The Three Rivers Dispatch |
April 15, 2022 | Edition 22 |
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North Bend Riverfront Park Project Depends on Cleves Selling 13 Acres
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North Bend Mayor Doug Sammons and Councilperson Fran Romweber spoke last night at the Cleves Village Council meeting about resurrecting a plan that was initially presented in 2016. That plan was designed as a partnership between Miami Township, Cleves, and North Bend. The plan did not materialize at that time due to budgetary constraints, a ban on the funding of Congressional earmarks, and it did not receive approval of the army corp of engineers.
To see Part 1 of Mayor Sammons and Councilperson Fran Romweber's presentation click here
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The ban on Congressional Earmarks, was removed in 2021. Earmarks is a process where Congressmen try to get approval through legislation to fund projects with federal tax dollars for their district. This year, each Ohio congressman can submit for approval up to 15 projects in their district. Congressman Steve Chabot reached out to North Bend officials last week to see if they were still interested in their project. North Bend’s immediate challenge was an April 20, 2022, deadline to file the paperwork for the grant application.
To fully understand what an earmark is and its return in 2021, subscribers can watch a video by clicking this link
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/verify/earmark-definition-what-is-an-earmark-in-congress-controversy-fact-check/65-f446a90c-2e2a-46ee-8f34-9a9755f61e98
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The second challenge involved North Bend’s request to purchase for $200,000 13 acres of property that Cleves owns but lies within the Village of North Bend. Please see the map above and locate the area marked Cleves. This is the property North Bend wants to purchase.
The funds to pay for the land would come from a grant funded by the Federal government. The North Bend mayor asked for a commitment from the Village of Cleves council to sell the property to North Bend for $200,000 contingent upon the project’s approval and funding by the United States Congress.
The map above also outlines the basic plan, although there are some differences between what North Bend planned to do in 2016 compared to today. To understand the differences in North Bend's plan you can watch the presentation by clicking on the links earlier in this article.
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The potential for tourism in southwest Ohio is real. In 2019, the last pre-pandemic year, Ohio tourism stats show that on a day trip consumers spend on average $106 a day. If they spend the night that figure grows to $327. In 2019, the state of Ohio had 43.6 million overnight stays by tourists. |
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The current North Bend plan includes a park, 150 parking spaces, an area for boats to dock, and a place for outdoor musical performances. It will also be tied into the William Henry Harrison Memorial with an interpretive center for tourists to learn about North Bend’s two presidents: William Henry Harrison and his grandson Benjamin Harrison.
Following the presentation, the Cleves Village Council completed its regular agenda and then debated the pros and cons of the proposal. The biggest roadblocks appeared to be a 2017 appraisal of the property at $400,000. To watch the Cleves Council debate on the North Bend proposal click https://youtu.be/BOIDlSI7Yas
Cleves Village Administrator Mike Rahall was to contact Steve Chabot’s office to see if the deadline of April 20, 2022 could be extended which would allow Cleves to get a current appraisal on the property. Council members also wanted to see if North Bend would consider increasing its offer on the land.
No action was taken by the Village Council last night.
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Sammons' Proactive Response Calms Resident Concerns |
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North Bend Mayor Doug Sammons came prepared to respond to resident concerns that were received by mail about the noise generated from Consolidated Grain and Barge.
Resident Bob Czanek came to express those concerns only to find that the mayor had already met with Jeb Dickens, the company’s Eastern Region Terminal Operations Manager.
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Czanek (right) described the noise as a loud vibration and thought that the company was cleaning railroad cars. Sammons learned during his meeting with Jeb Dickens that when salt arrives by train from the Morton Salt Company, the product is so compacted it could not be unloaded without using a large vibrator to break up the salt.
The mayor also learned during his meeting that Consolidated has lost Morton Salt’s contract, and it would result in “Consolidated” losing about 30% of its business. Consolidated plans to replace the Morton contract with shipments of iron ingots.
Additionally, the mayor said Mr. Dickens agreed to restrict their current use of vibrators to break up the salt to the hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. This will greatly reduce the noise level for residents.
Mayor Sammons also invited Jeb Dickens to attend the Village’s next council meeting scheduled for April 25, 2022, to meet area residents to answer any questions or concerns they may have in respect to the noise that is generated at the company’s North Bend, Ohio site. The meeting will be held in council chambers starting at 7 p.m.
