CMERA Chronicles

Oops!!

As part of our website refresh project, I recently tested the online membership application and the online question submittal tabs in our website.  After completing the forms, I pressed SUBMIT.  I was then informed that my submittal was accepted.  Unfortunately, the forms were never received.  Somehow, the links within our website became disconnected so we were not receiving any online inquiries or applications.  Even worse, we don’t how long this condition has existed. 

For now, the website has been changed.  Online applications have been removed. Membership applications/renewal forms can now be downloaded and mailed to our P.O. Box with payment.  Those seeking an answer to a question, are instructed to send an email to hello@cmera.org. 

General Meeting

Mark Saturday May 10 on your calendar.  That’s when CMERA will have its next general meeting. 

Death By Data

In early March, the Hamilton County Coroner, Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco, released data from 2025.  The Cincinnati Enquirer printed some of that data particularly the numbers related to drug overdose. She reported 194 deaths by overdose.  Of course, that number is 194 too high but it compares favorably to the 567 recorded in 2017.  She also reported 92 homicides and 131 suicides.  In other words, in Hamilton County during 2025, more people killed themselves than were killed by others. 

After reading the newspaper account of her report, I went to Coroner’s website to see if there were any more interesting facts.  Indeed, there were!.  Her office reported that:

• 244 people died from a cardiovascular issue
• 138 people died by falling
• 69 people died while riding a motorcycle
• Another 24 died as passengers on a motorcycle
• The reason 59 people died could not be determined

Commings and Goings

According to Allied Van Lines, slightly more people moved out of Cincinnati than moved in last year.  Those moving out of Cincinnati most often moved to Seattle, Denver, and Phoenix.  Those moving to Cincinnati most often came from Phoenix, Chicago, and Seattle.  I have visited each of those cities and I still prefer Cincinnati.

Insurance

Like any organization, CMERA has insurance to protect it against unforeseen incidents.  I decided to read the policies this year just to learn more about what protection we are receiving.  It became obvious to me that the person who authored the policies had a legal background.  Two terms caught my attention.  One was “cross-content behavior advertising.”  This is a marketing technique that companies sometimes use.  When you visit the website from Company #1, they collect useful data from your visit.  Company #2 does the same thing.  Then, the two companies share the data they collected.  By sharing data, the companies cannot be accused of selling your information.  The other term was “policy writing minimum premium adjustment.”  It seems some insurance companies will only issue a policy if the premium for the coverages requested meets a certain minimum.  If the premiums for the coverage you want fall below their minimum threshold, they will add an “adjustment” to bring the total policy cost up to the minimum.  In other words, you are paying a fee by trying to save money.  By the way, this particular policy is issued by a company that advertises you can customize your coverage so that you “only pay for what you need.” 

Season Change

In my community, the official start of winter is when the contractor for the HOA places those orange and white snow sticks in the ground to provide guidance to the snowplow operator.  When they are removed, spring has begun.  Summer begins when the swimming pool is open.  Fall commences when the contractor trims the bushes. 

Until next month…

Note: The statements and opinions expressed in the CMERA Chronicles are my own (Chuck Cullen) and may or may not reflect the views of the Governing Board of CMERA.