As I sit enjoying the beauty of the sunset through tall trees, I have one individual to thank. Pat Stern. If it had not been for Ms. Stern's diligent efforts to organize a community action and to lobby for the prevention of multiple unit housing to be built behind our properties I would be looking at stark buildings after having struggled with too much traffic. Ms. Stern's efforts kept a greenspace for the community, a nature preserve for all Sycamore residents to enjoy.

As a resident of Sycamore Township for nearly 20 years, I can say with delight that I can see no better candidate for the position of trustee than Pat Stern. If there is a problem, Ms. Stern will work with determination to get it solved. She is conscientious, far sighted and dedicated. Sycamore Township and its residents will be privileged to have the caliber of individual Ms. Stern is as a representative. Our future will be in good hands with the election of Ms. Stern.

On Monday, the Sycamore Township Board of Zoning Appeals ruled unanimously in favor of granting Moeller High School its request for conditional use of for its proposed athletic field renovation ("Moeller defeated on lights proposal," July 19). This came after some 19 hours of testimony, cross-examination and discussion. Moeller got essentially everything they asked for except lights. The neighbors are giving up their park-like back yards in exchange for a walled and fenced-in compound, but this neighbor feels it is a worthy compromise in exchange for no lights. I applaud this decision as an excellent example of local representative government in action.

Regarding the lawsuit filed by Moeller High School challenging the decision of the Sycamore Township Zoning Board, I side with the board's decision and the feelings of the residents who will be affected by placement of eleven 60-foot light poles at Moeller's sports complex ("Moeller sues over light poles," July 27). Those 30 evenings in the fall and 30 evenings in the spring will seem like forever.

I live behind Madeira High School, and my husband and I deal with those bright lights and the annoying noise from their field and bleachers to the point where we dread the nicest times of the year. Moeller's lawsuit is selfish and will do nothing to enhance the neighborhood surrounding the school complex, but more to detract from its desirability.

Stern said she wants to bring a fresh approach to the way business is done in the township.

"I'm really happy living in Sycamore Township," she said. "And I think it could be even better."

If elected, Stern said she will work to develop a comprehensive five-year plan for the future of Sycamore Township, improve the township's parks and acquire more greenspace to expand its outdoor recreation facilities, create more family activities in the township and form a chamber of commerce to retain and attract quality businesses to the area.

She will also work to see that the needs of the township's aging population are met, she said.

Sycamore Township's elderly population stands at 25 percent today and continues to grow, Stern said.

"My biggest goal is to make sure they can stay in their homes as long as possible. I feel I can get them the help they need to make sure they can stay," she said.

"I would be a pro-active trustee, not a reactive trustee," Stern said.

She said she believes many issues can be avoided by improving the township's land-use plan.

Stern served on the first Land Use Plan Committee in 1992 and again in 2000 when the plan was revised.

Stern said the township has a good plan in place, but it needs to be revised as more developers are attracted to the township.

Among the revisions, the township needs stronger buffering restrictions so that businesses and residents can co-exist in harmony, she said.

Sycamore also needs to take a pro-active approach to traffic problems -- for example, the congestion on Plainfield Road near Dillonvale -- and perform traffic studies in congested areas without prompts from proposed developments.

As for the issue of the potential Target development in Dillonvale, Stern said she is afraid the township's $75,000 offer for the property was politically motivated.

She also fears that it could drive a wedge between Sycamore Township and Blue Ash, Hamilton County commissioners and the developer.

Communicating with residents would be high on Stern's list of priorities, she said. She will work to increase communication and televise the township's meetings on cable.

"I credit myself for being a great communicator," she said. "I've been in the communication business for 25 years."

She serves on a number of boards including the Sycamore Township Board of Zoning Appeals.

I am saddened to read in the July 10 Enquirer that females hold far fewer elected offices regionally than nationwide. I recently filed my petitions to run for Sycamore Township trustee. No woman has ever held that seat in our community, and after 17 years of volunteer work in the township, I felt it was time for me to run and lead our community in a new direction.

I have a 3-year-old daughter, and I try hard every day to be a positive role model to her. Part of my reasoning for running is that I want to show my daughter and her friends that this is an attainable goal, to be an elected official at all levels of government, even the presidency. I know it will be a difficult race to win, but I plan to develop a grass-roots campaign and know I can be successful, not just because I am a woman but because I am the most qualified person for the job.

Patricia Stern
Sycamore Township

As the secretary and member of the Board of Zoning Appeals in Sycamore Township, I am deeply offended by comments made by Moeller's attorney that we "did not consider all the facts" presented to us during the 16-plus hours of testimony given to us by both parties over many nights of public hearings.

This was the most difficult decision I have had to make since serving on the board since its inception. I can assure parties on both sides of this issue that many sleepless nights were spent trying to make a decision that I thought was in the best interest for our community, based on my interpretation of our zoning code.

The only way communities can effectively control overdevelopment is to have a greenbelt land trust plan similar to what Indian Hill and Anderson Township have done and are presently doing today.

The undeveloped green space is the preserved forever for future generations to use and enjoy. Residents of Sycamore Township who want to reduce the size of their lots because the can no longer maintain them have a perfect way to donate portions of their yards to the trust, thus allowing those residents to stay longer in their properties and allowing Sycamore Township to keep forever our limited green space.

It's a win-win situation for everyone.

If we had a green space land trust plan in place we may have prevented many lot splits that occurred several years ago.

The first thing we need to do is a comprehensive land assessment to find out exactly how much land is left in the township.

Secondly, we need to be very pro-active and seek landowners willing to donate to the trust for estate planning purposes, etc.

Thirdly, our township needs to start making offers on property before and after they come onto the marketplace to add to the trust.

It is not too late to start this forward-thinking, innovative way to keep our neighborhoods green and full of wildlife permanently.

Sycamore Township is one of the greatest places to live, work, and play; let's keep it that way. It's time to preserve what green space we have left right now, before it's all gone forever.