"The Mission of the Walnut Hills Association is to dedicate our neighborhood efforts to ensure safety, security, and knowledge for all our residents."
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Dayton's Neighborhood Assistance Officer program seeks volunteers
Dayton's Neighborhood Assistance Officer program seeks volunteers
By Kelli Wynn
Staff Writer
Sunday, March 25, 2007
DAYTON — If you want to go beyond attending a meeting to show that you care about your neighborhood, then you may want to consider becoming a Dayton Police Neighborhood Assistance Officer.
The purpose of the program is to have Dayton residents volunteer to act as a support unit for the police department. NAO volunteers are trained to handle duties such as traffic control at emergency scenes, special events, nonenforcement calls, missing person searches and noise complaints. They also patrol at least four hours a week.
"It's a unique opportunity to be a little pro-active in your neighborhoods," said Cindy August, NAO supervisor. "You're doing something more than attending a meeting. You're out patrolling your neighborhood."
Starting April 1, current Dayton Police NAO volunteers will work 100 days to get 100 applications from Dayton residents. NAO volunteers will visit numerous neighborhood meetings, events and churches while performing regular duties to accomplish recruiting goals. This recruiting effort is in conjunction with National Volunteer Month.
NAO volunteers will be present during the Dayton Dragons' opening-day fireworks and Tax Day at the main post office on East Fifth Street.
Right now, the program currently has 20 volunteers. This is a great decrease compared to the late 1970s and early 1980s when the program had about 80 volunteers. August said she doesn't know exactly why the numbers have dropped, but thinks the decrease may have something to do with people being busier than in the past. "People don't know their neighbors and they don't get outside their own little world," she said.
For more information on the NAO program, contact Cindy August at (937) 333-1350.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kwynn@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Criteria for being an NAO
Must be at least 21 years old
Must live in the city of Dayton
No felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving a weapon or violence
Must possess a valid Ohio driver's license
Must have automobile insurance
Must be people-oriented
Ability to attend five weeks of training from 7 to 10 p.m.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Chili Cook-Off Results!
The proud winner of First Prize is Ms. Lynn Burchill-Phillips from Belmont.
Second place was awarded to Bill Brashear of Walnut Hills who's secret ingredient was sun dried tomatoes.
Third place was awarded to Josh and Krissy Mayes of Walnut Hills who used lentils and pineapple in their secret recipe.
The event was organized by Bev Dunnington and Bob Lipps who did an excellent job with providing all the extras and putting together the prizes. We would also like to thank all the members of the "Church on the Rock" for their support and without whom this event could not have taken place. Thanks to all the people who entered and all who attended. I'm sure this will be a repeat event next year.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Monthly Meetings Information
The format for our monthly meetings are going to be changed beginning with the April meeting. We will now have a social and refreshment period beginning at 6:30. We encourage everyone to try to attend this time. We are having everyone wear name badges and the street that they live on so we can get to know our residents better. This will give you a chance to chat with your neighbors and also enjoy some good refreshments.
This will be followed by a normal meeting at 7:00. That meeting should be approximately 1/2 hour long. We will then break up into specific committees and anyone can participate in one or more of these committee meetings.
We now have a Park Committee, a School Committee, a Fund Raising Committee, and a Housing Committee. Our goal is to get more residents to participate in what's going on in the community. If you have a concern about a particular issue, you can be a part of that committee meeting and discuss your issues. It's very important to get your voice heard and we are making it easier for you to do just that.
Monday, February 19, 2007
PARK PROGRESS
1. The 200 amp. electric service near the shelter should be installed in early Spring.
2. The restrooms will be accessable for community events. A key(s) will be given only to specified people including the Park Committee chairperson.
3. The pool will be turned into a great spray area. This should be completed around July. They will have a designer come to a meeting and discuss it before it is put in.
4. We will have a walking path around the tree area in the top section of the park. After some discussion, it was agreed that having it around and near the ball diamonds was not feasible.
5. They are going to install basketball hoops.
6. They are going to install two poles for volleyball.
7. They are working with a resident and employee of the Public Works Department regarding the resurfacing of the hockey rink. 20 gallons of paint will be donated for the painting of the sides.
8. Discussions are in progress regarding a youth program this summer. We may receive support or services from the YMCA and East End Community Services as well as some assistance from the University of Dayton. The lunch program will begin following the summer break.
10. Regarding the tennis courts, it was suggested that we partner with Belmont or Cleveland School to see what can be accomplished about getting them worked on. It is being investigated.
