Lemmie To Quit?

Korte is reporting that Valerie Lemmie is to announce her resignation as City Manager. I don't think her reign will be remembered for much good. The article does leave open the possibility that this is all rumor, but it sounds likely.

Ghiz not a Winburn Fan

Leslie Ghiz is not the only Cincinnati Republican who is not a big fan of Charlie Winburn. I think most would find him rather nutty and after he has defended Sam Malone hitting his kid with a belt, there are few who view him as a viable candidate. Could Justin Jeffre finish ahead of him?

Dirty Rove

I don't know whether or not Rove broke the law. Under this President he will never get convicted, unless we have tapes of the conversations. What can not be denied is that Rove is dirty. He played with the identity of the CIA agent. He was out to destroy Wilson. When then caught doing it, he and the White House lied about it. Is this unique to rove and this White House? Not the dirty part. Every WH seeks to smear their enemies. This time they smeared them by attacking a man's wife at the expense of possible security concerns.

Hearing the spin machine on this one will be especially funny. How Rove is being defending makes Clinton's "Meaning of is" defense look good.

Newport IMAX Forever Gone

With the projector gone, what is to become of the Imax theater space at Newport on the Levee?

The article makes the point that is it only good for an IMAX theater. Is that true? Can normal films be shown there? Would it be an interesting place for a bar/club? Would any of the seating be good for concerts or even live theater? I am honestly out in the dark on this one; I have never been to this or any IMAX type theater.

If they can't do anything with it, will they just gut it and start from scratch?

'Naked Man Falls From Hotel Window'

When you first read that headline you wonder where this may have happened. You think of a cheap hotel downtown or something near UC. Well, if thought is was out in Zeus's gift to the world, Mason, then you would be correct. I don't think will ever be going to Mason. It is just not safe. Naked men falling from windows? One might squish you or land on you car and break out your windows. That is just too much of risk to take for a fun day at the water park.

Kasich for Governor?

Will former Congressman John Kasich run for governor? An interesting quote from the Dispatch's story:

A source close to Kasich said the former Westerville congressman told him that if he were elected governor, "Heads would spin and cronyism would be ended. It would be a total do-over, and you can bet that Democrats would be involved in the government and in the solutions."

The same source in the article lists the chances that Kasich runs only at 25 to 30 percent. That couldn't be more of an in your face trial balloon if you just came out and said you will testing the waters by leaking something to the media.

Affirmative Action

This issue is difficult. Should we spend nearly a million dollars more to provide 35% minority/small business a break or go with the lowest bidder? What works better, giving a non-minority owned company a more expensive contract that provides 35% to be a combination of 35% of minority/small businesses, or to save money that could be spent on other programs in the city?

What are the implications of the court ruling from Nelson, declaring parts of the city ordinance unconstitutional?

People Don't Like Taft

You may say that is rather obvious, but only 17% approve of Gov. Bob Taft. That is not a typo, it says 17% on SurveyUSA's site. I don't think I have ever heard of a sitting politician, who was elected twice with fair ease, have that low of an approval rating. I feel sorry for the guy. It is not like he misled the public and sent us into war or something.

Thanks to HMS for the tip.

Rome's Burning

And Nero Peter's Fiddling. All Bronson can do is point at crime in OTR and say what a shame. He is perpetuating the myths and making more fools thinks that the city is like a war zone. It's not. No matter how many shootings go on, if you go downtown you will be safe. Fear is a weapon, defend against it by facing it.

Winburn: a Religious Bigot

If Charlie Winburn can't stand by his religious bigotry, exhibited in is 1989 quote, then what kind of bigot is he? He didn't retract what he wrote, he instead played victim. A pretend victim without anyone actually attacking him for holding religious beliefs, instead they are attacking him for believing only people from his religious sect should be in political office. I thought Charlie was straight shooter? If he believes that, say it, if it doesn't believe that, come out and say that. Spinning is what those trying camouflage something do, not someone being straight forward.

