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Many citizens have probably read about the study conducted by Montgomery County regarding public safety (police, fire and emergency medical services) dispatching. In addition to some newspaper articles, citizens may have also read some letters to the editor. The printed information has led some citizens to believe that the city of Oakwood has already made a decision to close its city dispatch center. No such decision has been made. In an effort to clarify the situation, here are some important facts:
The idea of establishing a county-wide public safety dispatch center was first studied and discussed in the early 1980’s. We have many jurisdictions providing similar service and some people believed that services could be enhanced and the cumulative cost of those services could drop dramatically if they were consolidated. The issue was discussed off and on since the early 1980’s, but no significant action has been taken. We presently have 17 separate dispatch centers within Montgomery County.
Approximately three years ago, state legislators in Columbus suggested that the state might eliminate or significantly reduce the amount of local government funding that has historically been provided in the state budget. The loss of this funding would have been devastating to many communities and resulted in extensive discussions among local government officials in the Miami Valley area. Even though most of the state funding was retained, legislators in Columbus told local government officials that they must find ways to become more cost efficient and that they cannot continue to rely on the state funding.
At the encouragement of the Greater Dayton Mayors & Managers Association, an organization representing 31 political jurisdictions, Montgomery County hired a consultant to conduct another dispatch consolidation study. Along with the other 16 jurisdictions, Oakwood supplied statistics and other information used by the consultants in compiling their report. The study report was completed and distributed about two months ago. The report shows that there are some significant benefits to establishing and operating a county-wide public safety dispatch center. Some benefits deal with service issues in particular when responding to major events. Most of the 17 dispatch centers only have one or two dispatchers on duty at any given time. During major police, fire or emergency medical events, like those associated with a major natural disaster (e.g., tornado), there are significant benefits to having a team of dispatchers working together in a central office. The report also clearly states that each of the 17 political jurisdictions will need to conduct their own analysis to determine whether joining a county-wide dispatch center is appropriate for their community.
At the direction of Oakwood City Council, city staff is currently in the process of conducting this analysis.
The decision about making a significant change to how we conduct dispatch operations is a major policy issue impacting the budget, service delivery to the community and existing city personnel and is therefore the responsibility of Oakwood City Council.
Mayor Judy Cook stated publicly at the December 18 council meeting, that Oakwood City Council will not make a decision on this matter until: 1) they receive a detailed analysis and recommendation from staff; 2) they receive input and a recommendation from the 37-member citizen Budget Review Committee; and 3) they conduct at least one public hearing where all citizens may express their opinion on the issue. None of the three items above have yet been completed.
Mayor Cook also stated at the December 18 public meeting that Oakwood City Council will not direct any change in how the city conducts dispatch operations unless it is convinced that the change will be in the best interest of the community - from a service standpoint and also from a cost/benefit standpoint.
City Council is scheduled to receive a public report from staff at the January 8, 2007 council meeting. That meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and will take place at the Oakwood City Building, 30 Park Avenue. All citizens are invited to attend.
If citizens have any questions about this issue, they should contact Public Safety Director Alex Bebris at 298-2122 or (bebris@oakwood.oh.us) or me at 298-0600 or (klopsch@oakwood.oh.us)
Norbert S. Klopsch
City Manager
It is never too early to introduce your child to books. Wright Library is offering a winter session of Toddler Storytime, an eight-week program for two year olds and their caregivers.
Children and adults will have fun listening to stories and participating in simple games led by children’s librarian Mrs. Rose. Each program lasts about thirty minutes and takes place in the Library’s Children’s Room.
Registration begins on Monday, December 18. Patrons can register in person or by calling the Children’sRoom at 294-7171. Please register for either the Tuesday or the Thursday time slot.
The Session dates are:
Tuesdays, January 2 – February 20, 2007, at 10:15 a.m.
or Thursdays, January 4 – February 22, 2007 at 10:15 a.m.
Galleries & Museums
4400 Shakertown Rd., Dayton 320-5405
Thru Jan 3 - Creches International. Over 36 Christmas settings from around the world. 320-5405
2600 DeWeese Pkwy., Dayton 275-7431
The Apollo Observatory is open to the public every clear Friday evening from 8 – 11 pm. The telescope housed in the Observatory is a 50 cm Dall-Kirkham Telescope. For additional information call the Director of Astronomu, 275-7431, ext. 122.
10100 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati 513-891-5531
Thru Dec - John Stobart's oil on canvas "Maritime Heritage Prints". Also, Jack Meanwell: Private exhibitionof his life works. Portion of sales benefit Cincinnati May Festival.
