Cincinnatians For Progress has filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission charging that COAST has knowingly made false statements to affect the outcome of the Issue 48 election vote. 20 instances are cited as violations of Ohio Revised Code Section 3517.22. These false statements have included claims that the city has taken funds away from fire services to fund the streetcar project, which is a blatantly obvious lie.
I am curious if the compliant can be amended to include Chris Smitherman who is also misleading voters about Issue 48 on his Facebook page, as documented by CityBeat.
Friday, October 28, 2011
FOP Endorsements Officially Announced
The Enquirer was finally provided with an official list of candidates for Cincinnati City Council getting endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police of Cincinnati (Local Police Union). Another short list has been issued and it is filled with surprises. The List:
Mike Allen
Kevin Flynn
Leslie Ghiz
Amy Murray
Jason Riveiro
Christopher Smitherman
Charlie Winburn
The big shock is the inclusion of Chris Smitherman, which I wrote about before. The other surprises include the absence of Wayne Lippert and Chris Bortz. I am guessing the lack of support against Issue 2 led to Lippert's Snub. Bortz likely wouldn't take a pledge not to lay off police. He's not made any statements stating he supports cuts, but pledges for Republican leading organizations seems to be the norm.
Flynn and Riverio are surprises to me, but good ones. It is good seeing some variation from just Republicans getting support from the FOP.
Mike Allen isn't a surprise, but as I wrote before is a disappointment. Allen settled a sexual harrassment suit from a former staffer who worked for him while he was the Hamilton County Prosecutor. Yes, the man responsible for prosecuting criminal charges in the county settled a law suit which as its basis argued that he abused his power while in public office. This goes against what the purpose of the police. It is so very disappointing that the FOP will look past this egregious fact because Allen will do what ever they want. A Faustian bargain, but in this case I don't know who is playing the role of the devil.
Mike Allen
Kevin Flynn
Leslie Ghiz
Amy Murray
Jason Riveiro
Christopher Smitherman
Charlie Winburn
The big shock is the inclusion of Chris Smitherman, which I wrote about before. The other surprises include the absence of Wayne Lippert and Chris Bortz. I am guessing the lack of support against Issue 2 led to Lippert's Snub. Bortz likely wouldn't take a pledge not to lay off police. He's not made any statements stating he supports cuts, but pledges for Republican leading organizations seems to be the norm.
Flynn and Riverio are surprises to me, but good ones. It is good seeing some variation from just Republicans getting support from the FOP.
Mike Allen isn't a surprise, but as I wrote before is a disappointment. Allen settled a sexual harrassment suit from a former staffer who worked for him while he was the Hamilton County Prosecutor. Yes, the man responsible for prosecuting criminal charges in the county settled a law suit which as its basis argued that he abused his power while in public office. This goes against what the purpose of the police. It is so very disappointing that the FOP will look past this egregious fact because Allen will do what ever they want. A Faustian bargain, but in this case I don't know who is playing the role of the devil.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
CityBeat Council Endorsements Announced
CityBeat has announced it's picks for Cincinnati City council this year and is doing something differing, only picking seven candidates. The list is:
Kevin Flynn
Nicholas Hollan
Roxanne Qualls
Laure Quinlivan
Jason Riveiro
Chris Seelbach
Wendell Young
This list, one might argue, is short on African-Americans. Two other candidates that could have filled that role would have been Cecil Thomas and Yvette Simpson. Thomas is not a surprise, but skipping Simpson in favor of Young or Flynn is surprising for CityBeat.
I'm not a fan of short ticket voting, which many groups, including CityBeat, are advocating. It might be a valid 'strategy,' but for all of the increase in the value of a single vote for a candidate it makes, short ticket voting takes away from the voters overall power to pick the nine they want.
Kevin Flynn
Nicholas Hollan
Roxanne Qualls
Laure Quinlivan
Jason Riveiro
Chris Seelbach
Wendell Young
This list, one might argue, is short on African-Americans. Two other candidates that could have filled that role would have been Cecil Thomas and Yvette Simpson. Thomas is not a surprise, but skipping Simpson in favor of Young or Flynn is surprising for CityBeat.
I'm not a fan of short ticket voting, which many groups, including CityBeat, are advocating. It might be a valid 'strategy,' but for all of the increase in the value of a single vote for a candidate it makes, short ticket voting takes away from the voters overall power to pick the nine they want.
Lippert Pulls a Romney
Cincinnati council member Wayne Lippert appears to be channeling the tone and actions of Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney with his flip-flop yesterday reversing his vote after being told to change for political reasons.