Reece's Aide Speaks

Well, he says he didn't shoot himself and didn't get shot on purpose for the campaign. What we still don't know why he did not come out and help police more, something which this article does not really touch on. That was the big issue Bronson's article brought up. I guess he though it was just a stray bullet and that he couldn't help. He could have tried, and Reece should have had the whole story before talking to Bronson. It makes it look ignorant and more concerned about media relations then helping her staffer do the right thing.

More Hackett v. Schmidt

Today we get more personal comparisons and we don't get much on where they stand on the issues. Is this Wilkinson's idea or his editor's? Where do they stand on the issues?

Guns, ok, that's an issue. A bad one to choose since both are gun right supporters. Hackett, the ranking gun user in the race, can't get the nod from the NRA, but Schmidt the 'pro-life' candidate gets credit for voting for NRA's bills, which allow people to carry around life taking machines.

Finally, how does this make you the overall women's winner?

Over the past month, Schmidt ran in three "Cinergy Challenge" races - the Run for the Poor 5K, the Jim Sauls Winning Track 5K and the Beat the Heat 5K, finishing fourth, second and fifth respectively.

Her performance was good enough for her to be named the overall women's winner in the Cinergy Challenge.

fourth, second and fifth gets you first? I assume she was the top woman in each race? I have never heard of any of these races either, but we'll that part pass.

Portune For Ohio AG or Senator?

Will Todd Portune be running for Ohio Attorney General or even more importantly for U. S. Senator? The state party reportedly has discussed running for both offices with him.

All three Hamilton County Commissioners are itching to move up. DeWine's hopes were dashed, and his only other outlet might be running for mayor in 4 years.

Can Portune win either? No one thought he could become a HC Commissioner in this Republican County. He could win either one, with the right support and right funding. He is one hell of a politician.

Council Money Reports Are Out

The money makes it for some campaigns and the big money story has to be Nick Spencer. When Nick gets more contributions than Jim Tarbell, Damon Lynch, Eve Bolton, and John Eby, than he is much better positioned to have a shot for office. This showing and his mention in the Korte article should get him a little boost in the money race.

If was funny reading how the rich fundamentalists are out giving money to Sam Malone:

Much of the increase can be attributed to the power of incumbency. But his campaign finance report shows that his conservative Republican base has not abandoned him over allegations that he whipped his 14-year-old son with a belt. Malone called the incident an act of "parental intervention."

In fact, all but $5,550 of Malone's contributions came after his May 14 arrest. Reds owner Carl Lindner and his family gave $5,000, with JTM Food Group President Anthony A. Maas and other JTM employees kicking in another $5,000.

"I think when you look at all the crime on the street and all the young men wearing their clothes down to their knees, people see a father who is trying to rear his child and be responsible," said GOP mayoral candidate Charlie Winburn, who contributed $1,000 to the Malone campaign. "I think all the media he's gotten has been good. It's helped his name recognition."

Nice to see that 11 people make up almost half of his contributions and likely all but one of those 11 will actually be able to vote for him. It would interesting if those contributions came before or after the report about the 2002 beating allegation made against Malone by his son.

Nick's blog has the full listing of contributions:

Jeff Berding $150,740.00
John Cranley $135,297.00
Chris Monzel $94,234.00
David Crowley $92,419.00
Chris Bortz $83,050.00
Leslie Ghiz $75,663.00
Chris Smitherman $33,363.00
Sam Malone $23,805.00
Laketa Cole $21,155.56
Nick Spencer $15,414.00
Damon Lynch $9,914.00
Samantha Herd $8,420.00
Jim Tarbell $7,750.00
John Eby $7,375.00
Paul McGhee $5,500.00
Eve Bolton $4,145.00
Robert Wilking $4,000.00
Gerry Kraus $1,300.00
Wendell Young $1,548.20
Andrew Warner $1,005.35
Robert Wilson $955.00
Curtis Wells $763.34
Bill Barron $258.51
Cecil Thomas $250.00

Who is looking better than expected along with Nick Spencer? I would give that to Chris Monzel, but in his case he will need every penny he can to get back on council. Cecil Thomas looks like he is not doing much to get elected. Smitherman's numbers are also not what they appear. I wonder how much of the 33K is from himself. Of the top nine listed Malone, Monzel, and Bortz are those who need more than money to get on council. At this point I see 14 possible contenders, the top 13 listed and Eve Bolton. The money race is off and it will matter. It will not get people out to vote, that takes handshakes and a well crafted message.

