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Click here to read the story that ran Saturday, May 17.
Here’s the actual report from Premier Elections Solutions.
Question: Are special instructions given to local boards of elections enough to make you comfortable voting this November?
A year ago this month, ground was broken on Butler County’s new animal shelter … And the ruffled dirt has remained untouched ever since.
But on Thursday, May 15, county commissioners made the next step in renewing their promise of building a state-of-the-art facility for local strays — and they said this time the project will move forward on budget.
At this morning’s commissioners’ meeting, officials from the Department of Environmental Services shed more light on how they plan cutting local water bills by up to 10 percent.
And just as was rumored earlier this week, the plan is expected to be carried out thanks to nearly two dozen staff cuts and paying down existing debt.
Sue Vance said that 22 1/2 positions will be cut, split between union and non-union positions. The reduction is equal to about 16 percent of the department’s workforce.
“We have had some very difficult decisions to make particularly as they involve employees,” Vance said this morning.
Customers are expected to realize an average decrease of 10 percent on water bills and 15 percent on sewer bills, effective in 2009, Vance said.
Commissioner Don Dixon’s first response: “Wow.”
“You followed our instructions (to reduce bills and streamline the department) specifically,” Dixon said.
This press release just came in from Butler County Environmental Services (it appears to confirm rumors we were hearing earlier today):
The Butler County Board of Commissioners and the Butler County Department of Environmental Services will announce at their board meeting tomorrow, May 15, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. information that will help Butler County water and sewer customers. For several months, the Board has been examining ways to provide rate relief for its customers. The Board anticipates a presentation by the Department of Environmental Services. The Board meets at the Government Services Building at 315 High Street, Commissioner’s Chambers in Hamilton.
County leaders remain tight-lipped, quickly echoing “no comment” when asked about the announcement.
What do you think or hope commissioners’ message tomorrow will be?
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Press release from Leland Gordon, director of the Animal Friends Humane Society (For a story on what he’s talking about, go here):
Where in the world is China?
Humane Society officials announced today that they are concerned with the welfare of China the dog.
Recently, after getting a cruelty complaint the dog warden and probation department visited China. Otis Clark Jr. was found to have violated two terms of his probation. If the probation department visited Otis Clark Jr. as they were supposed to pursuant to Judge Lyons’ original sentencing they must have missed these violations.
For instance, China did not have a 2008 license on her which was required by January 31 of this year. Clark had also not taken China to regular vet visits which were also required under the sentencing terms of his 2007 animal cruelty conviction.
These missed probation terms would not have been missed had Judge Lyons assigned dog wardens to monitor the dog and not probation officers. In addition, China was found dirty, living as an outdoor dog in a pen. Shortly after the surprise visit, Clark allegedly sold the dog.
Continue reading "Humane society demands China’s whereabouts"...
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Butler County leaders have remained tight-lipped about an impending presentation by environmental services officials scheduled for tomorrow’s (May 15) commissioner’s meeting.
However, sources have told us to expect more personnel cuts, this time in the Department of Environmental Services.
We’re looking into exactly how many BCDES staffers will get the ax, but we’re told it will likely enough to lower water rates for county water users.
Earlier this week,
This article is a must read. It includes links to help you find the cheapest gas in the county.
Go now! Before it goes up again!
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Josh Sweigart and Dave Greber report about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). They want your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for them at jsweigart@coxohio.com or dgreber@coxohio.com.
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