The West End Church of Rock and Roll

The West End has long been a neighborhood slow with development, but a new revitalization of a church is underway. A team of three has plans to turn the former First German Reformed Church, built in 1850, into a combination of live music venue, art gallery, music school, and possibly a restaurant. One of the three is a member of the well known local band Foxy Shazam, and look to capitalize on their experience nationally in the music business to make this new venue a destination for bands. That would put it on par locally with the Southgate House, Northside Tavern, MOTR, and the Mad Hatter as the main local music venues, where each have nearly daily shows. The other direction this new venue could take would be to model after the Madison Theater, 20th Century, or Bogarts. Each of those venues hold a few events a week, at most. They are a long way off from opening the venture, but their passion I believe bodes well for the renovation to be completed.

Mayor Reacts To Weekend Murders

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory issued the following statement in reaction to the two seperate murders that occurred Saturday night:

“Two young men losing their lives to gun violence in one night is absurd,” Mayor Mark Mallory said. “Uriah Ware was hit by a stray bullet at a birthday party. Parents should not have to worry about their child’s safety at a birthday party. James Christopher was shot on the street in West Price Hill. My heart is with the family and friends of Uriah Ware and James Christopher. We need peace in this community. This senseless violence must end.”

I appreciate the Mayor making a statement and he is right in what he is saying, but how can anyone stop the violence? How do ignorant people shoot guns off at birthday parties? How do we as a society try and rid this type of ignorance? I don't know that we can. As long as we persist in allowing having a gun to be viewed as a sign of power, we will have this type of violence.

Washington Park Renovation Progress

CIMG0076, originally uploaded by washingtonparkotr.

3CDC is providing a weekly update, including photos, on the progress of the renovation of Washington Park. The photos show quite a bit of progress on the underground parking lot. Almost all of the park is closed off to the public, as most section are now under construction. Check out all of the photos here.

Chris Smitherman's Ego Swollen Like Large Zit

I don't know how Chris Smitherman could make more of a pathetically non-committal attention ploy, than he did when making public his plans to maybe run for council this year and/or definitely maybe running for Mayor in 2013.

If Smitherman was really concerned with the welfare of the city, then he would have the courage and commitment to actually announce his candidacy. Instead we get a hint of the circus he'll likley put forth if he actually spends the time and formally gets in the race for city council or maybe the mayorship or maybe both (or not).

We don't need a circus. We don't need an ego maniac looking to push their personal agenda ahead of the city, taking up the media's attention this election cycle. We need serious people with serious resolve. Chris Smitherman should do us all a favor and stay out of the government. We don't need his antics.

If there's a doctor in the house, I would hope they could lance Smitherman's ego, and let the swelling quell.

Search For Cincinnati Police Chief Has Begun

The Cincinnati City Manager, Milton Dohoney, has begun the search for a new police chief. There are many requirements listed in the article from the job posting, but there are a few other key requirements I would like to add:

• Don't currently or have ever worked for the Cincinnati Police Department, or for that matter any police force in the metro area.  We need some new blood with an outside perspective.
• Be open minded. Be willing to protect the citizens from bad police officers or poor actions.
• Don't be a big bigot.
• Don't be a white guy. (Yep, I went there.  We need a woman or a minority to help break the culture clash we have where much of the police force clashes with much of the public.)

None of these requirements are likely legal, so it is a good thing I am not the person doing the hiring. We need change in the long term mindset of our police department and that begins with the police chief. We need someone from outside the department at a minimum. If we hire from within, we will be doomed to more of the same.

Disappointing News About John Kasich You Likely Won't See in the Enquirer

Cleveland's Newspapers were sources for this Washington Monthly blog post, but not the Enquirer. Is the lack of diversity in the Ohio Governor's administration not a news issue in Cincinnati? I'll ask that again the next time I see NAACP local president Chris Smitherman quoted in the paper denouncing a Democratic majority run government entity for something it did or did not do.

Former Vice-Mayor David Crowley Loses His Fight With Cancer

Former Vice-Mayor and progressive champion David Crowley passed away earlier today after a long struggle with cancer. He was 73. He was a well liked councilman and Vice-Mayor. He served the public throughout his life and shall be remembered for his efforts to make Cincinnati and Ohio a better place.

Mayor Mallory issued the following statement on Mr. Crowley's passing:

"The City has lost a gentle giant with the passing of former Vice Mayor David Crowley. I am saddened by this loss. He served our community with a grace and compassion that shall be greatly missed. His advice helped me be a better Mayor and his friendship helped me be a better man. My heart goes out to his wife Sherri, his children, and family. I will truly miss him."

More from the Enquirer here.