UPDATE: More from the Post.

More Maisonette Relocation Problems?

I don't know what a "buffer" entails at the proposed new location for the restaurant, or what makes a buffer to big, but some think it could kill the project.

Reece's Aide Not Aiding Police

Peter Bronson has a good column (hell is not freezing over, yet) on Brandon Elliott, Reece's community outreach representative, who was caught in the crossfire of a recent shooting incident. He is not stepping up to help police catch the shooter.

The staffer, Brandon Elliott, is not talking, and all questions have been referred to Reece, said her spokeswoman at City Hall.

Elliott is also refusing to cooperate with the investigation, Reece acknowledged. "I hear he is willing to cooperate if they catch somebody, but my understanding is it's his personal choice."

She said Elliott is afraid to cooperate for now because someone might retaliate against him or his mother. She said he would not talk to the media because he was at home on pain medication for the shooting injury.

If a politician can't get a member of her staff to take action against a crime committed against them, how as mayor will she be able to get the public to take action and work with police to catch the criminals plaguing neighborhoods? Reece and her aide have let down the city. I hope Mr. Elliott has changed his view on working with police after this column has made Reece looking totally ineffectual as a leader.

Private Jets vs. Paddlefest Champ?

Who would you rather have as your Representative to Congress: Someone who flies on a corporate jet to Washington DC during the campaign to shoot a commercial or someone who wins a race at Paddlefest, a race that runs on the Ohio right along the congressional district?

Sure, this will not sway many, who like me vote based on issue stances and ideologies, but the campaigning approach and style should be considered. Paul Hackett is campaigning for votes here in the District, while Jean Schmidt is off in DC looking for money and pretending to be a Congresswoman. She should earn the seat, not be awarded it because of political party.

Council Money

It is reporting time for Council Candidates, where the campaigns have to file reports with the city on how much money they have raised and have on hand. Greg Korte should have the full scoop in a day or so. This is one of the important insider measurements as to whom will be considered a favorite come the Fall election. Money is not the only way you get on council, but it shows your level of support. The game as to the ranking of money raisers has great interest in political circles and will be an indicator as to which candidates get more attention from party officials, and which ones get written off.

The Klan Hates Almost Everyone

I think the only subgroup of humans the Klan does not really hate are white people in the Klan. Now, local racist extraordinaire Nate seems to think every white person is a racist, and for some reason Nate must not be to big on geography. The City of Hamilton is about 25 miles from Downtown Cincinnati, so why is Nate pulling Charlie Luken into this? Oh, right, Nate attacks all white people who are not laden with 1,000 pounds of white guilt and who don't think he is wonderful person. Nate also attacks people who help put him into jail for breaking the law, thus part of his attack on Chaz.

It really is a problem for the Klan to be openly out in Hamilton. It should be a concern for all, especially Latinos, who are the main target of the latest hate filled rant from the kings of all things racist. The Klan is horrible group of nutsacks. They do however have the same right to push their hate, as Nate or the Black Fist have to push their hate.

Meet the Opposition

George Vincent is replacing Mike Barrett as head of the Hamilton County Republican Party. Everyone in the party is singing his praises from Leslie Ghiz to Charlie Winburn. Will that last? Also, unless the party moderates, how will they ever compete in the city again? I think it is really PR bullshit to say the rank in file County Republican gives a rats ass about the city, even if they live there. We shall see if George is happy to get behind the nutty Charlie Winburn or the thug Sam Malone.

Son Tells Enquirer Malone Lied

Well, 'someone' has either forgotten the past or is lying about it. Sam Malone son has spoken with the Enquirer and says he came forward because his Dad taught him not to lie:

Malone's son told The Enquirer Friday that he wrote the e-mail after seeing his dad on television.

"He always told us not to lie and then he was lying. I just wanted them to know the truth,'' said the boy. The teen was joined by his aunt, Melinda Wreh, who has temporary custody of the boy.

