E-News July 2013

July News & Updates

Ice Cream Social – August 18

Tennis Court Water Fun The Ice Cream Social for Village residents will be held on Sunday, August 18 from 6-8 p.m. at Village Hall.

Chair Amy Rubenstein hopes even more residents can drop by Village Hall this year to enjoy free scoops of ice cream provided by United Dairy Farmers and stay for the children’s activities, and the public and pedestrian safety displays. New this year will be a farmer’s market table offering homegrown food from the Amberley Green Community Garden!

Amberley’s school age artists are invited to share their art for exhibit at the Ice Cream Social this year. Bring your own easel or stand for display. Please label your work with your name, age, school and if you like, a title. Contact Melissa Lauer with any questions. Submissions must by in by August 14.

Public Safety Equipment Volunteers are needed in several areas. Older teens are encourage to participate. Contact Amy Rubenstein to sign up.

Calendar Events

July 1 Board of Zoning Appeals 7 p.m.
July 4 Independence Day – Offices Closed
July 8 Council Meeting 6:30 p.m.
July 22 ESC Meeting 7:30 p.m.

Watch the June Council Meeting
Council meetings can also be watched on Time Warner Cable Channel 4 on Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m.

Amberley Green Development Update

In April, Council approved a development agreement with The Walnut Group for a 10-month period to explore the viability of development of the property in accordance with a concept plan that included various land uses.

The Village was given notice by the Walnut Group on June 24 that it is withdrawing from the Amberley Green project. Village Council is considering the next steps to take in development of the site.

Give Us Your Opinion

The Village is continuing to collect resident input as to the residents’ preference to watch council meetings playback on Time Warner Cable. It costs approximately $22,000 annually for the Village to have video recordings of the council meetings produced and made available on Time Warner Cable. As the Village considers this cost, please let us know what you think. Email your comments to info@amberleyvillage.org.

Second Conviction Reached in Amberley Village Home Invasion

The Public Safety Department was pleased to receive a verdict of guilty on all counts on the home invasion robbery of an elderly couple that took place last July. Detective Jeff Norton and other officers worked tirelessly on the case.

The Cincinnati Enquirer (written by Perry Kimball) recently covered the case and honed in on a key piece of evidence that helped convict the second criminal:

For the second time, the “Armor of God” has come back to haunt thieves who terrorized an elderly Amberley Village couple during a 2012 home invasion robbery.

A Hamilton County jury deliberated for about two hours Thursday before convicting Raj Houston, 21, of robbery and other counts that will send him to prison for far more than 50 years. Before the trial began, Houston rejected a plea deal that, in exchange for a guilty plea, would have resulted in an 18-year sentence.

That was the same sentence given to Houston’s partner in crime, Darian Lawrence, 20, of Golf Manor. Lawrence pleaded guilty to the charges and in December was sent to prison for 18 years.

The pair broke into the Amberley Village home July 11, held the couple – ages 80 and 78 at the time – at gunpoint, robbed them and stole their vehicle. But when Lawrence leaned into the car to get the keys, he was wearing a bracelet with a religious theme that left an imprint in the soft part of molding on the car door. Police used that bracelet imprint, like a fingerprint to them. to help them find the pair.

The bracelet read: Ephesians 6:10. That’s a Bible verse commonly referred to as the “Armor of God.” Ironically, it notes God gave man the armor needed to be protected from Satan’s evils.

Houston, of Lima, Ohio, will be sentenced later by Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Kubicki, Jr., who presided over the case.

Chief Wallace commended the department for its hard work and commitment to the residents.

Road Safety – A Responsibility Shared by All

Whether walking or driving, safety on the road is a shared responsibility. It is very important for everyone to think about others on the roadway, children on bikes, pedestrians, joggers and motorcycles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the following safety tips:

WHEN WALKING:

Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
Walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.
Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections whenever possible. This is where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions – including those turning left or right.
If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows you enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic as you cross.
Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach you to make sure you are seen.
Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
Do not walk more than two wide and if cars are approaching from both directions it is safest to step off the roadway until traffic clears.

WHEN DRIVING:

Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times.
Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or in bad weather.
Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can’t see.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.
Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where there are children present.
Be extra cautious when backing up – pedestrians can move into your path.

For more safety educational tools, information and videos, visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/Pedestrians.

Zoning Permits

Don’t forget to apply for a zoning permit for work you intend to do before work commences. Permits from the Village are free and usually have a 7-10 day turn around after submission. Sheds, fences, new construction, pools (above and in-ground) all need permits. In kind replacements such as: shingles, windows, and siding do not require a zoning permit – check with Hamilton County regarding a building permit, though. If you’re not sure whether or not your project needs a permit, call the administration offices at 531-8675 and just ask! Visit amberleyvillage.org for submission guidelines.