“If this sounds familiar to you, it should. It was the opening paragraph of my first state of the city address in 2010. It was true then and it is still true today,” he said.
Duncan is beginning his 22nd year on the council and his 16th as mayor.
“The highlight of the year in Oakwood in 2024 was the complete solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Citizens old and young donned the special eclipse glasses for the one-hour event,” Duncan said. “The next complete solar eclipse in Oakwood will occur 2099 so I will have no further reports on this matter.”
City Council proclaimed May as “Codebreaker Month” to honor Oakwood resident Joseph Desch, a pioneering engineer and inventor, for his invaluable contributions to the field of cryptography, which significantly hastened the Allied victory in World War II.
“His legacy inspires us to advance science, technology and global cooperation for the greater good of humanity,” Duncan said.
Oakwood City Schools unveiled a new mission statement: “Together we learn, together we achieve, together we prepare students for tomorrow.” The district also earned a Purple Star Designation from the Ohio Department of Education that recognizes their commitment to serving students from military families. Duncan said there are about 260 military-connected students in the district this year.
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
“Yes, they did it again. The Oakwood High School Academic Decathlon team won the Division III national championship for the 12th year in a row,” Duncan said.
Academic Decathlon is a 10-event competition. Students write essays, deliver speeches, take exams and are interviewed by judges. The event also includes the Super Quiz, where teams solve challenges across multiple subjects in front of a live audience.
“Congratulations to all the students and adviser Lori Morris, now in her 19th year as coach,” the mayor said.
Credit: STAFF
Credit: STAFF
The Wright Memorial Public Library celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2024.
“It is one of the most heavily used libraries in the country,” Duncan said. “Their mission is to provide diverse opportunities for lifelong learning, personal growth, education and enjoyment here in the heart of Oakwood.”
The mayor highlighted the importance of local government in providing for public safety and infrastructure.
“Formed in 1927, our public safety department is the second oldest consolidated department in the United States. It is unique because all of our officers are cross trained and state certified in law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical services.”
The response time for the first officer on scene for any emergency is 2 minutes, which Duncan said is by far the fastest in the region. Fire engine response time is 4.5 minutes, which beats the national standard of 6 minutes, and the city’s medic response time of 4.75 minutes surpasses the national standard of 12 minutes.
“Oakwood has the lowest crime rate and fire loss in Montgomery County,” Duncan said.
The city in 2024 also completed two major infrastructure projects.
Credit: JIM NOELKER
Credit: JIM NOELKER
The Far Hills Avenue storm sewer reconstruction project upgraded outdated infrastructure to address stormwater overflow and reduce maintenance costs. The city used $940,000 of federal American Rescue Plan funds to offset part of the $2.2 million construction cost.
The city also completed the Far Hills Avenue resurfacing project, which included a $1.2 million award from the Ohio Department of Transportation representing 80% of the project cost, Duncan said.
Oakwood voters passed a 2.41-mill property tax levy in 2024. This levy replaced a 3.75-mill levy that expired in 2023 and had been in place over the last 10 years, the mayor said.
The city in 2024 raised its water rates for the first time in seven years and will need to again this year, Duncan said. Prior to the increase, Oakwood had the third lowest water rates in the area. Even with the recent increases, he said the rates are still among the lowest in the area.
Credit: doug sanders
Credit: doug sanders
“I would be remiss if we did not recognize former city manager Norbert Klopsch. Norbert retired on Nov. 1, 2024, after a 32-year career with the city as city engineer, director of public works and for the last 22 years as our city manager. He is and was acknowledged by his peers as an outstanding city manager,” Duncan said.
When asked what is a key to being a successful city manger, Duncan said Norbert replied “understand the city you serve, listen to the people and always strive to make decisions and recommendations to city council that are in the long-term best interest of the city as a whole.”
The city welcomed new City Manager Katie Smiddy, who began her duties in October as interim city manager and on Nov. 1 assumed the city manager role.
“Katie possesses all the skills and attributes needed to lead our wonderful city and she is also blessed with an outstanding group of department directors,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Duncan said when he joined the council in 2003 it was his belief that Oakwood was well governed, well managed and financially strong, and that he still holds this belief.
“With the help of city council, city staff and the citizens of oakwood we will continue to be well governed, well managed and financially strong,” he said.
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