AFL-CIO Council Endorsements

CityBeat has reported the Union's endorsement list for Cincinnati City Council. I hope those not happy with the fiscal five understand that the AFL-CIO endorsed two of that lot: Berding and Cole. Why was Wendell Young not endorsed? I know they have to love Smitherman for his anti-business stance on the Banks project, but does that warrant dumping Young?

Anti-Jail Tax Has the Signatures

Surprisingly the motley crew of stumbled their issue onto the ballot.

Why isn't anyone questioning the deadline to turn in signatures they appeared to determine on their own?

Top TwoThree Best Blogs Announced

I thought this was supposed to be after today's conference, but a big congratulations go out to Drew Steinbrecher and Michelle Lentz for their respective blogs www.drew-o-rama.com/designcincinnati and www.wine-girl.net, who "tied" for best blog.

I guess they are giving away three iPones since the article lists Kevin Dugan of prblog.typepad.com, as the Chamber member winner.

Vote for CityBeat's Theatre CEAs

The 11th Annual event takes place on Monday August 27th. I can't find the voting deadline anywhere, but it surely is very soon so hit the CEA website and get your vote in.

Made The Enquirer

The Top Ten Cincinnati blogs hit the Enquirer today. There are some really good blogs out there. Most of the other nine I've read before, but not all. Hit the link and have a read. I'll likely add most of these to my blogroll. If you are the 10 best, you deserve to be on the blogroll.

Top 10 Cincinnati Blogs

The Chamber has announced their top 10 (not in order):

The Top 10 Best Blogs In Cincinnati USA As Named
By The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber And CincyTechUSA

"Building Cincinnati," blogger Kevin LeMaster, coverage of Cincinnati development news, http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com

"Cincinnati Blog," blogger Brian Griffin, political and progressive news and opinion in Cincinnati, http://cincinnati.blogspot.com/

"DesignCincinnati," blogger Drew Steinbrecher, design and architecture highlights around the region, http://www.drew-o-rama.com/designcincinnati

"Fort's Cancer Sux," blogger Melissa McLaughlin, Melissa's (Fort's) inspiring journal of her quest to beat stage-four breast cancer, http://fortscancersux.blogspot.com

"Freckle Photo," blogger Melissa Speelman, outstanding photo journal by a local art teacher documenting her family, friends, and classroom activities, http://www.frecklephoto.com

"Each Note Secure," blogger Joe Long, WOXY.com staffer who has his finger directly on the pulse of the music world in Cincinnati USA and beyond, http://www.eachnotesecure.com

"Lance McAlister," blogger Lance McAlister, arguably the premier overall sports blog in Cincinnati USA and the No. 1 fan site of Pittsburgh-bound lightning bolt Valerie Abati, http://1530homer.com/pages/lancesBlog.html

"My Wine Education," blogger Michelle Lentz, very tasty site about the local and worldwide wine scene, http://www.wine-girl.net

"Patent Baristas," blogger Stephen Albainy-Jenei, provides pertinent information about intellectual property topics, http://patentbaristas.com

"Strategic Public Relations," blogger Kevin Dugan, insights on the latest in PR developments and issues locally and globally, http://prblog.typepad.com

The two over all winners will be announced on Thursday. Good luck to all!

More here.

Latest Round of Nate v. CityBeat

With this blog post Kevin Osborne appears to be debating Nate, not reporting news. If this is only blog content and doesn't make the print edition, that's fine. It doesn't help his journalistic reputation by getting involved into a high level flame war. My advice, don't stoop to Nate's level. Nate may be wrong on a minor point, but his overall position on the issue was correct. Quiveling over minor points is petty.

Big Mo

You want evidence of the revitalization of Downtown? Well, the Front Page of Today's Enquirer provides exhibit A: huge growth in the backstage/Fountain Square area. This is a great first step. The next step is to build up the number of residents. It will take more people living in Downtown/OTR to then increase the retail. It sounds simple. It will take time and follow through.

Come on in, the water's fine

I'm not inviting you to my new home in Over-the-Rhine (let's be real), but I invite you to join me in moving to the general Downtown area. I closed on my condo this past week, so I have taken the full plunge into being part of the revitalization that has gained huge amounts of steam. No matter how many people have huge anti-city bricks on their shoulders, we shall succeed in improving the urban core of Cincinnati.

OK, some of you will scoff at this. I guess your fears run your life or you are already 95 years old or act like it and don't want leave your house, except to go get your hair cut or make the early bird special at Denny's. For the rest of you who think you really can't make that change or are just a little concerned, make the leap, it will be worth it.

