Loveland Magazine

A Veto of the FISA Bill Endangers Americans

  By Keith Olbermann
    MSNBC Countdown

Citizens for Loveland Schools launches Web Site

Welcome to the Loveland School Levy 2008 website!

The 60 Second Story On Why To Vote YES On The School Levy On March 4th

 

1. We are EXCELLENT. Loveland has been rated “Excellent” by the state of Ohio for 7 consecutive years. Only 4% of the schools in the state have accomplished that.
   
2. We want to maintain our EXCELLENCE.  The funds being requested are necessary to simply maintain the current staffing, programs, and services.  The added funding will not add programs nor restore previous budget cuts.
   
3. We are EFFICIENT. On a cost per student basis, among 9 other Excellent rated local school districts, Loveland’s cost per student is the second lowest. We are also below the state average.
   
4. The cost is approximately $12 per month ($140 per year) per $100,000 of home valuation. The net impact of the 8.5 mill levy increase and the drop off of the bond payment reduction is approximately a $12 per month net increase to taxpayers per $100,000 of valuation.
   
5. We are LOVELAND. Excellent schools create excellent communities where people want to live; where houses are sought after; and where the quality of life is outstanding.

 

Click to go to web site: Loveland School Levy 2008.

Skin cancer syndrome may be associated with colon cancer

Researchers at The Ohio State University in Columbus have revealed that a syndrome that increases the risk of some skin cancers may be linked to the one that increases the risk of colon cancer.

Link: Skin cancer syndrome may be associated with colon cancer.

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS - School finance info can be downloaded

Learn More About District Finances and Levy

    LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS - The Loveland City School District hosted two community informational meetings about district finances and the March 4th operating levy. The first session was Saturday, February 9, from 9 -10 a.m., at Loveland Intermediate Center Media Center and the session was repeated on Tuesday, February 12, from 7-8 p.m. at the same location.

    Loveland has an 8.5 mill operating levy on the March 4, 2008 ballot. The levy will cost property owners $260.31 per $100,000 of appraised real estate value. At the same time of the collection of this levy in January of 2009, there will be a simultaneous reduction in school taxes. Instead of an additional $260, there will be a net increase of approximately $140 or $12 a month per $100,000 of valuation. This planned millage drop is based on a reduction in the principal and interest payment from the 1998 bond issue.

    You can download a pdf  copy of the presentation given by Dr. Boys at the community meetings by following the link below.

    For more information, call Dr. Kevin Boys, Loveland Superintendent, at (513) 683-5600.

   

Link: Loveland City Schools.

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS - Melissa Wise: “It's so people can have a nice Valentine's Day

2nd Graders share Valentine's Day birthday by helping others

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS - “Valentine's Day is all about friendship and kindness,” according to Loveland second-grade Teacher, Dede Gardis. On Wednesday, her class decorated special valentine cookies that Gardis later delivered to the L.I.F.E. food pantry. The bare cookies were baked by her second grade moms.

Alyssa James and Melissa Wise get more excited about Valentine's Day than most second graders – it is also their birthday, The pair met at the beginning of the school year. “These girls became fast friends when they realized that they shared the same birthday, February 14th. They are the sweetest little girls, very helpful and kind,” said Gardis.

Alyssa said that the things she most likes about Melissa are, “She makes me laugh, she's my best friend, and we have play-days together.”

Melissa returned some compliments. “Alyssa is nice, and funny, and she always plays with me.” She said that they have invited each other to their birthday parties, and, “Since we have a boat, I'm going to ask my dad if Alyssa can go boating with us this summer.”

Gardis said that they have helped the pantry all year as a community service project for her social studies class. “The families in my classroom and Mrs. Little's classroom have been very generous each month by sending in items for the pantry.” The children help her load her car each month and she drops the items off. “It is a very easy way for my second graders to help the community.”

The core values at Loveland Primary School are Care, Respect and Responsibility. “We thought that this activity, sharing cookies with the Pantry, showed 'Care."  The students families responded this month by baking cookies and providing the decorating supplies. The children enjoyed decorating the cookies, in assembly line fashion at each table. Some spread the icing, others sprinkled goodies on top, others helped wrap a plate of six cookies in cellophane, and others wrapped it all with fancy ribbons. Gardis said, “The cookies are sent with love, from second graders at Loveland Primary School, with the  hope of making  someones Valentine's Day a little brighter.”

Melissa had her own reason for doing the fun work, “It's so people can have a nice Valentine's Day. The pantry is getting low on food so we are giving them canned goods as well.”

Inaugural Cincinnati Walk Now for Autism

Saturday, February 23, 2008
12:30 pm-2:00 pm

Great Wolf Lodge Conference Center
2501 Great Wolf Lodge
Mason, OH 45040

The Walk Now for Autism Kickoff Luncheon is open to the public and will be hosted by Walk Chair and Q102 radio personality Jenn Jordan.  Speaking at the luncheon will be Dr. Manning-Courtney, M.D., Medical Director of the Kelly O’Leary for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Lisa Gallipoli, national director of field operations from Autism Speaks. Also, John Jones, a 15 year old local teen, who is on the autism spectrum. He will share his experience with the disorder and journey to overcome it.

You will receive information on forming a team, corporate sponsorships and resource fair opportunities, and much more. This is a free event that will be motivational and educational for all who attend.

To RSVP, please visit www.walknowforautism/cincinnati.org. Select Register at the top of the page and then Attend Kickoff Luncheon.   Or, call 216-538-9543 or via email at cincinnati@autismspeaks.org. 

Please RSVP by February 18, 2008 to ensure a spot for the luncheon.

