SPRINGBORO — Springboro City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20.

Leigh Ann Gerardi Mocculla, director of the Honey Creek Watershed Association, will present a certificate of participation to council and a letter from the Ohio EPA for the city’s efforts toward keeping the local water clean.

Blue Knights Chapter XXIX will present a certificate of appreciation to council for supporting its efforts in 2012.

In addition, special recognition will be given to Barbara Gibson and Tim Raeberding for their volunteer service as city board and commission members.

The following legislation is on the agenda:

• The second reading of an ordinance approving the record plan and performance guaranty and authorizing the city manager to enter into a subdivider’s contract for The Springs Subdivision, Section Four.

• The first reading of an ordinance authorizing the supplemental appropriation of monies, thereby amending annual appropriation Ordinance number 0_12-1, which was passed Dec. 15, 2011.

• The first reading of an ordinance making appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for 2013.

• A resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with Rack and Balleur Excavating Co. Inc. for the completion of the Red ion-Five Points road improvements project, Phase One.

Council will also hold a work session at 6 p.m. The meetings will be held at at the city building, 320 W. Central Ave.

BY SHARON BENGEL

Contributing Writer

LEBANON – Warren County Commissioners Tuesday approved the county’s 2013 budget, marking another year of operating the county without long-term debt.

The $64.5 million budget is up 4.49 percent over the 2012 budget which was held flat at 2011 appropriation levels, said Deputy County Administrator Tiffany Zindel. Revenues to date for 2012 are running more than $5 million over original projections, she added.

“Our sales tax has been extremely strong this year,” Zindel said.

Major expenses for 2013 include the acquisition of a new county-wide radio system used by all departments. It replaces a 20-year-old system originally expected to last eight years, according to Commissioner David Young.

County Administrator David Gully said the new radio system will cost a total of approximately $4 million but negotiations are not complete. The 2013 budget includes up to $1 million toward the system, however, the payments are not considered long-term, general obligation debt as often seen in capital expenditures, Young added.

County employees will receive a raise in 2013, the second they’ve received in five years, Zindel said.

“We’ve asked them to do more with less and they’ve done it,” Young said in praise of staff, adding that no layoffs are projected.

The budget also includes projected revenue from Ohio’s new casinos. Zindel said the state originally told Warren County to expect $4 million but later said that might be high. Zindel is only counting on $2 million in the 2013 budget. Young said this is one of the reasons Warren County operates without debt.

“Most governments do count on $4 million and then project growth,” Young said. “That is a prime example of why Warren County is different.”

An upcoming, debt free project will provide additional space for the Common Pleas Court system on Justice Drive in Lebanon. A $6 million office building will be constructed for court personnel, freeing space in the current building for potential expansion, Gully said. Portions of that cost will be paid from the Common Pleas judges’ special project funds.

The overall budget includes an estimated reserve of $22 million, Gully said.

“Once again, I think we’ve been able to put forth a really lean budget,” said Commissioner Pat South, adding that the county is recovering from the nationwide economic recession. “We’re even starting to see some positive stimulation in the housing market.”

Young agreed, noting that Warren County is currently home to approximately $200 million in development projects.

“We are pleased the free market has decided that Warren County is a good place to invest and spend money,” he said.

BY SHARON BENGEL

Contributing Writer

LEBANON – Municipal court judges and city managers from throughout the county met with Warren County Commissioners Tuesday in a work session to discuss potential elimination of part-time judgeships and disbanding of the Warren County Court. Commissioners agreed to work with the judges on a consolidation study.

Franklin Municipal Court Judge Rupert E. Ruppert presented a plan that called for not filling Judge Don Oda’s seat on the Warren County Court bench. Oda will begin a term on Warren County Common Pleas Court in January. With his seat unfilled, his caseload would be divided between Ruppert and Judge Mark Bogen of the Lebanon Municipal Court.

The crux of Ruppert’s presentation was to move the county from five part-time judgeships to three full-time judgeships, something strongly advocated by the late Justice Thomas Moyer when he led the Ohio Supreme Court. A key obvious question is cost.

