I am waiting, totally on pins and needles, for the latest Tweet from COAST. I'm expecting it to read something like "$16.8M Casino sidewalks cause brownouts to all fire houses for a week, thousands to die."
Hold on, you say? That's not fair? Sidewalks are funded by the capital budget and the Fire Department is funded via the Operating budget? Hmm, that's crazy Streetcar talk! Everyone knows that via magical (and illegal) means, the City could violate the law and use that Sidewalk money to save cops jobs! We all know that, right? Right???
The four Republicans on council wouldn't vote to spend money $16.8M to fund sidewalks to promote a private endeavor when that money could be spent on saving police and fire jobs, would they? Especially when that endeavor is gambling. Isn't that a sin in Charlie Winburn's eyes?
Is my snark getting through to everyone? Yes, today the city is set to approve spend $16.8M in funds to build street and sidewalk construction around the new casino and if the committee vote there is no one against it. Only Chris Bortz is questioning where the funding is coming from, which is a fair question. The Republicans on council are not questioning it, yet they play into the lies that anti-Streetcar forces put forth, claiming that capital funds in the budget could be used to prevent police or fire layoffs (or "brownouts".) For the record, I am for the new streetscape, but I would like the source of funding of it to have some help, like from the State. The people of the State of Ohio voted to put the Casinos in, so if there is public funding needed for any part of it, the State should pony up for it, not just the localities.
None of the those anti-streetcar forces are screaming about $16.8M in street work that will actually redirect traffic. They I guess like to gamble and are not doing anything to prevent the city to spend money on the Casino. Again, COAST (the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes) seems to be rather subjective on the "Spending" part of their name. I've seen others call them "COA T" in comments on other blogs and on the Enquirer's website. Well, here's another example to fit the hypocrisy of that group. It fits well with all of the lies they spew.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
More COAST Bigotry
Are we just numb from the bigotry and veiled racism that flows from the people behind COAST? I starting to think we are heading that way, but Kevin Osborne of CityBeat has a strong blog post outlining what the latest incident entailed. The surprising source of the bigoted graphic came from a black UC student who, according to Osborne, has volunteered on local GOP political campaigns, including Council member Amy Murray.
Si Leis To Retire At End of Current Term
Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis announced last week that he will not seek reelection after the end of his current term.
The Enqurier reports that Leis stated his Chief Deputy, Sean Donovan, plans to run for Sheriff next year. I know nothing about Donovan, but I would think there would be many possible candidates considering running. I am not sure a Leis supporter would get a lot of Republican primary support, since Leis broke with the party on many issues recently, namely with his belief that the county needs funding and can't be starved to death by Monzel and Hartmann.
The Enqurier reports that Leis stated his Chief Deputy, Sean Donovan, plans to run for Sheriff next year. I know nothing about Donovan, but I would think there would be many possible candidates considering running. I am not sure a Leis supporter would get a lot of Republican primary support, since Leis broke with the party on many issues recently, namely with his belief that the county needs funding and can't be starved to death by Monzel and Hartmann.
Don't Tell Leslie Ghiz, But She's Ignorant on Issue 48
I am just not sure if Leslie Ghiz has read the text of of Issue 48, the anti-rail charter amendment, but she's in favor of banning all rail projects in Cincinnati for a generation. Well, she likely will claim otherwise, but she seems to think Issue 48 only covers the Streetcar, but as the Enquirer reported, all six experts consulted for the story agreed that the Issue could ban the City from enacting any type of rail project. I guess her prior "not right now" position on the streetcar really means never, which I believe is what it was all along.
At this point, Ghiz seems more about defeating the Mayor and anyone who criticizes her, than she is about improving the City. She's starting to sound more like a COAST member every time she makes a public statement. I can't find a Republican running for office in Cincinnati who doesn't sound like a COAST flunky.
It is so disappointing that the local Republican party has chosen to run all of its candidates on the same tone and strategy as National Republicans. It does nothing more than divide us, but alas, that's the point.
At this point, Ghiz seems more about defeating the Mayor and anyone who criticizes her, than she is about improving the City. She's starting to sound more like a COAST member every time she makes a public statement. I can't find a Republican running for office in Cincinnati who doesn't sound like a COAST flunky.
