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Ground Breaking
for Riverfront Garage marks progress |
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New
Structure to support National Underground Railroad Freedom Center |
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| Hamilton
County officials today broke ground on the parking garage that will
support the National Underground Freedom Center. The
"Block 3" garage, to be located south of Second Street
between Vine and Walnut, will provide parking for more than 700
vehicles.
"We have always maintained that
riverfront redevelopment is about more than the construction of two
new sports facilities," said Commissioner Tom Neyer, Jr.
"The Construction of this garage sets in motion the National
Underground Railroad Freedom Center, which has historical
implications locally, nationally, and internationally. Today
is just the beginning." |
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| "This
is truly a historic day for riverfront redevelopment in
Cincinnati," said Commissioner Todd Portune. "The National
Underground Railroad Freedom Center provides a shining example of
what great things can be achieved when people work
together."
Ed Rigaud, president and CEO of the
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and Tom Humes, chair
of The Banks Development Committee for the Port Authority, also
spoke at the ground breaking. |
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| Development of the
Central Riverfront is well underway and will occur in several
phases. These phase include Paul Brown Stadium (opened August
2000), Great American Ball Park (under construction), the Freedom
Center, a public park, and other commercial development along the
riverfront. |
Top:
Commissioner Portune, County Administrator Dave Krings, Ed Rigaud,
Commissioner Neyer, and Tom Humes "dig in" at the ground
breaking ceremony.
Bottom: Board of County Commissioners with Ed Rigaud and
County Administrator Krings at a recent Board Meeting. |
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Planning Session focuses on
potential challenges for 2002 |
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At
a day long planning session held on May 16, representatives from
throughout the County gathered to discuss the outlook
for 2002 and to share ideas to help the County face its
challenges. The session was held at the Department of Human
Services' 237 William Howard Taft building and was attended by 65
employees from virtually all segments of county government.
The day included a briefing about the local economic outlook from
Fifth Third Bank executives, a discussion of the financial outlook
for County government, and small group work sessions to identify
ideas to increase revenue and/or reduce costs while providing good
service to citizens. |
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"Each year there are different
challenges and this year's budget may be particularly difficult
given state budget cuts and other potential challenges," stated
Board President John Dowlin. "It is important to get good
people together to discuss things and to develop
ideas."
Stated County Administrator David
Krings, "We have done these planning session for several years
and each year we use ideas generated out of these sessions." |
| Top: Small groups work
together to generate ideas.
Bottom: Commissioners Neyer and Portune share a
laugh with the group. |
The
budget process will be starting soon as we begin to plan for 2002
and beyond. |
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Give a
life-saving gift through the Annual County Blood Drive |
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In
the next two weeks you may just save a life! Hamilton County's
annual Hoxworth Blood Drive is scheduled for late May and early
June. |
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The following facts
may help you as you consider giving blood:
 | One in four of us will be the
recipient of a blood transfusion in our lifetime. |
| The Hoxworth Blood Center
serves 1.8 million people, and is the sole supplier of blood to 25 hospitals
in 14 counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. |
| Locally, we need 350
individuals to step up and donate each day in order to maintain an
adequate blood supply. |
| Despite the increasing need
for donors, Greater Cincinnati and the nation struggle with the
reality that only 5% of the population donates blood. |
| Donating blood is safe and
easy - it is absolutely impossible to contract AIDS or any other
infectious disease from donating blood. |
| You get FREE juice and snacks afterwards! |
The need for blood continues to
increase as technology and services provided by area hospitals demand it.
Unfortunately, blood donations are not keeping pace with blood usage. That
is why it is so important that healthy individuals donate blood regularly
to insure that there will always be an adequate blood supply for those in
need. Take a few minutes to give a gift that could save a life!
To sign up for an
appointment contact Kim Pennekamp in Personnel at 946-4705.
The dates and times for our
annual Hoxworth Blood Drive are:
| Friday, May 25 @ 230 E.
9th Street, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM |
| Friday, June 1 @ 138 E.
Court Street, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM |
| Monday, June 4 @ 222 E.
