Yard waste collection resumes March 4

January 23, 2019, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Park shelter reservations open March 1

≪ Previous: Leadership Academy kicks off 2019

Yard bags filled with freshly raked leaves

Beginning March 4, 2019, the weekly yard waste collection will resume at no charge for all single family and two-family residential homes.

The program limits collection to three paper yard waste bags, cans or bundles at each residence (or one 90-gallon yard waste toter). Additional bags, cans or bundles require one $2.00 Rumpke Waste Sticker per item. Additional 90-gallon toters will require three stickers each after the first toter. Stickers are available at the Montgomery Square Kroger or Montgomery City Hall during regular business hours.

Loosely place yard waste in trash cans or in paper yard waste bags, which are commonly available at grocery or hardware stores. If the material is being placed in a garbage can, please make sure it is labeled as “yard waste” so it is not inadvertently collected as trash.

Place yard waste on the opposite side of the driveway from regular trash. Leave the lids off cans containing yard waste, especially during the winter months. Freezing conditions seal the lids which do not allow for easy removal of yard waste. No plastic bags will be accepted.

Brush must be bundled in sizes up to 4 feet in length and 2 feet in diameter. The material should be fastened with cotton twine (No wire or plastic ties, please).

Limbs need to be cut into 4-foot lengths and no larger than 6 inches in diameter.

Follow the links to read more information about yard waste guidelines, or trash and recycling collection.

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Park shelter reservations open March 1

January 24, 2019, 9:30 am

≫ Next: Create a sustainable yard or garden to attract birds and insects

≪ Previous: Yard waste collection resumes March 4

Online reservations of Montgomery park shelters will open on March 1. You may also reserve park shelters in person at City Hall, but we do not take any park shelter reservations over the phone.

Park shelter reservations are available through October 31 and may only be made for the current season. The one exception to this rule is if you are reserving a lodge a year in advance and wish to reserve a park shelter along with your lodge reservation. You may do so at no additional cost.

Park shelter reservations are only available to Montgomery residents, businesses and employees of Montgomery businesses. Nonresidents may still use the shelters on a first-come, first served basis as long as there is no reservation. A list of reservations is posted weekly at each park shelter.

For more information, please click here

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Create a sustainable yard or garden to attract birds and insects

January 25, 2019, 1:16 pm

≫ Next: City seeks applicants for Service to the Community Grant

≪ Previous: Park shelter reservations open March 1

Create a sustainable yard or garden to attract birds and insects

It may be cold outside, but it is never too early to plan a garden. This year consider a sustainable garden. A sustainable garden is one that does not deplete natural resources. It works with its natural surroundings to create a thriving ecosystem that saves water, reduces the need for pesticides, and prevents soil degradation; all of which help the environment.

One way to achieve a sustainable garden is by planting flowers and vegetables together. Flowers not only add beauty to the garden but attract birds and insects. Birds are attracted to the seeds and insects feed on the pollen and nectar. Providing food to bees and other insects allow them to reproduce, thereby producing more “good insects” to munch on the bad.

Flowers also create a physical barrier as opposed to a chemical barrier. For example, if your eggplant becomes infested, the insect won’t travel to the other eggplants because there is an odorous marigold blocking the way. Marigolds deter a wide range of harmful insects. Click here to learn more about which flower-plant combinations work well for pest control. In addition, plants native to the area naturally attract birds and insects.

Native plants have deep roots which help hold the soil in place, control erosion, and filter stormwater. Click this link for a list of plants native to Hamilton County.

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City seeks applicants for Service to the Community Grant

January 28, 2019, 8:11 am

≫ Next: Exposure: Montgomery photo competition celebrates 32nd year

≪ Previous: Create a sustainable yard or garden to attract birds and insects

The City of Montgomery is currently seeking applications for the Service to the Community Grant program. This grant program is open to all not-for-profit and local service organizations that have innovative ideas and the skills necessary to execute creative community projects benefiting or engaging the citizens of Montgomery.