“Is this a cost saving measure, or a cost shifting measure?” Oda asked, questioning whether the municipalities would need additional staff to absorb his case load.

Under the current system, the Warren County Court has two judges, Oda and Judge Joseph Kirby. The court has jurisdiction over traffic and misdemeanor cases in most of the townships in the county as well as the villages of Harveysburg and Waynesville and the City of Springboro. Clerk of Courts James Spaeth serves both the Common Pleas Court and the County Court.

Judge Ruppert’s court has jurisdiction over traffic and misdemeanor cases in the cities of Franklin and Carlisle. Judge Mark Bogen’s Lebanon Municipal Court has similar jurisdiction in the City of Lebanon and Turtlecreek Township. Mason and Deerfield Township are handled by the Mason Municipal Court which would not be affected due to its size. All the municipal courts funnel felony cases to the Common Pleas Courts.

Kirby begins a new term in January. If he were to leave office for any reason other than being defeated in an election, his judgeship would also eventually be eliminated and his caseload divided among the remaining three judges, Ruppert said.

To absorb Oda’s caseload, Ruppert anticipates making a part time clerk full time but no other increase in costs. If and when he and Bogen absorb Kirby’s case load, one additional clerk may be needed. Each court currently handles an average of 8,000 cases each year, the judges said.

Oda questioned whether or not the move would cost municipalities more. He also noted that all cases are not equal and courts are not generally profitable. Mayor’s courts in places such as Springboro and Morrow tend to operate with a net gain because they do not handle expensive cases.

“They get revenue from tickets and they don’t have the expense of prosecuting felonies and repeat offenders,” Oda said. “It’s doesn’t cost anything to prosecute the average Joe who just pays a ticket.”

The plan would not affect Mayor’s Courts; however, Ruppert said approximately 70 percent of his current case load is traffic citations.

Ruppert also noted that centralizing all court operations into the County Court in Lebanon – which has been discussed several times in the past – would create transportation issues for citizens. Warren County has no public transit.

County Commissioner David Young offered the county’s services to write a Request for Qualifications to locate a consultant to study the consolidation and help determine the best course of action. Ruppert, Bogen and Kirby agreed to pay for most if not all of the study from their respective special projects funds. Other interested parties, particularly police chiefs in the affected jurisdictions have yet to be formally approached.

County Prosecutor David Fornshell has spoken to a few police chiefs and said they are concerned that moving courts may increase their costs to transport prisoners and overtime for accompanying officers. He strongly advocated a thorough study of all potential costs and savings.

Complicating the issue is the fact that neither the judges nor the commissioners have control over whether Oda’s judgeship remains vacant. That is up to Gov. John Kasich. Commissioner Pat South, indicating that potential appointees were already lined up, suggested the commission draft a letter to the Governor asking him to delay any appointment while a study is conducted. That would leave Kirby as the sole judge at Warren County Court during the study, which could take six months or more.

“I think most citizens would agree we don’t need redundant courts,” Young said, while also urging caution. “We’re really talking about changing a major system.”

We continue to grieve in the wake of the senseless tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, children and community of Newtown, Conn.

As coverage continues, children are hearing about the incident and raising questions.

The following guidelines from Learning Care Group on helping children cope with stress might be helpful for parents.

Helping Children Cope with Stressful Situations

The way we, as parents and caregivers, respond to children’s questions and worries will help them through these difficult times and teach them to cope during future challenges. We wanted to provide you with information to help you recognize signs of stress in children and offer you suggestions for helping children manage stress.

Signs of Stress

Children may not have the ability to verbalize their feelings so observe them carefully for these Signs of Stress. (Stress symptoms can appear for a short time and then go away or last for a long time.)

• Changes in eating, sleeping, or bathroom habits

• Increased separation anxiety from parents or teachers

• Bad dreams or crying spells

• Nail-biting, thumb-sucking, or hair-pulling

• Feeling sick, i.e. headaches, stomach aches

• Chewing on clothing or other items

• Wanting to be alone or withdrawn from others

• Increased aggressive behavior or acting out

• Pretend play themes may be related to the current situation

How can we help our children cope with stress?

