trustees – Clifton Community

March 2, 2023March 2, 2023 Rachel Wells Announcements, News

CTM Board of Trustees will meet in a hybrid meeting on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 7 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend. Public input on CTM agenda items will be heard after Trustee discussion is complete. Community members wishing to address the Board on an agenda item should sign up to speak at least 24 hours before start of the meeting by completing this Google form or with an email request directed to the president at contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org. Individual input on agenda items will last no more than two minutes.

Community members may speak on non-agenda issues during the public questions and concerns period at the end of the meeting. Individuals with statements are asked to sign in before the start of the meeting. Such statements should last not more than two minutes and are invited during the public questions and concerns period. Email your request to speak (specify the topic), or to request an agenda item at the next meeting to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org.

Agenda

Join in-person: Clifton Recreation Center, 320 McAlpin Avenue

Join remotely: Via Google Meets

Start Time	Topic	Topic Lead
7 p.m.	Welcome	Pres. Checco
7:01	Roll call & approval of minutes	Sec. Gee
7:03	Treasurer Report	Treas. Noonan
7:05	Police Report	Officer Dent
7:20	Clifton Recreation Center Report	Coordinator Fitzpatrick
7:25	Clifton Library Report	Manager Strauss-De Groote
7:35	Outdoor Food Pantry – Clifton Area Neighborhood School Community Learning Center	Julia Bonfield
7:45	Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Plan	Liz Peak
8:00	Announcements	Various
8:05	CTM Committee Roll Call	CTM Trustees
8:15	Liaison Roll Call	CTM Trustees
8:25	Community Questions/Concerns	Pres. Checco
8:35	Adjournment	Pres. Checco

October 4, 2021December 4, 2021 Brian Duffy Announcements

CTM Meeting Agenda and Link – Oct Meeting

October 4, 2021, 7:00pm. Google Meet Videoconference.

Due to the ongoing public health situation, CTM will continue to hold its meetings via video and telephone conference. To join the videoconference click on the following link – https://meet.google.com/whg-tgjk-cui. To join via phone, dial (505) 585-5460 and use the following PIN – 673 452 758#.

The agenda is as follows:

Time	Topic
7:00 / 1 min	Welcome to the Google Meet electronic meeting, advice for participation
7:01 / 1 min	Approve prior month’s meeting minutes from September
7:02 / 10 min	Captain Gregoire /Officer Shawn Dent
7:12 / 10 min	Greater Cincinnati Water Works – special guest
7: 22 / 5 min	Treasurer’s Report and Finance Committee Update
7:27 / 8 min	Beautification Committee – Fall Clean Up October 9, 9 am – noon+; plants giveaway
7: 35 / 2 min	Arts and Culture Committee Update
7:37 / 10 min	Nominating Committee Report – slate of candidates all in by (date ?)
7:47 / 15 min	Governance Committee – committee members announced, delivery of suggested changes to the bylaws to be sent to Board members by Oct 22, per 45-day notification rule
8:02 / 5 min	Housing and Zoning Committee
8:07 / 10 min	Holidays on Ludlow support – Patrick Borders, project manager. CBA plans for Nov 27 (Small Business Saturday) Lamposts decoration; Holiday Tree project with John Carnavale – decoration with community generated ornaments (Nov 26), Lighting evening of Nov 27 with Ludlow shops open, carriage rides and live music on the Plaza
8:17 / 10 min	Clifton Avenue Bike Lane – report from Sept 30 special meeting of City Council’s Neighborhoods Committee at Clifton Rec Center with Jan Michele Kearney
8:27 / 10 min	Clifton Chronicle delivery problems update; send electronic copies via Mail Chimp to check on real readership count; Call for Content Creation and Advertisers has been sent. Nominees will deliver their bios for publication by Oct 24 (advertisers deadline)
8:37 / 5 min	Membership Committee – 48 email addresses that are bouncing. Solutions?
8: 42 / 5 min	Clifton Recreation Center Updates – Carpool Cinema Oct 2 and 9. Trunk or Treat Sat Oct 23, 5-7 pm in parking lot; any person or group wishing to sponsor a trunk, please contact Tiffany
8:47 / 5 min	Neighborhood Activation Fund – status of allocations and our program planning
8:52 / 3 min	Trustee, Committee and Liaisons Announcements
8: 55 / 5 min	Community Questions/Concerns
9:00	Adjournment

