Russ for Ross

In case anyone was wondering what was going on at the Ross Police Station Friday night, Hollywood has come to Ross. I would like to thank Greg Siewny and Lana Read for choosing the Ross Township Police department to shoot scenes for the upcoming movie “Waters Edge”, starring Michael Pire’ (Eddie, from Eddie and the Cruisers). They could have chosen any department in the area, but said Ross was the perfect choice for their movie. Scenes were also shot at Hueston Woods. A special thank you to our police officers for taking their own personal time and making our department look great on camera as well as the officers who manned the station while the others worked in the film. Several members of our Police department had prominent roles as well as speaking parts. When the film debuts, keep an eye out for some of your Ross neighbors that were used as extras.

I would like to share some information on the state of our township. Permit me to first digress and share a little background. In July 2021, I led a group of residents with the goal of keeping Ross, Ross. That became a phrase used over and over again. According to the timeline in my possession, the start of the real engineering for the construction project at Burns Farm was December 2021. The former developer ridiculed me for not being very smart. I was warned by others about the destruction of our town and school system. After spending numerous hours on the subject and giving careful contemplation to the future of Ross, I decided to make an attempt to become a township Trustee. Two years later, with the help of my family, friends, and neighbors in Ross, that happened.

I would like to say thank you for allowing me to serve in the position that I do. It is my honor and pleasure to do so, and it is a responsibility that I take very seriously.

Since July 2021, we have stopped the NCA which was the mechanism through which the old developer said he needed to make the project work—a project that included up to two hotels. We have also dissolved the JEDD, which was a partnership with the City of Hamilton to help foster development in Ross, that was said to be necessary due to the Spooky Nook facility in Hamilton. I never bought that hype. The JEDD would have cost the property owners in that area of Ross an additional 2% tax. Now, the Burns property has been purchased by someone locally and for the time being, will remain farmland. Sure, it may be developed in the future, but it will be done in accordance with the Ross Township Land Use Plan, which incidentally is being reviewed right now. When it is developed, it will not be on the backs of the taxpayers.

Ross Township has a new Fire Chief, Chris Johns, a new Police Chief, Robert Gerhardt, a new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. William Rice, and a new school board. You have supported our police department with the approval of tax levies, one of which made our police department permanent. To say that there have been wholesale changes in the past two years would be an understatement.

Our township is managed by Administrator, Laurie Kile, who does an excellent job coordinating literally everything, in the township. The township is in a good financial position largely due to you electing Fiscal Officer, Julie Joyce Smith, whose knowledge of not only township, but county finances is second to none. Road Superintendent, Paul Bulach and his team keep our township roads clean, safe and in great condition.

Our school system is the best in Butler County and one of the best in the state and country. They currently find themselves in a good financial position.

The Police, Fire and Road departments are doing an exceptional job of keeping our township an incredible place to live.

Someone I respect said they would agree with me 95% of the time. It’s the 5% that I continue to strive to achieve. I may not live up to every single expectation of every single person, but rest assured, when I walk into that room to discuss township business, my singular focus will always be “what’s best for the township?”

To sum it up, the state of our township is strong and getting stronger. I believe that our township, simply put, is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Thank you to the residents of Ross for electing people you trust to take care of your township. And, thank you to all of the people who work so hard to keep this township and the surrounding area such a beautiful place to live.

As you are all aware, the State of Ohio Tax Commissioner has imposed a massive revaluation upon the property owners in Butler County. In response, the Butler County Auditor has asked local agencies to "rollback" a portion of the increased property tax millage as a sign of good faith to residents. I want to be completely open and transparent about what that means to all of us. As things stand right now, for the median home with an assessed value of $225,000.00 in Ross Township, the rollback savings would be approximately $1.44 per month. That is the cost of the good faith according to the Auditors ask. So the question that we must answer is, how are all of us best served by the windfall of $1.44/month? Here is how and why we arrived at the decision we made. The Ross Township Road Department does not have a voted tax levy. The Road Department is funded from the townships' inside mills, stemming from the General fund, the Road Fund and the Road/Bridge Fund. Road Superintendent Paul Bulach and his team does an excellent job of making the most out of what they are given to work with. Having said that, with the increases in salary, insurance, petroleum based products, truck and road equipment, fuel, and yes, the purchase of a new road service vehicle to replace one that is 15+ years old so that our streets are kept clean and safe in inclement weather, we must ask ourselves, is it worth it to have those funds available to keep our Road Department operationally strong and avoid a potential Road Levy in the future that would certainly cost more than $1.44/month to the median value home owner?

In my opinion, most agencies that have been charged with this decision are taking a wait and see position to determine what other agencies are going to do. I told everyone that if I were placed in the position of Trustee that I would always be open, transparent and honest with you. I believe in taking the lead on this by doing and saying what I believe to be the right thing for the residents of Ross Township. My colleagues agree. We have decided to notify the Auditors office that we will not be participating in that program for now. We will let this whole situation "shake out" and re-evaluate a potential rollback during next years budget meeting. If we see that there are funds that need to be sent back to the residents, as it has been done in the past, we would consider doing it again. It is my hope that the State of Ohio's decision to impose this massive increase upon the residents of Butler County will be reduced and the Ohio Tax Commissioner will more equitability apply the normal three year triennial tax calculation. I wanted all of the residents of Ross Township to hear it from us first before any other form of media is notified. As always, I encourage your questions and involvement in any township issues. You can email me at [email protected].

