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Thank you

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:13:35 -0500

It was a long campaign season and Amberley First PAC would like to thank the residents of Amberley for voting Amberley First. There are some very important issues that this new council will have to deal with right away and this group of individuals are more than capable to tackle these issues head on and make good, sound, fiscal decisions for Amberley.

Congrats!

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:36:18 -0500

Congrats to the Amberley First Slate! You all worked very hard and should be very proud of yourselves and your results tonight. It appears the residents of Amberley put Amberley FIRST! Good luck!

Election Eve

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:34:42 -0500

On this election eve, Amberley First PAC would like to thank all the residents of Amberley Village for all of their support and encouragement over this election season. We are a few hours away from election day and we just want to remind you to get out and vote Amberley First tomorrow.

District A — Hattenbach

District B — Wolf

District C — Stillpass

District D — Warren

District E — Bardach

At Large — Byar & Doering

These candidates are committed to putting Amberley and its residents FIRST!!!!! Vote Amberley First on November 8th! See you at the polls.

Endorsment from residents.....

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:17:00 -0500

On Friday, November 4, 2011, a group of residents published a voter’s guide for the residents of Amberley for this years election. Most of the candidates on the Amberley First slate were endorsed by this group. The email and voters guide are below:

Fellow Amberley Residents,

After attending meetings, talking with candidates, and discussing issues with you, some fellow residents and I created a voting guide to be shared with Amberley residents prior to the November 8th election. I encourage you to take a few moments of your day, today, to review the guide. While you may not agree with all of the choices and supporting statements, I’m pretty confident the guide matches much of what we’ve discussed with you. If you feel it is appropriate, please share it with other Amberley residents that you know. Most of all, please vote on election day.

This was from amberleyvoter@gmail.com

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Although Merrie Stillpass and Bill Doering were not endorsed by this group, Amberley First PAC does endorse both of them and we ask that you vote for them as well on November 8th.

Voters Guide from Residents

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:10:37 -0500

Even though this voter’s guide does not endorse Merri Stillpass and Bill Doering, Amberley First does and we would ask that you vote for them on November 8th.

Thank you

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 08:50:36 -0400

Amberley First PAC would like to thank the residents of Amberley for the overwhelming responses of support and appreciation for the recently posted information. We wanted the residents to know the truth, backed up with evidence and not mere accusations. Amberley First PAC won’t resort to threats and name calling in providing information to the village, like others have done. We are only interested in making sure that there are people on council who will put the residents and the Village of Amberley FIRST. Thank you again for the overwhelming support and vote Amberley First on November 8th.

What they didn't tell you November 1st....

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:12:00 -0400

Jack claimed in his mailing that the current financial problems in the Village are the fault of the actions of prior councils in buying the former Crest Hills golf course, now Amberley Green.

But theVillage Manager showed at the public meeting last week on village finances that the total expenses for the village in 2011 will be $5.5 million, while the total costs for the Green for interest payments on the loan, lawn mowing and other upkeep will be $200,000 or a total of 4% of the budget. If the budget deficit is $1.5 million and the Green costs $200,000 to maintain, how is that the reason for the village’s financial problems. The Crest Hills property had an assessed value by the Hamilton County Auditor of less than $3 million. As a result of the lawsuit filed by Jack’s country club in 2004, the Village was forced to rezone the property to residential zoning and the country club was able to extract from Amberley Village $8.75 million for the property. ($2.9 million paid by the insurance company and $5.8 million paid by Amberley.) Isn’t it enough that Jack’s country club made $5 million off the residents of Amberley and spent it remodeling their club in Pleasant Ridge. No home builder or country club should ever profit off of the Village Assets. If and when the Green is developed, it is the residents of Amberley that should profit from it first. Jack has ALWAYS put his country club first, he did so 7 years ago when his country club filed suit against the village and he is of like mind now. (See linked deposition of Jack taken June 23, 2005, as part of the country club suit against the village, see page 25, lines 17-24; page 36, lines 6-12; and pages 43 & 44). Amberley First endorsed candidates will always put Amberley FIRST, unlike Jack.

Fran claimed in her mailing that she alone was the voice of financial reasons for the last 14 years on council and that her slate should be elected as the new faces to correct old problems.

But Fran is the only current council member who was on council in 2004 and voted to deny the zone change sought by the country club’s developer to build 1/3 acre lot houses on the Green; and she voted to defend the lawsuit filed by Jack’s country club against the village to force a zone change and she voted in 2008 to settle the lawsuit by having Amberley buy the Green; and she voted to finance the purchase with a bond one year later; and she voted in 2009 and 2010 to roll over the bond; and throughout that entire run, she never voiced any concern in any public meeting that the actions of the councils regarding the Green were a problem for Amberley finances. In the meeting her team hosted on November 1, 2011, at the J, she stated that for 14 years she claims that the votes were ALWAYS 6 to 1 and she was always trying to be the voice of reason. Could it be at 84 years of age her memory is failing. In fact, as chairman of the Police Committee, Fran advocated for pay raises and increased benefits for all employees every year. That is the real cause of the current financial difficulties. Fran claims that she put together a slate to push out the old council who created all of these financial problems, but her opponent wasn’t on council, nor were several of the other people running for council this election. Only Fran was there from the beginning creating the financial problem. ( See linked photo of Fran at a committee meeting.)

