Today, we were excited to approve the County's 2009 Municipal Road Fund Program, which effectively leads to more than $100 million in investment throughout Hamilton County in cities, villages and townships. The County’s investment of $2,049,662.00 is leveraged 50 times over by construction in the targeted areas.
This investment serves as our own local stimulus package and economic primer: it focuses directly on infrastructure, puts people to work on projects across the county, and creates safer, better roads.
As always, the County Engineer has leveraged a County investment with far more outside dollars invested to make all these projects happen.
The Municipal Road Fund Projects includes eleven projects in ten municipalities: Cincinnati; Addyston, Deer Park; Golf Manor; Harrison; Lockland; Madeira; Newtown; Norwood; and Springdale. For the street names, please see attached Resolution.
All Municipalities in Hamilton County are eligible to apply for this fund with the Hamilton County Engineer.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sheer Greed
At a time where many companies and most governments, like our's, are asking for voluntary furloughs and having to impose even worse decisions, this AIG bonus issue is truly an outrage. There are many questions, and few good answers.
No doubt, we must have far better government oversight and accountability. But the most galling part to me is the sheer, shameful greed of individuals who would insist on and then accept such outrageous bonuses for their clearly calamitous work in 2008. Makes it clear just how out of touch, out of control, and money hungry, parts of our financial world have become.
Outrageous, and scary.
No doubt, we must have far better government oversight and accountability. But the most galling part to me is the sheer, shameful greed of individuals who would insist on and then accept such outrageous bonuses for their clearly calamitous work in 2008. Makes it clear just how out of touch, out of control, and money hungry, parts of our financial world have become.
Outrageous, and scary.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Unsung Heroes: Those Who Help Our Seniors
Tonight, at the annual Senior Services Dinner, I had the great honor of helping congratulate and thank some of our communities' greatest, but most unsung, heroes.
They are the caregivers and organizations that support the many citizens of our community who are aging, and who need some extra assistance to maintain the independent living situation they desire.
First, I honored a senior citizen herself who has, since retiring as a nurse, volunteered tirelessly to care for, screen, counsel and support other seniors--along with recruiting other nurses to do the same.
Then I presented the Outstanding Caregiver Award to a widower who lovingly cared for his wife in every way until the day she passed away, followed by another Outstanding Caregiver who, as a home health aide, has touched so many lives through her passionate, sensitive and respectful approach.
I then recognized Amelia Middle School students for putting together a Seniors Fair for seniors in their community, which featured dancing, singing, informational booths, and food.
And then I recognized Clermont County Communications Director Cathy Lehr and her team, for rallying support behind Clermont County's "adopt a senior" program.
Thanks and congratulations to all the award winners. It was a wonderful evening.
I've mentioned it before on this blog, but one of the most important things this County and its taxpayers do is provide support for the Elderly Services Levy, administered by the Council on Aging. The programs these funds pay for not only make the difference in keeping citizens living independently, as they overwhelmingly prefer, but it often keeps couples and families together as well. (Incidentally, the cost of these services is far less than the cost of nursing home care). No wonder almost 70% of voters supported the levy in 2007.
For more information on these services, go here.
They are the caregivers and organizations that support the many citizens of our community who are aging, and who need some extra assistance to maintain the independent living situation they desire.
First, I honored a senior citizen herself who has, since retiring as a nurse, volunteered tirelessly to care for, screen, counsel and support other seniors--along with recruiting other nurses to do the same.
Then I presented the Outstanding Caregiver Award to a widower who lovingly cared for his wife in every way until the day she passed away, followed by another Outstanding Caregiver who, as a home health aide, has touched so many lives through her passionate, sensitive and respectful approach.
I then recognized Amelia Middle School students for putting together a Seniors Fair for seniors in their community, which featured dancing, singing, informational booths, and food.
And then I recognized Clermont County Communications Director Cathy Lehr and her team, for rallying support behind Clermont County's "adopt a senior" program.
Thanks and congratulations to all the award winners. It was a wonderful evening.
I've mentioned it before on this blog, but one of the most important things this County and its taxpayers do is provide support for the Elderly Services Levy, administered by the Council on Aging. The programs these funds pay for not only make the difference in keeping citizens living independently, as they overwhelmingly prefer, but it often keeps couples and families together as well. (Incidentally, the cost of these services is far less than the cost of nursing home care). No wonder almost 70% of voters supported the levy in 2007.
