BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CLEVES -- Both sides of the Cleves issue have hit the streets.
Those hoping to dissolve the village have begun collecting signatures to place the issue on the ballot in November.
Those opposed are registering voters.
Should voters dissolve this village of 2,300 along the Ohio River in western Hamilton County, services would be assumed by surrounding Miami Township.
Members of Team EFFECT (Ensuring the Financial Future and Enhancing Cleves for Tomorrow) won't say how many signatures they have collected, but they need to gather about 260 by mid-August to place the issue on the November ballot.
"The petition process is going very well for us," said Larry Loebker of Team EFFECT, who said strategy prevents the group from releasing the number of signatures. "Everything is on target," he said.
Mr. Loebker said a copy of the petition has been presented to the village.
Team EFFECT began its campaign several months ago, saying services could be handled just as well and for less money by Miami Township. Team members complain that village operating taxes are too high. But Ronald Bowling, who heads SAVE (Save A Village Environment), which is fighting the dissolution, says his group has begun canvassing village residents as well, urging them to both register to vote this November and to decline signing Team's petitions.
"What we're doing is going door to door asking for pledges not to dissolve the village," said Mr. Bowling. "And we're also making sure they're registered voters. We're asking them not to sign any petition if Team EFFECT comes knocking on their doors."
Team EFFECT points out that residents pay 20.58 mills in property taxes for village services, and 23.31 mills when paramedic services, the trash contract and senior center are included.
That compares to 5.38 mills that Miami Township residents pay. The owner of a $100,000 home in Cleves pays $682.33 a year in property taxes for those services, while Miami Township residents pay $157.28, once savings such as a rollback, homestead reduction and sales tax credit are factored in.
"I tell people that if you don't sign this petition, then this government can start working to get your taxes lowered," said Mr. Bowling. "We wouldn't have to wait until November to find out if we're even a community anymore."
