Smitherman Gets Another Chance

There will be a new election for President of the Cincinnati chapter of the. Edith Thrower, the incumbent, won last year after a controversial election over former Cincinnati councilman Chris Smitherman.

State of the City

Mayor Mallory gives his State of City address tonight at 7PM at the Aronoff Center. The number one thing I would like him to report on is the progress he is making with the YP Kitchen Cabinet. As of yet, I've heard nothing official about it doing anything but meeting. Meetings can only accomplish more meetings. Actions bring about more actions.

In preparation of the speech, the Enquirer reported on public opinion of the City comparing 2006 to 2007 here is what they stated:

1. Approval Rate of Mayor Mallory: Positive 2006-60%, 2007-50% That is a damn large drop.
2. Wrong Track: Yes 2006-59%, 2007-57% About even.
3. Are You Safe in Your Neighborhood: Agree 2006-42%, 2007-49% A gain!

The Enquirer is asking you to take their unscientific poll, so chime in.

Brownback In Town, Will Bring Out the Extremists

Few politicians will have better luck at getting out the most extreme Conservatives than Sen. Sam Brownback, who is coming to town again on March 3rd, after a quick visit here yesterday. In a sign that social conservatives have given up hope of getting an extremist on the ballot in 2008 is the results of polling of Ohio Republicans recently:

In a Quinniapac University poll of Ohio Republican voters last month, Brownback had only 1 percent support. Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani led the poll with 30 percent, following by McCain at 22 percent and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 11 percent.

1% isn't going to get you on stage for a primary debate.

The Loop? Main Street Redo

It's long overdue, but the idea of making a neighborhood out of the Main Street area (including the area to lower Vine) is a wonderful idea. Make it place for people to live, work, and play. Consider it something like Hyde Park Square, where no one is going to cry if the streets are not crowded at 1 AM. If you can't find a parking spot at 1 PM on a Saturday in the Main Street Area, then I say good! Let the nightlife move to area on 7th Street and 4th Street. Make Main Street a neighborhood.

I also don't like the Loop, but I agree on changing the name from the "Main Street Entertainment District."

UPDATE: More from the Enquirer.

Another Reason to Move the Drop Inn Center

If you want a homeless shelter that can legally serve all of the homeless, then it is time to move the Drop Inn Center. It's been time to move the Drop Inn Center for years now and I would predict there are many groups who would pay to move the facility to a new location.

At this point, what are the reasons it has not yet moved? Here are the reasons I think I hear the feet draggers either saying or thinking.

1. 'We' can't move it because the Homeless know where to go now, would suffer when they can't find the new location.
2. 'We' can't move it because it would be admitting that we don't want the extreme poor around.
3. 'We' won't move it because we don't want to cave into the business crowd.
4. 'We' can't move it because we don't have the money.
5. 'We' can't move it because we can't find a good enough location.
6. 'We' won't move it because the homeless are our battering ram to force our political views down the upper classes.

Numbers 1, 4, and 5 could be valid reasons, but would be short run issues that with money can be solved. I think the money would be there if those who use the homeless as a political tool would worry more about sustaining the effort to provide services to the homeless, instead of using homelessness as a means to make your political foes look bad.

Are there other legitimate or not-so legitimate reasons to not move the Drop Inn Center?

Battle Won, War Lost

What happens now that the eminent-domain case was won? I guess I don't see why the developers don't raise the offer to include the legal fees that are likely waiting and then go forward with their development? If the home owners don't make a deal, I think they'll be hurt as well. I think its time to make a deal and get on with progress.

Crazy Republicans

Can the extremists in the GOP get any more extreme?

UPDATE: Clark Street has more.

It's Not News

In what must be a slow news day at the Enquirer, we get a story about a poll of a subgroup of the local GOP that had Rudy Giuliani as their top pick for the GOP nomination for President.

I'll be waiting for the Eastern branch of the South by Southwest Hamilton County Know-nothing Party Club's straw poll where Bob was victorious over Jack, 3 votes to 1 in their straw poll.

White Snow vs. Black Teenager?

Is the media and/or the Sheriff's office picking who to worry about fairly? In the case of the Sheriff, I think they may have a point about who they pick to open up a warning about. As for the media, well, they have no answer. They live for missing kids, if the pictures they can show on TV work for the suburban audience.

"God Save the Queen, Fascist Regime"

Not really news, but the Queen of England at the Kentucky Derby is interesting.

What's on Your Wallpaper?

On a snowy Saturday I'm going to post something light. What is on your PC/MAC's desktop wallpaper? Here is what I have:

This is a picture of a sunset on the beach in the small town on the West coast of Florida where my parents live. It was taken in winter about 5 years ago and it was warm that day.

What does everyone else have?

Berding’s Billions

CityBeat's blog as a lengthy piece on the Cash Machine that is Councilman Jeff Berding. Big money is behind this candidate for office. Last time Democratic Party endorsements went around the CW was that Berding was given the endorsement by some in exchange for others supporting Lynch's endorsement. This time around will there be enough support for Berding? He is a Democrat on council, so I don't see how the Party could not endorse him, no matter how much the rank in file scream.

Fangman: Call Me

Former FOP President and instigator is under investigation for allegedly making harassing phone calls to the current FOP President. I don't know if I can comment. This is just too ripe to hit off the tee.

Punting on the Banks

The Banks Project Working Group is allowing itself to punt.

Enquirer and Bronson Spread a Lie

It is no shock that Peter Bronson or the Enquirer would spread a lie, but they are:

Jason Mallott of Cincinnati is stationed in Baghdad. "Yesterday I found out about the vote from a younger soldier who came up to me and asked why my hometown does not support us," he wrote. "I have lived in the city for over 25 years. I was even thinking about applying for a job with the Police Department when I returned. I am just confused on why City Council would not be supporting us.

