With one week to go before Election Day, the big races for Governor, Congress, and the U.S. Senate have generated the most buzz.But even though local issues don't command as much marquee attention as, say, the Steve Chabot-Greg Landsman Congressional contest. Both candidates are a significant part of the community's support system and have received voter support over the years.Early voters will likely recognize Issue 10.They've never turned away a senior services levy in the 30 its been on Hamilton County's ballot. This year is a renewal. The money helped 8,220 older people last year with basic in-home services. 76% of them over the age of 70, 68% female, and 60% living alone.Ken Wilson, Vice President of Program Operations for Senior Services, ran down the list."Meals on Wheels, transportation to their doctor's appointment, going to an adult day center, help with bathing and dressing. These are all things that we all take for granted until we can't do them ourselves," Wilson said. Issue 9 will also be familiar to voters, although it has more controversy to it this time.The mental health levy is going for an increase, its first in 15 years.Since July, calls for mental health services are up 26%."Historic demand for need," according to Neil Tilow, the CEO at Talbert House. "Never seen anything in my whole career with this much need for more access. And it comes at a time when the staffing issues in our business are the same in every other business. You know, you can't find enough therapists, you can't find enough caseworkers."Those opposed to Issue 9 emphasized today they're not against providing mental health services.But they question how levy funding is allocated."They should be held accountable for what they're doing with the money," said Barbara Holwadel, who is a Republican Party state central committee member.The party itself has remained neutral on the issue."It's out of line with inflation," Holwadel stated. "Inflation's running around 8 to 9% now. Which if it was an 8 or 9% increase, maybe I could understand that. But this is a 33% increase in our taxes."Anecdotally, Talbert House believes support has been pretty strong so far, saying it's a balancing act and that the extra millage isn't as much of an increase as they would have preferred.On a property valued at $100,000, you would add another $13 to your annual tax bill by passing Issue 9.For the Senior Services levy, you would pay the same amount that you are currently paying.
With one week to go before Election Day, the big races for Governor, Congress, and the U.S. Senate have generated the most buzz.
But even though local issues don't command as much marquee attention as, say, the Steve Chabot-Greg Landsman Congressional contest. Both candidates are a significant part of the community's support system and have received voter support over the years.
Early voters will likely recognize Issue 10.
They've never turned away a senior services levy in the 30 its been on Hamilton County's ballot. This year is a renewal.
The money helped 8,220 older people last year with basic in-home services. 76% of them over the age of 70, 68% female, and 60% living alone.
Ken Wilson, Vice President of Program Operations for Senior Services, ran down the list.
"Meals on Wheels, transportation to their doctor's appointment, going to an adult day center, help with bathing and dressing. These are all things that we all take for granted until we can't do them ourselves," Wilson said.
Issue 9 will also be familiar to voters, although it has more controversy to it this time.
The mental health levy is going for an increase, its first in 15 years.
Since July, calls for mental health services are up 26%.
"Historic demand for need," according to Neil Tilow, the CEO at Talbert House. "Never seen anything in my whole career with this much need for more access. And it comes at a time when the staffing issues in our business are the same in every other business. You know, you can't find enough therapists, you can't find enough caseworkers."
Those opposed to Issue 9 emphasized today they're not against providing mental health services.
But they question how levy funding is allocated.
"They should be held accountable for what they're doing with the money," said Barbara Holwadel, who is a Republican Party state central committee member.
The party itself has remained neutral on the issue.
"It's out of line with inflation," Holwadel stated. "Inflation's running around 8 to 9% now. Which if it was an 8 or 9% increase, maybe I could understand that. But this is a 33% increase in our taxes."
Anecdotally, Talbert House believes support has been pretty strong so far, saying it's a balancing act and that the extra millage isn't as much of an increase as they would have preferred.
On a property valued at $100,000, you would add another $13 to your annual tax bill by passing Issue 9.
For the Senior Services levy, you would pay the same amount that you are currently paying.
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