It was a very productive, successful meeting. Harold Ayres and his son Ed, who are very familiar with the park, have accepted the position as chairpersons for the park committee.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Mayor McLin Delivers State of the City Address
Link!
McLin touches on a number of positive economic developments in the city but skips past pretty much all of our problems, in the end concluding that "The bottom line is this: for all of the struggles that virtually every major Midwest city has had to face in recent years, Dayton is in excellent shape. We are poised to emerge stronger for the adversity we have shouldered and overcome. I am proud to be a Daytonian, and I am excited about our city’s future." So there you have it.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Mentors Needed
And any youth or young adult would are between the ages of 16-22 years who would want to participate, please call Teresa at 259-1898.
The Chili Challenge is on!
Oh, if you are reading this and live in Belmont here’s a taunt;
"We make better chili than you. Nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah nyaaaaah!"
Twin Towers Citizens Cellular Patrol
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Dayton Announces Rate Change in Combined Waste Collection Fee
Contact: Fred Stovall, Director of Public Works, 333-4070
The City of Dayton is combining its current Waste Collection Disposal Fee and Waste Container Fee into one charge that will appear on the quarterly water utility bill. The City Commission today approved an Ordinance combining the current $5.00 monthly disposal fee and the 89-cent monthly container fee into one new $7.00 per month Waste Disposal Fee.
The rate change is effective January 1, 2007, which means Dayton water customers will see the new amount on quarterly water utility bills received in April 2007. The annual cost for waste collection services will increase slightly from $70.70 to $84.00. For comparison, most other area cities charge higher annual waste collection fees: Englewood - $278.00; Oakwood - $220.00; Centerville - $216.00; Kettering - $173.00; Union $162.00; West Carrollton - $152.00; Miamisburg - $144.00; and Trotwood - $134.00. The new rate change is estimated to result in approximately $731,000 of additional revenue for the City.
In 2002, the City of Dayton instituted the $5.00 monthly waste disposal fee to help cover costs associated with disposing of waste at the Montgomery County transfer station. That Ordinance was set to expire later this year. The Ordinance approved by the City Commission today replaces the 2002 Ordinance. In addition, the new Ordinance includes an annual escalator, which will be applied based upon the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
“As much as we would prefer not to change our rates at all, the escalating costs associated with waste collection operations make it necessary,” Fred Stovall, Director of Dayton’s Public Works Department, said. “It now costs more to dispose of our waste at the county landfill and to provide the containers that enable the City to maintain such a high quality of service. Unfortunately, that means we must increase our rates slightly to cover those outside costs.”
Bulky Waste pick-up service will continue to be provided at no charge.
“This is a good time to remind residents to recycle their household trash as much as possible to reduce the waste stream going to the landfill,” Stovall said. “The more we recycle as a community, the less we pay for disposing of waste in the landfill.”
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
VALENTINE’S DAY JAM FOR TEENS
VALENTINE’S DAY JAM FOR TEENS
Begin Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2007
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Cathy Shanklin, 333-8400
Donnell Gregory, 333-4021
Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin will hold a Valentine’s Day Jam on Friday, February 9, 2007 from 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Bomberger Teen Center, 1306 E. Fifth Street. The event will target teens 13 through 17 years of age. The theme of the jam is “Giving Back…Caring and Sharing from the Heart.” The cost for entry is either $5.00 or five canned goods. All proceeds and donations will benefit Daybreak Runaway Shelter for teens.
“I believe youth can have a good time and still provide an important community service,” says Mayor McLin. “With our youth from the Citywide Teen Council involved with planning the event, I know it will be a success.”
This event will offer Dayton area teens an opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day with great music, free refreshments, dance contests and more.
For more information, contact Cathy Shanklin at 333-8400, or Dr. Donnell Gregory at 333-4021.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Attend if interested.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Vandals on ATVs

The youths were traveling south in the alley between Colorada Ave. and Walnut Hill Pl. If you recognize them but don't want to get involved you can contact me at 271-3477 and I'll be glad to get more involved.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Arson
I see this didn't make the news at all, not that I want it to, but if it would have occured in Twin Towers there would have been a story!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
East Branch Library Activities
Coffee Gourmet International Month
Monday, January 15, 2007 - Saturday, January 20, 2007
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM for Kids - All Ages details
Gamer's Night- Video Games in the Library?