Service to the community is defined as providing a beneficial service, project, or event that engages or improves the quality of life of Montgomery residents.

The maximum of $2,500 may be awarded to any one applicant. Last year, Operation Give Back received a grant for their WeTHRIVE! Food Bundle packs. Packs contained fresh fruit, fresh produce and healthy snacks along with healthy cooking recipe cards and healthy information fact sheets. They were made available to 35 Montgomery area families who were either seniors, living with chronic diseases, or were food insecure. Learn more at watchusthrive.org.

Organizations are invited to attend a pre-application meeting on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 4:00 p.m., in the Montgomery City Hall Council Chambers to learn more about the grant program and the expected timeline. To review the grant application, go to Service To The Community Grant Guidelines 2019-2020. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2019.

Please contact Faith Lynch, communications and engagement coordinator, at 513-792-8358 or flynch@montgomeryohio.org with any questions.

Download Service To The Community Grant Guidelines 2019-2020

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Exposure: Montgomery photo competition celebrates 32nd year

January 29, 2019, 12:55 pm

≫ Next: Step into fall prevention this spring

≪ Previous: City seeks applicants for Service to the Community Grant

Exposure: Montgomery, the area’s longest-running amateur photo competition and awards presentation – now in its 32nd year – takes place on Sunday, April 14, at 1:00 p.m. at the historic Universalist Church, located on the corner of Montgomery and Remington Roads. The event is presented by the Montgomery Arts Commission.

The competition, open to beginners and serious amateurs alike, is the longest-running photo contest in the region. Judging is based on photos that capture technical brilliance, originality, or a unique point of view, and are chosen from both adult and student categories. Up to 10 winners in each category will be awarded $100 each. Winning photos will be publicly displayed at The Christ Hospital Outpatient Center after the competition.

Beginning March 1 through April 1, photographers may submit up to three photos to Montgomery City Hall, Monday-Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entry fee is $10 per photo for adults, and $5 per photo for students of high school age and below.

In addition to the exhibit and awards presentation, the public is invited to a “sneak peek” reception on Saturday, April 13, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Universalist Church.

The Montgomery Arts Commission is a group of citizen-based volunteers who support and foster an appreciation of the visual and performing arts by producing community-wide arts events offered year-round for all ages – most of which are free of charge.

For more information, call 513-891-2424.

“Urban Striders” by Mark Bender, 2018 adult category winner.

“Spoons” by Jessica Rennekamp, 2018 student category winner.

“Mama and Baby” by Craig Rouse, 2018 adult category winner.

“Hanging on” by Karen Ashcraft, 2018 adult category winner.

Exposure: Montgomery Photo Contest Brochure – Entry Form 2019

ENTRY INFORMATION

Each entry must be an original photograph of the competitor’s own creation.
Entries must be in a photographic medium: black and white, color or experimental.
Each entry must be securely mounted on a stiff backing suitable for hanging.
Matting is required for a photograph to be exhibited. Unmatted photographs will be judged but are ineligible for the exhibition.
Dimensions of each entry including the matting must be at least 8” x 10” but not more than 16” x 20”.
The entry form must be clearly visible and affixed securely to the entry’s backing material.
Entries in frames and/or under glass will not be accepted.
Entries signed or otherwise identified on the photograph’s front will be eliminated from consideration.
No more than 3 entries per competitor will be accepted.
Any entry displaying subject matter deemed by the judging panel or the Arts Commission as unsuitable for public display to an audience of all ages shall be rejected for all purposes of the competition.

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Step into fall prevention this spring

January 30, 2019, 1:27 pm

≫ Next: Note changes to 2018 Montgomery tax form

≪ Previous: Exposure: Montgomery photo competition celebrates 32nd year

Do you sometimes sense a lack of balance? Sign up now to learn how to prevent slips, trips, and falls.

