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West Chester eNewsletter - May 2013

 

First Financial Bank After-Hours: 

Thursday night parties kick off May 23 

The popular after work party that signals an early start to the weekend will once again feature great regional bands, and even more food and beverage choices. The 2013 season of First Financial Bank After-Hours on The Square begins May 23 and continues throughout the summer.

Naked Karate Girls, Lt. Dan's New Legs and My Sister Sarah are just a few of the bands headlining this year's concert series. DV8 will get the party started on May 23.

The concerts are from 6 to 9 p.m. each Thursday on The Square @ Union Centre, 9285 Centre Pointe Drive. The Square is conveniently located off I-75, just west of Muhlhauser Road, with nearby parking. The event is free and open to the public.

"Great bands, beer and food will be featured every week, so grab some friends, unwind after work and start the weekend early," said Barbara Wilson, director od multimedia & marketing for West Chester Township.

Alcohol cannot be brought into the concert due to restrictions of the liquor permit. Proceeds from beverage sales benefit the event and local non-profit groups.

"This year local non-profits selling beer will offer happy hour pricing on some beers and we welcome new food vendors to the event including Luigi's Olde World Market, J. Gumbo's and a mobile crepe vendor," said Lindsey Wisemen, president of the Union Centre Boulevard Merchant Association, supporters of the After-Hours parties.

After-Hours on The Square is presented by First Financial Bank and is also sponsored by AKSteel, BAE Systems and Huntington Bank.

 A COMPLETE SCHEDULE

Fifth Third Bank West Chester Concert Series 

The Fifth Third Bank West Chester Concert Series at Keehner Park has offered families a free evening of entertainment for more than a decade with a wide range of musical acts performing on the Keehner Park Amphitheatre stage.

The Saturday night concerts kick off June 1 with local favorites Blue Stone Ivory and the series continues throughout the season with bluegrass, western swing, salsa, big band and symphonic music represented.

Each weekly concert begins at 7 p.m.   Concerts are free and guests are welcome to bring chairs and picnics for the evening. Alcohol is NOT permitted in the park.  

THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE

Township organizational restructuring reduces costs and increases operational efficiencies

The West Chester Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved last month an organizational restructuring that increases operational efficiency and reduces costs by approximately $70,000.

The Board of Trustees approved the merging of the West Chester Community Television Department with the township's Public Information Office to create the Integrated Multimedia & Marketing Department. The new department will use all of the Township's multimedia and marketing resources, including social media platforms, website, graphic design and illustration, video production, and operations and assets of West Chester Community Television to achieve all of the Township's public information, events, and marketing endeavors.

"Since 2005, the Township has eliminated, consolidated, or reclassified 25 positions while still providing exceptional customer and delivery of services.  This proposed organizational restructuring plan is no exception," said Township Administrator Judi Boyko.

"This restructuring falls well within the tradition that has been established over the past 10 years or so," said Township Trustee Catherine Stoker. "It is incumbent upon all of us to keep the organization as lean as possible and still provide the essential services that our Township businesses and residents expect of us."  

Since 2005, positions have been eliminated through attrition, consolidation and reassignment of responsibilities, realizing a cost reduction of $1.275 million annually in payroll alone.  The restructuring of the Township's IT services in 2011 resulted in an additional $100,000 savings.  With the full implementation of bridge year initiatives introduced in 2012, West Chester will realize an estimated $450,000 in reduced costs.  Expanded shared services with the Butler County Engineer's Office have resulted in $300,000 annual savings.

"The delivery of information to our stakeholders is more critical than ever," said Trustee George Lang. "Providing accurate and timely information is the expectation of our community stakeholders and open communication is a hallmark of the organization's mission."

The Board of Trustees' action does not dissolve the operations of West Chester Community Television, but integrates it more closely with other Township multimedia and marketing operations. The township's Public Information & Marketing Officer Barbara Wilson has been promoted to Director of Integrated Multimedia & Marketing.

Board of Trustees President Lee Wong said, "The restructuring makes our organization even leaner than it was without affecting the delivery of service and we always strive to work with just enough resources." 

