By CECILIA FOX

Record Herald Writer

Courtesy of the Weekly Record Herald; Printed 2/3/2012

TIPP/MONROE - Members of the Tipp City Council, the Board of Education and the Monroe Township Trustees met Monday to discuss their plans for the new year ahead.

The quarterly tri-agency meeting gives local officials a chance to brief each other on current plans and projects, including road construction and school redistricting.

City Manager Jon Crusey presented an update on some of the current capital improvement plan projects, including the renovation and expansion of the fire and EMS station, the new water tower, and street reconstruction.

Several roads are slated for reconstruction this year, including Franklin Street and S. Third Street. Construction on Franklin is expected to begin this spring and be finished by August. It should not affect any school bus routes. The construction on Third Street will begin later this fall and is projected to finish by the end of this year or next spring.

“That probably will cause some issues for bussing and we’ll have to work with the school district on that,” Crusey said.

The new water tower remains under construction, and may not be fully operational until the end of this summer. Currently, the inner workings of the tower are being built. Painting is set to begin this spring.

“The next phase is, when that one’s filled, we’ll draw down the one behind Menards and that’ll be refurbished and repainted,” Crusey said.

That project is expected to begin next year.

Another upcoming construction project is the new Tipp City fire station. The city is currently working with an architect to come up with a design for the new station. Crusey said he expects to have design options and cost estimates prepared in two or three months. The fire department can also expect to receive a new 100 ft. ladder truck in 10 to 12 months. Council recently authorized the purchase of the new truck at $935,082.

Other updates from the city included the resurfacing of the tennis courts, the annexation of the Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, and plans for the construction of a bike path through Lesher Woods, which depends upon funding from the Department of Natural Resources. The city will also undertake the revision of the planning and zoning code, a 12 to 15 month process, according to Crusey.

“Updating your planning and zoning codes aren’t really sexy and don’t really bring out a lot of people, but we will do our best to get as much community involvement as we can,” Crusey said.

The current code was developed in the 1970s and ’80s and has not seen much revision since then.

Monroe Township Board of Trustees President Phil Cox discussed the board’s financial difficulties. According to Cox, they’ve seen a $90,000 reduction in their receipts, about 10 percent of their budget. There has also been a 40 percent increase in the costs to repair and repave roads.

“Things are getting a little tighter for us, probably for everybody else as well, so we’re certainly scrutinizing things more carefully than we have in the past,” said Cox.

Cox discussed the newly formed water and sewer district for the unincorporated part of the township. It was set up to meet the water needs of unincorporated residents. A board was created to oversee the district which will hold meetings on the second Monday of each month at 7 pm in the township meeting room.

“That board will be responsible for establishing their financing and contracting the water, and maybe down the road, sewer services,” said Cox.

Tipp City Schools Superintendent Dr. Kronour discussed with the other officials the proposed redistricting of the schools and reiterated the need for the levy in August. The redistricting, which would move kindergarten and first grade to Nevin Coppock and second and third grades to Broadway, is expected to save the district about $150,000 in personnel costs. There will be a meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb.6, at L.T. Ball Intermediate School open to anyone interested in the move.

Even with the cost savings of the redistricting, the school is still requesting a levy due to lower state funding. The levy will appear before the voters in August. The exact amount of the levy is unknown, but Kronour said he anticipates it will be approximately a 7 mil levy. If the levy fails in August, school officials will try again on the November ballot.

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This year our very own Carli Amlin Dean with RE/MAX Alliance Realty received the Community Service of the Year Award.  This award, first given in 2003, is given to a Realtor that is nominated to the DABR and then selected by a committee for giving back to their community.  What makes this award so special and coveted is that along with being honored in front of your peers you also receive $250 to give to a charity of the winner’s choice.

Carli is very active in the community and in the schools.  But those of you that know Carli…know that she is a co-founder of ClipShopShare.com and that this Coupon Ministry is close to her heart.  Carli will be donating the $250 she receives to ClipShopShare.com and will challenge this organization to stretch that money to purchase over $2,500 worth of household goods and groceries to be donated to area food banks and shelters.

