Today we continue WYSO’s City Mayor Series with West Carrollton Mayor Rick Barnhart He described the city as “land-locked” but says there are several initiatives underway to develop available land for commercial This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity Rick Barnhart: I actually started with West Carrollton in 1982 as a police officer and then went up through the ranks and was the chief until 2013 when I retired and in 2013 I got elected to be on city council So I started with city council in 2014 and then got elected mayor last year So I've been a mayor about just over a year Jerry Kenney: Are those qualities and experience you gained as a police officer have you carried those through with your your work on the commission and in the mayor's seat knowing what's going on in the city and what people want from the city You see the stuff that maybe needs to be fixed and that carries on into being a councilman and the mayor speaking of speaking of what residents want in a city We did some social media outreach and had some comments about West Carrollton and a lot of what people had to say were across the board from city to city And one thing that people are concerned about is development People are worried about losing the aesthetics of their small towns They're worried about overdevelopment and just kind of the overall look and feel and quality of life So let me ask you how you approach that in West Carrollton So it's going to be a great new look as you enter into West Carrollton from 75 Kenney: That kind of mixed-use quality is something that really appeals to residents within a city It's good for our residents and it's good for the region we look at bringing a lot of people from around our region into the city and then it gives our citizens places to go Kenney: And the question from one of your residents was 5 to 10 years I imagine a lot of that is going to be taken up with the riverfront effort The river district is a 5-to-10-year project we're looking at putting in some high-end condos across from it we are also working on our whitewater rafting It's a unique water activity that will be unique to this area So that one is also going to take five years or so to get it going We're looking at $26 plus million dollars in investment into the dam So we got to make the dam safer so that we can get this thing rolling the county and federal dollars and city dollars We just acquired some western lakes that we're working on that'll be farther down the road once we get these two projects going And that'll be some more recreational purposes for our citizens in the region Kenney: You mentioned earlier that West Carrollton has been landlocked and so I'd like to know how you strike a balance of development with the esthetics and offering people parks and recreation and also building the foundations for a strong economic business community we've always had great recreational places in West Carrollton we've always had areas for our citizens to go and enjoy ourselves and for people to come in business-wise We've always been a great industrial-based community Now we've just transitioned over to different types of industry So we're still continuing to grow from within PREVIOUS COVERAGE: West Carrollton seeks to transform water treatment plant into adventure park, campground but we look to have another great event season Kenney: Any other projects that you're looking for in the next 5 to 10 years we're also upgrading our water treatment plant in our wastewater treatment We're getting those so that they will maintain but they'll be able to handle all of our new infrastructure that we're bringing in so that we are up on all the new codes so we're good to go with the state also Kenney: Another concern residents had was the increasing amount of rentals with large companies buying up residential properties and then turning them into rentals Is that a problem that you've looked at here in West Carrollton we've always had a lot of rentals in West Carrollton probably 55% of our city is multifamily housing But I understand they're talking about houses being bought up and that's happening all over the place We have always had a rental inspection program that we put in many years ago so that they have to register them with the county and they inspect to make sure they're up to code for these rental people when they come in we understand residential for us is very important we've basically been a bedroom community for a lot of years but it is important to us that we maintain our residential districts and that people are comfortable and want to be here in our city Kenney: Our final question from residents that we reached out to was about marijuana dispensaries and they're curious as to why the city of West Carrollton chose to block dispensaries when it was approved statewide It was voted on by the public and they determined that it should be here in Ohio and West Carrollton is not against dispensaries of any kind We did put on a temporary moratorium just so that we can see how the guidelines are going to be sent down by the state We don't want to approve something put it in a district where the state comes back later this year and says they can't be there So we just want to let them hone what the regulations for these are going to be and then we will take a look at it again and see if it's economically feasible for the city and if it's safe for our city Barnhart: Well, the school district is in process of building all new schools. So you're going to see our whole school environment change every one of the schools here in the West Carrollton School District should be brand new the state contributed a good amount of the money and I think it's good for our citizens to see that our school district's flourishing and moving forward Ohio (WKEF) -- Three major development projects are happening at the same time in West Carrollton and city officials attribute this to the city's business friendly environment and strategic planning Culvers will be the first business to establish itself in the highly anticipated River District The River District is an area right off Exit 47 of Interstate 75 that the city has