Central Parkway, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM |
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Ball Park Team to
hold Small Business/Contractors Forum |
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On
Thursday, May 24, the Great American Ball Park project team will
host a general information meeting for all interested Small Business
Enterprises (SBE). The meeting will take place from 5:30 to
7:30 p.m. at the Urban League of Cincinnati, 3458 Reading
Road. One of series of meetings conducted throughout the
bidding process for the Ball Park project, this forum is designed to give small business the
opportunity to talk with key staff from the project team and to
network with primary contractors. |
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Environmental
Services uses new "Hybrid" vehicle |
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Department of Environmental Services recently purchased to two
gas/electric "hybrid" vehicles to replace old vehicles in
their fleet. These vehicles are extremely efficient getting 70
miles to the gallon. In addition to being easier on fuel
costs, the cars are kind to the environment, being classified as an ultra-low emissions
vehicle.
"It drives great, is fuel
efficient and is easy on the environment," stated Environmental
Services Director Cory Chadwick.
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Environmental Service Director Cory
Chadwick with the County's new hybrid car. |
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County Exceeds
its Fine Arts Fund Goal |
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Hamilton
County has exceeded its goal for this year's Fine Arts Fund
contributions. Through this volunteer giving program, County
employees have pledged $23,214, exceeding this year's goal by over
$700. This giving level marks a 10% increase over last year's
efforts. |
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Departments that had a
significant increase (10% or higher over last year) include
Administrative Services, Board of Elections, Clerk of Courts, Domestic
Relations Court, Emergency Management, Environmental Services, Juvenile
Court, Mental Health Board, County Personnel, Prosecutor's Office, and
Public Defender. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Fine
Arts Fund! Overall, it was a successful campaign with the
community-wide being met and exceeded. |
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Employee of the
Year Profile: Amy Harlukowicz |
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Amy Harlukowicz is a forensic serologist/DNA
analyst with the Coroner’s Office.
A County employee since 1995, Amy has helped pioneer the use
of DNA analysis, not only in Hamilton County, but also throughout
the State of Ohio. Due
in large part to Amy’s hard work and professional commitment,
Hamilton County became the first, and currently only, local crime
laboratory connected to Ohio’s CODIS Computer database of DNA
profiles. |
| Amy Harlukowicz works on the CODIS
database to match DNA information to help solve open cases. |
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The CODIS database includes the DNA profiles of
convicted offenders for comparison to unsolved cases.
Amy was involved in the very first match to this new database.
Amy has been diligent throughout the year in reexamining old cases
with new technology to help identify suspects that otherwise would escape
prosecution. In 2000 alone,
Amy conducted 2,595 tests in conjunction with over 200 criminal cases.
Amy is also a key contributor to the Sexual Assault Care Network
and provides essential instruction to specially trained nurses in local
emergency rooms regarding collection and handling of important physical
evidence. Amy gives of her
time outside of the workplace speaking to scout and school groups such as
the Cincinnati College of Medicine’s “Saturday Science Academy.”
She also serves as a youth leader at her church and participates in
a mentoring program.
Unfortunately,
Amy will be leaving Hamilton County this week to take a position with the
Michigan State Police. Amy says that leaving Hamilton County was a
difficult decision, but this new position will bring her back
"home" closer to her family in Michigan. Good luck and
thank you, Amy!
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Hamilton
County Employees of the Year Honored |
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At
their May 9th meeting, County Commissioners honored this year's
Employees of the Year. Later that same day, employees were
honored at the Public Service Recognition Ceremony on Fountain
Square. Also recognized at the ceremony were county employee Jack Middendorf and
county volunteer Mel Martin. Congratulations and thank you for your
service to the citizens of Hamilton County. |
| Employees of the Year (L to R): Amy
Harlukowicz, Lynn Preuth, Steve Burns, Brenda Greene, and Ali
Khodadad with County Commissioners. |
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Don't forget to
post Hello, Hamilton County so that everyone can see what's
going on! |
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Have a Great Week!
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Hello, Hamilton County
is published twice each month. It is placed on both the County's
internal and external Web pages. It is design to enlighten and
inform both citizens and employees of Hamilton County. If you have
questions or suggestions for future editions, contact Sharon Booker
(946-4428) or Eric Stuckey (946-4432) in the County Administrator's Office
or e-mail to eric.stuckey@hamilton-co.org. |
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