Bold Added. I guess Peter and Jason Mallott didn't read the resolution when it says this:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Cincinnati:

Section 1. That Council supports the U.S. troops currently serving Iraq, as well as those that have previously served, and those that have been killed or wounded during such service, and their families.

Peter Bronson, stop spreading Lies!

Shut The Hell Up!

The Enquirer looks like a fool by printing a series of letters to the editor about the pending Cincinnati City Council Iraq War resolution. NONE OF THE WRITERS LIVE IN THE CITY!!!. Can we have a little bit of relative perspective from people who are actually governed by the politicians considering the resolution????? The funniest part is that they list this at the top of the letters "A sampling of some of the opinions we've received on this topic." Here is what I think it should have stated "A sample of our Conservative readers views, those readers we actually care about."

That idiocy aside, I find myself rather conflicted. On the surface I am strong believer in the City sticking to City Business and staying out of national issues, like abortion. I hope Monzel keeps his trap shut about the Iraq War resolution if he wants to forget about his push to outlaw abortion using City policy. That issue is decided, abortion is legal. He wants to change that, petition your Congressman.

That being said, I agree with what the resolution says, for the most part. What the resolution is missing is making reference to what Bush did right here in Cincinnati by misleading the American people during his speech at Union Terminal. That brings the issue home and has a sliver of relevance to Cincinnati.

More Downtown Development

A tip from reader Richard gives word about new Race Street Renovation in a building I've long loved and wished someone would bring back to life:

The beautiful Lyric Piano Building near the corner of 7th and Race is currently undergoing renovations. In the past, the ground level of this building served as a Hardees restaurant (and Burger Chef) and there was speculation a number of years ago that the former owners of The Temple Restaurant were planning a new restaurant at that location. But, I spoke with a lady who works at one of the jewelry stores next door and she said that a very nice couple has purchased the building with plans to use a portion of the structure as a new architectural office and the remaining square-footage as a private residence. It will be great to see this handsome building, which is a favorite of architecture lovers throughout the area, returned to its former glory.

Here's a link with information about the structure, crowned a "blight of the week" by CityBeat in 2002.

Race Street has for a long time needed more renovation. I hope this is just a start with Sully's going in just up the street.

Weather Report Suite

The weather is crappy today. Got any hot news flashes to warm up the roads?

'Cincinnati Rock Concert Philosophy'

In an almost therapeutic screed "Riggsveda" unleashed a post at the TPMcafe that riddled the culture with bullets mostly aimed at the Right Wing Hypocrites. In the process, however, this screed barreled into two things dear to me, Cincinnati & The Who:

What else? Well, there's the death of public civility on streets, trains, buses and in cars, and the failure of American parents to teach their children anything at all about manners and etiquette. This has led to the Cincinnati rock concert philosophy of life: that we all must be in a constant battle for supremacy with one another, whether it's who goes through a door first, gets a parking space, or gets to change lanes. All of this is directly anathema to the idea behind etiquette: that in order to create a tolerable and decent community, we must all behave graciously and with grace toward each other, meaning at times we back off, suppress our egos, and let someone else have something at our own expense out of sheer kindness. Meaning we treat others as if they were our dear friends, or at least unfortunately demented relatives not responsible for their own behavior.

I don't necessarily disagree with the point of the whole post, but do we have to create another term that denigrates a city and a horrible tragedy that occurred well over 25 years ago? This city has certainly suffered enough from that event and we don't need it put back into our faces, or more importantly, not hung around our collective necks. Including "Cincinnati" is really the injustice in the term. The City didn't create the tragedy. It was truly "the mob", which I believe is the point of the term. Having Cincinnati confused with "the mob" does nothing but put blame were none is deserved.

New Businesses Downtown and on Main

Joe Hansbauer is reporting there are two big additions to Downtown and Main Street. First rumor has it that the former Jump location at 12th and Main will become a Sushi restaurant. Don't know who is going to run it or if it will include a bar or not.

Second is word that McFadden's has bought several store fronts and will open a new bar called Lodge, and as Joe states it will be similar to the one in Columbus. I wonder where this space will be. I assume it is on 7th street, but not sure where.

We're Still Here!

I just watched the Police reunite on the Grammys and play "Roxanne." The world did not end, so lets all rejoice and start saving now for tickets to their tour. I'd be game for a Police show at Paul Brown Stadium.

How'd I Get Mixed Up With This?

Somehow, Someway, I was dragged into Nate's latest feud:

If Ghizzy had black skin, the white media -- especially her boosters at The Cincinnati Enquirer, CityBeat, and The Cincinnati Blog -- would tear her apart like they did to former Vice Mayor Alicia Reece. The only reason Ghizzy gets a free pass is because she is a white girl. Period.

This is of course false, but that doesn't usually matter in this type of discussion when Nate is involved.

St. McCain In Town This Week

I'll throw a bone to Republicans and pass on word that Senator (Saint) John McCain will be visiting Cincinnati on Friday. Logically I would conclude the local media will be stumbling over each other to cover St. McCain. the media's darling. Around Cincinnati I really wonder, however, what level of support he will get, making the media's coverage not so intense. He's not well loved by the far rightists for his lukewarm stance on social issues. He's a mainstream Conservative when it comes to social issues, but in the past hasn't made them his focus. In the 2008 primary race I expect he'll go off the social issue deep end, one way or another. Either he'll counter Rudy's pro-gay/pro-choice stances, if Rudy gets into the race, or McCain will go to the middle to try and get the moderate vote if Rudy doesn't get into the race.

