Brian Lamar - Columbia Township Trustee

02/11/2026

Several Columbia Township precincts have new voting locations. Postcards were mailed but I know some residents still aren't aware. The primary locations affected are Madison Place, Williams Meadow and the entire Wooster Pike corridor, which now vote in the Columbia Township Community Center at 6904 Murray Avenue. If there isn't a parking spot in front of the building, you can park at our lot at 6896 Cambridge Avenue and walk through to Murray Avenue to vote.

Updated Polling Locations
Columbia B, F, G and I: Madison Place, Williams-Meadow, Plainville and Wooster Pike areas (Mariemont Landing, Walton Creek) vote at the Columbia Township Community Center at 6904 Murray Ave. This is a new location for these residents.
Columbia A: Euclid/North Stewart areas vote at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church at 7754 Montgomery Rd. Meeting Room B
Columbia E: 7 Hills, Whetsel, Monning, Stewart, and Maphet areas vote at the Madisonville Recreation Center at 5320 Stewart Ave. Front Entrance – Gymnasium
Columbia C and D: Ridgewood, Losatiridge, Kennedy, Ridge, Kenoak, Hill and Dale, Ehrling, and Viewpointe areas vote at the Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church 5950 Montgomery Rd
Verify Before You Vote
Polling locations can change, so the best way to confirm your Election Day location is to use the Hamilton County, Ohio Board of Elections online polling-place lookup: Where to Vote. Enter your name and address to view your assigned precinct, polling location, address and designated entrance.

28/10/2026

Come see your Community Center!

For nearly 80 years, this former firehouse has been part of Columbia Township’s story—as a volunteer fire department, a gathering place, and the setting for memories we still hear about today. Now, come see what it can offer for your next celebration, meeting, or community event!

Join us for one of our open houses:
📅 Thursday, October 29 | 5–7 p.m.
📅 Thursday, November 19 | 5–7 p.m.

Enjoy food on us, take a tour, and ask questions! Have a memory of the old firehouse? We’d love to hear that, too.

The Community Center features:
🎉 Space for up to 150 people
🌇 A beautiful rooftop and patio
📺 Six televisions—including one on the rooftop
💰 Nearly free rentals for Columbia Township residents, businesses, and nonprofits—and super-affordable rates for everyone else!

Just stop by! An RSVP is appreciated, but not required. Contact Lauren at 513-272-0000 or [email protected].

Come reminisce, explore, and picture your next gathering here!

📌 MORE DATES TO SAVE

🗳️ Tuesday, November 3 | 6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Election Day at the Community Center (please ensure you go to the correct voting location through the Hamilton County, Ohio Board of Elections). Early voting is also available—make a plan to vote!

🏛️ Tuesday, November 10 | 4–5 p.m.
Board of Trustees Meeting

🎄 Thursday, December 3 | 6–8 p.m.
Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration
Celebrate the season in Madison Place with carriage rides, a petting farm, pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, and Santa stops at businesses throughout Madison Place!

🏛️ Tuesday, December 8 | 4–5 p.m.
Board of Trustees Meeting

☘️ Saturday, March 13, 2027 | 5–9 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Day Event

Mark your calendar. We look forward to seeing you!

15/10/2026

Columbia Township Meeting Highlights | October 13, 2026

From flood prevention to fire protection and seasonal services, Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting focused on keeping our community safe, connected and ready for the months ahead. You can watch the entire meeting here https://vimeo.com/1235628640

We were pleased to welcome two special guests: Ohio State Representative Rachel Baker for Ohio and Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus! We thanked Representative Baker for her work to protect township funding and support the Deputy Larry Henderson memorial as well as helping us maintain ma*****na revenue, and Commissioner Driehaus for the county’s partnership on stormwater improvements, economic development and community programs. Thank you both for your continued support of Columbia Township!

Here’s a quick look at the board’s actions:
💧 Continued stormwater engineering for Wooster Lane Phase Two and assessments of additional problem areas. We have numerous areas of the Township that experience stormwater issues and I'm excited to continue to partner with Strand Associates on plans to help minimize this.
🚒 Approved a five-year agreement for fire and ambulance services with Deer Park-Silverton Joint Fire District for 2027–2031.
💡 Approved walkway safety lighting at the township parking lot on Cambridge Avenue. This will make it easier and safer to walk from the parking lot directly to Danny Boy and Murray Avenue.
🏘️ Authorized cleanup work at nuisance properties.
🍂 Prepared for leaf collection, winter road maintenance and holiday lighting.
🚧 Approved a policy for food-truck lane restrictions and potential street closures in front of the Community Center, with individual full closures requiring board approval. I encourage the public to review this discussion we had - we can accept public input before a final vote in November and I encourage feedback.

We also shared updates on Grace Avenue construction (will be completed in October!), neighborhood road improvements and the Community Center’s growing use—with more than 80 rentals reported so far this year!