Talk about something coming back to bite you in the ass.

Lesson to parents out there: There is no reason good enough to beat your kid with a belt. He they broke the law, send them to jail. If they broke curfew have the balls to ground them. Beating a teenager cause them to learn that violence is how to gain power and how to control people. That is teaching your child to be a thug.

I don't think this has been that big of a political divide issue. Those defending Malone are doing it either out of race politics (see Nate, and Charlie Winburn) or they are just advocates for the Children are Chattel movement, an old fashioned system that has been abandoned by most educated people, and has become the refuge for the other side of lazy parents. That is the side who don't have time to talk to their kids, or find out why they do things wrong, they just beat them like an animal in the insane belief that they will just do what they are told, never again question them out of fear of getting beat again. Instilling the Fear of violence is not how you treat anyone you love. The other lazy parents just do nothing and let their kids run wild.

Is Sam Malone Lying?

In the latest on Sam Malone, we get his son's side of what happened back in 2002:

"HELLO. THIS IS CINCINNATI COUNCILMAN SAM MALONE'S SON. I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT MY DAD IS A LIAR. HE KNOWS ABOUT THIS ABUSE WITH A BELT. IT WAS AT MY OLD SCHOOL NAMED ST. CLEMENT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER MY MOM DIED AND I STARTED STAYING WITH HIM.

I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH THE BRUISES AND SHOWED THEM TO MY TEACHER... THE SCHOOL CALLED 241-KIDS AND THEY TOOK PICTURES OF MY RIGHT LEG WHERE I HAD A CUT FOR A VERY LONG TIME. MY DAD SOON PULLED ME OUT OF THE SCHOOL AND I... GOT ANOTHER BAD WHOOPING. AND I REMEMBER THESE WORDS FROM HIM. 'HOW COULD YOU LET SOMEBODY PUT THEIR HANDS ON YOU AND LET THEM TAKE PICTURES?'... HE GOT MAD BECAUSE I TOLD THE SCHOOL ABOUT THE SEVERE BEATINGS. "

If true, this makes Malone a thug. It does raise one big question, if this is true, why did the investigation not lead anywhere?

I bet Mike Barrett is just wishing he could take back the GOP endorsement Malone got.

What kind of parent bruises their child intentionally? In my opinion an unfit parent does that.

Schmidt Under Investigation

GOP Nominee for Congress Jean Schmidt is under investigation for failure to report a gift from a lobbyist. Will this have any impact on the race? I am surprised and please the Enquirer posted this on their website, but I am disappointed they had to use an AP story. I hope tomorrow's Wilkinson story includes this issue front and center.

Blame the Liberals!!!!

It is so sad to read the ignorant Letters to the editor:

"Public's support must not waver

Unfortunately terrorist attacks are a sad part of the 21st century. However, how America presents itself is critical. The terrorists know they cannot defeat us in a traditional sense but believe they can beat us in the public opinion arena.. Remember Vietnam! When will the Democrats in Congress and other liberals stop worrying about the treatment of the enemy combatants and start presenting a united front, with President Bush, against all terrorists?

Ronald P. Heile

Pleasant Ridge"

Let me translate: "They are out to get Us. Liberals are to blame it Bush can't do things all alone." I guess the terrorists when every time I say 'Bush sucks?'

Bush fucking sucks. Does that count double for this mythical game of "War" we are playing here on the homefront? I mean we can't question the motive, actions of Bush in public, that might help the "enemy." Who the enemy is depends on who Bush wants to attack next.

What I say does not affect the City of Cincinnati let alone terrorists in Saudi Arabia (remember that terrorist haven?). If a congressman is trying to make sure that our military does not become the same as the military under Saddam, then they not only are fighting for the country, they are fighting for truth and honor, which as a human being rank higher than who wins a war. Survival is not at stake. Republicans and Conservatives might do some good and understand that neither Iraq nor the War on Terror is like World War II. People like Mr. Heile seems to think it does, and makes fun of comparisons to Vietnam.

I have not spent any time on the right wing news outlets/blogs after the London attacks, but I wonder if they are angry and looking to carpet bomb someone. Nothing makes peace like a war, after all.