Bill Maher Visits Nutty Creastionist 'Museum'

Sacha Baron Cohen is likely very proud of the methods used by Bill Maher in filming a documentary on religion. Maher's tactic was especially interesting because it happened just outside of Cincinnati in Kentucky at the Answers in Genesis facility. Ken Ham, the creator of the Creationist 'Museum', was reportedly not pleased with Maher. Go figure. I nutty creationist is likely confronted with the nutty ideas he has and the guy gets pissed off.

I am eagerly awaiting the documentary.

Obama to Visit Cincinnati on Feb 26

State Sen. Eric Kearney is bringing the Presidential hopeful to town for a fund raiser.

GOP Endorsing Child Beater Sam Malone?

It is amazing that the GOP would dare endorse a man who admitted to beating his own child with a belt in court, a source indicates that the HC GOP has done just that. The reported slate of endorsements equal:

Leslie Ghiz
Chris Monzel
Charlie Winburn
Sam Malone
John Eby
Andre Harper is this the same person?
Pat Fisher (President of P-Ridge CC?)

UPDATE: CityBeat's Kevin Osborne has more.

HCDP Has New Executive Director

Caleb Faux is taking over the reins from Chandra Yungbluth who left to work for Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.

Question of the Day

Ok, I'll dare to put a question out there. What topics do people want the blog to include, that are not being posted, or not posted enough? Be gentle, keep the 7th grade humor to a minimum, please.

Death of the Arts Section at the Enquirer?

This morning I got an unsigned email which describes the tearing apart of arts/media/culture criticism at the Enquirer. Here is the email in its entirety:

Yesterday, on the 19th floor of the Cincinnati Enquirer, a room of arts critics (including theater critic Jackie Demaline, classical music critic Janelle Gelfand, art critic Sara Pearce, entertainment reporter Jim Knippenberg media critic John Kiesewetter, former arts editor Pam Fisher and food critic Polly Campbell) along with features writers were told they will be pulled off arts beat to staff phones on the Saturday general assignment reporting desk.

Apparently, one body is as good as another in the new "Info Center" reich over at Third and Elm -- although it seems counterintuitive in Gannett's penny pinching culture to stick high priced talent (several old timers rumored to be at six figures) manning the phones on one of the worst news days of the week -- not exactly fiscally savvy.

Oddly, this news comes just days before Enquirer publisher Margaret Buchanan kicks off the citywide Fine Arts Fund drive Sunday as its chair.

Shortly after arriving in Cincinnati, Buchanan took a spot on the symphony board and launching a new Sunday Arts section, promising better arts coverage to a disgruntled arts community.

If today's Enquirer is any indication, looks like a snow job: less arts coverage, but complete sledding hill lists in Cincinnati and diagrams for making snowmen.

Please keep in mind this is one writer's opinion and I have no confirmation of anything in this email. For those on the inside there are enough details to determine if this is authentic. I find it very credible for the simple fact that the issue at hand is a detail on how the inner workings of the newspaper happens. This is clearly someone with knowledge of the Enquirer.

Printing this email is not a great journalistic act, but it is a reasonable act for a blogger. Is this just another sign that the Enquirer is abandoning content creation in favor of press release publications? Will this act affect the many blogs on the Enquirer?

Drive Home Contest

A free pat on the back goes to the person who had the longest (in time) drive home last night in the snow. Mine was about 2.5 hours.

What If Bronson is Delusional?

Peter Bronson is living in lala land. It is just not worth my time to rebut his ignorance in his column, but I had to make people away that there are still people living with the delusions that Iraq can be "won", that "the terrorists" in Iraq are trying to kill "us", and that Dick Cheney is 'right' about Iraq. The facts are that Iraq is lost. The terrorists in Iraq want the US out and are fighting the Shia, they are not out to invade the USA. They don't threaten us, never did. Finally, Cheney is just a bad shot.

Panic Sightings

I can report first hand that the White Death is starting to fall up in Mason. At this point I haven't seen any soccer moms desperately making their way to buy milk, bread, toothpaste, and the most essential mayonnaise. What snow storm is complete with out Extra Mayo?

UPDATE: The Enquirer's website has the full snow coverage overload.

Speak to the Enquirer

The Enquirer has adopted a message board like tool that allows for feed back on all stories, editiorials, and letters to the editor. In the manner they use it, does it really add a value to the reader or to their publication? Will this just be a way to yell at people? I would guess they are going to use a filter or monitor to edit out the spam and 'rude' comments. I'll be posting on the story above about my post here to see if they really want interaction or not.

Budget Battle Lingers

I have lost track of what money is going where, but either progress is being made or we have found another impasse.

Build Humans, Not Machines

The bottom line problem with the
drop off of school groups visiting the arts is the misguided education philosophy sweeping most school boards, administrators, and politicos. It is the belief that test scores are the only thing that matters. Being a well rounded student is not going to get grant money. This is not an new conflict, but one that is ugly and is the true sign of the death of culture in this country. Those in power in Ohio and Kentucky for last 10 plus years have the idea that schools are meant to turn out machines to fuel the economy. Schools are meant to turn out adult human beings and citizens who can think for themselves, reason, and express their views and ideas. The Arts are one of the best ways to do that. If schools fear time constraints, why not cut back on sports?

It's Cold

It is 1 degree outside. For people like me from the Buffalo area, yes, that is actually cold. I don't understand why schools are closed, unless the pipes froze.

Well, it was a slow news weekend, with the superbowl and all. I watched the game for the first time on DVR last night while at a friend's house. We all were going to be late to the start of the game, so we agreed to meet later at the one friend's house. It was strange knowing that we were about a half an hour behind what was really happening. I am very glad no one called to ask about the game after it ended.

