challenges and opportunities for managing traffic, services, and budgets. An aggressive economic development program to recruit and retain businesses in the city as well as the many partnerships we have formed have helped us successfully manage the growth. As we move forward, we will continue to be vigilant in looking for ways to reduce costs with as little impact on services as possible.

Mason Matters is published by the City of Mason. For information about this publication, or if you are a Mason resident and do not receive this newsletter, either through OurTown magazine or mailed separately with the CenterPoint program guide, please contact the City of Mason at 513.229.8510.

City Of Mason - Contact Information

6000 Mason-Montgomery Road • Mason, Ohio 45040 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday

513.229.8500 • www.imaginemason.org Main Number 513.229.8500

Parks & Recreation 513.229.8550

City Hotlines 513.229.8502

Police Department Administration 513.229.8560

Administration 513.229.8510

Mason Matters

Community Center 513.229.8555

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Emergency 9.1.1 Engineering & Building 513.229.8520 Finance 513.229.8530 Fire Department Administration 513.229.8540

June / July 2011

Public Utilities 513.229.8570 Public Works 513.229.8580 Tax Office 513.229.8535 Utility Customer Service 513.229.8533 Utility Billing Questions Greater Cincinnati Water Works 513.591.7700

Utility Service Questions: Sewer Service and Emergencies 513.229.8570 (nights, holidays & weekends, emergencies only)

513.925.2525 Stormwater 513.229.8570 Waste Collection and Recycling 513.229.8533 Water Service and Emergencies Greater Cincinnati Water Works 513.591.7700

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Information in Your In Box

ubscribe to one of the city’s e-newsletters and be up-to-date with what’s going on in the City of Mason. Choose from the following: •B oard and Commission Meeting Agendas – see what Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, Design Review Board, and Park Board will be considering.* •C ity Council Meeting Agendas – City Council topics are e-mailed the Friday before the Monday meeting.* •G eneral News – learn about items important to residents.

•P rogram and Recreation News – Receive timely reminders about the great opportunities for health, fitness, and fun at Mason Community Center and city parks.

Community Center membership gives you discounts on programs, but you are not required to be a member to enroll for most activities.

To subscribe, visit www.imaginemason.org/ about/subscribe. *Meetings are open to the public.

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Construction of improvements to U.S. 42 between Tylersville and Butler-Warren Roads begins this summer.

SRO Enjoys Working With Students

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ason Police Officer Karli Smith has enjoyed her first year as School Resource Officer at Mason High School. She was chosen to be the SRO last summer by a panel of school and police department personnel after former SRO Troy Nelson was reassigned to detective Officer Smith has been with the Mason Police Department for nearly five years. In addition to her patrol duties, she has assisted with the department’s reaccreditation, is a women’s self defense instructor, a Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) instructor, and she assists with recruitment. Prior to joining the department, Officer Smith was a corrections officer with the Clermont County Sheriff 's Office for one year.

As the School Resource Officer at Mason High School, Officer Smith has a variety of duties. She represents a law enforcement presence in the schools and serves as a role model and counselor to the students she meets on a day-to-day basis. She also has the opportunity to educate students in areas such as underage drinking laws and the consequences of the illegal use of drugs. Along with responding to calls at the high school, she also assists with requests from Mason Middle School

SRO Karli Smith

and surrounding elementary schools.

In addition to her daily activities, Officer Smith is involved in several projects, including the planning and coordination of the mock crash that is presented in the spring prior to the high school prom. The mock crash is intended to present the dangers of drinking and driving to juniors and seniors at the high school.

Officer Smith has found the new assignment to be both challenging and rewarding. “The schools keep me busy and I enjoy every minute of it,” she said.

“It’s rewarding on both a personal and professional level. To see the kids grow and develop and know that I’m part of that through my daily interactions with them is a wonderful feeling. I look forward to the years to come.” www.imaginemason.org

Mason Matters

or the second year, the City of Mason is providing the “ground” work for a community garden.