Clifton Town Meeting TrusteesThank you very much,Emailing your issue to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org is another effective way to have your issue or opinion considered by your trustees. To request an agenda item for the next meeting please email your topic to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org

Please note that public input on agenda items of pressing community concern will be heard after trustee discussion. Community members should sign up to speak on an agenda item before the start of the meeting. Not all agenda items will have time reserved for public input. Individual input on agenda items will be no more than two minutes. Community members are able to speak on non-agenda issues during the public questions and concerns agenda item. Individuals with statements are asked to sign in before the start of the meeting. Statements will be no more than three minutes during the questions and concerns agenda item.

August 1, 2021August 1, 2021 Kevin Marsh Announcements

CTM Meeting Agenda and Link – Aug 2

Clifton Town Meeting, your community council, is having its regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 2 from 7-9pm. All our meetings are on the community calendar. We hope you will join to learn about what is happening and how you can be involved.

Click here for the meeting invite and agenda that went to email subscribers. You can become a subscriber here.

Due to the ongoing public health situation CTM will continue to hold its meetings via video and telephone conference. To join the videoconference click on the following link – http://meet.google.com/pii-pchz-bpi. To join via phone, dial (605) 937-7196 and use the following PIN – 994 211 073#.

The agenda is as follows:

Time	Topic
7:00 / 1 min	Welcome to the Google Meet electronic meeting, advice for participation
7:01 / 1 min	Approve prior month’s meeting minutes from June 7
7:02 / 10 min	Captain Gregoire – Introduction of Office Shawn Dent, our new Neighborhood Liaison Officer
7: 12 / 5 min	Treasurer’s Report and Finance Committee Update
7:17 / 10 min	Nominating Committee – attracting good candidates for 2022 Board (President, Secretary and Treasurer cycling off). Presentation of updated Committees description
7:27 / 5 min	Membership Committee – establishment of Chair, Campaign for Fall 2021 – use of Chronicle for engagement, other actions
7:32 / 10 min	Art and Culture Committee Update/Merchant’s Lot mural proposal
7:42 / 5 min	Governance Committee
7:47 / 10 min	Housing and Zoning Committee
7:57 / 5 min	Events reports – Golf Outing, CliftonFest
8:02 / 20 min	Neighborhood Activation Fund – Discussion of what projects/programming we’d like to receive up to $10K to support; KCB “Clean and Safe” grant for $10K, ideas for use
8:22 / 20 min	Parks Committee – resolution for dog park proposed for Burnet Woods
8:42 / 10 min	Community Planning – expanding of the working committee to include planning pros
8:52 / 5 min	In-Person Meetings for CTM monthly Board – discussion
8: 57 / 1 min	Trustee, Committee and Liaisons Announcements
8: 58 / 2 min	Community Questions/Concerns
9:00	Adjournment

Emailing your issue to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org is another effective way to have your issue or opinion considered by your trustees. To request an agenda item for the next meeting please email your topic to contactctm@cliftoncommunity.org

November 28, 2017 Kevin Marsh Uncategorized

CTM Trustee Candidate Q & A

There are ten candidates running to be a CTM Trustee for five seats up for election. Each candidate was offered the chance to answer five questions and make a comment. Replies were limited to 50 words per question/comment. Candidates were not required to reply. The replies are listed below in the order they were received. Voting will occur Monday December 4th at 6PM prior to the usual CTM meeting at 7PM.

Stephanie Gilbreath Response:

Q1 What special skills would you bring to the board and what committees would you want to serve on? My areas of experience include non-profit fundraising, event planning, research, writing, print production (magazines), retail business ownership, historic house renovation. My primary committees of interest include Housing & Zoning and Arts & Culture. I am happy to put fundraising and publishing skills to work as needed.

Q2 What are your top 5 priorities for Clifton?

Historically sensitive revitalization of business district.
More respect/cooperation between Clifton special interest groups.
Transparent, communicative, thoughtful school development that accommodates needs/concerns of all stakeholders (households with and without children).
CCAC relocation within Clifton.
Positive PR for Clifton. Too many recent citywide news stories are negative.