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Three Rivers Superintendent Dr. Mark Ault Updated North Bend Council at March Meeting |
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Dr. Ault met with representatives from Vistra the parent company that operates the Miami Fort plant in North Bend, Ohio. Ault told the ‘Council” that the plant is currently generating at 90% capacity and still does not projecting a closure of the plant until 2027. “That is good news for now,” said Ault.
On April 18, the Three Rivers Local School District will host “Jackets Academy.” “The Jackets Academy is a district in-service where our staff gets to share their expertise with other teachers. There will be discipline plans shared, methods for remediation, and other skill sets. We will also use experts from the Hamilton County ESC to do additional training for staff on intervention techniques. There will be some fun things too, including a yoga class and a dance contest at lunch,” said Ault.
Dr. Ault also stated that the district is still looking to hire a full-time Treasurer for the district and the last day for students will be May 20, 2002. This year’s senior class will graduate on May 15, 2022, at the Cintas Center.
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What Happened to Hearne Road? |
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Miami Township resident Jerry Miller wants to know, “What happened to Hearne Rd?” The question of its disappearance has been a topic off and on for months at the Miami Township Trustees' meetings. Miller lives on Wesselman Rd near the point where Miami Township and Green Township meet.
Miller (pictured left) is standing at the curve coming down Wesselman Rd. Hearne Road is located to Miller's right but is not visible in this picture. The Hearne Rd. sign below on the left used to stand close to where Miller is standing in this picture.
Hearne Road, which is listed on the Green Township website is listed as a dedicated street that is to be maintained by the Hamilton County Engineers.
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In an interview with Miller, he stated: “This area is a problem. There have been multiple accidents at this location over the years. As cars come down Wesselman at night, or when the roads are slippery during the winter, they will miss the bend in the road and have ended up in the creek". The picture on the left below is where a car missed the turn and flipped on its top last year.
In the picture on the right, Miller points to the section of the guard rail that was hit by the car before it wound up in the creek. At the time this picture was taken, the posts shown here were not solid and could be moved by hand.
The "Dispatch" called Rob Duncan with the Hamilton County Engineer's to make them aware of the need to reinforce this guard rail. The rail has been reinforced and is now solid.
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Miller said, "County officials said that they had an agreement with the late father of current resident Gina O'Bryan to not maintain the road. According to Miller, Ms O'Bryan denies that her late father made such an agreement. The "Dispatch" called Rob Duncan again, and he confirmed such an agreement. When asked for a copy of the agreement. Duncan deferred to Jim Hetzel, surveyor for the Hamilton County Engineers. When the "Dispatch" spoke to Hetzel two weeks ago, he was unable to locate the agreement.
This morning, Jim Hetzel contacted the "Dispatch" and stated, "We have been unable to locate any agreement that states that the previous owner did not want Hearne Rd. maintained." The Dispatch asked Hetzel what happens next, he said, " Now we have to do the research on Hearne Road to determine its history and what responsibility the county has to maintain the road." No time frame was given by Hetzel for that determination.
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According to Miller, the current resident Gina O’Bryan who lives at the end of Hearne Rd. was unable to leave her property last winter because snowplows pushed the snow on Wesselman right at the of Hearne Rd. “That was a real problem for her because she couldn’t get out,” said Miller. O’Bryan declined to be interviewed for this article. |
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Residents Complain about Drug and Homeless Issues in Downtown Cleves |
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Monica Maddy spoke again at the Village of Cleves Council meeting again Wednesday evening. Once again complaining about the drug sales, filth, human feces and the homeless issues at 119 N. Miami. She presented to the council two signs. The signs are designed to control foot and car traffic through the alley that runs between 119 N. Miami and Porter street in downtown Cleves. The alley exits onto N.Miami by the Miami Motel.
Maddy has complained to Mayor Myers in the past about the drug traffic and people who live in the homeless encampments behind the Nappa Auto Parts store. The signs have the insignia of no foot traffic and exit only. Similar signs are shown below.
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Mayor Myers had Maddy give the signs to Cleves Service Director John Knuf until the Hamilton County Sheriff's department could determine their legality.
Maddy is hopeful that the signs will cut down on the homeless using the alley as a cut through to 119 N. Miami. She also hopes that the sign will reduce car traffic through the alley from N. Miami. Maddy said to the mayor, “You don’t live here and don’t have to put up with the needles, feces, and the drug sales.”
Mayor Myers’ responded to resident concerns about 119 N. Miami by stating "they have received their final notice from Dick Weber who is the Cleves enforcement officer."