Garden plots have been set aside on State Route 741 north of Bethany Road. The city added compost over the winter and has done the initial plowing of the plots. Applications were initially accepted from last year’s gardeners. Applications for the remaining plots are being accepted from individual gardeners and from groups interested in growing vegetables on a 10 by 15-foot area that will be set aside for their use.

Applications can be downloaded from www.imaginemason.org or picked up at Mason Community Center and Mason Municipal Center. They will be available through May 31. Completed applications may be dropped off at Mason Municipal Center, placed in the Municipal Center drop box at the end of the passenger drop-off drive, or dropped off at Mason Community Center.

Produce harvested from your garden plot may be used for your own purposes. Gardeners interested in sharing their bounty can donate some or all of the harvest to local food banks.

This is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, meet neighbors, and share in a wonderful community event.

Two Mason residents have volunteered to coordinate this year’s garden. For more information, please contact Jack Tager at 513.678.6932 or jtager@yahoo.com, or contact Ben McNary at 513.336.0007 or bmcnary3934@yahoo.com.

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ravel time on Reading Road may be a little slower this summer when the U.S. 42 Improvement Project gets underway.

In return for a little inconvenience now, you’ll soon be traveling on a smooth, improved road between Tylersville and Butler-Warren Roads.

Construction begins soon to widen Reading Road to five lanes between Tylersville and Western Row Road and to three lanes from Western Row to ButlerWarren. The finished road will have curbs and gutters, left turn lanes, and new storm sewers. A sidewalk along the west side and a bike path on the east side will extend the city’s growing network of pedestrian and bike

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ways. Finishing improvements will include planting new trees, seeding, and mulching.

Traffic will be maintained in both directions during construction, which is expected to continue through 2012. Access to all businesses and residences will be available at all times. The $11.1 million project is funded in large part by state and federal grants. The city will pay about $3.8 million for its share of the project.

Utility work to make way for the project began late last year.

Gas mains and electric poles were moved first, followed by other utilities.

Please allow a few extra minutes when driving through this area, and be alert for moving equipment and construction workers. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve traffic flow on this important thoroughfare in the southwest quadrant of the city.

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CERT: Local Faces in the Event of a Disaster

Have a Plan

For your own family, have an emergency plan and a safety kit prepared—before a disaster occurs.

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or over three years, the City of Mason’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has assisted with community events. Even more importantly, the citizen volunteers who are on the team have been ready to mobilize in the event of a disaster in Mason.

CERT was initially developed and implemented in California in the late 1980s as a way to prepare citizens to assist in a disaster until professional responders can take over. CERT team members are trained in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Mason’s first CERT class trained 42 citizens in the fall of 2007. Since then there have been two additional classes with 25 members each.

Due to natural attrition, the team is now looking to add interested citizens.

Training for the City of Mason CERT occurs in two parts—an initial training session and an annual exercise. The initial training takes place over a few weeks, meeting one night a week. Members learn the proper use of fire extinguishers, cribbing techniques for securing fallen objects, and other emergency procedures. The capstone of the training is the disaster exercise at the end of the training. On an annual basis, an exercise is held to simulate a mock disaster.

The first exercise took place at the Western Row Golf Course involving a simulated tornado and injured civilians. Later, the site of the Crane Fencing factory was used

A CERT team member practices using a fire extinguisher correctly

to train the City of Mason CERT Team through simulating an industrial disaster that included a formal search and rescue exercise and setting up a triage area.

In addition to disaster preparedness, Mason’s CERT team has assisted in many capacities. In 2007, the team helped with crowd control at the “Christmas in Mason” event. In 2008 and 2009, the team staffed the first aid booths and assisted with lost child searches at the Red, Rhythm & Boom events.

In 2008, the team was activated during the September wind storm and performed wellness checks in neighborhoods without power and handed out ice and bottled water to those in need. As the City of Mason CERT members are trained, they will be utilized in the Mason area on a more routine basis.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the City of Mason CERT team, please visit www.imaginemason.org for an application or pick one up at Mason Municipal Center, Mason Community Center, or at either Mason fire station.

