Mason MattersMason MattersApril / May 2014

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The City of Mason and the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau have

collaborated for years to bring major regional and national sporting events to Mason.

The city’s partnership with the CVB plays a significant part in making tourism a major industry in Warren County. In 2013, players, officials, families, fans, and major media outlets added over $4 million to the region’s economy in just six of the events that were hosted through the city/CVB partnership. Hotels, restaurants, services, stores, and entertainment and recreation venues benefit from the increased business during the tournaments hosted in Mason. Mason residents benefit from the rental fees for the parks and Community Center that help offset the cost of maintaining these facilities and from the healthy business community that these events help support.

In 2013, the CVB brought an impressive list of events to Mason:

•  Third Annual Warren County Pre-Season Showdown – a baseball tournament at Mason Sports Park that brought 12 of the 20 participating teams from outside the area

•  High School Ultimate Tournament – this ultimate Frisbee event attracted two area teams, including Mason High School, and 30 out-of-town teams to Heritage Oak Park and Mason Community Center

•  Second Annual Warren County Summer Slam – 60 teams participated, 75% of which came from out of town to play baseball at Mason Sports Park, Corwin M. Nixon Park, and Fleckenstein Park in Deerfield Township

•  Fourth Annual Kings Island Baseball tournament - 54 out-of-town teams joined 14 area teams at Mason Sports Park, Corwin M. Nixon Park, and Fleckenstein Park —see CVB SPORTS on pg. 3

Mason to Host More Sports Events in 2014Regional economic impact of 2013 events totals over $4 million

Banquet Facility Redecorated

Inside This Issue:2 Tax Reminders3 Citizens Police Academy3 New Parks Director4 Fire Department Seeks History4 Willow Brooke Lift Station

4,6 Business News5 Soccer Teams Recognized5 Annual Paving Program

3,6 Safety News

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Mason 7th Best / Gold Oval

Mason Sports Park will host at least seven tournaments this summer through the city’s collaboration with the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau

CourseView Pavilion, the banquet facility at the city-owned Golf Center at Kings

Island, has been redecorated.Over the winter, Mason maintenance

workers applied a fresh coat of paint, installed new carpet and ceiling fans, and brought in all new chairs. Granite countertops and new mirrors were added to the restrooms. New baby changing stations were also installed.

CourseView Pavilion is the perfect place for events of almost any size. Whether you are planning a party for a dozen or an event for up to 250 guests, you’ll find the Pavilion is the ideal setting for•  Bridal showers•  Rehearsal dinners•  Golf outings•  Fundraisers•  Baby showers

•  Birthday parties•  Anniversary parties•  Sports banquets•  Weddings

Convenient access and parking, outdoor patios, and our professional staff will help make your event one to remember. For information, please contact Becky Lagore, Director of Sales and Marketing, at 513.573.3302 or blagore@thegolfcenter.com.

•  Summer Beach Bash – 20 teams pitched, hit, and ran during this baseball tournament at Mason Sports Park. Twelve were from out of town.

•  Fourth Annual Kings Island Fall Classic – a baseball tournament that brought 12 out-of-town teams and 8 area teams to Mason Sports Park

Share the SecretPlanning an Event?

Preview CourseView Pavilion’s convenient location overlooking our championship golf course

OPEN HOUSETuesday, May 13, 2014

3 to 7 p.m.

• Freedrawingsforrestaurantcertificates,golf, banquet discounts, and more

• Freesamplesfromourbanquetmenu• Visitvendorbooths• Check on date availability for your event• Talkwithourprofessionalstaffand

find out how they can help you create the perfect event

CourseView Pavilion at The Golf Center at Kings Island

6042 Fairway Drive(enter via Sports Center Complex Drive near

Kings Mills Road)

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We appreciate your calls, visits and e-mails to Mason Municipal Center to discuss what is going on in the city. I encourage you to call 513.229.8500 or stop in any time during business hours if you need information or assistance.

Dear Mason Resident,It is a pleasure for me to work with a council that appreciates the value of collaboration. Mason has a track record of

conservative development practices that leverage collaborative regional efforts to provide efficient and effective services to residents and businesses.

These efforts are evident at Mason Community Center, where our partnership with Group Health and AssureX contribute to the financial success at the center. This helps keep our membership rates at competitive levels, benefitting everyone who visits.

