EMERGENCY SERVICES • GOVERNMENT • COURTS
A Look
Ahead A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OF THE PIQUA DAILY CALL & TROY DAILY NEWS
February 22, 2013 Section 3
2 February 2013
Progress 2013
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
TABLE OF CONTENTS MIAMI COUNTY COMMISSION PAGE 3 CITY OF PIQUA PAGES 4-5 CITY OF TROY PAGES 6-7 TIPP CITY PAGE 8 WEST MILTON PAGE 9 BRADFORD AND FLETCHER PAGE 10 GOVERNMENT ACADEMY PAGE 11 COVINGTON PAGES 12 TROY POLICE DEPARTMENT PAGE 13 TROY FIRE DEPARTMENT PAGE 14
PIQUA FIRE DEPARTMENT PAGE 16
• RESTORATIONS
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR SPECIAL OFFFERS
• COSMETIC DENTISTRY
• EXTRACTIONS • CROWNS & BRIDGES
• RIGID STERILIZATION
• ROOT CANALS • DENTURES & PARTIALS
• SEALANTS • PREVENTIVE CARE • BOTOX
• WHITENING
• JUVÉDERM
COVINGTON POLICE & FIRE PAGE 17
Mark T. Bentley D.D.S. INC Charles H. Stevens D.D.S. Julie E. Jones D.D.S.
www.bentleydds.com
• IMPLANTS
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PIQUA POLICE DEPARTMENT PAGE 15, 20
MIKE ULLERY/STAFF PHOTOS
1523 N. MARKET ST, TROY • 937-335-4630
Progress 2013 Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
February 2013
3
Tough year for budget A request for caution and fiscal conservatism to officials BY WILL E SANDERS Commissioners have Staff Writer each been assigned to variwsanders@civitasmedia.com ous boards and committees and the time and days of TROY — As each pass- commission meetings will ing fiscal year becomes remain unchanged. The bleaker and bleaker for board meets at 9 a.m. and Miami County, county com- 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and missioners adopted their Thursdays, respectively, 2013 budget and elected a and holds their weekly new president and vice work sessions at 9 a.m. president recently to deal Also the commissioners with the growing financial approved the county’s 2013 concerns other local gov- budget in January, noting ernments are grappling how the county will need to with. “operate both conservativeIn early January during ly and cautiously.” a reorganization meeting Commissioners the board of county com- approved 2013 appropriamissions elected Richard tions in the amount of Cultice as the board presi- $27.98 million at the end of dent after serving as vice December, which reprepresident in the year prior. sents a $2.5 million Commissioner John “Bud” increase over last year. O’Brien served as presiCommissioners said the dent last year. increase in the budget is Commissioner Jack the result of healthcare Evans was named as vice costs, increases in cost president of Miami County effective electronic moniCommission. toring by municipal court, All three commissioners long overdue technology are Republicans and improvements, increases in O’Brien is the chairman of support to the Veterans the Miami County Service Office, and adding Republican Party. $1.6 million toward open-
ing two pods at the incarceration facility on County Road 25-A. General fund revenues are projected at $22.92 million, which also is a conservative figure. Meanwhile, 2013 appropriations for all county funds, including the general fund, were set at $96.46 million while projected revenue for all county funds, including the general fund, has been estimated at $81.73 million. Commissioner Richard Cultice said the coming year’s budget will be tough and asked for caution and fiscal conservatism from other elected officials and department heads. “We will need to watch this very closely,” Cultice said of the budget. “This is going to be a strain on the budget. Everyone will need to be cautious with how money is spent.” He added that in order for the budget to work “we will need to be conservative.”
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Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Progress 2013
A look ahead for the city of Piqua From programs to development 2012 was productive, rewarding but what of 2013? BY BETHANY J. ROYER Staff Writer broyer@civitasmedia.com PIQUA — Anyone with a New Year’s resolution list they want to see to fruition may want to take some tips from City Manager Gary Huff. “There’s just a lot of things, all the citizen and employee engagement were tremendously important,” said Huff when asked about what event or project stood out for him against a substantial list of goals he set out to achieve, and met, during his first year as city manager for the city of Piqua. It was this time last year, after former city manager Fred Enderle retired, that Huff came into the community with ambitious endeavors for 2012. Those included a host of programs, economic development and branding projects, and city operation changes, that all began with the National Citizen Survey. Conducted randomly, the survey compares communities nationwide by rank of delivery of services with questions such as how one rates Piqua as a place to live. The idea behind the survey was to see not only where the city stood in terms of resident opinions but to help establish a 5-year Strategic Plan. “We can build off that and use that information to drive some of the things that we are doing,” said Huff of the survey that will be performed every three years as a gauge to see, “Where we are, and the priorities and emphasis of
where we are going to be.” Along with the aforementioned branding project currently in the works, Huff touched-base on the ultra highspeed fiber optic project for the new year, stating, “It’s going to lead us into a lot of new things.” And spoke on a number of citizen engagement goals such as the successful Government Academy that has so far seen two classes with nearly 50 graduates. All of whom were given a unique behind-the-scenes look into numerous city departments under the wing of Development Program Manager Bill Lutz. “It proved to be pretty successful,” said Huff of the government academy classes that will be expanded to adjust some of the dual courses into single segments, with the next academy class to begin in March. As new city manager, Huff also ushered in several new city-wide programs that included INVOLVE (Interested Neighbors Volunteering Valuable Energy) and the Adopt-a-Program for parks, trails, streets, landscaped areas, playgrounds and more. While creating GIVE (Generosity, Involvement and Volunteerism by Employees) and PERforM (Piqua Employees Reaching for More). Along with the implementation of the Volunteer Park Ranger program that has received donations from area businesses, including a grant from the Lundgard Foundation, to purchase equipment and supplies for those participants who will patrol the city’s popular bike/walking paths and trails. Training will take place over the
winter, with spring being the first time of involvement for an estimated 20 new recruits, according to Huff. The new year also saw to the formation of Housing Enhancement League of Piqua or HELP to provide assistance to property owners in enhancing property and neighborhoods.The first major project is scheduled for June and is a culmination of the following local organizations: Shawnee Neighborhood Association Positively Promoting Piqua (PPP) Habitat for Humanity Southview Neighborhood Association ReNew Piqua Miami County Home Builders Association Northparks Neighorhood Association Property Owners Improving Neighborhoods Together (POINT) Piqua Neighborhood Improvement, Inc. Southwest Neighborhood Association Piqua Compassion Network Piqua Association of Churches Huff’s arrival also coincided with many large, in-the-works projects such as the massive undertaking of studying, debating and discussing whether or not to build a new water treatment plant. A major decision that was made over the summer to build new and one that is currently in the design phase that should take until the end of 2013. The city manager also saw completion of the new power system building on County Road-25A. An official ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Dec. 3, with a number of individuals in attendance, including Senator Bill Beagle, Representative Richard Adams, city leaders and employees, and the Piqua
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Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
BETHANY J. ROYER/STAFF PHOTO
The past year has been productive for Piqua and the community, with a number of newly established programs including the Adopt-a-Program that gives residents the opportunity to adopt everything from parks to even fire hydrants. collection master plan, a restructuring of the Public Works department, successful union negotiations, and the acquirement of a weed harvester. The latter one of numerous items brought to success in thanks to grants and generous donations. Such as the Walmart Foundation having donated toward the annual Pick it Up and Clean it Up Day, while a new skate park was brought to area youth thanks to the generous funds and exemplier devoted time put in to see its completion by Rich Donnelly. The 2012 holiday season also saw a number of businesses and individuals donate towards Christmas lighting. However, it may be the 5year Strategic Plan completed in November 2012 that will prove to be the city’s, and the city manager’s, greatest legacy into 2013 and beyond. It covers categories concerning quality of life, public safety and security, infrastructure, growth and development, administration, financial stability, citizen and community relations. Along with a number of secondary strate-
