Monday, February 22, 1999
Mayor tries to revitalize flooded town
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MELBOURNE — When George Koopman took a good look at Melbourne a few years back, about the time he was buying a piece of land for a new home, he said his first impression was, “This is a really neat little town.”
Seven years later, he's the mayor of this tiny Campbell County community on the Ohio River, searching for ways to help Melbourne recover from the devastating flood of 1997 and grow into a place residents can point to with pride.
“We have a lot of problems in Melbourne, but we don't have the money or the clout to easily cure them,” the retired Procter & Gamble Co. engineer said.
Among the many ills Mr. Koopman would like to cure:
• Water runoff and drainage problems that result in standing water and minor flooding when there is a heavy rain. A $30,000 drainage program is near completion, but it's a temporary solution at best.
• A need for street improvements. Melbourne still has a number of streets north of Ky. 8 that are unpaved.
“Of course, it's better than it was a few years ago when almost every street in town was gravel,” said city Commissioner Roy Tarvin, a lifelong resident. “At least we've been able to put an asphalt surface on most of the streets.”
Since being elected to the unpaid position of mayor in 1998, Mr. Koopman has begun a reorganization program on city commission. “Spreading the work load. Each member of the city commission will have an area of responsibility.”
The '97 flood covered virtually all of Melbourne north of Ky. 8 with water. Entire trailer parks and dozens of small homes were destroyed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) eventually settled with most of the residents, purchasing damaged trailers and houses. The trailer parks were cleared, and the land was turned over to the city.
But the city has no money budgeted for upkeep of the 15 or more acres near the river and the CSX railroad tracks. Federal regulations say the city must keep the grass cut and maintain the general appearance of the property, but it can't be be sold or used for a revenue-generating purpose. It can be used as a park, but the city has no money for a park.
“The people who lived in the trailers moved to other areas,” Mr. Tarvin said. “We've had a few new houses built in the older section of town, but over all we don't have many people moving here. There aren't many young couples or kids, mostly older folks on fixed incomes.”
The exception is Raintree, a small subdivision of expensive homes situated on a hill north of Ky. 8 near St. Anne Convent (where portions of the movie Rain Man werefilmed) overlooking the flood plain and the river. Mr. Koopman built his house in Raintree.
“I call it the other Melbourne,” he said, an obvious reference to the vast difference between the large brick houses in the new subdivision and the established section of Melbourne with mostly small houses and trailers. “But I believe we can make all of Melbourne a more attractive place to live.”
Another major problem for the city, according to the new mayor, is blight. A quick drive around town points up his concerns, with junk cars, old appliances and other equipment, and various pieces of “junk” prominently displayed in many yards.
“We can't get anything done, and we're hoping the county can help us with some sort of blight law that has some teeth,” Mr. Koopman said. “Our police coverage comes from the Campbell County police, and they won't enforce city laws.”
County officials have emphasized, however, that there are laws already on the books to cover the problem. But complaints must be filed and the cases must wind their way through local courts.
Melbourne has a population of about 650. The city's annual budget is in the range of $140,000, with almost all of that coming from a tax on insurance premiums and real estate taxes.
“We seem to have about 12 people in town who really care and want to do something to bring about some changes,” Mr. Koopman said. “Half of them are on the city commission. There is such apathy. Unless something directly effects most of the residents, they don't want to be bothered.”
He said many residents may see him as a dreamer, but he said he'll continue to search for ways to bring money into the town, perhaps through housing rehabilitation similar to the successes in Newport and Bellevue. He wants to raise the quality of life.
“I hope to revitalize the spirit in the town,” he said. “Right now, there's no reason for people to move here, or to stay here. I'm desperately looking for something to spark the people. Something for people to look at, to point to with pride.”
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