Also, mark your calendar for the Inaugural Cincinnati Walk Now for Autism

Saturday, May 3, 2008
Cincinnati Zoo

7:30 am - Registration
9:00 am - Walk Starts

Online Registration Available Now

See you on February 23rd at Great Wolf Lodge!

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS - Parvuli Dei - Light of Christ

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS - On January, seven scouts of Pack 50 were presented with their Parvuli Dei emblem at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati. These scouts took the time to say, “I want to know more about my faith, knowledge and service of God,” said Jolene Barton.

On behalf of St. Columban Parish, Barton said, “May they always be a credit to our Parish, their family and their community and may those who have taught them to know and serve God receive their reward in admiration and God’s blessing.”

Congratulations to these scouts:  Zach Grader, Peter Lorio, Max Marshall, TJ Peloquin, Connor Reid, Bradley Riney and Sam Simpson.”

On February 9th at the Blue and Gold Banquet the following Cub Scouts from Pack 50 were presented with their Light of Christ Emblem. Barton said, “These scouts realized that they have a 'Duty to God' and worked very hard to earn this emblem.  Wearing their religious emblem is more than an achievement for these cub scouts. It indicates who these cub scouts are and what they believe in.”

Congratulations to these cub scouts and their families:  Aaron Basalla, Ben Cummins, Michael Holly, Sam Lorio, Matthew Madix, Nathan Marmer, Mason Marshall, Ryan Moravek, Max Mueller, Mark Pace, Nathan Phillips, Dylan Rockwood, Aidan Soberano, Luke Stiles and Danny Webster.”

Click the photo to see a larger view. This picture shows Tiger Cubs and Wolves working with Deacon Jim Miller at St. Columban Church on their “Light of Christ.”  In addition, there are pictures of the Bears and Webelos working with him on their “Parvuli Dei.”

by Dermot Mackey

    Yes, this is yet another letter on the contentious Loveland School Tax levy.  I feel compelled to write to you because I feel the large NO signs that dot our community, and the various articles that I have seen published in our newspapers from anti-levy campaigners, do not address all the facts of this important community issue.  Let me begin by stating that I am not a member of any organized campaign, school board, or outside pressure group.  I am a concerned parent and homeowner, with one child in 2nd grade and another approaching Kindergarten, who feels that his neighbors and the larger community should have all the facts at hand, and understand all the implications of their decision, beyond simple property tax payments, before voting on March 4th.

    Firstly, the statement that “taxes will go up 21%”, 8.5 mills,  or $260 per $100,000 of assessed value, is misleading.  If you consider no other factors, then this statement is true.  However, the fact of the matter is that this rise will coincide with a rate reduction of approximately 3.5-4 mills, roughly $120 per $100,000 assessed value, due to reduced interest payments on a 1998 bond levy.  The resulting tax increase that homeowners will actually see, and therefore the only figure that really matters, is $140 per $100,000.  Based on the average price of a home in Loveland, which is $212,149, the average home owner will pay about $25 a month more in tax.  If thats' what it takes to keep our schools excellent then I'm willing to pay it.

    Another key fact is that the anti-levy Fair Tax group do not actually oppose all tax increases, just property tax increases.  Their  proposal is a 3/4% earned income tax.  If you're retired, which several spokesmen for the anti-levy group are, then I guess you might call this fair.  However, if you're like me, a middle-income earner who is the sole-provider for a family of four, then you may not be so quick to agreed.  Whether we like it or not, property taxation is the primary source of funding for our public schools, and it has always been the responsibility of all property owners, whether working or retired, to invest in this cornerstone of the community.

    However, what's really the big picture here?    I think its much more than a simple question of whether you can afford, or not afford, $25 more per month on your tax bill.  It's a question of investing in the future of our children and maintaining the reputation of the community.  Loveland schools have been able to achieve an excellent rating for the last seven years in a row.  It is one of only a handful of districts in the state to do so while keeping the dollar cost per child below state average ($8,700 last year compared to $12,688 in Montgomery).  Our teachers, school staff members, school board and hard-working students should be commended for achieving such success, not penalized.  The NO signs in the community demand fiscal responsibility.  How much more fiscally responsible can we get?  If the anti-levy campaigners believe there is tangible waste in the school district then the onus is on them to present their plan to save the district roughly $5m a year (the amount of revenue that the levy will generate).  If it means cutting bus services, increasing class sizes, reducing school curriculum and compromising standards then it is indeed a heavy price.

    Finally, our schools are one of the main selling points for our real estate to prospective home-buyers.  They are one of the main reasons I moved my family to Loveland in 2005.  I know many families, mine included, who would have chosen to live in Mason, West Chester or Montgomery if Loveland schools had not been rated excellent.  Can we afford future home-buyers to turn their backs on Loveland and live elsewhere?  What type of community will we have if that happens?  There is much food for thought.

Dermot Mackey is a resident of Loveland and the Loveland School District

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS - You’re Invited…

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS - The Loveland Arts Council would like to invite you to join their Annual Meeting.

Once a year the Arts Council has a get together of all members and interested persons to hear about what all the Arts Council has been doing recently and to get a preview of next year’s plans. All members in attendance vote on the new slate of Board members and Trustees

Mark your calendars and “join in the fun” on THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008 7-9 PM at the Loveland Art Studios on Main. (529 Main Ave., Loveland Ohio 513-683-7283) Refreshments will be served. “This is a nice easy going social event so please come and bring a friend,” said Holly McAtee.

More Info:     VISIT the Loveland Arts Council Website www.all4art.info
        Or call Shawn Custis 513-235-6700 scustis@fuse.net