I attended the Planning Commission (as a resident) on 7/18 and here's what I saw.
Removing sidewalks on West Street between Wooster and Madisonville Rd (opposite the school) is a bad idea. I'm concerned it's even still under consideration. We are a walking community who is trying to extend sidewalks (up Miami's hill, on East across Wooster, etc), not remove them. Less sidewalks unravels what we've been praised for: New Urbanism, an alternative to suburban sprawl's driving community model. We should kindly thank the applicant for his offer to landscape but reject this regressive idea.
I will be watching closely as the PC reconsiders this application after school convenes. If it again comes up, I will work hard to preserve those important West St sidewalks.
Cortney
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Health and Rec 8/6
I attended the H&R 8/6 and here's what I saw.
Trash contract. I do not support front yard service changes, but I do support adding these options to the contract big proposal so that we may obtain data on cost premiums for comparison sake only. I think we should preserve this tradition of rear yard service in the Village.
We are at 65% of our waste going to the landfill, currently best in Hamilton County. I would like to see it at only 50% - 1/2 gets recycled! To that end, I would like to see us offer a large can option for recyling. Studies show more volume in the container increases the amount recycled. I would be ok to subsidize the cost so that the homeowner would be on the hook for less that full cost.
After bigger can = more recyling, another benefit of large can is less mess as animals and wind often spread recyclables throughout the yard. Finally, more recycling (a profit stream for Rumpke) will lower our costs and may help negotiation in future contracts.
Cortney
Trash contract. I do not support front yard service changes, but I do support adding these options to the contract big proposal so that we may obtain data on cost premiums for comparison sake only. I think we should preserve this tradition of rear yard service in the Village.
We are at 65% of our waste going to the landfill, currently best in Hamilton County. I would like to see it at only 50% - 1/2 gets recycled! To that end, I would like to see us offer a large can option for recyling. Studies show more volume in the container increases the amount recycled. I would be ok to subsidize the cost so that the homeowner would be on the hook for less that full cost.
After bigger can = more recyling, another benefit of large can is less mess as animals and wind often spread recyclables throughout the yard. Finally, more recycling (a profit stream for Rumpke) will lower our costs and may help negotiation in future contracts.
Cortney
Ridiculous loss of Trees on West Street
I am dismayed by the reckless removal of street trees on West. We now have only 1 stree tree remaining. It is an embarrassment for a Tree City USA Village to operate in such a shameful way. Here's a view of life (with shade) before Jun 2012:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=west+st+45227&hl=en&ll=39.145867,-84.377141&spn=0.001105,0.002411&sll=41.455293,-82.702129&sspn=0.136632,0.308647&hnear=West+St,+Mariemont,+Hamilton,+Ohio+45227&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=39.145867,-84.377141&panoid=QdOUURMidgqWvMIBUWpPYw&cbp=12,359.08,,0,-1.3
Huge, prolific, beautiful tree canopy is a Mariemont asset very few communities can claim. It is a main reason for the graceful and inviting atmosphere in the Village. We take this for granted and do not act in such a way to preserve this for the long term.
There are those that say trees with nuisance fruit are ok to remove. (See August Mayor's Bulletin Parking Lot Article) What about those with nuisance limbs? Nuisance leaves? Where does it stop? That answer is easy - the Mayor. He uniquely and solely controls all planting and removing. This should instead be managed by a Committee with different viewpoints. Something has to change.
Sweetgum trees like those removed do have problematic fruit, no question. I wouldn't plant them near a sidewalk, but they lived happily there for 50+ years, all the while next to a school. So the logic of all must come down in the span of 2 months is flawed. I disagree they need to be removed, but if the consensus is to remove, then strike them down over 5, 7, or even 10 years. Why all at once? It's obvious we have no plan, and the Village suffers because of this. Pls see below note to Dennis Wolter on the need for a program/process.
I had hoped to make a meaningful impact on trees in the Village when I ran for Council, and I have been unsuccessful. I am sorry to the residents for this failure. I commit to continuing to push for their care, appropriate removal and generous planting as long as I serve on Council.
Cortney
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https://maps.google.com/maps?q=west+st+45227&hl=en&ll=39.145867,-84.377141&spn=0.001105,0.002411&sll=41.455293,-82.702129&sspn=0.136632,0.308647&hnear=West+St,+Mariemont,+Hamilton,+Ohio+45227&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=39.145867,-84.377141&panoid=QdOUURMidgqWvMIBUWpPYw&cbp=12,359.08,,0,-1.3
Huge, prolific, beautiful tree canopy is a Mariemont asset very few communities can claim. It is a main reason for the graceful and inviting atmosphere in the Village. We take this for granted and do not act in such a way to preserve this for the long term.