458 Belmonte Park North, Dayton 228-5277
Thru Feb 2007 - Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art: Treasure from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Also thru Jan 1 - The Chirstmas Story: Creches from the University of Dayton Marian Library.
Lower level of Dayton Art Institute, 458 Belmonte Park North, Dayton 223-5277
Dutch Treat: Rembrandt and Friends, a hands-on exhibit allows children to dress up in Baroque-style clothing paint self-portait.
1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton 293-2841
Carillon Park houses 24 buildings that contain artifacts that have been preserved to tell the story of Dayton's history. Carillon Historical Park, Montgomery County Historical Society, Patterson Homestead and the Archive Center have consolidated their efforts to present the history of Dayton.
208 W. Monument Ave., Dayton 227-3223
The restored Victorian Mansion in downtown Dayton features a Fair Trade Gift store and exhibits inspiring peace: United Nations Exhibit, Golden Rule Room, Nobel Peace Prize Winners, Children's Peace Activities Room, Dayton Means Peace Room, Peace Library, Gran Corazon/Great Heart", "Little Boy/Fat Man" visual art exhibit, "Little Boy" play on video.
DAYTON VISUAL ARTS CENTER (DVAC)
118 N. Jefferson St., Dayton 224-3822
Thru Dec 30 – ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery
SINCLAIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE ART GALLERIES
444 W. Third St., Dayton 512-5381
Burnell Roberts Triangle Gallery: Off Campus Senior Artist Exhibition.
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERIES
A132 Creative Arts Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Fairborn
Thru Jan 7 – Albert Kresch, recently exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, 50 years Kresch has searched for a seamless resolution of the paradox between structure and freedom in painting.
Events
Winter Wonderful 9 am - 9 pm, daily thru Dec 26 Activities for the whole family – Wonderland Windows, free holiday entertainment, Some Fun at the Schuster Center, and The Tike's Shop. Schuster Center, One W. Second St. 228-7591
Nutcracker 7:30 pm Dayton Ballet presents this annual classic danced to the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky. Schuster Center, One W. Second St. downtown Dayton, 449-5060
Nutcracker 7:30 pm See 12/21 Thur
Winter Solstice Sleepover 6 pm Sun Watch Indian Village, 2301 W. River Rd. 268-8199
Copying Beethoven & The History Boys - Call for times. Both films open at the Neon Movies, 130 E Fifth St., downtown Dayton. 222-7469
Nutcracker 2:30 & 7:30 pm See 12/21 Thur
Winter Solstice Sleepover Sun Watch Indian Village, 2301 W. River Rd. 268-8199
"David Leaf and John Scheinfeld struggled for over 15 years to produce this documentary, and it's emergence in the year 2006 is a testament to the film's timeliness. THE U.S. VS. JOHN LENNON focuses on a part of the music icon's life that is often overlooked: his politicization both during and after the Vietnam War. Towards the end of the Beatles' career, Lennon began taking the band in a new direction, using their popularity to circulate a message of peace in songs such as "Revolution." He became even more involved after the band broke up, and the film traces his growing awareness and dissent through both archival footage--much of which had lain forgotten in vaults for decades--and interviews with those close to him. This leads to the titular case, in which the U.S. government, which had already been monitoring his actions for some time, attempted to deport the star for fear of the threat he posed to the nation." (taken from www.rottentomatoes.com)
"Shut Up And Sing travels with the Dixie Chicks, from the peak of their popularity as the national-anthem-singing darlings of country music and top-selling female recording artists of all time, through the now infamous anti-Bush comment made by the group’s lead singer Natalie Maines in 2003. The film follows the lives and careers of the Dixie Chicks over a period of three years during which they were under political attack and received death threats, while continuing to live their lives, have children, and of course make music. The film ultimately presents who the Dixie Chicks are as women, public figures, and musicians." (taken from www.movies.aol.com) One amazing thing about this documentary is that it never demonizes the Country music audience or the radio stations that boycotted the Dixie Chicks. The piece allows the audience to decide how to feel about the Chicks...
"Mockumentary mastermind Christopher Guest turns his satirical eye away from dog shows, small-town theater, and folk music to offer a hilarious take on Hollywood award season in this comedy focusing on trio of actors whose lives are turned upside down when they discover that their performances in an independent film are generating a sizable buzz in the entertainment industry..." (taken from www.starpulse.com)
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