For more information on these services, go here.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Project Disarm: Going "Federal" on the Most Violent Offenders
Today we received an update on a proactive law enforcement strategy that we initiated when I first got to the Commission in 2007. It's called Project Disarm, and it drops the "hammer" on the worst of the worst violent offenders in our County by seeking federal prosecution for federal gun and other charges.
The underlying purpose is to aggressively seek "federal time" for those criminals who, among other crimes, are felons in possession of a weapon (weapons "under disability"), which is a federal crime requiring long sentences. This has a triple benefit: maximum time for the most dangerous criminals and gang members in our community; transferral to the federal system for those sentences (ie. out of our overcrowded and costly county and state systems); and maximum deterrence of committing these crimes in the first place.
I was a big proponent of this approach when I was at the City, and committed to supporting it as much as possible once I got to the County. So in 2007, we added dollars to fund its expansion in the County.
Well, today's report showed marked progress:
The underlying purpose is to aggressively seek "federal time" for those criminals who, among other crimes, are felons in possession of a weapon (weapons "under disability"), which is a federal crime requiring long sentences. This has a triple benefit: maximum time for the most dangerous criminals and gang members in our community; transferral to the federal system for those sentences (ie. out of our overcrowded and costly county and state systems); and maximum deterrence of committing these crimes in the first place.
I was a big proponent of this approach when I was at the City, and committed to supporting it as much as possible once I got to the County. So in 2007, we added dollars to fund its expansion in the County.
Well, today's report showed marked progress:
- The prosecutor's office, with an additional prosecutor and an additional investigator, has taken the project countywide, and has now worked with police departments and prosecuted criminals from Elmwood Place, to Springfield Township, and a number of others.
- The number of cases has more than doubled since we started funding the expanded approach--from 12 in 2005, 25 in 2006, 30 in 2007 (transition to the expanded approach), and 51 in 2008.
- The average sentence of those criminals who are placed under the "Project Disarm" strategy is 87 months! Far longer than what they would have seen in the state system
- The "hammer" of Project Disarm has provided other benefits, including: close cooperation with the highly successful CIRV initiative of the City of Cincinnati, the dismantling of several violent street gangs, and the development of significant evidence that has helped solve over 30 homicides, as well as other firearms and narcotics cases (ie. knowing a long sentence is likely, those who face such charges under Project Disarm have given up far more information than they otherwise would have).
In short, this has been a great success, which explains why we have kept funding Project Disarm despite our tough budgets.
Thanks to all, particularly those in the Prosecutor's Office and the United States Attorney's Office, who have helped make it a success.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A Glimmer of Hope?
At a time where most economic news is not just bad, but VERY bad, I got an email from our budget office yesterday that gave a faint glimmer of hope.
When we finalized our budget for the year, we projected 4% declines in sales tax each of the first four months, and 2% declines each of the final eight months. Needless to say, that's a pretty conservative set of assumptions, and led to a tough budget. But being disciplined and realistic was necessary. How have things played out since?
In January, sales tax was off 3.28%--not good, but at least better than our four percent projection.
In February (reflecting the beginning of the holiday season--November sales), it was off 6.2%! Very scary. If that were to continue (along with other revenues that are declining), we will need to make major mid-year cuts
So we've been waiting anxiously for our March numbers. March reflects December sales--which because of the holidays, is our largest month. (Up to 33%, or several million dollars more, than the typical months). Another 6% hit or more would be devastating to our assumptions.
Well, the number came in yesterday . . . . . . and it was $6,946,346. This represented a 2.65% reduction from 2008. A decline, but a nice directional turnaround from February, and a healthy amount above our projection. And cumulatively, after three months, we remain just ahead of our projected 4% decline. (Although again, other sources of revenue remain off in that time).
While we can not spend dollars assuming anything but the most convervative scenarios, let's hope that this blip in the right direction was not an anomaly, but the beginning of a trend.
When we finalized our budget for the year, we projected 4% declines in sales tax each of the first four months, and 2% declines each of the final eight months. Needless to say, that's a pretty conservative set of assumptions, and led to a tough budget. But being disciplined and realistic was necessary. How have things played out since?
In January, sales tax was off 3.28%--not good, but at least better than our four percent projection.
