It's the changing of the guard in Glendale, or rather, the end of the guard.
Financial realities in that small Hamilton County community mean a beloved school crossing guard is being let go.
Local 12 News Reporter Jeff Hirsh shows the last day on the job for a 59-year old man who has kept children safe for nearly two decades.
Officially, this is the intersection of Congress and Sharon, unofficially, this is Bill's crossing.
"Good morning how are you guys doing." For the past 17 years, Bill Lovatt has been the school crossing guard, guiding children safely to Saint Gabriel's school and Glendale Elementary. Because of village budget cuts, today was his last day.
"I'm gonna miss you. I know. Thanks for always being there for us."
The fact that Bill did this at all is amazing. A quarter century ago, Bill suffered a traumatic brain injury from a car accident in Colorado.
"We thought he'd live in a nursing home. That isn't what happened. He became incredibly motivated to recover and not be sad about what happened to him."
Unable to do his old job as a fund raiser, Bill retrained his mind to red light, green light.
"No child's ever been hit on my watch. and I'm really proud of that."
Today, a steady stream of well-wishers.
"Personally I come by here every day on purpose. Hope not to catch the light so I can stop. He'll be watching and look over and talk for a few seconds. I'm gonna miss that."
In fact, Bill's greeting is about the only thing loud enough to drown out the traffic.
"Hi Ben, hi Rebecca, hi Kellen. Oh thank you."
Kids brought cards, and the entire St. Gabriel's school signed a good luck book. Parents came.
"I crossed all of her kids."
All four in Betsy Plvan's case.
"Bill cares about every single kid. He thinks his job is the most important in the village."
"Keep in mind for the past 17 years Bill has been out here in the rain, the cold, the snow, and the heat. So it's only fitting that his last day turn out to be absolutely beautiful."
Bittersweet, but beautiful nonetheless.
"This is what the job is all about. It's not the money. It's keeping the kids safe and that the parents trust me enough to keep them safe."
Cutting the school crossing position will save Glendale about $10,000 a year. The Village is also not filling the vacancy of a police officer who has retired, to save even more money.
