Cancel Graduation Celebration

It is with regret that we have to cancel the graduation celebration on June 1st.  The rain will be here all weekend so we decided to cancel and re-schedule it for a later date.  Thanks to all the people that had planned to come.  Stay tuned and we will let you know the new date.
Sincerely,
Yvonne Collins
Norwood News and Views.blogspot.com

THANKS

Thanks to all who served for America. 
Sincerely,
Norwood News and Views.blogspot.com

Whole Foods Supports The YMCA

Help kids enjoy the benefits of camp and eat healthier at the same time! Join other YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Camp Ernst supporters at the Whole Foods Market at 2693 Edmonson Road in Norwood on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 for a special fundraising opportunity. “Whole Foods Market has selected the Ys Camp Ernst to receive five percent of net sales on that day, at that store,” said YMCA Camp Ernst Executive Director Eli Cochran. Whole Foods, providing natural foods in a supermarket setting, selects various nonprofits and educational organizations for select community giving days.

“The money raised at Whole Foods Market will be designated for our annual camper scholarship campaign that provides deserving kids with the opportunity to experience the new friends, caring counselors, and confidence-building adventures of summer camp,” said Cochran.

For more information about the Whole Foods Market giving day on May 22, 2013 or for additional information about Camp Ernst, call (859) 586-6181 or visit the website www.myYcamp.org.

Celebrating Seniors and Norwood

On June 1, 2013 come and celebrate with Mia Collins.  She is a graduating Senior from Norwood High School.  We have obtained a event permit from the City of Norwood.  A special thanks to Mr. Joe Geers for his support and help.  This celebration is open to all Seniors, neighbors, and residents in the City of Norwood.  I would encourage everyone to come out and meet your neighbors, your seniors, and business owners.  It's a outdoor celebration that will do more than just celebrate Seniors it will celebrate the Nowood Community. 

The event takes place June 1, 2013

                                    Time: 5pm till 10 pm

                                     Location:  Corner of Duck Creek and South Madison Avenue
                                                       3811 South Madison Avenue

                                     Menu:  Hamburgers, hot dogs, salad, devil eggs, and chips. 

                                     Entertainment: DJ MC will bring the sounds 
                                    

                                     Games, Motown Sounds, Sponsors, M.O.M.S organization  

Come out bring your chairs, and whatever else you choose to bring.  Looking forward to meeting some new Norwood neighbors.

 

Class of 2013

On May 24, 2013 approximately one hundred thirteen Norwood High School Seniors will receive
 
their diploma's.  The Senior Class of Norwood High School announces its Commencement Exercises

 Friday evening at seven -thirty at Cintas Center Xavier University.  We invite everyone to come and

support your neighbors.

A Rising Star

SPOTLIGHT STORIES

Norwood Middle School's April Rising Student Star is Jamie Gachuz-Carballo Jamie Gachuz-Carballo is Norwood Middle School's Rising Student Star for the month of April. Jamie not only meets all of the characteristics of a star student but she surpasses them. She is very kind and respectful. She values her education and that quality shines through in all of the work she does. Jamie maintains A/B honor roll and has had perfect attendance this year. Ms. Mendez says Jamie is an absolute pleasure to teach. She is a hard working student who always puts forth her best effort. She always has a smile on her face. Jamie is very dedicated to her studies as well as her family. Mrs. Gregory, Language Arts teacher said Jamie turns in her best work every day. Jamie is very excited to continue her learning at the high school. She enjoys reading mysteries and plans on going to college to become a police detective. She will go far in the future because of her hard work and determination. Students like Jamie Gachuz-Carballo are what make Norwood Middle School great! Way to go Jamie!

M.O.M.S (Mothers Overseeing Minors Sucess)

Mothers Day 2013 was a beginning.  Norwood has a new organization called M.O.M.S. (Mothers Overseeing Minors Sucess)  This program was started by a mother who saw a need for more mothers to get involved with their minors and children.  She wanted a outlet where moms could go to other moms to network and get community information.   

 

Norwood News and Views applaud  M.O.M.S  and what they are doing.  It real easy to sit on the couch and complain. Ms. Krusten has decided to take action.  This is just what Norwoods' been missing.  Parents and Grandparents getting involved.  It only takes one person to show a kid a different path.  It takes one person to say a kind word to a kid struggling.  It takes one adult to share their testimony.  Our communities need it now more than ever.  So a big "THANKS" to M.O.M.S for inviting us to be volunteers  and be a part of the first MOMS MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON.  It was a huge sucess and I know next year will be better. 

 

Also a big "THANKS" to Norwood School Board for letting the community use the High School Cafeteria to hold the event. 