Applications can be dropped off at the same locations. A member of the City of Mason CERT team will contact you after your application has been reviewed.

Are you familiar with E.D.I.T.H. ?

Mason Matters

Get to know E.D.I.T.H!

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E.D.I.T.H. stands for “Exit Drills In The Home.” The City of Mason Fire Department encourages you to become familiar with this important home safety program.

Statistics have shown that over 2,500 people die in home fires each year, many because they don’t know what to do or how to escape. This is why it is so important to plan an E.D.I.T.H. program with your family—and practice it. Reviewing the plan on a regular basis will help everyone feel comfortable with being able to escape out of a smoke-filled home without major confusion or chaos.

There is minimal preparation in order to activate your escape and safety plan. Please don’t wait until there is a true emergency occurring to institute the family escape route plan.

Begin by checking to make sure that all windows can be opened and aren’t painted or nailed shut. Check to make sure that the windows can be unlocked and opened from the inside, and provide escape ladders for rooms above the first floor. Make sure June / July 2011

Your Family Plan

This plan should be for home, work, or school: · Plan Now · Practice Your Plan · Revise Your Plan · A good place to start planning is with the FEMA family disaster plan at www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm.

Family Safety Kit

Have these six basic items at your home, at work, and in your car in case of an emergency: · Water (home – enough for 3 days) · Food (home – enough for 3 days) · First aid supplies · Clothing and bedding · Tools, flashlights, portable radio, batteries, and emergency supplies · Any specialty items for medical conditions, babies, or pets

that all hallways and stairways are kept clear and passable.

Identify two ways out of every room.

Finally, be sure to have a family meeting place assigned so everyone MEETING PLACE can be accounted for after the evacuation has been completed. For a fire escape checklist and guidance on how to make a fire escape plan, visit www.nfpa.org/homeescape.

The awareness and practice of your escape plan could be integrated into an evening after all of the homework assignments are completed and the entire family is present to participate. This family activity will benefit everyone should an emergency arise in the future.

Stream Restoration on Muddy Creek

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Bethany Road Work Scheduled

Straightening of this curve on Bethany Road is included in this summer’s road improvement project by the Warren County Engineer.

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o reduce congestion and improve safety and mobility along Bethany Road between Butler-Warren Road and Mason’s western corporation limit about 1.5 miles east of Butler-Warren Road, the Warren County Engineer’s Office will be widening Bethany Road to three lanes (one lane in each direction with a center turn lane). Please visit the county engineer’s web site at www.wceo.us for updates on the project, construction information, and closures and detours as the information becomes available.

treams throughout the City of Mason, like many urbanized streams, are experiencing bank erosion and instability.

Urbanization adds impervious areas, such as roads, sidewalks, driveways and rooftops where snow and rain cannot filter down through the soil. This brings changes to the streams such as increased frequency of runoff, increased amount of runoff, and increasing duration of flow. These changes, in combination with the soils in Mason, have resulted in erosion, widening, and sometimes migration of our streams.

In an effort to address erosion in two locations on Muddy Creek, the city applied for and received $258,000 in grant funding for a stream riparian restoration and protection project. As part of the Ohio EPA 319(h) Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant program, grant funds are used to correct water quality impairment to Ohio’s surface water resources.

The Muddy Creek Restoration project will restore approximately 1,400 linear feet of Muddy Creek, a tributary to the Little Miami River. The primary objective of this project is to address bank erosion and wildlife habitat degradation at two locations.

The first proposed restoration site is located approximately 500 feet northeast of the intersection of Tylersville Road and Reading Road and is adjacent to property owned by St. Susanna church and elementary school. Over the past several years, staff has worked with St. Susanna to monitor on-going erosion along the creek. The second proposed restoration site is located approximately 300 feet south of the intersection of US Rt. 42 and Hanover Drive behind the Four Seasons apartment complex.

The City of Mason, St. Susanna, Marvin Gardens, and Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) are partnering to complete the project while implementing a stream educational outreach program. St. Susanna is one of the largest contributing partners and will be granting a perpetual conservation easement along Muddy Creek and providing volunteers to help during construction of the upcoming project.