Props to Prince for playing in the rain.

But It Has a Sign!!

How can Cincinnati Mills be failing? It's in the suburbs where Malls are King. It has plenty of free parking. Finally, it has a massive sign out front, which, as Larry Gross helped point out, is the key to any Mall's success.

Sign of a Change on Main?

Great news for the local theatre scene with the announcement of the New Stage Collective getting a permanent space on Main Street. They'll be using the old Jekyll and Hyde's building. They will transform the 2nd floor into a very challenging but fresh theater space. For more information on the New Stage Collective, check out their website at www.newstagecollective.com. Be sure to review the announcement of NSC's new season with more details on the new space.

County Jail in Camp Washington?

A deal on where the new Hamilton County Jail will be built appears to be complete. How we pay for it is a whole different story.

Ummmm? Bronson?

I can understand that Peter Bronson is complaining about the angst on City Council, which he help create, but other than that, I don't get his point here. The only thing I get is that he thinks the CHRC is bloated and thinks this is all about money. It can't be about power or be personal? It also can't be the fact that this is an election year and candidates need money and votes and need to get the attention that conflict brings to help get money and votes.

Downtown Hop Around Returns April 21

The Downtown Hop Around is set to skip into downtown again on April 21. Stay tuned to their website for more details.

Is CPD Doing Its Job?

If the Cincinnati Police Department is able and willing to do their jobs, then why does former police officer and current City Council member Cecil Thomas want the sheriff to patrol 5 other neighborhoods in the city?

Also in this article, one is getting the sense that Council member Jeff Berding is sucking up to the Westside:

Council member Jeff Berding asked that Westwood and Price Hill be added to the list.

The FOP is screaming about this, but frankly, who gives a rat's ass?

Loving 'The Chester'

No one is safe from young thugs

Blitzing Price Hill

The City is putting effort into cleaning parts of Price Hill using "ode enforcement officers, police officers, beautifiers and social-service agencies." Will it work? Will it be effective in the long run?

Greg Harris for Cincinnati City Council

Greg's campaign website is up and running.

Have You No Shame, Peter Bronson?

Peter Bronson must learn to leave someone like Johnny Cash and Cash's lyrics out of is trite columns.

I have to ask Peter Bronson something, and I have sent him an email asking, we'll see if I get a response. If he is so pro-freedom to allow smoking, where was his column attacking the anti-freedom anti-gay marriage ban in Ohio 2 years ago? The Text of my email:

Peter,

Question for you: If you are so pro-freedom to be against the smoking ban, where was your column attacking the anti-freedom anti-gay marriage ban in Ohio 2 years ago? It is far more "un-American" than the smoking ban, which is far less restrictive than how alcohol sales are anyway. Nice to see your selective support of freedom is still unchanged.

Sincerely,

Brian Griffin

I patiently await his reply.

More City Council Battles

The mood is getting very sour in council these days as the majority 5 are getting rather rambunctious. My question is on this section:

Since passing the budget in December, Bortz said, the city has had an additional $1 million in expenses for a police contract that will be more expensive than what council budgeted for, and he said upcoming contracts for firefighters and other city union workers are likely to add costs.

Is this a new police contract just negotiated or the same crappy one from before?

Get Out the Blind Fold

Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Secretary of State, is formulating a plan to draft election poll workers. No details on who would be eligible for the draft and if they could refuse or if employers would be required to give people time off if called up.

NAACP Mahem?

Nate has a very detailed description of an incident at last week's NAACP meeting were Justin Jeffre was allegedly physically thrown out of the meeting.

She's a Gypsy, the Acid Queen

I made the trek out to Northside last night to check out a new place, the Gypsy Hut, located at Spring Grove and Dane. My attraction to this particular night has to with the band playing, the High and Low, almost as much as checking out a new venue. The band is becoming one of my new favorites of the hour. They have a mix of styles that give them a sound I really enjoy.

The show was good, but the atmospheres of the night were much more of the star. When we got there at about 11:00 PM we took a self guided tour of the place, which takes about 45 seconds, ending up in the main room, which is off to the left as you walk in the main door. It's a good sized room. While there I scanned the crowd looking for people I know or at least recognize from around. I saw no one I knew. I did see this odd looking fellow with straight shoulder length black hair and black Buddy Hollyesque glasses. I had to confirm with my friend that this indeed the bass player for the Greenhornes and Raconteurs, Jack Lawrence. The guitarist/singer for the Greenhornes and a former member were slated to be the DJs after the show. I honestly don't know if I could recognize the rest of either the Greenhornes or the Raconteurs, even Jack White not in costume. Jack Lawrence stands out. If the rest of the Greenhornes were there, I didn't know.

The Gypsy Hut is a nice dive. Pretty good selection of beers, there was no cover, and an interesting crowd of Northside/local music regulars makes for fun night out. Parking wasn't too bad, but there is only street parking in what is the edge of an industrial part of town. I spent a few moments watching a couple of trains drive by in the near distance while sitting by the front window. We had one of the only two tables in the front room, which is the place to be situated for watching the interesting hairstyles (blue feathers???, clothing choices (mostly rock-chic), and drunken flirting (not with or by me).

One of my friends described the image he first thought of when told about the new club in Northside. The image of a classic Pizza Hut building propped up on one side with a giant chicken leg is what came to mind. That might be a great graphic for the place to use, assuming they avoid the inevitable lawsuit.

The Gypsy Hut is a strong addition to the Northside Bar scene. It is a little bit of a hike away from the main hub on Hamilton Ave, but it may be the tipping point to establish the neighborhood as a rising locale for nightlife in Cincinnati.

