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Mason Matters April / May 2013
Inside This Issue: 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6
CERT Tax News Ice Rescues Kitchen FOG Harris Wins Best Plant Award Safe Driving Around Mason Community Garden
Businesses Growing in Mason ed io: rat
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Top Gun Sales Performance, a Mason-based global LACEthat provides consulting, sales supportT organization P S E personnel, Band training, to an expanded LIVErelocated 2011 e TO n i headquarters on Financial Way. z a ag
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AssureRx Health, Inc., a personalized medicine company that specializes in helping physicians determine the right drug for individual patients suffering from neuropsychiatric and other disorders, relocated its Mason headquarters to tenant space at Mason Community Center and Mason Municipal Center.
Rhinestahl Corporation, a Mason supplier of aerospace tooling and high-tech machining expertise, more than doubled the size of its Advanced Machining Group when it moved into a building on Western Row Road, just a few miles away from their Mason headquarters.
Empire Foods, one of the grocery industry’s expert companies in perishable merchandising, announced in 2012 that it will build a manufacturing and packing plant on a 22-acre parcel in Lakewood Commerce Center in Mason.
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Innovation Leads To Job Growth
nnovation is a new way of approaching an old problem. It’s outside-the-box thinking and attitude that sends you down a more prosperous path. In 2012, the City of Mason’s longstanding innovative attitude toward building business relationships and proactive collaborations resulted in outstanding business growth that is strengthening the economic climate and community of both Mason and the region. Locating and keeping these companies in Mason took innovation from the city to support the companies’ corporate visions for growth. City Council and staff have led the region in developing innovative ways to attract and retain companies that will benefit the city, the region, the workforce, and the economy. Using tools such as the Mason Port Authority, financial packages through partnerships with the state and the county, strategic agreements with local developers, and packaging wellness benefits through access to Mason Community Center and The Golf Center at Kings Island has had positive effects. “We’re all about innovative ways to be a collaborative business partner,” said Mason Mayor David F. Nichols. Business leaders are reacting favorably to
the city’s efforts. Rick Riccetti, co-founder, president and CEO of Seapine, said, “The City of Mason has helped us plan our growth strategy for the past several years. With so many options in the current economy, it was the incredible effort, support, and commitment by their team that really made the decision to expand here an easy one.” Sixty-five percent of the corporate base in Mason has expanded at least once in Mason. Thirty-three percent of the corporate base has expanded more than twice at their Mason location, and three of the top ten have expanded three to seven times. In 2011, 88% of new investment came from existing businesses. Between 2011 and 2012, these business partners invested $85 million into facilities in Mason, creating nearly 1,000 new jobs. “There is nothing more inspiring than to see a vision begin to become reality,” said Mayor Nichols, commenting at a recent business expansion. “We are on the cusp of something extraordinary in Mason as we see the focus and critical planning around creating a technology hub in Mason begin to come to fruition.”
Mason Matters
Seapine Software, Inc., an innovative international software development company, moved into their new technology headquarters on I-71 at Western Row Road after years of consistent growth in their previous Mason location.
Intelligrated recently celebrated the grand opening of an office expansion for automated material handling solutions. From left: City Manager Eric Hansen, Mayor David F. Nichols, Intelligrated’s President and COO Jim McCarthy and CEO Chris Cole, Council Member Barbara Berry-Spaeth, Vice Mayor Victor Kidd, and Economic Development Director Michele Blair.
www.imaginemason.org
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From the City Manager
Eric Hansen, City Manager We appreciate your calls, visits and e-mails to 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, How about a round of golf? You probably recall that the Golf Center at Kings Island is a city-owned recreational facility. This brings benefits to both residents—including those who don’t golf—and the city. The city has owned the Golf Center since 2007, when it was purchased as an investment in the city’s future economic development. At the time, a 5-year management contract was signed to allow it to continue operating as a golf course. When the contract expired in 2012, City Council took the opportunity to reconfigure it to reduce the support from the city’s General Fund. In 2011, the General Fund expenditure for operating the course was $800,000. I am happy to report that due to the combined efforts of Council and the management firm at the course, that amount was reduced by 75% to only $200,000 in 2012. The city includes the Golf Center as part of recruitment efforts when talking with prospective new businesses. Having both the Golf Center and Mason Community Center has provided the city with recruitment options that are unique to Mason and benefit both the businesses’ employees and the city. I invite you to benefit as well by taking advantage of resident discounts at the Golf Center all year long. By presenting your driver’s license showing a City of Mason address, golfers can receive $5 off regular season greens fees on the championship 18-hole Grizzly course or $1 off nine or 18 holes on the Bruin course. Regularly priced clothing, balls, gloves, and accessories at the Pro Shop, which isn’t just for golfers, can be purchased at 20% off by residents. And anyone can stop in at the Courseview Restaurant for some great casual dining. In good weather, you’ll enjoy dining at Jack’s Outdoor Bar and Grille overlooking the beautiful Grizzly course. Mason residents can ask for 15% off their meal (dine-in only; excludes alcoholic beverages and tobacco.) Other amenities offered at the center include the CourseView Pavilion—an ideal spot for outings, banquets, or weddings—and membership options, assistance with golf outings, and practice spaces, including the 4-hole Academy course, a putting green, and driving range. Stop by for a round of golf, a new golf shirt, or a relaxing lunch and save!