• Encourage children to express their feelings. Allow them to feel and be in whatever mood they wish. Let them know it is ok to feel the way the do. Allow for quiet alone time.

• Try to lower expectations and avoid putting children under too much pressure.

• Offer children proper nutrition and plenty of rest. Do relaxation exercises such as breathing, stretching, or listening to soothing music to ease tension.

• Use books as a way for children to see characters in stressful situations and learn to cope.

* Avoid “busy” schedules but try to be consistent and maintain your daily routines. Children feel safe and secure when their normal routines remain the same.

• Encourage drawing and writing. Children will be able to express their feelings through journaling or drawings. Encourage children to add faces that express them being “happy, sad, or worried, etc.”

• Encourage movement, dancing, and physical exercises. Physical activity decreases stress. * Encourage puppet play. Children will be able to create a reality they can control and recreate stressful events in such away they can manage.

If a child shows excessive signs of stress for long periods of time, it is in the best interest of the child to seek professional advice.

Helping Children Deal with their Reactions to a Traumatic Event

When children witness a traumatic event, they each may react in very different ways. Some may continue on as if nothing happened. Others may express fear, anger, or sadness. It is important to know that each of these responses (and everything in between) is normal.

If a child is experiencing difficulty, it is important that the adults in their lives provide the stability and love that will allow them to process and deal with the situation. Below you will find some general guidelines on how you can help.

Answer children’s questions: The aftermath of any accident or dramatic incident leaves children with many questions. Children need the opportunity to talk about their feelings with each other and with adults. They need our thoughtfulness and our honesty.

Before talking to children it is important that you get your own feelings and thoughts straight. Think not only about what you want to say, but also about how you want it to come across.

Acknowledge feelings: You may need to help young children name their feelings. Let them know that whatever they are feeling is okay. Share your feelings, but always be strong.

Offer the reassurances you can: Help the child feel better about the situation and provide comfort without giving misinformation or false hope. Instead of saying, “I am sure everything is going to be okay.” You can say, “I know that everyone is doing everything they can to help her feel better.”

Physical closeness may also be important at a time like this. Give lots of hugs and physical contact. This helps your child feel safe and protected.

Stay tuned in to the child: Keep listening, asking, discussing, and reassuring as the child’s thoughts and feelings evolve. Find opportunities to ask what’s on the child’s mind and follow his or her lead. Recognize and respond to the clues in a child’s art, play, or conversations with a friend.

Make the incident understandable to the child: Every child is different and the explanation of the event needs to match the child’s developmental understanding. Use words that your child can understand to talk about what happened.

Give your child a chance to express him/herself: Be alert for opportunities to steer children toward actively caring about others. They might want to make or send a card or send flowers. Support your child in expressing care and concern.

Support Yourself: There are many resources out there to help you support your child. Access these or professionals if you are in need of more answers.

http://naeyc.org/families/disaster.asp

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/terror_general.aspx

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/angermgmt_general.aspx

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/psycht_general.aspx

Editor’s note: Springboro Superintendent Todd Petrey sent the following message to district parents:

In the shadow cast by Friday’s tragedy in a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school, we want to reassure our Springboro Schools’ community that we will continue to do all we can to ensure safety in our schools.

From the bus stop to the classroom and throughout the day, our job is to protect each and every student. Throughout our district, our staff is on the highest alert-as they are every day-to foster a safe learning environment. To help in the transition back to school Monday morning, Springboro Police Officers will be handing out candy canes to our youngest students as they arrive at school. Students at Dennis, Five Points and Clearcreek Elementary will be greeted by our local law enforcement, and we hope that seeing our local police officers will ease any fears our students have upon returning to school. Many of you are concerned about what safety measures we have in place. They include:

•Doors to all schools automatically lock during school hours. * All visitors must be “buzzed” in through a single entrance point.

•All visitors must show photo-identification and sign in and out. * Security cameras operate at all schools.

•Intercom systems are in place in every school.

•A district radio communication system connects our schools and the central office.

• Staff receives training on current trends in school safety.

• Our School Resource Officer Sergeant Don Wilson is on site for all lockdown drills in all buildings.