The Muddy Creek stream restoration project is in the planning phase and is scheduled for construction this summer.

If you have any questions about this project, please contact the Engineering & Building Department at 513.229.8520.

Planning a New Deck?

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Use our information sheets

Mason Matters

nformation sheets that provide building specifications for decks are available from the city at no cost to residents. Do-it-yourselfers, especially, will find valuable information to use during the planning stages.

The deck information sheets will help you determine the proper sizing of concrete piers, floor joists, and floor beams. They also provide guidance on building stairs and handrails and on how to connect the deck to the house and to the support posts.

If you use the city information sheets when you submit your plans for a permit, you can just fill in your dimensions and check off the details that apply to your deck—and you’ll save $25 off your permit fee!

Find the sheets online at www.imaginemason.org (search: building documents) or pick them up at the Mason Municipal Center customer service counter. Need help with your drawings? The Building Department staff can answer your questions.

Information sheets are also available for finishing your basement and for installing fencing and the electrical components for a swimming pool. www.imaginemason.org

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Mason Police Canine to Retire

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fter a remarkable career, canine Zicco will be retiring from service with the Mason Police Department this summer.

Zicco began serving the residents of Mason in April 2004 when he was partnered with Sgt. Matt Hayes to form the department’s canine unit. The average retirement age for a police canine is eight to ten years and Zicco is nearing that milestone.

During his career, Zicco has tracked down numerous suspects who have attempted to flee or hide from police. He has also successfully located missing children and missing Alzheimer’s patients. Zicco and Sgt. Hayes have performed demonstrations for D.A.R.E. students, Kiwanis Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and many other organizations. Zicco’s drug sniffing talents have been used aggressively by the Mason Police Department. He is credited with being responsible for the largest seizure of cocaine in Warren County.

Through the success of Zicco, the Mason Police Department was able to add an additional canine team to the unit in 2007, when Officer Brad Walker began working with canine Timber. Both canine teams have proven to be extremely effective for fighting crime and keeping our community safe. In addition to serving the Mason community, Mason Police canine teams have assisted

Enjoy Bike Paths Safely

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other police agencies throughout southern Ohio.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles in Lebanon has graciously donated $5,000 toward the purchase of Zicco’s replacement. Additional funds are being sought to cover the cost of training a new canine and handler to take over for Zicco.

Zicco will be purchased by Sgt. Hayes and will spend his retirement years living with Sgt. Hayes and his family.

Bike Trail from pg. 1 in the plans for Bethany Road, a project being done by the Warren County Engineer starting this year.

Little Miami Scenic Trail Connection

Mason Matters

Besides connecting neighborhoods within the city, a goal of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Way Master Plan was to identify viable linkages to a regional bike path network.

There are over 150 miles of paved multi-use trails in southwest Ohio. This includes the 78-mile Little Miami Scenic Trail that traverses Warren County along the Little Miami River. The trail begins near Springfield in Clark County, winds through Yellow Springs, Xenia, Oregonia, and Morrow, and ends south of Milford in Hamilton County—missing Mason entirely.

Mason’s closest connection to the Little Miami Scenic Trail is through Lebanon, which connects to it via the Countryside YMCA Trail, an abandoned rail bed south of Lebanon. Mason bicyclists hoping to reach this trail must cross Muddy

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June / July 2011

Creek somewhere along the route. Recent action by City Council has brought this connection closer to reality.

The Warren County Engineer is improving the intersection of MasonMorrow-Millgrove Road and Columbia Road. When the project is done, the old roadway bridge will be left in place. City Council agreed to take over ownership and maintenance of the bridge, which could provide the needed crossing for a bike trail.

The City of Lebanon agreed to donate an easement across their property to allow a trail to connect from the Mason corporation line to Columbia Road. The easement and bridge are two key elements needed for a future connection to the southwest Ohio regional trail system.