Citizens Can Help if Disaster Occurs
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Mason Matters
he City of Mason Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is actively recruiting members. If you would like to become involved in learning how you can better protect yourself, your neighborhood, and your community in the event of a disaster, please call the City of Mason Fire Administration at 513.229.8540 or stop in during regular business hours at Mason Fire Station 51, 4420 MasonMontgomery Road. CERT members are not first responders and are not self-activated, but when requested by the city to assist in an emergency, members are able to provide valuable, life-saving skills. Members of CERT receive free training about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to
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Recycling Bins are for Recyclables!
help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. The team held a local disaster drill in November, completed Radio Communications training in January, and went through a course on Managing and Developing Volunteers in February. The team also participated in the county-wide disaster drill held in Mason in March. The team will receive National Search and Rescue training in May.
Please use your recycling bins and wheeled carts only for recyclable material: • Glass bottles and jars • Plastic bottles and jugs • Clean paper goods • Steel and aluminum cans (no sharp lids) A more complete list can be found on the sticker on the top of your recycling cart or at www.rumpkerecycling.com. Recycled materials are taken to the Rumpke recycling center where they are sorted and bundled for shipment to recycling plants. The recycling center is not a trash disposal facility. Therefore, if your recycling containers contain non-recyclables, they will not be emptied.
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Tax Form Changes
012 tax forms for City of Mason residents look a little different this year. Changes have been made to reflect the first part of a 2-year implementation of the charter amendment that was approved by voters in 2012. In November, 2012, Mason voters approved a combination income and property tax measure to provide a longterm funding solution for maintaining city safety services, fire, and EMS. The amendment allowed for an additional income tax of up to .15% and a property tax of up to 5 mills. The amendment was structured so that taxpayers will pay either the property tax or the additional income tax, but not both. Rates for both the additional income tax and the property tax will be set annually by Mason City Council in amounts appropriate to maintain quality services. The charter amendment set a 2013 rate of .12% for the safety services income tax. The income tax is in addition to the 1% already collected. If you make $40,000 a year, the additional amount is less than $1 a week. Employers were required to begin withholding the additional amount on January 1, 2013. If you work outside of Mason and have your employer withhold
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local taxes as a courtesy, you may want to notify your employer of the new rate. As you fill out your 2012 tax form, you will notice a change in the estimated income section of the form. When calculating estimated 2013 taxes, the rate is 1.12% instead of 1%. The second part of the implementation of the amendment is an income tax credit for paying property taxes. This credit won’t show up on tax forms until 2014. The charter amendment allows a credit of the income tax you paid above 1% if you paid taxes on property in Mason on which you live. Dependents of the property owner will also be able to take the credit. The property tax to be collected in 2014 will be determined by Council action this summer and cannot exceed 5 mills. The old 5-mill fire levy that has been in place since 1998 has expired. Payments on that levy will cease by the end of this year. Calculations to determine how the credit may reduce your income taxes will appear on the form for tax year 2013, due on April 15, 2014. If you have any questions, please contact the City of Mason Tax Office at 513.229.8535.