February 2013 bility and assure clearance for the city’s weedharvester. For the most part, the year of 2012 has seen a great deal of improvements, success, and progress with only a few shortfalls, most notably the failure of the Public Safety Income Levy on the November ballot. This left a big question for 2013 after the city’s request of a .25 percent increase for the fire and police departments due to state funding reductions that affect the general fund failed at the time of the interview. Passage of the fall levy would have generated $1 million for annual operating, personnel and capital costs, to help offset the $3 million being taken from the general fund. An amount beyond dedicated tax dollars for the safety budget that had already seen a reduction in police staff by 12.5 percent since 2010, fire by 6.7 percent, with capi-
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tal needs delayed and reduced over the last five years. However, right before Christmas, the Piqua Fire Department received a federal grant of more than $1 million that will provide additional staffing. Something the department has been in need after being under-manned for several years. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced the $1,034,028 grant before the holidays. Stating the grant will assist the Piqua Fire Department with hiring six firefighters for a two year period, and pays 100 percent of the personnel costs, with the city responsible for equipment. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Deparment of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency SAFER grant program.
gic goals of eliminating city $65,000 that will raise the north versus south percep- bridge for handicap accessitions, utilization of vacant lots, encouragement of citizen UnityNationalBk.com involvement and much more. “As you can see there’s 937.773.0752 been a lot of things happening this past year and we have made some good progress,” said Huff on the overall completion and implementation of projects for 2012. “I look for 2013 to be just as active and involved in a lot of new things.” Some of those activities Visit or call any of our six offices today to chat about our low rates, flexible more currently released and terms and fast approvals. You can count on our local bankers to help you find updated via the City Manager’s website as we go the smart solution for your unique situation. We look forward to serving you soon! into 2013 include the water main extension on U.S. Route 36, sidewalk ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance, street resurfacing, the U.S. 36 beautification project, College Street Corridor traffic signal, County Road 25-A resurfacing and reconstruction into phase II, seeing to the removal of the South Cemetery bridge and a Fountain Park pedestrian bridge access. The latter has been assisted thanks to a generous grant Brock Heath Mary Clevenger Scott Davis David Holbrook Kyle Cooper Dean Brewer Krista Leece through the Lundgard Troy Office Tipp City Office Piqua Walmart Office Main Office Main Office Sunset Office Troy Walmart Office Foundation at an amount of 0HPEHU )',&
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Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. There was also the muchanticipated Piqua Memorial Hospital that came tumbling down for what will eventually be home to a new school campus, and the beginnings of a Riverfront project at the former power building that, should grant applications prove successful, will see its eventual demolition. The Ash Street corridor was another large project that required 8 months of work, with the Wayne Street streetscaping completed at the end of November. There was also a number of special events from the popular Taste of the Arts, Christmas on the Green, and the Brown Bag Series, to newly implemented Commission Coffees and Commissioner Breakfasts. Not to be forgotten is the eventual inclusion of a medical clinic for city employees that will tie-in with the city of Troy and the county. The in-house clinic will see an annual savings between $400K to $700K in health insurance costs and when established, will be free to employees and their dependents through a third party. With new health care measures implemented or planned, the city of Piqua was recognized as the 2012 Healthiest Employer by the Dayton Business Journal. They also received recognition as Tree City USA, a distinction the city has enjoyed for 17 years, was recognized as a state model for the Ohio EPA Watershed Protection Plan, and the 2012 American Graphic Design Award for their Plaza Save the Date Mailer, to name but a few. Several other distinctions and awards are currently under development for the new year. The city also tackled a number of operational programs and plans, from development of their new financial software to the creation of a wastewater treatment and
Progress 2013
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6 February 2013
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Progress 2013
An exciting year ahead for Troy Optimistic despite potential statewide budget cuts ANTHONY WEBER/STAFF PHOTO
BY NATALIE KNOTH Staff Writer nknoth@civitasmedia.com TROY — Troy officials are anticipating one of the most exciting years in Troy history, while they also work to prevent — and plan for — potential statewide budget cuts. Mayor Michael Beamish said the city calendar is teeming with an exceptional number of recreational and cultural events for 2013, the most he’s seen in several years — or ever. Troy was selected as one of three U.S. stops for the Gentlemen of the Road tour — featuring headliner Mumford & Sons — and the city also was selected to host the 25th anniversary Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure. Annual events include the Festival of
Nations, Summer Music Series and Mayor’s Concert, among many other events. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such a fully packed summer schedule,” Beamish said. Beginning in May, 20 lifelike sculptures will be on display for the sixth installment of Sculptures on the Square, organized by Troy Main Street. The mayor noted that hosting quality events — in addition to offering quality services — requires sufficient revenue, which could be at stake in the future. “One of the things that concerns us down the road is legislation that could impact Troy’s financial picture,” Beamish said. “But we’ve done pretty well to keep our heads above water with revenues ver-
sus expenditures. Revenue was higher than anticipated, and expenditures lower than anticipated.” Director of Public Service and Safety Patrick Titterington said much of the city’s budget planning is contingent on whether House Bill 5 passes in its current state. The city is posed to lose between $750,000 and $1.25 million per year to the general fund if it passes without significant revision, he added. “It’s tough now to be optimistic when you don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. The city is not opposed to the principles of the bill — which aims to create tax uniformity — but rather the execution of it, which will be costly for cities across the state,
Titterington said. “The sponsors have said, one city does it one way, and another does it another way, and it’s tough to do business in Ohio. We’re trying to be a part of the solution through regional cooperation,” Titterington said. “We are — we have — developed an alternative plan that is revenue-neutral and addresses non-uniform sections without hurting our revenue streams or businesses’ revenue streams. One of our priorities is getting the message through to all legislators.” Titterington estimates that the loss in city revenue would result in needing to cut half a city department, such as police or fire. He stressed that the city is collaborating with other municipalities and villages
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Troy Mayor Mike Beamish conducts His Honor March during the 20th Mayors’ Concert held at Troy’s Hobart Arena last summer. The Dayton Philharmonic Concert Band and Chorus along with the Troy Mayors’ Concert Board dedicated the performance to the memory of founder, Bruce George, and board member, Sidney Wheat.
