Earlier this month E. Gooding from the Plum Street Studio Blog scored his performance in predicting the 2009 City Election.
The result: he gives himself an A+. Any independent graders care to take a crack at that assessment?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
In Tough Times, Monzel is a Dangerous Choice
With the exception of the April 1st post, I've not blogged on the primary races for HamCo Commissioner. That's because the Democratic race is pretty boring (with a fairly obvious outcome). And since I generally consider myself a Democrat (though I've been re-thinking this over the past twelve or so months), I haven't felt the need to wade into the Republican contest.
But HamCo faces tough challenges in the coming years. And last night, it became clear to me that a Chris Monzel victory in November would be disastrous for our region. Let's talk about why.
Last night, the Republican Leadership Council and GOParty! (a Republican YP group) sponsored a debate between Monzel and Leslie Ghiz, hosted at Mainstay and moderated by Newsmakers' Dan Hurley. (Hurley will also host the candidates on his show this Sunday morning.) Monzel's lack of knowledge and dearth of viable solutions to HamCo's problems was stunning, particularly this close to the primary election. (And while I haven't seen the Enquirer report it, the event sponsors announced that Ghiz won the straw poll conducted at the conclusion of the debate.)
The contrast between Ghiz and Monzel was clear. Ghiz offered nuanced answers, the kind that you'd expect from someone who has thought about how to address development, budget, and public safety issues. Monzel, on the other hand, offered nothing but bits of his stump speech. His campaign strategy seemed clear: do nothing but throw out "red meat" to the base, and hope that the voters don't catch on.
There were several instances when it was apparent that Monzel just doesn't have a good grasp on the issues facing Hamilton County. Both candidates were asked about the need for increased jail space. Monzel's solution? Stop housing federal prisoners awaiting trial in federal court. That's an answer that's right out of a "conservative" politician's playbook: a local politician running for office just insists that things would be better without the federal government. But anyone with even the smallest amount of knowledge of the Hamilton County Justice Center and local law enforcement knows the following:
On the other side of last night's stage, Ghiz offered a clear alternative. She acknowledged--several times--that our most serious challenges don't have "easy answers." She understands the need for everyone in county government to work together for the good of our community. And she realizes that not everything is black-and-white. Her discussion of the streetcar was a good example. She refused simply to ridicule the notion of a streetcar. She said--as she has in the past--that while the streetcar may be a good idea, it's not a good idea now, analogizing to a homeowner who needs to renovate the kitchen, but needs to put it off because of the tough economy. (That's a position the streetcar crowd will disagree with. Fine. But it's a reasonable position that shows thought and maturity on a tough subject.) There's one thing you can always be sure of with Ghiz: when she speaks, you're hearing what she really believes, not what her party wants her to say or what she thinks will help her with a particular contested enclave of voters.
Monzel isn't ready to be part of a governing majority. He's best suited to be a back-bencher, part of a small minority. That way he's free to offer terrible ideas, like his proposed tax on people who use sidewalk trashcans. Ghiz is ready to lead Hamilton County with passion and wisdom, both of which were evident last night.
Disclosure: I've known Leslie Ghiz for several years, and consider her a friend. My friendship alone, however, would not be sufficient to endorse her in the primary race.
But HamCo faces tough challenges in the coming years. And last night, it became clear to me that a Chris Monzel victory in November would be disastrous for our region. Let's talk about why.
Last night, the Republican Leadership Council and GOParty! (a Republican YP group) sponsored a debate between Monzel and Leslie Ghiz, hosted at Mainstay and moderated by Newsmakers' Dan Hurley. (Hurley will also host the candidates on his show this Sunday morning.) Monzel's lack of knowledge and dearth of viable solutions to HamCo's problems was stunning, particularly this close to the primary election. (And while I haven't seen the Enquirer report it, the event sponsors announced that Ghiz won the straw poll conducted at the conclusion of the debate.)
The contrast between Ghiz and Monzel was clear. Ghiz offered nuanced answers, the kind that you'd expect from someone who has thought about how to address development, budget, and public safety issues. Monzel, on the other hand, offered nothing but bits of his stump speech. His campaign strategy seemed clear: do nothing but throw out "red meat" to the base, and hope that the voters don't catch on.
There were several instances when it was apparent that Monzel just doesn't have a good grasp on the issues facing Hamilton County. Both candidates were asked about the need for increased jail space. Monzel's solution? Stop housing federal prisoners awaiting trial in federal court. That's an answer that's right out of a "conservative" politician's playbook: a local politician running for office just insists that things would be better without the federal government. But anyone with even the smallest amount of knowledge of the Hamilton County Justice Center and local law enforcement knows the following:
- At any given time, there are only about a dozen inmates in federal custody at the HCJC. That's hardly the cause of jail overcrowding.