Deeper and Deeper

The Taft Administration just keeps sliding into a deep dark hole of scandal. Now they even have roped the White House into their web of fat cat appeasing.

Inside Arts & Culture Series

Enjoy the Arts has a great series for those who love the arts or want to get an up close look at the exceptional cultural community in Cincinnati. Here are the details:

Enjoy the Arts' Cultural Party is Back! Starting July 13, on one Wednesday a month from 5:30-7:30 PM, meet with other "arts sleuths" and explore the fascinating and sometimes mystifying world of the Cincinnati art scene. Inside Arts & Culture is $75 per person for one six-month series and will be limited to 50 insiders per session. For more information or to make reservations call (513) 621-4700 or email info@etastart.com.

The still have open spots for the series, so get out and experience the arts.

Debate: Hackett Vs. Schmidt

Well, how was the debate? Who did well, who did not, how many voters are actually paying attention?

Reece Campaign Volunteer Caught In Crossfire

Nothing brings home gun violence to a candidate like one of their volunteers being shot. He was shot in the foot by a stray bullet. This did not happen in OTR either. Many of the shootings are not happening in OTR or West End, where people expect it to occur, when it does. Will this light a fire under Reece to stop what is becoming a childish turf war, something closer to the Hatfields vs. the McCoys, instead of Scarface?

One Eye, One Horn

The Purple bridge's yellow art not only cost a ton, it also does not look very appealing. "Who was the ad wiz who came up with this one?"

Bronson Wants a Culture War

Mr. Civility swings at the left with a punch of "suck it up fuckers, you lost 'we' one, eat it." He dares complains that the left is up in arms because Bush might appoint a fascist to the court. Well, guess what Peter, he might. That may give you a woodie, but for the reality based community, that is bad news. Since many of the rights people are fighting for (separation of church and state, abortion, gay rights) don't affect Peter, and others who think like him, he doesn't care. Now, he also wants laws out there to force religion on others, to control women's bodies, and to oppress gays, but that is a tangent issue. If Bush appoints a more sane conservative, Bronson and the rest of the Storm troopers will scream and yell and be ready to oust the President. If you want an example see how good old Peter and his lot treat Bob Taft. Bronson's whining about people fighting for their beliefs indicates two things; one is that he really sucks at making cultural references (Tom Cruise? WTF?), the second is that he has no argument to make against people hold strong beliefs other than belittling them for holding strong beliefs. If he can't respect people for standing up for what they believe in, then he is a hack. Well, he is a hack anyway.

London Attacked

Sad, Horrible news from the UK.

Krispy Kreme Stores Out of Cincy Area

I guess they couldn't compete with low carbs or with Busken.

Whose Ten Commandments?

In comments we had a discussion about the variations in Ten Commandments between religions and sect. This story tackles that very issue.

Malone On a Hot Tin Roof

In what comes across like a bad Tennessee Williams play, we get details from Sam Malone's son as to how his father beat him.

Malone's son told police he came home from the Kings Island outing and his father said: "I know what you did. ... I'm going to wear your butt out."

According to the teen's statement, Malone ordered him to his room, telling him: "You'd better go ahead and meditate. If I were you, I wouldn't eat anything either."

Malone took his shirt off and got a belt from his room, according to the report and police records.

When the boy tried to explain why he was late to the checkpoint, Malone said he didn't want to hear it and told his son to turn around, take off his shirt and pull his pants down, the statement said.

Malone is accused of hitting the boy several times with the belt.

The hospital records detail bruising to his chest, arms, back and buttocks.

The boy told police he fell at one point and Malone continued to hit him.

"I pay for your school, and you bring home poor grades," Malone told his son during the beating, according to the boy's statement. "You're not paying attention."

When his father stopped hitting him, the boy told police Malone told him he wasn't finished with him, adding: "I'm going to whip the black off you."

Malone has nothing on "Big Daddy," but this sounds like a Tim Burton remake of The Great Santini.

This version from the child paints Malone as sadistic. I wonder how he will try and defend this, and explain it away. I bet he is forming a "secret" report to do just right now.

