Trotwood Madison School Registration Underway

 

New students in any grade and all kindergarteners planning to attend the Trotwood-Madison City School District this year need to pre-register. The district's annual Central Registration drive is underway and students planning to attend the first day of school on August 17 must register on or before August 13th. Late arrival students may register until August 28th.

Central Registration is open every day through August 28th except August 14th when they will close for new teacher orientation. Parents and guardians may come to the central office at 444 South Broadway between 8:30 and 4:00 pm daily and until 5:00 pm on Wednesdays. There is a list of required paperwork available at the district's registration web page http://www.trotwood.k12.oh.us/registration.htm

The registrar’s office encourages families to come early to make sure your child has all the paperwork complete in time to start school. The 2009 T-M school year runs from August 17, 2009 to June 3, 2010.

Trotwood Chamber Golf Outing September 14

You can win a car from Golling’s Arena Dodge with a hole-in-one during the 2009 Trotwood Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing. The event will be held at the ChiChi Rodriguez signature Moss Creek Golf Course in Trotwood on Monday September 14 with a shotgun start at 1pm. Registration and the pre tee off lunch begins at 11am.

The chamber's golf outing returns from a 12 year break with more fun and prizes than ever including an Daequan Cook autographed basketball jersey from the Adidas' Midwest Shoot-Out II, a future round of golf at Moss Crrek for four players with cart, and an overnight stay in a Jacuzzi Suite at Holiday Inn-Englewood. The $75 per person entry fee includes a tasty box lunch provided by Jerri's Catering and the scrumptious steak dinner by Moss Creek.

Some of the sponsors include Golling’s Arena Dodge, Liberty Savings Bank, Maria-Joseph Living Care Center, Summit Towing, Trotwood Rotary, Dayton Nutra Foods, and
Dayton Power & Light. There are additional donations from 5th/3rd Bank, Cub Foods, Key Bank, Dayton Development Coalition, Algo Pest Control, and Account Angel Bookkeeping. More sponsors are being added daily.

Players will enjoy the rolling fairways on the former Shearbrook Farm. The 7200-yard course feature wide bent grass fairways enjoyed by players of all levels. Moss Creek is truly Dayton's hidden gem.

Entry forms are available on the chamber's web site http://trotwoodchamber.org/ENTRY_FORM_2009.pdf or call 837-1484. Businesses interested in becoming a sponsor should contact Marie Battle at the same number.

Kids Triathlon August 8

Kids age 5-12 are invited to compete in the Kids Triathlon at 8am on August 8th at the United Thological Seminary 4501 Denlinger Road. Kids will have a chance to test their skills by age group in swimming, biking and running. The courses get longer for the older kids. Organizers encourage the participants to train before the event to improve their times.

Entry forms are available at the Trotwood Government Center (3035 N Olive) and the Trotwood YMCA (506 E Main). Entry fees are $25 for the first child and $20 for each additional sibling in a family. Paid entrants get a T-shirt, finisher's medal and refreshments. Top three finishers in each age group will receive a trophy. The event is being provided through a partnership between the City of Trotwood, Dayton YMCA, and United Theological Seminary. For more info call 361-6825.

For pictures and results visit http://www.speedy-feet.com/

Bumper Crop At Farmers Market

By Bruce Kettelle

Rain, Rain, Rain. It delayed planting of some crops this spring but for produce growers it means good looking bumper crops on Trotwood vegetable stands.

“These are some of the best looking green beans we’ve ever had,” said local farmer Donny Rowe from behind his stand in Olde Town on Saturday morning. Despite the morning rain there is a steady stream of shoppers pulling in for sweet corn, squash, pickles, and the green beans.

Not everyone just buys a pound or two as evidenced by one woman carting off two bushels of the crisp green legumes. Rowe watched her pulling out and said that load will keep her busy this weekend putting them up for winter.

Cool rainy weather has persisted this summer. If the temperatures remain cool this week it may qualify this July as the coolest July on record.

The larger field crops in the area seem to be benefiting from the weather as well with corn going to tassel along most area roads. Residents will notice some corn fields look a little shorter, Rowe says those fields were planted late because of the wet spring and are still trying to catch up.