Thank you to our residents, businesses, staff and community partners for helping Columbia Township grow together!

Quick resolution summary
The meeting included 12 resolutions. The six non-emergency measures were approved with the second reading waived; administration explained that these measures have a 30-day public comment period before becoming effective.

09/10/2026

This past week was full of community events, familiar faces, and a little friendly chili controversy! Here’s what I’ve been up to:

♻️ I dropped off some old paint through Hamilton County ReSource. Thanks to Trustee Brokamp for spreading the word! They offer events throughout the year, and some require reservations. Check them out for details.

🌶️ The Little Miami Joint Fire & Rescue District's annual chili cookoff was a perfect way to spend a beautiful day. I saw so many people from the community and sampled some amazing chilis. For the third consecutive year, a chicken chili took the grand prize! If you don’t think chicken chili counts as “real chili,” consider this your invitation to enter next year. 😄

🏘️ I also stopped by Ridgewood’s annual neighborhood block party and was happy to drop off some gift bags from The Dog Stop - Cincinnati, OH. With a bounce house, a movie, plenty of food, and face painting, it looked like a great time for neighbors of all ages!

👟 I also stopped by the Shepherd Shuffle walkathon for The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori It was great to see so much energy and school spirit, with cheering, ice cream and even a dunk tank! Thanks to generous families, grandparents, alumni, and friends, the event raised $38,202.18—more than $10,000 above its fundraising goal!

⛳ I participated in a charity golf outing at The Golf Courses of Kenton County supporting Perspectives: Skills for Life. This organization helps teens and young adults with developmental differences build practical life, social, and career-readiness skills—helping them gain confidence and independence. While I struggled golfing, I got to spend the day with my Brother and his family and friends.

🚧 And I checked in on Grace Avenue in Madison Place. The first layer of asphalt is down, and the project is on pace for completion in October. It’s going to be beautiful! Thank you to everyone for your patience as the work continues.

💃 I’ve also been practicing for my Dancing with the Stars event to raise money for the Miami Valley Veterans Museum on November 14! I’m having a lot of fun getting ready and look forward to sharing more as the big day gets closer.

🐾 And Charlie celebrated his first birthday with his friends! Getting the party guests to pose for a good picture wasn’t easy, but we managed to capture a little of the birthday fun. 🎂

📅 A quick reminder: Our monthly trustee meeting is at a special time —3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13!

Grateful for the neighbors, volunteers, and organizations who make our community such a wonderful place to call home.

05/10/2026

Voting information!

Your Polling Location May Have Changed
Columbia Township voters should confirm their Election Day polling location before heading to the polls. Several Columbia Township precincts have new voting locations. Postcards will be mailed to affected voters approximately 30 days before the election, but voters are encouraged to verify their location in advance.

Updated Polling Locations
Columbia B, F, G and I: Madison Place, Williams-Meadow, Plainville and Wooster Pike areas vote at the Columbia Township Community Center at 6904 Murray Ave. This is a new location for these residents.

Columbia A: Euclid/North Stewart areas vote at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church at 7754 Montgomery Rd. Meeting Room B

Columbia E: 7 Hills, Whetsel, Monning and Maphet areas vote at the Madisonville Recreation Center at 5320 Stewart Ave. Front Entrance – Gymnasium

Columbia C and D: Ridgewood, Losantiridge, Kennedy, Ridge, Kenoak, Hill and Dale, and Viewpointe areas vote at the Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church 5950 Montgomery Rd

Verify Before You Vote
Polling locations can change, so the best way to confirm your Election Day location is to use the Hamilton County, Ohio Board of Elections online polling-place lookup: Where to Vote. Enter your name and address to view your assigned precinct, polling location, address and designated entrance.

Voters may also contact the Hamilton County Board of Elections at (513) 946-8500 with questions about their registration or polling location.

Please watch for your postcard in the mail and take a moment to confirm your polling location before Election Day. Knowing where to go ahead of time helps ensure a smoother voting experience for everyone.

Last day to register to vote is October 5 and early voting starts October 6th.

25/09/2026

PARKING UPDATE FOR MADISON PLACE BUSINESSES

For the next few weeks the first block of Grace Avenue will be temporarily closed to vehicles while the construction crew completes the next phase of improvements which will make it especially challenging for our local businesses. Please take the extra minute to visit Angilo's Pizza Madison Place The Madison Place Coffee Shop The Arena Lounge as well as other local businesses nearby including Magnolia Rose Green Papaya Howard's Kitchen Studio and Danny Boy as they've also impacted during this time.

This portion of the work is expected to last approximately three weeks, though timing may shift slightly based on weather and construction conditions.

The project team coordinated this work so the street can be completed in one phase, helping minimize repeated disruptions for our local businesses, their customers, and neighbors.