Protect and Serve

It is so very reassuring that Cincinnati Police Union is so worried about certain citizens, namely 7 members of City Council, that they published their home addresses a long with the following language:

A STRONGER MESSAGE IS IN ORDER
Listed below are the individuals responsible for targeting and injuring our families:

[Seven names and Address listed here]

The arbitrators have said, “There is a problem with the city’s decision making. The city has an expenditure
problem rather than a revenue problem. There appears to be a conflict between the funds the city says are
available and the funds the city makes available. The employees of the city are expected to bear the brunt of the
burden of misaligned spending by city council and the method of bargaining on the part of the city leads to a
lack of trust by not only the union bargaining team but also the arbitrators.”

THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR. WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE ARE YOU GOING TO SEND?

What kind of message do they need to send with their home addresses? Can't they instead write them a letter to their City Hall Address or send them an email? This comes off to me as a not so very veiled threat. What might they do? Oh, obviously no direct harm. Maybe Union Leader's intention is to subtly ask their members to not drive so fast if any of these addresses are ever mentioned on a call. This is not what the police should be doing. They are about public safety, not intimidation. Even though they can justify it by how people voted, not have either Republican on here still stinks of partisanship. FOP members should for once stand up to the hacks they have elected as leaders. They are not moving towards a fit open police force, but are instead stuck in the cocksure attitude of the good old days, where police could do no wrong. Those days are over, but too many in the city are clinging on to it.

Kudos to Korte who posted this on what appears to be so far his solo blog project.

Rebirth of Kaldi's?

The word on the street is that something is going on at the site of Kaldi's Coffeehouse and that it could reopen soon. Can anyone confirm this or know what is going on? The bookshelves were never removed. It appears that most everything else remained as it was. A little clean up or better yet a nice little revamp and it would a great spot for the Main Street Area. With the Diner closed too, it has room to grow.

On the Congressional Trail

I guess this type of story will be the norm from here on out in the 2nd District race for Congress. Unless the attacks start coming out, we will get profiles, puff pieces, bios, and the occasional issue summaries. This race is going to be one on the ground on the air waves. I don't see the media have a huge affect. The only group that might sway someone is the Editorial board of the Enquirer. It worked for Schmidt in the primary, and if Hackett is at all close, an endorsement from the Enquirer could be a tipping point. I don't think he will get it, but it could go a long way in a race like this.

Happy 4th of July!!!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Day. Eat, Drink, and be safe!

Theocrats On the March, Once Again

This time KY Congressmen are wasting their time on a Constitutional Amendment, but are scoring political points with extremists who seek to teach Christianity in public schools. Why do people want to do this? Well, the congressmen know they can gain votes by appealing to fear people have of anything that is not "normal" and we all know that anything not Christian in this country is just not "normal." (Yes, Sarcastic for those who missed it.) The others who are pushing this are the true theocrats, out to establish a "Christian Nation" or as they often say to "Restore" American to a Christian Nation.

This effort will fail. Why is Geoff Davis involved? Since when is he a theocrat?

Booing Bearcats

A clear cut example of how college sports has devolved into the gutter.

O'Connor Resigns

It is not a total shock, rumors that she wanted to quit have been out there for years, but no one expected she would quit now, with Rehnquist's health so bad and rumors of him quitting so numerous.

This opens up a can of rotten stinking worms that Justice O'Connor had been keeping the seal on. We are about to embark on what will be a horrible period of discourse in American politics. In the media, and if things turn ugly, in the streets, the rhetoric and nasty protests will reach new heights of vitriol.

People are going to go Brown Betty nutcakes over this and I for one really don't like debating abortion much. I am sure this post will attract some insane right-wing wackos who will be on the war path. I just hope it does not boil over. The hate, venom, and lost friendships that occurred for many over the 2004 election might just build into a down home blood feud.

This is the test though for Bush. If you want to see the real man, the person he picks will tell you who he is. If he picks another Scalia, then you can confirm is the theocrat he has hinted at being. If he picks another O'Connor, then I may actually start believing in Zeus or maybe Aphrodite.