  

Bike Rodeo

Start the summer off on the right pedal at the West Chester Police Department Bike Rodeo. Children will learn important bicycle safety rules and navigate a safety obstacle course at the rodeo, May 18 from 10 am. to 1 p.m. at the MidPointe Library, West Chester. Children must be accompanied by an adult, have a helmet and bring their bike or scooter.

In case of rain, the bike rodeo will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 25

 

Honoring Heroes

West Chester's annual Memorial Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27 from Union Day School on Cincinnati-Dayton Road. The parade route continues along Cincinnati-Dayton Road, to West Chester Road and end at the West Chester Cemetery.

A ceremony honoring fallen veterans follows at the cemetery. The ceremony includes the Lakota East and Lakota West high school bands, the Caledonia Pipes & Drums, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from throughout the community, various honor guards and honored guests.

The parade and ceremony are hosted each year by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7696.

Cincinnati-Dayton Road will be closed for the parade from approximately 9:15 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

click link below for

May Calendar of Events & Meetings

 

Join the crowd for super-sized CPR class

The West Chester and Liberty township fire departments will host a super-sized FREE CPR class for the community as a nod to EMS Week.

The class will be offered beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 1 at West Chester Fire Station 71 on Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

"By the end of the class we hope to have 100 residents trained and certified to deliver CPR in a time of crisis," said West Chester EMS Steve Kelly.

There will be 10 instructors on hand to deliver the training and participants will leave with their own training kit to teach family members.

EMS Week, May 18-25, is observed nationwide to recognize the work of first responders and to provide public education opportunities in the delivery of CPR and first aid.

"For every minute a person is in cardiac arrest and does not receive treatement, the chances of survival decrease by 10 percent," Captain Kelly said. "Early CPR and/or use of an AED improves the chances of survival."

To participate in this unique community opportunity to learn how to save lives, register

Comments welcome on Proposed Land Use Plan Revisions

The Land Use Planning Committee  has been working since May 2011 to update the community's Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The plan was last updated in 2004.

The Comprehensive Land Use Plan represents the "vision" for land development in the Township. When recommending its changes, The Land Use Planning Committee takes into consideration each corridor, current land use designations, road projects and changes in terms of development since the previous document was adopted.

Current revisions being considered reflect changes in demographic information, new developments that have occurred since 2004 including park development, and road improvements occurring since 2004 including U.S. Route 42 and Liberty Way.

Consideration was given to land use designations offered in 2004 and how changes to infrastructure and demographics may have influenced potential land uses today.

A complete copy of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan with proposed revisions is available from the home page of www.WestChesterOH.org.

Feedback on the proposed revisions will be accepted in writing until June 11. Comments can also be made through email at landuseplan@westchesteroh.org.

The West Chester Board of Trustees will consider the proposed revisions in June. Revisions to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan require Board of Trustee approval.   

Weekly Farmers' Market & More begin May 18

The weekly market featuring fresh made and locally grown products will begin May 18 and continue through October.

The Market will be open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. near The Square @ Union Centre.

This year the Farmers' Market & More will include the works of local artisans.

For more on special activities and events at the market, visit www.westchestersfarmersmarket.com

The market is presented by First Financial Bank.

VOA BBQ Bash

The second annual VOA BBQ Bash is so close you can taste it. Hosted by the Rotary Club of West Chester & Liberty, the VOA BBQ Bash will take over the front lawn of the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting, 8070 Tylersville Road, on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18. Thirty-six competitive BBQ teams from around the country will line Pit Road vying for $7,000 in prize money in the Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned Buckeye BBQ championships – the official State Championship competition. While competitive BBQ teams will provide the "scents" of the festival, the Cincy Blues Society will provide the "sounds". The Leroy Ellington Blues Band, Chuck Brisbin & the Tuna Project, Tempted Souls and G Miles & the Hitmen will headline the festival. Bands  perform 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday and 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday. A Kid Again will host the Kid Zone again this year with inflatable rides, a petting zoo, storytelling and more. The VOA BBQ Bash will be open to the public 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, May 17 and 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 18. Parking is $5 and walk-ins to the event are $2. Entrance to the event is from VOA Park Drive off Cox Road. For more information www.voabbqbash.org.