As the city’s bike path network grows both internally and through external connections, Mason residents will be able to pedal from their driveway to a huge network of trails that wind through areas rich in wildlife, scenic beauty, and history. Mature forests, unique geologic features, song birds, wild flowers, state parks, and other recreational opportunities all lie along the southwest Ohio corridors.

alkers, bicyclists, skaters, and joggers all use bike paths, which can become very busy. For the safety and enjoyment of all, it’s important to follow a few simple rules while using them.

Just as a car does on the road, stay to the right when you’re on a bike path.

When passing someone going in the same direction you are, pass on the left. Try to let the person know you are coming with some type of sound or warning so you don’t startle someone. You can call out “passing on your left” or use a bicycle bell.

If you walk your dog on the path, keep it on a short leash and under control.

Don’t let it roam the entire width of the trail. Walking a dog to your right will help avoid accidents and help keep the dog from being alarmed by people overtaking and passing you.

Personal music devices are very popular. Be careful when using headphones. It’s great to tune everyone out at times, but it can be hazardous if you’re not paying attention to your surroundings.

If you are cycling, please take other safety precautions such as wearing a helmet and bright-colored clothing, having a light on your bike at night, and making sure you have the proper amount of air in your tires.

Be observant to what is going on at all times, especially when crossing roads.

Watch for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Wait for the traffic lights to change and obey traffic laws. Make eye contact with oncoming traffic, walkers, joggers, and bikers so you know you have been seen.

The city’s expanding network of bike paths is a wonderful asset to the Mason community. Please enjoy it safely!

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Mason Supporting Small Business Growth

he City of Mason is participating in a two-year pilot project to develop a jointly funded regional collaborative to open a Small Business Development Satellite Center in Warren County.

During the two-year pilot program, the Northeast Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce will employ a full-time Business Advisor to work on developing relationships and securing the funding necessary to transition the office from a satellite to a full-fledged Small Business Development

Commission (SBDC).

Mason City Council approved a $10,000 stipend and agreed to participate for one year initially. The approved budget for the two-year pilot program is $43,600.

John Harris, president of the Northeast Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce (NECC), indicated those funds will primarily come from state and federal agencies.

In the past, Mason companies have worked through the Butler County or Hamilton County SBDC. The addition of

this resource in Warren County allows for more companies to be served and grow in our community.

The City of Mason’s one year partnership with the SBDC aligns with the city’s goals to serve the small business community.

Through this partnership, the NECC and the SBDC will be advocates for Mason within the small business community. After one year of support, Council will evaluate the continuation of the partnership for the second year.

Happy Anniversary!

We would like to take this opportunity to recognize the following companies for their continued commitment to and investment in our community. The companies listed below

will be celebrating an anniversary from 5 to 50 or more years.

They have chosen to call Mason their home for business operations and for that we are appreciative.

Pella Windows and Doors– 15 years Skilled Care Pharmacy– 15 years AssureRx – 5 years Great Wolf Lodge – 5 years Home Builders Management – 5 years Kelley Bros – 5 years

Zimmer Midwest – 5 years

Touchstone Merchandise Group– 15 years

Afidence, Inc. – 10 years

L3 Communications Cincinnati Electronics– 25 years

Intelligrated – 10 years

Forte – 30 years

Ohio Valley Flooring – 10 years

Basco Shower Enclosures – 55 years

Teledyne Tekmar – 10 years *If we have missed your special date or have you listed incorrectly, please contact our office to ensure we have the most accurate information regarding your anniversary dates. Call 513.229.8510 or e-mail ecodev@masonoh.org

www.imaginemason.org

Mason Matters

Cincinnati Fan and Ventilator– 55 years

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Tennis - New Name, New Look, New Expansion!

Mason Matters

n December 2010, Tennis for Charity officials revealed a new name and logo for a new combined tournament event scheduled for August 13-21 here in Mason.

Since 2004, the Western & Southern Financial Group Tennis Masters and Women’s Open were separate events, held during separate weeks. Beginning in 2011, fans will be able to see the world’s top men and women tennis stars play at the Western & Southern Open. The new tournament is one of only five events in the world where the men and women compete simultaneously.

For the second year in a row, the tournament campus continues to expand.