Cops Cleared in Malone Case

If the issue surrounding how police handled the Malone case was over the police allowing the boy to go with an uncle, why was this made into a big deal by the County? I myself initially felt there would have been more fire with all of the smoke Suzanne Burke was blowing on the situation.

There is one new point brought out in the report:

Malone also was charged in 1991 with domestic violence after his mother said he choked and pushed her. That charge was dismissed after he completed a counseling program.

The sheriff's report listed a third report of domestic abuse, from October 2002. It did not provide any details, other than to say the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services did a 35-page risk assessment.

So we had a previous domestic abuse report in 2002? That adds a new wrinkle. Who made the report would be the most telling point for the situation. Details will likely never come out on what happened, but the 35-page risk assessment would be a good read for jurors in the Malone Case.

No Charter Candidate for Mayor

There will be at most 8 on the primary ballot for mayor of Cincinnati this September. The names are:

Yvette Barbara Baldwin, 48, of University Heights.

Sylvan Grisco, 83, of Madisonville.

Justin P. Jeffre, 32, of Clifton Heights.

State Sen. Mark L. Mallory, 43, of the West End.

Sandra Queen Noble, 49, of Walnut Hills.

Councilman David Pepper, 34, of Mount Adams.

Vice Mayor Alicia Reece, 34, of Bond Hill.

Former Councilman Charlie Winburn, 54, of Mount Airy.

Tarbell was still thinking about it, but choose not to run. I think he wanted to make sure he stayed on council.

Side Note: The Enquirer has started a new blog on politics: check it out. So far it is all Greg Korte, I don't know who else will chime in on it.

Cincinnati teens on 1230 AM

An interesting idea from 1230 the Buzz.

Fountain Square Plan Back on Track

City Council overrode the Historic Conservation Board's veto of the project's plan to move the Fountain.

Odd Population Trend

I can't explain the first ring burbs losing population. Is Blue Ash Shrinking? Could it be a large number of people are stupidly only wanting brand new cookie cutter homes? Could it be minorities moving in and the white moving out again? (I hope this is not the case). Or is it just an anomaly?

UPDATE: In another article we get one answer:

That trend, Mallory argued, points to a problem Cincinnati shares with its closest neighbors: an older housing stock.

Mallory said he would de-emphasize the new houses being built at Citirama sites in favor of rehabilitating vacant buildings in a "block-by-block, street-by-street" approach.

Rehab is the way to go, but for some unknown reason, people want to live in a world like the Desperate Housewives. Don't people see that their lives suck living out in a world where you can't tell one house from the other?

Good

No charges will be filed for teen's abortion

This had witch hunt written all over it. Glad that it was resolved.

Sam Malone Case: The Plot Thickens?

The Enquirer is reporting that a county lead investigation was begun to review how police handled interaction with social services regarding reports of child abuse by Councilman Sam Malone on his son. Joe Deters stated a Grand Jury reviewed this as well and found no criminal wrong doing. Sheriff Simon Leis's department is handling the county initiated investigation and the final report is expected to be submitted to him on Thursday.

What does this mean? Well, the details are might thin, but someone complained about how police handled reports of child abuse by Malone. What is lacking is do they mean the night the incident occurred which caused Malone's arrest or could there be prior incidents the police did not handle correctly? Were there prior incidents that police did not report to social services? How good are records of police calls and patrol visits?

Just to avoid confusion, I want to make it clear that I am trying to read between the lines of why this investigation was called. Simon Leis would not waste much time on this if there were not at least plausible allegations or complaints.

UPDATE 9PM: WCPO has more and tonight will have even more on their I-Team. Yea, it may be over the top, but the situation warrants all the attention it can get.

Fountain Square Plan Stumble

The Historical Landmark Board has vetoed the Fountain Square plan to move the Fountain. City Council reportedly will be able to over rule the veto, but they must do so today at the last meeting before Council's summer break, if the Plan is to stay on track. They could call a special meeting, but the votes are likely there to keep the plan going.

Partisan Hack on the Bench?

GOP party man gets a Federal judgeship recommendation, a payback for doing what it took to give Bush Southwest Ohio?

Who will replace him at the Hamilton County GOP?