****Jack’s deposition is posted below to read double click on the image.

Fran participating

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:09:18 -0400

This was captured at a committee meeting in which Fran took a little nap.

Jack's Deposition from the Country Club suit

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:07:00 -0400

Stay tuned.....

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:19:00 -0400

Some very interesting information will be posted in the next 24 hours.

Location, location, location.......

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:19:00 -0400

As the election draws closer, the sign wars are heating up. If you want to be a part of this fun campaign tradition and show support for Amberley First and it’s candidates by putting a sign in your yard, please contact amberleyfirstpac@gmail.com and we will let the candidates know you request a sign for your yard. If signs are missing and need to be replaced, please let us know that too. We are out of the Amberley First Slate signs, but the candidates would be happy to put their signs in your yards. Thanks for your support and don’t forget to vote AMBERLEY FIRST on November 8th.

Signs

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:24:00 -0400

There is a reason everyone wants one of these candidates signs in their yards…….it’s because these candidates will put the needs of the residents and Amberley Village FIRST!!!! Vote Amberley First on election day!

Amberley First PAC

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:07:00 -0400

Amberley First PAC is a group interested in putting the needs of the residents and Amberley Village FIRST. Amberley First PAC endorses the following candidates:

District A - Edward Hattenbach
District B - Natalie Wolf
District C - Merrie Stillpass
District D - Ray Warren
District E - Richard Bardach
At large - Bill Doering & J.K. Byar

We chose to endorse these candidates because they are a group of individuals who are truly interested in making sure that Amberley Village continues to be the terrific community so many have chosen to make their home. Each one of these candidates brings a different perspective to the slate making them a well rounded group of individuals extremely capable of taking care of the village. Each one of these candidates is dedicated to making Amberley Village an even better community.

Financial Issues

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:05:00 -0400

One of the biggest issues facing the Village today is the budget. With the changes in legislation on the state level substantially reducing revenue to local governments like Amberley Village, and the loss of revenue from reduced property value combined with the loss of the inheritance tax starting in 2012, Amberley Village has major long term financial planning that will be required. Many local governments are facing the same financial issues as a result of loss of revenue from the state level. Some would lead you to believe that Amberley Green is the greatest reason for the budgetary woes of Amberley. Amberley Green only accounts for a small percentage of Amberley’s yearly expenses. Amberley Green is one of Amberley’s greatest assets and must not to be sold to a developer for a short term monetary fix. It is vital for all of our property values that Ambery Village continue to maintain control over the development of Amberley Green.

The candidates endorsed by Amberley First PAC know the trouble Amberley could face if the the appropriate decisions are not made to balance the budget. These candidates are willing to face these challenges, and make tough decisions to make sure that they balance the budget while still keeping all the services that residents desire in Amberley Village.

The solution to Amberley’s financial issues must be done with proper long term planning. Our slate of candidates is much better prepared to deal with these issues. Our slate includes William Doering, the former Treasurer for the University of Cincinnati, Ed Hattenbach, a CPA by profession, and J.K. Byar, a senior vice-president-investment officer with a major national financial services firm. Combined they have over 115 years of professional experience that they are willing to share with the Village.

Our opponents do not have one person on their slate with these types of qualifications.

While the finances of Amberley Village are a major issue, just as important is electing a diverse slate of candidates that have devoted themselves to community building. Merrie Stillpass, Amberley’s current Mayor, has a degree in Urban Planning and a Masters degree in Architecture. Her training is vital to forming Amberley Village’s long term plan. Natalie Wolf and Richard Bardach are both members of the Ohio State Bar, and have been positive and creative community leaders inside and out of Amberley Village. Ray Warren, who is a principal researcher at Proctor and Gamble, and is a founding member of the Cincinnati Center for Holocaust and Humanities Education. Ray is also a community leader who is dedicated to Amberley Village being run in a financially responsible manner.

These candidates believe, unlike their opponents, that the future of Amberley Village is solid and exciting. They can be entrusted to ensure that Amberley Village will continue to have a healthy and long term future. They are all dedicated to maintaining Amberley Village as a great community!

SUSTAINABLE

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:21:00 -0400

Amberley First PAC and it’s candidates are committed to making sure that Amberley can maintain its own viability through such resources as Amberley Green and the North Site.