Hamilton County has placed important documents related to the recommended 2002 budget on to its Web Page. The recommended budget was publicly presented to the Board of County Commissioners in late November. The budget documents can be accessed from the Hamilton County homepage (http://www.Hamilton-Co.org). Citizens need only click on the button on the homepage entitled “2002 Budget Recommendation.”  Citizens can also go directly to the budget page (http://www.hamilton-co.org/DAS/budget&.asp>). 

County Employees help to save Ohio-Indiana State line monument

The monument came to exist back in 1838 due to doubts as to the exact location of the extreme southern part of the Ohio-Indiana line originally run by a surveyor named Israel Ludlow. Early in 1837 a joint commission was authorized by the legislature of both states to retrace and monument this part of the line. The Commission employed surveyor Nathaniel L. Squibb of Hartford, Indiana, to retrace the lower portion. He began about 4 miles north of the Ohio River and ran south recovering Ludlow’s original marks as best he could. Squibb’s work resulted in two large monuments that were set on November 27, 1838. The first monument was placed near the mouth of the Great Miami River. The second monument, which is the one recently uprooted, was set about 3 miles north of the first monument.

The monument at US 50 and State Line road is a tapered cylindrical shaft of fine-grain sandstone 9 feet long weighing 5,000 pounds. It rests on a square block of freestone embedded in a cubic yard of broken stone. A bronze tablet was attached to the monument by the Col. Archibald Lochry chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on October 11, 1929.

The two monuments mentioned above and one set in 1915 at the northwest corner of Ohio are believed as of 1933 to be the only authoritative monuments on the entire Ohio-Indiana line.

Hamilton County Courthouse receives TOBY Award

Hamilton County lost two enthusiastic and dedicated conservationists in 2001. In honor of Julius Odegard and David Diebel, the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) announced the creation of two education grants to be awarded to teachers beginning in September 2002.

Mr. Julius Odegard served as the District Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service for 30 years, spending a majority of that time at Hamilton County SWCD until his retirement in 1973. During those years, Julius was a one-man shop assisted only by a part-time secretary. He was a diligent worker—designing agriculture plans for farmers and also education programs throughout the County that impacted over 35,000 acres of farmland. Julius was a tireless promoter and worker on the District’s tree packet program – a program many Districts then tried to emulate. The profits of this program went to fund education programs.  Julius A. Odegard passed away on June 7, 2001.

H. Dave  Diebel served on the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors from 1955 – 1985. He worked vigilantly to promote conservation throughout his life   He also served on the Ohio Reclamation Board of Review for 20 years. He received countless awards over the years including "Citizen of the Year Award" from Forest Park, "Outstanding Contributions Award" from National Wildlife Federation and "Soil Conservationist of the Year" from the League of Ohio Sportsman.

Both of these wonderful gentlemen will be missed. According to Soil & Water Conservation District Administrator Holly Utrata-Holcomb, "We certainly can say that the world and our County is a much better place because they graced us with their presence."

To honor both of these outstanding public servants, the District is setting up two $250.00 education awards for teachers that will be awarded annually in September. The District, Supervisors and staff have committed the initial seed money for the grants. 

To make a donation in either Julius’ or Dave’s honor, or to receive an application for the grants, contact Hamilton County SWCD, 29 Triangle Park Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 or call 772-7645.

The key for Community COMPASS success is gathering 1,000 residents at Music Hall on January 12 for small group discussions. This is where COMPASS needs your help.  

COMPASS is asking you to go out, tell your friends and family members about Community COMPASS and encourage them to sign-up for the Countywide Town Meeting. How many times have you heard a co-worker or a neighbor complain about something related to Hamilton County? Maybe they complained about the immense amount of traffic between the East side of the county and the West side. Maybe someone keeps talking about all the new land that is being developed to build new buildings when there are old, worn-down buildings scattered across the county that could be renovated for use. Maybe your neighbor keeps talking about the poor state of race relations throughout the county, but they never offer any ideas on how to make that state better. 

After everything that has happened to the United States in the past few months, we have realized how important public involvement is. Becoming involved in changing Hamilton County’s future for the better is a wonderful, easy way to show that you care about your community and the people who reside within it. We have set up the time, the date and the place all you have to do is show up and share your voice. Please come to the Countywide Town Meeting on January 12, 2002 and bring a friend, a co-worker, or a neighbor and make our children’s and grandchildren’s future better.

Solid Waste Management join with Energy Efficiency to host Sustainable Design Seminars

The following seminars will be offered by the District:

Keep your family and belongings safe--

Fireproof your Christmas tree