TriHealth is hosting a FREE informative seven-week series to teach how balance, home hazards, medications, vision, and diet all contribute to the risk of falling. The classes run on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Beginning March 5 and running through April 16, classes will be held at the Montgomery Safety Center, 10150 Montgomery Road. Residents and nonresidents are invited to participate.

For questions and to reserve your spot, please call TriHealth at 513-865-2358.

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Note changes to 2018 Montgomery tax form

February 1, 2019, 12:29 pm

≫ Next: Montgomery offers park explorer program

≪ Previous: Step into fall prevention this spring

Taxpayers will see modifications to the Federal 1040 tax forms for tax year 2018. These changes will impact the filing of your City income tax return.

State of Ohio law requires taxpayers to submit copies of all W-2 forms and the front page of the Federal 1040 form when filing Montgomery returns. Information previously listed on page one of the 1040 will now be entered on page two, and/or on the “Schedule 1”. It will be necessary to include these two additional documents when submitting the Montgomery return.

Please carefully review the instructions on the Montgomery form, or on the website here for information on the required forms before submitting.

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Montgomery offers park explorer program

February 8, 2019, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Montgomery welcomes newest police officer

≪ Previous: Note changes to 2018 Montgomery tax form

The Montgomery Park Explorer Program encourages children 2 to 12 years old to get out and explore Montgomery’s parks. The program includes workbooks for ages 2 to 5 and ages 6 to 12. The workbooks provide parents with a variety of activities that will engage children in learning about local Montgomery parks in a fun and active way.

To assist in finding the locations of all the parks, a map of the City, as well as the physical address to each location, is included. Workbooks are available at the links below.

Montgomery Park Explorer Program Booklet Ages 2-5 Montgomery Park Explorer Program Booklet Ages 6-12

Participants can turn in the completed workbooks anytime, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Montgomery City Hall, 10101 Montgomery Road. A member of the City recreation team will review the workbook and will call the recipient when their certificate and patch is ready.

Completed workbooks will be given back to the child to keep with their certificate and patch. Patches and certificates will be awarded and details of this will be communicated to the participants during the follow-up.

Call Recreation Specialist Sarah Fink at 513-792-8317 or email sfink@ci.Montgomery.oh.us for more information.

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Montgomery welcomes newest police officer

February 11, 2019, 7:59 am

≫ Next: Seeking veterans for July 3 Patriotic Concert

≪ Previous: Montgomery offers park explorer program

Ricky and Officer Alex Janszen

A four-legged officer recently joined the Montgomery Police Department. Officer Alex Janszen and his partner Ricky, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois born in the Netherlands, completed canine police training on January 25, 2019. Officer Janszen and Ricky recently completed intensive training at Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania.

Ricky, who was trained to respond to commands in Dutch, is a dual-purpose canine trained for drug detection as well as patrol duties. He can be used to assist with locating missing persons, such as people that may walk away from senior facilities or lost children. Previously, neighboring agencies would assist the police department if a canine was needed. Now Montgomery is self-sufficient and can provide mutual aid to other agencies. An existing police cruiser was converted to handle the needs of the canine officer and Officer Janszen.

This long-awaited addition to the Police Department is the culmination of several years of research, proposals, and planning and could not have happened without the generous assistance of several City partners. The purchase cost for the canine and initial training was funded through donations provided by the Haverkamp Foundation and TriHealth. The Haverkamp Foundation was formed by the family of deceased canine Officer Matt Haverkamp. This organization has generously donated funding to purchase numerous canines throughout the tristate area and continually works with local departments to provide funding and assistance. TriHealth has a long history of giving back to the community, and they have provided significant funding and support. Additionally, Dr. Mel Kattelman, DVM, has offered to donate his veterinary services.

