President Joseph Gorman called the meeting to order at 8:10 AM held in Room A of the Springfield Township Senior Center. Joe then briefly discussed the events of the Attack on America on Tuesday, September 11, and the horror and sorrow all Americans are feeling.

Treasurer’s Report — Treasurer, Bob Will, could not attend the meeting but gave all financial information to Mr. Gorman for review. Balance as of the last meeting - $3,486.41. Income - $1,728.63 which was mostly from food booth sales at Groovin’ at the Grove concerts. Expenses - $2,106.22 attributed to STBA donations and mailings. Current balance is $3,108.82.

Mr. Gorman then had all attendees introduce themselves and state the business they represented. There were 13 people at the meeting.

Membership and Board Nominations — Maggie Wesley reported on STBA’s current membership status. There are 62 current members, but far less are active in the group. Maggie plans to call and invite, personally, all non-attending members of the business association to our next general meeting.

Nominations for new officers and board members will be taken for the election in November. Call or fax Maggie to let her know if you are interested in running for an office, or would like to nominate someone else for a position.

Strategic Plan — Mr. Gorman stated that this is the third year of existence for the Springfield Township Business Association. A strategic plan will help determine a focus for the group: what the group needs to do and how to get it done. Surveys were sent out to businesses and several have been returned so far. Kathy Koops suggested we ask other business associations or Chambers of Commerce if they have implemented a strategic plan and possibly use these as guides.

The plan:

• Develop a planning committee — need volunteers for this.
• Need to formalize the strategic plan.
• Need to attract new businesses to the area.

Education Report — Bess Sprockett reported on the STBA donation to the reading cart at New Burlington Elementary School. After reading a book, students get to choose something from the cart. The school lost grant funding for this program for this school year, and approached the business association for help to keep the program going. The association donated $500.

The business association has also donated a subscription to the Wall Street Journal for the past two years to Finneytown High School.

Another donation was made to help support the Skyline Community Center. This is also supported by Colerain and Springfield Townships and is run by the Clippard YMCA.

Guest Speakers — President Gorman introduced Dr. Sam Martin, Finneytown Schools Superintendent, Mr. Steve Linder of the school levy committee and Mrs. Denise McLaughlin from the school board and president of the Boosters Association. Mr. Linder gave an overview of the operating levy the Finneytown School District is asking for on November 6. It is a 7.95 mill levy to be used for teacher and staff salaries and fringe benefits, transportation, books and all things necessary for day-to-day operation of the schools. It has been nine years since voters were asked to pass a school operating levy. A meeting will be held on October 16 at the Finneytown High School Performing Arts Center to help educate the public as to the importance of this levy and what it means to the education of Finneytown’s children.

Dr. Martin then fielded questions from the audience.

Springfield Township Police and Fire Levies — Bob Trenkamp spoke in favor of the Police and Fire levies that will also be on the November ballot. He said businesses need to support these levies to keep our level of protection high.

Bess Sprockett suggested that even if business owners don’t live in the Finneytown School District, some of their employees may. Business owners should help educate these employees about the levy. They can call Steve Linder at 521-8844 for more information.

Waycross Live Election Forums — All are on channel 23: (call in with questions)

9/24 — 7:00 — Fire Levy Forum

9/24 — 7:30 — Police Levy Forum

9/24 — 8:00 — Hamilton County Child Services Forum

9/24 — 8:30 — Hamilton County Hospital Levy

9/25 — 6:30 — Finneytown Schools Levy

9/25 — 7:00 — Finneytown Board of Education Meeting

Business Update — No news about Biggs going in at the old Big Lots. Joe asked for all in attendance to report about how their businesses are doing. Generally, all reported that things are good. Houses sales are good and interest rates are low. Stock market will be okay. New programming going on at the Y. Bowling will be a high school sport. There is lots of commercial development going on and the economy seems to be good.

STBA Golf Shirts — Call Bob Will for your shirt today. The cost is $5.00.

President Joe Gorman adjourned the meeting at 9:10.

The next Board meeting will be held at the Springfield Township Administration Building on Thursday, October 11 at 8:00 A.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Melanie McNulty, Recording Secretary