 

Thanks to Lowes, Keepin It Real World Wide Mininteries, Green'  Flower Shoppe, and The City of Norwood, Ohio. 

Norwood UDF Robbed

Police are looking for a suspects  in a over night robbery.

Authorities say that the UDF in the 5000 block on Montgomery Road was robbed around 12:30 a.m. on Friday night.

Police searched the area but did not come up with anything.

Few details are known at this time.

This story was reported on Fox19.com website on May 11, 2013.

SCREAMING FOR A HERO

Charles Ramsey is one of the coolest black men I have ever seen.  I seen his interview with one of the reporters days after his heroic actions.  Amanda Berry did not know what would happen when she decided to run for her life.  Thank goodness she had a angle with her.  His name is Charles.  Typical black man, chilling out on his porch, eating his MacDonald's.  This is something he has done so often he could probeley do it with his eyes closed.  Nice summer day, off work, sight seeing, MacDonald's, maybe a cigarette?  Who knew on this day his life would never be the same. 

 

He heard the scream.  A scream he says is etched in his mind forever.  He can't stop from hearing it.  It was Amanda Berry.  She was clawing, chewing, kicking, and fighting for her life at the door of hell.  Charles could have done nothing.  He could have got up went into his house and curse the bitch who messed up his quiet off day.  He could have closed his door to the noise and never would know Amanda Berry.  Or he could have done what hero's do.  Get up and go and see what the screams were all about.  That is what a HERO is.  The rest is history. 

 

In America a Black Man has the weight of America on his shoulders.  On top of that is the many Countries of Africa.  Where it all began for the black man.  It's nice to see a black person like Charles Ramsey.  The media and social media outlets would have you think if a black man is not entertaining you then he is not earning his keep.  Mr. Ramsey put it out there for all the world to see.  If you don't see it ............give up ..............you never will.  It's over your head.  One thing is for sure, those three women will always look at that black man as their own personal HERO.   

 

WELL DONE BLACK MAN ..................WELL DONE

Don't Take My Crack Phone

Cell phones are the newest addiction in America.  Seems everyone in America is addicted to someone or something.  While most of us can deal with people and their addictions, I've had enough of the crack phone addicts.  Especially with black folks,  that use their phones like a crackhead uses their crack pipe.  Cell phones have dumbed down black folks and black children. 

 

According to Gregg Keizer from Computer World in 2009 there were 196 million people in the United States that own a cell phone.  In America more people own a cell phone than a book of encyclopedias.  More people own cell phones than living wills.  More people own cell phones than they do life insurance.  Folks are walking around talking on cell phones and don't know the cost of burying their ass.  I have seen children as young as seven having a cell phone in their hands.  Now tell me why do a seven year old need a cell phone? 

 

Before cell phones,  when folks opened their mouth to speak, they were in a conversation with the person in front of them.  Now, cell phones have allowed folks to be in a conversation when no one is physically in front of them.  It's called a blue tooth.  They can literally walk around talking with what seems like themselves.  It draws attention to them.  It can let them be loud and rude for no reason.  It can represent material status.  It can also say I'm bored and I have nothing meaningful  on my mind. 

 

Cell phones have caused break-ups, hook-ups and many divorces.  There is nothing left to one's imagination any more.  Like a person?  Snap their photo with your smart phone.  Put in their name and your Smart Phone will attempt to locate this person.  If the phone locates them you can send them a photo of your self. (with or without clothes)  They can be married, a Pastor, father, gay, or happily married.  It does not matter.  Cell phones are like crack, you simply can not put it down. 

 

Crack phone addicts are the ones that look at their phones every sixty seconds.  Even if nothing has changed they look.  Even if the phone has not rang they look to check it.   If they are on a date they check their phones to see who called.  In city parks children are playing and the parents are on their crack phones. These things make the world dangerous.  These things have made Americans less likely to care.  Less likely to have human interactions.  Less likely to be embarrassed.  Crack Phones are like  clothing,  you would never leave home without it.  Crack phones are everywhere.  You can buy them cheap from the dealer on the corner or you can spend big buck by having your addiction custom made.  We are all victims to the people on their crack phones.  Have you ever had to ask someone to end their call?  Ever overheard a conversation and wish you didn't?  Ever found a crack phone and called the owner?  Only to hear them sigh with relief that they will get their crack phone back?  Ever took a picture of someone without them knowing it?  A crack phone allows you to do all kinds of nonsense.  You can play games on your crack phone all day long.  You can face book on your phone.  You can set the dish washer to do the dishes.  You can turn your spouse on with your crack phone.  You don't have to think any more with your crack phone, it does it for you.  Just charge it up and pay the bill and you can have your legal crack with you at all times.  The nice thing is you don't have to hide it and it's completely legal.  You can trip into a pond with it.  You can drive with it.  You can coordinate it with the outfit you are wearing.  You can give it as a gift, you can check to see if your mate is cheating on you with it, or you can order pizza while you sit outside the pizza parlor. 

