Joe Wessels: Justin Jeffre Running

Joe Wessels is reporting that Justin Jeffre is running for city council. I have no idea why he is doing this. This would be the third time he has run for a Cincinnati area public office. His name recognition hasn't been enough for him to make any significant dent in actually getting votes. There are no reports that he will be able to raise any money, so I see this as a replay of his run for Mayor. He still is not on the ballot, so, there is no guarantee he will make the deadline for signatures a week from Friday.

Joe's Post article today will have more on the rest of the field.

UPDATE: Westender brings up a great question on comments: Is Jeffre getting the Green Party Endorsement?

Midpoint Schedule Is Out

The Midpoint Music Festival has announced the showcase schedule for all bands during the festival.

Mike Breen has more on the conference and pre-parties.

Long Tall Cincy

UncleRando asks a good question Is a New Signature Tower Needed here in Cincinnati? I would would parse this question into two distinct parts. First, does the Cincinnati Skyline Needs a new high point? Second, does Cincinnati's office space market needs another skyscraper?

Wendell Young In It To Win It

Joe Wessels is doing great first hand reporting and the news that Wendell Young is not stepping aside for Roxanne Qualls. Read all about it on Joe's blog.

Questions: Will Cooper or Garry be asked to step down? Garry has a team out campaigning and has been visible. I've not seen much from Cooper yet.

More Qualls Fallout

Joe Wessels is reporting that the Dems may endorse Roxanne Qualls for Council. That would mean one candidate would not retain that endorsement. Joe reports the rumor that Wendell Young will be stepping down as a candidate. Young was a long shot candidate, who has not be garnishing much attention.

Will a double endorsement help, hurt, or do nothing for Qualls?

Art Academy Growing

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is expanding its campus with the recent purchase of the building adjacent to their Jackson St. location. This new building at the corner of 12th and Walnut was most recently owned by Fifth Third Bank.

The article doesn't indicate when this new building will open, but with it the 12th street Arts corridor increases its footprint.

Turn Them In

Nothing should be stopping people from turning in the mindless thugs who killed a 19 year old kid and defiled the efforts of hundreds of people to have a day of peace and community building. Solving the violence problem in Cincinnati starts with those who know about this crime (and other like it), turning in the criminals. You don't have a functional community if you don't adhere to the most serious law on the books, murder. Avondale and Evanston are two good communities infested with fear and ignorance that keeps murderers on the streets. I truly hope they are caught quickly.

It's Roxanne

Roxanne Qualls is the pick to to replace Jim Tarbell on City Council on September 3rd.

Qualls is believed to be a lock now for a council win. This hurts ever incumbent but Cranley, to a degree. Some think Bates, Harris, and Kaup will actually benefit from Qualls' coattails. I don't know if Council Race have significant coattails, but if Charter groups the candidates together, there might be a growing voting block that could help. This will not help Bate or Kaup with money.

Local Business Group Fronted by GOP

You are not going to get much more of a hardline Conservative than Steve Chabot's chief of staff. Chabot's office hasn't been doing anything the last 8 years to promote the City of Cincinnati or Downtown, so I don't see Gary Lindgren doing much to improve Downtown or anywhere in the City.

The CBC should be a group pushing for Street cars and light rail. Will this guy do anything to help that along? I don't know, but expect him not to push for anything that would improve the way of life that doesn't fit a conservative agenda. If I am wrong about that, it will be a welcomed surprise.

Forty Under 40

This year's Business Courier of Cincinnati Forty Under 40 winners have been announced.

Tarbell to Resign

Jim Tarbell is reportedly resigning from Council.

The Enquirer has the story. Speculation will now fly as to whom will be appoint to council. The assumption is that it will be either Joan Kaup or Melanie Bates. I will not be betting on Joan Kaup. Word on the street is that she's not the pick. Logically she is heir apparent to Tarbell on the issues. She is the top advocate for Downtown, OTR, and arts currently running. The PTB may see Bates as more of an establishment candidate and better able to capitalize on being an incumbent. Would she have to resign from the School Board? If it is not one of these two, then Charter is corrupt.

Also, Who is going to be the next Vice Mayor? Cranley?

Sheriff's In Town

Has Over-the-Rhine changed over the last year? One place I don't see a real change is in front of the Jordan market at 12th and Main Street.

Who Wrote the Headlie?

Bias in the media comes in many ways. One way is in the language that is used. In today's Enquirer we get this headline Unborn baby dies in wreck. The article lead reads as follows:

"A woman was seriously injured and her fetus died in a two-car accident on U.S. Route 50 in Clermont County on Saturday, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol."

I would like to know if the Editor who wrote this headline would come forward and explain why "unborn" was used instead of "fetus" and why the injury of the women doesn't rate part of the headline? This plays into the propaganda war that has surrounded the abortion debate. In Cincinnati it is my opinion that the local media, particularly the Enquirer, either have editors putting their bias into headlines or story choice, or if not their own opinion, they are playing into the significant extreme anti-abortion readership in the Cincinnati area.

UPDATE: The updated Store on Monday had an updated headline: Crash kills unborn child.

Pete, Please Excuse This

Via comments here's a video slide show opposing all current and former elected officials running for Cincinnati City Council. It is is a totally improbable and unwise to have 9 members of council with no experience in public office trying to run the city. That might be the Mayor's Dream, but it would be disaster. The video is fun, though.

Cincy Blues Fest Tonight and Saturday

Don't forget to check out the Cincinnati Blues Festival tonight. This year one of the highlights is the King Records Tribute Stage, which occurs tonight. For info, check out Cincyblues.org.

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.