The Area Progress Council of Warren County has unveiled the second Leadership Warren County class, and the group again includes a mix of nonprofit, business and government representation.

        Headlining the class of 21 is Tom Grossmann, a Mason councilman, Cincinnati lawyer and candidate for county Republican chairman.

        Other members include Tim Abbott of Cinergy, Marla Bell of the Ohio Education Association, Rosalyn Dadas of the Mental Health Association, Col. Del Everett of the county sheriff's office, Monica Gerhardt of the United Way, Larry Hollingshead of Software Solutions, Jim Lukas of the city of Franklin, Kelly Morehead of GE Card Services, Ann Stengl of the Countryside YMCA and Debbie Turner of Lebanon Citizens National Bank.

        The APC is a private organization that promotes business interests in Warren County.

        "Mr. Republican': Organizers of the effort to pass a 4-mill replacement levy for Warren County's Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities agency are giving Republicans a chance to multitask this month. The levy committee is holding a fund-raiser Oct. 17 that also will honor former state Rep. Corwin Nixon.

        Mr. Nixon, still active at 90, was a county commissioner from 1950 to 1962 and minority leader of the state House for almost half of his three decades there.

        The Manor House event will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 each. For information, call Linda Oda at (513) 934-2112.

        Target practice: The Queen City took some blows on the chin at a recent public hearing at the Fairfield Planning Commission where neighbors fought a proposal from Cincinnati Water Works to put a 9-acre sludge pit behind their upscale homes.

        One resident, Rick Fox, told commissioners he works in downtown Cincinnati and sees firsthand how the city doesn't maintain the streets or even Fountain Square. If that's any indication of how they will keep u p the sludge pit, he said, Fairfield should deny the request.

        “The city of Cincinnati is always looking for someone to share the cost,” Mr. Fox said. “A dump is a dump.”

        Then, the planning commission's chairman, Jerry Dailey — a retired Cincinnati police officer — drew laughter when he told Cincinnati's engineer: “I used to work for the city of Cincinnati, so I know you have a lot of free time.”

        Jennifer Edwards

        All in a day's work: Do your part for democracy, and get paid, too. The Warren County Board of Elections needs residents who are registered voters to staff the polls Election Day. Poll workers get $85 to $95 for working from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 5. They get an additional $20 for attending a one-hour training session in October.

        If interested, call 925-1358 or 695-1358 and ask for Nancy or Vickie.

        Developers knocking: More than 100 Norwood residents crowded Rookwood Tower Saturday to bless and blast Rookwood Exchange, the newly proposed $125 million expansion of upscale shops and office space.

        Several in the audience criticized Anderson Real Estate and Miller Valentine Group for trying to purchase their homes, which must be razed for the project to happen.

        But Dobbs Ackermann, sporting an All-American baseball cap, mingled with proponents.

        “This won't go away,” he said. “I don't care if it's Miller-Valentine. I don't care if it's Anderson. (You) live in a place that (developers) want. It is something that's going to come across your door again.”

        Don't be surprised if Mr. Ackermann, a developer in his own right, does the knocking.

        Ackermann Enterprises is partnering with Al Neyer Inc. to build Cornerstone at Norwood, a $30-million, mixed-use office complex that will one day rest near the Rookwood projects.

        This year, the companies razed three apartment buildings and 17 homes to make room for the ongoing venture.

        — Susan Vela

        Tips and comments on Butler and Warren politics may be relayed to Cindi Andrews via e-mail, candrews@enquirer.com; fax, 755-4150; or phone, 755-4157.

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