Health-Share update

Here's the latest on a program organized by Butler County Commissioner, Greg Jolivette. Just another example of how the private sector can provide solutions without creating another bureaucratic nightmare or wasteful government program!

from the Journal News

Voinovich touts Butler County health care initiative
Senator learns about HealthShare from those who created it.

HAMILTON — U.S. Sen. George Voinovich said a new Butler County program that offers low-cost health insurance to the working poor is proof better ideas come from communities, not Capitol Hill.

The Cleveland Republican met with Butler County leaders and health-learn about HealthShare, a local program championed by Butler County Commissioner Gregory Jolivette.

The local health initiative is a cornerstone, Voinovich said, of the Health Partnership Act he's sponsoring. The legislation would offer grants to states and regions to test pilot programs that Congress would evaluate in five years.

"You know better than we do in Washington about how you could better deliver services," Voinovich said.

Health-care providers in attendance Monday voiced support for HealthShare.
"We see this as one piece of a solution," said Lynn Oswald, director of the Fort Hamilton Hospital. "We would get these patients anyway, so getting something for providing (them) care would be helpful."

Using no public funding, the program helps businesses offer their employees health plans that cost as low as $76 a month if they earn up to 300 percent of federal poverty guidelines — roughly $41,070 for a family of two — or involuntarily lose coverage.

But the biggest problem is getting people to participate, according to program administrator Karen Mueller.

Since the program launched in September, she said only 70 of the roughly 40,000 Butler County residents without insurance have signed up.

Although Mueller expects that number to double or triple in the next two months, she said many eligible companies and residents don't know about the program.

for additional information click here

Salsa Social at the Fairfield Community Arts Center

Here's something to help kick-off your weekend!

Are you looking to let loose and see what the Salsa scene is all about? Join Salsa Underground at the Community Arts Center for some great music and dancing. Experience is not a requirement to get in the door, just come early for the dance lessons and stick around to dance the night away with the best DJ music in the Tri State. Dance lessons start at 8 pm, followed by open dancing from 9 pm to midnight. A cash bar will be open with free snacks.

Fees: $10 admission includes dance lessons 8 pm, $5 after 9 pm ($7/$3 with student ID)

When:Friday November 9, 2007 8:00 p.m.

Where:Fairfield Community Arts Center - Community Room411 Wessel DriveFairfield, OH 45014 View map

Contact:Parks & Recreation Department513-867-5348

It's that time again - Fairfield leaf collection

additional information at the City of Fairfield's web-site

Fairfield’s annual leaf collection is scheduled to begin Monday, October 29, 2007. This program provides free leaf collection services to residents who place leaves in rows or piles between the curb and sidewalk or adjacent to the street in areas not having curb and sidewalk. Please do not place leaves in the curb & gutter or street. Due to new storm water quality requirements necessitated by the Phase 2 Storm Water Quality Program mandated by the Federal Government, leaves can no longer be placed in the street. This will prevent contamination to storm water runoff which can pollute streams or the aquifer which supplies our drinking water.

Residents are advised to NOT place leaves in the street, as gutters and storm sewers can become blocked and cause localized flooding during moderate to heavy rainfall. Please help make the collection program run as smoothly as possible by raking your leaves between the curb and gutter and sidewalk, or in areas without curb and gutter, adjacent to the street. Also, please do not park in front of or near the piles between the hours of 7:00am and 8:00pm as the trucks/equipment cannot reach them, and those piles will be left until the next scheduled collection week. Do not place grass clippings, sticks, limbs or brush in with your leaves. These items can clog and damage our equipment and could injure workers.

Election 2007 - City of Fairfield races and candidates

Please remember to vote tomorrow (Tuesday, November 6th).
Polls are open from 6:30 AM - 7:30 PM


FAIRFIELD MUNICIPAL JUDGE (filing deadline August 9)
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Joyce A. Campbell


FAIRFIELD CITY COUNCIL - 1ST WARD (filing deadline August 9)
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Mike Snyder

FAIRFIELD CITY COUNCIL - 2ND WARD (filing deadline August 9)
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Donald L. Hassler
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Marty Judd

FAIRFIELD CITY COUNCIL - 3RD WARD (filing deadline August 9)
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Mitch Rhodus

FAIRFIELD CITY COUNCIL - 4TH WARD (filing deadline August 9)
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Terry Senger

FAIRFIELD CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION (2 to be elected)
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Diana Bailey
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Jerome E. Kearns
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Lee Maloney
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Erik Rivera

Candidate's Brother says Don't elect him

Well THIS should make conversation at Thanksgiving Dinner interesting!

story from the Cincinnati Enquirer

Brother buys ad to announce disapproval

You know it's not a good day when your own brother takes out an ad asking people not to vote for you.

That's what happened this week to Erik Rivera, a candidate in the heated Fairfield Board of Education race. His brother, Mark, paid for a quarter-page political ad in a local newspaper.

In a letter to "fellow citizens," Mark Rivera wrote: "Erik happens to be my brother, but I have no confidence in him holding this position."

Erik said he had no idea his brother, whom he hasn't spoken to in three years, was placing the ad until he opened the paper and saw it.

"It's clear to me he's been brainwashed by the pro-levy fanatics," Erik Rivera said. "It's further proof that a school board race has not only divided a community - it's divided a family. My brother is definitely crossed off my wedding list next fall."