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Progress 2013
February 2013
7
MIKE ULLERY/STAFF PHOTO
The Adams Street Bridge in Troy was completed in 2012. The construction project sent the city’s annual Strawberry Festival to downtown city streets for 2012. The festival will return to the levee this coming June. as well as legislators to change the language of the bill in a way that does not result in revenue losses. Another important issue for Troy residents in 2013 is the North Market Street reconstruction project, which
is already underway. The city has been working to ensure that residents and businesses still have access and utilities. Council will be deciding on another project later this year — financing the water
and sewer capital program. With interest rates increasing, council will need to make a decision on the project earlier than originally expected. Mayor Beamish said the city also will be focusing on economic development at the educational level, meeting with businesses to see wha t
their employment needs are for the future and how to match these with educational programs at Troy City Schools, career centers and technical schools. “I think you’re going to see in this year an emphasis in trying to develop a strong relationship with the school
system,� Beamish said. “That’s important for the city of Troy as well as this whole region.� Both Titterington and Beamish said maintaining the same quality of services will remain of utmost importance. “You know I have strongly
been an advocate for maintaining the quality of life and services in Troy,� Beamish said. “I hate to see some of the services challenged or cut. The administration has looked at attrition, what we can do better with less. I think we’ve done an admirable job.�
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The Troy Pop Rocks Jump Rope Team entertained at half-time of the Piqua vs Sidney basketball game in February. The group is comprised of 3rd through 8th grade Troy students and is coached by Troy Physical Education teacher Josh Oakes. The group received a standing ovation as they left the floor and another from people in the lobby at Piqua High School as the left to board their bus. For more information on Troy Pop Rocks, visit their website at www.troypoprocks.com.
8 February 2013
Progress 2013
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Tipp City reinvests BY BRAD VATH Tipp City Assistant City Manager TIPP CITY — With the passage of the 0.25 percent Capital Improvement Income Tax Levy in 2011, along with grant funds and utility fund monies, Tipp City will be reinvesting more than $9,000,000 in public infrastructure improvements in 2013. The new 100-foot ladder truck was delivered in December 2012, and will be equipped and become operational in early 2013. The Fire/EMS Station will be expanded to accommodate 24/7 EMS needs, including sleeping accommodations, new EMS vehicle bays, Fire and EMS offices, training room, kitchen, restrooms, etc. starting in the spring. Downtown Main Street from the railroad to First Street will be reconstructed to replace 100 plus year old utilities, StreetScape enhancements such as sidewalks, benches, trees, decorative street
lights and traffic signals, brick pavers, etc.. Everything from the building face to the building face will be replaced. This work should start in late March and be completed by Winter’s Gathering in November. During construction please make sure you visit and support our local merchant’s downtown. Access to shops and stores will be maintained during construction, but may include using rear entrances, side streets, or front entrances. South Third Street reconstruction from Elm to the railroad will be underway in February. West Dow Street reconstruction from Rohrer to Fifth Street will be done during the summer months. There will also be several utility replacement projects (water and sewer lines) done this fall. The annual Street Resurfacing Program will repave streets throughout town. Tipp City’s website, w w w. t i p p c i t y o h i o . g o v, Twitter account @CityofTippCity, or Facebook page “City of Tipp City, Ohio” will all provide updates on these projects
and provide additional local information. On the Economic Development side, the Abbott Liquid Nutrition Manufacturing Facility will start producing their products, Ensure™ and Glucerna™ in Tipp City during the fourth quarter of 2013, while employing 240 persons when line 2 is functioning (www.abbott.com). The Randall Residence Assisted Living Facility at 6400 S. County Road 25-A is slated to open in early June, with 56 assisted living beds and 24 Alzheimer beds, chapel with contemplation garden, theater, beauty shop, café, and employing 85 persons at full staffing (www.randallresidence.com) Hock’s Pharmacy located at 5175 S. County Road 25-A will be opening in early May, and employ 10 persons. They will be offering medical supplies and free prescription delivery (www.hockstippcity.com). Several other Tipp City businesses and industries have or are expanding and adding employees and the number of new residential housing starts almost doubled in 2012.
