urbanpioneer

Quimbob, that photo is absolutely priceless. It sure doesn't look like 8 feet to me. I gotta say it -- this bogus controversy about manhole clearance is reminding me of an old joke about why women have poor perception of measurements...

I have to agree. Now that The Enquirer has said what it should've said long ago about the ballot issue language, I suspect it'll revert to the the usual way it's been covering the Streetcar. I doubt if the obviously-biased Horstman's been taken off the story, even though others have been doing more of the reporting of late. I hope I'm wrong. In addition -- and much to the detriment of our community -- the paper's aggrandized Smitherman. It'll be interesting to see if it officially endorses his candidacy.

Sorry to be repetitive but please vote in this poll. And tell your friends. Granted, it's not scientific but it is symbolic. You'll have to scroll down to the bottom left side of the page to find it: http://www.local12.com/default.aspx

WKRC poll (hope the link works): http://www.local12.com/default.aspx

I worry most about how The Enquirer continues to aggrandize the unworthy Smitherman. The paper is foisting a self-serving psycho onto our entire community.

Gee I can't imagine why (in light of the absolutely relentless and intellectually-dishonest campaign the daily newspaper has waged against it) local businesses may be reluctant to take a stand in support of the Cincinnati Streetcar :roll: Honestly, who can blame them? Why would any company that sells apparel or toothpaste or foodstuffs or airline tickets or insurance, etc., risk offending consumers -- especially in these tough economic times?

I agree that this article is pretty balanced compared to most of the streetcar fare served up by The Enquirer. But I also agree with those who've pointed out the provocative language in it. IMO the main reason this article appeared is to keep the debate alive (thus the loaded words) because it's in The Enquirer's interest to do so -- its streetcar articles are typically the most-commented upon on their website. I haven't checked the site and don't intend to -- I'M STILL BOYCOTTING IT. The naysayers will never be convinced and I'm tired of reading their ignorant and asinine remarks. That The Enquirer seemingly gives Smitherman and Finney the same status as the Mayor, councilmembers and expert consultants is utterly ridiculous and disingenuous.

Contrary to the assumption that streetcar opponents brought about this latest episode, I suspect it all has much more to do with Mayor Mallory being a possible political rival to Kasich than anything else. Do the math -- Mallory is term-limited and will be free to pursue state-wide office by the time Kasich is up for re-election. I have a feeling the governor doesn't want to do anything that could make Mallory look good.

This was on the front page above the fold in The Enquirer today and explains the State's rationale in denying funds in spite of the Streetcar's high ranking by the TRAC board. Essentially, the article states rank isn't the only criteria for allocating funds. BTW I'm continuing my boycott of cincinnati.com.

Up until now, I've usually commented once or twice on each anti-streetcar item in The Enquirer. But I'm wondering if it wouldn't be smarter to completely ignore them from now on? Here's why: their anti-streetcar pieces are usually at or near the top of their most-commented list. If streetcar proponents didn't chime in and trigger debate, there'd end up being MUCH fewer comments from opponents -- some Amen-like remarks and that would be it. Besides, the ability to give a thumbs up or down to each remark is merely a device to assure that commenters will visit the site even more frequently. I'm mindful it's in The Enquirer's financial interest to boost hit counts, and I could be wrong but there seems to be more advertizing on their site lately. So, I no longer want to play their game and essentially contribute to their financial wherewithal. Cancelling print edition subscriptions to The Enquirer has been talked about here on UO but it's my contention that boycotting their website may hurt just as much if not more.

^He isn't known as The Windbag for nothing!

Hats off to those who continue to fight the good fight. Times always change. Gas prices are rising. Kasich's poll numbers are falling.

I don't see why a large part of the streetcar loop can't be built. It's not like a withdrawl of state support means there'd be zero funds in place - quite the contrary. Getting up the hill out of the basin has been a problematic aspect from the start, plus the total length of the plan was ambitious -- longer than any other first phase so far. A downtown-only circulator would still achieve economic development in OTR, would still address downtown parking problems, would still connect most of downtown's major attractions, etc.

HUGE HUGE crowd at Grammer's tonight!

Awesome job on Ch. 12's Newsmakers Jake! Host Dan Hurley seemed very impressed too -- no mean feat since he's a fellow historian.