 

We all know black folks who can not afford to be addicts are some of the most hard core.  They need physical and mental help if their crack phones are taken away.  They can't function, they can't think, they simply can not feel whole if they do not have their crack phones.  Black women will forget all about their kids, forget all about their weaves, forget all about their mates it that crack phone is not where they can see and feel it. 

 

With all due respect to the former First Lady Nancy Reagen and her war on drugs, in those days the drugs were only hurting the individuals themselves..............Now  Crack Phones are hurting everyone.  But Please don't take my Crack Phone from me.  It's all I got. 

Parks Show Appreciation Days

As a special “thank you” to all Hamilton County residents for their continued support of the parks, we are hosting Free Firsts Resident Appreciation Days on the first day of every month this summer: June 1, July 1 and Aug.1.
On Free Firsts Appreciation Days, county residents can enjoy free entry into any Hamilton County park without the need for a Motor Vehicle Permit. Special activities will also be offered, like free tour boat rides, free fishing, free rounds of miniature golf, discounts at Nature’s Niche stores, as well as free nature programs.
For a complete list of free and discounted activities and programs, please go to http://www.greatparks.org/events/free-firsts.html.
For additional information or a complete list of parks, please visit greatparks.org or call 521-PARK.
Also, be sure to check out the Hamilton County Park District Facebook Page and Twitter to find out more about what’s happening at the parks.=

WE ARE PROUD OF YOU

SPOTLIGHT STORIES

Norwood High School's April Rising Student Star is Sarah Bryce Sarah Bryce has been an outstanding aide in the high school office this year. The staff immediately noticed her outstanding work ethic. Each day she shows up and says, "Ok..what are we doing today?" I can't think of a time when she has sat with nothing to do for more than five minutes. In addition to how hard she works, Sarah also has a unique way of making friends with every single person who walks through the office doors. This includes students, teachers, parents and even the UPS worker. It has been a pleasure to get to know Sarah this year. Students like Sarah are a frequent reminder as to why Norwood Schools are "Excellent" in more ways than one! Congratulations Sarah for being recognized as Norwood High School's Rising Star Student for the month of April! Way to go Sarah!

Thanks for Your Service

SPOTLIGHT STORIES

Norwood Board of Education Presents Diplomas to Veteran Roscoe E. Cartwright and Buster R. Timberlake The Norwood Board of Education presented Norwood High School diplomas to Roscoe E. Cartwright, Class of 1963 and to Buster R. Timberlake, Class of 1963 at the April 18th meeting. Roscoe Cartwright is a Vietnam Veteran and so is Buster Timberlake who was unable to attend. Roscoe E. Cartwright - Vietnam Veteran

I'M ME AND I'M FREE

First and foremost let me thank 'GOD"  The Lord is my strength, help and protector.  He follows me all the days of my life and I will believe in his word forever. Amen

Second, a big "THANKS" to the many many folks I meet on this journey.  I got some hugs, some closed doors, some folks that recognized my voice, some that recognized my name, some that said, "thank you for what you are doing", and some that said, "you should not be doing that".  All in all I sum this experience up to ....Norwood got some great homeowners and residents!!  You can not ask for a better community.  WE ARE NORWOOD.

I personally passed out 800 vote no on the property tax levy.  I did not have a committee.  I did not have a agenda.  I did not have help or assistance.  I did not have a stragety focus group.  I did not have financial support.  I simply will not support the City of Norwood, Ohio until it gives me and my children a apology for arresting me in front of my children. For charging me with Domestic Violence for threatening and disciplining my child.  Only to have both charges and cases dismissed, when my son refused to come to court and testify against me. 

Until that day comes I will never support any tax levies.  Not only will I not support any tax levies I will work very hard to ask the community not to either.  The day is here that the Norwood Police Department and the entire Administration feels they can do whatever they want to who ever they want to.  That is dishonest and unprofessional.  A simple apology?  I have been told I will never get one. 

That's okay with me.  The charges were dropped and your officers were standing there looking like fools.  I'm hurt because it's over the Internet and it makes things a little tougher.  I'm responsible for what I have done, but I refuse to accept Norwood's nonsense.  It was never about my son it was all about not liking me.  Have you ever had a taser pulled out on you?  I have, by a Norwood officer.  I was offended, I'm way too cool and calm for that.  Besides I don't like to mess my hair up.  The nerve of him to pull the taser then hold it in a threatening manner is appalling and disturbing.

