Audit committeeproposal vote today

Cincinnati City Council will vote today on a proposal to give city auditors more power and independence to go after waste of taxpayer money.

The proposal by Republican Pat DeWine and Democrat David Crowley, comes after repeated scandals in the Department of Community Development and Planning. The ordinance would increase the number of citizens on the Internal Audit Committee, and forbid the kind of editing City Manager Valerie Lemmie did on the last year's Empire Theater audit.

Stronger reforms were proposed last year, but were held up by City Solicitor J. Rita McNeil's warning that removing internal auditors from the city manager's oversight would violate the city's charter.

Mental health agency distributing seeds

LEBANON - Mental Health Recovery Services of Warren and Clinton Counties is distributing seed packets to thank people for years of support

The agency celebrates its 35th anniversary this month.

In Warren County, packets can be picked up at the Franklin, Mason, Salem Township and Springboro public libraries. They also can be picked up at the agency, 107 Oregonia Road in Lebanon.

Mason to discusstruck detour signs

MASON - City Council will discuss posting signs encouraging truckers to use Tylersville and Mason-Montgomery roads as an alternate route to U.S. 42.

The idea is expected to come up at the April 12 meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in the municipal building, 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road.

Course offered for families of mentally ill

AVONDALE - The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Hamilton County will offer a free 12-week course for relatives who have a family member with a mental illness. The Family to Family program will cover illnesses, medications and biology.

The first session begins at 6:30 p.m. April 1 at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, 3200 Vine St. Registration is required. Call Emma Wade at 487-6687.