School leaders announced $2.5 million of additional cuts that would be implemented if the levy failed which included reducing elementary art, music and physical education classes by half, decreasing the number of middle school and high school electives offered cutting education assistant positions and 3.5 more administrative positions, eliminating a total of 25 additional staff positions.

While school officials grapple with making additional cuts, some are questioning why the district is still holding on to 89 acres of land worth $1.9 million that they originally bought for a middle school. Those plans changed when the district decided to build both a middle school and elementary school together on other land the district owns. The original land is currently unoccupied.

City officials have begun a soft spoken campaign highlighting the financial challenges the city faces in the future in an effort to educate the public and shape opinion. In the past few months City Manager Mike Cornell and many Council members have taken time out to remind viewers of these challenges during televised City Council meetings.

Behind the scenes work has continued on laying the groudwork for a city income tax in Beavercreek. Discussions of a city income tax rarely occur during televised meetings of City Council but do occur during un-televised work sessions and sometimes in joint meetings with Beavercreek Township who include these discussions in their minutes. In contrast, the topic is often left off the city’s minutes for the same meeting.

One of the major arguments that is always brought up by the opposition has been that the cost of implementing the tax would erase much of the revenue. This is based on the city using the company RITA (Regional Income Tax Agency) which specializes in collecity city income tax. In an effort to eliminate this argument, people are exploring having Vandalia administer Beavercreek’s city income tax to reduce the overall cost.

So why do they have to work behind the scenes you may ask. Well, unlike other city governments, Beavercreek City Council can’t just vote in a city income tax. They are prevented from doing so by an amendment to the City Charter passed by voters back in the 1990’s. They can, however, put a measure for a city income tax on the ballot, letting the people vote on it. But the last time this was attempted back in 2007 it produced a public outcry against such a measure and led to a unanimous vote against it by City Council.

But that was then and this is now. A lot of things have changed. Now there are two current members of City Council who were very active in the group that was pushing for a city income tax back in 2007, Zach Upton and Deborah Wallace. Mayor Giambrone and Council member Jarvis have also taken time out during recent meetings to highlight the financial challenges the city faces. Add those up and you already have enough council members to get the measure on the ballot for voters. Voters should be prepared to see a measure on the ballot in November unless there’s also a school levy on the ballot.

The new Soin Medical Center held an open house event on February 19th, 2012. According to a source at the hospital, over 4,500 people came out to see the new hospital. These are some photos taken during one of the tours.

The Creation Wall greets visitors as they approach the elevator. On the wall are various depictions of creation. Photo © Craig Barhorst

Hospital workers greet guests and answer questions during the hospital’s open house event Feburary 19, 2012. Photo © Craig Barhorst

One of the spacious hospital rooms on the maternity floor. Photo © Craig Barhorst

Hallway showing the contemporary style of the hospital. Photo © Craig Barhorst

Another view of one of the rooms. Photo © Craig Barhorst

One of the modern operating rooms featuring adjustable diode lights, tv screens and equipment all suspended by booms attached to the ceiling. Photo © Craig Barhorst

One of rooms in the emergency room. These rooms or bays are enclosed behind sliding glass doors. Photo © Craig Barhorst

During efforts to promote the Fall levy, school officials said it would allow continued funding of the schools at current levels for a period of three years. After it’s failure, the district made extensive cuts to staff. Now, four months later, school officials are using the same three year funding argument for passage of the March levy. Some are asking the question that if passage of the Fall levy would have sustained the schools for another three years, then why won’t the jobs return if it passes five months later.

Some items the store sells includes rugs, lamps, accent Furniture, picture frames, tableware, table lines, kitchen accessories including cookware and bakeware, small kitchen appliances and bath items. The store alos carries home office furniture, accessoreis, stationery, and books.

The impact took out the entire middle of the wall, leaving only the words “Beavercreek Governme” remaining and piles of rubble. The accident also knocked out power to the street lamps over the parking lot at the post office for over a week.

A witness at the scene said that the van’s engine was still running when she approached and the driver was dazed, complained of stomach cramping and said he thought he blacked out while driving. The driver was sent to the hospital. The driver of the van has not been cited at this time due to a possible medical condition. The wall is now draped in caution tape that reads “Police Line Do Not Cross”.

The City of Beavercreek is holding an open house public meeting for the proposed construction of a pedestrian bridge spanning I-675 near Wright State University and the Mall at Fairfield Commons. The meeting is being held Tuesday, February 28, 2012 from 6-8 pm at the City of Beavercreek Council Chambers, 1368 Research Park Drive.

An artist rendering of how the new pedestrian and cyclist bridge may look spanning I-675.

Attendees will be able to view displays of the proposed bridge and other project details. No formal presentation will be given at the meeting but representatives from the City, ODOT and consultant staff will be available to answer questions.

Those attending are encouraged to provide input regarding the project. This proposed pedestrian bridge over Interstate 675 would connect the existing multi-use path at Commons Boulevard south of the interstate to pedestrian facilities along Center Park Boulevard north of the interstate.

Comments may be submitted in writing during the meeting or later mailed to Mr. Jeff Moorman, City Engineer, Beavercreek City Hall, 1368 Research Park Drive, Beavercreek, Ohio 45432.

“These cuts will have a significant impact on the quality of our educational programs, but we have no other choice,” said Al Nels, president of the Beavercreek Board of Education. “We must address the district’s budget deficit, and have very few tools at our disposal to do so.”

School officials are already in the process of making $13 million in cuts, and have eliminated more than 60 staff positions to date, including 26 teaching positions, 25.25 support staff, 5.5 administrative positions, 6 bus drivers, 25 intervention tutor positions that allowed the district to offer one-on-one instruction to struggling elementary and middle school students. Transportation for all high school students and middle schoolers living within two miles of their school buildings was also cut.