The Official Newsletter of the Village of Cleves, OHIO-September 15- 20- 2025

The Village of Cleves will fly the U.S, Flag at half staff in honor of retired Miami Township Trustee. until September 27, 2025. Mr. Sykes' funeral will be held at the Dennis George Funeral Home on that date. A full tribute for Mr. Sykes can be found on the Village website.

Cleves Service Department Projects in the Village

The Village Service Department has another busy schedule of projects during the week of September 15- 20, 2025. Last week, we completed cutting the village right-of-ways and uncut resident right-of-ways along East State Rd. We also completed filling pot-holes on North Finley alley, Mt. Nebo alley, and on the lower Aston View cul-de-sac.

Village Streets, such as the pothole patch on Lower Aston View, are reaching the end of their useful life.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Service Department will continue cutting at the Cleves Community, and on Wednesday, it will cut the grass along US 50. Thursday, the Service Department will be trimming low-hanging trees in Cleves Community Park. Friday, the Village bush hog will be used on the cut-backs along the bike lanes on US 50, plus we will empty all trash receptacles in the business district.

Village of Cleves Clean Court and A Message from the Mayor

To the Residents of the Village of Cleves,

"Remember, upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all." – Alexander the Great

This powerful reminder speaks directly to the heart of our community. In Cleves, we all breathe the same air, live within just 1.5 square miles of one another, and share a common desire for safety, cleanliness, and pride in our village.

Whether it's the concern over stray bullets—like those from a 9mm pistol that can travel up to 1.3 miles—or the frustration of seeing inoperable or unlicensed vehicles parked indefinitely, or properties that are not properly maintained, these issues affect all of us. They impact our quality of life, our safety, and our shared sense of community.

Your Village Council has been working diligently to address these concerns. Our top priority is protecting our residents from harm and improving the environment we all call home. That’s why we’ve passed an ordinance to create a part-time local police department—not to replace the Sheriff's Department, but to handle the most egregious offenses and enforce local ordinances that matter to us.

Let me be clear: while some may hope for a return to a full police department, we simply cannot afford it at this time. Our part-time officers will focus on serious violations, such as firearm discharges and other critical issues the Sheriff's Department cannot address.

Code Livability Enforcement Nuisance Court

In addition, we’ve launched the CLEAN Court, a civil court dedicated to enforcing property maintenance codes. This Thursday at 5:30 p.m., nine cases will be heard by Magistrate Scott Rubenstein, who will also serve in our upcoming Mayor’s Court once we receive clearance from the FBI and Department of Public Safety.

We are making progress, and we are doing it together. If you have questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out to me directly at 513.600.8347. Your voice matters, and your involvement helps shape the future of Cleves.

Let’s continue to work together, neighbor to neighbor, to make Cleves a cleaner, safer, and stronger community.

Warm regards,

Chuck Birkholtz, Mayor

Village of Cleves Parks and Christmas Walk Meeting-Monday September 15, 2025

The Village of Cleves Parks and Christmas Walk Committees will meet on Monday, September 15, 2025. The Parks meeting will begin at 5:15 p.m. and will be led by Chairperson Kevin Burns.

Entrepreneur Rob Weinle of Edgewater Sports Park will join the committee to present details about SLAMOLOGY, a major car show and music festival slated for June 2026 in the Cleves and Miami Township area. This high-profile event is expected to draw over 20,000 spectators, offering a significant boost to local visibility and economic activity.

The Parks Committee will revisit plans concerning the Cleves skate park, located across from the Miami Township Senior Center. While removal of the park has been considered, no final decision has been made.

The Bellfountaine Parks Department has expressed interest in traveling to Cleves to assist with disassembly, should the committee choose to proceed. This topic will be discussed again during this week’s meeting.

Christmas Walk Planning Continues

Following the Parks Committee meeting, the Christmas Walk Committee will continue working with our business district to finalize plans for this year’s event, scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2025.

The Village is still looking for local volunteers to help bring the celebration to life—your time and talents make a big difference. This week, the committee will also decide how many Cincinnati Reds mascots to invite to the parade. One exciting idea under consideration is a photo booth, giving parents and grandparents a chance to capture joyful memories with their families.

We invite residents to attend the upcoming planning meeting at 6:30 p.m., where your ideas and input can help make this year’s Christmas Walk the most memorable yet.

Following the meeting, enjoy a special aerial video of our very first Parade of Lights—a beautiful reminder of what we can create together.

Let’s make 2025 even brighter. We hope even more community members will sign up to participate this year!

 Look Back at Last Year’s Tree Lighting

The video below features the Taylor Middle School Choir performing during the lighting of the Village Christmas tree at Cleves Commons Park on Main Street.



It’s a beautiful reminder of the joy and togetherness our community shared last season. We hope you enjoy these memories—and that even more families join us this year to make new ones.

Cleves-America 250 Committee Meeting -Tuesday- September 16, 2025

Cleves-America-OH 250 Committee Prepares for a Historic Celebration

As the nation approaches its 250th birthday, the Village of Cleves is already hard at work to ensure that our corner of Ohio celebrates in style. The Cleves-America-OH 250 Committee, formed earlier this year, has been meeting regularly for the past five months to plan a series of events and initiatives that will honor both the spirit of our community and the legacy of our country.

The next committee meeting will be held on Tuesday at 3:00 PM at the Municipal Building, where members will finalize plans for the 2026 Homecoming Picnic—a cornerstone event in the yearlong celebration. In addition to the picnic, the committee will approve a variety of fundraisers designed to support monthly activities beginning in January 2026.

Residents can expect a formal letter in the weeks ahead outlining how they can participate, including opportunities to purchase commemorative products celebrating America’s 250th birthday. These items will not only mark the occasion but also help fund the festivities that bring Cleves together.

From historical tributes to community picnics, the Cleves-America-OH 250 initiative is about more than just celebration—it’s about connection, pride, and honoring the journey that brought us here.

Stay tuned for future updates as we build toward a milestone year in Cleves' history.

Village of Cleves & Edgewater Sports Park Slamology Meeting- Tuesday, September 16, 2025- 7 p.m.

The invitation letter below has been delivered to most businesses along Route 128—from Cleves to Miamitown—as well as to the Three Rivers Local School District Administration and officials from Miami Township, North Bend, and Addyston.

We now extend that same invitation to all Village residents. Please join us for a public meeting at the Cleves Municipal Building on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to hear updates, share ideas, and help shape the future of our community.

Your voice matters. We look forward to seeing you there.