Category Archives: Xenia

What is the City of Xenia Home Repair Program?

Posted on April 20, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Now that spring has sprung in Xenia. Homeowners are beginning to think about repairing the home. The current dilemma is money. Not that money isn’t always an issue, but many pocket books are experiencing the effects of the economic recession. The most affected are likely to be the low- and moderate income homeowners. Those who are may find some financial assistance in Xenia’s Home Repair Program.

The Home Repair Program is a grant program that helps low-moderate income homeowners to repair housing conditions that pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of the occupants, or pose an ongoing threat to the structural integrity of the home.

The program offers up to $8,000 for single item repairs such as roofs, gutters and downspouts, windows and doors, electrical, plumbing heating, insulation, foundations, bathroom upgrades, water heaters, handicapped accessibility repairs and more.

To qualify for a Home Repair grant, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You must be the owner of the home (not a renter) in the City of Xenia.

2. You must live in the home as your permanent residence.

3. Your home must be in need of health, safety or emergency repairs not      exceeding $8,000.

4. You must be income eligibility requirements.

Financial eligibility is based on maximum income. For example, the maximum income limit for a household of 1 is $33,700, for a household of 2 it is $38,500, for a household of 3 it is $43,300, the maximum income limit for a household of 4 is $48,100, and so on.

To find out more about the program, visit the Xenia Home Repair Program website or call 937-562-5007.

Leave a comment

Posted in economy, news, Xenia

Tagged , , ,

There is funding for local organizations serving the community

Posted on April 8, 2009 by | Leave a comment

If your organization is needing funding for a project of benefit to Xenia’s below median income residents, you should consider applying for a Community Development Block Grant.

To be considered for funding your project must meet the following criteria:

1.  Benefit 51 percent or greater low and moderate income residents,
2.  Prevent or eliminate slums or blight, and
3.  Address community development needs having a particular urgency      because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat
     to the health or welfare of the community for which other funding
     is not available.
 

Some common projects funded by CDBG include the following:

•  acquisition of property for public purposes;
•  construction or reconstruction of streets;
•  water and sewer facilities;
•  neighborhood centers, recreation facilities, and other public works;
•  demolition;
•  rehabilitation of public and private buildings;
•  public services;
•  planning activities;
•  assistance to nonprofit entities for community development activities; and
•  assistance to private, for-profit entities to carry out economic development activities (including assistance to micro-enterprises).
 

Those interested in applying for grant funding should attend a training session which will be held by the Community Development Departments of Greene County and the City of Xenia on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at the Xenia Area Community Theatre (X*ACT), 45 E. Second Street, Xenia, Ohio. Applicants must complete an application, and return it to the City of Xenia, 101 N. Detroit Street, Xenia, Ohio 45385 by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2009.

For more information, go to Xenia’s CDBG website or contact Mary Crockett at (937) 376-7286.

Leave a comment

Posted in business, news, Xenia

Tagged , , ,

The Case of the Disappearing and Reappearing Dry Cleaning Service in Xenia

Posted on March 23, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Most of us take dry cleaning services for granted because when we need clothes dry cleaned, we just take them to our favorite most accessible and convenient dry cleaning establishment and obtain the service. But for over a year, the City of Xenia has endured a time without any local dry cleaning services after the last two dry cleaning outfits closed shop. The first dry cleaner to leave Xenia years ago was Snow White Dry Cleaner on Cincinnati Avenue. Then, in 2007, Capitol Dry Cleaning on West Second Street closed, followed by Clark’s Dry Cleaning on East Second Street in 2008. There was a long “dry spell “period when Xenia was completely without dry cleaning services — and residents noticed!

Seeing a market need for this important service, one drop off dry cleaning entity opened in January 2009 at 75 West Main Street in the former space occupied by Country Joe’s Coffee and Gift Baskets. In February 2009, the Xenia Shoe and Leather Store at 21 East Main Street expanded their operations to include a drop-off dry cleaning service. Also this month, a zoning permit was issued for Capitol Dry Cleaner to re-open at 631 West Second Street next to the Blockbuster Video Store.

Xenia has again several dry cleaning service outfits to choose from. So, now once again, Xenia residents will not have to travel far to have their clothing cleaned and pressed.

Other new business openings reported in Xenia Development Corner are:

• Instant Tax Service – 29 South Detroit St.
• Mangos Mexican Restaurant – 131 North Allison Ave in Xenia Plaza
• Homemade Uniques (arts and crafts store) – 54 South Detroit Street
• B5 Systems Inc. – wholesale operation at 141 Little Vine St.
• Joni and Friends – 1185 Wesley Avenue, Legacy Ministry Campus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in business, news, Xenia

Kettering Health Network saves “Cinderella”

Posted on March 13, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Greene Memorial Hospital’s Greg Henderson’s boss asked what Xenia needed and how they could help. Frank Perez, the silver haired leader of the Kettering Health Network, wanted to show the healthcare giant’s commitment to the community as the new owner of the venerable local hospital. In a perfect storm of need meets willingness to help, the Xenia Area Community Theater’s Orion Monroe and the theater board submitted a plea for construction funds to convert their former Harley dealership building on Second St. in downtown Xenia into a viable community arts center.