Breen on Locals

A very nice blog post from CityBeat's Mike Breen on the local music scene. I chuckled heavily at his contemplation of what the hell is the name of the bar on Spring Grove with the alchemize sign on it. Over all Mike digs into the fun and promising elements of Cincinnati's Music scene. Guess what, there is life after the Heartless Bastards and Greenhornes!

Keep in mind Midpoint is coming up. It is not too early to plan ahead. Check out the fest here: www.mpmf.com.

Best Blog

You know you want to nominate me for the Cincinnati USA's Best Blog Competition.

Smitherman Liberation Front

I am waiting for the Liberation Front for Smitherman to issue a contrary press release the counter the revolutionary action the Smitherman campaign has undertaken. Smitherman now has put himself into such a small box, he will be lucky to break 15th place in the race. He has alienated 3/4ths of his potential constituency, and I do see that 1/4th with much drive to come out and vote.

Molly Malone Confusion

Ok, how does this Molly Malone buying Jack Quinn's relate, if at all to the Molly Malone's in Pleasant Ridge. According to the article, I would guess no direct relationship, but??

It is great news that Jack Quinn's is opening up and again. The footnote on a possible replacement for Donna's is great for this corner of Covington.

Smitherman Insanity Continues

Nate takes on Smitherman his blogger by proxy Jason Haap. The battle at this point is rather one sided. Say what you want about Nate (there are many problems with his actions and views), but he is a smart guy, much smarter than the Beacon crowd. It is rather like a joust, but with meek men without the honor. It is still entertaining.

Where is Bronson's Anti CCV Article?

Peter Bronson once again whines about personal liberty but does nothing to oppose the anti-liberty CCV. If Bronson wants to support liberty so much, I ill be waiting for he column against the CCV crusade against porn and gays. It will not appear, but I'll wait to say he gives a damn about liberty until then.

NAACP Says Smitherman Should Step Down

First, don't doubt a Judge. Second, the NAACP national office has told the Enquirer that policy requires Smitherman step down now as President of local NAACP, at least until the outcome of the election is known. Then the local organization would determine if he could continue to serve as President.

The Enquirer blog post does note that the NAACP spokesman did change his story from prior contact, so the blame for the mixed up information falls at the feet of Richard McIntire.

Hire Someone, Will Ya?

In the story about the suspenstion of three Job and Family Services Workers there is a small detail that should be the focus of the problem with how the 3,500 cases in the system are administered:

Hamilton County recently implemented reforms to improve operations at the Department of Job and Family Services.

However, they point to the fact each case worker handles about 25 cases a piece, higher than the national average. On top of that, there is a thirty percent vacancy rate in the department.

What is preventing the County from hiring people to fill an understaffed department? A few open positions is natural for any organization, but nearly ONE THIRD of the department? If these position are needed and they are budgeted, FILL THEM NOW! We don't need to endanger more kids because we have a slow hiring process.

Anyone See This?

I ask if anyone saw the people having sex in the Central Parkway Median, but I understand that you may be filled with too much of a mix of disgust and uncontrollable giggles to reply. I would also surmise the "couple" was not very attractive, so that might have left witnesses with haunting images that they would rather forget.

Seriously, what the hell were these people thinking? When people say "Get a Room" in this case I don't think he could have had more of a poignant meaning.

Brinkman Called a Criminal

State Rep. Tom Brinkman Jr.(R) was chastised by Republican Judge Ruehlman for his culpability in the election fraud two women plead guilty to on Thursday. Brinkman and his CCV allies have faced harsh criticism for the false signatures submitted in an effort to remove the City Ordinance protecting Gay and Lesbians from discrimination. Here is what the Judge had to say about Brinkman:

“He’s the real criminal,” Ruehlman said. “What he did is terrible, almost defrauding. A layer of foundation of our democracy is voting and free elections. To cheat the voting system… he’s a state rep on top of that…”

Now, if for some strange reason Tom gets into the race for Congress, I expect to see the phrase "He’s the real criminal" repeated again and again and again.

CityBeat Fires Back

Kevin Osborne fires back in the ongoing disagreement over whether Chris Smitherman is allowed to run and hold office while President of the local NAACP.

If he is allowed to or not by the National NAACP is in the end a red herring. The fact that Smitherman wants both jobs is a clear sign he is not a good candidate for either position. Pick your battles and pick your focus.