Q3 Why are you running to be a Trustee? I love the unique character of Clifton. I now have the time and energy available to serve the community and skills to put to use. My family and I benefit every day from living here and I believe in giving back.

Q4 What would you care most about as a trustee? Clifton is made up of singles, couples, families with children of all ages, renters, homeowners, business owners, young, old and everyone in between. It is vital that CTM recognize and represent needs and priorities of all these demographics (especially when they clash) when making decisions or communicating with the City.

Q5 What is your opinion on new development in Clifton such as with the Clifton Merchants Lot? At the Merchant’s Lot planning meeting, I was pleased that the city and developers began the process with community input. Our business district needs updating to maintain Clifton’s reputation as one of Cincinnati’s premier neighborhoods and attract homebuyers, shoppers and vibrant businesses to our neighborhood.

Optional Comment: I hope you will consider me when you vote for CTM Trustees. It would be an honor and a pleasure to serve all of Clifton’s residents. Happiest of holidays (whichever you choose to celebrate) to you and yours.

Sean Hare Response:

Q1 What special skills would you bring to the board and what committees would you want to serve on? As an urban planner I have experience in community organization, outreach, and the technical aspects of city living. I also have experience in design and mural creation. I would be interested in the Transportation, Parks, Public Art, Housing and Zoning, and the Beautification committees.

Q2 What are your top 5 priorities for Clifton?

Helping to shape a resilient and sustainable future for the neighborhood
Public art development
Creating a proper response to new development in Clifton
Promoting a more bike friendly and accessible neighborhood
Promoting placemaking to enhance the unique-ness of Clifton even more

Q3 Why are you running to be a Trustee? When I moved here, in 2015, I fell in love with the character and people of this neighborhood which welcomed me so graciously. I am young and looking to get involved in my community, and feel I would bring fresh perspective to an organization like CTM.

Q4 What would you care most about as a trustee? I would care most about creating a vibrant future for our community. I feel that working with the future generations of Clifton residents in mind is crucial to being a Trustee and I would work to make sure that our actions are forward thinking.

Q5 What is your opinion on new development in Clifton such as with the Clifton Merchants Lot? I see these developments as opportunities for enhancing Clifton as a community. Through new public spaces, retail opportunities, and new residents, I feel that Clifton is a great community that could be made even better through these projects and the input of our great residents in guiding these projects.

Optional Comment: I feel my professional background would help our community greatly during these times of change and my younger perspective would help in providing a voice to members of Clifton who tend to not be involved in CTM. I look forward to serving you all. Thank you.

Micah Ovadia Response:

Q1 What special skills would you bring to the board and what committees would you want to serve on? My bachelor’s degree in Visual Communications and master’s degree in Public Relations will be helpful in communicating initiatives to the public and soliciting feedback. The Website/Social Media committee would be an ideal fit for my skill set. I am also interested in the proposed Art and Culture Committee.

Q2 What are your top 5 priorities for Clifton?

Support Howell Development Project
Support creation of Entertainment District
Find home for CCAC
Address problem of increasing graffiti
Encourage installation of public art

Q3 Why are you running to be a Trustee? As the owner of a business in Clifton, I have a vested interest in the economic, aesthetic and social well-being of our community. As a Trustee, I would have an opportunity to positively impact these areas and cultivate an atmosphere welcoming not only to business, but to residents, as well.

Q4 What would you care most about as a trustee? I would care most not about a single particular issue, but about the potential impact our decisions as a whole might have on our community and its residents. Helping to shape the future of an historic neighborhood is an awesome responsibility. Open communication and transparency with the public is key.

Q5 What is your opinion on new development in Clifton such as with the Clifton Merchants Lot? I am excited about new development in Clifton, particularly with regard to the Clifton Merchants Lot. An influx of residents will contribute to the vitality of the area and stimulate economic growth. I am, however, adamant that the project must respect the needs and wishes of our community.

Optional Comment: This is an exciting period for Clifton. With new projects in the works and in the pipeline, it is important that public input and involvement is solicited. With your support, I will strive to address the requirements and concerns of our community and solidify a prosperous future for Clifton.

Buddy Goose Response:

Q1 What special skills would you bring to the board and what committees would you want to serve on? I am a doer, I find talking incessantly about an issue to the detriment of getting anything done to be incredibly frustrating. I will push to get things done. I think the committees; business, events and beautification are my interests.

