The Avondale Community Council is seeking to expand its membership roster to include organizations, public agencies, hospitals, schools, institutions and businesses.

        Tom Jones, newly elected president of the council, has sent letters asking the various groups to consider establishing a partnership by joining the council.

        “We have embarked on a campaign to unite our community by encouraging partnerships,” Mr. Jones said. "The goal is to encourage the different facets of the community to join the council to support mutual interests that impact the growth of the community.”

        Mr. Jones said that in a community of 19,000 residents the turnout is very low whenever the council presents issues before City Council. He wants to build a strong relationship within Avondale to present a united force before City Council.

        The community council is making an effort to resolve a lingering controversy that is common among inner-city neighborhoods, industry and institutions. Avondale has had its share of the controversy, dating to the dispute between the council and the Cincinnati Zoo over parking space.

        That dispute was solved with the zoo making substantial financial contributions to the council.

        The Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Ronald McDonald House have also made efforts to blend into the neighborhood by expanding facilities in the Burnet Avenue area business district.

        The partnership that Mr. Jones talks about is simply making friends with a neighbor, who might be a company or an institution.

        “I think this could be a good idea,” said Michael Romanos, who teaches community development in the University of Cincinnati School of Planning. “When institutions and businesses become a part of the council, at least there is the chance to air the disputes in council as another member.”

        Mr. Romanos said a lot of older neighborhoods, including Avondale, lose business districts when people move out and businesses cannot stay. In some cases the businesses that remain can be overdomineering in their demands.

        “Some times businesses will join a council just for public relations purposes and don't have the neighborhood interest at heart. But I think we are seeing some positive examples with the Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House expansion in Avondale,” Mr. Romanos said.

        MILFORD — The Anderson Area Newcomers Luncheon will start 11 a.m. Jan. 10 at the Mill Street Manor, 203 Mill St. For information, contact Pam Wickens, 474-7470; Catherine Stange, 272-2204, or Jean Schwartz, 624-7702.

        AMBERLEY VILLAGE — The village is awaiting the arrival of its new piece of fire equipment, a $427,000 ladder truck that can reach 75 feet.

        The Sutphen Quint truck will be able to reach buildings with high rooftops and several three-story schools.

        “We don't have tall apartment buildings, but the truck will be of use to surrounding communities with tall buildings,” said Amberley Village Police Chief John Monohan. “And the way the weight is distributed on the truck, we will be able to cross some bridges our other trucks cannot cross.”

       Allen Howard's column runs on Saturdays. Call: 768-8362. Mail: The Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.

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