The Trotwood Farmers Market is open Wednesdays from 3-6 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm. The farmers market is located in the parking lot of the former Dolly Madison bread store at 21 E. Main St across from the Depot in Trotwood Olde Town. The market continues rain or shine through October 24.

Developer Wanted For Old High School

By Bruce Kettelle

Built in 1913, the last remaining building on the former high school site is heading for the wrecking claw unless an entrepreneur is found in time.

Trotwood Madison City Schools will vacate the landmark brick structure when they relocate their board offices to the former middle school next year. The board then plans to give the building the same fate as all their other vacated buildings.


The districts ambitious building construction program over the last six years has delivered a new high school, middle school, two elementary buildings and a pre-k.

But there are some in the community that would rather not see this building torn down. The Trotwood Madison Historical Society took a hard look at acquiring the building three years ago. Their analysis showed the building to be rehab-able but as a small organization they lacked the needed funding.

Since then the city has tried to identify possible takers and brought several prospects out for a tour. None of those have blossomed into a solution.

The district is willing to talk to anyone interested said assistant superintendent Rexann Wagner. “We do not want to be held responsible for another vacant building,” said Beverly explaining why they have budgeted to have it demolished.

She said the district does not have a recommendation for what the building could become, that would be up to the new owner. Presently the site is zoned residential and abuts an area zoned neighborhood business.

Former school buildings have been successfully redeveloped in other areas into apartments, condominiums and office space. Their unique architectural character has made them ongoing assets in those communities. One local success story occurred with West Milton’s high school, it is now senior apartments.

“I would like to see the building saved with an appropriate use,” said Regina Kleinhenz of the historical society. “It’s a piece of Trotwood history.”

She encouraged anyone in the community that may have contacts with any developers to let them know there is a great opportunity right here in Trotwood.

Trotwood Seeks Pay Cuts To Balance Budget

By Bruce Kettelle

On Monday July 20 Trotwood City Council approved a new contract for the city manager and authorized him to negotiate with the city employees to seek deep cuts to mitigate a $557,000 budget shortfall.

The 2009 budget developed last fall included conservative revenue expectations but the deepening recession and growing unemployment have taken a toll on the city’s income taxes. Trotwood’s unemployment rate in June rose to 15.3% according to the state department of jobs and family services. That’s the highest rate in Montgomery County where the average is 12.4%.

“The shortfall is a reflection of the nine month downturn which no one fully predicted in Trotwood, Montgomery County, the state, or the nation,” said Trotwood city council member Rap Hankins.

Besides income taxes, which the city monitors on a month-to-month basis, Trotwood city manager Mike Lucking said property taxes are declining too. “The county projected a 2% decline last fall, our budget projections were even more conservative than that,” he said. “We will know in about a week what the second half numbers show.” Property taxes are due every six months.

Lucking said the third area is a reduction in money from the state’s local government fund. Yesterday the state budget office notified cities to expect a 14.4% decrease in this year’s allocation. That’s about what the city expected and is already included in the $557,000.

“This budget is a moving target and impossible to know how it will turn out,” said Lucking.

To keep from draining the city’s already small reserve fund Lucking has been negotiating with the city’s four unions and non-union employees.

“We’ve proposed to the entire organization, in order to reduce the projected deficit, to take a 7 ½% wage rollback and 80 hours furlough, (unpaid time off) that will result in an 18% reduction in wage cost through the end of the year.”

The unions are expected to respond next week and Lucking met with the non-union city employees Friday. Lucking does not want to use layoffs authorized by the city council but fears that less desirable solution would be necessary if the unions do not agree to the wage reductions.

“Layoffs are not a good solution, they adversely effect service delivery, increase unemployment liabilities and health insurance liabilities (cobra), and the city will have to pay for unused leave which uses up more cash flow.” “We are a thin organization right now with no excess spending or personnel.”

Lucking’s new contract includes the same cuts that employees will bear. But that was not enough for two city council members who voted against his new 3-year agreement.