We will continue to keep you posted on how far $250 can truly be stretched when shopping the sales and using coupons.  Part of the submission letter for Carli’s nomination is below.

REALTOR® Community Service Award - Carli Amlin Dean, a sales associate with RE/MAX Alliance, has been dedicated to community involved for many years. A graduate from Otterbein College in 1999, Carli received her real estate license in 2000. She has served on the Tipp City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Tipp Monroe Community Service Board of Trustees, including being president from 2008-2010 and currently serves on the DreamBuilders Board of Directors at Ginghamsburg Church. Carli’s outreach to the community also extends to helping families in need. She has organized clothing/gift drives for a family of six that was devastated by a fire and another individual who had a severe motorcycle accident.

 About Carli

Carli joined the family Amlin Advantage business over 13 years ago after graduating from Otterbein College with a BA in Organizational Communications, Speech Communications and a minor in Business.  Their family business started in 1983 with her mother Sue Amlin, RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement and Chairman Club member.  Carli is a licensed Realtor, Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and is an advocate of continuing education.  As well as working with listing and buyer clients, Carli additionally works with the marketing of the team, online networking at Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn and MORE, and is the closing coordinator.  Her team offers outstanding market knowledge, unmatched experience and customer focused service & personal attention.

Location:Tipp City Government Center

Storck, R. Bruce 50 of Tipp City passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday January 28, 2012. Born June 19, 1961 in Troy, Ohio to Robert and Betty (Lochtefeld) Storck. He is preceded in death by his father. Surviving are his mother, brother; Bill and his wife Sherry Storck, sister; Brenda Storck and daughter; Brianna all of Tipp City, as well as nephews; Scott and Brad Storck and niece; Megan Storck. Bruce was a 1979 graduate of Tippecanoe High School, owner of Storck Heating and Cooling and a former member of the Sons of the American Legion, Tipp City. Memorial Service will be held at Noon on Saturday February 4, 2012 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Tipp City, Father R. Mark Sherlock officiating. Visitation 10:30 until time of service at Noon at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to FRINGS AND BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME 327 W. Main St. Tipp City, Ohio 45371. Contributions may be made in memory of Bruce to the Miami County Animal Shelter 1110 N. County Rd. 25A Troy, Ohio 45373.

Massie, Sarah G. 76 of Tipp City passed away Saturday January 28, 2012 at Hospice of Dayton. Born July 25, 1935 in Lunda, Ohio to Loring and Hazel {Flax} Thompson who preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband and love of her life for 57 years; Russell Alfred Massie, Tipp City, 3 sons; Randall Lee and his wife Carol Massie, Hillsboro, Ohio, James and his wife Barbara Massie, San Antonio, Texas, and Michael Alyn and his wife Sharon Massie, Casstown, Ohio along with 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Sarah was a woman of great faith in God. She invested her life in her family and in teaching children. She was beloved by her friends, for her compassionate heart for others. She was a nursery school teacher for many years at The Little Grey House Nursery Preschool in Tipp City. Sarah was also a long standing member of the Mid-County Church of Christ serving as the church’s Director of their “Thursday School” preschool program for 35 years. The family will receive friends at FRINGS AND BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME 327 W. Main St. Tipp City, Ohio 45371 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM on Friday February 3, 2012. Funeral service 10:30 AM Saturday February 4th at the funeral home, Pastor Ralph Royce officiating, burial to follow in Maple Hill Cemetery, Tipp City.

