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This page holds the 20 MOST RECENT ARTICLES, excluding those currently featured on the Homepage.
To view ALL ARTICLES (current, recent and previous), by category, please go to the Association Archive.
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Recent Articles
Ballot Initiatives
Association Voting Results
At its monthly meeting on Tuesday 10/11, the Cincinnatus Association voted overwhelmingly to endorse three tax levies on the ballot this November.
> Issue 37, the Indigent Care levy, funds health and hospitalization services for the working poor at the University and Children's hospitals, plus other County medical care expenses (for example, for inmates).
> Issue 38, the Children's Services levy, funds mandated services to protect our County's children from abuse and neglect.
These issues have had strong public support in the past and this passage will not increase
the tax burdens on County property owners. The Association has endorsed prior such
levies and strongly urges the voters to approve them again.
> Issue 32, the CPS Capital Funds levy, to provide funds for technology, textbooks and building maintenance, would be a permanent levy which increases a $100,000-homeowner's taxes by $243 per year.
Historically, CPS school levies have had strong public support. The Association has
endorsed prior such levies and strongly urges the voters to approve this levy. [Posted 10/12/11]
At the October dinner meeting, each of the following issues will be discussed by members, after which eligible members will vote to determine if the Association will issue public endorsement of the issue. Each link below will provide the Panel's summary of each issue. [Posted 10/3/11]
> Issue 32: CPS Levy
> Issue 37: Indigent Medical Care
> Issue 38: Children's Services
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The Excellence in Government Panel also provides the following information on additional ballot issues - click the highlighted title for an overview of the issue. [Posted 10/24/11]
Issue 2 (Ohio): To repeal legislation that limits collective bargaining for public employees in Ohio. At the last meeting, the Government Panel presented a debate on this Issue. Members can find additional information at the websites of supporters of Issue 2 (www.betterohio.org) and opponents of Issue 2 (www.weareohio.com).
Issue 3 (Ohio): The measure calls for exempting Ohio residents from national health care mandates (). The Government Panel wants to alert members to the ongoing debate on this Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment which, if approved, amends the Ohio Constitution to say that the State of Ohio cannot (1) force individuals to participate in a healthcare system, (2) prohibit the purchase or sale of health care or healthcare insurance, or (3) impose a fine or penalty for such purchase or sale. Its supporters say that it is needed to protect Ohioans from government interference with individuals' health care decisions and to bolster court challenges to the federal Affordable Care Act (). Opponents say that the amendment has nothing to do with the Affordable Care Act, as only the U.S. Supreme Court can decide its fate, but could do a lot of damage to the ability of state and local governments to provide and regulate health care in Ohio.
On October 6, Jack Painter, a member of Cincinnatus Association and Board member of the Ohio Liberty Council, participated in a debate on Issue 3 on a National Public Radio program originating from Cleveland. Jack argued in favor of Issue 3, and his opponent, Janetta King of Innovation Ohio (a progressive group located in Columbus) argued against it. Click here to listen to this very interesting debate.
> Anti-Issue 3 Materials: Owens-Hayes Letter . 1851 Center Essay . OFHF Information Booklet . Innovation Ohio Essay . Innovation Ohio Report .
> Pro-Issue 3 Materials: OpEd by Jack Painter . OLC Issue 3 Fact Sheet . OLC Response to Innovation Ohio . Ohio.com Editorial
Issue 46 (Cincinnati): Proposes to eliminate part of the Cincinnati Campaign Finance Reform Charter Amendment that was passed by voters in 2001. Read the Common Cause/Ohio press release (Cincinnatus member Bill Woods) providing some reasonswhy this might undermine the transparency goal of that Amendment.
Cincinnatus Education Awards
>> James N. Jacobs Award for Outstanding Administration in Cincinnati Public Schools
>> John E. Pepper Award for Outstanding Volunteer in Public Education
>> Cincinnatus-Woodward Trust Distinguished Teacher Award for Cincinnati Public Schools
Once winners are announced, we will inform the nominator and we will send out a congratulatory note to anyone who was nominated. [Posted 11/21/11]
HOMES Hidden Treasures Forum
On November 19, the 2011 HIDDEN TREASURES FORUM will take place. Cincinnatus is a co-sponsor of this event which is a celebration honoring the 28 Stable Integrated Communities in the Cincinnati area that have been integrated at least 20 years and more than half of them up to 30 and 40 years. The last ‘Hidden Treasures’, published in 2007, only listed 15 communities that met the 20 year qualification. The Cincinnatus Association, through the Inclusion Panel, was a founder of this project. Anyone interested in attending this event on Nov. 19th, please contact Myra Calder at myra.calder@homecincy.org.