Council member Mary McDonald read a long list of criticisms. She said she didn’t believe the city should continue with Lucking. She cited the lack of economic development, poor communication with council members, excessive spending on the Salem Mall site, and for not expecting the city’s recent shortfall. She was joined in the 5-2 vote by council member Bettye Gales.

Hankins defended the manager for the council majority. “You have to look at what is happening in the entire region and how this effects Trotwood . . .what isn’t clear is if the manager should be held accountable for things beyond his control.”

Mayor Darreyl Davis also supported the manager. “We must hold ourselves as well as the city manager accountable for a new direction,” he said. “Our region has suffered 10-12,000 jobs lost in the past two years, this effects us.

Hankins attended a presentation by University of Dayton Economist Richard Stock Wednesday. Stock’s economic forecast for the region doesn’t show signs of recovery until 2011. He also suggests that Trotwood, Harrison Twp and Jefferson Twp could be the slowest to recover because of the higher age of their respective workforces. These communities also have a higher percentage of African-American population which has seen greater impact from the elimination of manufacturing jobs.

Trotwood Pre-Teen Scores in Pageant and Poetry

By Teri Barker

“I want to be a mathematics professor when I grow up,” says Teryn Barker when asked about her future career goals. “Because I like solving problems.” At just 10 years old, the A-student already has an impressive resume. An avid lover of the arts, she has performed in local productions of Charlotte’s Web, Jungle Book, Jr. High School Musical, and Stuart Little. She has also had some of her art on display at the University of Dayton, plays French horn in the band at her school, and loves to write poetry. The Trotwood, Ohio native will begin 6th grade in the fall of 2009.

 

As an Ohio state finalist for the National American Miss Pageant, Teryn competed for the 2009 Miss Ohio Pre-Teen title during Father’s Day weekend in Columbus, Ohio. There were 138 girls between the ages of 10 and 13 vying for the coveted title. As Contestant #4, Teryn didn’t win, but as a newcomer to the pageant circuit, she did extremely well and walked away with six trophies and a monetary award. She placed as 3rd runner-up in the Spokesmodel category, a competition for which she wrote and recited a speech about things we can do to help conserve the earth’s diminishing fresh water supply. She was 1st runner-up in the Top Model Contest. In the Top Model category, the girls were required to participate in a photo shoot, where the pictures were judged on modeling technique and how well they photographed. She won other trophies for participating in optional contests and selling ads for the pageant program book.

“This was a learning experience for me, and I had a great time competing,” explains Teryn. “But I look forward to competing next year with more confidence because I’ll know what to expect.” Teryn was particularly drawn to this pageant because it is not a beauty pageant and does not have a swim suit competition. In the National American Miss Pageant, the contestants are judged on poise, self-confidence, and communication skills. “I think that every little girl should experience this type of pageant at least once in her life because it helps you feel good about yourself,” expressed Teryn. “I felt like a princess when my dad escorted me across the stage in front of all those people.”

Until the next pageant, Teryn says she will stay focused in school, enjoy performing in plays, and continue writing poetry. One of her poems will appear in the book, Free to Fly: Wisdom for the Seasons in a Woman’s Life, when it is released this year, in late August. Edited by Penda L. James, Free to Fly is a collection of poetry and prose written by and about women in various stages in life. The book, which reflects on the strength, beauty, wisdom, and perseverance of women, will be available on Amazon.com for $14.95. With her poem, Lonely, Teryn is the youngest contributor to the book.

New Sidewalk To Save $70,000

By Bruce Kettelle

A new sidewalk to connect the new Trotwood Madison High School campus to the Olde Town area will save the district $70,000 a year. The move supported by the school board will allow 160 more students to walk to school allowing the district to eliminate two busses from their fleet.

John Smith, the district’s business manager, made the recommendation after an internal study by the transportation staff. “The only section of sidewalk not complete along North Broadway is in front of the North Broadway Park,” said Smith. He said the work is estimated to cost about $36,500.

He said the work will not be completed in time for this school year which begins August 17. Beginning in the fall 2010 thirty elementary students, forty middles school students, and ninety high school students will be able to walk up to a mile to school.

