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The Cincinnati Post
Ohio gets paid; E. Palestine gets paid; Driehaus gets paid - Hamilton County residents get dumped on
The State of Ohio and some of its residents got paid over $680 million dollars in settlements for toxic waste. Still, Hamilton County residents will not see a dime of it despite much of that toxic waste being dumped in county neighborhoods, bearing the health implications of accepting such waste.
Colerain: Energy Aggregation Bites Residents in the Wallet; Hope for Better Bet this Year
This year will be the first in over a decade where Colerain Township residents won't be price-gauged by their township aggregation plan. For a decade, the township was padding residents' electric bills through a 1/2 cent kickback to the township. Collectively, residents paid approximately $1 million to the township via their electric aggregation contracts, without their knowledge. That practice ended when a local nonprofit, Greater Community Groups, Inc., and residents scoured contract terms to account for a "civic grant" incorporated into the aggregation contract. Since then, the practice has ended.
"No Soup for You!" in Hamilton County; Rumpke gives Columbus Everything possible - and more.
A cabal of residents united against corporate powerhouse Rumpke Consolidated over the course of over a year sought to improve the management of waste within Hamilton County and thereby stop the opening of a legally closed landfill in Southwest Hamilton County. They called themselves, the Solid Waste Caucus. Per an email dated Aug 9, 2022, these residents asked for:
Rumpke Plays County Residents for "Chumps" and invests $100M in Columbus; Thank Comm'r Driehaus
Rumpke has played Hamilton County residents for "chumps," according to local advocate Carrie Davis. She says, Rumpke made a fortune dumping garbage from 5 states in Hamilton County's backyard for decades and then chose to invest millions in Columbus, Ohio instead of Cincinnati.
Colerain Police Officer made $81,000 in Overtime Pay as Township asked Residents for Tax Levy
"I think the trustees need to learn how to do a budget. Every year they ask for more money, " posted John Stemen, on social media shortly before voters rejected the trustees' 2nd request for a police levy in 6 months. Stemen, like other residents, blames the trustees as the township faces a $4 million annual budget shortfall. Per the meeting agenda on March 26th, 2024, page 32:
OPINION: Driehaus-Rumpke: Corruption and Toxic Waste in County Politics
Campaign finance reports indicate a financial relationship initiated in 2022 between Rumpke and County Commissioner Denise Driehaus. During this period, Driehaus facilitated the passage of a controversial rule within the County Solid Waste Plan, contradicting her commitments to constituents concerned with toxic waste being brought into Hamilton County. Driehaus' rule revisions greatly benefitted Rumpke and devastated the future of Harrison and Whitewater as it has Colerain Township.
NWLSD to Loose $100M in Facility Funding as "the walls come tumbling down" with School De-Funding
NWLSD is set to lose about $100M in facility funding. The Ohio legislature has taken another move to DE-FUND public education and the 2nd largest school district in Hamilton County is being caught in the cross-hairs.
NWLSD Leadership & Teachers Exit District while Buildings Crumble
Over 24 employees of the NWLSD have resigned; most for "personal reasons, " according to the NWLSD's Board Meeting Minutes. One name missing from those resigning in the board meeting minutes is the superintendent, Darrell Yater. He, too, is leaving. With him goes 3 principals, 9 teachers, and 5 Intervention Assistants.
There's a new game show in town: GUESS YOUR CANDIDATE
The newest political game in Ohio is called, Guess the Candidate, and we'll be playing it for the rest of the political season. The object of the game is to test your knowledge of candidates' real voting records with what they say in their stump speeches and compared to who is funding those campaign promises.
Supreme Court candidate overturned on appeal, "exceeds authority," in Colerain lawsuit
A long-term resident and employee with the township for over a decade was unceremoniously fired after exhausting his Family Medical Leave. He can finally cash the check - now. "Unceremoniously" being the key factor.
Colerain Resident: "We need MONEY! ... Let's TIF the Hell out of Colerain... (or) become a city"
With no notice to residents via social media or through Cerkle, an online newsletter of important issues in the township, the township surprised residents and acknowledged the dire financial straights after another consecutive levy failure in March. Estimates by administration predict a $4M annual deficit.
