Hartwell loses a great person

[Dawn Longworth]

A celebration of life ceremony for Don Hinderberger will take place this Saturday, February 7th from 9am-11am at Hartwell United Methodist Church on Parkway Circle in Hartwell.  Don was the President of the Hartwell Improvement Association from 2003-2004 and Vice President for 4 years before that.   All are welcome.

[Dawn Longworth]

God Bless Vern Whitaker who passed away on Friday after a long battle with cancer and God Bless Don Hinderberger who also passed away on Friday.  Two great men with loving families and great neighbors to all those that knew them.  Plese keep the families in your thoughts and prayers.

[Dawn Longworth]

The beautiful garden has been planted (maybe VC will share a picture for you).  It just needs a little more mulch and it will be very happy, it should be wonderful next summer when in full bloom.  Thank you to all the volunteers who helped.  We have a marker that will be placed soon.

[Dawn Longworth]

Mike, I know when we lost a teacher at St. Vivian a garden was planted on the grounds of the school.  The only concern I have for too many children at this site is the fact that the area is not child friendly.  When planning my clean ups I mark which sites are child safe and which ones are not. I have serious concerns for too many children at this site. I have drawn plans for the site to help with the planting that day and there is a lot going in there (including your generous donation of plants).  I am also working on a beautiful memorial that I got the idea from a Findley Market memorial that Keep Cincinnati Beautiful did for a member of their staff when I met with them on Friday. I think I can get the item finished before Saturday and I think it will  be a beautiful addition and marker.  I will keep in touch as this unfolds over the next few days (HIA meeting is on Tues).  Thanks again for all your support.

[Valley Cat]

Dawn,

You have e-mail.

[Dawn Longworth]

The problem is being addressed.  I have contacted many council members, the mayors office and Dist 4 police.  I also contacted transportation and engineering and we are working on ideas.  They will be presented to the public as soon as we all get our heads together.  Speed humps are what I am wanting but since the program was cancelled in 2003 due to "lack of funds", I wanted to know if we can get private donations.  I am waiting on the city for the reply.  Cyndi's daughter and son in law are friends with Councilmember Ghiz staff member and he has made the issue something he wants to make sure gets addressed. 

On Saturday, Ocrober 21st (Make a Difference Day) we will be working on the islands at Avalon & Woodbine, just north of where the accident occured.  It is my hope that the new garden that is to be planted will become a memorial to Cyndi.  I encourage all interested to help with this project.  We will be planting magnolias and other plants and hope it will bring smiles to peoples faces as I have heard that Cyndi was the true expert at that. 

Thank you to all the residents who have supported her family.  I drive the neighborhood a couple times a day and almost everytime I am in that area, I see someone walking with food towards the families home.  Hartwell residents are so caring, and I appreicate everyone of you.

[stargazer]

Again, I am sorry that you all have lost a friend.  I have lost friends myself and it is never easy.

We lived in Hartwell many years ago and even then, there was a problem with people speeding down what should be quiet side streets.  Maybe a group could all meet and go down to District 4 and demand (nicely if possible) that something has to be done to address this problem.

[Valley Cat]

Stargazer,

Of Course, you are right. And we cannot expect the police to sit on our streets 23/7 looking for speeders. Also, for the record, this accident might not have to do with speed so much as freak event. The car was a replica of a 1984 MG, I believe. It probably was not built to the same exacting safety standards that modern cars are. (The cause of the death is too graphic to post here - if anyone is interested they can e-mail me)

Nevertheless, far too many cars speed, and I'm not talking about 30 in a 25. Street like Avalon and Oakmont, that are basically one lane if cars are parked on the street, need to have a much lower speed limit - no more than 20 mph.

[stargazer]

I am so sorry for your loss.  My prayers go out to all who loved her.

Just wanted to add that I know a lot of you are hurting over this loss right now.  But  I don't think the answer to the problem is putting obstacles out in the street.  That kind of thing could seriously slow down an emergency repsone vehicle or could even damage it to where another emergency vehicle would have to be called in, wasting precious minutes.

[Dogtown]

Very sorry to read about your loss.

[Dawn Longworth]

Mike,I ran down there last night as soon as I got the call.  what a  tragic situation.  Something I hope to never see again.   She was only 2 or 3 houses at the most from her own driveway.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.

[Valley Cat]

Cindi Gelhous was killed tonight. On a back street, no more than a football field from her home. Hit by a driver who was going too fast down a residential street and hit her in the intersection of Avalon and Oakmont.

CPD - Understand this. For years, I worked in my front yard and would confront drivers who didn't understand the idea of driving slowly on residential streets. I can go back to this. You have two choices - enforce this rule or I will. Someone may start placing concrete blocks in the street, ones that will be easy to get around if one is driving slowly. Ones that will completely destroy a car if it doesn't avoid it.

For once, I agree with a dog. I need to place my safety, and that of my family and friends, in hands that can do the job. Cindi was about 52 years old, vibrant, full of life. I've never met a happier person, and I've known her for years and years. She shouldn't be dead because someone decided to drive too fast down a back street in a residential neighborhood.