Our “Excellent” rated school system is well known throughout the state has attracted new families to Tipp City for many years. It has also attracted some of the best administrators, teachers and staff in the entire region giving our children the best education possible.

Our schools have not only provided our children with the opportunity for a quality education; but also, with the opportunity to participate in numerous activities and programs. As an alumnus I am thankful for the past generations who made our school system a top priority in our community. I believe it is our responsibility to make sure that we continue to support our outstanding schools is why I am asking you to vote “YES” on the upcoming renewal levy.

Good schools don’t just happen, it takes an entire community nurturing, developing and supporting it. Vote Yes on November 8th.

Go Red Devils!

Matt Owen

Class of ’88

The majority of decision-making about school finance in Ohio rests in the hands of the voters at the local level. This levy means NO NEW TAXES. Though the Ohio legislature has cut $1.3 million dollars from their portion of our budget this year, our administrators have found creative ways to adjust so very little of the additional burden has been passed along to the local taxpayers.

These operating dollars account for 28% of our school budget and help us pay for the salaries of teachers and other employees, purchases of textbooks and technology, utilities and other day-to-day operating expenses. We hope you will join us in continuing to support our schools, just ranked “Excellent” by the State of Ohio for the sixth straight year. If you would like to contribute to the levy campaign, checks can be sent to Tipp City School Levy Campaign, Scot Clyne, treasurer, P.O. Box 381, Tipp City, OH 45371.

Great schools are the foundation of a great community. Join us on November 8 in voting YES for Tipp City Schools.

The Tipp City Board of Education

Carla Frame, President

Tom Merritt, Vice President

Scott Dixon

Kate Johnsen

Frank Maus

I would like to make some corrections that Mike said in this video. This video is nearly 21 minutes long so you know before you start. He initially states that this is a 0.25% for Capital Improvement Fund. This is a false statement it is 0.50% for the Capital Improvement Fund, which is 250% increase over previous budgeted amounts. Also a correct statement would be this would be a 0.25% tax increase. He does correct himself at the end of the video.

The City Council tried to increase revenue without the voters approval. This was proposed by the tax and spend council member George Lovett. Council made the decision not to do this. Mike does not remind everyone that this was voted on two previous times and it was defeated.

Mike is correct that no new roads would be made. It does provide $100,000 to by land to expand Kinna Drive in the future. If the city does not plan to build a new road why are they so much spending money for land? But he states that ‘It would not pay for one stitch of new equipment.’ In the ten year plan this tax increase would be provide money for new EMS equipment that they do not currently have. It would provide $200,000 for land just to throw our leaves and $200,00 for a brand new cold storage/garage we currently do not have to now. This is over half a million dollars of new stuff but he states not one stitch of new .

This tax increase would provide nearly $2 million for the parks and $1.2 million for administrative needs but less than a million dollars for EMS.

The Citizens for a Strong Tipp City wants everyone to think that if this tax increase fails we will no longer have EMS or fire department, or as Mike says their equipment might fail. This will not happen because the money is already there. Instead of paving roads and buying a new fire truck the city council chose to spend $1.8 million dollars on new electric and water meters. The city currently budgets well over a half of a million dollars to the capital improvement fund. This can always be increased but city council has chosen not to do it. They do not want to look at operating cost they just want more money. The City of Tipp City currently has over $3 million in a reserve fund, they could right a check for that fire truck right now but would rather force on the 40% of the tax payers that it would effect.

I do appreciate Mike thanking me for the time I spent with him on this CIP committee. We do not agree on this tax increase campaign, which is financed by big business and not by the citizens of Tipp City. We do agree Tipp City is a great place to live and I believe will be for years to come because the roads will get paved and the fire truck will still get bought even if this tax increase fails.

Apologize for the rambling.. Lots of thoughts going on…

The Citizens for a Strong Tipp City recent Ohio Campaign Finance Report reveals that the vast majority of their campaign contributions are from business that do business with the city and not the citizens of Tipp City.  These businesses have a direct interest in this tax increase so that they can continue to gain financially with the business they currently do and increased potential if this tax increase passes.  Less than one percent all money came from a citizen of Tipp City that is not a Tipp City Employee, Lawrence Reisser donated $50.00. One business from Tipp, Tipp Top Canning, donated $350.00.  Employees from Tipp City donated $1,150.00, this included donations from the city manager and two of the current city council members that voted for the tax increase.  Fire Chief Kessler was the biggest contributor of all Tipp City employees as he donated $500.00.

