DLM unveils new ‘touch-pay’ technology July 25

The next generation of consumer convenience will arrive next week in Oakwood as Dorothy Lane Market unveils a touch-pay checkout system that allows customers to purchase merchandise using fingerprint recognition.

Starting July 25, Dorothy Lane Market customers can register fingerprints and leave their credit cards, cash and checks at home when shopping. The touch-pay checkout — dubbed Club DLM 2.U — links a customer’s fingerprint signature with their bank checking account information. Touch scanner pads have already been installed at DLM registers and the system is undergoing testing this week, according to Amy Brinkmoeller, management information systems director for DLM. The July 25 launch date, she noted, is contingent upon “if all goes well during the test phase.” 

“It’s just like writing a check,” added Brinkmoeller. “But if you’re shopping, you don’t need to bring anything with you. All you need is a fingerprint to pay for your
groceries.”

Utilizing software and databases marketed by Pay By Touch, a California-based firm, the technology pairs an individual’s fingerprint, checking account number and Club DLM membership into what Brinkmoeller terms an electronic ‘wallet.’ In addition to offering a new payment option, the technology also allows DLM to incorporate customer-specific discounts.

“This is really an upgrade of Club DLM,” she explained, referring to the Dorothy Lane Market registered shopper program. “It is a way that we can deliver personalized offers to customers each week. In your electronic ‘wallet’ will store your Club DLM card, your checking information and any offers we have for you.”  Brinkmoeller stressed that customers electing not to register a fingerprint will have access to the same discounts through their traditional Club DLM card. Shoppers can choose to be notified of specials via e-mail or access the information at in-store electronic kiosks. “There will be a pool of offers and the software will determine what are the most relevant discounts to a customer based on how they shop at Dorothy Lane Market,” Brinkmoeller said. “Instead of having to bring a coupon to the store the system will automatically put it into the transaction for you. But if people have concerns about the
fingerprint they can still take full benefit of all of the offers.”

Brinkmoeller allays such security concerns by noting that the touch pay scanner not only verifies 41 points on a fingerprint but also several physiological factors before approving a transaction. That transaction is then encrypted and sent to a secure server, Brinkmoeller said, with fingerprint and bank account information maintained in two distinct databases. “Fingerprint data is totally separate from all financial information. No one has access to both systems,” she remarked. In addition, “Pay By Touch is essentially a bank and they have to follow all the strict banking guidelines and privacy and data security compliances that a traditional bank adheres to,” Brinkmoeller said.

“I believe in the security of the system,” she continued, noting that up to 10 people have access to a traditional paper check by the time it is processed at a financial institution. “There are a lot fewer people with access to this system than a paper check.”

Customers can enter checking account information at the store or through the Dorothy Lane Market website, but a visit to one of the three DLM stores in Oakwood, Centerville or Springboro is necessary to complete enrollment. “To register a fingerprint customers will have to come in and use a scanner in the store,” explained Brinkmoeller. “We’ll have links on our website where you can begin enrollment and enter banking information and then just finish enrolling at the store with a finger scan. Or the entire process can be done at the store in a matter of a few minutes.”

Additional customers can be added to an electronic ‘wallet’ at any time, said Brinkmoeller, provided they are authorized users of the checking account.  

“It’s all about the individual customer,” Brinkmoeller concluded. “When we look at Oakwood, we see people out walking or riding bikes in the evening and think how convenient would it be to just stop at the store. You don’t have to have your wallet or credit card or checkbook with you to shop.”

City to acquire 3.1 acres for Houk Stream

The city of Oakwood is acquiring a 3.1 acre property adjacent to Houk Stream. The
purchase cost is $475,000. The property is located directly adjacent to the 8.6 acre natural area known as Houk Stream and Friendship Park. The purchase increases the existing public space by 36 percent.

The original Houk Stream property was given to the city of Oakwood in 1925 by the Houk Estate Company. In 1995, an adjacent 11.2 acre residential property was subdivided creating four new buildable lots. The lots are located in the city’s R-1 single family zoning district. The largest of the four lots is this 3.1 acre parcel. The property shares a 769’ long property line with the Houk Stream public land.