The first expansion of the Lindner Family Tennis Center was completed last year and included a 52,000 square-foot addition of a players’ lounge, court level player and coach locker rooms, six new luxury suites, a media interview room, and a new media center

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with more than 100 stations for writers and photographers. The new building was named the Paul Flory Player Center during the 2010 tournament and represents an overall investment of $10 million.

This year, expansion continues with a $7.5 million project that will increase the tennis

center’s footprint and will stretch to the north and east of the current grounds. Highlights of the expansion include a 2,750 square-foot enclosed ticket office, a 10,000 square-foot entry plaza with a 30-foot by 60-foot canopy and 9 gates, and six new courts: one court with a seating capacity of 4,000 that will serve as a third television court for the combined event, one court with a seating capacity of 2,500, and four additional courts.

“With the tournament planning to host the men and women simultaneously in 2011, this expansion is necessary to accommodate the increase in tennis and attendance expected at the combined event,” said Ken Berry, president of Tennis for Charity. Tennis for Charity owns the land and leases the facility to the tournament.

The City of Mason congratulates the Western & Southern Open and looks forward to some great tennis this summer. To learn more, visit www.cincytennis.com.

Around

Mason

T Teva Championship Golf Tournament

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he Mason Historical Society’s membership drive is in full swing. To become a member, check their web site or call the museum at 513.398.6750. You need not be a longtime resident to join, but a love of history is important.

The monthly meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month and various programs are planned. At 6 p.m. on June 21, the popular “Ice Cream Social and Cake and Pie Auction” will be held on the grounds of the museum at 207 West Church Street. This is a nostalgic trip back to the time when hand churned ice cream was a treat. Even though the ice cream is no longer hand churned, it’s still a treat. Culver’s Restaurant will supply their delicious frozen custard, which everyone enjoys.

The cake and pie auction is one of the Historical Society’s big fund raisers. Delicious home baked goodies go to the highest bidder. Funds raised are put to good use in the upkeep of the museum.

The program for July 19 will be announced on the web site, www.masonhistoricalsociety.org.

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ason residents are invited to see some of the top upand-coming women’s golfers as championship golf returns to Mason this year. The Teva Championship comes to the Golf Center at Kings Island on June 10-12 and is part of the Duramed Futures Tour. The tour benefits Hospice of Cincinnati. Mason residents will enjoy free admission to watch these future pro women golfers compete.

Ice Cream Social

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s the governor and state legislators have focused on a budget package for the State of Ohio in preparation for the fiscal year beginning in July, cities across the state, including Mason, have been weighing the impact of some of the proposals.

One proposed change in the budget proposal as of April could have an immediate impact on the city’s funds, particularly the Fire Fund.

The City of Mason’s fire and emergency services are supported by a 5-year, 5-mill property tax levy that voters approved in August, 2008. At that time, the state was phasing out the tangible personal property tax for businesses. To compensate cities for the resulting loss of personal property tax revenue, the state planned to reimburse cities for some of the funds lost. Mason expected $2.7 million during the life of the reimbursement program.

About $2 million of that state reimbursement is now in jeopardy. The proposed state budget effectively ends reimbursement for the lost tangible personal property tax. Whereas a $650,000 reimbursement was expected for 2011 for the Fire Fund, it is likely that the city will receive only about $70,000 and

no state funds at all beginning in 2012.

For several years, the Fire Department has been strengthening its efforts to contain costs. Since 2008, cost-reduction initiatives have included modifying the use of fire apparatus to conserve fuel, restructuring EMS billing, joining the Northeast Fire Collaborative to achieve service improvements and reduction of equipment costs, altering supply and inventory practices, restructuring training methods while maintaining quality, optimizing equipment maintenance and inventory, reducing overtime costs, and creating a wider awareness among staff about the budget process in order to empower the employees to be part of the conservation efforts.