More interesting are the people that have not financially supported the Citizens for a Strong Tipp City.  No one on the Capital Improvement Committee except Lawrence Reisser has contributed to the Citizens for a Strong Tipp City.  The Co-Chairman of the Citizens for a Strong Tipp City have also not contributes any money but have contributed a lot of time.  It appears that Mr. McDermott’s business Bash Foo Social Media has donated space for ads on Tipp News and for the web site Tipp Tax.  These would be in-kind-donations that are required to be reported but may come with the next filing.  Council members Hale and Kessler who voted for the tax increase have not contributed either.  Waste Management which was reported by the Tipp Gazette as contributor was also not on the list.

It appears the Citizens for a Strong Tipp City may be a misleading name.  It appears that almost no contributions come from the citizens of Tipp City but from big business outside Tipp City that have their own financial interest in this tax increase.  One donation from a citizen is form from strong support from the citizens of Tipp City.  This tax increase will be voted on May 3^rd and if approved would increase the Capital Improvement Fund by 250% from previous budgeted levels.  This report was filed with the election board on 4/20/11 and signed by the treasurer Ronald Manis.  There was no filing from any group or committee that opposed this tax increase.

Tipp City Businesses

Tipp Top Canning                                                      $350.00

Total                                                                           $350.00

Business that do business with the City of Tipp City

Dayton Pool Management, Dayton                            $750.00

Choice One Engineering Corp, Sidney, Ohio                        $500.00

Gateway Center Development, Sidney, Ohio                        $300.00

DLZ Ohio, Columbus, Ohio                                       $500.00

Fifth Third Securities                                                 $1,000.00

John R. Jurgensen Company, Cincinnati Ohio          $500.00

Berry Logan Properties, Troy                                                $100.00

Total                                                                           $3,650.00

Employees of the City of Tipp City

Steve Kessler, Fire Chief                                           $500.00

Doloris Gillis, Mayor of Tipp City                            $50.00

Brad Vath, Assistant City Manager Tipp City          $75.00

George Lovett, Council Member                               $200.00

John Skolnicki, Tax Department Supervisor             $100.00

Scott Vagedes, City Engineer                                                $100.00

Jon Crusey, City Manager                                          $100.00

Christy Butera, City Employee                                  $30.00

Total                                                                           $1,155.00

Tipp City Citizens

Lawrence Reisser                                                       $50.00

Total                                                                           $50.00

Grand Total                                                                $5,205.00

Over time, the committee became convinced that while refurbishing the existing truck, or buying a younger, used model may save us in the short term, we would still have to replace it (again) in another 15 years while incurring the higher maintenance costs each year. What was strange about this research and committed look into the fire truck is that those currently opposing the tax levy on May 3rd have not challenged the recommendation. We, the  members of the committee challenged it, where are the detractors? Is it poor form to rally against a safety vehicle?

Read the rest of the story at TippTax.com

Never-seen-before topics such as new legislator orientation, housing, office space, and other nuts-and-bolts issues will be discussed and it should prove to be a fascinating look behind the scenes at the convening of the State’s General Assembly in Columbus.   This will not be an typical presentation.  Advance tickets are $15.00 and covers an all-you-can eat breakfast  buffet prior to the presentation.  Tickets can be bought at the door, but seating may be limited by then.  The event starts at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast, and Senator Beagle will make his presentation at 8:30.

The event is part of a speakers series sponsored by the Miami County Republican Men’s Club.  For more information call 937/264-1122, or e-mail the Miami County GOP Men’s club Officers, who addresses can be obtained from the Miami County GOP Web-site at www.miamicountygop.org

Bill Beagle’s success in the campaign was followed by his lucky draw for office space (and parking) on the first floor. You can visit Senator Beagle’s office by entering the Statehouse from the Third Street entrance, climbing the 1 flight of stairs and directing yourself to office# 132 which will serve as his Columbus home base for the next 4 years. And now that Beagle is receiving mail at the Statehouse possibly his home office desk will become uncluttered from the hundreds of communications he has been receiving each week from constituents and business interests.

Joining Bill for the swearing in ceremony was his wife Karen and their three children, Morgan, Ryan and Lauren. TippNews DAILY wishes Senator Beagle all the best as works diligently to support the interests of our District.