In February (reflecting the beginning of the holiday season--November sales), it was off 6.2%! Very scary. If that were to continue (along with other revenues that are declining), we will need to make major mid-year cuts
So we've been waiting anxiously for our March numbers. March reflects December sales--which because of the holidays, is our largest month. (Up to 33%, or several million dollars more, than the typical months). Another 6% hit or more would be devastating to our assumptions.
Well, the number came in yesterday . . . . . . and it was $6,946,346. This represented a 2.65% reduction from 2008. A decline, but a nice directional turnaround from February, and a healthy amount above our projection. And cumulatively, after three months, we remain just ahead of our projected 4% decline. (Although again, other sources of revenue remain off in that time).
While we can not spend dollars assuming anything but the most convervative scenarios, let's hope that this blip in the right direction was not an anomaly, but the beginning of a trend.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Follow-up on Public Safety
We had a long discussion today on public safety, and the recent, horrific murder of Esme Kenney. While it does not appear that the County was directly involved, all of us in government have a responsibility to get to the bottom of it, and ensure that this never happens again in our community, and that our citizens--and children in particular--are safe.
A couple steps we will be taking:
1. Prosecutor Joe Deters and I talked, and in addition to prosecuting the case, his office will be conducting an analaysis of each stage the alleged defendant took in the criminal justice process. This will examine which and when critical mistakes were made to allow such a dangerous person to be on the street. We will then work to ensure such mistakes can and do not happen again.
2. Todd Portune is working on a letter that will push our state leaders to require a far more stringent chain of custody requirement for dangerous offenders such as this, so they do not fall through the cracks.
3. City Council has drafted a letter to the Governor asking that the VOA Pogue Center be shut down. From what we know so far, I agree with them. I understand the Enquirer's caution not to react hastily or short-sightedly. And generally, I'd rather have predators such as this monitored in a well-run facility rather than roaming the streets if/when they have completed their sentence. (Although I think we should have NO facilities "importing" offenders from outside the County, and have previously made that clear).
But some mistakes are so egregious, so colossal, display such bad judgment, and carry such horrific consequences, that there must be true accountability. In my book, when the consequences are clearly so potentially dangerous, failing to release someone who had this egregious history and high-risk potential in a way that guarantees a smooth and safe handoff is one of those mistakes. Just like some acts are "fireable" offenses, the apparent failure here is the same. And imposing real accountability in this case will send a loud and clear message to other such facilities that breakdowns such as this are beyond the pale. Such accountability may be the best way to ensure a mistake like this never happens again.
4. Whether or not they were directly involved, all governments in the corrections/custody business must ensure that they have a system that guarantees that when a dangerous predator such as this is in their custody, they will never release them, knowingly (of course) or even unintentionally. It's no secret that after the failure of our Comprehensive Safety Plan, the Sheriff must unfortunately conduct "stationhouse releases"--which he has had to do at various times over the years. We must ensure that when the Sheriff does release offenders through this process, there is a risk assessment done, and an examination of their criminal history, before release (as opposed to just looking at the most recent criminal charge, which can conceal a far more dangerous background and potential). We must apply the same rigorous release standards across the board (to government and non-profit facilities alike).
5. Finally, a story over the weekend highlighted the shortage of electronic monitoring units in our county system. These EMUs can play a very positive role in relieving jail overcrowding, and reduce the number of releases. We will look to use stimulus dollars to both purchase new EMU units, and to pay staff sufficient to monitor and manage those new units. I have also asked several councilmembers to have the City consider doing the same.
A couple steps we will be taking:
1. Prosecutor Joe Deters and I talked, and in addition to prosecuting the case, his office will be conducting an analaysis of each stage the alleged defendant took in the criminal justice process. This will examine which and when critical mistakes were made to allow such a dangerous person to be on the street. We will then work to ensure such mistakes can and do not happen again.
2. Todd Portune is working on a letter that will push our state leaders to require a far more stringent chain of custody requirement for dangerous offenders such as this, so they do not fall through the cracks.
3. City Council has drafted a letter to the Governor asking that the VOA Pogue Center be shut down. From what we know so far, I agree with them. I understand the Enquirer's caution not to react hastily or short-sightedly. And generally, I'd rather have predators such as this monitored in a well-run facility rather than roaming the streets if/when they have completed their sentence. (Although I think we should have NO facilities "importing" offenders from outside the County, and have previously made that clear).
