The Official Newsletter of the Village of Cleves, OHIO-January 19-24, 2026

Cleves Village Council: Insights from January's Meeting- 01.14.2026

Video- Part 1- Before the Executive Session

Summary of Topics Discussed In Part 1:

Committee Assignments-:

Finance and Economic Committee -2026

Chairperson: Linda Bolton- Members: Geri Meister, Kevin Burns

Parks Committee- 2026

Chairperson: Kevin Burns- Linda Bolton, Mary Angeline

Public Safety- Committee-2026

Chairperson: Geri Meister- Ted Babel, Stephanie-Meyer-Cromer

Planning and Zoning Committee-2026

Chairperson: Ted Babel, Mary Angeline, Stephanie Meyer-Cromer

Council Discussed the Model Zoning Code and proposed March deadline for passage. Council wants three public meetings and the draft code available to our residents on the website.

____________________________________________________

President Pro-Tempore/Vice Mayor:- voted 5-0 to extend Geri Meister's term 1 month until February due to her excused absence. Entire Council will make nominations and select for the rest of 2026.

Posting Locations for Public Meeting Notices:- Voted 5-0 for the following locations: Village Website, Municipal Building, Miami Township Library, Merrilees Hardware, Cleves Water Works Building

America 250-OH- Village of Cleves Information:

• February 6, 2026- Flag Raising Dedication Ceremony- 9 a.m.
• February 6-2026- Harrison Birthday @ Monument
• Fund Raising Goal $15,000 for Homecoming Evenet/Fireworks
• Items For Sale and Cost- More to come.
• America OH-250 Homecoming weekend- June 26-27, 2026
• How to donate- contact Village Clerk- Penny Williams

Planning Commission Appointments: Council voted 5-0 to approve Nancy Nichols, and Mark Tallen

Clean Court Appoinments: Council voted 5-0 to approve Dawn Richardson, Scott Moorman, Jason Foley, Judy Melchion, Sylvia Strigari

Board of Zoning Appeals: Council voted 5-0 to approve Judy Melchion as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals through December 31, 2030.

Martin Luther King Day- Monday, January 19-2026- Federal Holiday- Village offices is Closed

Mayor Birkholtz moved that the Village Council enter into executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G) (3) to confer with the Village Attorney concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action, and pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22 (G1) for the purpose of the investigation of charge or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual.-Council Voted 5-0 to enter into an executive session.

To watch the first session just click on the white arrow.

Video- Part 2-After the Executive Session

Summary of Part 2

The Village returned to regular session. Emily Bender presented a request to add more parking and posssibly acquire the old skate park. About 15 minutes.

Approved Resolution 01-2026- Requested County Auditor to Make Advance Payments of Taxes, Resolution 02-2026 authorizing the Village Administrator to Prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement, and Ordinance 01-2026- Authorizing an Agreement between the Village of Cleves and the Board of Hamilton County Commissioners relative to the improvement of Miamiview Road/Lower River Rd.

Administrators report was presented.

Motion to Adjourn- 5-0 approved

Village of Cleves Service Department Update

Village of Cleves Maintenance Notice

• Monday, January 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Federal Holiday

• Tuesday & Wednesday, January 20&21 Interior painting in the Sheriff’s Office

• Thursday & Friday Weather permitting, we will remove the old park sign and install a new one. If outdoor conditions are unfavorable, work will shift to the Municipal Building.

While these interior improvements are a priority, our team remains on call. Should maintenance needs arise elsewhere in the Village, we will respond promptly to ensure uninterrupted community services.

250 Years Ago Today: The Heroic Feat That Drove the British Out of Boston”

January 19, 1776 - January 19, 2026

As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation, let’s journey back to November 15, 1775. On that day, Henry Knox embarked on an extraordinary mission for General George Washington: to transport the cannons captured at Fort Ticonderoga, a grueling 700-mile trek through harsh winter terrain. Today, with modern highways and interstates, a drive from Boston to Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain would still take over four hours, skirting past New York City along the way. In 1776, that journey took over 60 days!

“Henry Knox: A Testament to Grit and Divine Providence”

The birth of our nation is a story of perseverance and providence. Against overwhelming odds, victories were won, paths were cleared, and resources appeared at the most critical moments, events many have seen as miracles, guided by the divine hand of God. Henry Knox’s journey is one of those remarkable feats that defied all odds. 

Knox’s resilience began early. When his father abandoned the family at age nine, he left school to support his mother. By eighteen, Knox had joined an artillery company, testified as a witness to the Boston Massacre, taught himself fluent French, and later became one of Washington’s most trusted military advisors.

Knox's defining moment came when he successfully transported 58 cannons weighing a combined 120,000 pounds of heavy metal, using boats, oxen-drawn sleds, and sheer determination. He endured a Christmas Day blizzard near present-day Albany, New York, walking over two miles through snow more than three feet deep.

On January 4, 1776, when a cannon broke through the ice on the Mohawk River, Knox refused to surrender it and recovered it against all odds. 

Then, 250 years ago today, January 19, 1776, Knox notified General Washington that he had the cannons and was only 20 miles away from delivering them. In total, Knox crossed the Adirondack Mountains, Lake George, and the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, hauling the artillery that would allow Washington to fortify Dorchester Heights. By March 1776, those guns forced the British to abandon Boston, a turning point in the Revolution. This was not just a feat of strength and endurance; it was a testament to courage, ingenuity, and what many believe was divine providence guiding the birth of a nation. 

American author Washington Irving, pictured here, wrote, "Knox was one of those providential characters which spring up in emergencies as if formed by and for the occasion."

The primary source from this article is Rick Atkinson's book, "The British are Coming-The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777- pages: 234-237

Next week's America-250-OH article will be about Dorchester Heights and the British Evacuation in March 1776

For a Preview watch the video by clicking the WHITE Arrow

Village of Cleves-AMERICA OH 250 Committee

🎉 Meet Your Village of Cleves America-OH 250 Committee 🎉

The team working behind the scenes to plan and fund our Village Homecoming Events is made up of dedicated community members who care deeply about Cleves and its future.

Pictured here are:

• Erin Wilson-Resident
• Nancy Nichols-Resident- Three Rivers Women's Club
• Liz Rosenaker- Harrison-Symmes Museum
• Bev Meyers- DAR
• Carrie Bernard-Miami Township Branch Library
• Nancy Grigsby, Resident
• Pastor Ed Gebhardt-North Bend Church

Not pictured:

• Lisa Whiteley, Three Rivers Local Schools
• Chuck Birkholtz, Mayor
• Darlene West- DAR-Wreaths Across America
• Mary Angeline- Council Member

This committed group is working tirelessly to organize meaningful events and raise the funds needed to make our Homecoming celebration a success.



Your support makes all the difference. Please consider donating or purchasing items available for sale—every contribution helps bring our community together for a memorable celebration.

Miami Township Library-

Register by clicking Permalink below

ALL NEW EVENTS EVERY WEEK