Ch. 5 news covered the Streetcar issue last night and I was shocked to hear Tom Brinkman begin his opposing comments by saying "Cincinnati is a dying city". Now, times have definitely changed all over, and downtowns just about everywhere aren't the retail hubs they once were, but I don't understand how anyone who looks at downtown Cincinnati objectively can say it's dying. The Banks, expansion of the beautiful riverfront parklands, Fountain Square renovation, new Government Square, Convention Center expansion, new Western & Southern skyscraper, new Contemporary Arts Center, The Aronoff, soon-to-be-remodelled Music Hall and Washington Park, new School for the Creative & Performing Arts, Gateway, etc., etc., etc. all defy his characterization. Brinkman, Smitherman, Finney and Luken are like some self-appointed Death Panel.

BTW it's just my opinion but I fail to see the wisdom of spelling out any strategies on this or any other publicly-accessible site. Unfortunately The Enquirer continues to AGGRANDIZE Smitherman and provide him a prominent forum. Anyone can see he's been using the NAACP to further his personal political ambitions, with the help of his main enabler, The Enquirer. And what does The Enquirer get in return besides a higher-frequency of hits on its website when it runs a Streetcar or Smitherman article? It scores points with and offers affirmation to its suburban/exurban readership by portraying Cincinnati politics as a 3-ring circus led by Bozo-in-chief Smitherman, as well as perpetuating myths it thinks its suburban readers believe in: that urban living is less desirable and less in demand than it really is, and that it requires more subsidy than suburban living. Simply put, The Enquirer panders to its subscribers.

OMG, I just read the comments and "COAST" has posted opposition. So, COAST is apparently now opposed to TAX CREDITS -- what an unbelievable lack of integrity.

I actually thought the articles were pretty good and better than I expected. Avid transit geeks may not have found them to be informative enough but they don't represent the majority of Enquirer subscribers, most of whom are rather clueless about public transit. While it was an ad hominem dig to characterize some young supporters as glassy-eyed and messianic, I loved when Horstman wrote S. Louis "sniffed" that the streetcar was John Schneider's fantasy. I thought showcasing Brad Thomas (always love his photos) next to Tom Luken was a good illustration of generational differences in attitudes about the project. Brad won and the tough old pork chop lost. And even though I'm an ardent supporter, I can't really argue with the notion that it's a gamble. Only time will truly tell. Hopefully most of us who've promoted the Cincinnati Streetcar will prove the naysayers wrong and help to assure its success by using it frequently, and/or moving to a residence near the alignment, or maybe even investing in OTR real estate.

Thanks, Jake. I appreciate the more-recent photo of the Literary Club (what was I thinking?). The Ohio Bookstore on Main Street published "Kramer's Pictorial Cincinnati" a long time ago that included photos of various buildings and landscapes circa the 1890's. I just popped into the bookstore but sadly, they no longer have any copies.

Before the most recent remodeling, the Main Branch of the Public Library used to have this entire panorama displayed on a first floor wall, behind the service desk. I always loved looking at it. Jake, is the Literary Club the 3-story building with what looks like a Palladium window above the doorway, to the left of a stepped-up white building? If not, can you try to pinpoint it for us? A good friend of mine lives in the oldest house (pre-dates the Civil War) in Mt. Adams at the corner of St. Gregory and Hill Streets. I think it's in the daguerrotype -- it's kind of a Greek Revival style.

This is a great, GREAT day for Cincinnati! Many thanks to Mayor Mallory, his administration, City Council and all of the supporters who've worked so hard on this issue. The dream of a better urban core will soon become reality. The Queen City can now afford to polish some of the jewels in its crown. For those who haven't seen it yet, The Enquirer article is short and perfunctory. Many of the comments following it are, as usual, totally berserk.

The triptych of criticism of Issue 9 in The Enquirer today is an awesome work of art. Each article makes very important points for voters to consider next Tuesday. Thank you Brad Thomas, Judge Painter, Don Mooney and John Schneider for your important and thoughtful input on this issue. The article by Mark Miller on the same page continues to make the claim that, "The only way for citizens to have their voices heard on the streetcar is to vote "yes" on Issue 9" (emphasis mine). Voters having the opportunity to choose a mayor and full City Council FOUR DAYS FROM NOW betrays this assertion. Furthermore, it's ridiculous and hypocritical for those working so hard to oppose rail to, at the same time, complain about the under-utilization of the riverfront transit center!

I've never appreciated the architecture (and sidewalks and streets for that matter) in downtown Cincinnati more than after a visit to Mason to attend a tennis tournament. Maybe I've missed something up there.

Just a thought... the cause could stand the use of eye-catching, attractive posters for businesses -- or anyone -- to display. They should include a web address or two for viewers to get up to speed on the issue, but most importantly they should artistically convey some simple message like any effective poster does, i.e. (off the top of my decidedly uncreative head) One Small Step For Transit, One Giant Leap For Cincinnati.