With fire levy revenues already inadequate for fire operations, existing fund balances are being eroded to maintain service levels. City Council’s Safety Committee and staff continue to monitor the state budget discussions and evaluate the effect on city finances and how to address the situation. Continued cost containment, possible service reductions, exploring fire levy options and timing, and other funding alternatives are among the topics being discussed as the full effect of the state budget becomes known. www.imaginemason.org

Mason Matters

Optimizing equipment maintenance and inventory continues to be part of the strategy to contain costs in the Mason Fire Department. Proposed state budget cuts will increase the importance of cost-saving efforts.

Ohio Budget Likely to Impact Fire Operations

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Around Mason

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Mason Heritage And Bicycle Festival

estivals of Mason is proud to announce the 2011 Mason Heritage and Bicycle Festival will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2011. It all starts off with one of the area’s largest parades, followed by a day of entertainment on stage and activities for the whole family.

The eighth annual Mason Idol finals competition will once again be live on stage - preliminary rounds will take place in the weeks leading up to the festival. Cash prizes are awarded for first place winners in each age category. Visit the Mason Idol page on the Festivals of Mason web site for details.

The Mason Historical Society Car Show grows each year.

Plan to check out vintage and custom automobiles right after the parade.

Student Volunteer Opportunities

New This Year

This year marks the return of Bicycle Days—the name by which the festival was known for much of the 1970s. There will be a bicycle parade and plenty of other bike-related activities all day long—and not just in downtown Mason! Traditionally, the festival has taken place in the middle of town and this year will spread to the great network of Mason bike trails and other locations. The festival’s date has moved as well. For several years it has been held on the fourth Saturday of August and is now moving up one week to August 20. Bring your appetite and your bike!

Applications for the parade, booth space, Little Miss Heritage, and Mason Idol, along with sponsorship information, are all available at www.festivalsofmason.com.

You may also contact Festivals of Mason through the web site or at 513.229.8534.

Festivals of Mason is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing quality family events for Mason, Ohio, and the surrounding area.

Around Mason

ethesda Physical Therapy in Mason is looking for students who are interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy, medicine, or athletic training. Several opportunities are available for volunteer positions at the BPT offices in the Mason Community Center.

If you are 14 years old or more and think you would enjoy patient contact, are skilled at interpersonal relationships, and possess the ability to interact with multicultural and multigenerational age groups, you may enjoy this opportunity to interact with patients and provide some assistance to a licensed therapist. Some office duties may be included as well. Applicants should be in good physical health, be willing to learn new tasks, have the ability to multitask, and be able to handle highly confidential data and act in a professional and mature manner at all times while in the clinic.

Bethesda Physical Therapy is a partner of the City of Mason. Patients at BPT may use the Mason Community Center Fitness Center during part of their therapy. If you are interested in volunteer work at BPT, please call David at 513.204.6490.

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Mason Matters

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Duke Energy Installing Smart Grid and Digital Meters

uke Energy is installing new digital, 2-way communication devices throughout their service area. Crews will be in Mason and Deerfield Township through the summer to install new equipment on transformers and poles and to replace your electric meter.

The new equipment allows a 2-way information exchange between Duke Energy and customers that will allow for future benefits that may include: · remote meter reading, reducing the need for meter readers to enter your home or yard as well as the need for an estimated bill · remote service connections and disconnections, eliminating the need for scheduled appointments when you move into or out of your home · reduced outages as rerouting will automatically occur around problem areas · daily usage information that will allow customers to make wiser energy decisions.

New communications boxes will be installed on

June / July 2011

utility poles, and electric meters will be replaced with the new digital meters. New communication units will also be installed on the pad-mounted transformer boxes that serve underground utilities. Subdivisions with underground utilities have many of these, usually near the street.

You will receive a notification postcard before your new meter is installed. Once it is replaced, you will receive a letter explaining the new remote reading process.

Contractors doing the work all carry identification that shows they work for Duke Energy. The changes this year will affect only single phase services of 200 amps or less. As a result, some larger homes in the area will not get new meters until 2012.

If you have any questions about the new equipment or features, please contact Duke Energy at 513.421.9500 or 1.800.544.6900. You may also get information from www.duke-energy.com/about-us/smart-grid.asp.