Four years ago we proudly named Virgil Lovitt our 2008 Tax Hiker of the Year. And while we have been enormously proud of each and every one of our Tax Hiker of the Year winners, we can honestly say that Virg is our favorite.
Has anyone done more than our Virg to bring higher taxes his community? The 2007 Hamilton County Sales Tax hike, numerous Property Tax hikes, a huge 50% Income Tax hike, Hotel/Motel Tax hike, Bob Taft's 3rd Frontier - Virg has supported them all. Not just content to support higher taxes, Virg understands the need to support great tax hikers for office. That's why he's been a strong backer of great candidates like Jean Schmidt, Michelle Schneider, Tax Hikin' Rick Bryan, and even Democrat Todd Portune.
Virg is not only our hero and role model, but he is one of the reasons this site became a huge success. Many of you remember that Virg's 2008 Tax Hiker of the Year award was prominently featured in the ad wars for his State Representative race that year. This level attention introduced thousands of people to our website and resulted in us adding many of the loyal readers still with us today. Virg has been the gift that keeps on giving to our movement and our site. We will miss him greatly. We love you Virgil Lovitt!
With that, we sadly leave you with his resignation letter:
Dear Friends,
I am writing today to share that I am retiring as Sharonville Mayor effective the end of this year. I find it hard to believe that it’s been 16 years since I accepted this role. I hope that I have built upon the great reputation that Sharonville already had earned from Paul Kattelman and John Dowlin’s administrations.
I know, without a doubt, that Sharonville is much more than a city government. It is a community that thrives on the countless efforts of our volunteers and residents. It is a community that really cares about our neighbors, our businesses and our amenities. This is the core of what makes Sharonville special and allows our city to stand out.
Frequently I have been asked how I manage to do” everything” on my plate and I always reply with, “there are so many good people holding me up everywhere.” This is absolutely the truth. Our administrative team and employees are terrific. They take great pride in doing their utmost best to serve our residents and businesses. And, our civic and business groups give thousands of hours and lots of donations every year to make Sharonville a great place to live and work. These are all of the ingredients that make a community strong.
So, why am I retiring? Actually, it’s because our city is in a really good place right now. The city revenues are strong, our expenses are under control, and our reserves are solid. Many of our complicated projects are now complete and our departments are well managed and operating well. This is a good time for the city to have a transition.
For me personally, it is, also, a good time for a transition. I have enjoyed the honor of being Mayor for the last 16 years and a part of Council for 9 years before that. I am looking forward to more time and flexibility with my family. Also, my State Farm Agency has become so busy that I need to devote more time working with my clients. It has become difficult to do everything well, and this will allow me to focus on my family and family business.
I am not leaving this great community and I will stay involved in many ways. I appreciate this opportunity to serve and I thank this City and the Community of Sharonville for all of the support they have given to me.
Virgil Lovitt
2008 Tax Hiker of the Year
18 comments:
I blame this on COAST. They are always sticking their nose where it doesn't belong.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to stick my nose where it usually is.....up Lee Czerwonka's asshole.
Schmidt's gone, Leis is gone, and now Virgil Lovitt's gone. That's bad news for Dr. Julie Matheny, Ph.D. and her expert campaign consultin' service (and office leasing). The only pepople she has left in politics are Lee Czerwonka, Rick Bryan, Jim Sumner and Tom Weidman. Oh, yeah, her daddy, too. Everyone else has either lost an election, retired from politics, or just plan got tired of dealing with her.
Campaign Expert's daddy ain't gonna be around much longer....
Virg resigned because he ran out of taxes to raise.
I know he'll always cherish that Tax Hiker of the Year award you gave him. He even had an expensive plaque made for that award which he proudly hangs on the center spot of his fireplace mantle.
I think I will skip any retirement dinners honoring Virgil Lovitt. Sharonville is too close to the west side for my tastes.
I hope Virgil has a relative he can bequeath this seat to. That's how we do it here in the good old U S of A, right pop?
I hope he is succeeded by someone whose commitment to higher taxes is right up there with Virgil, Tax Hikin Rick Bryan, Jean Schmidt, Bill Seitz, and so many other champions of higher taxes.
This saddens us greatly. Virg was always in the bag for our large, numerous tax increase. We hope the next Sharonville Mayor loves higher taxes as much as Virg does.
Does this mean we won't get our discount any more on the crappy Sharonville "convention center"? Guess the Bill Goodman Gun and Knife show will be the only customer renting that dump now.
You know, even though Virgil was a Roman poet, this Greek likes Virgil Lovitt and will miss him greatly.
Virgil Lovitt never had the privilege I have had, to represent Cincinnati as a city council-member. However, we in the City of Cincinnati, the city I represent as a city council member, appreciate his efforts to raise taxes for a jail in the city I represent as a city council member. Being a city council member myself, I know how long the hours can be and how much work there is. In Cincinnati, the city I represent as a city council member, we have lots of hip, trendy places to go after a hard day of raising taxes. However, they can be a bit dangerous, as I learned so well last summer in Cincinnati, the city I represent as a city council member. I hope Mr. Lovitt has an excellent retirement and he is always welcome to join us in Cincinnati, the city I represent as a city council member. We can do a lot of drinking together- a lot!
I keep hearing how Republicans are so fiscally responsible and conservative, and then I see Virgil raising taxes every chance he gets. I also see and hear Republicans talking about values and morals and then I see Virgil Lovitt's Sharonville attracting all kinds of sleazy businesses. It's just say one thing and do another in Republican World. Maybe that's why you guys keep losing elections.
If Virgil is retired, will he have time to help us do something about the big stinking pile of garbage in Colerain Township?
Maybe I could run for mayor up there too?
With Virgil's good buddies Jean Schmidt and Simon Leis leaving office, and with his good buddy Campaign Expert Matheny losing influence by the week, there was no one there to help him out anymore.
Dear Mr. Lovitt:
Please, sir,let me know about the fine park system you have in Sharonville. I would appreciate any information you may have.
Sincerely,
Louis W. Blessing III
Groesbeck, Ohio
I will miss my good friend and partner in tax hikes Virgil Lovitt. Man, we sure had some good times hiking taxes as a team and separately in our own communities. Virg is welcome to relive his glory days when we are raising taxes yet again in Blue Ash.
Virgil,
Now that you're retired, perhaps you can help me out with the 964 public records requests I've made about Colerain Township's finances. Though I've spent a small fortune on photocopies and thousands of hours poring over spreadsheets and minutes, I have yet to get Heather Harlow un-elected or indicted.
My friends at the Northwest Press (luv ya, Jennie-boo) have been beyond cooperative splashing everything I find all over their pages, but, darn it, no one else seems to care.
I've done more work on this in 9 years as the former township clerk than I did in 16 years as the actual clerk. I've been to more meetings too in the past 9 years than I did when I actually held the office. Fortunately, my boss at the county is really understanding and hates this woman just as much as I do.
I could wallpaper my home several times over with all the dirt I have. No one else seems to care. Can you help me? Please? Someone? Anyone?
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