jacksparrow82

That makes no sense. The ballot language already includes the term streetcar.

Another article today on the Enquirer's site entitled "read the streetcar, other city referenda" They try to make it sound as if there's some sort of debate over what the anti rail ballot initiative will do if its passed. I wrote a letter to the editor explaining how clearly the ballot measure will effectively block all and any form of rail in this city for a generation. Let's see if they publish it. The last 2 letters I wrote were never published, yet multiple anti-streetcar letters are published weekly...

I think I've said this before...if the Enquirer and 700WLW were to just magically disappear forever Cincinnati would instantly become 100% better place to live. That station is a complete joke and is probably responsible for 98% of the ignorance people have in this city about politics and things like this project.

And if litigation is certain, Finney is certain to get paid. Hmm, now I see why he's involved in this!

What a bunch of morons! That's the only way to explain how anyone could believe a single word that comes out of that mans mouth. He wrote the amendment and now he's trying to convince people it was the mayor?

Agree totally with what you said and thats exactly what our local newspaper SHOULD be emphasizing to help educate the public.

So, I'm sure everyone has heard about the police officer who shot a armed suspect on fountain square this weekend and the similar incident up by findlay market the day before? Who wants to bet that in the next day or two the Enquirer will publish an article trying to site these two incidents as reasons not to build the streetcar? I'm waiting for it. Come on BH you know you want to!

I'm not a fan of demolishing old buildings and replacing them with ugly modern architecture, but I hope they at least replace these buildings with a quality structure, not a piece of sh** like the gateway building on 12th and Vine. I can't believe how poorly made that building is everytime I walk by it. The fake brick they used on the sides buckles out and all of the materials they used just look cheap.

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!!

Having a debate with Tom Luken is like going to a hospital psychiatric ward and trying to carry on a conversation with a paranoid schizophrenic who believes he's a superhero. A debate between the mayor and Tom Luken would either be insanely hilarious or insanely sad.

Its outrageous they even pay attention to that wacko. Again, I can't believe I live in a town that has a newspaper that's actually on the side of the most extreme, pyschotic, right wingers on the planet. This was supposed to be an exciting event aimed at showing everyone what Cincinnati has to look forward to in terms of its transportation options and instead the Enquirer turned it into a feeding frenzy for COAST nuts. Am I dreaming? Do we really have to deal with this crap?

Got an email today on my personal email account...."We will destroy your trolly folly boondoggle hopes and dreams in November" From "[email protected]" I have no idea how someone got my email account address but this is getting ridiculous. These people are mentally challenged.

Isn't there some kind of legal precedent that states you can't keep bringing up the same petition in a certain amount of time? Anyone can get 7500 on any issue. If they lose this one, whats to stop them from getting signatures again? Someone on here used to say, in reference to how stupid the ballot initiative process is, that if someone wanted to they could petition to have the city write everyone a check each christmas for 100,000K dollars and that if enough people signed it and it got on the ballot, it would pass and the city would go bankrupt forever. Its true. Its just as frivilous as people suing each other over the stupidest things imaginable.

Exactly. And leave it to B. H. and the Enquirer to make sure everyone hears their stupidity loud and clear while making sure they hardly mention any ounce of sane, reasonable thought regarding this project. Even though I've been following this project now for at least the last 4 years it never ceases to amaze me how persistant our own local newspaper is in constantly trying to destroy a project that's designed to improve our city and help us get out of yearly deficits. Its like people here enjoy seeing the city struggle. Unbelievable. I still think we have a darn good chance at absolutely destroying them at the polls, but I have to say, if for some reason this ballot measure actually passes I will have no choice but to look into relocating. I just can't stay in a city that has that sort of ridiculous language in its constitution. We'll be seen as an absolute joke to the rest of the country. Not only that, but who would want to invest money in this city when we're gauranteed to have no choice in transportation other than automobiles for the next generation? Its absolutely crazy to stop and think about that. I really can't even believe we have to deal with something this insane!!!