Mallory Marches Against Iraq War

Mayor Mark Mallory is in DC today at the anti-war rally. Here's the press release:

Mayor Mark Mallory is attending a peace march in Washington, DC today. In DC for the Winter Meeting of the US Conference of Mayors, Mallory met up and marched with Councilman David Crowley and a delegation of over 100 Cincinnatians. The Cincinnati delegation was organized by the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, located in Over-the-Rhine. The group of citizens from all over the Cincinnati area traveled overnight on two buses to participate in the peace rally and march.



“I am here today with to support our troops and to stand up and say enough is enough. It is becoming increasingly clear that the situation in Iraq is not getting any better. I do not believe that putting more of our brave men and women in harms way is the best idea at this point,” Mayor Mallory said. “This war is draining resources from our cities around the country that we desperately need. We need those resources to keep our cities vibrant, healthy, and safe.”

It should be a who's who among national progressive politicos.

Top 10 Rejected Enquirer Niche Websites

Recently, the Enquirer launched a website called cincymoms.com, targeted at, you guessed it, Cincinnati moms.

10. cincythugs.com
9. cincyisbetterthannewport.com
8. cincypedophiles.edu
7. cincyCornholemoms.com
6. cincywestsideintellectuals.com
5. cincydrunkfratboys.net
4. cincyperverts.org
3. cincyfairweatherfans.com
2. cincypigcallers.net
1. cincyCornholedads.com

Smoking Ban Penalties Cover Smokers

Business Owners are not the only parties who can be sanctioned for violating the smoking ban, smokers can as well. The fines are much less, but $100 bucks for a second offense is still no bargain.

Here's Berding Looking Bad

The Enquirer Politics blog documents council infighting and nearly everything seems to involve Jeff Berding. Is Berding becoming Mr. Confrontation?

Sex Survey Battle - City Beat vs. Cin

City Beat has one.

CinWeekly has one.

Who Wins? Well, when it comes to sex, City Beat is going to come in first every time.

Best Of Cincinnati 2007 - Voting is Up

City Beat's Best Of Cincinnati 2007 is now accepting votes. Vote early and often! Don't forget your favorite Blog!

New Day to Day Enquirer Boss

Hollis Towns is the new executive editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Tom Callinan has moved upstairs to help manage the various Enquirer entities. Callinan has been in Cincinnati for 2 and a half years. He came from Kalamazoo (K-A-L-A-M-A I got a gal in Kalamazoo), MI. I don't see the Enquirer changing much, expect more of the same movement from news gathering entity to a press-release driven publication.

Cole Courting Westwood Concern

In what can be considered nothing but a total shock Cincinnati City Council Memember Laketa Cole spoke at Westwood Concern's January Meeting this week. I wonder if Mary Kuhl dared shake her hand?

Great Story from Greg Korte's Blog. It is good to see Greg on local politics again, especially this kind of a strange bedfellows occurrence.

Fountain Square Filling Up, But With Whom?

It is great news that Fountain Square has filled up the retail space with either signed leases or letters of intent. What we still don't know is who has signed on the dotted line.

Jan 30th Event!

For More hit the Ballet's Website.

Streetcar Reader Response

Yesterday's Enquirer had a series of letters discussing their weekend editorial about adding streetcars in Cincinnati. Interesting breakdown, there was only one outright anti-streetcar letter and it was from someone who lives in Sharonville. That's outside the City for the non-locals.

State of the Union

I didn't watch, listen, or read the State of the Union last night. Did anyone? Was it the usual BushCo drivel?

Ignorance

I applaud the attention the Southgate House got, but the reporter could have researched music venues in the area just a little bit more, instead of writing something like this:

"It only takes one visit to know that this isn't your typical music venue."

OK, what is a typical music venue? There are not that many to begin with in this city. None of them are typical, unless you want to count a typical bar with a typical cover band playing.

I don't like looking at a gift horse's mouth, but I'm irked. Was Kari Wethington consulted? Seriously, did they bother asking a fellow local reporter who likely goes to half of the shows at the Southgate house and other music venues around town? This type of problem is not uncommon to a majority of reporters, but this one is catching my wrath today.

No Courage On Mason City Council

In a sign that you can't question anti-Mexican bigotry in Warren Country, Mason City Council Caved into the 'Citizens for Legal Communities' demand to cleanse the City of Mason. They are going to study creating laws that are out of their jurisdiction, but Hell, if you can't quell your hate by oppressing others, why bother living?

'Minute Men' Take Root In Mason

'Citizens For Legal Communities' is not calling themselves a Minute Man group, but they might as well be with their level of bigotry. What is amusing, yet sad, is that the long line of idiots will likely chime in with their trite comments saying something to the affect "Why are you calling someone a bigot for wanting to enforce the law?" That is a diversion as is the effort to "enforce the law." Why are they picking this issue as a "legal" issue to focus on? That is the where the bigotry comes in. There is plenty of crime with real victims going on in this country. If 'Citizens For Legal Communities' wants to worry about law breakers, then they might help people more if they pushed on the government to solve white collar, fraud, and theft crimes.

Niche Enquirer

Ok, why does the tame, bland Enquirer have to target a publication to "Moms" when the rest of their publications pay tons of attention to mothers and children as it is? The problem with this site, it is not for Mothers, it is for Mothers who currently have young children. Where's the section for Mothers of 25 year olds? They are clearly moms too.

Traffic Is Flowing

As you can see, traffic in Mt. Lookout is flowing fine. Beechmont Ave is fine. When it turned into Linwood on to Delta it was ruffer, but very passable.

