By Gerri Harbison

As the New Year begins, and we look forward to the bright and shiny promise of 2019, it is exhilarating to look at the many diverse projects our city has on the horizon. The dynamic growth we are involved in is exciting! While some nearby communities struggle just to survive, we are not only surviving, we are growing and thriving. This is a great time to share the many wonderful projects happening along the Montgomery Road corridor that are beneficial to our residents and will ensure our great city is sustainable for many generations to come.

The Downtown Heritage District offers a diverse mix of restaurants including Forno Osteria, Montgomery Inn, Napa Kitchen, European Café, Walker Brothers Ice Cream, Bombay Brazier, Village Tavern, Awakening’s, Corner Pub and Z’s Place for Wine and Cheese (hint: try their chicken salad!!). There are also many unique shops and businesses that are an attraction for not only our residents but for our neighbors in surrounding communities.

We have made a significant investment in the Gateway Redevelopment Area and it will feature a vibrant mix of restaurants, office, residential, hotel, and retail when construction is finished. And YES – it is moving forward!!! Maybe not fast enough for any of us, but you will see big changes coming very soon!

In regards to the retail mix, it is important to note that most neighborhood business districts must resort to entertainment and specialty stores to survive. “Big Box” retailers and cyber shopping have taken away a huge chunk of the retail market. Frequently we hear of small stores and retail establishments that cannot compete with the large chains and internet. Our commitment is very strong to the Downtown Heritage District. It is the Crown Jewel and heart of our city. Please support our small businesses and shops!

Driving north on Montgomery Road there are a variety of small shops, restaurants, and businesses that can provide just about any service you need. Rudino’s, Bones’ Burgers, Brooklyn Pasta and Pizza, Kanak, Jet’s, Pacific Kitchen, Sukothai, Mei’s Japanese, Tandoor and Steak N’Shake offer a variety of casual dining options. Try out Stone Creek at their new location and watch for the opening of Toast and Berry next door! Or for the utmost upscale experience, there is Carlo and Johnny’s. Montgomery Square Shopping Center offers a delightful mix of services and retail businesses. Stroll the sidewalk and enjoy some Aglamesis!

Housing options for all ages are available in new developments. Twin Lakes has expanded to offer more patio homes for their residents and Lucke Homes will soon be breaking ground on patio style homes as well. Orchard Trail still has lots left!

Bethesda North Hospital is now a Level III Trauma Center offering critical emergency as well as other medical services to the citizens of Montgomery and the Greater Cincinnati region. The campus continues to grow to serve community needs with the creation of the Harold M. and Eugenia S. Thomas Comprehensive Cancer Care Center. Imagine having those services so close when your family needs it most!

The city is also blessed to have The Christ Hospital Outpatient and Surgery Center located in front of the Vintage Club. The benefits to be derived from a facility of this nature, as well as the associated medical offices in the vicinity of the hospital, are immeasurable and part of what makes our community so desirable to residents and businesses alike. The medical community is a very important resource for our city, both in terms of services to our community as well as a source of tax revenue to sustain our city operations.

Dirt is moving and construction is underway at The Vintage Club with the addition of The Wicks lifestyle condos, retail, office, and restaurants by Traditions Building Group. This community continues to offer a variety of exciting housing, retail, and office for our current residents as well as drawing new residents and visitors into our community.

I hope you will take some time in the upcoming year to visit some of the many great businesses that help keep Montgomery such a vibrant community. It is an exciting time for our city – let’s enjoy it together!

The City of Montgomery will host an open house on Tuesday, Jan. 8, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Terwilliger Lodge, 10530 Deerfield Road, to allow residents to review the most recent plan for the modified two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Montgomery Road and Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway and the Gateway Redevelopment Area (GRA) project.

Attendees to the GRA roundabout open house will be able to review roundabout plans that incorporated recent feedback from property owners and residents.  The roundabout is an integral part of the GRA project to create a new mixed-use neighborhood, which will bring new retail, office and housing opportunities, including both condominiums and luxury lifestyle apartments, to Montgomery and will complement the vitality and experience of the City’s Heritage District.

Attendees will have a chance to learn about the modified two-lane roundabout, review the latest plans, and understand the anticipated construction schedule.  The latest concept plans for the GRA development will also be available for review.

If you are not able to attend the open house and would like to view the plans for the roundabout, contact Gary Heitkamp, public works director, at gheitkamp@montgomeryohio.org  or 513-792-8321 to make an appointment.

Additional details for the roundabout and GRA will be shared with the community in upcoming Montgomery Bulletins and on the City website as the process moves forward.

