10 important stories that impacted Centerville in 2018

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The city of Centerville saw plenty of activity in schools, community and business in 2018.

The Dayton Daily News has covered all of it, and we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most impactful stories in Centerville from this year:

Centerville workers receive pay increases to match police contract

Centerville City Council approved 2.75 percent pay increases for all city employees.

According the city’s human resource department, the city employs about 100 regular full-time employees, as well as approximately 100 regular part-time and seasonal employees. The raises are for full-time workers.

Centerville names new police chief

In July, Centerville appointed Matt Brown to serve as the city’s police chief. Brown had been serving as interim chief since February. Former chief Bruce Robertson retired in February.

Wayne Davis, Centerville city manager, said the city had been looking to fill three key leadership positions for police chief, assistant city manager and economic development administrator.

He said the appointment of Brown, who has been a member of the Centerville Police Dept. since 1998, is a result of his leadership and outstanding work as an officer.

Centerville sets priorities for the next 5 years

Davis unveiled the master plan for the city’s five-year strategic initiative. There are six goal areas connected with the plan: Planning, economic development, core services, finance, infrastructure/housing and technology.

New Centerville program works to help influx of immigrant families

A new Centerville school initiative designed to increase engagement between residents and immigrant families kicked off in 2018. The initiative is called Connect Centerville and is the brainchild of Megan LeMaster, the English Language Learner (ELL) coach for Centerville City Schools.

New hotel opens in Centerville along busy I-675 corridor

A new hotel part of the Cornerstone of Centerville development had its grand opening in October. Hilton Home2 Suites is the latest business in Cornerstone, a mixed-use development accommodating retail, restaurant, professional and medical offices.

Centerville taking steps to prepare for latest generation of super-fast wireless

Centerville is joining Kettering and other local communities in trying to develop design standards to regulate the location and size of small cell antennas and facilities for the latest wireless technology system, 5G.

A former Centerville teacher and football coach was permanently denied the ability to renew his teaching license after a state investigation found that he shared pictures of a student in her underwear in a group text message and that numerous “inappropriate” websites were viewed on his school-owned computer.

After talk of removal, Centerville retains cross country coach

After word got out to several parents and teachers that a “minority voice in the community” wanted the school board to oust veteran girls cross country coach David Dobson, he was retained as the school board voted 3-1 in favor of renewing Dobson’s contract. Board Member Annie Self cast the lone vote against renewing his contract.

Animal care hospital starts construction for new facility in Centerville

Centerville’s Dayton Care Center broke ground on a new 15,000-square-foot hospital that will bring with it jobs and new technology to better treat the area’s pets, officials said.

Dr. Doug Hoffman, group president of Dayton Care Center, said the current hospital at 6405 Clyo Road will transition to its new location at 6421 Clyo Road upon its completion. The new location will feature state-of-the-art equipment including an MRI and CT scanner, he said.

Centerville celebrates 50 years as a city

Centerville celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Dec. 2 — the official date the city transitioned from a village to a city — but city officials and members of the community were busy all year marking the milestone.

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