It has been a busy summer so far in Union Township. We have enjoyed seeing neighbors and friends at numerous new community events. The Trustees were also excited to discuss new improvements such as Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Sands Volleyball at recent meetings.

We aren’t stopping though and more new businesses want to open in the Township. Pending trustee approval, new developments will be coming to Mt. Carmel and the surrounding area. The old Kroger store will become a new Wawa. I’ve never been to a Wawa, but their business model seems to be similar to Casey’s. While Wawa stores offer gas, they are widely known for a large selection of fresh food inside their convenience stores. Regardless, it’s good to have competition and a new business replacing one that has closed.

Across from the old Kroger, on the corner of Mt. Carmel-Tobasco Road and state Route 32, will be a new strip mall featuring a LaRosa’s. This project is at the foot of Yates Lane off of Old State Route 74 and it is great to see new investment in this area.

At the corner of Aicholtz Road and Eastgate Boulevard, Alfaa will be building on what is currently an empty lot. They are a gas station and convenience store chain.

Speaking of which, the old Valero on the corner of Ohio Pike and Bennett Road has a new owner. They will be tearing down the old building and constructing a new convenience and wine store. Again, all of the above is subject to trustee approval and plans can always change.

Back to Mt. Carmel, on Dameron Lane, Mt. Carmel Park will be expanding and will receive relocated playground equipment currently at Clepper Park. That park is getting new playground equipment and Pickleball Courts.

On that topic, a Pickleball tournament is scheduled for July 22 at Veterans Park at 9:00 a.m. Additional events throughout the summer will include “movie nights” at various locations and concerts. The Farmers Market will continue from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Civic Center parking lot.

National Night Out will be August 3 at Veterans Park. The end-of-summer fireworks will be launched from the UT Civic Center on August 26. And the Mt. Moriah Lantern Lighting Ceremony will be on September 16.

You can find more information on our new website at www.Union-Township.oh.us. We also have the opportunity to change that address to www.Union-Township.gov or multiple other variations. Let me know what you’d like it to be. Call me at 513-753-6440 or email JBecker@Union-Township.oh.us.

The Union Township Board of Trustees meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM. Additionally, we hold “work sessions” on the fourth Tuesday of the even-numbered months also at 6:00 p.m. Furthermore, we occasionally hold special meetings for zoning cases and other topics that are expected to be lengthy.

Schedules are always subject to change but can be found on our website at www.Union-Township.oh.us. The meeting videos as well as our event calendars can be found there.

Trustees Joe Dills, Michael Logue, and I are accessible and approachable. That is also true of Fiscal Officer Ron Campbell, Administrator Susan Ayers, and our staff. 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.