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Seeking veterans for July 3 Patriotic Concert

February 13, 2019, 10:47 am

≫ Next: Sponsor a community event in 2019

≪ Previous: Montgomery welcomes newest police officer

The sound of the Armed Forces Salute by the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Concert is a tradition on July 3 as veterans are recognized during this part of the concert. In addition to this, during the opening remarks, a few veterans are honored as the mayor reads about the life of a veteran.

If you are a veteran or if you know of a veteran who lives in the Blue Ash Montgomery area who may be interested in being seated by the orchestra and recognized during the opening remarks, please contact Mary Jo Byrnes at 513-702-2979 or mjbyrnes1@gmail.com or Julie Machon at 513-792-8316 or jmachon@montgomeryohio.org . The City of Montgomery would like to honor them for their service to the country.

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Sponsor a community event in 2019

February 14, 2019, 7:35 am

≫ Next: Safety Village registration opens in April

≪ Previous: Seeking veterans for July 3 Patriotic Concert

The Arts Commission hosts the Live at the Uni Concert series each fall and welcomes sponsors to assist with the costs associated with this popular arts program.

Want to feature your business on the City website or in the Montgomery Bulletin?
Want to be a part of some of the hometown community events that make Montgomery truly unique?
Want to support the Montgomery community with a sponsorship contribution?

The City of Montgomery’s recreation team is planning the City’s annual special events for 2019. With the various events, including the July 3 Concert, Independence Day Festival, Bastille Day, Car Show and Dogfest and K-9 Kerplunk, there are many sponsorship opportunities available to organizations of any size. Businesses interested in discussing sponsorship opportunities should contact Julie Machon at 513-792-8316 or email jmachon@ci.montgomery.oh.us.

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Safety Village registration opens in April

February 21, 2019, 1:18 pm

≫ Next: Calling all gardens big and small

≪ Previous: Sponsor a community event in 2019

Safety Village volunteers assist kids with safety activities. Call DeAnna Gross at 513-792-8329 to volunteer.

The City of Montgomery will conduct Safety Village this summer for children, ages 5 and 6. Safety Village is a one-week, summer safety camp where children learn about various aspects of child safety. Safety Village is designed to help children make wise decisions in potentially dangerous situations, as well as how to handle emergencies they may encounter.

Safety Village will be held at Montgomery Elementary in three one-week sessions. The first session is scheduled from June 3 to 7. The second session will be presented from June 10 to 14. The third week is June 17 through 21.

Registration for Montgomery residents will be available on April 22. The program is free for residents and $25 for nonresidents. Open registration begins on April 30, as space permits. Look out for more information in the April Bulletin and on the City website.

For more information, contact Montgomery City Hall at 513-891-2424.

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Calling all gardens big and small

February 22, 2019, 12:22 pm

≫ Next: Village of Indian Hill to close Weil Road for storm drainage repair

≪ Previous: Safety Village registration opens in April

Montgomery’s fifth annual Garden Tour will swing into bloom on June 23. The Montgomery Beautification Tree Commission is now accepting applications for beautiful gardens to be included.

Does your garden have any unique features or unusual plants? Is it entirely landscaped with native species? Perhaps it is the envy of all yards in the neighborhood or you just have a talented green thumb! If so, the Commission would love your participation in representing Montgomery in the highly anticipated Garden Tour.

Consider showcasing your garden for the 2019 Garden Tour. To register your garden or for more information, contact Beautification and Tree Commission member Darla Hall at darlahall16@gmail.com.

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Village of Indian Hill to close Weil Road for storm drainage repair

February 25, 2019, 8:07 am

≫ Next: City to host Montgomery Road sidewalk project open house

≪ Previous: Calling all gardens big and small

The Village of Indian Hill will close Weil Road for storm drainage repair work beginning March 4. The road will be closed for approximately eight weeks. The impacted roadway is from Hopewell Road to Fawnmeadow Lane. Drivers must find alternate routes during the repair period. For more information on this project, please visit ihill.org.