Board member Vanessa Jeter Freeman asked about connecting the Broadm0or subdivision to the rear of the campus. “When we built the high school we had some parents asking for that connection.,” said Freeman.

Assistant Superintendent Rexanne Beverley said that even though some supported the Broadmoor connection some residents that live near that possible walkway are concerned about students trespassing in their yards.

Smith agreed to revisit the additional Broadmoor sidewalk and bring more information to the board at a future meeting.

Pirsch Fire Engine, Genoa Ohio

 

Every once in awhile we get out of Trotwood and explore.

Here's an interesting find parked in an overgrown alley in Genoa Ohio. The red and white paint caught our eye from a block away and it turned out to be an antique fire engine in pretty good shape. This Pirsch fire engine is ready to respond to something, maybe a parade.

If you know anything about this truck such as the year built or any other history please add it in our comments.

United Breaks Guitars

When United Airlines broke a Canadian songwriter's guitar during a recent trip they never expected it to make headlines. Thanks to a whimsical song and video about the incident Dave Carroll has now received an official apology from United and reimbursement offer.

Hopefully United has learned from this that customer service is even more important in the age of You Tube. After 6 days on the web the video shows over 2 million views. That's a lot of potential air travellers United.

But this message is not just for United. Companies from here in Trotwood Ohio to Taiwan China should learn from this customer service lesson and treat every customer as they themselves would expect to be treated.

So the next time you have a problem with a company put on your own creative hat and make a You Tube video. After a couple million views maybe you will get an apology too.

Save Libraries With Tax on "Food To Go"

By Bruce Kettelle

There is a solution to Ohio’s budget crisis without invoking slot machines or draconian cuts to necessary services such as libraries. The solution even provides an upside response to the state’s recent revelation that it is in the top ten for obesity.

The answer is a revision to the sales tax code that would bring the state in step with all of its neighbors and most of the country. The revenues from taxing food to go could even be great enough to allow for a slight reduction in the other revenue generators such as the state’s income tax.

The National Restaurant Association estimates Ohio restaurants will gross $16 billion this year. If half of that is food to go it would translate into $440 million in sales taxes. Not included in that estimate is prepared food sold at non-traditional restaurants such as convenience stores.

No politician likes to be the one to suggest raising a specific tax but these are trying times for physical and fiscal health in the state. Making fast food a little more expensive can help raise the awareness of one of the problems leading to obesity and its resulting increase on healthcare costs.

No stone should be left unturned in Columbus this week as the debate over the state’s budget reaches a crescendo. The echoing refrain in the State Capital halls for a sales tax on prepared food to go should be given much deserved public discussion and consideration.

Dragons, Fireworks Make Perfect Fourth

5th/3rd Field crowd on July 3

Fireworks fans are illuminated near the Patterson St bridge in Dayton

There is nothing like a ball game on the Fourth of July followed by the best fireworks in western Ohio. The Dayton Dragons are in a slump so it was no surprise they couldn't keep up with the big bats from Ft Wayne. But the fans in 5th/3rd field didn't seem to mind in the perfect 70-degree evening with clear skies begging for their annual fireworks paint that was coming at dark. Everyone's a winner on the 4th of July.

We estimated 30,000 people witnessed the fireworks. The best vantage points were from the Patterson St bridge and the banks of the Little Miami River. The fireworks are launched from Deeds Point. More revellers were spotted north of the river as far away as the McDonalds parking lot on N. Dixie.

The lights from the ballpark illuimate the street and nearby buildings.

The best part of the day was seeing downtown Dayton come alive. With the adjacent Cityfolk Festival there was a bigger crowd than usual on the streets outside the stadium watching the game through the fence.

List of Fireworks Displays Around Miami Valley

There will be plenty of options this weekend to see fireworks in Dayton, Englewood, Kettering and in over 40 more communities in western Ohio and we have all the dates time and places on our Totally Trotwood Fireworks Calendar. It is the most popular page on our web site this week.
http://www.totallytrotwood.com/fireworksCalendar2.htm