Romney was busy yesterday flip-flopping on Issue 2 (SB5) where was now for it, but previously he would take a stand on the issue when appearing at a political office of the Anti-Union Issue 2 campaign on Tuesday in the Cincinnati area.
Romney was busy yesterday flip-flopping on Issue 2 (SB5) where was now for it, but previously he would take a stand on the issue when appearing at a political office of the Anti-Union Issue 2 campaign on Tuesday in the Cincinnati area.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Enquirer Rips Jeffre With Snark
Journalists do not often get the chance to add analysis or a little opinion in news stories. Well this article including reference to Justin Jeffre's, former boy band singer, arrest as part of the Occupy Cincinnati protests gave this gem of a quote
Going to jail could be a good career move for Jeffre. Spending time behind bars inspired many blues and country artists to write some of their best material.Coffee nearly shot out of my nose after I read that. Snark is a joyous thing, especially about this topic.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Quimbob Sums Up Problems With OccupyCincy
As I write this, Piatt Park is the scene of possible confrontation as speculation mounts that protesters who have been 'occupying' the park for over a week will be forced to leave, or face arrest. I generally agree with some of the 99% and OWS movement, but I share the view of Quimbob at Blogging Isn't Cool, who criticizes the group.
The means of the protesters in the park is part of their problem: a failure to follow the rule of law. They may not like the law, but they must follow the law. That is basis of our democratic republic. If you don't like the law, you must change the law via the open process of our political system. If you don't like our government, then you are going to face the wrath of the 99% who make want to change part of the way our government and political system works, but agree it works.
Another issue that has also killed support for this group is the folly of its members in listening to people like Josh Spring of the 'Homeless' Coalition. If you think Josh believes in the 99%, then I think I have a life-size test model of the Brooklyn Bridge to sell you. He, and others like him, are about their own 1% and nothing else.
Now, we just need a respectful and calm resolution and for everyone to go home safe.
UPDATE: Some of the protesters are getting wind of the problems with dealing with the Homeless Coalition. Here's the classic retort to a report that homeless people are disrupting and stealing from the occupy movement:
UPDATE #2: The Enquirer reports that around 1 AM police came to the park and very peacefully arrested 23 protesters who refused to leave the park. Another report is here from Sentient Cincinnati. Also, there's more from WCPO.
The means of the protesters in the park is part of their problem: a failure to follow the rule of law. They may not like the law, but they must follow the law. That is basis of our democratic republic. If you don't like the law, you must change the law via the open process of our political system. If you don't like our government, then you are going to face the wrath of the 99% who make want to change part of the way our government and political system works, but agree it works.
Another issue that has also killed support for this group is the folly of its members in listening to people like Josh Spring of the 'Homeless' Coalition. If you think Josh believes in the 99%, then I think I have a life-size test model of the Brooklyn Bridge to sell you. He, and others like him, are about their own 1% and nothing else.
Now, we just need a respectful and calm resolution and for everyone to go home safe.
UPDATE: Some of the protesters are getting wind of the problems with dealing with the Homeless Coalition. Here's the classic retort to a report that homeless people are disrupting and stealing from the occupy movement:
News 5 did ask the Homeless Coalition about the problems at Piatt Park. The station was told it boils down to simple personality conflicts.It would appear Josh Spring seems to not want any laws enforced. Theft and threats of violence are just personality problems, not crimes, apparently....
UPDATE #2: The Enquirer reports that around 1 AM police came to the park and very peacefully arrested 23 protesters who refused to leave the park. Another report is here from Sentient Cincinnati. Also, there's more from WCPO.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Ghiz Conflict of Interest?
I did not see this mentioned in the the Leslie Ghiz and Wayne Lippert's grandstanding letter protesting the protests, but Leslie Ghiz's law practice is located on Garfield Place, right across the street from the protests at Piatt Park. I find that to be a huge conflict of interest. Is Council Member Ghiz acting as a member of City County or as the owner of a business affected by the protests?
She should not take any additional action on this issue. Let those without anything to gain from prosecution of the protesters to act on behalf of the City. We also don't need arrests. That will not do the city any good.
Further more: a vote of no confidence? Seriously, Ghiz and Lippert want to talk about confidence? I am sure no one has foreclosed on either of Leslie's or Wayne's Glass Houses.
She should not take any additional action on this issue. Let those without anything to gain from prosecution of the protesters to act on behalf of the City. We also don't need arrests. That will not do the city any good.
Further more: a vote of no confidence? Seriously, Ghiz and Lippert want to talk about confidence? I am sure no one has foreclosed on either of Leslie's or Wayne's Glass Houses.
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