City Tax Returns Due April 15 Tax Office Extended Hours Saturday, April 13 8 a.m. - noon Monday, April 15 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Ways to File • Use the Online Tax Tool: www.imaginemason.org/services/ tax-information.cfm • Print off a paper form and instructions: www.imaginemason.org/services/ tax-information/tax-forms-for-individuals.cfm • Pick up a paper form: Mason Municipal Center Mason Community Center Mason Public Library • Use the new EZ fillable form if you have W-2 income only: www.imaginemason.org/services/taxinformation.cfm Get Help with Your Return Visit the Customer Service Center at Mason Municipal Center Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Or during extended hours listed above
Ice Rescue Training Improves Department Readiness Northeast Fire Collaborative (NEFC). Training with other departments helps improve coordination with those departments in cases where extra assistance is needed. Mason’s Fire Department is equipped with the necessary rope equipment, ice rescue suits, and a “Rapid Deployment Craft” or “RDC” that is filled quickly from an air cylinder that is typically used for firefighting. This equipment
allows the department to respond and make a rescue as safely and quickly as possible. Readiness to respond, trained responders, and the proper equipment may help achieve a favorable outcome. But for the best winter fun, stay off the ice. If something does happen, call 9-1-1 immediately. Trying to rescue someone yourself puts you in danger as well.
The Rapid Deployment Craft (RDC) being used here is lightweight and compact to store and carry. It inflates quickly and can be used in water or slid across the ice. The RDC distributes the weight of the rescuers and victim over a large surface to help prevent further breakthroughs. Ropes are attached to the RDC, the rescuers, and the victim so they can be pulled to shore.
Mason Matters
hile we hope that winter temperatures are behind us, it is good to know that when they return, Mason Fire Department has some experience with ice rescues. The cold temperatures of winter can cause many of our local ponds and streams to freeze over, creating an attraction for children and ice fishing enthusiasts who consider venturing out onto the ice for some fun. Unfortunately, that fun can turn to disaster quickly. Ice on ponds and streams in this part of Ohio is rarely safe for kids to play on. People and pets who walk out on the ice can get themselves into a desperate fight for their life in the blink of an eye. If the ice breaks, the cold water shocks the body’s systems so badly that you are not able to stay afloat. It is also extremely difficult to pull yourself out of a hole that is surrounded by slippery ice and nothing to grab hold of. This past winter, the Mason Fire Department took advantage of the icy and frigid conditions during a January cold spell to train on and practice cold water and ice rescue techniques. Cold water and ice rescues require specialized skills and equipment to keep the rescuers safe and make the rescue in a rapid and coordinated effort. Mason fire crews continued training in February with other departments in the
Either end of the RDC can be brought above a victim in the water, allowing rescuers to get as close as possible without leaning over the side of the craft. The victim is pulled into the RDC through the opening in the bow. Rescuers wear special dry suits to protect them from the cold. The suits have built-in buoyancy in case the rescuer must enter the water. For safety during the training shown here, both the training “victim” and the rescuer wear the suits.
www.imaginemason.org
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Moody’s Reaffirms City’s Top Rating
he city has received word that Moody’s Investors Service has affirmed the city’s top rating. In January, Mason underwent a review by Moody’s to assign ratings for some debt reissuances and to affirm the city’s current General Obligation rating. Moody’s has issued their report affirming the city’s Aaa rating – the highest rating possible for the city. “The Moody’s rating is similar to a private individual’s credit rating and reflects the city’s financial health and favorability for creditors,” said Mason City Manager Eric Hansen. “It translates into lower interest rates and costs for issuing debt and is a reflection of the city’s financial position in the marketplace,” he added.
For government institutions, an Aaa rating is rare. The city’s rating exceeds the ratings for the State of Ohio and all but a few municipal jurisdictions in the state. For more information about the rating and how it helps the city, visit www.imaginemason.org/city-government/ financial-accountibility.cfm.
Kitchen FOG Can Clog Pipes
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itchen FOG is a menace to sewer pipes. What’s kitchen FOG? It’s liquefied animal Fats, vegetable Oils, and Greases. When any of these are poured into drains, they eventually solidify and clog pipes, becoming a serious maintenance problem for both the city and private property owners. When kitchen FOG washes down the sink, it sticks to the inside of your sewer pipes. The build-up restricts flow and can eventually block your pipes completely, causing raw sewage to back up into your home or overflow into streets and streams. Home garbage disposals don’t keep kitchen FOG out of sewer pipes. Products that claim to dissolve grease may dislodge a blockage in one place but may cause problems further on down the line. This
The start of a blocked pipe begins when kitchen FOG (fats, oils, grease, and solids) collect on the top and sides of the pipe’s interior.
