Compiled by Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The war between Warren County Commissioner Mike Kilburn and area developers has intensified since Mr. Kilburn handily won re-election two weeks ago.

Thursday, the commissioners put Robert C. Rhein Interests Inc.'s proposal for a 390-home subdivision in Turtlecreek Township on hold until January after objecting to the project's size. A newspaper quoted Mr. Kilburn as telling the developer: "You've taken all of Warren County you're going to take."

Two days earlier, Mr. Kilburn termed a plan for soccer fields in Deerfield Township "another example of big interests from Cincinnati coming to our community and telling our residents what they have to put up with." Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, a private Hamilton County school, wants to build the fields.

"I can guess what Mike's motivations are. We supported (his opponent) Carolyn Tepe," said Dan Hendricks, government liaison for the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati. "But this is the same old tune. It really it hasn't changed any. It's just disappointing."

The Home Builders Association's political action committee endorsed Ms. Tepe and gave her $5,000, and Robert Rhein gave her $1,000. Homebuilders opposed Mr. Kilburn largely because he advocates charging countywide impact fees on new homes, saying fees are needed both to slow the growth and to pay for it.

Mr. Hendricks disputes the notion that growth doesn't support itself, noting the commissioners paid cash for their new, $12 million administration building. "Gee, I wonder where that money comes from," he said.

Rhein vice president Alex Tarasenko said the company is unlikely to reduce the number of homes on its 140-acre Turtlecreek site.

"We're not exactly amateurs at development," Mr. Tarasenko said. "We were surprised about commissioners' response to our plan."

Mr. Kilburn did not return a call seeking comment.

Special protection: While Voice of the Electorate (VOTE) continues to clash with the city of Loveland, another group that relies on organic farming is quietly getting its way.

Both entities - VOTE and Grailville - have protested the city's decision to sell the historic White Pillars property to developers for homes, town houses and a 16-acre commercial development along Ohio 48.

And now there's a purchase agreement that, once approved, will make the $3.4 million deal final. But there's a special clause that mentions Grailville and assures its managers that developers will minimize pesticides flowing into a Grailville pond.

Paul Elliott, a VOTE leader who gathered signatures for referendum petitions that were never accepted by the city, doesn't mind.

"Grailville has always been a partner in this battle to maintain really smart, safe growth ... for that entire area," he said. "If Grailville has a special clause, it would actually protect that property and maintain the integrity of what Grailville stands for and produces organically."

-Susan Vela

Party time: Mental Health Recovery Services of Warren and Clinton Counties is bidding farewell to its executive director in style. The board authorized spending up to $1,500 for a party for Bill Harper after he resigned Nov. 13 to take the same job in Lorain County, near Cleveland.

"But it's likely going to cost a lot less than that," spokesman John Cummings said.

The open house will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Corwin House on Main Street in Lebanon, headquarters for the agency. Presumably the voters who approved a 1-mill replacement levy for Mental Health Recovery Services on Nov. 5 are invited.

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.