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

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

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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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,

Cortney
Mariemont Village Council
513-271-4513
scheeser.blogspot.com

Eastern Corridor Letter distributed to Miami Bluff and Adjacent St Residents

With the help of my daughters, I walked around a 1 pager letter to residents on Miami Bluff and some adjacent streets re Eastern Corridor community meetings.  I believe Council should act and declare a position (not sure what that position should be), however I haven't gotten traction yet, and I believe strongly that 1)dismissing concerns is dangerous and 2)assuming the project will be canceled is premature.  We should plan for this project - ODOT is.  Text of letter below.

Cortney
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Miami Bluff  & Adjacent Street Neighbors,

I wanted to make you aware and encourage you to attend upcoming Community meetings for the Eastern Corridor Project (notice below).  There is a plan to run Road, Rail and Pedestrian Access from the southern end of Red Bank Road, along the Little Miami River just beyond our Lower 80, connecting the Road portion with Route 32 near I-275.  This project will decrease traffic on Wooster Pike and won’t be constructed on Mariemont’s property, which are good for the Village.  However, I believe Miami Bluff’s and adjacent streets’ residents will be personally impacted due to proximity.

If this project is approved (I believe we should plan for it even if it may again be mothballed), there are a couple possible scenarios worth considering:

1)Short Term.  An elevated 2+2 lane roadway will be constructed just across the Little Miami River, and a bridge of the approximate width of 6-7 car lanes would be built across the River (car, rail, pedestrian access).  Residents will see and hear the roadway, and it will affect your great view of the Valley.

2)Long Term.  Transit experts tell me with a wide bridge + lack of political will to construct rail, the roadway will slowly “evolve” into a highway or even an Interstate-type highway (I-74 – see Wikipedia opinion).

Two Asks:  1)please consider attending the meetings to learn more.  2)tell Council how best to support you.  This may be a non-issue, or maybe it’s a concern.  Frankly, I don’t know – your input would be a huge help.

Cortney Scheeser   cscheeser@yahoo.com

Mariemont Council-District 4

513-271-4513/479-221-1752