could be in your household sewer lines, where you are responsible for maintenance, or in a city line, maintained by the city through your sewer fees. The City of Mason maintains over 100 miles of underground pipes that carry wastewater away from homes, businesses, and schools. The waste flows by gravity to lift stations located in strategic areas throughout the city. Pumps in the lift
stations lift the water to a higher elevation where it again flows by gravity through pipes that eventually lead to the city’s Water Reclamation Plant on Mason-MorrowMillgrove Road. Many times, the only remediation to a blocked sewer line is the use of a pressure jet washer. The city spends thousands of dollars a year to remove grease from the interior of the main trunk sewer lines. Once the grease is broken lose, it must be vacuumed out of the system and hauled away for disposal. Quite often the grease makes it to the lift stations, where it coagulates and floats to the top of the wastewater in the lift station basin, often causing odor problems. The only way to remove this grease is again by using a pressure jet washer and vacuum. For the proper way to dispose of kitchen FOG and keep things clear, please see below.
Formation of Sewer Blockage The build-up increases over time as kitchen FOG and other debris are washed down the drain.
Mason Matters
Clearing the FOG in the Kitchen
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Here are some guidelines to keep your drain pipes clean and help avoid plumbing backups. Never pour kitchen FOG (Fats, Oils, or Greases) down sinks or toilets. Scrape food scraps into a can or the trash. Catch food scraps with baskets or strainers in sink drains and throw the scaps in the garbage. If you have a frying pan of FOG (such as from frying onions or cooking burgers or bacon), here’s how to dispose of it: • If it’s grease, let the frying pan sit until the grease hardens. Then you can simply April / May 2013
wipe it out with paper towels and throw the paper towels in the garbage can. • You can also pour the warm grease into an old can (say from vegetables or tomato sauce) and let it harden. Don’t use a plastic container unless you are sure it won’t melt. Once the grease has hardened, simply throw the can away. • If you have used frying oil (such as vegetable oil), let the oil cool. Then place it in a clean glass bottle and save it for the next time you are frying. If it’s dirty and ready to be disposed of, just toss the glass bottle in the trash.
Excessive accumulation will restrict the flow of wastewater and can result in a sanitary sewer backup or overflow.
Restaurant and Building Owners
Recycle grease and oil. Don’t pour grease or oil into sinks, floor drains, or onto a parking lot or street. Use a grease trap or interceptor that is designed, installed, and maintained correctly. Never put solids into grease traps or interceptors. Check and maintain grease traps and interceptors regularly.
Harris Products Group Wins National Best Plants Competition
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ongratulations to Mason-headquartered The Harris Products Group, which won IndustryWeek’s nationwide Best Plants competition for 2012. Only six companies in all of North America received this prestigious and difficult-to-achieve honor. “We believe this facility is a pacesetter among North American manufacturers in terms of operational strategy, production practices and performance, and will continue to lead the way in the future,” said Jill Jusko, Best Plants Director for IndustryWeek. The Harris Products Group is an international manufacturer of cutting, welding, brazing and soldering equipment and consumables, and gas distribution systems. The Mason facility manufactures brazing and soldering alloys used in the manufacturing of products in the transportation and automotive, mining and energy, heavy fabrication, and other industries. President and CEO of The Harris Products Group, David J. Nangle, commended his team’s ability to practice excellence in all they do. “This incredible honor is a credit to our entire team,” he said. “They are committed to doing their best and to being the best, every day. To be recognized as one of the best manufacturing plants speaks volumes about their devotion to making Harris and our parent company, Lincoln Electric, a leader in manufacturing.” The Harris Products Group is located in Mason’s Lincoln Commerce Park on U.S. 42 North. For more information about the company, visit www.harrisproductsgroup.com.
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John M. Stropki, Executive Chairman of Lincoln Electric (left center), David J. Nangle, President of The Harris Products Group and Vice President of Lincoln Electric (center), and Chris L. Mapes, President & CEO of Lincoln Electric (right center), stood with the Harris Products Group management team during the employee celebration of being named an IndustryWeek Best Plant in 2012.