Q2 What are your top 5 priorities for Clifton?

Community engagement – find a way to get more neighbor involvement.
Neighborhood business support – revitalize AND SUPPORT our business district.
Community school -critical to attracting new home owners.
Healing division – get over the divisive rhetoric from the formation of Clifton Market
Beautification-keep our neighborhood beautiful

Q3 Why are you running to be a Trustee? Our community is the best neighborhood in Cincinnati. However, the number of neighbors that are actively involved in our community is small. I see the same people over and over involved in community events. I want to encourage involvement and foster communication.

Q4 What would you care most about as a trustee? Finding ways to increase neighbor involvement and to support our business district.

Q5 What is your opinion on new development in Clifton such as with the Clifton Merchants Lot? I favor development in our community. The Merchants’ Lot development is the type of progressive thinking we need to maintain our neighborhood vibrancy. The community input sought shows the level of commitment to our community we look for from a developer.

Optional Comment: A key to attracting new home buyers and new businesses is keeping our neighborhood a vibrant place. The Ludlow Business District is crucial. Let’s all work to visit and support all of our local businesses.

Vince Metzger Response:

Q1 What special skills would you bring to the board and what committees would you want to serve on? Public Safety and Education. I live and work in Clifton and work with a diverse group of people and try understand everyone’s needs. That may not sound like a skill but too many people only look at things from their perspective.

Q2 What are your top 5 priorities for Clifton?

Neighborhood unity – We need to stand together so we can move forward.
Education – Clifton is undergoing a major change and we need all of Clifton’s schools to be successful.
Keeping CCAC and Clifton Market in Clifton
New Development
Public Safety

Q3 Why are you running to be a Trustee? As someone who intends to reside in this neighborhood for 30+ years, I care deeply about Clifton and what happens here, I would like to be more involved in the political process and moving us forward in a positive way.

Q4 What would you care most about as a trustee? My aim is to put forth a positive energy focused on showing the neighborhood of Clifton and the city of Cincinnati that our residents are positive, productive and intelligent and that we can work together in a civil and peaceful manner.

Q5 What is your opinion on new development in Clifton such as with the Clifton Merchants Lot? I’m excited about new development in Clifton. While Clifton has a lot to offer its residents and neighbors, I think some new business and residences are an exciting change. Adding new assets and keeping the existing ones can only make Clifton better.

Optional Comment: I pledge to always treat others with respect and talk through differences in a way that identifies things that we can agree on. My votes and resolution proposals will be clearly defined and reasonable.

Gina Marsh Response:

Q1 What special skills would you bring to the board and what committees would you want to serve on? I have a strong understanding of ways to revitalize our business district from my experience with the Ludlow 21 Working Group and Clifton 20/20. As an attorney and executive director for a nonprofit, I can help implement improved governance of CTM. I prefer the Business District and Bylaws Committees.

Q2 What are your top 5 priorities for Clifton?

Implementing recommendations of the Ludlow 21 report to improve the business district.
Ensuring meaningful community engagement in business district development.
Ensuring success of the new neighborhood school.
Ensuring Clifton is proactive on City decisions affecting the neighborhood.
Improving governance and maintaining professionalism on the board.

Q3 Why are you running to be a Trustee? I would like to use my skills and experience to enhance the positive impact that CTM brings to the community and to improve CTM’s reputation as a collaborative and inclusive organization. CTM should be a welcoming forum where residents feel comfortable expressing their viewpoints on issues of concern.

Q4 What would you care most about as a trustee? The business district will likely undergo significant changes over the next few years, including a large-scale mixed-use development on the Merchant’s Lot. The top priority for me will be helping to ensure that these improvements respect the unique character of Clifton and allow for meaningful engagement from residents.

Q5 What is your opinion on new development in Clifton such as with the Clifton Merchants Lot? I believe the proposed development could offer many benefits, including a new, much-needed housing option for Clifton residents, additional parking, and more customers for our small businesses on Ludlow Avenue. It will help our business district and our neighborhood remain competitive with others in the City.