City Manager Brian Riblet (from left), Environmental Advisory Commission Chair Mark Laskovics, Clerk of Council Chair Connie Gaylor, and Public Works Director Gary Heitkamp accepted the Best City Recycling Rate Award on behalf of the City of Montgomery.

Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District recognized the City of Montgomery for achieving the highest “City” recycling rate in Hamilton County.  In 2017, Montgomery achieved a 24.80% recycling rate. The last time the City achieved this status was 2014. The City is thrilled to win back this title from the cities of Wyoming and Madeira.

Montgomery is a leader in the county in implementing innovative recycling programs. Montgomery was one of the first communities to switch to large recycling carts a decade ago. More cart sizes were added in the recent contract to help residents for the weekly curbside recycling program.

Montgomery offers a monthly collection of odd items for recycling like cardboard, scrap metals, plastic plant pots, pill bottles, and eyeglasses. Once a year the City offers a very popular One-Stop Drop event for the community. At the September 2018 event, 125 households participated contributing 6,000 pounds of household donations. Montgomery continues to investigate ways to expand collections at this event at no cost to City residents. Currently,

we are able to accept electronics, small appliances, latex paint, and household items.  New vendors are being sought for the 2019 One Stop Drop Event, stay tuned!

The City partnered with Simple Recycling for curbside textile recycling in December of 2017. Residents recycled 26,542 pounds of textiles and small household items in its first year.

Montgomery offers a document shredding day for residents. Montgomery and gives residents access to year-round separate yard trimmings collection. Composting this material instead of landfilling it leads to a lower waste number for Montgomery.

Montgomery’s recycling efforts in 2017 conserved enough energy to power every home in Montgomery for 21 days.  This substantial accomplishment wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of you, the residents. Hamilton County has reduced the amount of waste going to the landfill by 50% in the last 14 years.  The focus is now on increasing that percentage. Please continue your efforts to reuse, recycle and reduce the amount of waste from your household.

The weekly unlimited yard waste pick up will continue through December 21. Yard waste pick up will resume on January 5 when it will be collected along with holiday greenery for the first three Saturdays in January.

Rumpke will collect all greenery and any remaining yard waste on one of the following three Saturday dates:

• Saturday, January 5
• Saturday, January 12
• Saturday, January 19

Christmas trees, wreaths, and swags can be placed at the curb along with yard waste and must be free of all plastic, flocking, tinsel, decorations, and wires. Wreaths or swags that have wires for support will have to be disposed of through regular trash.  Residents will not be required to have a yard waste sticker attached to them. Please place all waste at the curb on Friday evening prior to the Saturday pick-up.

All yard waste must be placed in bags in the event of snow, due to freezing.

Regular yard waste collection will resume the first week in March.

Over the past several years, the community has expressed interest in including pickleball courts as an amenity in City parks. According to the recent strategic plan, the City needs to provide a variety of recreation programs to meet the needs of the community.

With community input, staff will make a recommendation about converting the Dulle Park tennis courts to pickleball courts.  Please take a few minutes to fill out a short survey about pickleball opportunities.

The survey is available at the link below. The survey deadline is January 31, 2019.

Click here for survey

The City of Montgomery Environmental Advisory Commission expanded its monthly recycling collection to include the collection of holiday collection lights (stranded) and extension cords for the month of January.  These items may be dropped off at the Public Works facility, 7315 Cornell Road, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Jan. 19  The addition of these items further supports the City’s recycling efforts to reduce the amount of trash going into landfills.

City Council Member Craig Margolis, Clerk of Council Connie Gaylor, and Director of Community and Information Systems Director Matthew Vanderhorst accept attended the recent WeTHRIVE! recognition event.

This City of Montgomery was recognized as a WeTHRIVE! community for the fourth year in a row.

The City of Montgomery was recognized by the Hamilton County Public Health Department as an active WeTHRIVE! community.  The Montgomery City Council passed legislation joining this public health initiative in 2014 and has since focused on the prevention of chronic disease in the community, emergency preparedness, and new in 2019, environmental health.  This initiative is gaining momentum across the county with partnerships with 19 communities, five school districts and 18 child care facilities.

To learn more about this program, visit watchusthrive.org.

The IRS made significant changes to the tax regulations and Federal 1040 tax forms for the 2018 tax year.  Mailing of the Montgomery tax forms may be delayed until late January to ensure the recent IRS changes are included.

When filing a return, the City tax office will require copies of all additional Federal forms as a result of the recent changes.  Please take time to read the filing instructions carefully prior to submitting your City tax return.  Per Ohio State law, an incomplete return may not be considered “filed” and may be subject to late filing penalties.

