The Collaborative: Kalmanoff Gets the Last Word?

It's interesting what Google turns up. In searching for something that had nothing to do with the topic of this post, I found this document, published sometime in the last year (I can't figure out exactly when).

Some of you may remember that after the City, the FOP, the ACLU, and the BUF negotiated the Collaborative Agreement in 2002, Judge Dlott appointed a monitor to oversee police reforms. Her pick was Dr. Alan Kalmanoff of California, whose tenure lasted only a few weeks before he imploded in spectacular fashion.

The linked document is a report he's written on his brief experience as Collaborative monitor. It's essentially a 38-page recrimination: he blames everyone (but himself) for his lack of success: Judge Dlott, the City, former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Douglas, the Enquirer, and the Loch Ness Monster.

I didn't find the document terribly persuasive, but it was at least interesting to read his account of why he was run out of town on a rail. This article from the Seattle Times suggests, though, that Kalmanoff doesn't typically make friends or win admirers in his projects, and doesn't seem to have much of a record of success. But at least we now have his side of the story. His perceptions, though, seem flawed in light of the fairly glowing report Saul Green, who ultimately ended up as Collaborative monitor, issued last month.

On the Docket: New City Solicitor

City Manager Milton Dohoney announced the hiring of a new City Solicitor, a position vacant since Rita McNeil's resigned this past February to become Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber's vice president of government affairs.

John Curp, now a partner at Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, begins his duties as City Solicitor next month. Here's an excerpt from Taft's biography of Mr. Curp:

JOHN P. CURP is a partner in the Columbus office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. He graduated with University Honors and as a member of Beta Gamma Sigma from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he received his undergraduate degree in business finance. Mr. Curp earned his law degree from the Indiana University School of Law. He has a multidisciplinary business practice with an emphasis on real property, commercial transactions, land use, enterprise zone, tax issues and creditors' rights. He is a member of the Ohio Bar Association, and as a member of the Columbus Bar Association, he serves as Chair of the Professionalism Committee and as a member of the Admissions Committee. Mr. Curp is also a Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation and a member of the 2008 class of Leadership Columbus.

No doubt Griff will be pleased by the relocation of another Miami grad to Cincinnati. Seriously: congrats both to Mr. Curp and the City, and welcome to the River City!!!

Good Eats: Javier's Getting Even Awesomer

One of my favorite downtown lunch spots is Javier's. I don't go there nearly often enough, but I'm never disappointed when I do.

Javier (yes, there's an actual Javier) recently installed a bar in the restaurant. I stopped in for lunch yesterday (after a tough morning, I needed some comfort food, and there's nothing more comforting than Javier's chicken enchilada with mole sauce). I asked when the bar would open. The answer? In the next couple weeks.

When the bar opens, look for lots of new stuff at Cincinnati's best Mexican restaurant (located at Walnut and Eighth, for those who don't know). Expanded hours: the bar will be open until 2:00. Dinner service will last until 10:00. And with the extra hours will come an expanded menu. And finally, Javier's planning to have Latin music on Friday and Saturday nights.

So for those of you who "hate" the chains, make sure to pop into Javier's to support a truly locally-owned business. And even if you like chains, visit Javier's to find out how good Mexican food can taste even if it isn't prepared by someone named Don Pablo.

You can check out the Enquirer's 2004 review of Javier's here. Back then, the restaurant was in a small storefront on Court Street. Now, it's in a space previously occupied by Busken's, and is much larger and more airy.

NB: When I got the scoop on Javier's plans for the future, I was just having a casual conversation (he was actually washing the windows at the time). I never thought about blogging the info until much, much later, so any errors are mine or my fault: Javier had no idea he was speaking for public dissemination.

Even Less Local News

The fewer the employees the Enquirer has, the less local news they can cover. It is just that simple. Sure, they can claim they've reduced staffing in areas that were non-content and were either outsourced or eliminated via technology, but in the end, with less hands on deck, there is more swabbing for the rank in file reporter. The more swabbing, the less reporting. With the increase in apathy about local news from many quarters, it isn't a wonder.

Fire at Bootsy's

I am glad they have made an arrest for the fires set, but is there any word on the level of damage at the under construction restaurant on Walnut Street in Downtown? It was reported to be opening in November (other reports said September), any word on how much will this delay it?

More Portman Speculation

The Enquirer is fueling the effort to get Rob Portman chosen for McCain's VP. I'm not seeing it. Portman is too unknown. All he can do is help get Ohio. Even if McCain get's Ohio, that may not be enough. That assumes McCain even has a chance to get Ohio, which could turn into a long shot.

Portman was on CNN's Late Edition today, so it is likely Portman would like the job.

Congrats to Councilmember Leslie Ghiz

She gave birth to a son.