ELMWOOD PLACE - The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is looking at records of a recent tax resolution in which an absent council member was marked as voting "yes," village and sheriff's officials said.

"We are investigating that allegation," sheriff's spokesman Steve Barnett said Tuesday.

Councilman Art Coffey was listed as absent at the meeting while also recorded as voting for the resolution, according to elections officials.

The financially strapped village withdrew the Aug. 11 resolution to place a renewal property tax levy on November's ballot after a resident raised questions about the vote to the Hamilton County Board of Elections.

Mental health board chief steps down early

LEBANON - The superintendent of the Warren County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities is leaving the post earlier than expected.

John Lazares, who was expected to serve until the end of the year, will now leave Oct. 1. The board accepted his resignation Monday night.

Michael C. Virelli II will then take over as superintendent. Virelli, who has been with the MRDD board since 2000, has been deputy superintendent since December 2001.

Milford surveys other police departments

MILFORD - City officials want to know how their police department compares with others in the state.

City Manager Loretta Rokey compiled and sent out about 230 surveys to city managers in municipalities throughout the state earlier this year to look at various aspects of police departments such as how they are funded and how many are accredited.

Rokey received 40 responses.

"We're pretty much middle-of-the-road compared to those that we've surveyed," Rokey said.

Members of the city's Safety Services Committee were expected to discuss the survey results Monday, but didn't have a quorum at their meeting. That meeting is expected to be rescheduled for next week.

Clifton lets artists loose on Telford Street

CLIFTON - Telford Street in Clifton soon will be covered with paintings.

Local artists will display their talents from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday by painting with special chalks on the pavement of Telford Street.

This event is called StreetScapes: A Street Painting Festival. At no charge, people can stroll down Telford and watch artists as they create paintings on the street.

The festival is coordinated by volunteers and is sponsored by Clifton Town Meeting, the Clifton Business and Professional Association, the Clifton Recreation Center, Columbia Savings & Loan and other Clifton businesses and merchants.

Lebanon planning Main Street dedication

LEBANON - The dedication ceremony to commemorate the end of the Main Street project has been set for Sept. 28.

The city and the Ohio Department of Transportation will dedicate the major roadway at a 6:30 p.m.ceremony Tuesday at Christmas Tree Park on the corner of Main and Broadway. During the two-plus year, $11.5 million reconstruction, the street was widened and utilities were improved.

Butler Co. collects unwanted appliances

TRENTON - Butler County's Solid Waste District is sponsoring an appliance, computer and waste tire collection Oct. 2. Butler County residents are invited to bring unwanted items to Edgewood Middle School, located at 3440 Busenbark Road just north of Trenton, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Accepted materials include all types of appliances, televisions, electronic equipment, cell phones and tires. Residents may contribute up to five appliances per household and six passenger tires. Collectors will not accept any type of paint, solvents, batteries, automotive fluids, pool chemicals or household trash.

Call 887-3066 for information.

Contributors: Liz Oakes, Erica Solvig, Perry Schaible, Steve Kemme and Nancy Young