WHO ARE WE? Demography Forum 12/1/2011
United Way and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Cincinnati Branch, have joined together to present a major forum on our region's changing demographics on Thursday, December 1st, at 2:00 p.m. at United Way's Fifth Third Convening Center. This free event is called Who Are We?, and is designed to provide leaders of charitable and civic sector organizations with a strategic view of our region's changing demographics and what they mean for the achievement of our community's Bold Goals in the areas of Education, Income and Health. It is co-sponsored by Agenda 360 and Vision 2015. Please read the event invitation for more information on the event. [Posted 11/14/11]
Executive Committee Summary (10/18/2011)
Cincinnatus Association
Executive Committee
10/18/11 Meeting Summary
The Dinner Facility Search is ostensibly narrowed to two locations, Queen City Club and University Club. Final decision was tabled pending resolution of QCC’s bill for our October dinner and the U-Club’s ability to provide satisfactory technology and room function. We currently have 13 open Active status positions. Inactive status was renewed for Tom Conlan, with three Inactive requests still pending.
Discussion continued of dinner attendance and member participation, focused on the disconnect between rolling admissions and new member engagement efforts, concluding that we need to realign our engagement efforts both during the candidate interview process and immediately upon new member entry. Keys to member satisfaction and participation were noted to be engaging dinner and panel meetings and one-to-one invitations to participate.
The Education Panel presented a Certificate of Appreciation from Cincinnati Public Schools for our Association’s contributions to the students and schools. The 2012 Education Awards are tentatively scheduled for 2/7 (a week earlier than our usual meeting date) at NKU. The Arts & Culture Panel noted plans for our November dinner meeting at SCPA, including tours of the new SCPA and Washington Park development. The Government Panel advised of an additional ballot issue (Issue 3) about which it wishes to provide information to our members.
We were updated on the initial stages of the Government Efficiency Task Force. The newsletter is a significant success; we continue to refine the process of news gathering, edit and review. Programs and venues were discussed for future meetings – December will tentatively be a reception at a venue on Fountain Square on 12/6 (a week earlier than our usual meeting date) devoted to celebration, rather than the usual program content; January is tentatively about the Water Technology Cluster at the EPA Labs at UC.
(This information is highly summarized; more detailed information is available from any Committee member or Panel Chair. Executive Committee meetings are open to any Association member.)
Nov-2011: Member Dinner Meeting - SCPA & Washington Park
(Please note earlier time schedule)
(108 W. Central Parkway, Cincinnati)
There are several commercial parking lots on the west side of Washington Park and a variety of street parking is available.
Networking and tours begin at 5:00. (Sorry, but no cash bar tonight as we are on Cincinnati Public School property.) Dinner will be Cincinnati Catering's outstanding buffet at 5:30, followed at 6:30 by brief Association announcements and introduction of guests. Our eveing's primary presentation begins about 6:40, with time for questions before concluding our evening by 7:30.
The Arts & Culture Panel
In addition to viewing the new school, you will have the opportunity for a preview tour of Washington Park with CHAD MUNITZ of 3CDC. He will offer a presentation in SCPA's Mayerson auditorium about the latest park developments.
If you and your guest would enjoy a 30-minute hard-hat tour of Washington Park, please plan to arrive at 5:00 or 5:30. We will offer two guided tours at those times, prior to dinner.
A 30-minute tour of the new SCPA facility is scheduled for 7:30, to accommodate the school's tour guide. Chad's presentation and discussion will conclude by 7:30.
You won't want to miss this informative meeting and the opportunity to network with friends new and old. We look forward to seeing you there.
RSVP - Please!