There are those that say trees with nuisance fruit are ok to remove. (See August Mayor's Bulletin Parking Lot Article) What about those with nuisance limbs? Nuisance leaves? Where does it stop? That answer is easy - the Mayor. He uniquely and solely controls all planting and removing. This should instead be managed by a Committee with different viewpoints. Something has to change.
Sweetgum trees like those removed do have problematic fruit, no question. I wouldn't plant them near a sidewalk, but they lived happily there for 50+ years, all the while next to a school. So the logic of all must come down in the span of 2 months is flawed. I disagree they need to be removed, but if the consensus is to remove, then strike them down over 5, 7, or even 10 years. Why all at once? It's obvious we have no plan, and the Village suffers because of this. Pls see below note to Dennis Wolter on the need for a program/process.
I had hoped to make a meaningful impact on trees in the Village when I ran for Council, and I have been unsuccessful. I am sorry to the residents for this failure. I commit to continuing to push for their care, appropriate removal and generous planting as long as I serve on Council.
Cortney
-------------------
Hi Dennis,
One thought I didn't share - we can disagree about which tree when, and that's ok. But I think you'd agree that a comprehensive plan for old, sick & nuisance trees could have for instance left 2/3 the old trees on West in 2010, 1/3 of old trees in 2012, and 0/3 in 2014. With a staggered, structured plan, you give the new trees a chance to mature a bit before all the old canopy is gone. This softens the stark Mason-like conditions we see now.
What I would like to see is a published plan of diverse Nolen-approved tree species. What, where, when. I don't think we have this rigor today. Would appreciate your thoughts on the value of a plan like this and how to advance the idea.
Thanks,
Eastern Corridor route shift
I am surprised the route of the road is now inside of the Village's border (south 80). While the project is nice for Wooster traffic reduction, it is problematic for the Village's Miami Bluff and nearby streets. It will be seen, heard, and will probably affect the air quality as it expands into an interstate over the coming decades.
This change is a bad news/good news development. I was concerned about the project before this route change, however I lacked support from Council. The good news is the route shift has now raised the ire of all on Council and we can unanimously work to change the route. I fully support the Mayor's efforts to affect this new route and plan.
Cortney
This change is a bad news/good news development. I was concerned about the project before this route change, however I lacked support from Council. The good news is the route shift has now raised the ire of all on Council and we can unanimously work to change the route. I fully support the Mayor's efforts to affect this new route and plan.
Cortney
Finance Committee Meeting 8/21
I attended the Finance Meeting on 8/21, and here's what I saw.
Maintenance Dept request for new radios. I support the $7000 investment needed to upgrade the dpt's radios since the old system can no longer function in Jan 2013. I would however like us to revisit the mobile communication principles (I don't think we have this today). I understand that there is shared use of 3 phones in addition to John's. With super technology radios, we ought to be able to reduce this, or at least study the min number needed. I hope Finance can meet to figure this out, both number needed, options to be included, whether or not to subsidize Mayor's phone, carrier, etc.
Energy Aggregation. I fully support Aggregation. I think this is a great way for the Village to save meaningfully on usage as well as share the savings with the residents. I do not think this is in any way an over reach by government intruding in people's lives. The group supported "Opt In" vs "Opt Out" which is a lesser savings, but I'm ok with this. I personally prefer Opt Out since it maximises the savings but it is more complicated since it requires a ballot initiative and assumes all residents want the discount. I think Opt In is a fine baby step towards the ultimate goal of Opt Out, but if we never get there, at least we deliver some savings.
Cortney
Maintenance Dept request for new radios. I support the $7000 investment needed to upgrade the dpt's radios since the old system can no longer function in Jan 2013. I would however like us to revisit the mobile communication principles (I don't think we have this today). I understand that there is shared use of 3 phones in addition to John's. With super technology radios, we ought to be able to reduce this, or at least study the min number needed. I hope Finance can meet to figure this out, both number needed, options to be included, whether or not to subsidize Mayor's phone, carrier, etc.
Energy Aggregation. I fully support Aggregation. I think this is a great way for the Village to save meaningfully on usage as well as share the savings with the residents. I do not think this is in any way an over reach by government intruding in people's lives. The group supported "Opt In" vs "Opt Out" which is a lesser savings, but I'm ok with this. I personally prefer Opt Out since it maximises the savings but it is more complicated since it requires a ballot initiative and assumes all residents want the discount. I think Opt In is a fine baby step towards the ultimate goal of Opt Out, but if we never get there, at least we deliver some savings.
Cortney
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Monday 8/13 Council - absence and request
Here's a note I shared with my fellow Council members on 8/8
Cortney
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Cortney
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Hi All,
Please excuse my absence from Council on Monday as I will be out of town.
Also, if the hot topic of Rules of Council are to be discussed on Monday (not sure), would it be ok to push them back a month when I can hear and participate in the discussion. Thanks for the consideration.
Thanks,
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