- The inmates in federal custody are actually revenue generators for the county, as the US Marshall Service pays a per bed/per day rate to house inmates at the HCJC.
- Over the last several years, local law enforcement has decided that one of the more effective ways of curbing drug and gun trafficking is to work with federal authorities and seek federal indictments, as federal law carries stiffer mandatory minimum sentences. For that to happen, those inmates have to be somewhere while they wait for their federal trials. Does Monzel want to get rid of ReNU and other joint task forces?
On the other side of last night's stage, Ghiz offered a clear alternative. She acknowledged--several times--that our most serious challenges don't have "easy answers." She understands the need for everyone in county government to work together for the good of our community. And she realizes that not everything is black-and-white. Her discussion of the streetcar was a good example. She refused simply to ridicule the notion of a streetcar. She said--as she has in the past--that while the streetcar may be a good idea, it's not a good idea now, analogizing to a homeowner who needs to renovate the kitchen, but needs to put it off because of the tough economy. (That's a position the streetcar crowd will disagree with. Fine. But it's a reasonable position that shows thought and maturity on a tough subject.) There's one thing you can always be sure of with Ghiz: when she speaks, you're hearing what she really believes, not what her party wants her to say or what she thinks will help her with a particular contested enclave of voters.
Monzel isn't ready to be part of a governing majority. He's best suited to be a back-bencher, part of a small minority. That way he's free to offer terrible ideas, like his proposed tax on people who use sidewalk trashcans. Ghiz is ready to lead Hamilton County with passion and wisdom, both of which were evident last night.
Disclosure: I've known Leslie Ghiz for several years, and consider her a friend. My friendship alone, however, would not be sufficient to endorse her in the primary race.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
ForkHeartKnife Opening Soon on Main St.
In May look for forkheartknife to start their catering services adding flavor to the Over-the-Rhine and Downtown business and arts scene. Additionally they are planning to serve varied and flexible meals at their OTR space.
The new business is taking over the North Main Street location (1437 Main Street) used by the former incarnation of Take the Cake.
Keep eyes on their blog at: forkheartknife.wordpress.com for more.
The new business is taking over the North Main Street location (1437 Main Street) used by the former incarnation of Take the Cake.
Keep eyes on their blog at: forkheartknife.wordpress.com for more.
Butler Count Sheriff's New Greeting: Papers Please
I am a fan of old movies. I love 1930's,1940's, and early 1950's era
films especially. I would guess the Butler County Sheriff, Rick Jones,
hasn't seen many of those films, particularly the ones with Nazis,
Fascists, or Stalinists in them. Those types of films were, in that era,
depicting those that our country was fighting against. In those cases
"Papers Please" was a phrase used when ever the oppressive police force
would randomly question anyone they wanted. If they didn't like what they
saw, or just wanted to take you in, they would trump up an excuse and haul
you into Gestapo Headquarters.
Yes, I'm describing cliche movie scenes, but ones that were based on reality. History is on the brink of repeating itself and I for one am not going to play the part of the innocent resident of Munich who refused to speak up.
Rick Jones needs to watch one of those pictures. He needs to understand what oppressive police powers are and that our county has a long, long history of fighting against policies he wants to use in Ohio. The Arizona 'immigration' law would have been well received in 1939 Germany. We don't need anyone pretending to be stewards of the law using fascist methods. While this position by Sheriff Jones doesn't surprise me, it still sickens me. I don't want Fascism to run my State or my Country. We need sane people to stand up to the Jones' of Ohio.
In this election year, the problem we have is that on the Right, there are few who will stand up. Even fewer of those running for office. The GOP needs someone to hate, and Mexicans are one of their targets. It is sad that this is what many in the GOP will run on. I hope they don't, but they seem to be against all forms of hope these days.
A side note: If a local Democrat running for office endorses this law, speak up, so I can make sure you get as few votes as possible.
Yes, I'm describing cliche movie scenes, but ones that were based on reality. History is on the brink of repeating itself and I for one am not going to play the part of the innocent resident of Munich who refused to speak up.
Rick Jones needs to watch one of those pictures. He needs to understand what oppressive police powers are and that our county has a long, long history of fighting against policies he wants to use in Ohio. The Arizona 'immigration' law would have been well received in 1939 Germany. We don't need anyone pretending to be stewards of the law using fascist methods. While this position by Sheriff Jones doesn't surprise me, it still sickens me. I don't want Fascism to run my State or my Country. We need sane people to stand up to the Jones' of Ohio.