Rama Kasturi Response:

Q1 What special skills would you bring to the board and what committees would you want to serve on? I am a research scientist by training and have used my grant writing expertise to garner funds for various community projects. I have developed fundraising expertise through my work with the Clifton Market. I am Chair of the Parks Committee, and work closely with the Beautification Committee on Sustainability issues.

Q2 What are your top 5 priorities for Clifton?

Improve programming in our parks
Help green our Business District
Advocate for more support by residents of our community-funded grocery store
Better showcase Clifton’s diversity
Further civility by fostering formal conversations about our shared values as people irrespective of our diversity and differences of opinion

Q3 Why are you running to be a Trustee? I am seeking a second term as a CTM trustee. I would like to have the opportunity to finish what I have started in terms of the projects as Chair of the Parks Committee and my collaborative efforts on other community-related projects such as beautification, sustainability, Clifton House Tour etc.

Q4 What would you care most about as a trustee? Ensuring that CTM reaches out to all residents of Clifton, represents the views of a multitude of Cliftonites, and engages with other organizations in and around Clifton.

Q5 What is your opinion on new development in Clifton such as with the Clifton Merchants Lot? I support any development that is community-supported, fits well with the historic character of our Gaslight district, and makes Clifton more attractive as a walkable and livable residential community.

Optional Comment: I am happy to have had the opportunity to serve the Clifton community both as a CTM trustee and Clifton Market board member. I look forward to continuing to work with Cincinnati Parks and community partners to keep Clifton green and sustainable.

Shaun McCance Response:

Q1 What special skills would you bring to the board and what committees would you want to serve on? I work in open source technology. The work I do involves community organizing and event planning as much as it does technology. For CTM,
I’ve served on event committees, the web committee, and the executive committee as treasurer.

Q2 What are your top 5 priorities for Clifton?

Growing our business district without sacrificing its character.
Keeping Clifton walkable and accessible.
Maintaining green space.
Improving recreational facilities.
Holding regular events that bring people together.

Q3 Why are you running to be a Trustee? I’ve enjoyed serving on CTM for the last three years. I think I’ve made a positive impact on the neighborhood, and I’ve made good friends along the way.

Q4 What would you care most about as a trustee? We’re all neighbors. It’s important that we’re able to be civil, friendly, and productive even when we don’t all agree.

Q5 What is your opinion on new development in Clifton such as with the Clifton Merchants Lot? I’m in favor of new development in general, but we need to ensure it maintains the character of the neighborhood and doesn’t push out the local family businesses that define Clifton.

Click here to read the bios that candidates submitted earlier in November.

Two candidates did not reply. We hope you found this helpful in making your decision for who will be CTM Trustees.
Thank You,
Clifton Town Meeting Trustees

November 4, 2017November 30, 2017 Kevin Marsh Uncategorized

Bios for CTM Trustee Candidates – 2017

Below are the bios for candidates running for CTM Trustee at the upcoming elections on Monday, December 4 from 6-7pm. Elections will be held at the Clifton Recreation Center on the 2nd floor in the large meeting room. The Rec Center is universally accessible to all. Take the elevator or the stairs to the 2nd floor.

There are 10 candidates vying for 5 open positions during this election. Your voting is important!

Voting by proxy is prohibited in the CTM bylaws. You must be present to vote. It takes only a few minutes.
You can pay your membership current prior to voting in advance or at the night of elections.

In addition to the bios below, please come back to click here and candidates’ answers to recent questions posed by the CTM Trustees.

Patrick Borders

Hi my name is Patrick Borders. My wife, Helen Adams, and I both grew up here in Clifton. We raised our kids Tommy (Chicago) and Claire (Los Angeles) in Helen’s childhood home on Bryant Avenue. I have quite a bit of experience serving on boards of non-profit and neighborhood organizations. In the 1990s I served eight years as the vice president of The New School’s parent board. In the early and mid-2000s I held several terms on CTM, including one as secretary and two as president. I am also a founding member of the Clifton Cultural Art Center’s board.

For the past 27 years I have worked at Multi Packaging Solutions – I sell packaging to pharmaceutical companies. I work from home, but I travel quite extensively. I’m also an instructor at World Peace Yoga on Ludlow.

If elected I’d like to work on supporting and improving our business district, help with fundraising, and pretty much help out with whatever needs arise. I appreciate your consideration.