Now several months, many thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours later the dream of a few resourceful citizen volunteers is becoming a reality. The debut performance in the new theater space will take place this weekend and next. For their first performances in the new space, X*ACT is producing a fairy tale for adults, Cinderella Waltz on March 13, 14, 20, and 21. A comic modern update of the original story, this charmingly whacky play by Don Nigro runs the gamut from pantsless fathers to blowzy fairy godmothers with wishing wells and dancin’ shoes thrown in for good measure.

Although the December donation has already paid for much of the construction, a formal giant check was presented Monday to Mayor Phyllis Penewitt, newly elected President of the Board. A formal Gala will be held this summer to celebrate the new addition to the arts community in Xenia.

Seating is limited and all performances are likely to be sold out early. Reservations are still available by calling (937) 372-0516, stopping by the X*ACT’s Second Act Thrift Store, 45 E. Second St. in downtown Xenia, or by visiting them on the web at www.XeniaAct.org. Admission for all performances is $12 and just $10 for seniors and students.

Leave a comment

Posted in mayor, news, theater, Xenia

Tagged

Yellow Springs Artist Roger Smith at Express Yourself Gallery

Posted on March 5, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Here is an aging hippie who has done his share of time in the Glen and the Pine Forest. It is evident that he has spent untold hours taking in the changing character of the seasons and the land when you look into the depths of Yellow Springs native Roger Smith’s semi-Expressionist paintings of his hometown’s famous woodlands.

The paintings in this exhibit are primarily oils that lean towards forest landscapes and outdoor scenes. Smith calls them, “etheric landscapes of a spiritual nature.” Also included in the show are a few abstract and Eastern religious works which add an unexpected dimension to the collection. Unique to this artist is the range of sizes he works with. “The paintings range in size from minitures of 5×7 inches to as large as 36×40 inches,” he says. As a working artist who frequents nearly all of the art fairs in the region, Smith has specialized in affordable miniatures which are more accessible to the average casual art buyer. The prices range from $35.00 for the miniature canvases to several hundred dollars for the larger works.

Smith’ paintings are on display through the end of March at Express Yourself Coffeehouse and Art Gallery, 78 E. Main St. in downtown Xenia. Exhibit hours are 7 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Saturday and 6 to 9 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings. Stop in and enjoy a latte and an inexpensive lunch while you enjoy the art. For more information call (937) 372-7446, email xeniacoffee@sbcglobal.net or visit www.ExpressYourselfCoffeehouse.com.

Leave a comment

Posted in art, news, Xenia, Yellow Springs

Buying Xenia at City Council

Posted on March 3, 2009 by | Leave a comment

During the February 12 City Council meeting, Dale Louderback read part of a study demonstrating the value of buying from local businesses. Some major benefits relevant to “Buy Xenia” are as follows:

For every $100 in consumer spending with a local firm, $68 remains in the local economy.
 
For every $100 in consumer spending with a chain firm, $43 remains in the local economy.
 
For every square foot occupied by a local firm, local economic impact is $179.
 
For every square foot occupied by a chain firm, local economic impact is $105.
 
Over 70% prefer to patronize locally-owned businesses.
 
Over 80% prefer traditional urban business districts.
 
Local merchants generate substantially greater economic impact than chain firms.
 
Replacement of local businesses with chains will reduce the overall vigor of the local economy.
 
Changes in consumer spending habits can generate substantial local economic impact.
 
Great care must be taken to ensure that public policy decisions do not inadvertently disadvantage locally owned businesses. Indeed, it may be in the best interests of communities to institute policies that directly protect them.
 

(Source: Andersonville Study of Retail Economics)

Louderback apparently shared this important information to spur discussion concerning the City’s purchases of out-of-town businesses instead of local ones. He raised some doubt about the lack of Council support for buying from local suppliers. He got only two responses. Mayor Penewitt assured him that she has always promoted local buying. Bill Miller reminded Council that ex-councilman Gordon was also a supporter. Louderback retorted by challenging the mayor to vote against several proposed purchases.

As interesting as Louderback’s goading fellow council members is, the point is only one other council members publicly proclaimed their support of local businesses. I suspect most member do, but it is still sad that most failed to assure the public of it. After all, we are in a serious economic crisis.