Three years ago, I became keenly aware of the developmental issues of Ross Township. My involvement with the then, Burns Farm Development, was never envisioned to be what it has turned into. I am proud to represent the residents of Ross and I take that responsibility very seriously and I will take that responsibility for the foreseeable future. The Board and the administration, collectively and individually, have had discussions amongst ourselves, as well as with other local and state leaders. The consensus is that Ross Township will develop. As much as some community members may not want it to, collectively, it is in the best interest of the township that we look at the situation and ask ourselves, What do we do? What do we want? and, How can we, as a community, make this happen to the favor of the majority of township residents? There are large parcels of land in Ross Township that developers show interest in. It is my belief that we need to get out in front of this and stay out in front of this. Otherwise, land will be sold, plans will be made, and we will get what we get. I don’t think that’s the route that leads us to the developmental “promised land.” The last developer wanted to use a method of finance that I was, and am still, completely against. The last developer modeled aspects of the development that I was against. However, now that I am representing you, it’s your turn. It’s your turn to tell us what you want. Do you want business? What kind? Do you want senior living? How much? Do you want beautiful homes? How many? Do you want parks, greenspace, a community center etc?...the list goes on and on.
Here’s my main point. Three people should not be making that determination. Our job is to listen to the residents of Ross Township and that is what we’re going to do. 2008 was the last time that there was an attempt to engage the community and develop a land use plan. As of February, 2023, there is a plan being considered that was developed, in part, by past members of the Board. There are two new members of the Board now. I’m asking that you put together a developmental “wish list” so that when negotiations commence about the developmental future of Ross Township, we are armed with the will of the people. You’ve heard me say that before. It is imperative that we hear from you. The demographics of our township have changed drastically since 2008 and I feel there has not been a tremendous amount of outreach to engage with the residents of Ross as it pertains to development. Well, here’s your chance! This letter is from me, as a member of the community, not from the Board of Trustees as a group. When I speak for the Board, I will tell you. When I speak as a community member that is on the Board that represents you, I will tell you that also.
Over the past few months, it has been my pleasure to serve with the members of this Board, the Administration, and the Department Heads of Ross Township. I admire them all. They are a fine group of people that have a deep concern for our township. But it is now your responsibility to let us know what you want. Please don’t waste our time with silly, off the cuff comments. What I want to hear is thoughtful, inciteful, wise and brilliant ideas that will guide the decisions that we make about development in Ross, into something brilliantly spectacular. Something that YOU want and something that we are ALL proud of.
I would love to hear from you. Please take time to stop by a Trustee meeting if you can. The next one is September 7th @ 6:00pm. My email address is [email protected]. If you wish to mail a letter, my address is 3958 Ficus Ct, Hamilton, Ohio 45013. I would appreciate knowing who I’m communicating with. Having it in writing is the best way for me to have that information. You are welcome to call me at 513-413-8840 and if I don’t answer, please leave a voice mail. If you see me out at Flubs, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself and chat for a few minutes. I’m enlisting social media since it is the easiest way to engage the most people possible in the shortest period of time without using the expense of mailing cards/letters to each household. This post will be on Ross Talk and Russ for Ross pages so feel free to share them to anyone you wish. If you post comments on Facebook, I will check them and ask only that you keep your comments productive. I will also ask the administrators/moderators to remove “unproductive” comments.
I’ll close with this. Ross Township has been a beautiful community for 220 years. My goal is to leave it a better place than it was when I got here 37 years ago, and better than when my family’s ancestors got here 100 years ago. But it must be within the constraints of the will of the people. I hope you’ll share your goals for the community with me so that we can keep Ross one of the most livable places in the country.

Back in May 2021, I heard what a lot of people said about our town. What they liked and how it can improve. About development in our town and why it needed to be controlled. God gave us two ears so we could hear and two eyes so we could see. But it is with our heart that we listen and with our mind that we create vision. In August 2021, it was my mouth that began to voice what my ears told my heart. But it all started with listening.

When was the last time someone in government listened to you, I mean really listened? Listened to your ideas, your goals and the vision you have for your town. I have and I will!

How many of you like it here? Why do you like it here? What needs to happen to make it better? send an email to [email protected]

We have phenomenal police, fire and road departments. They do an amazing job on a very tight budget. What can be done to help them thrive in an economic climate that makes it increasingly difficult to provide Ross Township residents with the service that we all depend on?

How do we, the residents of Ross, invite sensible development while keeping our crime low, our services great and our schools the best in Butler County as we preserve the "Mayberry-esque" feel of the town we love?

I don't have all of the answers for the challenges that we face moving forward, but you do. I don't know the best way for Ross to develop, but you do. You may not feel that your voice is being heard. But, I hear you. More importantly, I will listen to you and it would be my honor to represent you as Ross Township Trustee this coming November. You see, it's not about what Russ wants, or John wants, or Mary wants. It's about what the people of Ross wants. Please email me with comments or questions. I'll do my best to answer all of them on the Russ4Ross page.