The enquirer is already trying to create havoc about the city putting up the signs tomorrow. Figures. http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2011/08/15/city-to-put-up-streetcar-station-signs-tuesday/

Its funny that if you read through the comments on Smitherman's wall posts on FB there's a bunch of people who comment something along the lines of "great job! I wish I lived in the city so I could vote." Something tells me that they don't really mean that. Anyway, it would be nice if they would do a very thorough validation of all of those signatures. I doubt we'll get that though. Its time to start campaigning against this ridiculous measure. Hopefully we'll be hearing from CFP soon. Everyone on this board needs to volunteer for going door to door when the time comes. Do it at least once. I really believe it makes a HUGE difference. We are all capable of talking sense into people in an educated, professional manner. My wife and I did it last time and it really wasn't very difficult. Most people were very friendly and open to hearing what we had to say. There were only a few people who didn't want to hear anything about it and another few who just acted like they didn't have time to talk. Everyone else, however, listened to what we had to say and seemed quite supportive of our cause once we talked.

I'm ready. The "other side" will be laughing in his face AGAIN after this election is over.

Heck I'll just post it here for anyone insterested: A M E N D M E N T (Streetcar Spending) TITLE: AN AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF CINCINNATI TO PREVENT SPENDING TO BUILD AND OPERATE A STREETCAR SYSTEM THROUGH THE YEAR 2020. TEXT: Be it resolved by the people of the City of Cincinnati that a new Article XVI of the Charter is hearby added as follows: Section 1. The City shall not spend or appropriate any money on the design, engineering, construction or operation of a Streetcar System, or any portion thereof. Further, the City shall not incur any indebtedness or contractual obligations for the purpose of financing, designing engineering, construction or operating of a Streetcar System, or any portion thereof. Section 2. This Amendment applies from the date it is certified to the Charter, and will continue in effect until December 31, 2020. This Amendment will have no force or effect after December 31, 2020. Section 3. For purposes of this Amendment, (i) the term “Streetcar System” means a system of passenger vehicles operated on rails constructed primarily in existing public rights of way, (ii) the term “City” includes without limitation the City, the Manager, the Mayor, the Council, and the City’s various boards, commissions, agencies and departments and (iii) the term “money” means any money from any source whatsoever. Section 4. In the event that any provision of this Article XVI is found to be unconstitutional or impermissibly in conflict with state or federal law, only such provisions found to be unconstitutional or impermissible will be stricken, and the remainder of this Article XVI will remain in full force and effect. The following persons are designated as a Committee to represent the petitioners in all matters relating to the petition or its circulation. Robert W. Buechner, 2475 South Rookwood Court, Cincinnati, OH 45208 Thomas E. Brinkman, Jr. 3215 Hardisty Avenue, Cinicnnati, OH 45208 Michelle Edwards, 7309 Scottwood Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45237 Mary Kuhl, 2436 Homestead Place, Cincinnati, OH 45211 Christopher Smitherman, 1000 Lenox Place, Cincinnati, OH 45229

Here's a link to the language as printed on the petitions: http://www.cincinnatiansforprogress.com/Amendment.asp

Oh my god kids are getting stupider every year!

Well, unless we get incredibly lucky and they've collected a bunch of invalid signatures, I'm sure its going to make the ballot. Which means we have some serious work to do again this summer/fall. Looks like I'll be knocking on doors again trying to explain to people why we can't let this ballot measure pass. Hopefully facebook/twitter will be a big help as well. As I've said before, there are a lot more young people living in OTR now then there were in 2009 and that means we have a lot more people on our team this time. Hopefully they'll be up for a fight as well.

That's hilarious. These people don't even know what they are collecting signatures for. It amazes me the amount of complete ignorance people in this city have on the subject.

If the Enquirer were to just completely go out of business that would be the greatest day in Cincinnati's history. I honestly dream of such a day.

Horstman trying to rally more support for Smitherman: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20110807/NEWS0108/108080308/Streetcar-foes-rally-just-time They've only gathered an additional 734 signatures in the last week and they only have 2 days left!

Nice write up. If only we could get the whole city to read it...