Fourteen years ago, the city began collaborating with Greater Cincinnati Water Works by augmenting the city water supply with water purchased from GCWW. That partnership has grown to where GCWW now supplies clean drinking water to the entire city and provides billing services for city utilities. The city has frequent contact with GCWW to ensure continued quality service to Mason residents.

At about the same time, city leaders began a collaborative effort with Mason City Schools to provide quality education and recreation facilities to the community. With the approval of voters and a unique agreement between the city and school district, the district built Mason High School and Mason Community Center on city-owned land. The city operates the community center and the competition pool and field house are shared with the schools.

Collaborations with townships include a partnership with Liberty Township (and the City of Middletown) on a Joint Economic Development District ( J.E.D.D), with Symmes and Sycamore Townships (and the cities of Blue Ash,

Loveland, and Sharonville) in the Northeast Fire Collaborative to pool resources for training and purchasing power, and with Deerfield Township to place CenterPoint, Mason Matters, and Deerfield Digest in one publication where they are accessible to all area residents.

Mason has also collaborated with the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District for stormwater inspections and educational efforts. In addition, Mason works with the Warren County Transportation Improvement District, the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI), the Warren County Engineer’s Office, Deerfield Township, and the State of Ohio to plan the regional infrastructure, including plans for a full Western Row Interchange on I-71.

Working together allows all the partners to achieve successes that could not be realized individually. An inscription on one of the floor tiles in the atrium at Mason Municipal Center continually reminds me of the importance of collaboration. The tile has this quote from Helen Keller:

Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.

From the City Manager

Eric Hansen City Manager

City Tax Returns Due April 15

Reminder Voter-approved changes to the tax ordinance took effect in 2013, so your form is different this year. Please see www.imaginemason.org for information.

Tax Office Extended Hours Saturday, April 12 8 a.m. - noon Tuesday, April 15 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Ways to File•UsetheOnlineTaxTool:www.imaginemason.org/services/

tax-information.cfm•UsetheEZfillableformifyouhaveW-2incomeonly:

www.imaginemason.org/services/tax-information.cfm•Printoffapaperformandinstructions:

www.imaginemason.org/services/tax-information/ tax-forms-for-individuals.cfm

•Pickupapaperform:MasonMunicipalCenter,MasonCommunity Center, Mason Public Library

Get Help with Your ReturnVisit the Customer Service Center at Mason Municipal Center Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Or during extended hours listed above

Main Number 513.229.8500

City Hotlines513.229.8502

Administration513.229.8510

Community Center513.229.8555

Emergency9.1.1

Engineering & Building513.229.8520

Finance513.229.8530

Fire Department Administration513.229.8540

City Of Mason - Contact Information6000 Mason-Montgomery Road • Mason, Ohio 45040

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday513.229.8500 • www.imaginemason.org

Parks & Recreation513.229.8555

Police Department Administration513.229.8560

Public Utilities513.229.8570

Public Works513.229.8580

Tax Office513.229.8535

Utility Customer Service

513.229.8533

Utility Billing Questions Greater Cincinnati

Water Works513.591.7700

Utility Service Questions:

Sewer Service and Emergencies

513.229.8570nights, holidays & weekends,

emergencies only513.925.2525

Stormwater513.229.8570

Waste Collection and Recycling513.229.8533

Water Serviceand Emergencies Greater Cincinnati

Water Works513.591.7700

Mason Matters is published by the City of Mason. For information about this publication, or if you are a Mason resident and do not receive this newsletter, either through OurTown magazine or mailed separately with the CenterPoint

program guide, please contact the City of Mason at 513.229.8510.

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What’s It Like to be a Police Officer?Find Out at the Citizens Police Academy

CVB Sports from pg. 1

Early this year, safewise.com placed Mason at number 15 in their list of the 50 safest

cities in Ohio. SafeWise combined data from recent FBI crime reports with their own research to create the list.*

Many factors play a part in making a city safe, including local law enforcement. The Mason Police Department is offering you a chance to “see inside” your local police department by enrolling in the Citizens Police Academy. You’ll learn about the role of the police officer, use of firearms, safety, self defense, patrol duties, crime scene processing, public records, drug enforcement, traffic stops, OVI, search and seizure, domestic violence, communications, and many other contemporary law enforcement issues and topics.