Too Close for Comfort How do you judge how far behind the car in front you need to be? The National Safety Council suggests that you use the 3-second rule. This is a general guideline for creating a safe following distance. All you need to do is stay 3 seconds behind any vehicle directly in front of you. The nice thing is that the rule applies at any speed, so the only number you need to remember is “3.” How do you apply the 3-second rule? Notice when the rear end of the car ahead passes a stationary object, such as a road sign, mile marker, driveway, mailbox, or storm sewer grate. Then count the seconds until the front of your vehicle gets to the same object. There should be at least three seconds. If you got there faster, you’re too close. If you are driving under adverse conditions, you should allow even more distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
For everyone’s safety, Mason Police Department S officers urge you COND E S to keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the traffic ahead. Please drive safely and keep yourself and others from being hurt on the roadways.
www.imaginemason.org
Mason Matters
re you guilty of the two traffic violations that cause more crashes than any other traffic violation? There’s a good chance you are. Following too closely and failure to assure a clear distance ahead cause more crashes than any other traffic violation. No other violations even remotely compare in crash statistics in the State of Ohio. A vehicle travelling at 35 miles per hour is moving at a rate of 51 feet per second. If you are following a vehicle and are 51 feet away and you are both travelling at 35 miles per hour, you will not stop in time if the vehicle in front must brake heavily. Why? Your reaction time will be at least a second and a half before you even begin braking. If you’re not expecting the vehicle to stop or are not paying very good attention, your reaction time becomes at least two and a half seconds. In either scenario, you are in a crash that is YOUR fault.
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Mason Historical Society 2013 is going to be an exciting year for the Mason Historical Society and its members. The Board of Directors would like to encourage you to “Like Us” on Facebook. “Memory Mondays” and “What’s That Wednesdays” as well as “Historical Society Happenings” will help keep you informed about not only your community’s past, but its future as we plan for Mason’s bicentennial in 2015. Watch for information on future programs with a Civil war reenactment and a tour of Voice of America.
Photo submitted by Cara Ball
Electronic Recycling Event Warren County Electronic Recycling Event 9 a.m. – noon Saturday, April 6, 2013 Mason Municipal Center
Sponsored by Warren County Solid Waste District and Cohen Recycling
Annual Calendar Photo Contest
Submit your favorite photos for the annual City of Mason calendar photo contest! Entries are due by May 15, 2013. Photos must have been taken in Mason city limits in 2012 or later. The cost of the annual calendar is supported by sponsorship ads from area merchants and service providers. Orders are now being accepted for ads in the 2014 calendar. To inquire about advertising your business or to submit photo entries, please visit www.imaginemason.org/services/calendarphoto-contest.cfm or call 513.229.8500. Winners of the contest will be selected in May for the 2014 city calendar. The calendars will be ready by the time of this year’s Heritage Festival.
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Free up some space in your basement, garage, or closet by getting rid of old electronic equipment. Items accepted at no charge: cable/satellite boxes, computer equipment, copiers, docking stations, fax machines, laptops, LCD screens, old telephones and cell phones, printers, remotes, small home appliances, speakers, stereos, VCRs, wires Items accepted for a small fee: CRT monitors ($4; first monitor is free), old TVs ($10) Any personal data stored on computer hard drives will be safely and securely destroyed. For more information, contact Warren County Solid Waste District at 513.695.1209.
Photo submitted by Joe Chunko
Mason
Community Garden Project Underway
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Mason Matters
or the fourth year and again with the help of community volunteers, the City of Mason is offering residents the use of growing space in a community garden. The city has set aside land on MasonMorrow-Millgrove Road, across from Mason Sports Park, for garden plots for 2013. Applicants will be granted use of a 10’ by 15’ plot that will be ready to plant. A suggested donation of $20 will cover garden expenses for the season. As you tend your garden throughout the summer, you’ll meet other gardeners and discover how community gardens truly build a sense of community and provide a venue for sharing the love of gardening. Much of the produce is donated to the local Mason Food Pantry, which is extremely appreciative and excited to be able to provide fresh vegetables to those in need in our community. Growing your own vegetables and flowers brings a great
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sense of connection to nature and accomplishment to many, but not everyone has the space for a large garden. If space limits you to container gardens or small-space gardening at home—or keeps you from growing any vegetables at all—consider Mason’s community garden. 2013 applications will be available at Mason Community Center, Mason Municipal Center, and online at www. imaginemason.org/services. Individuals and organizations may grow flowers and/or vegetables, either for their own use or to donate to local food banks. Applications received after May 15 will be assigned as space is available. The City of Mason is grateful to the individuals who have volunteered to organize and oversee the community garden. If you have any questions, please contact Jack Tager (513.678.6932 or jtager@yahoo.com) or Gary Miller (513.460.6041 or garywarrenmiller@yahoo.com).