Western-Star.com

The city of Monroe has hired Samuel Hill to serve as the new planner of its department of development. Hill began his new post on Monday, March 24, after leaving his position at PNC Bank in Mariemont, city officials said. He obtained his bachelor of urban planning degree in 2007 from the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. His prior planning experience includes university-related cooperative planning technician positions at the city of Centerville, Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission, the city of Hamilton and McBride, Dale and Clarion in Cincinnati. Hill's new duties will include updating the city's geographic information systems, assisting with zoning enforcement and property maintenance issues, providing staff support to the city's comprehensive plan update and reviewing incoming site plans for new developments,

Kacey Waggaman, Monroe's finance director, is on maternity leave until June 9. While she is gone Debbie Armitage, deputy treasurer of the city, is filling in for her, city officials said.

A couple of new faces have joined the Monroe Fire Department. Newly appointed firefighters/paramedics/EMTS Michael Lolli and Justin Slone were introduced to City Council during its meeting on Tuesday, March 11.

Lolli, the son of Monroe Local Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli, has seven months experience in fire service as a former part-time firefighter in Fairfield. Lolli currently is enrolled in paramedic school at Butler Tech. He has an associate's degree in fire technology from the University of Akron and a hazardous material technician certificate.

Slone has one year of fire service experience with Bethel Twp., in Clermont County. He is currently enrolled in paramedic school at Sinclair Community College based out of Dayton and also has a hazardous material technician certificate.

Summer's around the corner as City Council passed a motion at its meeting on March 11 to conduct a city-wide garage sale on June 7 and 8. The city will have a sign up sheet at the front desk at the City Building prior to the sale, city officials said. The city also will provide maps to show what residents plan to participate in the event and information on three items each participate plans to sell.