The kids know “Officer Don” from the DARE program, but he is in our school buildings daily to ensure school safety as well. As a parent, I know that sending your children to school Monday morning may not be easy. Our trust in the predictability of a regular school day has been shattered. But please know that your children’s safety is our single highest priority. As always, please contact me with your concerns and questions.

Todd Petrey, Superintendent

In this photo provided by the Newtown Bee, Connecticut State Police lead children from the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., following a reported shooting there Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Newtown Bee, Shannon Hicks)

NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — A shooting at a Connecticut elementary school Friday left 27 people dead, including 18 children, an official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was still under way. Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity for the same reason, said the gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown was killed and apparently had two guns.

Stephen Delgiadice said his 8-year-old daughter heard two big bangs and teachers told her to get in a corner. His daughter was fine.

“It’s alarming, especially in Newtown, Connecticut, which we always thought was the safest place in America,” he said.

The superintendent’s office said the district had locked down schools in Newtown, about 60 miles northeast of New York City. Schools in neighboring towns also were locked down as a precaution.

A dispatcher at the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps said a teacher had been shot in the foot and taken to Danbury Hospital. Andrea Rynn, a spokeswoman at the hospital, said it had three patients from the school but she did not have information on the extent or nature of their injuries.

State police said Newtown police called them around 9:40 a.m. A SWAT team was among the throngs of police to respond.

A photo posted by The Newtown Bee newspaper showed a group of young students — some crying, others looking visibly frightened — being escorted by adults through a parking lot in a line, hands on each other’s shoulders.

Mergim Bajraliu, 17, heard the gunshots echo from his home and raced to check on his 9-year-old sister at the school. He said his sister, who was fine, heard a scream come over the intercom at one point. He said teachers were shaking and crying as they came out of the building.

“Everyone was just traumatized,” he said.

The White House said President Barack Obama was notified of the shooting.

LEBANON — The City of Lebanon and Turtlecreek Twp. have struck a 99-year agreement that will form the Lebanon-Turtlecreek Joint Economic Development District.

That agreement came to be at the Lebanon City Council’s Dec. 11 meeting.

The legislation approved the 99-year agreement to establish the economic development district for the Interstate 71-State Route 123 Interchange area.

That’s a phrase I haven’t heard in years. I asked a nine-year-old the other day if he was experiencing any problems with his CRT.

He said, “What’s a CRT?”

I said, “You know, a cathode ray tube.”

“Is that one of those time machines I saw in a movie a couple of months ago?” he responded.

I thought for a second and said, “Yes.” I didn’t want to get involved in a long dissertation about the invention of the cathode ray tube and how television was invented back in the dark ages of the 20th century.

My question today is: “After Christmas this year will everyone in the United States have a flat screen television and computer monitor?” We bought our first in 2006 when our old 27-inch croaked one weekend and the tiny 19-inch bedroom CRT just wasn’t gonna work in the big room. And what a steal we got.

A flotilla of 32 inchers had just arrived from China and they were only $595, down from close to $900 a few months earlier. I couldn’t believe how light it was I actually carried it out of the store using my right hand only. The other day I told Lucy we should have waited they’re going for $178-198 today. Let’s see, no TV for six years would have saved us roughly $7,200 in cable bills, plus the $400 difference in price. Wow, we could be spending a weekend in Maui next month.

Customer service for that great deal six years ago was and still is available through China only. That’s right, you have to call China if you need help and it’s not toll free. Fingers have been crossed for six years and so far so good.

I have dubbed 2012 the year of the flat screen. What’s next? Probably a 1/16 of an inch flat screen that you can make any size you want. Fill the whole wall in the den, basement, man cave. Roll it out and stick it to the wall. In the meantime, we’ll suffer with our high definition 50-inch, 60-inch and 90-inch flat screens that are, gosh, over an inch thick and just so cumbersome. Be patient, America, things will get better.