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Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Progress 2013
February 2013
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Development focal point for village BY MATTHEW KLINE Municipal Manager of West Milton WEST MILTON — Community development will be the focus in West Milton for 2013. The village plans to achieve this in two ways: on infrastructure improvements and a concentration on enhancing the quality of life in terms of both recreational and business friendly means. The former PVP building on South Miami Street in the heart of our downtown will be demolished this spring and a parking lot will take its place. This is a seed, which will help current businesses grow and perhaps spur some needed activity by making some of the empty buildings more attractive for future business opportunities. The parking lot also will allow village officials to strengthen community celebrations and perhaps add more, such as movies, concerts and a community Christmas ceremony. West Milton plans to further its partnership with the Milton-Union School District and concentrate on creating long-term plans for the development of the former elementary school site for recreational purposes. Last year, both governing bodies came to an agreement on dedicating the site for community recreation and this year will be a planning year for developing the site. The village council will be appointing members to the West Milton Park Board and it is hoped that reactivating the board will in turn re-energize the community with recreational enhancements
(the board has been dormant for about four years). Several ideas include a splash pad, a skate board park, and even an artistic wall. Council will appoint members in February, then an organization meeting will be held in March, with plans to take the board on a tour of all lands owned or controlled by West Milton in April, after the weather breaks. The remainder of the year will be spent on brainstorming and planning what activities, programs, and capital improvements the board would like to see built and cre-
ated. When it comes to infrastructure, West Milton will be working hard at strengthening its core in terms of water, sewer and streets by completing projects, which will in the long term keep operational costs down.The major sources of infiltration of water into the sanitary sewer, which does not need to be treated will be identified and corrected. Enhancements at both water and wastewater plants will be made this year, which will strengthen systems and reduce the manpower associ-
ated with daily tasks. Finally, many of the streets will be saying hello to fresh needed asphalt as the village will be renewing its paving program. The most exciting and promising news will be facing the challenge of how to capitalize on the installation of the fiber optic cable, which is nearing completion. Not only is the installation important in terms of helping to provide Internet services to rural Ohio, and for strengthening education in the classroom, but city officials believe it affords them the ability to
PROVIDED PHOTO
Many improvement projects are slated as West Milton heads into this summer, including street paving and demolishion of the former PVP building to make room for a parking lot. market West Milton for poten- Rural American” stimulus bill tial business growth and through the American opportunities.The installation Recovery and Reinvestment was funded by an “Internet for Act.
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10 February 2013
Progress 2013
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Changes ahead for Bradford BY SHERYL ROADCAP Civitas Media
STAFF REPORT
MIKE ULLERY/STAFF PHOTO
Bradford holds its annual Memorial Day parade. last 50 years or so, and the plan is to make it more eyeappealing. In terms of other upcoming events for Bradford, Looker named the village’s annual ‘Movie in the Park’ that takes place late July/early August, and its famous Pumpkin Show from Oct. 8-12. He said that for the movie, they hire a company to erect a large, inflatable screen in the park that community children and their family gath-
er to watch right before the school year begins. During that evening, the village provides hotdogs, popcorn, stuffed animals, school supplies, and Walmart gift cards to viewers for the new school year. Then in autumn, at the Pumpkin Show, which is well-known for lots of confetti thrown by festival-goers, the village closes Miami Avenue from Oakwood to Center Street for the week-long jubilee.
Looker says that the Pumpkin Show is the oldest and only festival where confetti is thrown, but that there is a designated confetti-free day for those who wish to avoid it. During that week, there are several different rides, carnival stands, plenty of food and lots of contests. For more information about any upcoming events or Bradford’s attractions, visit the village’s website at www.bradfordoh.org.
FLETCHER — Officials with the village of Fletcher are seeking the placement of a tax levy on the ballot for the May primary election. The proposed continuing tax levy is for 1.5 mill and would take effect starting in calendar year 2014. The purpose of the levy is for general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads and bridges, according to the proposal. The 1.5 mill levy proposal amounts to a collection of 15 cents for every $100 of valuation for a continuing period of time. Drew Higgins, Miami County Board of Elections director, said the language of the proposal must first be approved by the state for it to appear on the May primary ballot. The primary election is slated for May 7.
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within the next two years, the water treatment plant also will incur between $1.4 to $1.5 million in upgrades to the softener tanks, electrical upgrades, and backwash tanks, among others. “We also have a lot of small projects that we will accomplish this year. We got a parking lot that we plan to construct over at the library, that’s going to happen spring time. We now own 30 acres of railroad property; we bought that over the last four years, and we got a grant to bulldoze a lot of that 30 acres down and get it so that it will be a lot nicer than it is currently,” Looker said. Looker explained that the land to be bulldozed contains a lot of debris, old trees, overgrown vegetation, and such, that has not been tended to during the
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BRADFORD — The Village of Bradford has some major changes coming in 2013. From major refurbishing projects to more modest makeovers, Bradford has a of lot plans for the year. Sue Vickroy, who manages the history room at the Bradford Public Library and is a trustee with the Bradford Railroad Museum, said one of the first upcoming events for the village is ‘Bradford History Day,’ was held Feb. 17 at the Bradford Railroad Museum. On this day, the village’s heritage was celebrated and displayed through various photos and artifacts. This event was the result of the combined effort of the Bradford Historical Society and the Bradford Community Center. Vickroy also said the Bradford Railroad Museum is in the middle of a huge $250,000 campaign of restoration for the museum and signal tower. At some point in the future, she said, the museum has another large project in the works to build a scalemodel of the former railroad yards, as they once were. She explains that prior to the great fire of 1920 — which nearly destroyed the entire village, along with the railroad yards — Bradford was the largest rail line west of Pennsylvania. Bradford Administrator Rick Looker said the village has two other major projects beginning this spring — a $3.2 million waste-water upgrade and a $1.4 million sewer-separation project. He adds that,
Village seeks levy on May ballot
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Progress 2013
Class is in session PIQUA — Interest around the weaponry carried by those who patrol the city streets was piqued as questions ranging from why the need for a rifle and a shotgun, to whether a bullet proof vest sufficiently protects against a threat came from those attending Wednesday night's session of the first ever government academy. It’s not very often that the public gets to not only see the behind-the-scenes workings of the police department, but visit those who uphold the law and risk their lives for the safety of others. However, the academy participants were able to do just that as Police Chief Bruce Jamison hosted the second government academy class of an eventual 11 sessions. A tour of the police department at the government complex took students from the wall of honor for Piqua officers who have fallen in the line of duty, to the two-bay garage, armory, passed the interrogation rooms and numerous office/administrative areas, to a sub-floor classroom. It was here that Jamison explained to those in attendance everything from department structure, rotating shifts and procedures, to a hightech GPS system that allows the department to see the location of a cruiser, where they are going, even speed. Jamison noted the many technological advances over the span of his 25-year career have also resulted in challenges, such as learning a new records management system, policy system, performance tracking, and
even social media. “I’m beginning to see and appreciate how valuable some of those community” relation elements are,” Jamison said regarding how reductions in the department meant the loss
grams, chaplain work, an on-site greeter and at special events. Jamison covered the challenges of working around a tight budget that has seen the loss
City to host third Government Academy PIQUA — The City of Piqua will be kicking off their third Piqua Government Academy to give residents an inside look at operations of the city government. “The Piqua Government Academy has developed a tradition of providing a rich experience for participants. For seventeen weeks, our participants are going to get an inside look at how our city operates and even have a chance to be a city commissioner for a mock commission meeting,” stated William Lutz, Development Program Manager, who is managing the academy. “Participants will see our facilities and understand the work we do on a daily basis.” The program will kick off on March 7 and will continue each Thursday night for 17 weeks culminating with a Mock City Commission meeting on June 20. Participants can register on-line for the program through the city website at www.piqua.org, by clicking on the Piqua Government Academy logo. Applicants also can register by contacting Lutz at 778-2062 or via email at blutz@piquaoh.org. Registration for the Government Academy program will close on Feb. 28.
