BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
![[cleves]](/editions/1998/10/20/cleves_130x173.jpg)
Neighbors on Western Ridge Drive are divided about a ballot issue that would dissolve the village.
(Glenn Hartong photo)
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CLEVES -- The campaign signs have sprouted in front yards all across this tiny village by the river, sharing space with scarecrows and pumpkins and the dried stalks of Halloween.
Hundreds of signs have gone up, urging "yes" or "no" votes on Issue 20, which will ask voters on Nov. 3 whether they want to dissolve the village.
At stake is the future of Cleves, a western Hamilton County village that has been around for 180 years, as well as the political life of other communities in the state that may find themselves in the same position.
An official of the Ohio Municipal League has said it could be the first time in recent history that a village has dissolved. Other communities in the state will watch closely what develops if the village disappears.
While the measure has not really led to ruined friendships or a divided community, it has generated plenty of heated talk in this otherwise quiet town. Most people feel strongly about it.
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PRO AND CON
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Here are arguments made by both sides in the debate over dissolving Cleves and becoming part of Miami Township.
PRO: Village government has outlived its usefulness; taxes are far too high and the same services can be delivered more cheaply by Miami Township.
CON:Comparing taxes is misleading; services such as police and fire wouldn't be as effective; the answer is to change the government and reduce taxes, not do away with it.
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"I don't want my village to change," said Jim Moore, who has lived in Cleves for 64 of its 180 years, and whose son, Doug Moore, is fire chief. "We have the best police department, the best fire department right here; and it's close and you don't have to go out of town for this. When I go to bed at night, I know that I can reach for my telephone if anything happens and they'll be there."
But Tom Dreier has a "Vote Yes" yard sign, and that's how he's voting Nov. 3.
"We want lower taxes," said Mr. Dreier, who has lived in the village for more than two years. "Look at the condition of the streets. It's ridiculous. I don't understand why they're so high."
In a nutshell, those who favor dissolving the village think village government has outlived its usefulness, that taxes are far too high and the same services can be delivered as effectively by Miami Township with its lower tax rate.
The owner of a $100,000 home in Cleves pays about $682 a year in property taxes to the village, while the same homeowner would pay about $157 to Miami Township.
Those opposed to dissolving the village say comparing taxes is misleading, that services such as police and fire wouldn't be as effective, and the answer is to change the government and lower taxes, not do away with it. And, they say, there are sentimental reasons as well, issues that have to do with history and being raised in the community.
Organizers on both sides are optimistic, but not wildly so. "It will be close," said Joe Whitton, an organizer with Team EFFECT (Ensuring the Financial Future and Enhancing Cleves for Tomorrow), the group seeking to dissolve the village.
Ron Bowling, who has organized Save a Village Environment (SAVE), which is fighting to save the village, said they are more optimistic. But the deciding factor could very well be just getting people to the polls.
"We registered over 200 who were not registered voters," said Mr. Bowling. "I feel very good."
SAVE thinks that most people in the village of 2,300 don't want it to dissolve, so the strategy is to get them to vote.
Mr. Whitton said his group just started campaigning in earnest this past weekend and will continue putting up yard signs and knocking on doors, explaining to people the benefits of voting to dissolve. The answer, the group is telling voters, is not about changing the government, voting in new officials or lowering property taxes.
"New leadership cannot increase the tax base," Mr. Whitton said. "The best they can possibly do is cut costs and cut services. That's not the answer. People make Cleves special, not the government."
And it is no longer an issue between newcomers and old-timers, said Mr. Whitton, referring to such new developments as Coleman Woods, still under construction and where some homes sell for $200,000.
"The vote's going to speak for itself," Mr. Whitton said. Linda Bolton, clerk-treasurer of the village, said the village has just seen an increase in its tax revenue realized through new homes.
Because of that, the village is not asking voters to renew the 3-mill street levy Nov. 3. The village can make up the money with the added revenue in its general fund, said Ms. Bolton. The same might be done with a 1-mill park levy that comes up for renewal in a couple of years.
And the village may look into reducing the 4-mill fire levy before it comes up in a few years as well, said Ms. Bolton. "New homeowners are generating more revenue," she said.
Ms. Bolton said she and others can be led to feel confident by the number of "No" signs that dot the front lawns of homes.
"But we have three weeks to go," she said. "It's just very hard emotionally for me. I live in the same community I work in. It's like I can never get away from" talk of the issue.
The village has 10 full-time employees, four part-time employees and eight part-time police officers.
"I don't want the village dissolved," said Nesta Hampton, who has lived in Cleves for five years. "I'm just devoted to this town. Besides, they do that and they get rid of the police force."
Orpha Howell, dressed in a scarlet Ohio State sweat shirt on a cool morning, has lived in Cleves for 40 years and hasn't yet made up her mind on how she'll vote.
"I'm studying both sides," she said. "As far as taxes go, I don't mind them. We get a lot for our taxes. But they need to get some new (council members) in there."
![[cleves]](/editions/1998/10/20/cleves_376x500.jpg)