I keep hearing about this ciscal fliff that we’re all going to go over on Dec. 31 at midnight. Does anyone have any details on how far down the fliff we’ll be going? I’ve got a few bucks I can send in, if that’ll help. Maybe we could all send in a few bucks. I hope that the ciscal people can get their act together in the coming year. I’m not a ciscal person, just not my cup of tea or background. I did ski some of Michigan’s finer fliffs growing up, so I do relate in that area. Will there be a ciscal fliff party if everything levels out? If you hear of any, please email me. I want to be there for the festivities and excitement.

Are you happy that 12/12/12 is finally over? The next time all the numbers will be the same is in 3001 when 01/01/01 comes around. Did they have any parties last night to celebrate the final occurrence of the month, day and year all being the same in double digits? I’m sure some one somewhere has a really bad hangover today and is wondering what, why, when and where. Of course, next week is the big Mayan party on 12/21/12. I know a lot of folks planning to be at that one. The real party, the one that makes more sense then anything else in the whole world is the birthday of our Lord and Savior on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. That’s my favorite celebration every year.

If you’d love to attend a contemporary musical celebration of Christmas that’s totally amazing, come join Lucy and I at the South Campus of Christ United Methodist Church, located in the Dayton Christian Schools campus on the corner of Spring Valley and Washington Church Road in Miami Township. Two services will be available this coming Sunday, Dec. 16. The family candlelight service with children performing will be at 5:30 with holiday refreshments at 6:30 and the second candlelight service at 7:30. Please arrive early for the 7:30 service and enjoy the refreshments and fellowship first. Lucy and I attended South Campus as a guest of Pastor Wayne Botkin two years ago this Christmas and fell in love with the people, the music and the mission. You’ll love it, too.

mergewright@yahoo.com

Dec. 2

2:11 a.m. — Chaumont Avenue, suspicious vehicle.

11:47 a.m. — West Pekin Road, burglary.

Dec. 1

1:26 a.m. — East State Route 73, open door/window.

2:23 a.m. — Beal Drive and Weidner Road, property damage accident.

6:20 a.m. — Red Lion-Five Points Road, property damage accident.

1:12 p.m. — Carnell Drive, mental disorder.

1:46 p.m. — Quail Field Drive and U.S. 42, traffic stop.

3:25 p.m. — Township Line Road, citizen assist.

3:27 p.m. — Old State Route 122 and Weisenberger Road, property damage accident.

7:32 p.m. — Foxdale Drive, property damage accident.

7:34 p.m. — North State Route 48, suspicious vehicle.

8:07 p.m. — North State Route 48 and State Route 73, intoxicated driver.

Nov. 30

10:35 a.m. — Fairway Drive, follow-up investigation.

12:08 p.m. — Brookside Drive, follow-up investigation.

12:50 p.m. — Bunnell Hill Road and East State Route 73, property damage accident.

3:13 p.m. — West State Route 122 and North State Route 741, traffic offense.

7:01 p.m. — Bunnell Hill Road and East State Route 73, traffic stop.

7:35 p.m. — North State Route 123, traffic stop.

9:25 p.m. — North State Route 48, traffic stop.

9:42 p.m. — Red Lion-Five Points Road, well being check.

Nov. 29

8:28 a.m. — East Lytle-Five Points Road, accident with injury.

9:25 a.m. — West State Route 122 and North State Route 123, property damage accident.

9:35 a.m. — West State Route 122, road hazard.

9:44 a.m. — East Second Street, follow-up investigation.

10:29 a.m. — North State Route 741, follow-up investigation.

10:34 a.m. — Country Brook Court, theft.

11:38 a.m. — West Lower Springboro Road, escort.

11:53 a.m. — Estates Court and North State Route 741, livestock on road.

12:02 p.m. — Miamisburg Center, follow-up investigation.

1:44 p.m. — North State Route 741, follow-up investigation.

4:05 p.m. — North State Route 48 and Terrace Creek, traffic stop.

4:06 p.m. — West State Route 122 North State Route 123, intoxicated driver.

4:12 p.m. — West State Route 122 and North State Route 48, traffic stop.

8 p.m. — East Lower Springboro Road and Township Line Road, traffic stop.

Nov. 28

4:19 a.m. — Weidner Road, property damage accident.

