“Great American Ball Park belongs to the people of Hamilton County,” said Tom Neyer, Jr., president, Hamilton County Board of Commissioners.  “I can’t think of a better way to demonstrate this sentiment than by letting the public put their name on it. Through this drawing, 100 people will not only be able to do just that, but also will have the unique opportunity of being a permanent part of Cincinnati’s newest landmark.”

The 100 bricks distributed through Hamilton County’s brick drawing will be paved into the GABP concourse along side bricks currently being sold by the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds, who are directing the overall brick campaign, provided the allotment of 100 bricks to the county to be distributed as it saw fit. Those interested in purchasing a brick from the Reds are encouraged to visit the Reds’ Web site at www.cincinnatireds.com or call (866) 850-2100.

The construction of Great American Ball Park is on schedule. This future home of the Cincinnati Reds is scheduled to open on Opening Day, 2003.

Three small businesses currently working with the County, Media Sign Company, MBJ Consultants, inc., and Stadium Management Company, shared their experiences and provided invaluable tips. Another small business, Edibles-N-Such, provided the day’s meals and break items.

Bernice L. Walker, Esq., Hamilton County Director of Small, Minority & Female Business Development, administers the Small Business Program and served as chairperson of the committee comprised of County personnel that organized the seminar.

The Office of Small, Minority & Female Business Development is making plans to sponsor another seminar on May 3 to help small, minority and woman businesses by providing specific information on how to do business with Hamilton County via the competitive bidding process and the professional service selection process.

The Small Business Program is applicable to the following Hamilton County Departments: Administrative Services, Building Inspections, Communication Center, Community Development, County Facilities, County Personnel, Economic Development, Environmental Services, Job and Family Services, Public Works, and Zoning Enforcement.

Should you have any questions please contact Hamilton County Director of Small, Minority & Female Business Development, Bernice L. Walker at (513) 946-4323.

Employees of the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) recently detected an illegal discharge into public sewers. Using a hidden wastewater sampler, employees confirmed a discharge they had suspected. The Southern Ohio Environmental Crimes Task Force, which includes the Ohio EPA, FBI, U.S. EPA, the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, and the Cincinnati Fire Division, investigated further and confirmed the violations.

A local company pled guilty to three federal criminal environmental violations for unlawfully discharging plating waste into the public sewer. The guilty plea was announced by Gregory G. Lockhart, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Thomas L. Sansonetti, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division; Michael J. Martin, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. EPA; and Christopher Jones, Director, Ohio EPA.

The owner of the company admitted to U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy S. Hogan, that it had only one full-time and one part-time employee, did not monitor or calibrate its pretreatment equipment. This caused a violation of its permit limits for the pH of its wastewater discharged to the public sewer.  Judge Hogan sentenced the company to a $30,000 fine and three years probation under an environmental plan approved by Ohio EPA and intended to prevent recurrence of the permit violations.

Hamilton County Employee of the Year recipients will be recognized at a Board of County Commissioners meeting and receive a plaque at a community ceremony on Fountain Square, Wednesday, May 8, as part of Public Service Recognition Week.  Please take the time to recognize the achievements and excellence in public service exemplified by one of your co-workers by nominating them for the Hamilton County Employee of the Year program. 

Nomination forms are attached to this notification of Hello, Hamilton County and will also be distributed along with payroll.  If you have questions, please contact Eric Stuckey in the County Administrator's Office at 946-4432 or via e-mail at Eric.Stuckey@Hamilton-Co.org.

Mr. George was nominated for this award by Mr. Charles Kane, treatment supervisor with input from Mr. Pete Schneider, treatment superintendent (Retired) because of his many achievements at MSD (Metropolitan Sewer District).

Mr. George’s most recent project, the elimination of the use of chlorine gas for the disinfection of the effluent at the Mill Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant is what prompted a nomination for ESC’s Professional Accomplishment Award.  The Mill Creek Plant had used chlorine gas to disinfect wastewater since the facility was built in 1959.   Chlorine was delivered to the site in rail cars and used directly from the rail cars.  On-site quantities were as many as four 90-ton rail cars of chlorine gas, which had a potential impact, upon failure of the tank cars, of a radius area of 14 miles.  The national security threat of September 11, 2001 prompted MSD administration to eliminate this risk to the community.  Under Mr. George’s engineering leadership, the district employees designed, installed, tested and commissioned an alternate disinfections system in less than two weeks.  The magnitude of complexity was very high.  The conversion from a gas disinfection system to a liquid disinfectant system was completed without a violation of the plants EPA NPDES permit requirements.

The Mill Creek Plant continues to treat wastewater flow up to 450 million gallons per day without permit violations.  The significant risk reduction to the community earned MSD a Risk Reduction Achievement Award from the Alliance for Chemical Safety.

Mr. Biju George was presented the ESC Professional Accomplishment Award along with other ESC Award Winners during the ESC’s 67^th Annual Awards Program on February 21, 2001.

Please join the ESC in congratulating Biju George and other ESC Award Winners for their outstanding efforts and achievements.     

Information is also available at the department of environmental services website http://www.hcdoes.org/sw/Waterfest/waterfest2002.htm

County employees should receive permission from their supervisor to participate if this coincides with a work assignment.

To see available classes, please access the 2nd quarter "Opportunities" newsletter through the County's intranet at http://hcnet/XPersonnel/HRD%20Home.asp    The newsletter's second page tells you everything you need to know about how to access HRD's services. 

The Government Performance Project recently listed a "strong emphasis on Training & Development" as one of Hamilton County's Strengths.  Take advantage of this benefit -develop your skills by participating in a Training & Development activity.  Read the newsletter for more information, and register for a class today!

Volunteers of all ages are needed to help remove the accumulated trash and debris that threaten the scenic beauty of Winton Woods and the health of the wildlife that live there. Volunteers will be supplied with bags and a limited number of gloves. After the Cleanup, volunteers are rewarded with a free cookout and raffle prizes. Young children must be accompanied by an adult.

Over the last 14 years, the cleanup has totaled over 4,900 volunteers who collected approximately 104 tons of litter. Last year alone, 250 volunteers picked up 8 tons of litter and debris in less than three hours.

For more information, contact the Forest Park Environmental Awareness Program at 595-LAND (5263).