Please contact the tax office at 513-792-8333 with any questions.  The tax office is available to assist with the preparation of Montgomery returns at no cost and no appointment is necessary.

Click here for more Montgomery tax information

For centuries people have sought to secure their belongings by building bigger and better barriers to protect their valuables. Recently, there has been an increase use of electronic monitoring for security in conjunction with physical barriers. This is especially true for protecting your home. Many people have opted for the installation of surveillance cameras or electronic alarms to monitor their property. This is aided by the reduced cost of high quality surveillance cameras. Also, the advent of Digital Video Recorders (DVR) have made surveillance cameras much more appealing.

When selecting a surveillance camera for your home, identify your needs prior to purchasing a system and ask several of the following questions. These questions will help guide you to the right system for your home.

• Where do you plan to place the device?
• How will the video be stored?
• Is the area lit at night?
• Is the camera waterproof?
• Do you have access to a power outlet? If not, a wireless system might be more prudent.
• Do you need a wide-angle lens for coverage?
• How will the camera be mounted to your house?
• Do you want to be able to monitor your cameras from a mobile device?

There are numerous alarm companies that can integrate technology to improve home defense. These companies often use lighting, motion detectors, contact sensors and surveillance cameras to monitor your home. The limiting factor for this option is budget. How much are you willing to spend per month for their product? The do-it-yourselfers can access similar technology at a lower price via hardware stores and on-line retail websites. There are numerous pre-packaged alarm systems that can be purchased. Please follow all manufacturer’s recommendations to be sure the system is installed and maintained properly.

Surveillance cameras can range from $100-$1000s based on the features they have. Some cameras can pan, tilt and zoom. Other options include high-definition and infrared technology for night vision. With cameras you typically get what you pay for, so buyer beware.

The Montgomery Police Department has responded to several businesses and residences where surveillance cameras have aided in the identification and apprehension of criminals. Surveillance cameras and alarm systems serve as a deterrent to criminals, because it increases the likelihood of them being apprehended.

If you decide to purchase an alarm system, please be sure to register the system with the Montgomery Police Department in accordance with Montgomery Ordinance 99.01. If you have any questions, please contact the Montgomery Police Department at (513) 985-1600.

Batteries are an energy source, and many of our household devices have them. One type of battery, Lithium ion, is typically found in electronics such as cell phones, laptops, computers, cameras, etc.,  They are used because they are light and can hold a lot of energy. They are usually “rechargeable” and also do not contain toxic heavy metals such as lead or cadmium.

If the casing of the Lithium-ion battery cracks, then the Lithium can ignite once it makes contact with humid air. When this type of battery is placed in the trash or recycling container and is picked up by Rumpke’s truck and gets compressed, the battery casing may crack and cause a fire.

In order to dispose Lithium-ion batteries, Hamilton County compiled a list of places where one can safely dispose of these batteries depending on its type. Go to this site to learn more.

Hamilton County Recycling

Additionally, Hamilton County produced a “Battery Guide” for resident’s reference. This guide shows the different types of batteries and how they are used.

Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District Battery Guide

The City of Montgomery, like most American communities, is growing and diversifying. Presently, Sycamore Community Schools has a student population representing 54 nationalities and 41 spoken languages, making it one of the most culturally diverse systems in the State. Approximately 10 percent of Montgomery residents are cultural minorities. City Council and administration believe the infusion of diverse cultures, faiths, and customs enriches social and civic life and is a positive development for the community.

Alfonso Cornejo is a 30-year resident of Montgomery, where he and his wife Marilyn raised three children. They now have four grandchildren; all live in Montgomery and Madeira. Cornejo was born and raised in Mexico. He is a business consultant that helps small companies do business in Latin America.  Cornejo is also the President of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA organization.

• Why is it important to you to participate in the Montgomery Diversity and Inclusion Committee?

I enjoy working with diverse teams of people because we always learn from each other. Evidence shows that we get better business results when we use the creative minds and energy of diverse individuals.

• Why is Diversity and Inclusion important to the community?

My appreciation for Montgomery is only surpassed by the opportunity that we have to make it better! We have everything we need to become a magnet for talented people from around that globe who would like to make Montgomery their home.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the Academy is exchanging viewpoints, in small groups, with their fellow residents. From left, Council member Gerri Harbison, Michiko Kissinger, and Mike Karbowski discuss why they engage in the community.

The Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy (MCLA) will begin its new season with a session entitled “We are Montgomery!” on January 10.  Boasting a full class for the twelfth year in a row, the 2019 Academy has an enthusiastic group of participants. This year’s MCLA will again include residents, business and community group representatives located in the community.

Based on participant evaluations over the last several years, the Academy has been redesigned to enable more time for group and one-on-one interaction. However, the purpose of the Academy remains the same, to encourage residents to go beyond the surface and experience firsthand the innermost workings of community operations. MCLA provides residents with the opportunity to realize a dimension few will ever see. Participation in the Academy is designed to help transform residents into actively engaged citizens.

Although registration is closed for this year, we are recruiting residents, business, and community group representatives to enroll for MCLA 2020. If you are interested, contact Ray Kingsbury, director of citizen engagement at 513-792-8359, or email to rkingsbury@ci.montgomery.oh.us.  More information can also be found here.

Click here for more information

Yard waste pick up will resume on January 5 when it will be collected along with holiday greenery for the first three Saturdays in January.

Rumpke will collect all greenery and any remaining yard waste on one of the following three Saturday dates:

• Saturday, January 5
• Saturday, January 12
• Saturday, January 19

Christmas trees, wreaths, and swags can be placed at the curb along with yard waste and must be free of all plastic, flocking, tinsel, decorations, and wires. Wreaths or swags that have wires for support will have to be disposed of through regular trash.  Residents will not be required to have a yard waste sticker attached to them. Please place all waste at the curb on Friday evening prior to the Saturday pick-up.

All yard waste must be placed in paper bags in the event of snow, due to freezing.

Regular yard waste collection will resume the first week in March.

2011 Exposure: Montgomery Best of Show Winner Mick Burke’s entry “Winter Photographer”.

When the power goes out, one needs to stay safe and warm.  Here are some winter-weather power outage tips to staying warm and safe.

• Limit time outside. If you need to go outside, wear layers of warm clothing, mittens, and a hat to cover skin.
• While indoors, layer clothing and blankets to keep warm. Close doors to every room not in use and huddle members of the family into one small room.
• Keep blinds and curtains closed to trap warmth in and keep cold air out. Use towels to block drafts under doors and on window sills.
• If you are heating your home with a fireplace, be sure to have a metal or heat-safe screen. If using a wood stove, keep doors closed unless adding wood or stoking a fire.
• While generators may be helpful, DO NOT use your generator indoors. Keep the generator outside, in a well-ventilated area, away from doors and windows.
• If driving conditions are safe, consider visiting a shopping mall, restaurant, or library to stay warm and entertained.

Be sure to always be aware, prepared, and notified so not caught off guard by severe weather.  Sign up for Alert Hamilton County to receive weather updates and emergency information via text, call, and email.  To sign up for Alert Hamilton County, you must also be signed up for Smart911, a life-saving technology that allows you to give vital information to 9-1-1 dispatch before an emergency. Sign up today at alerthc.org.

Source: Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

“9-1-1, What’s your emergency?” This is the first statement you will hear from emergency dispatchers at the Hamilton County Communications Center. This is a carefully selected greeting to prompt callers to give the purpose of the call in an expedited manner.

Nearly every police officer has responded to a 9-1-1 call that involved young children curious of what would happen if they dial those three numbers. Police officers generally take that opportunity to teach children about what constitutes an emergency.

The City of Montgomery has had 9-1-1 service since 1988; however, there are still questions on when to use the system. Some residents have been reluctant to call 9-1-1 because they do not think their situation constitutes an emergency. Other residents have called 9-1-1 to ask general questions about police or fire service.

An emergency situation could best be described as any situation that requires the assistance of police, fire, or medical personnel to preserve life and property and enforce laws. Some reasons to call 9-1-1 would include:

• Smoke coming out of a residence (other than from a chimney)
• Medical emergencies like choking, chest pain, suicidal threats, poisoning
• Crimes that are in progress
• Auto accidents
• Street hazards like water main break, crumbling roadway, tree in roadway

Some reasons to call the non-emergency number, 513-985-1600, at the Montgomery Safety Center

• Inquiries about legal cases
• Power outages
• Barking dogs
• Vacation check requests

The Hamilton County Communications Center has recently adopted a new Smart 9-1-1 system to better serve the community. This system allows residents and business owners to fill out a safety profile. Then when a 9-1-1 call is placed from a number on that profile, Hamilton County Dispatchers will be able to access that information automatically. The safety profile can include medical conditions/medication, emergency contacts, vehicles, pets, and household members. Residents can download and register through the Smart911 app available through the App Store and Google Play. It is also possible to text “Smart911” to 67283 to register. Learn more here.