But some mistakes are so egregious, so colossal, display such bad judgment, and carry such horrific consequences, that there must be true accountability. In my book, when the consequences are clearly so potentially dangerous, failing to release someone who had this egregious history and high-risk potential in a way that guarantees a smooth and safe handoff is one of those mistakes. Just like some acts are "fireable" offenses, the apparent failure here is the same. And imposing real accountability in this case will send a loud and clear message to other such facilities that breakdowns such as this are beyond the pale. Such accountability may be the best way to ensure a mistake like this never happens again.
4. Whether or not they were directly involved, all governments in the corrections/custody business must ensure that they have a system that guarantees that when a dangerous predator such as this is in their custody, they will never release them, knowingly (of course) or even unintentionally. It's no secret that after the failure of our Comprehensive Safety Plan, the Sheriff must unfortunately conduct "stationhouse releases"--which he has had to do at various times over the years. We must ensure that when the Sheriff does release offenders through this process, there is a risk assessment done, and an examination of their criminal history, before release (as opposed to just looking at the most recent criminal charge, which can conceal a far more dangerous background and potential). We must apply the same rigorous release standards across the board (to government and non-profit facilities alike).
5. Finally, a story over the weekend highlighted the shortage of electronic monitoring units in our county system. These EMUs can play a very positive role in relieving jail overcrowding, and reduce the number of releases. We will look to use stimulus dollars to both purchase new EMU units, and to pay staff sufficient to monitor and manage those new units. I have also asked several councilmembers to have the City consider doing the same.
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Heart-Wrenching Tragedy; A Massive Breakdown
The brutal and horrific murder over the weekend of Esme Kenney as she jogged in her own neighborhood has made all of us sick and deeply sad since we heard the news. Our prayers go out to her family, friends and classmates as they all grieve and come to grips with this terrible event. I know parents across our community are especially unnerved by this horrible incident, as am I.
The family has asked that people make a donation in Esme’s name to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at http://www.missingkids.com/. Also, anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.
While the accused killer is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law, if it turns out that he did do what he is charged with, it will represent a massive breakdown in a system that is supposed to protect citizens, and in children in particular, from predators, but clearly failed to do so.
How a man with his record of being an aggressive predator (and killer) was allowed to get out of the state system only six months after being convicted of soliciting and exposing himself to a 13-year old (in 1997), and thereafter to slip through the cracks of the parole/rehabilitation system that is supposed to monitor predators such as him, is something that must be investigated, understood and responded to immediately.
Even with the overcrowded County jail, our County court and criminal justice system had the good sense to keep him locked up for the entire pre-trial period for his 2007 offense. They clearly knew he was an imminent danger who should not be allowed in the community. Why, after the County handed him off to the state to serve his felony sentence, the "system" and all the money invested in it couldn't figure out that this person was a ticking time bomb, and treat him accordingly, is incomprehensible.
Every stage of this predator's journey through the courts, jails, parole and "rehabilitation" process should be scrutinized to see how the "system" failed, and how it must be immediately fixed.
The family has asked that people make a donation in Esme’s name to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at http://www.missingkids.com/. Also, anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.
While the accused killer is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law, if it turns out that he did do what he is charged with, it will represent a massive breakdown in a system that is supposed to protect citizens, and in children in particular, from predators, but clearly failed to do so.
How a man with his record of being an aggressive predator (and killer) was allowed to get out of the state system only six months after being convicted of soliciting and exposing himself to a 13-year old (in 1997), and thereafter to slip through the cracks of the parole/rehabilitation system that is supposed to monitor predators such as him, is something that must be investigated, understood and responded to immediately.
Even with the overcrowded County jail, our County court and criminal justice system had the good sense to keep him locked up for the entire pre-trial period for his 2007 offense. They clearly knew he was an imminent danger who should not be allowed in the community. Why, after the County handed him off to the state to serve his felony sentence, the "system" and all the money invested in it couldn't figure out that this person was a ticking time bomb, and treat him accordingly, is incomprehensible.
Every stage of this predator's journey through the courts, jails, parole and "rehabilitation" process should be scrutinized to see how the "system" failed, and how it must be immediately fixed.
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