Skip and Martha Ordeman stepped down as co-chairs of our annual Friends of Smith Gardens membership/fundraising drive. Over the last 12 years of their leadership, they raised over $240,000 to support and maintain this unique public asset. Steve Kelch, the grandson of Carlton Smith, chaired our 2018 fundraiser and is excited to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Smith Gardens in 2019.

We will issue our 2018 Annual Report to every household in the near future. This report provides an abundance of information about our city and the services we provide to our citizens. Accordingly, I will not repeat tonight the good news found in the report. Please read this interesting report at your leisure.

Oakwood Schools and Wright Library: Everyone knows Oakwood has great schools but did you know US News and World Report ranked Oakwood High School #1 in the Dayton area.

The OHS Academic Decathlon team won the Division II National Championship for the seventh year in a row. They earned their highest score ever competing against students from the United States, China and England.

In 2019, Wright Memorial Public Library celebrates its 80th anniversary. Under the leadership of Director, Kristi Hale, they received their first four-star rating from Library Journal's 2018 Star Libraries report. The index measures circulation, visits, program attendance and public internet use. Wright Library ranked in the top 1% of libraries under $4.9 million in expenditures. They also completed a $500,000 renovation and restoration of their beautiful building which is on the National Historic Register.

Notable Community Events: In May, around 350 people participated in the 17th annual Care Walk to fight cancer. The event raised $15,000 this year and over $250,000 since its inception.

That Day in May continued its tradition of the pancake breakfast, 5k and 10k runs, parade, car show, games, rides and food trucks.

In August, over 300 people enjoyed the OHS Marching Band at John and MJ Gray's farm in Oakwood.

Dorothy Lane Market celebrated its 70th anniversary with a carnival.

Hundreds of music lovers attended the 19th annual Giving Strings concert to benefit a local charity. The event raised about $2,900.

More than 1,500 people walked in the 5th annual Out of Darkness walk for suicide prevention. The event has raised over $60,000 in 2018 and over $250,000 since inception.

Girl Scout Troup 30149, as part of their Silver Award project, commissioned and raised money to pay for a veteran's memorial sculpture at Orchardly Park to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

The Oakwood Historical Society sponsored its first-ever holiday home tour featuring homes on Schantz Avenue, Oakwood Avenue, Volusia Avenue and Southview Road. These homeowners are commended for the pride in their homes and for welcoming others to view these beautiful properties.

On a sad note, Harry Ebeling passed away on July 14, 2018 at the age of 85. Harry, the man affectionately known as "Mr. Oakwood", was a founding member of the Oakwood Historical Society and was instrumental in building the foundation upon which our wonderful historical society now thrives.

We also lost Bill Hager at the age of 89. Bill was very passionate about historical preservation and played a significant role in the creation of The Schantz Park Historic District, Oakwood's first national historic district.

Neighborhoods: We have outstanding diversity in housing choices. Although most of our housing stock is over 70 years old, our homes and properties are better maintained than any other city around and our home values prove it. In 2018, 75% of Oakwood home sales were higher the County appraised value.

Financial Stewardship: The last eight years of the Governor Kasich administration have been difficult for counties, cities and villages. The State of Ohio broke a 75 year partnership between state and local governments.