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Sergeant Michael Carney, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office commander at the Sheriff Department's hub spoke about the homeless issues in Cleves. “There are no more homeless here than in Cincinnati. There are two reasons for the homeless. Drugs and mental illness. In 32 years as a deputy, I am still waiting for the first homeless person to accept my help. They are always going to accept help tomorrow,” said Carney.
In respect to the alleged drug issues at 119 N. Miami, “I have watched the house myself and have not seen the foot traffic in and out of there; however, I work the day shift. There is no doubt that when the lights go out, Cleves becomes a different place than what it is during the day,” said Carney.
Carney indicated that he plans to adjust his schedule to allow him to come to Cleves after dark, and to work more closely with his night shift officers.
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Ms. Maddy ended her presentation, complaining about the pot holes in the alley. Maddy ended by saying "They really aren't potholes as much as they are lakes now!"
Please see pictures below:
You can watch and listen to Monica by clicking here
You can watch and listen to Sergeant Carney by clicking here
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Total Body by Bender is located at 5 W. Howell Street in downtown Cleves, Ohio.
Emily Bender opened her studio three years ago. Pictured here is the front of her studio located across from the Hamilton County Sheriff's department's substation in downtown Cleves.
There is plenty of free parking on Howell Street which is also adjacent to the skate park and Tommy's Drive Thru.
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Benders’s background and training has positioned her perfectly to operate a business designed to improve the health and safety of her clients. Bender earned an associates degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2000 and is licensed as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Prior to opening her business she worked for 17 years in outpatient sports medicine. |
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Emily has also worked with mentors at the Cincinnati Ballet, while she worked for Wellington Pilates and Dance Medicine.
When Wellington split, her division was transferred to Tri Health, and she was no longer involved in the Pilates program. This led to her establishing a Pilates practice in her home, which quickly outgrew her home. This led to her selecting Cleves, Ohio to open her Pilates studio.
Emily Bender is pictured on the left.
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The Pilates Methods Alliance |
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The Pilates Methods Alliance is a professional organization for Pilates instructors. The Alliance has a code of ethics and a scope of practice guidelines that members observe. The cost of membership is $135.00 per year. Emily has been a member of this professional organization since 2011. Provided below are copies of both documents.
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Emily also completed the Balanced Body bridge program in 2018. The “balanced bridge program” is designed to help instructors learn and re-visit the principles of Pilates and to freshen up on advanced skills that are not always used in day- to- day instruction. This course is designed to add diversity to the instructor's training background. Emily regularly adds skills by taking continuing education classes each year. This allows her to be current on the research in the field. |
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The Dispatch recently visited Bender’s studio and was able to take videos of a class in session. The equipment that clients used in class is designed to build core strength.
Click each of the following links to watch a different movement and use of machinery. You will also see the types of instructions given by Emily.
Also pictured below are some still pictures of her students and clients in action.
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Total Body by Bender has a website that has a little bit of everything for prospective customers and those she already serves. Dispatch subscribers can access its website https://totalbodybybender.com
There is a section that announces new services such as Reiki healing. The following description can be found at reiki.com
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So, Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."
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Total Body by Bender provides the most up to date Pilates equipment and instructors who will make sure that you progress at a rate that is appropriate for each client.
Pictured here is where a licensed massage therapist works with clients who have chronic pain, or muscular issues caused by stressful jobs.
Psychologically, massage therapy calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety which improves sleep, and enhances the general well-being of the individual. Lastly, the emotional effects include satisfying the need for touch and caring and easing emotional expression.
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Body by Bender Makes it Easy to Schedule Sessions |
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The Total Body by Bender's website makes it easy for clients to schedule classes. When you open the site, you will find a link to set up your schedule. See the picture immediately below: |
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If you would prefer to use an app for your phone, you can download the Vagaro app in the Apple Store or on Google Play. |
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The Vagaro app allows you to book beauty or fitness appointments at over 58,000 locations. You can post and review comments too. It allows clients to get updates and reminders about appointments. |
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Private lessons are available too. Group classes consists of three people per 1 hour class at a cost of $30 per session. However, if you are into economy, discounts are available when you book an 8-pack. Body by Bender employs three instructors and two message therapists at its Cleves location. The hours of operation are as follows:
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If being a sole proprietor and full-time Pilates instructor is not enough to keep in top physical shape, Emily is also a wife and mother too! Pictured here is Emily’s husband Brian and son Nathan in the back. To the right of Emily is her daughter Jillian, and to her left is daughter Elayna. |
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Residents and friends are invited to call Bender at 513-449-1802 if you would like to know more about her program. With a business motto like "Where Pilates is prevention and prevention is Fitness", you cannot go wrong! |
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