Currently viewing the category: "Open City Hall"

June Open City Hall question – Home improvement: holding back or “all-in”?

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What will you be doing to beautify your property this year? Has the economy hampered your ability to improve your home and yard the way you would like? As the weather improves, home ownership can often mean painting, yard work, planting flowers or even adding additional landscaping or remodeling. With property often being a person’s most valuable asset, most agree it is important to keep it looking good. With the challenges brought on by the recent economy, there appears to be two prevailing trains of thought.

  • I need to cut back on the improvements we make around the house and yard. Maybe the economy will be better next year and I will return to my usual routine of “curb appeal.”
  • Or, with the economy the way it is, we will be spending more time at home this year. Therefore, let’s invest in our most important asset and enjoy our short “staycations” in improved surroundings. Do either of these sound familiar? What are your plans?  See what others are saying!

May Open City Hall Question: What is YOUR favorite place to eat?

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What is your favorite eatery, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, inside and/or outside of Montgomery?  What makes that your choice?  Studies show, people choose their favorite restaurant for a variety of reasons.

  • Price: It is a value for your money?
  • Location: It is convenient to work or home, parking is available?
  • Ambiance: The décor is pleasing, clean, low noise levels?
  • Quality: The food is fresh and well prepared?
  • Uniqueness: It is a specialty or ethnic restaurant?
  • Service Levels: The service is friendly, helpful and attentive?

Everyone has their favorite places to eat, what are yours?

April Open City Hall Question: How should Montgomery respond to HB3?

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Let Your Voice Be Heard! If Ohio’s estate tax is repealed (HB3), Montgomery may need to make some tough choices regarding the provision of services in the City. Over the past year, the City has budgeted conservatively in regards to the income received from the estate tax and local government fund. Last year, the estate tax and local government fund comprised $1.14 million of the City’s revenue. For 2010, the estate tax revenues were $1,070,186 and the Local Government Fund revenues were $284,531. Current State of Ohio legislation would eliminate or severely curtail these revenue streams. How should the City of Montgomery respond to the potential elimination of Ohio’s Estate Tax and Local Government Fund? How do you see this affecting you as a resident? Go to montgomeryohio.org, click on Open City Hall and see what your neighbors are saying and make your own comment.

What are some of the barriers to being a greener, healthier City?

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What are some of the barriers to being a greener, healthier City? What would increase your use of a non-motorized form of transportation (i.e., walking, bicycling, etc.) in the City of Montgomery? Citizens often express an interest in seeing Montgomery be a more health and environmentally conscious city. Residents also say they enjoy the size of the city and its available amenities. Many citizens desire Montgomery to be a “greener” place to live. Research says that 25 percent of all trips made in America are less than one mile. But, 75% of all trips under a mile are made by car. The case for non-motorized transportation is clear. It is:

  • good exercise
  • efficient
  • clean
  • inexpensive
  • uses no fossil fuels
  • requires little space

What are some of the barriers to being a greener, healthier City? What would increase your use of a non-motorized form of transportation (i.e., walking, bicycling, etc.) in the City of Montgomery?  Let your voice be heard!

Do you know of a “community star” that deserves recognition for the impact he or she has made locally?

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We all know someone we describe as generous or self-sacrificing.  Those that go out of their way to really make a difference in their community and for those whose lives they touch. Do you know of a “community star” that deserves recognition?

Shine the spotlight as a way to say thank you!

Weed control: self pride or government regs?

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Keeping Montgomery sidewalks weed free is a challenge. Is the answer more regulations accompanied with increased enforcement and fines or are there other solutions?

Routine sidewalk maintenance such as snow removal, edging and general clean up is the property owner’s responsibility as defined in City ordinances. Even so, the City routinely receives calls about unsightly weed growth in paver sidewalks.

Currently, the City’s only recourse is to cite property owners when weed growth in sidewalks exceeds a height of 6 inches. As weeds in sidewalks typically do not grow this tall, regulations on weed height have not had the desired result of weed-free sidewalks. As a community that prides itself on its walkability, paver sidewalks, and beautification, the weeds in paver sidewalks visibly detract from the Montgomery feel we all value.

What is the solution?

October’s Open City Hall Question – Have you visited the Farmers’ Market?

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Have you visited the Montgomery Farmers’ Market this summer? If so, what was your experience? In July of 2009, an Open City Hall question was asked to gauge interest in the concept of a Farmers’ Market in Montgomery. The response showed overwhelming support for such a market.

In January 2010, a dedicated group of Montgomery citizens came together to organize the first Farmers’ Market in Montgomery. In April, the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy Class of 2010 adopted the Farmers Market as a class project. The market has been held in the Heritage District on Saturday mornings since June 2010 and is scheduled to run through October 30. Go to montgomeryohio.org and click on the Open City Hall forum to see what residents are saying about the Farmers’ Market and post comments.

What do you have to say?