What is the Clifton Town Meeting?
Clifton Town Meeting is the official community council of the Clifton neighborhood.
In Spring 1961, a group of Clifton residents began meeting to explore how a community within the city could express its needs and goals within the framework of city government. The result was the Clifton Town Meeting–an official community council recognized by the City of Cincinnati. CTM, as it is commonly referred to, is the planning and policy organization for the residents of Clifton. The impetus for the establishment of CTM was the flight of people from the area to the suburbs, caused at that time primarily by interstate highway construction. The founders of CTM wanted to keep and improve what they had inherited in Clifton. This goal is still reflected today in the CTM Bylaws, which state that “the object of the organization is to preserve and develop the community of Clifton. The founders of this organization recognized that Clifton is one of Cincinnati’s first suburbs and has a traditional charm; and that the unique character of Clifton should not be left to chance. On the contrary, its growth and development should be guided by actively interested residents.” Some of the issues that the founders of CTM were concerned with continue to be concerns of Clifton residents in the 21st century–streets and traffic patterns, an attractive and vibrant business district, and of course, the preservation of Clifton’s gas lights. Some of the CTM actions over the past 40 years include:
- Preserving Clifton’s historic gas lights
- Helping to save the Esquire Theater and assisting in financing its remodeling
- Supporting the neighborhood BlockWatch program to enhance the quality of life in Clifton
- Arranging for street tree planting, local park improvements such as new playground equipment, and landscaping in public areas of Clifton
- Spearheading the Clifton School Playground Project
- Supporting efforts to activate & beautify neighborhood public parks.
- Participating in the preparation of an Urban Design Plan for Clifton
- Persuading the City of Cincinnati to rethink its plans for the widening of Clifton Avenue
- Advocating for opening a new neighborhood public elementary school in 2018 on Clifton Avenue
On a continuing basis, CTM:
- Sponsors the Clifton Chronicle, a quarterly newsletter mailed to all residents of Clifton
- Maintains the community website – cliftoncommunity.org
- Sponsors & presents the Memorial Day Parade & Grill out
- Sponsors & presents the triennial Clifton House Tour – has been on hold due to COVID-19
- Sponsors & presents the Lantern Walk
- Conducts various community forums and meetings on issues of interest and concern to Clifton residents
The CTM Board of Trustees meets on the first Monday of each month. Check the Community Calendar for exact meeting dates, times, and locations. CTM welcomes your participation in these meetings as well as any of the CTM committees actively dealing with neighborhood concerns and special events. If you have suggestions, questions, need assistance, or just want to talk about Clifton, please click here to send CTM an email or come to our monthly meeting. Remember, Clifton is your community and CTM is here for all Clifton residents, so get involved! Click here to see the neighborhood boundaries of Clifton.
2023 CTM Committees and Liaisons
CTM Committees are always seeking volunteers for specific activities or for longer-term participation in the work of the Committee. Your involvement, be it big or small, is welcome and desired.
| Committee | Chairperson(s) | |
| Executive | President Gérald Checco | |
| Beautification & Caretaking | Jayme Ritter | |
| Chronicle | Jan Brown-Checco | |
| Communications | Rachel Wells | |
| Membership | Gérald Checco | |
| Housing and Zoning | Nestor Melnyk & Jayme Ritter | |
| Nominating | Gérald Checco | |
| Clifton Community LLC | Gérald Checco | |
| Transportation/Public Safety | Justin Ogliby | |
| Parks | Mary Pat Lienhart & Mansee Chauhan | |
| Arts & Culture | Michael Roller & Joyce Rich | |
| Governance | Mary Pat Lienhart | |
| Finance | Tim Noonan | |
| Events | Barry Gee | |
| Public Safety | Tim Noonan | |
| Liaison Roles | ||
| Uptown Consortium | Gérald Checco, Mansee Chauhan, Nestor Melnyk | |
| Invest In Neighborhoods | Gérald Checco, Tim Noonan | |
| TriHealth / UC Health | Justin Ogliby | |
| Clifton Community Fund | Tim Noonan | |
| Clifton Business Association | Gérald Checco, Jan Brown Checco, Barry Gee, Genet Singh | |
| Neighborhoods of Uptown | Rachel Wells |
Some of our Committees hold public