Oct-2011: Member Dinner Meeting - Fall 2011 Ballot Issues
Has Senate Bill 5 "reformed" public employee collective bargaining so as to help balance local government budgets? Has it instead gone too far and "destroyed" public employees' collective bargaining rights? Will it save or harm public safety or the education of our children? Will it end abuses of the current system or itself abuse our public servants? These and other related questions will be debated at the Association's next meeting. We hope that our members will gain valuable information helping them to decide how to vote on Issue 2 and how to discuss its significance with other voters.
Our speakers will be two well-known Cincinnati lawyers who are eminently qualified to speak on this topic. Supporting SB5 and Issue 2 will be GARY GREENBERG, Esq., a shareholder in the law firm Denlinger Rosenthal & Greenberg, LPA, whose practice focuses on labor & employment law, representing employers, both public and private sector, including municipalities, county agencies, townships, and a joint vocational school district. Presenting the other side will beSTEVE LAZARUS, Esq., a principal in the law firm Hardin, Lazarus & Lewis, LLC, who focuses his practice on the representation of public safety employees (law enforcement officers and firefighters) and their unions in contract negotiations, disciplinary proceedings, lay-offs and job abolishments, appeals related to promotional examinations and civil service rules, and litigation.
In addition to the SB5 discussion will be member discussion and vote on ASSOCIATION PUBLIC ENDORSEMENTS relating to three other ballot issues: CPS Levy (Issue 32), Indigent Medical Care (Issue 37) and Children's Services (Issue 38). Please visit the Cincinnatus homepage prior to our meeting to read our Issue summaries on these ballot initiatives.
Association Announces New Members
List of New Members
Ohio Redistricting Forum - Thu. 9/8/11
For many, the reality of redistricting and reapportionment has become synonymous with partisan gerrymandering. But are there alternatives? Join us as we highlight potential opportunities and threats in the 2011 Ohio redistricting process, showcase maps from the Draw the Line Ohio Redistricting Competition and set the stage for future redistricting reform efforts. [posted 9/2/11]
Sep-2011: Member Dinner Meeting - Governmental Efficiency & Cooperation
5:30 - 8:00 pm on Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Governmental Efficiency & Cooperation
Maketewah Country Club
5401 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237
<Click on address for Google Maps directions>
Free parking at the club.
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Networking and cash bar at 5:30, followed by Maketewah's outstanding dinner buffet at 6:15. (There is free parking in the club, and panel meetings will be on location at their normal times.) After dinner, we will provide general Association announcements and introduction of guests, followed by the core of our evening's program presentations:
MEMBERSHIP SURVEY ACTION PLANS
Al DeJarnett, Cincinnatus President, will present the action plans that the executive Committe has developed to address priority areas identified by the membership in the recent survey:
- Resolution to Action
- Communications
- Diversity
- Monthly Dinner Meetings
- Member Satisfaction
GOVERNMENTAL EFFICIENCY & COOPERATION
Greg Hartman, President of the Hamilton County Commission, and a representative of the City of Cincinnati will discuss the issues and opportunities for improving the efficiency of governmental operations and increasing inter-governmental cooperation in the Greater Cincinnati region. The discussion will also inform member about a major initiative on governmental efficiency and cooperation that Cincinnatus Association will undertake in the coming year.
You won't want to miss this informative meeting and the opportunity to network with friends new and old. We look forward to seeing you there.
Please click on the place setting icon on the right to make your reservation now! [Posted 8/31/11]
Streetcar Charter Amendment - Proposed Association Resolution
A petition is in process which, if enough valid signatures are collected, will lead to a vote in November 2011 on a Charter amendment. A similar Charter amendment was presented two years ago which lost by about 12% in the voting. The key difference is that the earlier amendment banned all expenditures on rail transportation improvements in perpetuity while the newly proposed ban would expire in nine years.
The Excellence in Government Panel proposes a resolution opposing the Charter amendment. Attached is an informational write-up [click link to view] and an Association Endorsement ballot for action at next Tuesday's member meeting. Please take a few minutes prior to that meeting to review and consider the material, the proposed Charter amendment and the proposed Association resolution so that we're able to facilitate a full, but succinct discussion prior to voting on the Association resolution. [Posted 6/11/11]
Jun-11: Member Dinner Meeting - Member Survey
5:30 - 8:00 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Member Satisfaction Survey Results
Click on the place setting at right for additional information and to make your reservation now! [Posted 5/24/2011]
Replay & Photos from 5/10 NKU Forum
USTREAM at: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/14617131.
