| This month in The Village Voice: News & Notes from Village Administrator Doug Hockman:
I am changing the "VISITS WITH THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR" at Bremen Bulk Foods and Mercantile to the SECOND THURSDAY of each month. It seemed that the first Thursday always fell on the first few days of the new month and you were just getting the newsletter in the mail that day or the next. So, let’s try the SECOND THURSDAY. I do enjoy those conversations; seems to be a good opportunity to talk and listen to each other. So the next visit will be FEBRUARY 9TH from 9:00 am until 10:30 am. Remember, the coffee is FREE and sometimes, there is even something to go with our coffee!
Thank you for the positive phone calls and stopping by the Village Office to express your appreciation for the way the Village workers have dealt with the ice and snow that we have had. Your appreciation has been passed on to the workers. They CARE and work hard to keep the Village safe. Just because it is cold and wet with wintry days, our workers are out there getting done what the elements allow. Our workers are saving the Village 10’s of thousands of dollars that most other Villages and towns are paying out to outside contractors. When you see Byron Bowersox, Ed Hammond, Shad Kistler, Gary Wolfe, Douglas Ditter, and Adam Deskins please tell them thank you. When you stop by the Village Office, take the time to say thank you to Fran Drake. Nobody understands ALL the different tasks she is responsible for. She is the glue that keeps so much together. Don’t forget Kelley Tripp, our Clerk/Treasurer. With more and more regulations, forms, and new complexities to her job, she accepts the challenge and represents our Village in a complete and professional way… Thanks Kelley!
Our new mayor, Josh Groce, has jumped in with both feet and is becoming familiar with the tasks at hand. The new Council is organized and in place. One initial act of business was to consolidate several of our Standing Committees into other existing committees since they shared criteria that overlapped. I will give you that new structure of committees. Remember, the Council and Committees’ sole task is to be LEGISLATIVE in writing and proposing new or revamping existing laws that the Village is governed by. The day to day tasks in the Village and enforcement of legislation is the task of the Village Administrator. If you see or have concerns about something; call me at 740-569-4788.
R.I.T.A. is the Regional Income Tax Agency. Beginning December 1, 2011, Bremen became a member. We join 207 other Ohio municipalities.
R.I.T.A. serves as the INCOME TAX collection agency. Each member municipality appoints its own delegate to the Regional Council of Governments (RCOG). Each delegate has one vote on every item that comes before the RCOG, including electing the Officers of the Council of Governments and the R.I.T.A. BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Regardless of the population or tax collections of member municipalities, each member of the RCOG has an equal say in the operations of the Regional Income Tax Agency. Kelley Tripp represents the Village of Bremen.
R.I.T.A. has recently mailed out tax forms to Village residents and business communities. The Village Offices and local Library have also received a shipment of forms. You may use their E-service applications at www.ritaohio.com where you can register, make a payment, or file and pay your taxes.
Taxpayers may also download a tax form at their website or YOU MAY CALL their Customer Service Dept. at 1-800-860-7482. If you have any questions or need assistance please contact the Member Services Dept. at 1-866-252-0913 or by E-Mail at memberservices@ritaohio.com. Please take this information with you if someone other than yourself does your taxes. They will be familiar with R.I.T.A. and will know what to do. The Village Office will not be as able to answer your questions as R.I.T.A. will.
FAIRFIELD CO. SHERIFF – NON EMERGENCY NUMBER IS 740-652-7900
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