An open letter to all Oakwood residents
We have an Oakwood family in need and are looking for your help. Through no fault of her own, a single mother of 2 (with the oldest in a wheelchair) is now without a vehicle. (Her car was wrecked by a person with no insurance, and she had liability insurance only.) The daughter is under the care of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and must go back and forth from Oakwood as often as twice a week.
We are looking for a kind-hearted person or organization to donate a reliable vehicle to the family. A van would be prefer able. A local 501(c) 3 organization is in place to receive the vehicle and you could get a tax deduction (monetary donations are also accepted).
If you are capable of helping this family, please contact Tom Wild at 434-9300 x32. Further information can also be obtained from Tom. We would like to be able to present the vehicle to the family by Aug. 1.
Thank you.
Tom Wild
Oakwood
Residential Landscape plan discussed
We would like to publicly thank the City Manager, Norbert Klopsch, his staff and representatives of the Sugar Camp Developers for meeting with us this past Tuesday. We appreciate the opportunity to discuss and provide input as to the Residential Landscape design which we hope will include many non-invasive tree and shrub species native to Ohio. We were pleased to hear that the plan does include the planting of many large native shade trees and extensive landscaping, but did offer advice regarding tree species selection and variety to the streetscape tree plan. Based on the meeting, we believe our concerns were heard, and are encouraged by the City and the developers’ assurances that they will seriously consider our recommendations in their final plan. We look forward to working together in arriving at a Residential Landscape plan true to Oakwood.
Sincerely,
Julie Patel Secretary, Four Seasons Garden Club
Cindy Garner President, June 2006-08
The Garden Club of Dayton
Rotary recycling pickup scheduled for July 26
The Oakwood Rotary Club is scheduling recycling pickups of paint cans, batteries and pesticides on Saturday, July 26. Oakwood Rotary volunteers will come to your home to collect items that that the weekly trash pickup is not permitted to collect: paint cans, stains, thinners, pesticides and batteries.
Residents are asked to call 296-5155 and leave your name, address, and the items will be collected between 9 a.m. and noon Saturday, July 26.
There is no charge for this volunteer service, yet may make a tax-deducatible donation to the "Oakwood Rotary Club Foundation” and leave that with the items in a well-marked envelope or mail to P.O. Box 512, Dayton, Ohio 45409.
Questioning population estimates…again
Each year we question the validity of the federal government’s annual population estimates. Recently released estimates as reported in the Dayton Daily News indicate that Oakwood’s population dropped by 698 since 2000. Our local data suggests that our population remains stable, as it has been for many years, or is growing somewhat.
The graph below shows the federal government’s annual estimates back to 1990. (See graph #1 below)
According to the federal government estimates, Oakwood lost 643 residents between 1990 and 1999… and then gained 863 people in the single year between 1999 and the 2000 census. This is certainly incorrect.
The annual census counts and population estimates are derived by the US Census Bureau. The most accurate figures are the counts collected for 1990 and 2000 as they were gathered through the detailed decennial census process. The figures from 1991 to 1999 and 2001 to 2007 are estimates only based on a much simpler estimating process. I suggest to you that the annual estimates for Oakwood are grossly inaccurate.
Oakwood is a very stable community and has been this way for many decades. Nothing significant happened in Oakwood in the one-year period from 1999-2000 that would support the absurd notion that our population increased by over 10% that year. Likewise, no significant events occurred between 1991 and 1999 that would have caused Oakwood’s population to decline by 643 during that period. Actual data on Oakwood school enrollment suggests just the opposite. (See graph #2 below)
Our school population rose consistently through the 1990’s and has continued to rise this decade. The increase over the past seven years is nearly 10 percent.
Regarding our homes, property values continue to increase well above the area average and we most certainly do not have a vacant housing problem. The Dayton Area Board of Realtors reports that the total number of homes sold in Oakwood over the past four years is as follows: (See graph #3 below) The steady increase in home value indicates that Oakwood continues to be a desirable location for current and new residents alike. Also, there are fewer homes on the market now than there were at this time in 2006 or 2007. (See graph #4 below)
In reviewing population estimates, one must be careful to recognize that the only accurate numbers are those derived from the decennial census. Population estimates for intervening years are calculated from formulas that do not apply well to cities like Oakwood, cities that are well established, well maintained, almost fully developed, and that are not suffering from blight or population migration. Oakwood remains a wonderful city with an excellent school system and comprehensive public services.
Annual Home Sales in Oakwood
Homes on the Market (as of July 1)
Norbert S. Klopsch
Oakwood City Manager
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July 22, 2008
Volume 17, No. 30
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