Saturday, August 21, 1999
Veteran pols pleased with achievements
2 commissioners won't run again
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MIDDLETOWN — Their reasons for getting into politics were vastly different, but their decision to step down at the end of this year were much the same: It's time.
As the new candidates filed their petitions this week, Paul Nenni, a commissioner for nearly eight years, and Jim Armbruster, a nearly six-year veteran, reflected on their years on the board.
“In the very beginning I ran because I thought the makeup of city commission was less than desirable,” Mr. Nenni said. “I wanted to come in and make a difference.” That desire to be involved stemmed partly from his 12-year involvement with the Middletown Jaycees.
Mr. Nenni, 50, owner of Nenni and Co. CPAs, said he's pleased with the direction the city has taken in the past few years.
One major major achievement during his tenure was the decision to hire City Manager Ron Olson, whom he called a strong leader.
“The stronger the city manager, the better off we are,” Mr. Nenni said. With the manager's help, “we now have a five-year capital improvement plan and a really good, meaningful budget.”
The biggest project he has helped decide is the City Centre Mall, Mr. Nenni said.
“I'm glad I was on the commission that finally decided to tackle the mall,” he said. “I won't be on long enough to see the groundbreaking, but I'll be keeping in touch to make sure they don't screw this thing up.”
Mr. Nenni also plans to watch the charter review commission process, which he hopes results in eliminating the ward system and increasing commission salaries to draw more qualified candidates.
Mr. Armbruster said he's proud to have helped guide the city from financially troubled to fiscally sound during his years on the board. And he hopes this commission will learn to be more fiscally responsible — saving more for a rainy day.
Mr. Armbruster, 33, a Butler County adult probation officer, said his commission terms culminated a nearly lifelong dream. He was just 5 when the political bug nipped him as he campaigned with his grandfather, David E. Armbruster, a former state representative.
“All through high school I had an interest in politics, and I got involved in the school sen ate in college,” Mr. Armbruster said.
When he first ran, “the movers and shakers blew me off as a kid with a lot of ambition,” but soon they realized he was determined to be a part of the city's future.
He cited the adult entertainment law and improved economic development among the goals achieved during his tenure, plus helping steer the board to being more goal-oriented — more involved in policy rather than tasks.
For now, he'll take a break and pursue other interests — spending more time with his three children, trying to get into law school and contemplating the future.
“I have higher political aspirations,” both at the county and state level, Mr. Armbruster said.
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