evening to align the Property Maintenance Board with Oakwood’s voting precincts is being deferred to the February 7 council meeting pending edits to the voting precinct boundaries.
2021 Committee Appointments – Mayor Duncan explained that there are several vacancies on the citizen committees. City Council and City staff are in the process of identifying citizen volunteers for future appointment.
Lieutenant Balaj Recognition – Chief Hill recognized Lieutenant Chuck Balaj for 21 years of service on the Kettering Regional SWAT Team. On December 31, 2021, Lieutenant Balaj resigned from this position. Chief Hill commented on Lieutenant Balaj being recognized by the Cincinnati office of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) for playing a significant role in the case where a Beavercreek man pled guilty to involvement in a terrorist organization. Lieutenant Balaj was the first non-Kettering officer to be an active member of the Kettering Regional SWAT Team. Chuck served the SWAT Team as a tactical medic, SWAT operator, team leader, and most recently as assistant team commander, making him the first non-Kettering officer to hold a team commander position. Chief Hill presented Lieutenant Balaj with a plaque to recognize him for representing the Oakwood Public Safety Department with distinction and for becoming a valuable asset through personal sacrifice, dedication, and commitment to the Kettering Regional SWAT Team.
Lieutenant Promotion – Mayor Duncan welcomed Public Safety Officer Justin Slone and his family. He then administered the Oath of Office. Chief Hill reviewed the highlights of Lt. Slone’s career and shared that he possesses all the qualities necessary to inspire, influence, motivate, develop, and lead others. Lieutenant Slone’s wife pinned the lieutenant bars onto his uniform.
VISITORS
Holiday Decorating Awards – Mayor Duncan shared that the award winners were invited to watch the meeting livestreaming from the city website or on live TV. Mayor Duncan announced the following holiday decorating award winners as the images were displayed via a PowerPoint presentation:
DAYTIME WINNERS
- Area 1 – Kristiansen & Anja Mortensen, 69 E. Thruston Blvd
- Area 2 – Todd & Amy Korab, 120 Spirea Drive
- Area 3 – Bridget, Lillian Miner and G Daddy, 20 Greenmount Blvd
- Area 4 – Kristen Zimmerman, 30-32 Hadley Avenue
- Area 5 – The Kitchen Family, 2020 Coolidge Drive
- Area 6 – Ruth & Bob Deddens, 801 Oakwood Avenue
- Business – Park Avenue Needlepoint, 41 Park Avenue
NIGHTTIME WINNERS
- Area 1 – The Ostendorf Family, 225 Lookout Drive
- Area 2 – Jen & Evan Clark, 516 Shafor Boulevard
- Area 3 – Jon & Valentina Fulton, 105 Forrer Boulevard
- Area 4 – Daniel & Jacqueline Brown, 2800 Hathaway Road
- Area 5 – Amy & Gary Smith, 30 W. Hadley Road
- Area 6 – John & Shannon Powell, 525 Maysfield Road
- Business – Jaffe Jewelers, 2419 Far Hills Avenue
LEGISLATION
As Mayor Duncan previously noted, the legislation that was scheduled for this evening is being postponed to the February 7, 2022 council meeting pending edits to the voting precinct boundaries.
AN OAKWOOD MOMENT
Mrs. Turben played a video recognizing Santa’s tour around Oakwood on December 20, 2021 aboard Fire Engine #26.
CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS
Mr. Klopsch thanked City Council for approving the 2022 budget and shared that he looks forward to providing continued public services to the community and completing the approved capital improvements in 2022.
The leaf collection season has officially ended. Fall leaf collection in Oakwood is a major undertaking that takes a partnership between citizens and the Public Works Department. Mr. Klopsch thanked Oakwood citizens for their help with this year’s leaf collection process.