Mayor Penewitt did ask the Director of Finance about what criteria was used to determine when the city purchased goods or services locally. There is no local preference policy about buying locally as it was before the 1973 tornado when Xenia was a thriving retail hub in Greene County. The only criterion determining scheduled purchases is when the amount is $7,500 or more. At that level of spending, “staff is encouraged to get competitive quotes and they encourage local purchasing of goods and services when it is in the best interest financially for the city to do so.”

According to Bazalek, “there used to a Greene County preference ordinance years ago to use businesses in Greene County if their selling price was 5% greater or less, but that was repealed a number of years ago.”

Councilman Louderback said he has done his homework and has spoken to every business in Xenia. Local businesses state they will match or beat the prices. We have been talking about this for over a year. City staff knows local businesses will match or beat the prices, so why do we keep discussing it week after week.

Maybe Council should reinstate the local preference policy. That alone might encourage more local entrepreneurs to start businesses in their hometown. What do you think?

Leave a comment

Posted in city council, economy, politics, research, Xenia

Join X*ACT’s Merchants Wall: Be a STAR

Posted on February 27, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Merchants and Arts lovers who want to show their support for X*ACT’s new Performing Arts Center should consider making a donation and getting a STAR on the wall. Stop in at the Xenia Area Community Theater’s Second Act Thrift Store and talk to Orion or Jo or Harry or Cheryl or Mayor Pennewitt or Don or me or whomever else might be on hand to show you around the theater space and tell you about the joys and challenges of renovation of our “classic” building right in downtown Xenia at 45 E. Second St. The antique metal tile ceiling panels are now painted black, the walls are all finished up and painted a deep blue. The second “gold plated” exit door is installed on the parking lot side and the carpeting is going in this week. Excitement is building as we approach our final inspections before we are given permits to occupy our 75 seat theater, the first in downtown Xenia since our small loft theater closed.

Stars are also available at Express Yourself Coffeehouse & Art Gallery at 78 E. Main St. and soon at Eichman’s. If you would like to offer Stars at your place of business, contact Orion or Jo at 372-0516 and we’ll see that you get some.

Kettering Medical Group has made a large donation to allow us to complete our construction and we are now raising the final twenty thousand dollars to pay off our construction loan. You can be a part of something wonderful in our old hometown.

Check us out: www.xeniaact.org

Leave a comment

Posted in art, theater, Xenia

Landlord Friendly Water Bill Ordinance to be Proposed at City Council Meeting Thursday, Feb 12

Posted on February 11, 2009 by | Leave a comment

By Daniel Downs

This coming Thursday evening at 6:30 PM Councilman Louderback will propose a new ordinance to the Council. The purpose of the ordinance is to revise current municipal law that holds landlords solely responsible for tenants will bills. The primary problem seems to be the lack of stringent requirements renter who apply for water service but who fail to pay. Because water billing is quarterly, hundreds of dollars of unpaid water bills may accumulate for landlords can get the water turned off. Even after it has been discontinued, landlords often continue receiving water bills.

Landlords complained to the Council being unable to get the city stop or correct water services or billings because the service is in their tenant’s name. Because of this, the city does not go after tenants for unpaid water bills because the bill is by law the responsibility of landlords. To add injury to insult, the legal process to evict delinquent or destructive tenants can take many six or more months to resolve.

There are probably many ways this problem could be solved, and I want to add to them a few suggestions. Council should seriously consider making tenants solely responsible for their water bills. Council should also seriously consider the costs to taxpayers for collections, court proceedings, write-offs, and any additional costs of billing tenants. While a collections supervisor for a national service company, we found that sending bi-monthly reminders increased the number payments made by delinquent customers. This might reduce unpaid bills. Probably, a better solution is to place customers who rent on a monthly billing cycle instead of quarterly. There again, the costs of billing would certainly increase. The key to reducing delinquency and write-offs is not letting customers go beyond 30 days before seeking payment from customers.

That is known by all in the continually bailed out national corporate banking system that keeps inflation moving progressively upward and our standard of living moving downward.

Another possible way to resolve landlord-tenant water bill issue is to make landlords fully responsible for the water service and its billing. Let the landlords, who supposedly screen their tenants for their ability to pay, sign their tenants up, bill them monthly for the service, and then pay the city quarterly. A running average on water usage could be used for landlords to calculate monthly costs. After each quarterly billing cycle, landlords could adjust cost in accordance with city billing. Why shouldn’t landlords be able recoup those costs? Of course, the potential for greed on the part of landlords is inherent in this solution.