Colerain Township Settles Another Lawsuit after Targeting a Nonprofit
Colerain Township signed off on yet another legal settlement for wrongdoing against residents' in late March. The plaintiff received a check for $17,500 as compensation. The township has been repeatedly called out for their offenses against residents. This time, the township had targeted a nonprofit that has operated in the township for over 20 years amassing benefits to the public in the tens of millions of dollars over the course of their tenure.
Colerain Township Police Department: Levy Failure Fallout; Residents Weigh In
It was a tough pill to swallow for Colerain Township when an overwhelming majority of residents voted against supporting a police levy - again. The property tax would have cost residents about $11 a month per $100K in home value. Over 55% of voters rejected the increase in their property taxes. Many residents complained the township spent $2M purchasing the vacated Sears building at Northgate Mall while others' primary complaint was the sticker shock from the 30+% increase in their current property taxes mandated by the state treasurer. The majority of voters opposing the levy reside on the more affluent, west side of Colerain. Lori McMullin, of the Greater Northbrook Community Group and a commissioner on the township's zoning board, lives on the east side of Colerain. She teared up at a trustee meeting,
Colerain Trustees put "Poison Pill" in Police Levy
"Why would the Colerain Township trustees insist on inserting a "Poison Pill" in the much-needed Police Levy that may deter public support?" asked the director of Greater Community Groups, Inc. (GCG), a nonprofit foundation that serves those nonprofits serving Colerain residents.
Colerain Whistleblower Blows the Lid Off Township's Real Problems
Public records reveal the inner workings in Colerain Township that result in a revolving door of disgruntled employees, community fatigue, and costly litigation. Another Zoning Administrator in Colerain Township was fired “without cause,” per Trustee Matt Wahlert, in late August. He is at least the 3rd Zoning Administrator forced out in the last 6 years. The Public Works department has also gone through 3 directors fleeing the township in as many years. In addition, the township is on it’s 2nd administrator. In total, 12 department heads and numerous staffers, including the entire zoning department, have passed through the township’s revolving door since Trustee Dan Unger came on board.
Veterans' Director calls new Commissioner "a--hole" at 1st public meeting as change moves forward
The Executive Director of the Veterans' Service Commission, William Boettcher, called one of his new bosses an "a--hole" after the new commissioner put it on the record that he had asked for Boettcher's resignation in executive session as the meeting touched some nerves over changes introduced by the 2 newest members of the VSC, Urulee Watson and Steve Staniford. Boettcher has been the executive director overseeing services for Veterans for 32 years.
Colerain profitted by padding residents' electric bills; Is it an illegal tax, a fee, or donation?
Colerain Township had an "adder" put on their electrical aggregation contract with Dynegy from 2020 - 2023 that increased residents' bills in order to get a "civic grant" kickback of up to $200K over 3 years while citizens struggled to pay utility costs.
"Elephant in the room" censure tramples Rep. Abrams; Brunemann and Salvato ready to go!
According to George Brunemann's campaign page, the Ohio Republican Party refuses to endorse their incumbent, Cindy Abrams, for State Representative for the 29th District. The 29th District, now known as the Harrison Distric,t as opposed to the former Colerain District, encompasses Colerain, Harrison, Pleasant Run, Cleves, and parts of Crosby Township with a little gerrymander section pulling out of western Addyston.
Criminal theft charge against Colerain lodged for "confiscating" a newsletter to block free speech
The Colerain Township Law Director, Scott Sollman of Schroeder, Maundrell, Barbiere, & Powers, directed the Chief of Police to “confiscate” and retain all copies of a community newsletter called, Colerain: Council of Neighborhoods; A Community Newsletter brought for distribution at a public meeting of the Colerain Township Board of Trustees.
Colerain Twp and FD fined by ODNR regarding illegal taking of Little Cards football field
In a letter dated December 7th, 2023, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) called out Colerain Township and the Colerain Fire Department for their illegal taking of public parklands to build a new firehouse. The ODNR letter states, in part:
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