When in doubt, call 911. If a person accidentally dials 9-1-1, then please stay on the phone and explain the situation. Dispatchers are trained to call people back if they hang up. The 9-1-1 service is a lifeline to numerous community members in their darkest hour. Please follow the dispatcher’s instructions and do not overload them with non-emergency calls.

Source: Hamilton County Communications Center

By Council Member Lee Ann Bissmeyer

“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” -Vern McLellan

City Council and City staff are looking forward to 2019 as a time to bring hard work, dedication, and love for the City to fruition and make a reality of some exciting new projects for the community.

Here’s a recap of our busy 2018:

• The groundbreaking of phase VII of the Vintage Club.
• The beginning of the transition from a part-time to a full-time fire department.
• The hiring of a new city manager, Brian Riblet.
• Implementation of Montgomery Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
• The graduation of the eleventh class of the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy (MCLA).
• The completion of the renovation to the public works building and the refresh of the City Council chambers.
• The picture-perfect weather and success we had for the Bastille Day and Harvest Moon celebrations.
• Sold-out Live at the Uni performances and a packed lawn for the July 3 Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Concert.
• The securing of an additional $600,000 in grant money from Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Council of Governments for the roundabout project.
• Twin Lakes completed a major expansion on their main campus with new apartments, community center, and retail building.
• The generous donations by the Thomas family for the Thomas Comprehensive Care Center at Bethesda North Hospital as well as a new ambulance for the City of Montgomery.
• The Lucke Development to construct townhomes along Montgomery Road.
• The influx of new dining establishments to enhance our City experience.

We are excited that 2019 will be just as productive! Here’s a look at what we can look forward to this year:

• The addition of a K9 officer to our police ranks thanks to a grant from the Haverkamp Foundation.
• The commencement of the twelfth MCLA class this month, total graduates of the program will exceed 300 highly engaged citizens.
• Construction of a sidewalk on the north side of Kennedy Lane between Montgomery Road and Shadetree Drive within the existing right-of-way, a shared partnership with Sycamore Township.
• The results and implementation of the City’s branding and imaging campaign.
• The completion of condominiums included in phase VII of the Vintage Club.
• Additional restaurants calling Montgomery their home.
• The outstanding line up of performers for the Live at the Uni series and new cultural offerings.
• Last but not least, the groundbreaking at the Gateway Redevelopment Area!

We are so grateful for the countless amount of volunteer hours our residents have given to make the Montgomery we call home such a wonderful place.  More than 400 volunteers contributed 3,400 hours of service in 2018.

Please contact any of us if you have an idea to better the City or if you have a concern you’d like us to help with.  Residents may connect with us through the website.

We intend to bring our all to ensure 2019 is successful!

In January, the twelfth Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy (MCLA) session launched. This year, 30 motivated residents are again taking the journey from being a resident to becoming an actively engaged citizen. The first four sessions featured opportunities to engage and connect.

• We Are Montgomery! – The opening session conducted at Terwilliger Lodge provided an introduction to the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy and what to expect over the following nine sessions. This session also serves as a platform to clearly identify “Who’s in the room?” and, “Why it is important that Montgomery’s local elected officials not just govern for the people, but more importantly with the people.”

• Zen and the Art of Connection – Based on the work of Peter Block, best-selling author and international consultant, this workshop held in the new Davies Community Center at Twin Lakes Senior Living Community covered topics such as the power of a small group, the importance of diversity, the meaning of connection, the influence of place, building community, the essentials of citizen commitment and accountability, and much more.  Brandon Black of “Drawversation” recorded the conversation with a wall-sized graphic.

• Montgomery… Our Town, USA – City Council chambers was the site for this session that consisted of an introduction to the structure of Montgomery city government, and the City’s mission, strategic plan, and operating philosophy.  Participants filled the roles of the city council, staff, and concerned residents during a mock City Council meeting. The fictitious scenario of a business relocating out of Montgomery is used to heighten the reality.

• Taxes, TIF’s and Our Town– Held at Ohio National Financial Services, this session was designed to explain the City’s finances.  City staff explains City revenue and how is it is expended.  They discuss development financing techniques, such as Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and how these tools have factored into Montgomery’s progress.  Class members are then given a budget scenario to solve.

This year’s MCLA class members are greatly enjoying their look behind the scenes of the Montgomery community. If you are interested in joining this highly interactive and nationally recognized program in 2020, or for more information, visit montgomeryohio.org  or contact Ray Kingsbury, director of citizen engagement, 513-792-8359. Space is limited. Applications open on April 1.