Leave a comment

Posted in city council, city services, events, news, Xenia

Tagged , , ,

Beavercreek Oil Painter’s Whimsical Art On Display at Express Yourself Coffeehouse & Art Gallery

Posted on February 5, 2009 by | Leave a comment

jeffpotter1Beavercreek artist Jeff Potter has hung 16 paintings that span the range from whimsical to sinister at Express Yourself Coffeehouse & Art Gallery in downtown Xenia. Potter, a largely self taught oil painter, says that his works are, “attempts at illusion. My aim is to imply there are hearts beating beneath the flat paint layers.” He succeeds magnificently with the present exhibition. Particularly striking are his Humpty Dumpty sitting on a wall and a haunting image of Herodius holding the head of John the Baptist in her scarlet clawed hands. Potter’s work consists of two styles including outdoor scenes in the impressionist style and sharply defined portraits. He hopes to convince the viewer that life indeed has left its mark on his works. “I hold it as a goal well worth pursuing,” he remarks. It is apparent that he is very close to his goal. His paintings will be on display through February 16 during regular business hours Monday through Saturday at Express Yourself Coffeehouse and Art Gallery, located a block from the Courthouse at 78 E. Main St. For hours and information visit ExpressYourselfCoffeehouse.com, phone (937) 372-7446 or by email at xeniacoffe@sbcglobal.net.

Leave a comment

Posted in art, news, Xenia

Comparing the City and Schools Revenues and Their Respective Tax Issues

Posted on January 31, 2009 by | Leave a comment

By Daniel Downs

If you haven’t read the News-Current lately, you missed an important announcement. Xenia Community School officials are putting their huge bond issue back on the ballot in May. As the News-Current noted, 59% of the voters rejected another large long-term tax increase to fund the building of new schools.

The big push by school administrators and our elected school board is for the building of large complex for the high school and other community organizations. Rebuilding schools that have been around since the time I was born, which was around the time God created the earth, are of secondary importance. Among those schools are Shawnee Elementary, my first school, Cox Elementary, my second, and Spring Hill Elementary. Oh, my, I forgot the administrators want out of that ancient administrative building on the East side like yesterday. What is not needed is the current plan for less than the best type of schools.

To top it all off, voters will be voting on the city’s 5.0 mill operating tax levy in February. Having talked to my council member, read the council minutes, and reviewed the latest annual financial report, it is obvious that the city needs more money to compensate for the rising cost of doing business. Inflation continually reduces what a dollar buys. I just don’t see the need for an annual increase from $417,000 to about $1.9 million. I would certainly vote for a renewal and possibly for an addition 1.5 mills. But, in a deep recession, any new tax increases don’t seem like a good idea.

Nevertheless, let’s look at the two tax issues.

A renewal of the city’s 3.5 mill operating tax levy would continue generating the same amount it has since 1959, which is $417,000. As mentioned above, the proposed replacement levy of 3.5 mills with an additional 1.5 mills means property owners who used to pay around $26 a year for property valued at $100,000 will now pay an additional $153, which breaks down to about $12 more a month. However, those figures only cover the 3.5 mills plus a 1.5 mills addition. They do not reveal the overall amount of property tax paid to the city. The same owner of a $100,000 home currently pays about $135 in property tax to the city. If the levy is passed, the same homeowner will be giving the city $288 a year.

As everyone who is making a buck knows, the city taxes every dollar earned at the rate of 1.75%. The income tax generates about $9 million a year. That is over and above the $9 plus million residents pay for like water, sewer, and sanitation services. So the current levy is a relatively small but necessary part of the city’s operating budget. Because of inflating costs, the 3.5 mill levy now is worth only .92 mills. In other words, the city needs more revenue in addition to the inflationary rise of income tax revenue, which this year may decline along with their earnings on investments.

During the 2006-2007 school year, Xenia Community Schools received almost $3 million from its 0.5% income tax levy. The school district’s combined property tax levies is 43.9 mills, which brought in about $20 million. A family whose home is appraised at $100,000 pays the school district about $960 a year in property taxes. The bond issue would increase that amount to $1,092.

To see the whole picture on taxes, it must be realized that the total property tax burden of the above homeowner is currently $1,504 dollars a year. The tax proposed by the city will increase it to $1,657. The school bond issue would increase it to $1,769. The same property owner also pays the Greene County Career Center a little over $75 per year, and the County around $316. To repave our deteriorating side streets, voters will have to pass a bond issue to cover the estimated $30 million in costs. Moreover, every working resident currently pays 2.25% of their income to the city and the school district. Without any deductions, a family with annual income of $60,000 pays out $1,500 in income tax. If state and federal income taxes as well as sales and gasoline taxes are accounted for, the tax burden of voting tax payer is getting little too heavy for this deep recessionary period. We can all give thanks to the federal government for it too.

Leave a comment

Posted in economy, Greene County, news, politics, research, taxes, Xenia, Xenia Community Schools

Tagged , , , ,