FAIRFIELD TWP. — In front yards and farm fields across Butler County, the little yellow signs popped up in the last couple of weeks.

        They're round, small and don't look at all like typical campaign signs. But in bold, black print, they urge voters next month to support a 2-mill replacement tax levy for the Butler County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD).

        Levy organizers and MRDD clients on Monday met with the media to discuss the levy.

        At Liberty Center, an adult care facility for clients with complex mental and physical disabilities, caregiv ers sometimes have trouble maneuvering clients' wheelchairs because of a lack of space. Liberty Center, on Liberty-Fairfield Road, handles 120 clients daily.

        “We have 2,500 individuals and their families who see us as their greatest hope for a better life for someone with mental retardation and developmental disabilities,” said campaign chairman Gary Blevins, who has a daughter with autism and mental retardation. “You have only to talk to these families to know how much they depend on us, not only for services but also for support.”

        The Hampls of West Chester are one such family. Diane and Neal Hampl's daughter, Colleen, was born with Down syndrome in 1994.

        Colleen, with long brown hair, a bright smile and glasses, will be featured on campaign billboards.

        MRDD “is a tremendous source of support to our family,” Mrs. Hampl said. “They really inspired us to believe in our child.” '

        Colleen, who is in kindergarten at Lakota Early Childhood Center, can read and takes ballet. She plays with her older brother and sister.

        “We treat her as we would any child of ours,” Mrs. Hampl said. “She learns just like anyone else. She's surprised us 100 percent over in the things she's been able to do.”

City Hall service for Berry Thursday
Girl, 12, guilty of bomb threat
Landfill owner sues city
Former executive's indictment dropped
Reds park within budget
Cinergy prepped for grass field
KKK appears to have law on side of its cross
PULFER: Gold medal for helping Erin's mom
Airport to get cell-phone friendlier
Airport approves plan for new parking deck
CROWLEY: Debate details being debated
House race a sleepy hollow
FOP backs Lucas, Buring and Henson
UC endowment tops $1 billion
Agency accredits Mason Police Dept.
Agency rallies support for levy
City struggles with safety budget
Clergy group endorses school levy
Cleves arrests a first
Fund-raiser offers pottery with dinner
High schools say forms for Title IX completed
Kentucky Digest
Ky. grades poorly again
Local Digest
Newport officials praise gas crisis response
Taft to hit road for Bush
Trial starts for steelworker accused of bomb threat