12:51 p.m. — North State Route 741, theft.

1:51 p.m. — North State Route 48, follow-up investigation.

2:31 p.m. — East Lytle-Five Points Road, fraud.

3:23 p.m. — Copperwood Court and Hollow Wood Court, suspicious person.

4:14 p.m. — Terrace Creek Court, warrant served.

4:54 p.m. — Turner Drive, noise disturbance.

6:04 p.m. — Weidner Road, traffic stop.

6:57 p.m. — Township Line Road, traffic stop.

7:50 p.m. — North State Route 48, traffic stop.

9:11 p.m. — Hart Road and West State Route 122, traffic stop.

10:32 p.m. — East State Route 73, suspicious vehicle.

Nov. 27

9:59 a.m. — North State Route 48 and Turner Drive, traffic offense.

10:01 a.m. — North State Route 48, theft.

10:12 a.m. — North State Route 741, theft.

11:09 a.m. — North State Route 48, fraud.

5:06 p.m. — East Lytle-Five Points Road and North State Route 48, property damage accident.

6:16 p.m. — Bunnell Hill Road and West Lower Springboro Road, traffic stop.

Nov. 26

8:58 a.m. — Quail Field Drive and North U.S. 42, traffic stop.

9:28 a.m. — Beal Road, burglary.

10:51 a.m. — Wilde Court, theft.

11:16 a.m. — Bunnell Hill Road, citizen assist.

1:42 p.m. — East State Route 73, follow-up investigation.

1:45 p.m. — North State Route 48, follow-up investigation.

5:02 p.m. — North State Route 48, criminal warrant served.

5:44 p.m. — Bunnell Hill Road, citizen assist.

5:59 p.m. — Old State Route 122, traffic stop.

8:57 p.m. — Greycliff Trail and West State Route 122, traffic stop.

Nov. 29

12:06 a.m. — Sycamore Creek Drive, unknown medical condition.

8:29 a.m. — East Lytle-Five Points Road, vehicle crash with injury.

10:26 a.m. — Mound Park Drive, unknown medical condition.

11:41 a.m. — North Main Street and Remick Boulevard, vehicle crash with injury.

4:40 p.m. — West Central Avenue, vehicle crash with injury.

6:33 p.m. — Winton Hills Court, fire alarm.

7:32 p.m. — Weidner Road, choking.

8:53 p.m. — Clearcreek-Franklin, unknown medical condition.

9:56 p.m. — McDaniels Lane, suicide/attempted suicide.

Nov. 28

6:45 a.m. — East Central Avenue, falls.

7:12 a.m. — East Central Avenue, breathing problems.

2:09 p.m. — North Main Street, seizures/convulsions.

3:24 p.m. — Villa Pointe Drive, falls.

11:05 p.m. — Clearcreek-Franklin, structure fire.

Nov. 27

2:03 a.m. — West Central Avenue, unknown medical condition.

11:19 a.m. — Red Lion-Five Points Road, animal bite.

11:48 a.m. — North Main Street, heart problems.

11:50 a.m. — Creekside Drive, non-breather.

6:39 p.m. — Hillcrest Drive, fire alarm.

Nov. 26

9:20 a.m. — Avalon Circle, falls.

1:16 p.m. — Avalon Circle falls.

9:19 p.m. — Glenridge Boulevard, heart problems.

Nov. 25

1:21 a.m. — Utica Road, seizures/convulsions.

8:24 a.m. — Cypress Trail, unconscious/unresponsive person.

1:20 p.m. — Red Lion-Five Points Road, natural/propane gas.

10:10 p.m. — Pheasant Run Circle, hemorrhage/laceration.

Nov. 24

5:30 a.m. — Bunnell Hill Road, back pain/injury.

5:32 a.m. — North Pioneer Boulevard, lifting assistance.

8:30 a.m. — Weisenberger Road, back pain/injury.

10:16 a.m. — Commercial Way, heart problems.

12:40 p.m. — Sesame Street, unknown medical condition.

2:11 p.m. — West Central Avenue, unknown medical condition.

9:06 p.m. — Summer Field Lane, suicide/attempted suicide.