Miami Township Monthly
October 2018
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Making Crains Run Road New Again
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A collaboration between Miami Township, the city of Miamisburg and the Austin Center Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) is working to control the traffic flow around Crains Run Road, a long time sore spot with residents who live nearby. It is the city of Miamisburg that has the authority to change speed limits. As a result, The Board of Trustees and the Austin Center JEDD have both passed resolutions requesting that the city consider and vote on reducing the speed limit along three key roads and establish a ‘no thru trucks zone’.
Speed limits along Crains Run, Medlar and Shephard roads would be reduced to 35 mph and commercial truck traffic would be prohibited. Trustees say this is only the first move to assist residents.
“We’ve heard the complaints from residents in that area for a long time and it’s time to take action,” Trustee President John Morris said. “The police department has already increased patrols in the area. Reducing the speed limit and restricting truck traffic will make it safer for residents who live along those roads and motorists who travel them, and it will also cut down on damage to the roads.”
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Crains Run Road is a bumpy ride. Damage to the pavement is evident. The Public Works Department is working now secure the proper funding to start an extensive repair project. Budget projections for 2019 include $255,000 for repair.
“The current plan is to submit the roadway resurfacing in the 2019 Road & Bridge draft budget for board consideration. The resurfacing project will then be bid through the Montgomery County Engineer’s pavement program and will include roadway milling, deep base repairs and a two-inch asphalt overlay. Resurfacing should be completed by the summer of 2019 and dependent on the contractor’s schedule. Other roadway drainage issues will be completed by Miami Township staff,” Public Works Director Dan Mayberry said.
In the same resolution, trustees and the Austin Center JEDD are also asking the Miamisburg City Council to consider and vote on a 25-mph speed limit throughout the Austin Landing development to compliment the recent agreement to put up a traffic light at Landing Way and Liverpool Lane between Kroger and Kohl’s.
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At Your Service - Police Beat
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Police Capt. Russ Johnson retires from service
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Captain Russ Johnson made his retirement official in September.
He is a 40-year veteran of law enforcement, having served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol before coming to the township four years ago.
Staff shared stories about Johnson during a special retirement party. The common thread in each was his stellar leadership, respectful nature and fairness to all.
The Board of Trustees also honored Johnson with a proclamation.
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New police captain sworn-in
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As Capt. Johnson retires, the township welcomes new to the ranks, Professional Standards Captain Charles Stiegelmeyer.
He was ceremoniously sworn-in to office in late September. Capt. Stiegelmeyer comes to the township with 36 years of professional service having served most recently as the city of Powell's chief of police and as a special agent supervisor for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He holds a master's degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Cincinnati.
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#CanstructionDay a Success
30,000 cans to be donated to The Foodbank
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Have you stopped by the
Dayton Mall
yet to see the Canstruction sculptures? They are on display through Oct. 7 outside Macy's. You have until Oct. 4 to vote for your favorite on the
Canstruction Facebook page
. The 11 sculptures made out of canned goods will be judged in several categories:
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- Structural Design
- Best Meal
- Best Use of Labels
- Best Original Design
- Most Cans
- People's Choice - Your vote counts!
Every single can goes to
The Foodbank
who will distribute them to people in need in the Miami Valley.
Remember to bring along a few cans of your own to donate while you are looking at the can sculptures. Just look for The Foodbank barrels inside the mall.
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Meet Your Neighbors
The Rathwegs
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Walk past the Rathweg house in Vienna Parkway and the first thing you might notice is the tidy landscaping, but then something else might catch your eye. Sitting next to the mailbox is a small, colorful rock garden. This Kindness Rock Project is a hand-painted nursery sprouting positive messages to all who stop to look.
The garden is meticulously grown by the Rathweg sisters, Caitlyn, 14; Nora, 12; and Josie, 9. The sign in their garden reads, “The Kindness Project: Spreading kindness one rock at a time – take one, leave one.” They learned early on what it takes to make a garden grow, no matter what you plant.
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"I just like the idea of it, like spreading kindness. If I see something that motivates, I think about how to express that on a rock,” Caitlyn said.
“We’re trying to share that it doesn’t matter what it looks like, it just matters what you feel,” Josie said.
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At first, the sisters anxiously waited for walkers to take a rock. Young Josie would run to the window to see whether a passerby would stop. But as time went by and there seemed to be few takers, they realized their garden means something more.
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“It’s not really about whether people are picking them up. It’s more about the three of us hanging out,” Caitlyn said.
And, that is music to their mother’s ears. Courtney Rathweg’s sister started the girls painting during a family trip to New Jersey. She brought the idea home to Miami Township as a bonding experience for her family.
“One will start doing it, then the other one sees them doing it and she’ll sit down and start painting, and then the other, and the next thing you know, the three of them are sitting there painting rocks, chatting with one another,” Courtney said.
Courtney started the girls painting with a bag of store-bought river rocks that cost about $10. Now, they pick up rocks everywhere they go. Add in another $4 for brushes, $11 for paint and there you go!
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The girls use their painting time to relax after a long day at school and other activities. They first consider the shape of the rock to determine what it will become. Among Caitlyn’s favorites is a rock that reads, “Shine bright”. Nora is the artist of the family who likes to use bright colors. Among her favorites is a rock she painted to resemble a Polaroid camera. And, Josie likes to create rock animals. She loves her three little pigs but has a soft spot for the first rock she ever painted, a slice of pizza.
