The Last 25 Years and a Look Forward

Posted on June 28, 2021


Ken Suer
Ken Suer
Ken Suer
21st Mayor,2012-2013

Council Message by Ken Suer

The past 25 years in Montgomery produced a lot of changes.  The next 25 years will no doubt be quite eventful as well.  Here are a FEW of the things I have seen since 1995:

  • 1995 – The City’s Bicentennial, groundbreaking for Ohio National building, new Surgical wing at Bethesda North Hospital, Homearama at Reserve of Montgomery
  • 1996 – Montgomery pool opens, Recreation Department created, work starts on Tri-Health Pavilion
  • 1997 – Safety Center and Weller Park are dedicated, Acrewood Subdivision annexed
  • 1999 – F-4 Tornado hits with 260 m.p.h. winds – 95 area homes destroyed – 4 people killed, and hundreds of others injured
  • 2000 – City launches new website, sidewalk master plan
  • 2001 – School Resource Officer position created
  • 2002 – First Strategic Plan approved, “Teardown” trend is underway, Environmental Advisory Committee created, “Triangle” property at Montgomery & Cooper Roads purchased by City for redevelopment, work starts on Twin Lakes
  • 2003 – New Montgomery Elementary school opens, new Audi dealership
  • 2005 – Relocation of Montgomery Chevrolet, new patient tower at Bethesda North
  • 2006 – Dog park controversy, comprehensive study of the parks, work starts on Vintage Club
  • 2007 -Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy created, Homearama at Vintage Club, park land initiative controversy
  • 2008 – Remnants of Hurricane Ike slam City, new recycling totes
  • 2009 – City starts presence on Facebook, Twitter, & YouTube, Chamber of Commerce starts
  • 2010 – Farmer’s Market begins, Live at Uni concert series begins
  • 2011 – New Maple Dale Elementary School groundbreaking
  • 2012 – 25th Anniversary of Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) begins
  • 2013 – Christ Hospital facility groundbreaking, Montgomery Food Share begins
  • 2014 – Bear sighting in City (Yes, this really happened!)
  • 2017 – Bethesda North Cancer Center under construction
  • 2018 – Diversity & Inclusion Committee started, 30th annual Photo Contest
  • 2019 – The City gets first police dog – “Ricky”
  • 2020 – Construction on Roundabout and Montgomery Quarter is underway, COVID- 19 Pandemic

What will the next 25 years bring?  Well, none of us can be totally certain about what the next 25 DAYS will bring, but here are some of my (safe) predictions:

  • The Montgomery Quarter and Roundabout will be successfully completed.
  • Sycamore Schools — in their newly remodeled and/or rebuilt buildings, will continue as a first-class District.
  • Montgomery will continue to win lots of awards of all types.
  • New generations of dynamic leaders and volunteers will emerge and engage with the community.
  • Montgomery will retain its position as one of the premier communities in Greater Cincinnati with great residential neighborhoods and a thriving business district.

Montgomery is a tremendous community because the people who live and work here make it that way.  People who care about each other and about their town are the key to our success.  Everyone has a role to play in this ongoing story and the future starts right now!

Close window