In this election year, the problem we have is that on the Right, there are few who will stand up. Even fewer of those running for office. The GOP needs someone to hate, and Mexicans are one of their targets. It is sad that this is what many in the GOP will run on. I hope they don't, but they seem to be against all forms of hope these days.
A side note: If a local Democrat running for office endorses this law, speak up, so I can make sure you get as few votes as possible.
Doers, Not Just Talkers
What I find most interesting and most telling about most of the YP Groups featured in this Enquirer article by Larua Baverman is that they focus on one area, say dinning at local restaurants, and then do it. They are Doer's. They don't talk about getting people together to talk about what needs to happen, they instead get things done. Historically many YP groups have not defined what their goals are and then failed to do much beyond a meet and greet or happy hour. Having personally been part of a YP group that tried to get many things done, with some success and some failure, I am glad to see groups succeeding. I really would get discouraged when I would attend other YP events and see the same people running the events and doing little to bring new faces and new ideas not just to mind to but to fruition.
The problem that has plagued the YP efforts is the failure to define their goals. Is this about improving the community, or is about developing business, or is about personal career advancement? The last option is far too often the case. I for one don't like to mix up goals. Choose one: the community, a business, or yourself.
This is a choice that I think people going to Bold Fusion 2010 need to make. They don't have to just pick one and only do that, they just have to be honest and when they agree to take part in an organization that has picked one of first two options (community or business) that any personal gain is at best a side product, not the goal itself.
The problem that has plagued the YP efforts is the failure to define their goals. Is this about improving the community, or is about developing business, or is about personal career advancement? The last option is far too often the case. I for one don't like to mix up goals. Choose one: the community, a business, or yourself.
This is a choice that I think people going to Bold Fusion 2010 need to make. They don't have to just pick one and only do that, they just have to be honest and when they agree to take part in an organization that has picked one of first two options (community or business) that any personal gain is at best a side product, not the goal itself.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Cincinnati Has a Film Festival
For those local film fans who've been long waiting for a film festival to take place in Cincinnati can look forward to October 8th through the 16th when the Cincinnati Film Festival is scheduled to take place.
The festival is actually not a new one, just the transformation of the Oxford International Film Festival, which has changed its name and its location to be 100% in Cincinnati. This changed started last year when the festival was centered at the Esquire and will continue to be based there this year.
Details on submissions can be found at www.cincyfilmfest.com.
Comments are being sought from organizers via their Facebook page on what ideas festival goers would like to see be part of the event.
The festival is actually not a new one, just the transformation of the Oxford International Film Festival, which has changed its name and its location to be 100% in Cincinnati. This changed started last year when the festival was centered at the Esquire and will continue to be based there this year.
Details on submissions can be found at www.cincyfilmfest.com.
Comments are being sought from organizers via their Facebook page on what ideas festival goers would like to see be part of the event.
Communities Can Protest, But Kroger Will Win
I think I understand why multiple community groups are protesting the Roselawn Kroger closing, but other than guilt and creation of bad public relations, there is nothing to be done by government to stop it. Sure, citizens or even the City could try and delay it with pointless lawsuits, but in the end, businesses are not required to lose money. They are not even required to make money. We live in a capitalistic society were private business can operate as they please, as long as it is within the law. There is no law against closing a businesses, so far as I've heard about. Therefore the fight now should be on educating people about other places to shop.
It would be ideal that all businesses would try and serve the greater good of the community. If that were true we wouldn't need protection from large corporations.
This action by Kroger is another reason to support local businesses. Shop in places like Findlay Market or head to the Gateway Quarter as much as possible. You can't get everything, but the more you spend your money with more in mind than just price, the more you will save in the long run. Save jobs and makes jobs: Shop Local!
UPDATE: Yesterday's All Things Considered had a very interesting and timely report about a program in Baltimore where low income residents in neighborhoods under-served by grocery stores can go to public libraries and by groceries on-line and have them delivered the next day to the library. This is a small program, funded by a grant, but it is an interesting idea. I don't know if could work here, but it is another possible option.
It would be ideal that all businesses would try and serve the greater good of the community. If that were true we wouldn't need protection from large corporations.
This action by Kroger is another reason to support local businesses. Shop in places like Findlay Market or head to the Gateway Quarter as much as possible. You can't get everything, but the more you spend your money with more in mind than just price, the more you will save in the long run. Save jobs and makes jobs: Shop Local!
UPDATE: Yesterday's All Things Considered had a very interesting and timely report about a program in Baltimore where low income residents in neighborhoods under-served by grocery stores can go to public libraries and by groceries on-line and have them delivered the next day to the library. This is a small program, funded by a grant, but it is an interesting idea. I don't know if could work here, but it is another possible option.
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