Stephanie Gilbreath

Hello, neighbors. I’m Stephanie Gilbreath. My husband and I have lived in Cincinnati for 18 years, the last eight of them in Clifton. I am a former small business (retail) owner, mom of two teens, wife of a tech entrepreneur, and chief-general contractor/renovator of our home. My volunteer experience includes years of organizing and chairing fundraising efforts at The New School Montessori, foster work with Cincinnati Lab Rescue, and recently, petition work with Fair Districts/Fair Elections. I am a proud resident of Greendale Avenue and supporter of CCAC. We were attracted to Clifton for the beautiful houses, tree-lined streets, downtown proximity, walkability, and most of all, interesting and diverse residents.

I believe it is possible and important to make improvements to Clifton while maintaining its character in a collaborative and respectful manner, hearing and respecting every voice. A revitalized business district, environmentally and historically sensitive school development, vibrant arts center, and traffic calming are not mutually exclusive prospects; while challenging they are part of the overall goal of keeping Clifton a great place to live for our population in all stages of life.

If you’ve been thinking the same, I would appreciate your vote. Thank you.

Buddy Goose

I am a retired Chemistry teacher and have lived in Clifton for the last 11 years on Bishop Street.

Both Mary Rita and I have been active in the Clifton community from the beginning, taking part in many volunteer activities. I am a former CTM Trustee and currently a trustee of CliftonFest where I spend much of my free time in the summer organizing this neighborhood festival.

In the last few years I’ve noticed a division in our community that has left bad feelings and mistrust in the neighborhood that I love. Clifton is the Premier Cincinnati Neighborhood and we need to bring the schism together to go forward.

Our business district has seen a downturn due to the popularity of OTR and the Banks. We need to find ways to revitalize and reinvent this critical part of our neighborhood. A vibrant and welcoming business district is critical to attracting prospective buyers and businesses to our neighborhood. We must look to ourselves to champion development without destroying our village-like neighborhood character.

These things; increasing neighbor involvement, healing neighborhood divisions, revitalizing our business district and working to improve our families’ ways of life will be my priorities as a trustee of Clifton Town Meeting.

Sean Hare

I moved to Cincinnati in 2015 and have always lived in Clifton during my time here. I fell in love with Clifton because it reminded me of the neighborhood I grew up in in Rochester, NY. I have looked at moving around in Cincinnati but no place seemed to offer me what Clifton does.

I recently got my Master’s Degree in Community Planning from the UC and I work as an Urban Planner and Designer with MKSK. I feel that my educational and professional background would allow me to provide meaningful insights into the issues our neighborhood is facing in the coming years, namely, the merchant lot development, the CCAC relocation, and the neighborhood school creation.

I believe I would bring a positive energy to CTM and would provide a different perspective to the community. I am a young professional, recent UC grad, and a renter, which are all populations crucial to the future of our neighborhood. My intentions would be to promote equity and inclusivity with decisions and changes taking place within Clifton and would be proud to represent this community that has welcomed me so graciously in such a short time.

Rama Kasturi

My name is Rama Kasturi and I am seeking your support to serve you in a second term as CTM trustee.

I have lived in Clifton with my family for the past 18 years. A Biophysical Chemist by training, I worked at P&G for three years and at the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine for 20 years. I served for three years on the Clifton Market Board.

As CTM Parks Committee Chair, I have led four teams of UC student volunteers in clean-up efforts at Burnet Woods, Mt. Storm Park, and District 5 and surrounding areas. I have fostered dialogue between TriHealth, Cincinnati Parks and CTM to facilitate better use of Burnet Woods. My Parks Committee is working with Cincinnati Parks Operations to support Burnet Woods trail maintenance, plant and maintain flower beds in Mt. Storm and Dunore Parks, and engage the new parks’ director to ensure that Clifton parks get necessary attention and support.

I’m involved in “green” efforts in our business district and neighborhood, and I will continue my efforts to showcase and celebrate the diversity of Clifton.

If re-elected, I will continue my quest to do as much good as possible for Clifton.

Gina Marsh

I am running as trustee for Clifton Town Meeting because I would like to help maximize efforts to enhance our business district, and to ensure these improvements respect the unique character of Clifton and allow for meaningful engagement from residents. I believe that implementing additional recommendations from the Ludlow 21 report will ensure our business district remains one of the best in the city. The success of the Clifton Market is important to that vision.