Perry, Betty Jane {Taylor} 94 of Tipp City passed away peacefully on Friday January 27, 2012 at Spring Meade Health Center, Tipp City. Born January 14, 1918 in Piqua, Ohio to the late George and Ruth {Athey} Taylor. She was also preceded in death by her husband; Howard Perry. She is survived by her 4 daughters; Kay and her husband Otto Kitzing, Peoria, AZ, Janet and her husband Steve Barno, Tipp City, OH, Karen and her husband Jerry Huntsberger, Tipp City, OH and Jane Taylor, Murrietta, CA. Also surviving are her sister; Marilou Howe, Tipp City and 12 grandchildren; Jamie, Michelle, Tadd and Tim Downs, Stephanie Precord, Kim Hagen, Carl and Kurt Huntsberger, Kristen and Eric Rice, Jennifer Morris and Tracy Harnish, as well as 14 great grandchildren. Betty was a 1936 graduate of Tippecanoe High School, a member of Tipp City United Methodist Church and an active member of the Tipp Historical Society, and had taught knitting to many, many students at community services. She was retired from Springhill Nurseries after working for 50 years as an office secretary. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday January 31, 2012 at the Tipp City United Methodist Church, corner of Main and Third St., Pastor Bonita Wood officiating, burial to follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation 2 to 6 PM on Monday January 30th at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to FRINGS AND BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME 327 W. Main St. Tipp City, Ohio 45371 www.fringsandbayliff.com

Sue Ann and Ron Re

The Tipp City Area Arts Council held their 2nd Annual Art Gala – Cocktails and the Arts on Saturday, Jan 28 at The Crystal Room in Troy, Ohio.

The night held many exciting moments.  Board member Evelyn Staub of Studio 14 presented a painting of the sculpture that resides outside the library to the Acquisitions Committee in honor of SueAnn and Ron Re, charter members of the Arts Council and unflagging supporters of the arts.  Keeping up a tradition that was started last year, the board purchased a book for the library and dedicated it to outgoing President Marilyn Richards.

Stan Evans and Adam Blake presented a $500.00 check to The Arts Council on behalf of The Ellen Cotterman Fund.

The silent auction and live auction raised close to $1700 dollars.  More than 135 guests danced to the tunes of disc jockey Scott Oglesbee.

Celebrity bartenders Mayor Dee Gillis, Kelley Andary and Ellen Waldron added to the fun.

The Arts Council board would like to thank the citizenry of Miami County for your continued support.

Pictured left to right: Pastor Jim Valekis, City Manager Jon Crusey, Chef Nick Hoover, Andrea Hoover (and children), Chamber Chairwoman Robin Schaffer and City Councilman Mike McDermott

Certified fitness trainer, Andrea Hoover opened her doors on Thursday morning receiving guests from City Council, the Downtown Tipp City Partnership and the Tipp City Area Chamber of Commerce. Instead of the  carpet and  taupe walls that used to sport the former office areas of Tipp Machine and Tool, guests found eye-opening colors along contagious energy from Andrea and several of her fitness instructors.

Tipp City’s newest business is called Fit2B.me, a fitness studio that features some unique options that include $5 drop-in cardio and $8 strength-training classes, personal trainer support, and even a class where you can learn ballroom dance! By far the most popular class at Fit2B.me are Zumba. Zumba for the uninitiated is a exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-”party”.

Two new additions to Tipp City fitness fans will be BootCamp (beginner and advanced) as well as BodyPump. Fit2B.me is the only location in the Miami Valley offering certified instruction in BodyPump!

On the Fit2B.me facebook page, Andrea shares exercise tips, motivational slides and recipes for health-eating.

Fit2B.me is located at 130 E. Broadway Ave. Tipp City, OH 45371 and you can check out their growing schedule of classes online.

The Director/Fundraiser will be responsible for implementing the fundraising efforts of the DTCP. The position will also have an emphasis on ongoing economic restructuring in downtown Tipp City.

Candidates should expect some administrative and promotional responsibilities. Skills necessary include successful fundraising experience, a passion for preservation, self-motivation and an ability to delegate work to a hands-on Board of Directors.

Interested applicants should apply to the Downtown Tipp City Partnership at info@dtcp.com or 12 S. Main Street, Tipp City, OH 45371. For more information, visit www.downtowntippcity.com or call 937-667-0883.

Pictured are Program Chairperson Hugh Hadden (left) and Scott Hoover.

Scott Hoover presented a PowerPoint presentation about the Shakers to the Tipp City Rotary Club at their January 18^th meeting.  He explained their origin and where they settled in the United States along with the impact they made in our country.  Pictured are Program Chairperson Hugh Hadden (left) and Scott Hoover.  The Tipp City Rotary Club meets each Wednesday in the basement of the Monroe Township building in historic downtown Tipp City.