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Tax levy expiration explained
As they say in Congress, I would like the opportunity to revise and extend my comments regarding Council’s decision to let the City’s 5.5 mill property tax levy expire in 2008.
Over the last few years Oakwood citizens passed a school tax levy, a library tax levy, the County Human Services tax levy and Sinclair CC operating levy. When Oakwood citizens receive the facts and the need is justified, they will support tax increases.
Because of the estate tax windfall we received in 2007, Council felt the renewal of the city property tax levy was not necessary. This levy generates $333,000 annually. We believe the revenue reduction will be offset by prudent spending and increased investment earnings from our cash reserves. We will also receive additional income and property taxes from the Sugarcamp and Pointe Oakwood developments.
Because of the Ohio estate tax, Oakwood has a new Public Works Center, a new Administration/Safety building, the Old River recreation/playing fields and additional green space near Houk stream.
The most significant financial threat to our city is the elimination of the Ohio estate tax. Our state representative wishes to repeal this tax. He believes that when you die the government should be done with you. It is a compelling argument. I support an increase in the exemption amount and a lower rate. As Warren Buffett said, “A very rich person should leave his kids enough to do anything but not enough to do nothing.” Regardless of your position on this matter, City leaders need some certainty from state legislators regarding this source of income.
If the estate tax is repealed, we will evaluate all city services and ways to pay for them. We have a 100 year tradition of keeping our city financially strong, well governed and well managed. If the citizens want the services and we justify the need, I am confident we will win their support.
I am honored to serve the citizens of Oakwood and proud to say we reduced taxes.
William D. Duncan
Oakwood City Council Member
What’s happening with Sugarcamp development?
In a status update at the Aug. 4 meeting of the Oakwood City Council, Jay Weiskircher, assistant city manager , referred to two interesting changes regarding Sugarcamp:
1) A new builder is being sought for the development. No mention whatever was made of the fact that Versant Group, which was to do the construction, sold its Sugarcamp property to the Oakwood Investment Group. According to Courthouse records, the 7.3 acres that was sold by NCR to Versant Group for $1.2-million on July 21, 2006, was sold by Versant Group on July 17, 2008 to Oakwood Investment Group for $986,164. What was the reason for this sale? Why was this not disclosed at the city council meeting?
2) Work has stopped at the development site.
Our city officials need to give us a full disclosure of what is going on at Sugarcamp. The citizens of Oakwood deserve no less.
Faye Wenner
Oakwood
Response...
According to Allan Rinzler of Oakwood Investment Group, Versant did sell its acreage to the Oakwood Investment Group but will still be involved with the development aspect of the site. As regards the lack of activity, there is still work being performed at the site. According to Rinzler, Vectren Energy Delivery is currently installing gas lines throughout the proposed housing complex area and DP&L is erecting telephone poles and lines in the area.
Kudos to MVRA restaurant charity
A little over a week ago the Miami Valley Restaurant Association held their twice-a-year Restaurant Week (early Winter and mid Summer).
This time forty establishments offered a three-course meal for only $20.08 with one dollar of each sale going to support the Miami Valley Food Bank and an MVRA Scholarship.
I was able to take advantage of this event three times during the week and each time there was an Oakwood connection involved. I first went to Jay’s Seafood in the
Oregon District. Jay Haverstick (OHS -58) and his daughter Amy have been among the early leaders of this popular event. His boyhood home as he attended Oakwood schools was the same house in which I now live!
The Salmon Ravioli was a wonderful taste treat for me as the spinach and wild mushrooms were very appropriate as partners for the salmon. My next two meals were both at Lance Stewart’s Oakwood Club.
He had two options both of which were favorites for me so I had to eat there twice. The first was a Pan seared Pork Chop over sweet potato. The second was Pecan-crusted Tilapia for a fine mild fish dish. The staff at both establishments are so very competent and friendly that the dining was a special event for me.
I congratulate both of these restaurants for being a part of the MVRA Restaurant Week. Thanks for helping those in need by providing me with delicious meals and super service!
James K. Uphoff
299-5139
Remembering a great citizen
It was with great sadness that I read of the death of Oakwood resident Caryl Rader. For two years I worked the polls at the Oakwood Community Center under Caryl’s leadership as the presiding judge. One could not find a better person for the job. He was open-minded, firm, conscientious, and delightful to work with. To be a poll worker is not an easy job: it requires stamina and the ability to pay attention to detail. Caryl knew how to keep us alert and relaxed so we could all work to the best of our abilities. It’s hard to believe that this man—so young at heart—will no longer be present at the Precinct B table on Election Day. But I will always revere my acquaintance with him and the democratic principles he upheld with decorum and command.
Nancy Bain
444 Acorn Drive
A heartfelt ‘Thank You’
Giving Strings raises $2,000 for Dayton Foodbank
The Giving Strings Concert on Aug. 9 was a huge success! During the one hour concert, over $2,000 was collected for the Kid’s Cafe and the Good-To-Go Backpacks programs of the Dayton Foodbank. But without tremendous help from a few people, we never could have pulled it off. First I would like to thank the Lebanon Citizens National Bank (LCNB) of Oakwood. The bank generously underwrote the cost of our Giving Strings T-Shirts. Alley Cat Designs waived the cost of the silk screening for the T-Shirts. Marco’s Pizza provided pizza for our whole orchestra and the orchestra helpers the night of the concert. Flowerama donated rose petals at short notice to make the location even more beautiful and the City of Oakwood allowed us to adorn the blocks of Oakwood with Giving Strings promotional signs. The OCC was also generous to let the musicians of Giving Strings use the public restrooms of the pool. The Oakwood High School and Nan Watson both aided us in the copying of the program music, and the high school and E.D. Smith School allowed us to put up large Giving Strings signs on their property. WDPR aired many radio service announcements about Giving Strings, which brought people from all over Dayton to the concert. The Dayton Daily News, the Kettering Oakwood Times, and The Oakwood Register promoted the concert with numerous articles in their newspapers. Lastly, Christ United Methodist Church of Kettering was the site of our Giving Strings rehearsal, and the orchestra would not have sounded as good as they did without the church’s help. As well as the companies and organizations that helped Giving Strings, the individual people that helped are just as important. Patrick Reynolds, the conductor, is always of great importance, and helped the concert run smoothly once again. The entire Judge family contributed at a huge level. From calling Giving Strings members to setting up chairs, the Judges were always there to help. Tim Judge, Sr. was a great help in the manual labor of the concert, such as hanging signs and setting up the sound system. Madeleine Bee, Dan Edwards, Jenny McCarthy, and Sofia Snyder collected the donations to the Foodbank. Hadley Smith, Isabel Manzanillo, Trent, and Steve Golden also contributed to different aspects of the concert. Brad and Liz Huelsman were extremely generous and let the Giving Strings use their folding tables at the concert. Most important of all is the Giving Strings Orchestra. Thank you for learning the music, coming to the rehearsal, and playing in the concert! Lastly, the donors and audience of the concert was extremely important. Without you, the Giving Strings cause would not exist. Thank you to everyone who donated to our noble cause.
Clara Hofeldt
Oakwood
Correction... In the Aug. 5 issue of the Oakwood Register, on page 9 of the Distinctive Homes section, the home at 337 Oak Forest Rd. is described as having been built for Harvey and Mary Requarth. Actually, the home was built for Harvey and Alice Requarth. The Register regrets the error. Also in the Aug. 5 issue of the Oakwood Register, on page 8, Distinguished Alumni nominee, the late Eleanor Pickrel Petersen, was erroneously referred to four times as Helen Pickrel Petersen in the body of the story. The Register regrets the errors.
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