Yeah, It Snowed

It snowed in the Tristate and the world is coming to an end.

City Streetcars

The Enquirer Editorial board goes on and on about the concept of a streetcar system in the City, but they are worried about convincing people that we need them. Who are they worried about convincing? I think this quote answers my question:

But a new streetcar loop would require broad buy-in across this region. That's why it is important that the discussion be as broad, thorough and reasoned as possible.

We don't need the rest of the county or region to get this done and it will not get done if we have to rely on anyone outside the City. Unless this was a Street Car connecting Mason to West Chester, no one in Butler or Warren counties would do anything to help it. Non-City Hamilton County residents would have the same feeling about it. Leave it to the City and private sources to get this done. There is one cold fact around this area, if it doesn't affect you directly, then you don't care about it and won't fund it.

Hackett Cleared

Joe Deters did the right thing and publicly cleared Paul Hackett, something he didn't have to do. That likely is his way of making up for the leak of the incident allegedly being put before the grand jury.

The questions is still outstanding: who pushed for the investigation and why?

New Entertainment District: Fourth and Plum?

The makings are there now and will be increasing soon. Will 4th and 5th Streets be the hub of Cincinnati Nightlife? Granted, this club is going to be a high end niche place, but that high end market can drive things on. What other locations in the area are ripe for opening bars?

This article puts another nail into Main Street as entertainment district concept, but one thing that I am not sure if everyone is seeing with the decay of Main Street is that the Main Street horde split into its own splintered locales. This club will pull the heavy dollars of the "VIP scenesters" who have been highly sought after by many area establishments. Other crowds went their own way to Northside or Covington or Mt. Lookout or even back to Mt. Adams. This club alone will not bring back the horde, but if the volume of bars can match Mt. Street at it height it could bring back many, mostly those who you would classify as the Cin Weekly target market. Yea, that is not a pleasant thought, but that is business. (Thank Zeus for Northside!)

Bringing back the hipster crowd is likely a lost cause. That group overlaps with the creative class and that is of course the key to building up the city. What I think the powers that be still don't get is that encouraging the people that live here to break out of their bubbles and do something is not really that big of a help, at least not a long term plus. Getting people to move here from outside the area is what we need and what in the long run will work. Fourth and Plum will is a good foundation to have. You need a mainstream place for people to go. Just don't let the mainstream flood the vibrancy out of Downtown.

Austin Press for the Heartless Bastards

More recommendations of the Heartless Bastards.

Temporary Jail For Women

5 Council Members and Todd Portune have a plan to build a 500 bed jail. The big question that will surely cause conflict is WHERE will it be built. That was left out of the announcement. It likely was left out because that will be a very contentious point.

Other interesting note: The Jail will be for women.

Chris Bortz, Private Eye

There's a joke Tin here somewhere, but I don't have time this morning find one. Something with finding more arts funding maybe?

Desiring Streetcars!!!

This will be met by idiotic opposition but a streetcar system would be a great boost to the city and be a vital key connection between a successful Riverfront and Fountain Square District. I would expand its reach to Clifton, Northside, Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout, and the new Columbia-Tusculum Square. I would like to add Mt. Adams, but I don't think a street car could be used on the narrow winding streets.

Premium Condos Becoming Scarce - Where Are the Middle Market Condos?

On Sunday the Enquirer ran an interesting story about the current shortage of high end condos in the Downtown/Urban Core/Riverfront areas on both sides of the Ohio.

This is of course an overall positive sign for Downtown and Urban Core areas of the City. I don't know if it bodes as well for building up a wider socio-economic group of residents. If the goal is to building up residents of downtown, we'll have to take what we can get in the short run, but is that good for the long haul?

What downtown needs more of is not only high end, but middle or lower end condos. If you want to attract YP you must understand that the majority can't afford to buy a condo for 250,000 plus, when they can buy a house at the same price or less with at least twice the square footage. I don't know what writer Jeff Newberry defines as a YP person, but this paragraph gave me pause:

Market researcher and consultant Michael Dinn said the supply of central city condos is getting thin, especially those selling for between $200,000 and $300,000 that many young professionals can afford.

Newberry is likely using the old fashioned YP definition of Doctors and Lawyers.

What I feel has been the overall problem with the housing efforts in Downtown is that they focus on people making six figures ($100,000 and up for those a bit slow this morning). Single people making $40,000 to $99,000 would often jump at the chance to own property below Central Parkway, but can't afford the prices. Sure, those making closer to 100K could afford the higher end if they budget correctly, but that assumes they've been making that kind of money for a few years and have savings and other means to make that kind of purchase. Saying they should is the view from the realtor and developer, not from people thinking long term and not from those who don't want to see people lose their condo when they lose their job.

At some point the high end market will dry up. We need to think middle class here. The middle class makes a community, but they can't afford to start it.

Moralist

If you can't fulfill the duties of job, then change careers.

Wes Flinn Has Moved!

Well, his blog has moved to a new location. Adjust your blog rolls and favorites.

Cincinnati Magazine's Pork Roast 2007

The spit is ready, so enjoy The Pork Roast (pdf) from Cincinnati Magazine.

"It's On!"

Mega Coffeehouse Faux Pas

If there is something you just don't do to an independent coffee house, then it is to come into the establishment drinking Starbucks. Ok, sure, you purchased something, but sitting in a good coffeehouse while drinking McCoffeehouse brew is a sin to the coffee gods that can't be forgiven.

I am witnessing said act as I type. The two women are sitting very snobishly at the next table. If they don't gag on their quiche, it will be a miracle.