of a crime prevention and community relations department and the value of Facebook, particularly after the Fountain Park shooting. Jamison is working on a volunteer public information unit to help with social media along with other tasks that will include, as announced by City Manager Gary Huff, a new volunteer park ranger program. Volunteers in the police department have assisted with patrol of the bike paths, bike safety pro-
of 12 percent of staff over the last five years through retirement and attrition. Even working around an aging cruiser fleet poses a dilemma for a department that typically sees a four year life expectancy on their vehicles. Detective Dave Thomas also spoke to the group on the typical weapons carried by officers with a display of those items from a bullet proof vest, handcuffs, a duty firearm, 12gauge shotgun, rifle and taser. The latter of which the detective dispelled the
myths associated with the device, such as how many volts are actually dispensed to the fact it is not an electrocution but a neuromuscular incapacitation which interrupts the brain’s ability to control the body’s muscles. “ T h e 50,000 is giving you the ability to jump through the clothing,” explained Thomas of the initial 50,000 volts delivered from the device to effect the muscles. “Then it instantly cycles down to 1,200 volts.” Thanks to several partnerships with Edison Community College and a grant that allowed for the purchase, academy participants were given an opportunity to visit the department’s training lab “use of force” simulator. Deputy Chief Marty Grove showcased a few of the hundreds of potential scenarios that allow officers to practice in a variety of settings, situations and individuals. One scenario Grove presented to the academicians included a man standing over a wounded officer, reaching for a gun. Also on hand was Deputy Chief Tom Steiner In his duties include Tactical Team commander, Steiner brought the Piqua Police Department Tactical Response Team vehicle to Edison, along with gear. The next government academy class will be held at the city fire department.
February 2013
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Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Progress 2013
Wastewater plant to undergo study Will determine three possible options for Covington BY TOM MILLHOUSE Staff Writer tmillhouse@civitasmedia.com COVINGTON — After achieving a number of goals during 2012, Covington Village Council has set out to accomplish a new set of tasks this year, including a study that will shape the village’s wastewater treatment utility service for years to come. Village Administrator Mike Busse said Covington will be employing an engineering firm to conduct a study of the wastewater treatment. Busse said the study is an important step for the village. “It’s very important to make the right decision because the decision you make today people will have to live with in the future,” Busse said, noting the current plant was last updated in 1982. The study will study three possible options for the village: 1. Building complete new treatment facility. 2. Upgrading the current treatment facility. 3. Abandoning the village’s current wastewater plant and sending the wastewater to another community for treatment. Another infrastructure the village will undertake this year are a study of storm sewers in the Spring Street area and working with the county on ditch maintenance issues, specifically Rocky Branch Ditch. Busse said the village plans to expand it’s already successful recycling program. “We are working on a
BUSSE
recycling grant to help expand the program to all residents,” Busse said. “If we receive the grant we plan to purchase 48-gallon roll-around toters to be used by larger volume residential customers in the community. “Future plans are to separate the recycling into categories,” he said. “This will allow Covington to recover some of the costs for curbside recycling thus helping to hold down the costs. This can be accomplished through the purchasing of multi-bin trailers, allowing residents to sort the recyclables into various categories. We also plan to purchase a cardboard baler to bail the card board we collect for resale.” With the goal of improving the safety of students walking and riding bicycles to school, the village has applied for two Safe Routes to School grants, one to install sidewalks in the neighborhoods surrounding the elementary school and another to pay for increase police patrols during the times when students are walking to and from school.
TOM MILLHOUSE/STAFF FILE PHOTO
Mike Busse, the first Covington village administrator, left, discusses sewage treatment plant issues with Ray Kimmel, village utilities superintendent. Busse said the village will be conducting a study of the sewage plant starting later this year to determine what improvements will be needed in the future. While the village plans for the future with projects undertaken this year, Busse said a number of goals were met during 2012. The village implemented new software package for financial records, payroll and billing. The new utility billing system transitioned from quarterly billing to monthly billing. As part of that program the village has installed a number of radio read meters, which has reduced the time required to read all utility meters in the village from eight days to six days. When all meters are switched to radio read, Busse said it will only take about two
hours to read all meters in the village. Another major change in Covington came in June when the village hired Busse as the village’s first administrator. He came to Covington from Russia where he also served as village administrator. Covington Mayor Ed McCord listed the following additional accomplishments for the village during 2012: • Addressing the problem of stormwater infiltration into the sewage system; • Continued planning of the anticipated Spring Street reconstruction proj-
ect; • Exploring funding for future capital projects; • Improving communication with village residents through a village newsletter. 2363747
“We did very well in meeting our goals last year,” McCord said. “We have some good goals for this year and we’re monitoring them monthly.”