So I use what ever I can to ask the City to give me the long over due apology.  I don't suspect they ever will.  Hope they don't wait till I'm dead then give it to me.  Nope I need it now, I needed it like yesterday.  I hope I get it tomorrow.  I doubt it.  White folks think to apologize to a black person is unheard of.  After all we are in Norwood, Ohio.  The city that has never had diversity.  The city that has no women as a fire fighter.  The City where black folks get arms broken and phony charges.  If I didn't know better I would think we were living in Norwood in the 1940's. 

The next Tax Levy is in August or November............VOTE NO ON THAT LEVY TOO!

NORWOOD ELECTION FOR LAW DIRECTOR

NORWOOD LAW DIRECTOR - Totals (100.0% Reporting)
Candidate	Votes	% Votes
Robert G. Kelly	306	55.7
Keith D. Moore	243	44.3

NORWOOD STREET LEVY RESULTS

NORWOOD ROADS LEVY - Totals (100.0% Reporting)
Candidate	Votes	% Votes
AGAINST THE TAX LEVY	789	66.9
FOR THE TAX LEVY	390	33.1

Thanks First Responders

Norwood News and Views would like to take a minute to say "Thanks"  to some of the Norwood Policemen and Firemen.  Some of you take your oath serious.  Some of you do your job and you do it well, professional and honest.  You sir, are the reason people have high marks for Norwood.  We love you and we appreciate you.  "THANKS" for a job well done!

Man Comes Home to Find His House on Fire in Norwood

By: WCPO Digital Staff
CINCINNATI - A man came home to his residence in Norwood to find it ablaze early Friday morning.

The fire started in an attic in the 4300 block of Ashland Avenue at about 1 a.m. The man came home from work and saw the house on fire. He went inside to alert his 16-year-old brother and the brother's friend, who were asleep.

They escaped without any injuries.

The parents were out of town for their daughter's wedding.

The family has five pets. Three cats and a dog are safe. One cat is missing.

When fire crews arrived, they went in and worked to control the flames on the second floor, but they couldn’t get to the third floor. Crews then went outside and took a defensive approach to fighting the blaze. They extinguished the fire by about 1:50 a.m.

Parts of the third floor caved in. Authorities have not yet released an estimated cost of damage.

Officials are investigating what caused the fire.

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT

IN-DEPTH: Another financial crisis for Norwood

SUBHEAD:

Narrow escape leaves city hoping future shows up

 

Cincinnati Enquirer

April 5, 2013

With just three days until the deadline, the city last week finalized what one city official called an “unusual” refinancing deal with private investors. The deal bumps up the interest rate the city must pay from 4.77 percent to 7.5 percent, but it buys the city some time and gives it some flexibility to begin catching up on numerous unpaid bills from 2012, including electric, phone and supplemental health-care reimbursements to employees.

With one financial crisis averted, however, the city now faces another – an estimated budget shortfall of $1.7 million this year based on expected revenues of $18.3 million.

City Council has already slashed the city health department’s 2013 budget in half, raising questions about whether the department will survive. The city also is seeking concessions from workers

Recession, job losses leave city reeling

It all points to a city living on the edge, and for Norwood it’s hardly the first time. The city of 19,000 has been on the state auditor’s fiscal watch list since 2004. Twenty-five governments are on the more serious fiscal emergency list, including the Clermont County village of Bethel, the Warren County village of Waynesville and Manchester Township and Manchester village, both in Adams County.

Norwood has a history of on-again, off-again financial problems that date back years – even before the 1987 closure of the General Motors assembly plant, then the largest employer.

“We are still in business,” said Keith Moore, chair of city council’s finance committee. “We’re still working hard to find a way to make this work and still provide all the services we do.”

Moore and Mayor Thomas Williams said several factors have contributed to the city’s current plight:

· Hundreds of jobs – and earning tax revenue – have left the the city in recent years as drug-testing company Medpace and manufacturers such as U.S. Playing Card Co. and Zumbiel Packaging have left the city, taking hundreds of jobs –and earning tax revenue – with them.

· The Great Recession delayed several large developments – and the earnings taxes they will generate. Those include Rookwood Exchange and a project near the Xavier University campus at Dana Avenue and Montgomery Road expected to include a bookstore, health center, student apartments, retail and offices. “Did anyone foresee what was going to happen five years ago?” Moore said. “The whole financial sector was in crisis.”