Use of force issues and split-second decision-making are part of the law enforcement officer’s job. You’ll be given the opportunity to test your own decision-making ability with the assistance of a

firearms training simulator. You’ll also learn about criminal investigations and how the court system works. And you’ll have the opportunity to ride along with Mason police officers during their shifts.

The Citizens Police Academy will meet from 7 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings for ten weeks beginning March 26. This free course is open to adults (18 and older) who are residents of the City of Mason.

Mason’s Police Department is one of about 650 departments across the nation that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Take this opportunity to learn about your police department and what your police officers do every day. Register for activity 221622 by calling 513.229.8555 or register online at www.imaginemason.org. Look for this icon:

*See the entire list at www.safewise.com/blog/50-safest-cities-ohio/

sponsored events. In May, the USA Ultimate Frisbee Division 1 College Championships will be played at Heritage Oak Park and will be nationally televised. The Golf Center at Kings Island will partner with Wilmington College and the CVB to host the NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships in November. Events coming to other venues in Mason include jump rope, dance, volleyball, tennis, Tae Kwon Do, basketball, and wrestling.

If you are looking for some great competition, look no further than Mason!

name of ‘Mason Ohio’ puts us two steps ahead in our recruitment efforts,” said Mayor David F. Nichols. “They already have a positive relationship with our community because they feel like they know us,” he added.

The designation of 7th Best Place to Live by Money magazine also created name recognition according to Mayor Nichols. “That put us another step ahead,” he said, adding, “It’s an immeasurable but tremendous benefit.”

In 2014, residents can look forward to welcoming the return of some of the CVB events from last year. From April through September, look for lots of youth baseball to be played in the parks, both those sponsored by local sports organizations and CVB-

Perhaps harder to measure—and no less important—is the benefit these events have on new business development in Mason. City leaders have recognized the importance of regional, national, and international events as an opportunity to showcase the city’s quality of life and thriving business environment. The CVB events, the annual international Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, the national AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Cincinnati Open, and other events introduce Mason to business executives.

“When I can visit with business leaders from the nation and the world who are looking to relocate, having them recognize the

Bicycle Safety

Avery Promoted to Director

Bicycling is fun; it helps us stay fit and is a common mode of transportation. Since

a bicycle is a vehicle and is operated around other vehicles, accidents can and do happen. Safe operation of your bicycle whenever you ride is important.

Bicycle safety starts with using your head…literally, using your head. Properly fitted helmets should always be worn when riding a bicycle. Most serious injuries sustained during an accident are a result of not wearing or improperly wearing a bicycle helmet. The cost of a helmet cannot be compared to the medical bills associated with a serious head or brain injury. Please…put on a helmet before you ride.

Another important safety measure is selecting a bicycle that is the right size for the rider. This is critical, especially for children. Riding a bicycle that is too small or too large for the rider can make it difficult to control the bike and could lead to an accident.

It is also important to make sure your bicycle is kept in proper working condition. Before riding, always check to be sure the brakes are working properly and the tires are inflated to the recommended levels. Keeping the chain lubricated and free from rust also makes the bicycle operate with ease.

Some other helpful tips that can make your riding experience safe and fun are:•  Wear visible or reflective clothing•  Obey all traffic laws•  If you must ride in the roadway, ride on the

right side of the road, with traffic•  Be alert to traffic and road hazards•  Do not ride at night without proper lighting

on your bicycleAlways stay alert, and enjoy the ride!

Mason City Manager Eric Hansen has promoted Chrissy Avery to the position

of Parks & Recreation Director for the city.Many visitors to Mason Community

Center know Chrissy through her work at the center. She began her career as a Program Supervisor with the City of Mason in 2006 following completion of her Master’s Degree at Michigan State University. She was promoted to Recreation Manager in 2010.

Chrissy has been instrumental in increasing programming opportunities at Mason Community Center and throughout the city. Her role in the daily operations of the center has been significant to its overall financial success, including developing partnerships with local businesses to build programming.

Some of Chrissy’s more visible roles have been as a key “go-to” person at Mason Community Center, overseeing large city events, and serving on the board of Festivals

of Mason. A Mason resident, Chrissy is active in the National Recreation & Park Association and the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.

“Chrissy has a business-minded approach to parks facilities, balanced with a sensitivity to the value of recreation and green space,” said City Manager Eric Hansen. “She is well prepared for this role and I’m excited to formalize her leadership role in the city.”