Thursday, January 25, 2007
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM for Teens - Ages 10-18 details
Gamers Night- Game on at the East Branch
Thursday, January 25, 2007
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM for Teens - 10-12 details
Homeschool Connection
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM for Kids - Ages 7-13 details
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM for Kids - Ages 7-13 details
Infant/Toddler Storytime
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM for Preschoolers - Ages 2-3 details
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM for Preschoolers - Ages 2-3 details
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM for Preschoolers - Ages 2-3 details
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM for Preschoolers - Ages 2-3 details
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM for Preschoolers - Ages 2-3 details
Preschool Storytime
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM for Preschoolers - Ages 4-5 details
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM for Preschoolers - Ages 4-5 details
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM for Preschoolers - Ages 4-5 details
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM for Preschoolers - Ages 4-5 details
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM for Preschoolers - Ages 4-5 details
Take and Make Winter Craft
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - Saturday, January 20, 2007
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM for Kids - All Ages details
Cleveland Dedication and Open House
Dedication Ceremony - 3:00 p.m. Open House to follow
Cleveland PK-8 School. 1102 Pursell Avenue, Dayton Ohio
Please RSVP - 542-3704
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Congratulations Detective Bo Bilinski!

Friday, December 29, 2006
Property Disclosure Law Information
Release Date: Friday, December 29, 2006
Contact: John Baker, Housing Inspection Manager, 333-3977
Effective January 1, 2007, all residential property transfers or sales within the city of Dayton will be required to include a “disclosure of open violation” notice. The City Commission approved the Ordinance recently to ensure that code violations are resolved or acknowledged before a property changes hands. The new law requires both the buyer and seller of any residential property to file a Certificate of Disclosure with the Housing Inspection Division. This disclosure form must be filed with the Housing Inspection Division regardless of whether or not there are any outstanding violation notices on the property.
“Too often a homebuyer will acquire a home without realizing there are outstanding code violations connected with the property,” said John Baker, Manager of Housing Inspection for the City of Dayton. “This new Ordinance will help ensure that properties in need of repairs get fixed before they are sold or transferred to another individual. It’s just another way we can help enhance the quality and vitality of our neighborhoods.”
Any open violation notices must be disclosed so that they can be corrected prior to the sale or it confirms that the buyer is agreeing to make the listed repairs.
Beginning in January, the Certificate of Disclosure form can be found on the City of Dayton’s website (www.cityofdayton.org), in the Building Services Department at 371 West Second Street, at Priority Board site offices, and in public libraries in the city of Dayton.
The following information provides additional detail about the Disclosure Ordinance:
What is the purpose of the Disclosure Ordinance?
To help ensure that any existing violation notices on the property get resolved satisfactorily.
How does the Disclosure Ordinance accomplish that?
The disclosure ordinance requires the addresses and phone numbers of the buyer, seller, real estate agent, title company, appraiser, and mortgage or lending institution assisting in the conveyance. Any open violation notices must be disclosed so that they can be corrected prior to the sale or it confirms that the buyer is agreeing to make the listed repairs.
Can the property be sold with an open code violation notice?
Yes. However the buyer is acknowledging that they will appeal the violation notice to the Housing Appeals Board within 10 days or make the necessary repairs within 90 days of the sale. Failing to comply with the Legal Notice is a third degree offense punishable by up to a $500.00 fine and or 30 days incarceration.
Who has to file this Certificate of Disclosure?
Both buyer and seller must sign the completed Certificate of Disclosure, so either party may actually submit the completed form. 93.54 (A)
(more)
Are there any exceptions?
Yes. Section 93.54 (D) exempts sales or transfers made under the following circumstances:
(1) Made pursuant to judicial orders;
(2) Made to or by the state, a political subdivision of the state, or another government entity;
(3) Made between spouses or former spouses as a result of a decree of divorce, dissolution of
marriage, annulment, or legal separation or as a result of property settlement agreement incidental to a decree of a divorce, dissolution of marriage, annulment, or legal separation.
Is there a cost for filing the Certificate of Disclosure?
Only if there is an open violation notice outstanding on the property. If violation notices do exist, then a $60.00 filing fee is required. If there are no violation notices, the filing of the disclosure form is free. 93.54 (C)
How do I know if violation notices exist?
Beginning on January 1, 2007 you can find this information at the City of Dayton’s web site www.cityofdayton.org. By searching for the address of the property, you will be able to search for any open violation orders.
What do I do when I find the address?
