City Eyes Lower Interest Rates

By Bruce Kettelle

Trotwood leaders are eyeing lower interest rates to convert most of the city’s debt into long-term notes.
During most of the past decade Trotwood has used short-term one-year notes to finance the city’s investments.

“This was a conscious strategy to wait,” said Jeff Rink of Key Bank, the city’s bond advisor. Rink presented the case at the March 1 city council meeting. He said the time is close to convert the debt into long-term bond notes.

Rink said the short-term rates have been very favorable but things look like they are beginning to change. He expects the city to qualify for a rate around 5%.

Acting city finance director Patricia Shively said the city would combine several existing debts into one for six months to give the bank time to arrange the long-term package. The components include $3.8-million for the Salem Mall acquisition, $2.5-million for the Toys-R-Us acquisition, $1.7-million for improvements along Olive Road for the GM distribution facility, and $100,000 for the East Main St water line replacement.

The city council voted unanimously to issue the 6-month bond anticipation note for $8,255,000.
Rush said he would prepare by August a 20-25 year bond package for the funds. He expects the city will attract favorable rates.

Council member Mary McDonald asked Rush if it would be difficult to find someone to purchase the city’s bonds. He said, “Cities as fine as Trotwood are having no trouble selling their debt.”

Historical Society Annual Spaghetti Dinner March 27

The Trotwood-Madison Historical Society will hold its annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, March 27, from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Trotwood Church of the Brethren, located at 208 E Main Street, Trotwood, OH. Tickets may be purchased at the door $7.00 for adults and $3.50 for children age12 and younger. The dinner includes spaghetti (featuring their homemade sauce), salad, garlic or plain bread, homemade desserts and beverage. Meatless sauce is also available and carry-out dinners can be purchased.

Proceeds go to the Iams Homestead Preservation Fund. For more info call 854-4505 or visit http://t-mhs.blogspot.com/

TUCC Cabbage Roll Dinner March 20

The famous Trotwood United Church of Christ Cabbage Roll Dinner will be held Saturday, March 20 4:30-6:30PM at the church 18 N. Broadway in Trotwood. The meal includes cabbage roll(meat loaf available) real mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, and dessert. The cost is $7 per adult and $3.50 per child 10 years and younger. This is the 15th year for this semi-annaul feast-come enjoy and visit with friends and make new friends. Call 837-1261 for more details.

Applications Sought For Empty City Council Seat

Bt Bruce Kettelle

The Trotwood city council is accepting applications for the vacant Ward 1 city council seat. This is the seat held by Joyce Sutton Cameron who was elevated to the position of Mayor after the recent resignation of former Mayor Darreyl Davis.

Applications are available on the city’s web site or at the government center and must be submitted by March 26th to the clerk of council Lois Singleton.

According to the city charter applicants must be a Trotwood resident for at least one year and currently be residing in the area known as District (Ward) 1. The city council is required to fill the vacancy within 60 days.

Interested residents should complete the city’s volunteer application although there is a small annual stipend paid to city council members. A boundary map showing District 1 is available on the web site or at the city offices.

Completed applications may be delivered to the city offices or submitted by email or facsimile to 854-0574.

Questions about the process should be directed to Lois Singleton 854-7212 or by email lsingleton@trotwood.org. For forms maps and other information visit www.Trotwood.org

Will DP&L Twitter During Emergencies?

By Bruce Kettelle

A friend lost power in New Hampshire during this week's big storm now being called a Snowicane because of the high winds and associated coastal tides. He like nearly a million in the storm's path lost their power.

Unlike Ohio's 2008 experience with outages from the wind remnants of Hurricane Ike, New Hampshirites were kept up to date with power restoration updates via Twitter. Public Service Company of New Hampshire is still providing Twitter updates today as they work through the widespread outages.

Dayton Power and Light (DP&L) should take note of PSNH's success. Without power, homeowners have few choices to get info. Cell phones recharged with automobile adapters are often their only link with the outside world. Twitter updates can be monitored on those phones.

Hats off to PSNH for finding ways to keep their customers informed. Lets hope DP&L can get on this technology bandwagon.

See for yoursel by scrolling through the PSNH posts http://twitter.com/psnh

Trotwood Mayor Resigns

Trotwood Mayor Resigns, Vice Mayor Cameron To Fill Term

By Bruce Kettelle

Following a hastily called special city council meeting tonight, Vice Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron announced that Trotwood Mayor Darreyl Davis has resigned. Cameron will be sworn in on March 1st to complete the unexpired portion of his term through the end of 2011.

Davis has been under fire since the release of a January investigation report from the Ohio Inspector General. The investigation revealed that Davis had conducted city business for Trotwood while on the clock at the Ohio Department of Transportation. Davis worked for ODOT for 30-years before his resignation last fall after the allegations came to light.

"City council will accept the resignation at the regular meeting in March and swear in the vice mayor to fill the remaining time of his term," said Cameron in a prepared statement. The resignation letter did not give any reasons for his decision.

"We will interview and appoint someone to fill my seat," Cameron said. By the city charter the city council has 60-days to make that appointment.

Cameron said the investigation has only had one negative impact on the city causing a delay in the next phase of design work for the Salem Mall site.. The investigation revealed that the city's design contractor for the mall site had given a friend of Davis a $5,000 finders fee for helping to land the contract. Davis himself did not receive any of that money.

"We want to come out from this as a whole council," said Cameron optimistically. "We intend on moving ahead together." She hopes the residents will have more confidence in their elected officials as they move forward.

Davis did not return phone calls for comment. His letter ended "I wish the City of Trotwood much success in the future."

Trotwood resident Janice Chinn said, "It's sad that this change had to happen this way." Chinn, a critic of the Mayor and unsuccessful city council candidate thinks the citizens will get behind the new mayor.

Bring Your Easter Baskets March 27

The annual Trotwood Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday March 27th in Madison Park at 10am. Children 10 and under should bring their own baskets to collect candy and prizes hidden around the park. Come early and gather at the pavillion to find out about special prizes hidden in the eggs for each age group.

Madison Park is located at 301 South Broadway next to Madison Park Elementary School. For more information contact the Trotwood Recreation Division at 854-7227..