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Progress 2013
February 2013
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It’s ‘business as usual’ for Troy Police Department TROY — Troy Police Department will approach the 2013 year with a “business as usual” mentality. “It’s going to be status quo with us for now,” said Capt. Joe Long. According to Long, the department still has four positions left unfilled in regards to officers. The department also has two clerk positions open as well as the building superintendent and secretary are part-time. The department did add four new Ford Interceptor SUVs to its fleet this year to retire high mileage vehicles. Long also said unmarked cruisers may be updated this year. Troy Police Department officials are also researching ways to replace the department’s fire arms for the 39 officers on duty. The department did hire former Miami County Sheriff ’s Office Dominic Burnside as a patrolman for the city. The department maintains three school resource officers and three detectives. Four Troy car dealerships donated a 2007 Jeep Liberty to the Troy Police Department’s School Resource Officers and its D.A.R.E program in January 2011. Erwin Chrysler Dodge, Dave Arbogast GMC, Joe Johnson Chevrolet and Troy Ford donated funds to promote the school district’s D.A.R.E. program. The 2007 Jeep Liberty sports an Americanthemed logo “wrap” on the the vehicle. The “wrap” on the Jeep lists the business-
es that helped with the purchase of the D.A.R.E. vehicle. The police department will continue to offer the Safety Patrol program in the summer in mid-June at Hobart Arena. Troy Police Department’s Rape Aggression Defense will continue as long as community members requests classes from the department. Troy Police officer Joel Misirian is certified to instruct the class and has received positive feedback from the program’s participants. For more information about R.A.D., visit the department Web site at www.troyohio.gov/police/po lice.html or contact Officer Joel Misirian by calling 339-7525, Ext. 423 or by email at joel.misirian@troyohio.gov. Troy Police Department will continue to participate in the county’s National Night Out that will be held at Troy City Park on Tuesday, Aug. 6. • Captain Chuck Adams is the police department’s Administrative Captain. Adams responsibilities include Record Section, Parking Control, buildings and systems maintenance, inventory, supply and training records. Adams also is the department representative for risk management. • Captain Joe Long is the police department’s Patrol Captain. Long’s responsibilities include patrol services and scheduling, maintenance and accountability for equipment issued to the patrol section. In addition, Long is the department representative for the vendor for the county-wide computer system, and for CALEA (Commission for
ANTHONY WEBER/STAFF PHOTO
Workers from DanCo Lettering of Beavercreek, including Michael Avery work on completing reflective graphics on several vehicles at the Troy Police Department.
Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies) and the police Auxiliary. • Captain Chris Anderson is the city police department’s Detective Captain. Anderson also is responsible for the Property Room. For more information about the Troy City Police Department, visit its website at www.troyohio.gov/police/po lice.html.
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14 February 2013
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Progress 2013
New year means full staff After lacking in 2012, Troy fire dept. welcomes four new fire fighters BY DAVID FONG Executive Editor dfong@civitasmedia.com
ANTHONY WEBER/STAFF PHOTO
The Troy Fire Department will be adding five new members to its staff this year. power was a challenge,” he said. “But our guys did a tremendous job. They worked a ton of overtime. We had guys step up when we needed it. They deserve a break.” Boehringer said the Troy Fire Department worked 3,249 hours in short-shift overtime alone last year. “We had a couple of guys out with injuries or on vacation and someone would have to fill in for them and work overtime,” Boehringer said. “Having a full staff back
again will eliminate that.” “There’s $400,000 in the help having that extra man- the Troy Fire Department That’s not the positive power.” can look forward a major budget for a new tanker,” he thing Boehringer sees on the said. Finally, Boehringer said, equipment addition. horizon for the Troy Fire Department this year. In addition to adding four new members to the fire department, the city also will be adding another medic to the team, raising the total number from four to five. “It’s nice being able to run 2343 W. Michigan Ave., Sidney, Ohio 45365 four front-line medics and being able to have one in (937) 498-4014 • Fax (937) 498-1518 reserve,” Boehringer said. www.BuckeyeFord.com “We had a high volume of runs last year, so it’s going to Remember, don’t buy until you try Buckeye! 2363730 2363821
TROY — Troy Fire Department Chief Chris Boehringer is looking for to 2013 with a full staff — something that was sorely lacking in 2012. “We have four new guys starting this year,” Boehringer said. “We’ve been really shorthanded because of resignations and retirements with guys who weren’t replaced. We’re really excited to be getting back to our normal staff.” Boehringer said that being short handed was a challenge for both he and his staff — but that the members of the Troy Fire Department rose to meet the challenge in 2012. “For me, just trying to manage all the different shifts with minimal man-
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Progress 2013
February 2013
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Reporting crimes goes high tech with TipSoft Piqua police use new methods for anonymous leads PIQUA — In the olden times — somewhere around 2001 — a resident would pick up a telephone and call the Piqua Police Department anonymously through the department’s CrimeStoppers tipsline, but times, and the crimes, have changed. This is one of the reasons by Piqua Police Chief Bruce Jamison supported bringing the latest in crime-tip submittal technology to the department. While the CrimeStoppers hotline at 615-TIPS will remain active, the new service, called TipSoft, is better tailored for today’s world and allows residents to report information to the police anonymously through the Internet, a text message or from any Android or iPhone mobile device with the TipSubmit mobile application. Since instituting tip software recently and having the system go live his week, Jamison said TipSoft is a much-needed update from the CrimeStoppers tip line, which went active in 2001. He said TipSoft is a part of his department’s “proactive efforts to prevent, reduce and solve” city crimes and that TipSoft allows the department to “utilize current technology to communicate” with residents through the city’s website and the police’s Facebook page. “We were noticing less and less use of the CrimeStoppers hotline and all of the tips needed to
come in through telephone,” Jamison said. “But that was old school for the people who have the best information.” Jamison started moving in the direction of TipSoft after he noticed the police department’s Facebook page slowly became a portal for some in the community to submit tips, but it was hardly anonymous. The department acquired a grant from the Piqua Community Foundation to purchase the service, which was announced this week with the cooperation of the department, Pique CrimeStoppers and the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce. The police chief encouraged citizens to take advantage of the new software and said he waned to remind the public how tips from the public can prove especially critical with making local arrests and successful prosecutions. “Where the really good stuff comes in is whenever someone who knows firsthand knowledge of a crime, but doesn’t want to get involved so we can verify it in some way,” Jamison said. Since the system went live this week Jamison said the department has already received one tip that has allowed a police investigation to begin after it turned out the information was credible. According to Jamison, TipSoft is successful because it uses technology that is familiar to residents because it allows them to carry on an anonymous, two-way conversation with the agency without requir-
ing them to speak directly with an officer. To date, the TipSoft system has received 2 million tips that have resulted with 145,000 arrests, 55,000 fugitives apprehended and more than $5.3 billion recovered in drugs and property, which also includes 11,000 vehicles and 22,000 weapons, said William Kilmer, CEO of PublicEngines, the company that owns TipSoft. “We welcome the Piqua Police Department to the MIKE ULLERY/STAFF PHOTO list of over 900 law enforce- Piqua police take two individuals into custody in the 700 block of South Main Street ment organizations that in connection with an alleged shoplifting at the Troy Meijer store. A third suspect are effectively using was apprehended after a foot chase. TipSoft and applaud their commitment to public safety,” Kilmer stated in a press release. “With TipSoft, agencies can invite the public to take an active role in making their communities safer.” Another interesting feature of the software that differs from the CrimeStoppers hotline is the ability to send the police photographs or videos using the Internet, mobile applications or text messages. Citizens are encouraged to use the service to report information about any nonurgent illegal activity, such as an unsolved crimes, vandalism, theft, the sale and distribution of drugs or information about crimes that are being planned in the community or in schools. Tips can be submitted by visiting www.piquaohpd.org or by texting the words “CRIMES” (274637) with the keyword “PiquaPD.”