The violations cited on any orders will appear in a list. You can then select to print the Certificate of Disclosure and the violations will print within the form. Have both the buyer and seller sign the completed application and fax to (937) 333-4294 or mail to the following address:
Housing Inspection Division
Certificate of Disclosure
P.O. Box 22
Dayton OH 45401-0022
What if I can not find the address on your web site?
For newer structures, it is possible that we do not have the address in our Housing Inspection data base system yet. If you do not find the address you are looking for, call (937) 333-3977 and ask to speak to someone to obtain a Certificate of Disclosure form on a property not listed in the system. They will take your information and research the address and get back to you within 48 hours.
When does the form need to be submitted?
The signed Certificate of Disclosure must be received at least three (3) days prior to the sale of the property. 93.54 (B)
Is there a penalty for not complying with this ordinance?
Yes. For individuals, the first violation of this section is a minor misdemeanor, and any subsequent offense is a fourth degree misdemeanor. A minor misdemeanor conviction carries a maximum fine of $150.00. A fourth degree misdemeanor conviction carries a maximum fine of $250.00 and or incarceration of not more than 30 days.
For an organization convicted of violating this section, a minor misdemeanor conviction carries a maximum fine of $1,000.00, and a fourth degree misdemeanor conviction carries a maximum fine of $2,000.00.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Light Up Your Christmas!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Dayton Announces Next Round of “ORION” Neighborhoods
Contact: Jessica Jenkins, City Manager’s Office, 333-3675
After evaluating proposals from 12 neighborhoods, the City of Dayton has selected participants for the next round of its neighborhood stabilization program, called the ORION Solution program.
The three neighborhoods selected to participate during the first half of 2007 are Five Oaks and Mt. Vernon (combined) and Twin Towers. Three neighborhoods identified to participate in the program during the second half of 2007 are Westwood and Roosevelt (combined) and Old North Dayton.
The ORION program, which was first announced last year, stands for “Organizing Resources to Improve Our Neighborhoods.” The program’s objective is to coordinate key City services in targeted neighborhoods for a concentrated period of time. City departments work with neighborhood organizations and citizens to focus services like police, fire, building inspection, recreation, and public works in areas that need the extra attention, according to circumstances that are immediately affecting residents who live there.
The first four neighborhoods to participate in the ORION Solution this year were Riverdale, Santa Clara, Wolf Creek and Old Dayton View. Results show the program made significant improvements in the targeted areas.
“The first phase of the ORION Solution showed us the kind of success we can achieve if we coordinate our staff and our services with the active participation of neighborhood residents,” City Manager Rashad Young said. “Collaboration and involvement among our residents is key to making sure the impact of the ORION program continues for the long-term. The results we saw for the inaugural ORION neighborhoods makes me believe we can achieve similar on-going success in 2007.”
This Fall neighborhoods were encouraged to submit applications to be included in the ORION program for 2007. Twelve neighborhoods responded. An evaluation committee of City staff reviewed each proposal and made the final recommendations to the City Manager. The evaluation team looked at such factors as crime, housing conditions, demographic make-up, and citizen involvement capabilities to reach their recommendation.
Although the Five Oaks and Mt. Vernon neighborhoods applied separately, their close proximity to one another, as well as to recent ORION program participant Santa Clara, made them a good candidate for the opening round of 2007, roughly January-June. Both neighborhoods enjoy a high level of citizen participation and good housing stock. At the same time, they each face various quality of life issues especially relating to criminal activity.
Twin Towers possess diverse housing stock ranging from well-maintained homes to vacant and boarded structures. They have an active Community Council and other options for citizen participation that can help with implementing the ORION efforts. There is also a good opportunity to collaborate with the nearby South Park Planning District. Crime issues are a leading neighborhood concern.
The second round of 2007 program is expected to run from roughly July-December. Old North Dayton was selected for this round in part because of several quality of life issues, such as housing code violations, theft of copper piping, vandalism and vacant homes and businesses. Children’s Medical Center and the Old North Dayton Development Corporation will serve as important anchors for any future stabilization efforts.
The southern Westwood and Roosevelt neighborhoods will be addressed in unison due to their close proximity and related issues, including crime and housing concerns. A tradition of strong citizen involvement coupled with the opportunity to re-energize block clubs and other citizen groups helped in the committee’s decision-making.
City of Dayton staff will be meeting with leaders from the selected neighborhoods early next year. At that time, residents and appropriate departments will coordinate efforts to best deal with the individual neighborhood concerns.