Irony

I believe a commenter in a prior thread asked me if I would allege that murder victim and anti-violence activist Richard Muhammad was involved in drugs. At the time, I assumed no, that he wasn't, an assumption that helped explain why the public remembrance and grief were so high.

Instead, I was totally wrong. Richard Muhammad was murdered during a drug deal gone bad. Muhammad had a crack cocaine problem, according to the coroner and police. It is a sad case, but not a unique case on the list of people murdered on Cincinnati streets. Most of those murdered were involved in buying or selling drugs. This is the underlying problem. To use a metaphor: if you don't put your hand in the fire, you won't get burned. This is not a 100% guarantee, but it is rather an indicated that people who don't buy or sell drugs shouldn't have irrational fear of being murdered in Cincinnati.

Grand Jury Leak?

Will there be an investigation into the alleged grand jury leak regarding Paul Hackett? His attorney would like to know (pdf).

This raises a couple good questions. Who tipped off the media to this story and why? How does anyone know the Grand Jury is investigating Hackett?

Shhhh! Don't Tell Larry Gross!!!!

Add another option for dinning and entertainment to downtown Cincinnati. I know this won't get much attention from City Beat's Larry Gross, so I'll make sure to spread the word here.


[Hat tip to CincyNation (yep, shocked me too)]

Smoking Ban Still Little Impact?

This article missed getting the Ohio side of the story so we still have no reports of a negative impact from the Smoking Ban. I was bowling last night (a 106 and a 119) at Madison Bowl and they still allow smoking, but not that many were actually smoking, so with every lane full it didn't seem to be a problem.

Beckham to USA

This reminds me a lot of Pele, but I welcome the influx of the world's most famous athlete playing in the MLS.

Escalation

Bad Move. I want to call Bush Don Quixote for his charging at wind mills, but he is just not a noble person.

Witch Hunt

Well, the Enquirer smells blood and are going after Paul Hackett too. Why don't we get any questions as to who and why this was put before the Grand Jury?

On the other hand, Hackett sounds like a bit of a hot head for allegedly keeping what was described as an "assault rife" load and within reach at 4 AM. If Paul wants to become a moderate Republican (some say he is), he might get nominated for something again in rural Ohio.

They Don't Have Metal Detectors

For all of the fear of Cincinnati Public Schools that exists outside and inside the City, a small fact needs to be known: CPD schools currently don't have metal detectors. I say this to make sure people know that the schools have been existing through riots, through poverty, and through much troubles, but they have protected students successfully without them. Monday's incident includes effort brave effort from Assistant Principal Dixon Edwards who did not shy away from his students and was put at risk for it.

I don't want metal detectors in our schools. If it saves a life, it may be needed, but I want to make sure people know that before the debate on getting them begins in earnest, it is 2007 and we don't have them. Other school districts in this country have had them for more than 20 years.

Playing Politics?

Someone is looking to nail Paul Hackett for allegedly showing a gun to a pack of dumb ass young adult males. These same young punk kids reportedly were in a car that hit and damaged Hackett's fence. This happened two months ago and is just now coming to light. It sounds like some parents over protecting their kids or trying to score a political point by pushing or likely exaggerating something to hurt Hackett.

If Hackett did this, well he'd be a putz.

Loving the Nati

Joe Wessels column from Saturday points us to some positive thinking about Cincinnati. It comes not from someone who has lived here their entire life, but instead only 18 months.

Check out Maggie Van Cantfort's Love Letters to Cincinnati project. Add your own thoughts about what you love about your city. If you hate the city, go back into your cave and cry some more.

A New Day For Ohio

This morning Governor Ted Strickland took the oath of office and ended the long rein of the GOP. It will be a long road to improve Ohio, but the Governor has the right attitude. How he is able to work with the GOP control legislature will be is true test and with them where the fate of progress rests.

Default Answer on Arts Funding

I've been left wondering about the details of the "Fiscal Five's" budget in regards to arts funding, but this article spells out what has been rumor. The City Budget cuts funding for arts programs to a sum of around $400,000. That money is, according to the article, going to be made up through a private grant from the Ralph and Carol Ann Haile Foundation. I hope this new foundation is open to all types of arts organizations. The article raises the most important question, will the city use this as a future excuse to permanently reduce funding?

Speaking of a Negative Press

Newspaper headlines drive eye balls and is part of the game, but I honestly would like to know what editor wrote this headline: "Ohio lags in student success rating," and ask them to justify manipulating the story. Read the first couple paragraphs:

A nationwide study released today shows that Ohio is ranked 27th in the nation for its students’ chances for success – below the national average – and 10th in the nation for K-12 achievement – well above the national average.

Kentucky ranks 41st in the nation for chances for success and 34th for K-12 achievement.

If Ohio is lagging, what about Kentucky? Ohio maybe had mixed results or disappointing results, but to say we are lagging is a monumental bias that has no basis in fact and no clear purpose. Maybe the headline in the Kentucky Enquirer was different, but somehow I doubt it. Cut the Laziness!

City Council - Election Year - Let the Beatings Begin

In case folks are forgetting, this year City Council is up for grabs. We have one member Term-limited out (Jim Tarbell) so at least one seat will be open for the taking.

Who is running or presumed to be running:
Greg Harris
Chris Smitherman
John Cranley
Laketa Cole
David Crowley
Cecil Thomas
Leslie Ghiz
Chris Monzel
Jeff Berding
Chris Bortz

Rumored to be running or names that have been put out there:
Charlie Winburn
Brian Garry
Damon Lynch III
Pete Witte
Wendell Young
Eric Wilson
John Eby
Sam Malone

Who else is possible or who else has actually announced?