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City to host Montgomery Road sidewalk project open house

February 25, 2019, 8:19 am

≫ Next: MCLA provides opportunity for neighbors to meet

≪ Previous: Village of Indian Hill to close Weil Road for storm drainage repair

The City of Montgomery will host an open house on Wednesday, March 27, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Montgomery City Hall, 10101 Montgomery Road. The open house will provide an opportunity for residents to review and provide input on the installation of a new concrete sidewalk on the east side of Montgomery Road. The project will extend from Radabaugh Drive south to the City’s Safety Center, 10150 Montgomery Road, and is a planned continuation of the sidewalk that was constructed in front of Bethesda North Hospital in 2017.

Attendees will have a chance to learn about the sidewalk, review the layout, and provide feedback to the City and design consultant. The project is scheduled to be constructed in the fall of 2020. The City was successful in obtaining a grant through the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Council of Governments and the Ohio Department of Transportation to fund 80 percent of the construction cost.

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

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MCLA provides opportunity for neighbors to meet

February 25, 2019, 1:29 pm

≫ Next: #IamMontgomery Know Your Neighbor Series

≪ Previous: City to host Montgomery Road sidewalk project open house

In MCLA, participants learn the importance of connection before content. From left, Partha Sarathi Gorla, Matthew Brady and Elaine Hipps discuss the gifts they bring to build community.

For the past twelve years, The Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy (MCLA) has offered a unique opportunity for neighbors to connect. As participants in MCLA are surveyed regarding “what struck them” about the sessions, individuals continually remark on the great neighbors they have met. At times these neighbors live across town; however, many times they only live a few streets away.

The Knight Foundation studied 26 communities across the country, large and small, to identify the reasons residents become engaged and contribute to a city’s health and “social fabric.” Three main reasons were found in common.

How the respondents were welcomed into the community.
How connected they feel to their neighbors and other residents.
And, what level of involvement they pursue.

Every year, we ask MCLA participants “what is the difference between being a resident and being a citizen.” One candidate wrote, “A resident is a legal term defining where a household is located. Being a citizen is a verb”.

Consider applying early for MCLA 2020, classes fill up quickly. Online registration will open in early April. If interested or for more information, go to this page or call Ray Kingsbury, director of citizen engagement, at 513-792-8359.

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#IamMontgomery Know Your Neighbor Series

February 26, 2019, 7:41 am

≫ Next: Seek out the answers. Social media holds very few.

≪ Previous: MCLA provides opportunity for neighbors to meet

The City of Montgomery Diversity and Inclusion Committee is launching a community education series on the diverse cultures of Montgomery residents. Free and open to the public, the lecture and discussion series will cover a range of timely human relations and cultural topics. The “Know Your Neighbor” series will kick off on Tuesday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m. at Terwilliger Lodge with a presentation by Montgomery resident Umama Alam on “Learning about Islam and Muslim Americans.”

Umama Alam, is an outreach speaker for the Tours and Talks program at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati. Originally, from Pakistan, she came to the United States at the age of four and grew up in New York. Umama, her husband and four children have been Montgomery residents for 7 years. She is an educator and was the former Principal of the International Academy of Cincinnati. She currently serves on their Board and is an educational consultant. She is a Board member of Cincinnati’s Bridges of Faith Trialogue, a steering committee member for Cincinnati’s Festival of Faith, works with Sycamore Schools Culturally Responsive Practices Committee and serves on the City of Montgomery’s Diversity and Inclusion Program.

The “Know Your Neighbor” series is sponsored by the City of Montgomery’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee under the City’s #IamMontgomery campaign. Now in its second year, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, composed inclusively of more than two dozen Montgomery residents, has the mission of promoting community awareness, education and appreciation of Montgomery’s diverse cultures, positive intercultural relations among Montgomery residents, and a welcoming environment for all those who live, work, visit and recreate in Montgomery.

Register Today!

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Seek out the answers. Social media holds very few.