“This is a great responsibility and an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate how our department can continue to mature, innovate, and serve the residents of Mason,” said Ms. Avery. “I’m thankful for the staff throughout the organization who have made this opportunity possible and I look forward to continuing to work as a team toward our department’s goals,” she added.

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Mason Company Hosts Consul General of SwitzerlandThe City of Mason has a unique

partnership with the international business community. The February visit from the Consul General of Switzerland is a good example of the activity that happens in Mason that has a global perspective on innovation and economic growth.

Mason-based medical device manufacturer Haag-Streit partnered with the Swiss American Business Council and the European American Chamber of Cincinnati to host a company and country briefing. The briefing keynote by company officials focused on the growth and success of Haag-Streit’s operations at their Mason headquarters. After comments from the Swiss Consul General, a representative from SwissHub addressed the successes of transatlantic partnerships between Switzerland and Greater Cincinnati.

For over 150 years, Haag-Streit Holding A.G. has been a leading provider of

medical equipment for ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. The company sets the standard for precision mechanics and creative technology with an emphasis on usability and functionality. One of the company’s main goals is to offer customers not only the best performing instruments, but also the flexibility of modular systems that can be updated or upgraded as technology develops.

Haag-Streit Holding U.S., Inc., is wholly owned by Haag-Streit Holding A.G., which is headquartered in Berne, Switzerland. The company’s two facilities in Mason support the entire U.S. manufacturing, distribution, and service operations. For more information about the company, visit haag-streit-usa.com.

Thank you to EACC and Haag-Streit for allowing Mason to join you in strategic partnerships and to welcome Swiss government and business dignitaries to the City of Mason.

For over 50 years, Haag-Streit’s slit lamp has been known world-wide for its optical quality and mechanical precision. Ophthalmologists and optometrists depend on it to examine a patient’s cornea, lens, iris, and other eye structures.

Fire Department Seeks Historical InformationThe City of Mason Fire Department is

collecting information about the history of the department. In addition to possible publication, the department would like to create an historical display for the common areas at Fire Station 51 to share its history with the community. The department is looking for historical artifacts, photographs, newspaper articles, personal recollections, and any other item that may be of historical significance to the department and community.

The first organized attempt at fire protection in Mason occurred in 1859. Sometime before 1900, the department became known as “The Mason Volunteer Fire Engine, Hose, and Ladder Company.” In 1948, the Mason Volunteer Fire Company (MVFC) was formed to continue serving Mason, Deerfield

Township, and the surrounding areas. James Knott served as the first chief of the MVFC and by 1980, service had expanded to include paramedic-level emergency medical care.

William Ennis was hired as the first paid fire chief in the late 1980s. The next decade saw the dissolution of the MVFC, the establishment and demise of a joint fire district with Deerfield Township, and the creation of the City of Mason Fire Department (CMFD). The CMFD hired its first full-time firefighters in 1999 and the department is now staffed 24 hours a day by part-time and fulltime fire and EMS personnel. Today’s firefighters look forward to carrying on the tradition of exceptional service to the community that first began in 1859.

Whether you have records about 1859, 1959, or another year, the department would

appreciate viewing them. Anyone who offers personal property to examine for this project can maintain that property in his or her possession. If you have information or artifacts and would like to contribute to this project, please contact Lt. Bryan Brumagen at 513.229.8540 or by e-mail at bbrumagen@masonoh.org.

In 1896, Albert Koch, E. C. Morrison, Clarence Purson, Wid Bursk, Walter Scofield, and Ott McEowen were members of the fire protection team.

Lift Station at Willow Brooke will Serve Region

Water Reclamation Plant

Li� Station

be modified as development occurs.Lift stations handle raw sewage that is fed

by gravity from underground pipelines. At the lift station, sewage is fed into and stored in an underground pit, commonly known as a wet well. The well is equipped with electrical instrumentation to detect the level of sewage present. When the sewage level rises to a predetermined point, a pump is started to lift the sewage upward through a pressurized pipe system. From there, the sewage is discharged

into a gravity sewer and the cycle starts all over again until the sewage reaches its point of destination—the City of Mason Water Reclamation Plant. Due to the elevation of the land along Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Road, a lift station is necessary to raise the elevation of the sewage so it can again flow by gravity toward the Water Reclamation Plant.