· State funding cuts, including cuts in the local government fund and elimination of the estate tax and personal tangible property tax, have slashed Norwood’s budget by $1.6 million over two years, Moore said. “The structure of the city government was premised on the idea that revenues would be at least sort of stable. We didn’t expect revenues to plummet,” he said. “ ... We don’t have any cushion left.”

Such challenges are not uncommon in Ohio communities, said Kent Scarrett, director of communications for the Ohio Municipal League.“Revenues are up, but not nearly enough to match the losses from the last (state) budget and the state cuts.”

Officials ask for more concessions from unions

Norwood flirted with disaster last month as the deadline for making bond payments approached. “Banks were not interested in lending us anything,” Moore said. The city eventually turned to private investors and worked out what he called “an unusual financing deal for a municipality, but it does buy us some breathing room.”

Two years worth, as it turns out – the city has until April 27, 2015, to pay off the expected $1.77 million debt.

Still, there’s not enough revenue to cover this year’s expected expenses.

“It’s not like we’ve got anything you can point to and say, ‘They’re just blowing money on this,’ ” Moore said. “We don’t have cultural programs. It’s police, fire, streets, parks and the health department. The revenues have just not been there.”

The biggest chunks of Norwood’s budget go to the fire and police departments. Last year the police department accounted for 33 percent of general fund expenditures; the fire department 35 percent.

In 2011, the police and fire unions agreed to concessions worth $1 million a year. Now the city is going back to those unions, and the much smaller public works and clerk unions.

“We’re working with our bargaining units, trying to figure out a way we can reduce our operating costs,” Williams said. “Three out of four we’re making progress with.”

Bobby Schlachter, president of the firefighters union, said discussions have focused on health insurance.

“I know the city is adamant that all the unions are on board with it. We are willing to help,” he said of firefighters. “We understand that if the city goes under … we’re out, too.”

A police union spokesperson did not return calls.

Health department workers scramble for funding

One casualty, though, could be the six-employee health department, which the city is not required to fund. It operates immunization clinics, keeps vital statistics, tests drinking water, oversees environmental health and provides school health programs.

In March City Council cut the department’s 2013 budget in half, to $261,000.

“Of course we were very disappointed,” said Gary Arthur, president pro tem of the Board of Health. “I feel the quality of a health department sets the stage for the quality of the city.”

Residents Lynn Ellis and Susan Knox are trying to save the department. One possibility: Put a levy on the ballot to make the department self-sustaining starting in 2014.

To get through this year, Ellis, Knox and others cobbled together a plan that relies on funds from grants and donations and leaves open the position of health commissioner.

Although the short-term outlook is challenging, city officials say the long-term picture is brighter. Paycor is building a headquarters at Linden Pointe. The Mercy Health-Rookwood Medical Center is under construction. A Courtyard by Marriott hotel is being built at Rookwood Exchange, with a retail and office complex to follow.

“Two years from now, we should be in a much better position,” Moore said. “We should have our cash flow worked out. We should be stable.”⬛

SIDEBAR:

Retirees not getting health help

Among those feeling the pain of Norwood’s financial plight: about three dozen retired city police, firefighters and their beneficiaries who have not received reimbursements for out-of-pocket health care expenses since September.

“I know (the city) is hurting, but that’s not our problem,” said Bob Gatto, who retired in 1993 after 25 years as a Norwood police officer.
He said about 38 people are affected by the non-payments “and seven months is a long, long time.”

In 2009, Gatto and other retirees sued when the city balked at paying into a supplemental retirement trust fund. The result was a consent decree, issued in November 2010 by Judge Charles J. Kubicki Jr., that said the city should continue to operate the plan. It covers workers hired before 1975 with at least 20 years of service.

“We expected them to live up to the judge’s ruling,” Gatto said. “I got widows calling me that need the money.”

Painful financial history

Norwood knows what it’s like to be pushed to the brink of bankruptcy. In the early 1980s the city struggled mightily through a recession and cutbacks by its largest employer, the GM assembly plant. When the plant closed in 1987, the city lost $2.6 million in tax revenue. City payroll was cut. Payments to police and firefighter pension funds were halted. Maintenance of parks, streets and buildings suffered.

Norwood’s survival hinged on several things: Voters approved an 8-mill, five-year property tax increase. City officials got GM to raze its abandoned plant. And the automaker let the city choose a developer – Belvedere Corp. Thus began Norwood’s transformation from blue-collar industrial town to white-collar office and retail hub.

About the reporter:

John Johnston covers eastern Hamilton County communities, Clermont County and the Cincinnati Zoo, and writes about local history.

Email: jjohnston@enquirer.com