Here is a video feed from the Senate Floor. You will see Senator Beagle enter the Senate chamber near the beginning, however his swearing in does not occur until about 19:50 minutes into the feed. We were not able to pull down an audio feed of the proceedings.

You can also check out coverage of all of the legislative swearing in Columbus at the Dayton Daily News

If you have been following this race, you shouldn’t be surprised by our pick for Miami County Treasurer. Yes, while the (D) after Dave’s name may have some doing a double-take, the key component to this race for me is dedication to one’s post. David is running against Pat Quillen (R) from Troy. She was appointed to this position in 2009 by fellow republicans to complete the term. Understanding that the position may not be permanent with a race for the office in 2010, Quillen continues her day job of school bus driver in Troy.

Dedicated and on Message

David Mihalyo has been running from day one on a message of full-time dedication to the office. While on the Get Social Radio show earlier this month, David shared that if you are going to earn full-time dollars (~60,000/year) you need to work full-time hours and be available to the citizens of Miami County. I like the idea of our County officials burning the midnight oil to solve problems and build smart solutions to the financial morass we find ourselves in. I am also not a huge fan of putting in the minimum requirement either. If you are going to do something, do it with your whole heart and soul.

It’s about Community

For those who may not have been following this particular race, you probably however follow Our threads of community awareness and dedication to local businesses. TippNews DAILY is fiercely aware of the economic challenges both today and what is ahead for our region in the future. I feel that David Mihalyo, with his dedication to Tipp/Monroe Community Services demonstrates the type of support for our community that our public servants should have. Straight-shooting guys like David Mihalyo that are both dedicated to our community and the needs of small businesses deserve a shot at this office. That is why TippNews DAILY is throwing our hat into his ring.

Remember to go out and vote on Tuesday, November 2nd!

Mike McDermott
Editor – TippNews DAILY

Bill Beagle (R)

Covering the news here in Tipp City, Ohio provides me with a very unique observation point to listen to how others present themselves. Some politicians have a unique walk, others a handshake you can remember them by. I have found that Bill Beagle has an honest ear. While this may not be as flashy and “Hollywood” as a whitened smile or a distinctive laugh, Bill Beagle earns trust from others with his honest ear.

No Lip Service

Have you noticed that most politicians wag their tongue more than they listen to your concerns? In fact sometimes you can share your concerns with them and they change the subject to something that interests them!

So what happens? You walk away feeling that your elected official was just paying you lip service. They were available to you, but not listening.

Bill Listens

With Bill Beagle being a Tipp City native, I have had the opportunity to interview him numerous times. One thing that I always take away from an interview with Bill is that he is a careful and thoughtful listener, never interrupting, and always making sure he understands the question. Now, juxtapose how Bill interviews against other political figures, where the politician is speaking nearly all the time, possibly because they find their own silky voice preferable to all others. Not so with Bill Beagle, he truly works to capture your thoughts and then distill his response.

We Need a Change

While it doesn’t take much careful analysis to see that the Miami Valley is in great need of a turn-around, I guess you have to then ask yourself who is best suited for the job. I have listened to Fred Strahorn (D) speak, interviewed him and even “talked-shop” with him about small business concerns. Fred is a good speaker and definitely a guy you could sit down and have a beer with. But there is one, very important facet of his plan for recovery that scares me greatly.

Reliance on Stimulus

Bill Beagle (R) challenges Fred Strahorn (D) for the 5th District Senate seat, and Bill’s recovery plan is based on encouraging and stimulating local businesses to grow, education and research facilities to develop new things, and restructuring programs that drain the State’s ability to recover by making them more efficient.

Fred’s recovery plan really hinges on a constant and growing stream of Federal stimulus funds to be spent in our area. The 3C Rail is just one example of how Fred is going to rely on President Obama and Congress to send huge “one-time” money to the Dayton region. Governor Strickland lobbied Washington, DC 5 times in the past year to obtain bail-out and stimulus dollars.

Our Endorsement

TippNews DAILY is a small business, dedicated to the community it serves. Our advertisers offset the growing expenses of delivering news to you every day. So while Bill Beagle lacks the endorsement of a mega-media corporation with handsome mahogany conference tables, it does have the honest and whole-hearted support of many small businesses just like TippNews DAILY.

On Tuesday, November 2nd please consider voting for candidates that believe in small businesses. Ohio’s growth will come from the ground up, small business owners who are more confident in spending money, hiring employees and growing their business.

See you at the polls!

Mike McDermott
Editor – TippNews DAILY