The project is expected to be complete by mid-summer.

A new sanitary sewer lift station is being constructed along Mason-

Morrow-Millgrove Road, just east of the city’s Water Reclamation Plant. This new regional lift station will allow the city to provide sanitary sewer service to the area of Kings Mills Road and State Route 741, and will eventually allow an aging lift station to be eliminated near The Beach Waterpark. The new lift station can also service undeveloped property to the north and west by providing these areas with a cost-effective option for gravity sanitary sewer systems. The design of the lift station allows for future expansion and can

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Soccer Teams Honored by Mason CouncilThe 2013 Mason girls varsity soccer team was the state runner up in

the OHSAA Division I Regional Championship; won sectional, district, and regional championships on their way to the state finals; and was named GMC Champions with a record of 18-3-2 for the 2013 season. Team members were Julianne Berry, Toni Bizzarro, Emily Calvani, Rachel Dooley, Meghan Grable, Kelsey Harris, Lauren Harris, Rachel Holloway, Chloe Knue, Jordyn Martin, Danielle Meyer, Haley Moses, Alberta Negri, Alexandra Niehoff, Taylor Sheppard, Chandler Sloan, Tessa Stewart, Jamila Sylvester, Emma Thacker, Courtney Thierauf, Elizabeth Tomassoni, Jill Vetere, and Margo Walton. They were coached by Andy Schur (Head Coach) and Assistant Coaches Tina Darling, Angela Johnston, Danielle Peters, and Greg Roach.

The 2013 Mason Boys Varsity Soccer Team was the OHSAA Division 1 State Soccer Champion with a 1-0 win over Mentor. This was Mason High School’s first state championship in boys soccer. The team achieved an undefeated record of 22-0-1 and the GMC championship for 2013. It was ranked by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as the No. 1 team in the United States in their final poll, and No. 1 in local and state polls for the entire 2013 season. Head Coach Paul Reedy was named GMC Coach of the Year.

Team members were Charles Bramwell, Jack Clark, Sam Conkright, Conner Couchot, Bryce Curran, Brady Daulton, Thomas Diehl, Jordan El-Naggar, Joshua Grant, Caleb Griffith, Andrew Grisham, Cameron Henderson,JudeIroh,EricLiddell,ZacharyLust,CarverNabb,Spencer Parrish, Ethan Roser, Thomas Suter, Harrison Taylor, Angel Tramontin,AdamWard,GaryZhao,andMarcinZubrowski.AssistingHead Coach Paul Reedy were Assistant Coaches Nak Huon, Adam Jones, Seth Petrey, Cory Riffle, Adam Shaffer, and Niro Wimalasena.

Congratulations to both teams on a great season!Mason Mayor David F. Nichols, Vice Mayor Victor Kidd, and members of Council welcomed the Mason High School girls and boys varsity soccer teams to their January meeting.

Top: Proposed Nixon Park Drive bike path Right: Cart path at The Golf Center at Kings Island

Annual Paving Program BeginsEach year beginning in January, the city’s

engineering staff inspects Mason’s public streets, alleys, and municipal pavement areas to determine where repairs are needed. Several characteristics are considered during this review, including pavement cracking, weathering, curbs, rideability, and drainage.

Streets are ranked by the total of points awarded to each of the street characteristics. The sum of the total points awarded becomes the “PCI” or pavement condition index. Streets with “poor” to “failing” PCI’s are placed in the year’s street resurfacing program. Streets that are considered to be in “fair” condition are scheduled for crack sealing and full depth pavement repairs to extend the life of the pavement. This pavement management system provides a consistent mechanism for determining the streets eligible for the city’s street resurfacing program.

Due to the harsh weather this past winter, Mason saw an increase in potholes. During the colder weather, temporary patches were applied to repair the roadway until the spring, when a permanent patch can be made. Even if a street is not scheduled for the annual paving program, potholes will be repaired.

The paving program is scheduled to run from late April through September. A major thoroughfare included in the 2014 program is Mason-Montgomery Road, which will

be resurfaced from Tylersville Road to Socialville-Fosters Road.

Also planned is an extension of the bike path along the north side of Nixon Park Drive. The path from Mason-Montgomery Road ended at the entrance to the parking lot across from the high school tennis courts. Extending it to the first parking lot at the park will provide a safer walkway for visitors to the park. The park entrance drive that runs between the baseball and soccer fields to the pool parking lot will be resurfaced at the same time. The existing roadway is over 20 years old and is showing its age.