February 26, 2019, 10:05 am

≫ Next: Assistance available with preparing City tax forms

≪ Previous: #IamMontgomery Know Your Neighbor Series

by Craig Margolis

As an elected official, it is essential to listen to the concerns of the residents of Montgomery. I have engaged in many conversations that suggest one’s point of view is very important and should be implemented immediately. Another resident may share an opposite opinion and recommend not to make a hasty decision. Sometimes after listening to both sides of the issue, I conclude there is no viable solution.

Does this mean I am not listening? Does this mean I do not care? Does this mean the opinions and ideas of the other 10,000 residents does not matter because one person’s opinion should supersede all others? I don’t think so!

Our role as elected officials is to understand the big picture. In many situations I ask myself these five questions that each City of Montgomery employee asks themselves when making a decision:

Is it right for the community?
Is it right for the City?
Is it ethical and legal?
Is it consistent with our values and policies?
Is it something for which I am willing to be accountable?

Only after answering all of the questions are we ready to explore solutions. This is how we can listen and understand an issue without necessarily agreeing on its subtleties.

What I find exciting about my role as a Council Member is engaging with neighbors and residents on a variety of issues. I am always available to thoughtfully answer residents’ questions and have a conversation about the many facets of City issues. For many questions or suggestions offered, hardly anyone asks about the other side of the issue.

Several years ago at a neighborhood parade, I was struck by the observations of a high school history teacher, who said if you cannot describe the position opposite to your own, you do not know enough about the issue. What a powerful statement! This is how I live my professional, personal and City life.

I ask you, my neighbors, rather than relying on social media for answers to your concerns, consider reaching out City Council or visit the Montgomery website. Engage with your elected officials and let’s have a conversation about what is best for Montgomery. Next time you have a question or comment, seek out the answers on the Montgomery website, or scroll to Government and click on City Council, select a Council Member, and share your thoughts. You will receive a response!

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Assistance available with preparing City tax forms

February 27, 2019, 10:22 am

≫ Next: New commercial building approved at the Vintage Club

≪ Previous: Seek out the answers. Social media holds very few.

Before filing 2018 Montgomery returns, and paying 2019 estimates, please note these reminders.

Tax forms and complete instructions are available here. The tax office offers free assistance with preparing City returns. To take advantage of this service, please bring a copy of your federal return and all W-2 forms to City Hall. Please check the City website for office hours, including the extended hours in April.

The filing due date is Monday, April 15. The penalty for late filing will be $25 per month, up to a maximum of $150. A federal extension will extend the Montgomery filing date to October 15. Extension forms can also be found on the City website.

A declaration must be included on all individual forms, and quarterly estimated payments must be remitted if the tax liability is over $200. Filing due dates for individual estimates are April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15.

Taxpayers are required, by law, to submit copies of all W-2 forms, pages 1 and 2 of the Federal 1040 form and Federal Schedule 1. Federal schedules for any income shown on Lines 12, 17, 18 and 21 of the Schedule 1 form are also required.

Please contact the tax office at 513-792-8333 with any questions.

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New commercial building approved at the Vintage Club

February 27, 2019, 1:24 pm

≫ Next: Seasons of Beauty Award winner selected

≪ Previous: Assistance available with preparing City tax forms

The Planning Commission approved a Final Development Site Plan on December 3 to allow Morelia Group, LLC to construct a new GE Credit Union at the Vintage Club of Montgomery. The building is one of several planned for the Village portion of the Vintage Club of Montgomery located along Montgomery Road north of I-275. The final product will be an attractive mixed-use development with retail, office, restaurants and condominiums that will complement the existing homes at the Vintage Club and The Christ Hospital Health Network medical office building. Site work and construction of condominiums known as The Wicks is already taking place and work on the new bank building should begin in the spring.

For more information on this project, contact Tracy Roblero, community development director, at troblero@montgomeryohio.org or 513-792-8312.

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