Should you ever pass by the Rathweg rock garden, take one with you and someday return the favor. And, don’t forget to check if Josie is watching from the window while you’re there.
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Introduce Your Neighbor - Email Us!
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Name: John Schweickart
Job Title: Fleet Maintenance Mechanic
Years of Township service: 12 years
Most days you will find John Schweickart working on Miami Township vehicles, everything from pickup trucks to snow plows. He is ASE certified and has been working as a fleet maintenance mechanic for 12 years. In fact, he met his wife, Danielle, a township police detective, more than eight years ago when she took her cruiser into the shop for repair.
“She brought it in to have a tire changed and we started chatting and hit it off, and the rest is history, all because of a nail in a tire,” Schweickart said.
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The West Carrollton native’s passion right now is football. Schweickart is currently training to play in a charity game hosted by
Alumni Football USA
, between longtime rivals Miamisburg and West Carrollton. The school districts pay nothing to play, and Alumni Football USA supplies all the football equipment. The athletes aren’t students, they are alumni, most of which haven’t played full-contact football in a while. And, for the West Carrollton players, many have never won a game against Miamisburg.
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“I’ve been working out twice a day, cardio in the morning and weights in the afternoon. I already lift weights all the time. The game is just motivating me to get in even better shape,” Schweickart said. “The West Carrollton team is taking this very seriously. We practice every weekend. We want to win. We want to bring recognition back to West Carrollton.”
Schweickart played football in middle school before switching from a football field to a baseball diamond. But, when he talks about the opportunity to play for charity, he can barely contain his excitement and hopes the community will feel the same.
“I’m absolutely ready. I’m so pumped. In fact, all the guys keep telling me I need to tone it down a little bit. I’m a man possessed. I’m ready to put a helmet on and go hit somebody!”
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Even though the game should settle the old rivalry, the ultimate purpose is to raise money to benefit both school districts. The school districts and Alumni Football USA split the ticket sales. Concessions all go to the schools. T-shirt sales will raise money to help West Carrollton’s current quarterback, Tristin Dillon, get to the HS All-Star game in Dallas. And, a 50/50 raffle on game day will benefit the West Carrollton pee wee football program.
“I really want to bring recognition to West Carrollton sports and I also want to show people, my friends, my family, my son, that if you work really hard for something, then your noise is going to be your success.”
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The Alumni Football USA game between Miamisburg and West Carrollton is set for Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, at West Carrollton High School’s stadium, 5833 Stadium Street. The game begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Miamisburg and West Carrollton high schools, or from one of the 75 players participating.
Visit Alumni Football USA online
for more information.
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At Your Service
Trick or Treat - Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
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Ghosts and goblins will soon be ringing your doorbell looking for a treat! Trick or Treating in Miami Township is scheduled on Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 6 - 8 p.m. It is never too early to prepare! The
American Academy of Pediatrics
, along with the
National Safety Council
, have compiled a list of safety tips to help keep everyone safe:
- A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds
- If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you
- Agree on a specific time children should return home
- Teach your children to never enter a stranger's home or car
- Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends
- Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home
- All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant
- Avoid masks, which can obstruct vision
- If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks
- When buying Halloween makeup, make sure it is nontoxic and always test it in a small area first
- Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation
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Austin Landing
- Oct. 24 - Pumpkin Party, 3 - 7 p.m. (Rain date Oct. 25): Internationally known pumpkin carvers create beautiful works of art out of pumpkins, some as big as 500 pounds!
- Oct. 28 - Trick or Treat, 3 - 5 p.m.: Participating stores and restaurants will be handing out treats to all the ghosts and goblins.
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Dayton Mall
- Canstruction sculptures will be on display through Oct. 7. The canned creations will be dismantled and donated to The Foodbank on Oct. 8.
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- The Miami Township Gov't. Center is closed Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, for Columbus Day. Offices re-open Tuesday, Oct. 9, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Remember: You can now view township expenses at OhioCheckbook.com. Here's a short video to help get you started:
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- ICYMI: The Miami Township Police Department and the Miami Valley Fire District are asking voters to keep services strong. Each is asking voters to pass a renewal levy on Election Day, November 6. The police department is asking for renewal of a 5.25 mill levy while the fire district is asking for the renewal of 3.50 mills.
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Thunderstorm brought down a tree at the administration building September 5.
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Trustee President John Morris presents Berman Layer, a long time trustee, with a special proclamation on his 95th birthday and 74th wedding anniversary.
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Welcome to Miami Township, Nothing Bundt Cakes! Rep. Niraj Antani joins Trustee President John Morris, bakery owners and employees for an official grand opening and ribbon cutting.
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Bees taking advantage of a sunny day in September.
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Congratulations on 75 years of marriage to Berman and Vi Layer! Their church, Parkview Methodist, held a special reception in their honor.
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Trustee President John Morris presents a special proclamation to Nothing Bundt Cakes owners at their grand opening.
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Sgt. Jason Etter talks with the media about the ALICE Training Institute hosted by the MTPD.
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Law enforcers from around the country participate in the ALICE Training Institute hosted by the MTPD.
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