strategically purchased over the years to make way for this kind of redevelopment Sheetz on South Alex Road is part of the city’s ongoing development efforts and is expected to provide both convenience and economic benefits to the area and moving towards the center of town the former Sonic location is being redeveloped into a Dunkin Donuts West Carrollton City Manager Amber Holloway says lots of planning and work have gone into creating a business friendly environment for West Carrollton "It's a testament to the belief in what we're doing here in the city when they are successful here and we believe that they will be that can be a testament to prove to other businesses and brands that may be looking in this area," said Holloway Plans are also in the works to make West Carrollton a premiere recreation destination with a planned whitewater park on the Great Miami River Holloway said from her perspective good things are happening and the community wants to see it continue to grow "Anytime we see new businesses and investment in the community I believe the community is excited to welcome new businesses as well and it's a great time to be here in West Carrollton," Holloway said City leaders are proud of West Carrollton's diverse and thriving business community All three projects are shooting for a completion date later this summer An Ohio.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the State of Ohio A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website Share sensitive information only on official and personal information are protected by federal and state digital security standards and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D Dackin visited Harold Schnell Elementary School in West Carrollton today as part of a new program celebrating schools across Ohio that are using the Science of Reading to raise literacy achievement for their students Harold Schnell Elementary was among the inaugural group of schools to be honored though the new Governor’s Science of Reading Recognition Program “We want to celebrate the schools across Ohio that are being proactive and innovative in how they are helping their students become better readers,” said Governor DeWine “Harold Schnell Elementary is a great example of school leaders and teachers who have really embraced the Science of Reading and are going above and beyond to help more of their students build a solid foundation for reading – a foundation that will allow them to thrive in the classroom and throughout life.” Students at Harold Schnell Elementary School greet Governor DeWine and First Lady DeWine during their visit Monday Part of West Carrollton City School District Harold Schnell Elementary School has fully adopted the Science of Reading The school strategically utilizes data to enhance literacy outcomes They use screening tools to identify students who may need literacy interventions The school then organizes students needing similar interventions into smaller groups These groups then get additional instruction tailored to their needs in the school’s “literacy lab.” The Governor and First Lady also took time during their visit to tour Harold Schnell Elementary School’s “literacy lab.” A place for students to get supplemental and personalized literacy instruction The literacy lab is part of the work being done at Harold Schnell Elementary School to improve literacy achievement for more students the school’s teachers and administrators have completed professional learning on evidence-based literacy instruction and have support from a literacy coach Within just one year of embracing the Science of Reading and employing these strategies their number of third graders reading at grade level improved by 7.9% Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine met with West Carrollton Schools’ Director of Student Services Becky Yerman (left) Harold Schnell Principal Brad Thobe (right) and several other school and district leaders to discuss their work to implement strategies that are improving literacy achievement Governor and First Lady DeWine met with West Carrollton Schools’ Director of Student Services Becky Yerman The Governor and First Lady toured the school’s literacy lab before visiting multiple classes of second and third grade students to observe literacy instruction in action First Lady DeWine read a book to one of the classes before the Governor presented a congratulatory Science of Reading Recognition Program banner to school and district leaders First Lady Fran DeWine read “The Giving Tree” to a combined class of second and third grade students at Harold Schnell Elementary School during Monday’s visit Governor DeWine first announced the Science of Reading Recognition Program as part of his 2025 State of the State Address on March 12 A total of 47 schools were recognized for their exemplary work aligning their curriculum with the Science of Reading embracing professional development for teachers and raising literacy achievement among their students Harold Schnell Elementary was one of six elementary schools in the Miami Valley to receive the recognition Others include Charles Huber Elementary School and Valley Forge Elementary School of Huber Heights City School District; Milton-Union Elementary School of Milton-Union Exempted Village School District; and Northridge Elementary School of Northridge Local School District Click here to view full list of recipients The Governor’s Science of Reading Recognition Program will honor a new group of schools each year Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine presented students and teachers at Harold Schnell Elementary School as well as district leaders from West Carrollton City School District with a banner honoring the school’s selection as one of the inaugural awardees of the Governor’s Science of Reading Recognition Program About the Science of Reading:Based on decades of brain research and literacy development the Science of Reading informs the most effective strategies for teaching students how to read Governor DeWine has long supported the implementation of Science of Reading practices in all Ohio educational settings more schools are becoming fully