“Several weeks ago we were informed by members of our 2008 Centennial Committee that this property was for sale” said Mayor Judy Cook. “The committee
members are strongly recommending that the city acquire the property to enhance Oakwood’s important Houk Stream natural area while preserving green space”.

The city’s 2004 Comprehensive Plan includes as a stated objective that “Significant natural environmental features, such as topographic changes, streams and heavily wooded areas should be preserved and protected. These features add
greatly to the ambiance of the City. Through public policy and private cooperation, these significant environmental features should be preserved for future generations.”

Purchasing this property is clearly consistent with that stated goal. Over the next few months, city council will work with the 2008 Centennial Committee to develop a vision for using this land as a focus on Houk Stream and our other natural areas. City council will use the property acquisition as a significant part of the city’s upcoming Centennial Celebration.

Public Safety Volunteer meeting July 17

Do you have a few hours a week to spare? Do you have an interest in law enforcement or the local fire service? Have you ever wondered how you can help your local police and fire department?

Chief Alexander Bebris has unveiled a new civilian volunteer program for the Oakwood Safety Department. This new program will give persons interested in volunteering time and services to the city opportunities that will supplement and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Safety Department.

“Partnerships with the community are essential to provide the best possible services to the citizens of Oakwood,” said Chief Bebris. “We see this new civilian volunteer program as one more way to enhance our community-based strategies.
In their hearts, I think people want to do good things and to get involved. Maybe this
will be something that interests them and spurs them into action.”

Minimum requirements to be part of this program include: being at least 18 years of age, be free of any criminal convictions; be willing to volunteer a minimum of eight hours per month; and be motivated and enthusiastic.

If interested in becoming a Public Safety Volunteer, pick up a preliminary application at the front counter of the Public Safety Department (30 Park Avenue) and plan on attending an organizational meeting for the program on Tuesday, July 17
at 7 p.m.

Hollinger Tennis Club halves membership fees

The Hollinger Tennis Club has announced an offer of half-price memberships for new members. Effective July 15, which is mid-point in the 2007 season, new members may join for one-half regular membership fees. There are still many
activities scheduled for the 2007 season, which ends around November 1. Upcoming activities include a Member-Guest tournament and lunch on Saturday, July 21, the annual Men’s USTA Super-Seniors tournament on Thursday and Friday, July 26 and 27, and the annual Labor Day mixed doubles and brunch on Monday, Sept. 3.  

Hollinger Tennis Club is located at 201 Shafor Blvd. in Oakwood. For details on membership stop by the Club or contact the Club’s Membership Chairman, Bob Reece, 298-2536. More information about the Club’s activities is available by calling 299-2961 or on the Club’s website, www.hollingertennis.com.

Introducing Troop 320’s newest Eagle Scouts

Boy Scout Troop 320, chartered out of South Park United Methodist Church, is proud to announce the addition of two new Eagle Scouts to their ranks.  Nathan Tritt and Jason Hewer, both juniors at Oakwood High School, were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in an outdoor ceremony on May 20, 2007.  

The ceremony was held at their adjacent Eagle Scout Project sites in the Hills and Dales Metro Park at the corner of Oak Knoll Dr. and Patterson Blvd. in Oakwood.
Tritt’s project involved creating a path and removal of overgrown brush. Hewer’s project involved the installation of two trial head markers on the north side of Oak Knoll as well as the removal of overgrown brush along Patterson Blvd.

In order to accomplish these projects, both Scouts prepared an extensive project plan and acted as Project Leader in directing their respective work crews of fellow Scouts and volunteers.  Prior to the project, both Scouts earned over 21 merit badges each and held a variety of leadership positions within the troop.  

The rank of Eagle Scout is earned by approximately two percent of the registered one million Scouts nationwide.

Please come out and enjoy the benefits of their hard work and the treasure of Hills and Dales Park in your own backyard.  

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July 17, 2007
Volume 16, No. 29

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