Twitterfeed at http://joewessels.net/ and click on “COVER IT LIVE”… the twitter dialogue is archived.
Photographs at http://picasaweb.google.com/CincinnatusAssoc.
[posted 5/14/11]
Tom Williams' Speech at United Way Luncheon
May-11: Member Dinner Meeting - Meet the Editor at NKU
5:30 - 8:00 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Northern KY University
Room 108 of the New Student Center <click for map - building #19, parking #42>
20 Kenton Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099
Parking in Kenton Garage directly across Kenton Drive
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"MEET THE EDITOR" DISCUSSION FORUM
The May meeting is a "Meet the Editor" Discussion Forum cosponsored by NKY Forum with Carolyn Washburn, the new Editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The forum, which will be simulcast on UStream.com, promises some interesting and enlightening conversation with moderator Joe Webb (LOCAL 12 reporter) and five panelists plus an extended audience Q&A (including questions emailed from viewers).
Please make every effort to attend this important meeting.
You won't want to miss this informative meeting and the opportunity to network with friends new and old. Click on the place setting at right to make your reservation now! [Posted 4/25/2011]
3 Association Women Recognized
Candace Klein has been named in this month's Cincinnati Magazine as one of 35 Visionaries in Cincinnati. Her Bad Girl Ventures also made news recently for on-going support of women entrepreneurs in Cincinnati.
Susan Branscombe and Judith Warren were named two of the eight YWCA Career Women of Achievement for 2011. [Posted 3/31/11]
Jan-11: Member Dinner Meeting - Dr. Garcia TEDx
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Cincinnatus cordially invites and encourages all members to attend our next Member Dinner Meeting.
5:30 - 8:00 pm on Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The University Club at 401 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH
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The Imperative, Power and Presence of Systems Thinking and Appeciative Inquiry
A thought-provoking presentation by Dr. Victor Garcia, a graduate of West Point and the University School of Medicine, and recipient of, among others, the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award and the National Jefferson Award.
Click here for reading and video materials suggested by Dr. Garcia
Please make every effort to attend this important meeting.
You won't want to miss this informative meeting and the opportunity to network with friends new and old. Click on the place setting at right to make your reservation now! [Posted 1/3/2011]
Apr-11: Member Dinner Meeting - Dr. Garcia TEDx
5:30 - 8:00 pm on Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The University Club at 401 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH
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The Imperative, Power and Presence of Systems Thinking and Appeciative Inquiry
A thought-provoking presentation by Dr. Victor Garcia, a graduate of West Point and the University School of Medicine, and recipient of, among others, the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award and the National Jefferson Award.
Click here for reading and video materials suggested by Dr. Garcia
Please make every effort to attend this important meeting.
You won't want to miss this informative meeting and the opportunity to network with friends new and old. Click on the place setting at right to make your reservation now! [Posted 3/31/2011]
Cincinnatus Community Foundation
After receiving feedback from its membership, the Cincinnatus Association's Executive Committee approved the formation of a 501c3 organization to assume some of the dues and activities of Cincinnatus Association. (Click here for more information on this decision and the new organization.)
Cincinnatus Community Fund Inc. was created and its Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Ohio Secretary of State in February. The following individuals were appointed as trustees and elected as officers in early March:
Al DeJarnett - Trustee, President
Mark Silbersack - Trustee, Vice President
Melinda Kruyer - Trustee, Secretary
Robin Gehl - Trustee, Treasurer
Roger Smith was preliminarily chosen as Executive Director of the new organization while a fifth trustee is pending appointment by the Association's Executive Committee.
Prior to commencing any operations, we will obtain IRS exemption as a 501c3 charitable entity. The application for this exemption was prepared and submitted in late March. [Posted 3/25/11]
LWV Events
3/28/11 - Dinner with the League
featuring Mark Godsey, Director & Co-Founder of the Ohio Innocence Project
5/3/11 - Housing Options for People with Mental Disabilities
A Public Informational Forum [posted 3/17/11]