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16 February 2013
Progress 2013
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Piqua receives helpful grant Funds from state mean six new firecrew BY WILL E SANDERS Staff Writer wsanders@civitasmedia.com
MIKE ULLERY/STAFF PHOTO
Water vapor forms a rainbow as firefighters pour water on a Staunton Street house fire in Piqua on Feb. 22, 2012. One person was transported from the scene by Piqua medics for evaluation. The female was reportedly smoking in bed, while on oxygen. An employee of a nearby business entered the burning home and pulled the woman to safety. lages safe.” The SAFER program supports the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. The grants are awarded directly to volunteer, combination and career fire departments to help such departments with increasing the number of front-line firefighters. Piqua Fire Chief Mike Rindler said his department has lost a number of positions through attrition over the years and that has impacted the service his
department provides. “People may not have seen it much, but we have responded to fires with fewer people,” Rindler said. “This grant is huge. It will allow us to bring our staffing to where it needs to be.” Rindler said the rest of the department was happy to get the grant and said the department as a whole was lucky. “A lot of hard work went into writing this grant,” Rindler said. In terms of staffing, it will mean 10 firefighters/paramedics
will be on a shift instead of only eight. In addition, two key donations to the department also assisted the department with their mission of saving lives. In January the American Legion Post 184 donated a high-tech snow blade to allow the department to clear snow from the downtown CareFlight landing zone, among other necessary chores during winter weather events. Also in January, Rich Donnelly of the Donnelly Foundation and Sammye
Harrison of Barclay’s donated funds to the American Legion Post 184’s Ambulance Equipment Fund for a new Jaws of Life
for fire department. Both donations replaced old and updated equipment the department had been using.
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PIQUA — The Piqua Fire Department has received a more than $1 million federal grant that will provide additional staffing of six new firefighters for the future after the department has been under-manned for several years. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced the $1,034,028 grant last week. He said the grant will assist the Piqua Fire Department with staffing. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency SAFER grant program. “Firefighters put their lives on the line each day to keep our communities safe,” Brown said. “These new federal resources will help ensure that Piqua has the skilled responders needed. With so many communities already facing budget shortfalls, critical federal efforts like SAFER are pivotal in keeping our Ohio cities, towns and vil-
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Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Progress 2013
February 2013
17
On the path to improvement BY TOM MILLHOUSE Staff Writer tmillhouse@civitasmedia.com
MIKE ULLERY/STAFF PHOTO
Covington Police Department, Covington Fire Department and Covington Rescue Squad all report plans to make strides this year in improving services to local residents. and awareness grant to keep officers in the local schools. Officers also spent a day before the Christmas holiday playing kickball and having lunch with middle school students. The department also hosted its annual Halloween event for local children at the village park. Harmon said his department has four full-time officers and nine auxiliary officers. A 40-year member of the Covington Fire Department, Chief Bill Westfall said the department will continue its successful fire prevention program this coming fall. “It has worked out exceptionally well the last several years,” said Westfall, who has been chief since 1992. “We were very fortunate last year,” Westfall said when asked if the department had any major fires
last year. He praised local residents for their efforts to prevent fires. Westfall said the department has 31 active firefighters. The department lost two longtime firefighters — Tony Alexander and Leon Hollopeter — during 2012. “We’ve added some young firefighters and that’s always good,” he said. The main 2013 project for the Covington Rescue Squad will be the replacement of two pieces of costly equipment which provide medics with critical information. Mike Marion, squad chief, said the devices monitor blood pressure, give oxygen and carbon dioxide readings, keep pacemakers working properly for patients who have pacemakers and have defibrillators in the event of a heart stoppage. “We’re trying to replace them both at the same
time,” Marion said of the machines, which cost $34,000 each. He said it would be confusing for squad members if there were two different types of devices on the ambulances. Marion, who has been on the squad for 14 years, including six years as chief, said there are currently 18 members serving Covington and surrounding areas. While noting that “2012 was a status quo type of year,” Marion said the squad did take a major step forward early in the year with the implementation of a new computer run report program. Instead of completing reports by hand and mailing them to the state, the new system does the task electronically. He said the project cost about $15,000, but it will save money on envelopes and postage. “That was a huge cost-cutting measure,” he said.
