When Joe Dills and I joined Michael Logue on the Union Township Board of Trustees on January 1, 2022, we were faced with the immediate challenge of running the township without an administrator. Ken Geis retired in December. Mr. Geis had an enormous amount of intellect and expertise that was irreplaceable.
Cory Wright stepped up to be our acting administrator as of January 1st. Mr. Wright did a fabulous job for us. In March, he accepted a resume enhancing offer from the City of Loveland. It was a good move for him and them. Like with Mr. Geis, Mr. Wright also took an enormous amount of intellect and expertise with him.
Our first hire was Brodi Conover as law director. His law firm is Bricker & Eckler. They have expertise in multiple fields such as economic development including Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Joint Economic Development Districts (JEDDs)
Additionally, we hired Susan Ayres to be our administrator. She had been the assistant city manager for the City of Middletown. Ms. Ayers is a licensed attorney and has an impressive depth and breadth of experience.
Furthermore, we have posted a position for a development director. This hire will fulfil many of the duties that Cory Wright had done as assistant administrator and zoning director.
The following are a few highlights of events, activities, and new or growing businesses in Union Township. Some are initiatives that Ken Geis and the previous Board of Trustees put into place.
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Farmers Market at the Union Township Civic Center front parking lot from 4 to 7 PM every Friday through October.
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“Free” (taxpayer sponsored) concerts are on most Saturdays beginning at 7 or 8 PM behind the Civic Center.
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Safe Haven Baby Box allows for anonymous surrender of an infant for a mother in crisis unable to parent. It is located at the firehouse on Old SR 74 between Holman Motors and Sharefax Credit Union.
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Effective on or about June 9, 2022, leashed dogs will be allowed in all of our parks. Between now and then, signs and poop bag dispensers will be installed. Dogs remain prohibited in play areas such as soccer fields and children’s playgrounds. Dog owners are required to scoop the poop.
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Parks and Recreation citizens committee: They will be meeting in June to work on park plans and development.
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TQL will be adding an additional 1,000 jobs at its sprawling UT campus.
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Kroger bought the old Sears store at the Eastgate Mall. An announcement of their intent is expected soon.
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Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe is now open at the Cherry Grove Shopping Plaza.
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Sportsman’s Warehouse is in the process of moving into the old Stein Mart location in the shopping center across from Jungle Jim’s.
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Outback Steakhouse is planning a new restaurant near Meijer’s where the old Starbucks and a video store used to be.
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Take 5 Oil Change will be building on the site of an old shuttered Wendy’s near the corner of Ohio Pike and Nine Mile Road.
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Diego’s Tacos will be moving to a new building across from their current location (Exxon) on the corner of Old SR 74 and Tealtown Road.
In addition to all of that, the Union Township Board of Trustees meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6 PM. At these meetings, I’ve done financial presentations on debt, property tax distributions, and a 2021 financial review. The meeting videos as well as our event calendars are on-line.
All three trustees, our fiscal officer, and our staff are accessible and approachable. If you need anything or just want to chat, call me at home at 513-753-6440. Or call 513-752-1741 to speak with any staff member at the Civic Center.
John Becker has been a Union Township Trustee since January 1, 2022. He previously served as a State Representative from 2013 – 2020 until forced out by term limits.