CLEVELAND — The Unitarian Universalist Association elected its first black president in the denomination's 40-year history at its annual convention Saturday.

        The Rev. William G. Sinkford, 54, won by a 2-1 margin — 2,218 votes to 1,043 votes — over the Rev. Diane M.W. Miller, who would have been the first female president. Rev. Mr. Sinkford succeeds the Rev. John A. Buehrens, who served two four-year terms.

        After a corporate career, mostly in marketing, Rev. Mr. Sinkford entered divinity school and was ordained in 1995 in Cincinnati. He said he would use his presidency to speak out on racial justice, gender equality and poverty.

        “The hurting world in which we live desperately needs our liberal voice,” he said. “We can be, and will be, a transformative voice for justice in the world.”

        For seven years, the Cambridge, Mass., resident has served as director of congregational, district and extension services for the Boston-based denomination.

        Rev. Ms. Miller, of Belmont, Mass., has been director of ministry since 1993.
       

Identity sought in apparent hit-skip

        SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP — Hamilton County sheriff's deputies Saturday sought the identify of a man found on a High Point street, where he apparently was the victim of a hit-and-run.

        Deputies said the man suffered head injuries sometime between 4 and 5:15 a.m.

        He was taken to University Hospital where he was in stable condition but unable to talk.

        Police found him on First Avenue south of Fields Ertel Road and the Warren County line.

        He is white, in his 30s to early 40s, with long, light brown hair, tattooed arms and shoulders. He was wearing blue jeans.

        Anyone with information, call the sheriff's office at 825-1500.
       

Man robs bank in Symmes Township

               SYMMES TOWNSHIP — Hamilton County sheriff's detectives searched Saturday for a man who robbed the Provident Bank in the 9900 block of Waterstone Drive shortly after noon.

        Officers said the robber, about 25, showed a teller a note demanding money. After the teller handed over an unspecified amount of cash, the robber put it in a white paper bag and fled north on foot. No weapon was shown. No one was injured.

        The robber was described as black, 6 feet 1 inch, with medium length hair. He was wearing a red baseball cap, a red shirt and black shorts.
       

Warren engineer revises road plan

        TURTLECREEK TWP. — The Warren County engineer on Monday will present township officials and residents with his latest proposal for making McClure Road safer.

        Several neighbors have asked for changes to the road since two teen-agers were killed while joy-riding there in November 1999.

        The meeting is 7 p.m. Monday in the Turtlecreek Township Administration Building, 1433 W. Ohio 63.

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