Monty and Jane Jacobs will take your questions now
Q. I know that you lived in West Chester previously. Did you always want to live in Hamilton? What about Hamilton made you want to live here ?
Jane Jacobs: All growing up, I wanted to live in a Tudor in Rossville. When I lived in Seven Mile, it was a huge deal to go through Rossville. I was a carhop at Jolly’s and I’d drive through Rossville after work.
Monty Jacobs: My wife wanted to live here. Kidding, I just wanted to live in an old house. I grew up in Fairfield, came to West Chester, and I wanted to live somewhere that had a little more history.
Q. What year did you move to Hamilton? Have you ever considered moving to a different city? What about Hamilton has made you want to stay here?
Jane: We moved here in 1993. We heard that some of the houses in Rossville were for sale so we moved here.
Monty: After moving here, we never considered living anywhere else. Our family is here.
Q. What’s a misconception or notion about living in Hamilton that you’d like to correct?
Jane: That Hamilton is “low brow” or not as nice as other neighborhoods or cities.
Q. What’s one thing that’s happening in Hamilton now that you’re really excited about?
Jane: Spooky Nook, the number of restaurants opening, and the investment being made in our city.
Monty: Really excited about Spooky Nook. Now more people want to do more, like with the redevelopment plans for the Cohen Recycling plant land. Hamilton used to be the “safe capitol of the world”, referring to the Mosler Safe Company, it was a major manufacturing city, there was Pratt & Whitney, major industry started here so it’s excited to see that kind of coming back.
Q. What about Hamilton do you think makes it unique or different than any other city ?
Jane: Very tight knit sense of community. Everyone is very involved. When we lived in West Chester, no one knew the people that lived next door. My kids went to public school in Hamilton and now they have lifelong friends and strong ties to the community, which I think is important in the world during this time of violence.
Q. What do you enjoy the most about living in Hamilton?
Jane: In recent years, Hamilton has turned into getting this feeling of urban living without losing the small town perks. Best of both worlds.
Monty: Being able to walk to dinner with my wife. Seeing all our friends when we go out, it is very tight knit, very warm and inviting.
Q. What does Hamilton mean or represent to you?
Monty: People used to say “Would the last person to leave Hamilton please turn off the lights?” and I feel like that is not true anymore.
Q. If I was visiting Hamilton for the first time and only had 24 hours to spend in Hamilton, what time of year should I come and what are the “must dos” while I’m here?
Jane: During the summer, go to one of the concerts at Marcum Park.
Monty: Fall, September or October. Walk around and see all the statues.
Q. How do you “love” Hamilton? Is it being involved in the community, volunteering, walking or biking through town?
Jane: As the famous Jane Jacobs said “You’ve got to get out and walk!” Get out of your car and walk. Either through a neighborhood or downtown, just get out there.
Monty: Walking the dog up the river and back, the eagles, beavers, and nature.