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COVINGTON — While slow economic growth prevents major projects, the Covington Police Department, Covington Fire Department and Covington Rescue Squad all report plans to make strides this year in improving services to local residents. “Mainly, we’re taking steps to improve our technology,” said Police Chief Lee Harmon. He said the department will be replacing computers and radios. Harmon said the department also is working with Covington Exempted Village Schools to improve safety for local students. Following the Sandy Hook School shootings in Connecticut, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office is offering training for police officers and school officials to help prevent such an incident at local schools. “We plan to take advantage of the initiatives while they are offered,” Harmon said. “We want to make our schools as safe as we can.” The village also is working with the school district on the Safe Routes to School program designed to make it safer for children traveling to and from school. The village has applied for two grants, one to provide funds for installing sidewalks and the other to pay for stepping up police patrols around school areas in the morning and afternoon. Another safety initiative will be a summer bike safety program, according to Harmon. During 2012, the department received a drug abuse
Village also working on Safe Routes to School program
18 February 2013
Progress 2013
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
They’re not your father’s police cruiser County takes delivery of new generation of police pursuit SUVs BY MIKE ULLERY Chief Photographer MIAMI COUNTY — They say that looks can be deceiving. In the case of the latest generation of police pursuit vehicles, looks are deceiving — on several levels. Local police departments and the Miami County Sheriff’s office are taking the first deliveries of 2013 Ford Police Pursuit SUVs. The vehicles are, “The first pursuit-rated utility on the market,” said Sgt. Marc Basye, an accredited certified driving instructor from the Tipp City Police Department who also serves as a guest advanced driving instructor at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. Basye said of the new generation of police vehicles, “The days of V8 rear-wheel drive (in police cruisers) are coming to an end,” and the new Ford is, “an absolutely amazing car.” The Tipp City Police Department recently received its first unit and the Miami County Sheriff’s Office received five of the new vehicles. Both departments are in the process of outfitting the SUVs for the road. The Troy Police Department is seriously considering the Ford SUV to replace three of their higher mileage cruisers during this year’s replacement cycle. The question that will come to mind most quickly for taxpayers is the cost of the SUV cruisers. The Ford SUV police package vehicle costs around $25,000 per unit. That is just $2,000 more than its sedan counterpart. With options, the price difference can drop to
MIKE ULLERY/STAFF PHOTO
Tipp City Police get the feel of the latest generation of police pursuit vehicles on their driving course at Kyle Park on June 22, 2012. Sgt. Marc Bayse demonstrated the handling and maneuverability of the Ford police SUV, based on the Ford Explorer but with many police "amenities" built-in — including a V6 engine that develops 300 horsepower while turning in an economical 17 miles per gallon. a mere $400. Taxpayers should also be aware that much thought and research goes into the decision of which vehicles to purchase for one of the most demanding tasks that a vehicle can be asked to do. Government officials are very aware that they are spending our hard-earned dollars. Several advisory boards exist to develop information of vehicles and assist agencies in making the right choices. Cost, reliability and safety to both the officers driving the vehicle and the civilian public around the vehicles are all given serious scrutiny. The SUV choice seems well-worth the extra money. Miami County Sheriff’s Lt. Jamie McGlinch pointed out that, to a sheriff’s deputy, his or her cruiser is two things, it is a first, a tool, just as a pair of handcuffs
are tool. The cruiser also is a rolling office. Both jobs require adequate workspace. The new Ford SUVs have abundant storage space for the many tools law enforcement officers need to do their job. Capt. Joe Long of the Troy Police Department emphasized the need for workspace, saying that with new technology, officers spend more time than ever in their patrol vehicles. Officers can access records and work on reports without returning to the station … a perk that keeps officers in neighborhoods and on the streets for more of their shift. Both McGlinch and Basye pointed to the fleet key as an important consideration. The Fords offer vehicle keys for the entire fleet to be keyed alike. None of the Ford keys contain
micro-chips common to most new vehicles. If a new key is needed, it is the “old-fashioned” variety, not one of the high-tech keys that can cost $100, or more, to replace. McGlinch said that the sheriff’s office decision to go with the SUVs was, in part, “small things, fleet key for us, was huge.” The Ford SUVs are powered by 3.7 liter V6 engines that develop 300 horsepower while getting an estimated 17 miles per gallon. The computer-aided “StabiliTrack” system, which includes gyroscopic stability assist, makes the vehicle possibly the most stable police vehicle ever produced. The SUVs are full-time allwheel drive. Vehicle safety is perhaps the most important single factor when it comes to purchasing new cruisers. Sgt. Bayse pointed out that in
motor vehicle crashes involving law enforcement, officers die in two places, intersections and turns. The stabilization system assists in both handling curves and in keeping the SUV stable during braking, keeping officers, and civilians more safe. The vehicles are proving so promising that both Tipp City Police Chief Tom Davidson and the Tipp City Council have indicated that current plans will be to
transition to a fleet made up largely of the SUV models. The five SUVs for the sheriff’s office were purchased with county funds allocated in 2011, McGlinch said. Plans are to continue purchasing the SUVs as part of the yearly vehicle purchases. The new Fords also are 100 percent American build products. Both the sedan and SUV are being built at the Chicagoland Ford plant.
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Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
Progress 2013
February 2013
19
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An October 2012 morning blaze tore through Miami Valley Polishing, 220 Fox Drive, after the fire started in the furnace area of the factory and aluminum and magnesium dust acted like a powder keg, fire officials said.
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In this 2011 file photo, Spencer Davis applies paint to his door, which was on display at “Opening Doors to Troy,” the Sculptures on the Square 2011 outdoor art exhibit in downtown Troy. The sculptures will be returning to downtown Troy this summer.
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20 February 2013
Progress 2013
Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News
New philosophy drives Piqua PD
MIKE ULLERY/STAFF PHOTO
Chief Bruce Jamison of the Piqua Police Department discusses the outcome of the trial for Travis Gauldin, with members of the media, outside the courtroom of Judge Christopher Gee. Gaulding was found guilty of murdering 4-year-old Malisa DeLaSancha at her Caldwell Street home in April 2012.
BY WILL E SANDERS Staff Writer wsanders@civitasmedia.com PIQUA — With department staffing levels at an alltime low and 20 percent lower than five years ago, Piqua Police Chief Bruce Jamison said he has adopted a new philosophy at the police station. Jamison said the department has adopted a new philosophy that’s called “intelligence led and victim driven.” The first part, he explained, deals with using police officers and police resources wisely amid low staffing levels in order to make the department more efficient with less personnel. “We can whine about it or figure out how to make things work and we have already made some adjustments to make it work,” the chief said. Such adjustments, he added, are not the kind citizens will physically observe, rather it is aimed at not stressing the department’s resources and manpower while setting priorities with intelligence led crime prevention techniques. The second part of the mantra, “victim driven,” deals with “trying to keep people from becoming victims of crimes and helping those that have been.” “It always has been important to this department and it will always be,” Jamison said. Jamison said the department also is instituting a priority response plan. “Right now people call an officer and the next available officer responds and people rarely have to wait more than 15, certainly not longer than 30, minutes,” Jamison said. “In some cases we will now be delaying certain calls until the next day.” He said certain calls, like civil-related, petty vandalism and the like, will become low priority. “We will be able to make better use of our maximum amount of resources and will allow us to be smarter,” he said. “I wish we didn’t have to do it.” 2363630