aligned with the Science of Reading and the results are noticeable This past year’s School Report Cards showed significant improvement in English Language Arts proficiency among elementary students climbing by 2.2 percentage points among Ohio third graders 5.2 percentage points among fourth graders and 3.1 percentage points among fifth graders Ohio Department of Education and WorkforceLacey Snoke, Chief Communications Officer614-995-1855 Lacey.Snoke@education.ohio.gov Ohio (WKEF) -- Police are on the scene of Hudson Ave and Main Street searching for suspects involved in a West Carrollton burglary the scene at Hudson and Main is still very active with Dayton and Trotwood Police assisting West Carrollton in this search This after the car involved in that burglary was found on Riverside Drive around 4:15 a.m and police have been in that area ever since looking for the suspects on foot and using drones There are reportedly two suspects involved in this case One is described as a white male with a face tattoo and the other is a black male Dayton 24/7 Now's Lydia Bice called West Carrollton Police and Fire Dispatch and they weren't able to confirm where the burglary took place overnight but they did confirm that there was an overnight break-in in their city We will continue to update this story as we learn more The city of West Carrollton has big plans for a former water treatment plant at 4000 Hydraulic Road The city is requesting $6 million in state grants to cap and fill the site and construct a campground and adventure park there That’s according to its application to the Dayton Regional Priority Development and Advocacy Committee to be recommended for grant funding. The space will “support access to recreational opportunities for low to moderate income residents as well as community members throughout the Dayton region,” the application reads. Formerly the Appvion Wastewater Treatment Plant, the city acquired the site in 2012. The site was contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs from the 1960s to the early 2000s. It sits adjacent to the Great Miami River. West Carrollton refers to the project as “shovel-ready” in the application. Estimates for total project costs are over $10 million. $4.8 million have already been dedicated toward the site remediation through the Ohio Department of Development and city funds. The city will be ready to use the funds within the next six months. Five Rivers MetroParks and The Miami Conservancy District both wrote letters in support of the city receiving funding for the project. West Carrollton officials declined to comment until more details are available. READ MOREWest Carrollton school hosts Governor Dewine amid DoE's uncertain futureby Eli Burgett Ohio (WKEF) – On Monday Morning at Harold Schnell Elementary in West Carrollton Governor Dewine recognized the school for proficiency in reading “They are just doing a phenomenal job in regard to reading,” says Dewine When it comes to Ohio's science of reading program the state has recognized Harold Schnell Elementary as a top performer Dewine’s visit to the school comes as the potential dismantling of the US Dept the Governor says that a dismantling would allow the state to tailor education standards to whatever Ohio needs is that we have more opportunity and more flexibility to focus on things and subjects that are important in Ohio,” says Dewine DoE is responsible for allocating resources to low-income or marginalized people regardless of whoever is in charge of those after a potential dismantling getting educational funds to those in-need should remain a priority “I think there’s a consensus in this country that we really need to worry about our poor kids and we need to worry about kids with disabilities.” Congress will ultimately decide whether or not DoE will be dismantled UPDATE: West Carrollton Police said Malik has been found safe Ohio (WKEF) -- Police in West Carrollton are looking for a 17-year-old boy reported missing 10 Malik Springs was last seen at his home in the 100 block of West Main Street Springs was last seen wearing a Puma hoodie The police department is concerned for his well-being at this time Anyone with information on Malik’s whereabouts should contact the West Carrollton Police Department at (937) 859-3688 Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application of Springboro passed away unexpectedly on October 4 Kenny (Rhonda) Webster and Dan (Vickie) Webster; along with many other family and friends.  Stanley graduated from West Carrollton High School please consider a contribution in Stanley's memory to piratepacks.org for the West Carrollton City School District students A Celebration of Stanley's Life will be held from 12:00 p.m Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Ohio (WKEF) -- A special event for hot air balloon lovers young and old is coming to West Carrollton the Hot Air Balloon Glow event will offer residents the opportunity interact and learn about different kinds of hot air balloons before they lift off into the night sky for a beautiful glowing display there will numerous food trucks available at the event as well as a live band “We’ll have ten hot air balloons coming to West Carrollton it will look like it does behind us [pointed at balloon] Around nine o’clock they will then ‘glow’ them It makes for amazing photos and it’s something to see; to watch them stand them up Because of the way we’re doing this people will have the opportunity to talk to the pilots maybe even stand in some of the baskets and get some nice photos,” Cheryl Dillin “The event starts at 6 o’clock and the food trucks open at 6 We’re encouraging people to bring their chairs and blankets It’s more of a walk around and enjoy type of event so we’ll have a little bit of music in the background The West Carrollton Band Boosters are selling alcohol so all of the proceeds go to them we have the balloons that will be standing up they’re going to come around 7 and 8.” said Dillin which means it’ll hold 90,000 basketballs if we put them in there We float with the wind and we fly around Butler and Warren County To learn more about the event visitwestcarrollton.org.