EPHIA Newsletter
November, 2008
IN MEMORY
Lois Steinbach was a long time member of EPHIA and President in '88-'89. She lived on Purcell Avenue for many years and was a friend to many. No one who met Lois will ever forget her. She was quite outspoken and had a heart ofgold. Her husband Cliff was a moving force behind the establishment of the Holy Family Food Pantry and the church's Adopt a Family program atChristmas. Lois'family asked that any memorial be in the form of a donation to the Food Pantry.It has long been the tradition of EPHIA to honor the memory of long term members and past Presidents. I would like to suggest that EPHIAimmediately make a donation of $50 to $75 to the Holy Family Food Pantry in Lois' memory. This donation could be approved at the next Board Meeting. From, Ken Rothman
MEET THE NOMINEES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mary Croft: Grew up in East Price Hill, graduate of Holy Family and Seton High School
- EPHIA member since 1989, Director since 2007
- Chairman, EPHIA Housing & Development Committee past 3 years - Led efficient process for consistent and careful review emphasizing our neighborhood's interests - Supported four important projects in 2008 alone
- Led negotiations for major improvements to the design of our new Kroger
- Secured approval of required 60% of owners for light tax in the area of new streetscape coming near Kroger
- Led the campaign for official Incline District designation in our neighborhood
- Member of the 2008 blue ribbon committee that developed City View Corridor recommendations, which included Mount Echo and River Road
- Working with the Parks Department and Cincinnati Christian University volunteers, organized Wilson Commons clean-up and honeysuckle removal in 2007 and 2008
- Currently working with the City and a private property owner on the creation of an attractive gateway at Elberon Avenue and Mt. Hope Avenue
- Active in Price Hill Will Safety Community Action Team, including biweekly safety walks and good guy loitering
- Member of Price Hill Will Housing Community Action Team
- Led Price Hill Garden Club in 2008 beautification project on Warsaw Avenue
My name is Bob Greenlee. I have lived in Price Hill since 1984 at 1011 McPherson I have also been a member of EPHIA for two years or so, I also am a member of Price Hill safety CAT and have been active for about four to five years and active in good guy loitering going on two years. I believe in Price Hill and am hopeful I can help bring a lot of change to the community in which I live and to this organization.
My name is Jim Turner, and I approve this message. I have been a Price Hill resident since 1988, and have served on the EPHIA Board of Directors and as an officer (Corresponding Secretary, I think). I am currently the president of the Mt. Echo Park Advisory Council, and am active with the Cincinnati Parks Advisory Council, a consortium of park advisory councils representing parks throughout the city. (Mary Croft is also active with CPAC, being on the Wilson Commons Advisory Council, though I am not certain in what capacity.) I graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1980, with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and served in the U.S. Army in Germany. My wife, Gina, lived for a time on Atson Lane (northeast of Five Corners). I bring a working style that seeks to find common ground when opposing viewpoints clash.
I believe that we can remake Price Hill the beautiful and safe living venue if we work hard to get rid of the drug dealers by keeping in touch with our district police and informing them of any suspected dealing we observe, but we must make sure not to see something that is not there. Also we must make every effort to keep our streets and yards clean while lowering the bad section 8 and absent landlords from our midst.
Respectfully: Don Busch
Tom Croft:
- Member of EPHIA since 1989
- Project Manager for EPHIA's Neighborhood Business District Support Program for the past three years
- Price Hill Will Safety Community Action Team good guy loiterer and safety walker
- Co-Chair of River West Working Group
- River West supports neighborhoods in promoting development along the Ohio River for an attractive place to live and work
- Leading community engagement with the City's Department of Transportation on design elements of the Waldvogel Viaduct reconstruction coming in 2010, one of our primary gateways
- Working for creation of green space at the former Hilltop site on River Road near State Avenue, now owned by the City
- Frequent testimony on behalf of the community before City Council, the Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals
I, Hans Mehr, received my BSME degree from Iowa State University in 1955. After graduation I was employed by the GE Aircraft Engine Group as an Aero-Thermo Design Engineer, received my Ohio State Professional Engineer License in 1965 and retired from GE in 1993. During my employment at GE I was elected to the Board of Trustees of Public Affairs in Mason, Ohio. I served on this board for two years and then I was elected to Mason City Council where I served for five 4 year terms (20 years). I had an active role in guiding Mason's growth from a Village of 3000 to the largest city in Warren County. My wife and I moved to East Price Hill a year ago. We like the area and the view of the city. I am interested in becoming active in projects that will benefit all citizens of East Price Hill and that is my reason for seeking the election to EPHIA board.