The paving program also includes $35,000 in repairs and maintenance on the cart paths at the Golf Center at Kings Island. This is a continuation of a program begun five years ago to maintain the cart paths. This year’s program will allow the necessary repairs to be made and begin a maintenance program to extend the life of the cart paths.

For a complete list of streets that are included in the program, please visit www.imaginemason.org.

Timber and his handler, Officer Michael Bishop, visited St. Susanna School and demonstrated how they work together.

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Mason Tech Companies Continue Growth

Police Dog to Receive Protective Vest

Seapine Software Sales and Services Team Expands

Mason-based Seapine Software, Inc., recently announced the expansion of its

sales and services team to address continued growth for its enterprise-class product development solutions.

“These key hires will ensure we’re enabling current customers to solve their existing product development process problems in addition to supporting Seapine’s long-term goals,” said Bob Spitler, Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Seapine.

Seapine Software is a recognized, fast-growing leader in the product development solutions market. Its solutions help companies in the energy, automotive, healthcare, medical device, gaming, and other industries ensure the consistent release of high-quality products. With more than 8,500 customers worldwide, Seapine Software is a leading provider of process-centric product development solutions. Headquartered in Mason, with offices in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Africa, Seapine’s development solutions help organizations ensure the consistent release of high quality

Dental practices over the holidays, resulting in a $950 donation that was awarded to the Mason Police Department.

The bullet and stab-protective vest will be worn by Major, a police dog who works with Officer Michael Bishop at the Mason Police Department. Major began working with Officer Bishop in February 2012. He was born in Germany and celebrated his 4th birthday last August.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) all-volunteer charity located in East Taunton,

products while providing traceability, metrics and reporting, and compliance. For more information, visit www.seapine.com.

Seapine Software represents key technology innovation in the Mason economy. Congratulations to Seapine on your continued growth.

Cloud Takeoff Receives International Attention

Cloud Takeoff, a recently recruited tech company now headquartered at the Mason Tech Center, has entered into a collaboration with simPRO Software, an Australian company that provides job management software to trade contractors. simPRO’s Enterprise software helps contractors control and integrate estimating, purchasing, scheduling, and many other facets of a project. By collaborating with Cloud Takeoff ’s powerful, cloud-based solution for estimating and sharing digital blueprints, users will be able to import their digital plan files, measure distances and areas, and instantly integrate those calculations into their estimates.

“This seemingly simple process can have a huge impact on businesses’ productivity

by saving many hours per project in manual takeoffs and then manual quotes,” said simPRO Software Group CEO Brad Couper.

“We are excited to offer a solution for simPRO Enterprise users who desire to speed up the plan takeoff process and perform quantity surveys with their Enterprise data, inside of our Cloud Takeoff application,” said Cloud Takeoff co-founder and CEO Phillip Ogilby. “This integration with simPRO Enterprise represents the first of many that we have planned for the future.”

Congratulations Cloud Takeoff! To learn more about the company and the software, visit www.cloudtakeoff.com.

MA. The charity’s mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests for law enforcement dogs throughout the United States. Each vest costs $950 and has a 5-year warranty.

The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 Officers. Through private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 580 law enforcement dogs with protective vests since their inception in August of 2009. Over $550,000 in K9 vests have been donated in 38 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Major is one of two police dogs at the Mason Police Department. Timber works with Officer Brad Walker. Both dogs assist officers in Mason and neighboring departments in front line operations. Their efforts help keep the officers and community safe. In addition, both dogs have made numerous appearances at community events and festivals.

One of the city’s 4-legged officers will soon be wearing a new protective vest, thanks

to the efforts of Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a Massachusetts based non-profit organization, and Dartmouth Dental of Dartmouth and New Bedford, MA. A “Helping Paws for K9’s” event was hosted by each of the Dartmouth

NPDES Report AvailableUnder the City’s NPDES Permit for the

Water Reclamation Plant, there is a requirement for preparation of an annual report on Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs).

The report for each year must be prepared by March 31 of the following year.

The 2013 report is available for inspection by the general public at the city’s Water

Reclamation Plant, 3200 Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Road. The plant is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each weekday, except for holidays. If you have questions, please call 513.229.8570.

Major