Important News vs. Top News vs. Just Making Crap Up

I was very entertained by the many mistaken comments and posts about "Most Important News Stories of the Year" post on Sunday. Let me point out some of the fallacies and major misunderstandings people have raised and clarify several misrepresentations.

1. This was not a post of the "Top" news stories of the year. This was list of stories I believe were the most important to the Cincinnati region.
2. The Marcus Fiesel was tragic, sad, and horrible. It was way over-covered. It got national attention not because it was important, but because it was dramatic Most crimes like these always get lots of coverage because it sells more papers and gains more viewers.
   
3. I'll stand by my belief that those who are pushing the crackdown on illegal immigrants are doing this based in part on bigotry/hate/racism. Why? Simple - How is this crime (not even a state crime) more important than trying to stamp out theft? How many theft crimes go unsolved every year in Butler County? Those crimes affect people directly. You can make the argument that they are "taking our jobs," but honestly if illegial imigrants can live off lower wages, do as good (often better) than their native counterpart, then why can't the American workers in those industries keep up? They aren't and I don't know why. Much can be blamed on employers manipulating the situation, but in most cases it is not the big corporations doing it, it is the middle and small companies who seem more willing to risk the crime for increase profits. As soon as the Butler County sheriff has solved all state and local crimes and done much to prevent more from happening, then maybe he should worry about Federal Crimes like this.
   
4. The number of murders was over reported. It has no impact on us whether or not we broke a record. The difference in the number of murders from last year to this is is not significant. I did not say this was not news. It is just not an important issue to the community as a whole that we got 86 as opposed to 71 or 61. That is no solace for those killed, but I will say the hard truth, the vast majority of those killed where either selling or buying drugs or involved in other criminal acts. I did not say all and I am am not trying to demean the lives of innocent victims, but the numbers don't lie. Sure, you can throw up the names of the innocent people killed by scum bags, but that number is vastly less. Furthermore, just because there were innocents murdered does not mean the rest of us must quake and fear every time we walk outside, which is the real issue. No one needs to fear being murdered if they set foot inside Cincinnati. If you think that, you seriously need to change your thinking. I don't know how you could ever drive your car on the roads if you let the fear of getting into an accident guide you.
   
5. Yes, it is a problem that so many people are being murdered, but that doesn't mean Cincinnati is not safe. I am basically restating #3 above in a different way, but there are two issues to focus on. The number of murders is horrible, none-the-less it is safe to come to Cincinnati. That is not a contradiction, that is an intellectual analysis of the issue, not an emotional analysis based on ignorance and sensational news reports mean not to inform but to make you need to watch (your life may depend on watching the news so stay tuned for the next three hours and we'll tell you why).
6. Not all of my most important stories were all around positive. I acknowledged the death of Main Street and depending on your political preference, several stories could be positive or negative.
7. News for Larry Gross: Bengal Matthias Askew was acquited of the charges.

I'll add more if more insane comments arise.

In Order to Live, You Must Jab an Ice Pick into Your Head

A common mentality that runs through many segments of the Cincinnati region is one that posits Cincinnati is so horrible, the only way to do anything to improve the situation is to level it and start over. This mentality comes from both sides of the political spectrum.

One side would like to just like to see the city die and either force all of the poor people to leave the area or take over the jobs that will open up once the illegal immigrants are rounded up.

The other side thinks Cincinnati is so backward that you either have to kick out all of the corporations or all the white people or all the non-smokers until you can have an inbred circle-jerk of merriment before starting an organic freshwater oyster collective so fertile that it will provide income to all of the remaining residents of the City. Since so few would remain, it might work until someone wanted to actually use electricity, take a shower, or flush the toilet.

If you like the City and its see potential to be a great city, you are attacked, as I have been by Larry Gross and the many personalities of his few commenters as well as many others commenters on this site.

This is something I find hysterical. I get called a cheerleader and am accused of having my head in the sand. Me, the guy who lashes out, who trusts few, who is a cynic about nearly everything I read or view. Yes, I do emphasize the positives. I am trying to be a counterweight. I am trying to see the beer stein half full (or in our case 2/3rds full) for a change.

Cincinnati's number one problem is attitude. Too many people think it sucks here. Most in that camp have lived here their entire lives and resent that for various reasons. Someone comes along and counters their preconceived notion of truth and that rubs the wrong way. I challenge their ignorance, their apathy, and I don't hesitate to try and knock the chip off their shoulder. What none have done so far is shown that they have any answers. They whine about this or bitch about that, pivot the blame else where, but don't say much constructive.

I'm going to work on another post detailing where many of my commenters and Larry Gross got my year end post wrong, and I hope to demonstrate how they are seeing what I wrote through a jaded prizm. Not that my words will improve their contextual reasoning skills, but it can't hurt.

Being constructive doesn't hurt. Killing the baby in the bathwater hurts on multiple levels. I'll try to make sure to improve my clarity, but I hope others will want to succeed instead of wallowing in pithy comments.

Lazy R. Hines Fails to Report Blog Attack on Griffin

The haphazard website operator Rick Hines of Cincy Nation as of 2:30PM has failed to link to the outrageous blog attack from the Living out Loud Blog put upon local mild mannered blogger, Brian Griffin. Hines allegedly commented on the aforementioned blog post, but had yet found the time to link to the story itself. It is undetermined how many other of the comments are from Hines using fake names, but "questions remain" alleging that Hines is posting under multiple pseudonyms.

(cough, cough)

For the Inner Civic Wiki in All of Us

Hamilton County has opened Pandora's box. Will other governments follow suit?

[Via the Enquirer]

Happy New Year!

I didn't formulate any resolutions, but before the day is out I may make something up.