My name is Steve Klatte. I am a graduate of Elder HS (1978) and hold Masters Degrees in Agricultural Economics and Business (Finance) from West Virginia University (1985). Professionally, I am employed as an Advertising Consultant.
As a 20 year resident of East Price Hill, I firmly believe that active participation in neighborhood affairs can improve the overall quality of life in our city. Since volunteering to be EPHIA's Neighborhood Support Program (NSP) Manager in 2007, I have developed and nurtured a positive working relationship with City of Cincinnati's Invest in Neighborhoods program and personnel. If re-elected to the position of EPHIA director, my intention is to continue to promote proactive interaction between the City and our EPHIA community organization. I respectfully ask for your vote.
My name is Rosalie Pietras. I'm a relatively new resident of East Price Hill for the past three years. Having come from New York City, I know how neighborhoods can turn around, and become vibrant communities once more.
From the first, I saw the potential of this community. The beautiful architecture and facades of the public buildings and private homes was the first thing. But, even more importantly, the great majority of residents love their neighborhood and want to see this to be one of which we can all be proud; a secure neighborhood where we can raise our children without fear!
I believe that if we all work together toward this goal,it will be accomplished. With your support I will be happy to serve on the EPHIA Board of Directors to help accomplish this goal.
Frank Hollister: As an engineer, with an MBA, much of my background has been in building and development. Now, as a General Contractor and real estate investor in East Price Hill, you can be assured that I will always favor propositions that are in the best interest of the community.
I served as President of EPHIA for 8 years and during that time we had 2 major developments and numerous smaller projects. We did oppose one major development but only after a 60% majority of the membership directed us to do so.
As a director, my first goal is to help rid the negative reputation our community has recently earned with regard to developers and the City. To attract and keep high quality development, we must again become a neighborhood regarded as positive, cooperative and a great place to do business.
Your vote for me will be the first step toward making East Price Hill the kind of neighborhood it once was one of the most desirable places to live in Cincinnati.
Howard A. Stafford: After 37 years in Clifton, Mary Ann and I moved to East Price Hill in 2002. I am Professor Emeritus of Economic-Urban Geography at the University of Cincinnati, with a specialization in regional and neighborhood economic development. Through EPHIA I hope to increase my contributions to the prosperity of East Price Hill in particular, and the West Side in general.
John Schllagetter: I've lived in East Price Hill for over seven years, and love telling people I live in a City neighborhood five minutes from downtown, where we occasionally see deer in the yard and know our neighbors by name. I believe in being the kind of neighbor I like to have, and look forward to serving East Price Hill as a Director.
Ann Patty: I have lived in East Price Hill for 20 years. I built a home 1/2 block from where I live now. I needed to down-size, but did not want to leave this spectacular view. So, when 6 townhouses were built just up the street, I could down-size and still have the view.
I am a member of the committee for "Parties of Note" which benefit the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. People pay to go to these parties, and the money goes to the Symphony. Thehost provides food, drink etc. I have given two because I want people to know that East Price Hill has a lot more to offer than the bad press we often get. Last year, I had Eric Russo, executive director of Hillside Trust, talk about and show slides of the City's hillsides. Most of the people who attended were from other parts of town and had never been to E Price Hill. This year, I had a party for the Riverfest WEBN fireworks. I limited it to 25, and everyone who came was a stranger to me and from other parts of town. All said they had no idea what we have. So that'swhat I'm doing in trying to spread some good PR for East Price Hill.
Other than that, I volunteer at Children's Hospital every Friday afternoon and am involved with several committees at my church, Westwood First Presbyterian. I can't think of anything else to tell you. Hope this helps.
John Wall: He is a 15-year resident who has renovated or restored houses for 20 years. His main concern is housing and seeing that properties are taken care of and developed and re-developed in the proper manner. I take credit for coining the phrase Incline District back in the day and hopefully we can move forward from there.
John Lauck: Lived here 27 years. He bought his first house on Hawthorne 2 years ago and is renovating it. He has been a member (of EPHIA) for 2 years and think there is potential in EPH to be similar to Hyde Park/Mt. Lookout.