It is so disappointing that the local Republican party has chosen to run all of its candidates on the same tone and strategy as National Republicans. It does nothing more than divide us, but alas, that's the point.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
If anyone can find me at the event and you dressed in German-esque garb, then I might buy you a beer. Note the word "might" in the last sentence.
Oh, and Prosit!
If Chiquita Moves, Blame COAST, Winburn, and Smitherman
An Enquirer article reports that Chiquita Brands International, headquartered in Downtown Cincinnati, is being courted by other cities, mainly Charlotte, to move the company. In the article, Council member Charlie Winburn is quoted in the article:
Why does rail matter? Well, ask Charlotte, they have rail transportation and they stand poised to take a major headquarters from our city. Destroying the city may be COAST's and Smitherman's goal, but surely Winburn doesn't want this to happen. If he wants to get "serious," then he should rethink his stance on the streetcar and stop pointing fingers at others and get on board with those try to make this city a better place.
The solution is rather simple: don't shill for the FOP and don't think making the city into another suburb will solve any problems. All of the endorsed Republicans running might gain some respect and maybe even some votes if they took that to heart and lived it. That action would lose many Conservative votes and Suburban contributions, however, which leads me back to my cynical default stance, where Winburn's opportunism lives and keeps progress back, as long as he and other Republicans are in power.
Added Winburn: “Anytime 400 jobs are at stake, I take that serious. If the city loses this company, then we need to call for an evaluation of city administration.”No, Council Member Winburn, don't shirk your duty and point to the Administration. Point to yourself. If you want to keep Chiquita then you need to do several things to keep them here. It starts with voting on a budget that would free up money to add to an incentive. Then go to the Governor and get him of his ass and do something for Cincinnati. Finally, start acting like you want to make this city into a progressive community that will attract news people and new businesses here. Work to build the Urban Core of the city and agree it must be a vibrant success if the rest of the City and metro area are going to have sustained growth and prosperity. The article goes on about the air service. Well, that's quiet frankly a tough thing for a city or even the metro area to transform. It will take years to attract more direct flights. A more simple and immediate way to improve the city is to support rail projects, like the streetcar or light-right or the East Side commuter-rail. None of these will happen if COAST and Smitherman's anti-rail charter amendment passes. So, if nothing else, don't support the anti-rail forces.
Why does rail matter? Well, ask Charlotte, they have rail transportation and they stand poised to take a major headquarters from our city. Destroying the city may be COAST's and Smitherman's goal, but surely Winburn doesn't want this to happen. If he wants to get "serious," then he should rethink his stance on the streetcar and stop pointing fingers at others and get on board with those try to make this city a better place.
The solution is rather simple: don't shill for the FOP and don't think making the city into another suburb will solve any problems. All of the endorsed Republicans running might gain some respect and maybe even some votes if they took that to heart and lived it. That action would lose many Conservative votes and Suburban contributions, however, which leads me back to my cynical default stance, where Winburn's opportunism lives and keeps progress back, as long as he and other Republicans are in power.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Is Frey Pleading Guilty?
The Enquirer has an in-depth article about the property sales and purchases Diana Frey and family have made over the last few years. Frey is the former president of the CODE union who has been indited on charges that she embezzled over $700,000 worth of union funds.
What is news to me is that the article reports that a guilty plea is allegedly in the works. The deal is not known, but Frey faces 20 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine. A deal would likely bring down both the jail time and fine, assuming restitution of the stolen money is made in some capacity.
What ever the deal, significant jail time must be part of it. Frey, if convicted, deserves at least a decade behind bars. The other question the Enquirer article brings to mind: who else in her family could be charged with a crime? Will a plea from Frey keep the rest of the family from jail time?
What is news to me is that the article reports that a guilty plea is allegedly in the works. The deal is not known, but Frey faces 20 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine. A deal would likely bring down both the jail time and fine, assuming restitution of the stolen money is made in some capacity.
What ever the deal, significant jail time must be part of it. Frey, if convicted, deserves at least a decade behind bars. The other question the Enquirer article brings to mind: who else in her family could be charged with a crime? Will a plea from Frey keep the rest of the family from jail time?
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