My professional experience includes over 10 years working for the City of Cincinnati, serving as an attorney for multiple city departments and leading a city council office. I currently serve as the executive director for a nonprofit. I would like to use my experience and knowledge to improve CTM’s collaborations with city departments, and to ensure we have strong relationships with city officials.

My family and I have lived in Clifton for 12 years. During that time, I have served as a CTM trustee and participated in groups focused on improving our business district such as Ludlow 21. If elected, I will be a strong, collaborative, and enthusiastic leader on CTM who is focused on ensuring our neighborhood remains progressive and attractive to new families.

Shaun McCance

I have served the last three years as a CTM trustee. For the last two years, I have served as treasurer and improved our accounting practices. As a trustee, I’ve helped organize events such as the Memorial Day Picnic and Holidays on Ludlow. I’ve been active in Clifton outside of CTM as well. I was one of the founding organizers of Clifton Market, and I spearheaded the creation of Ludloween.

Professionally, I help build contributor communities around open source software. I have served four terms on the board of directors for a nonprofit organization dedicated to software freedom and digital rights, including one term as president and two as treasurer. I have extensive experience building volunteer communities and coordinating events.

I love Clifton because it is friendly, walkable and full of passionate people. I believe CTM should invest more money and effort into improving our local and family-friendly business district to keep up with Cincinnati’s urban renewal.

Vince Metzger

Hello, my name is Vince Metzger, and I’d like to be your CTM Trustee. My wife and I moved to Clifton three years ago and have two sons who were born in Clifton. While relatively new to Clifton we love living here—the neighborhood feel, walkability and the business district.

I grew up in Fairfax and have lived almost all of my life in Greater Cincinnati, and local issues have always been an interest of mine. I have been involved in local issues since I was in my teens, volunteering on the local fire department and working countless hours
on fundraisers.

More recently, I have worked as an emergency room physician at TriHealth, mostly at Good Samaritan, for the past 10 years. As a member of my group’s board we have addressed how to adapt to the ever-changing environment of health care and still focus on
what we believe in.

Clifton is undergoing a lot of changes right now; helping us keep our identity while adapting to change is what I hope to do as a trustee.

Micah Ovadia

I have proudly called Clifton my home during several periods of my life, and have enjoyed the unique character and vibrancy for which the area is known. When it came time to establish my business, The Whole Bowl Cincinnati, I specifically targeted Clifton as my location of choice.

The community has been very welcoming to my establishment, and now I would like to give back. As a Clifton business owner, I have a keen interest in issues that affect the well-being of our community. Given the opportunity to serve as a CTM Trustee, I will be placed in a unique position to contribute to the management of these issues.

My bachelor’s degree in Visual Communications and master’s degree in Public Relations affords me the opportunity to help advance community engagement initiatives, as well as contribute in areas of marketing and advertising. My background in Web design and development would prove useful in our digital arena.

I’ve held Web Designer/Developer positions at Cardinal Solutions, University of Cincinnati, Miami University, Cincinnati.com and Time Warner Cable, and was employed in The Cincinnati Enquirer marketing department.

It would be both an honor and a privilege to serve as a CTM Trustee.

Jonny Shen

I became a Clifton resident this summer, and I feel lucky, because it’s my favorite place. I grew up moving between central Ohio, Southern Russia, northern Indiana, and Philadelphia. But silly as it may sound, I always had a dream to move to Cincinnati. In 2015, after finishing college in Philadelphia, I made my dream a reality. I first discovered Clifton because I had an interest in the Esquire Theatre. Two and a half years later, I’m now very happy to be a Clifton resident and to be entering my second year as General Manager at the Esquire (after a year and a half of part- time Esquire work while I was employed downtown at the Kroger HQ).

In my role at the Esquire, I’ve enjoyed becoming acquainted with the top-notch community members, organizers and business owners, who make up this neighborhood. I believe that Clifton has a natural charm and character to it that other neighborhoods have to bend over backwards to try to manufacture. There’s a beauty, a simplicity, and a richness to Clifton. I’m enthusiastic about this neighborhood, and I’m excited to invest energy into it as I continue to get to know it better.