We know temporary construction access and parking changes can be inconvenient, and we truly appreciate everyone’s patience. The finished streetscape will make this part of the neighborhood safer, more attractive, and even more welcoming for visitors and businesses. The road is still on schedule to be completed later this year.

Where to park:
Customers are encouraged to use the Cambridge Avenue Business District parking lot at 6805 Cambridge Avenue during the closure. Swipe through the photos in this post for directions and a simple walking route to Grace Avenue businesses. There are also 3 dedicated spots in the HOL Fitness parking lot (you can park there for hours, don't worry feel free to ignore the 15 minute parking limit). Street parking is also available in the area.

Please continue to support our local businesses during construction—your favorite shops, restaurants, and services are open and ready to welcome you. Thank you to Meraki Collective, Jackie Barnes Design, Porsche of the Village Eastern Hills Dry Cleaners Ludwig Photo & Video for being patient as well!

Thank you for your patience and support as we near the finish line! Also thank you to Madison Place Coffee for the pictures which I stole!

14/09/2026

I’m excited—and VERY nervous—to share that I’ll be competing in Dancing with the Miami Valley Stars on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Romer's Catering-Piqua!

This event benefits the Miami Valley Veterans Museum, a local, all-volunteer organization dedicated to honoring veterans, preserving their stories, and ensuring future generations understand the service and sacrifice behind the freedoms we enjoy.

I’m raising donations and silent-auction items to support the Museum’s purchase and renovation of its facility. Every dollar donated counts as a vote for me in the competition, but the real win is helping preserve the legacy of Miami Valley veterans.

Want to donate now? You can make a secure online contribution through the Miami Valley Veterans Museum’s fundraising page: miamivalleyveteransmuseum.org/fundraising

When donating online or via PayPal, please include “Brian Lamar” in the donation notes, memo, or message so your gift is credited to my Dancing with the Miami Valley Stars fundraising total

If you own or represent a local business, please consider donating:

* A gift card, product, service, or experience for the silent auction
* Merchandise or a themed gift basket
* An item we can sell to raise funds
* A monetary contribution or sponsorship

The Miami Valley Veterans Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Its EIN is 27-2517593.

Coming in October: I’ll also host an informal in-person fundraiser with pizza, b**r, donations, and a chance to gather with friends and supporters before the big event. Details—including the date, location, and ways to participate—will be announced soon. If you would like to donate food, beverages, raffle or auction items, or help sponsor that event, please get in touch.

If you can help—or know a business that may be interested—please call or text me at 513-289-6155, email [email protected], or send me a Facebook message. I can arrange pickup and provide additional event information.

Thank you for supporting our veterans and helping keep their stories alive.

10/09/2026

Have your voice heard and take this survey - took me less than 10 minute!

Emergency preparedness begins with you! Take the Hamilton County Preparedness Survey to share your thoughts on the County's emergency preparedness priorities. Visit http://hcema.org/Survey2026 to take the survey by September 21.

09/09/2026

Columbia Township Board of Trustees Meeting Update — September 8, 2026

The Columbia Township Board of Trustees approved several important actions at this week’s regular meeting to support road safety, public works, and community projects.

Road repairs approved
The Board authorized a $33,875 contract with Ford Development Corporation for needed road-system repairs at Bramble Avenue and Kenmore Avenue, as well as at 4007 Berwick Street.

Work will include replacement of failing catch basins, frames, and grates; installation of new stormwater conduit at Bramble and Kenmore; curb repair at Berwick; and pavement restoration at the affected sites. These repairs will improve drainage, address deteriorating roadway infrastructure, and help protect the safety of the traveling public.

The Board also approved:

* Resurfacing of Windridge Drive, Windridge View, and Windknoll Court in the Seven Hills Club neighborhood.

* Purchase of a 2027 Ford F-600 dump truck for essential snow and ice removal, road maintenance, and other public-works services to replace a 2012 truck.

* An agreement with sculptor Tom Tsuchiya for the Fallen Officer Memorial Regional Gateway project planned for Murray Path near the Columbia Township Community Center.

Save the date: Neighbor Day & Chili Cook Off
Columbia Township residents are also invited to join the Village of Fairfax and Little Miami Joint Fire & Rescue District for Neighbor Day & Chili Cook Off:

📅 Saturday, October 3
🕛 Noon–3 p.m.
📍 Little Miami Joint Fire & Rescue, Station 66
5800 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227

Sign up today to be part of the Chili Cookoff
[email protected]

Come meet the firefighters, learn more about fire safety, and enjoy family activities, including firefighter demonstrations, face painting, a petting zoo, and free dessert.

Think your chili can win? Enter the chili competition for a chance to earn Judge’s Choice or the People’s Choice Award. The competition includes mild, hot, and specialty-chili categories, and attendees can enjoy free chili while cheering on the contestants.

We hope to see Columbia Township represented in the competition — and at this fun community event!