natininja

Mann and Flynn need to go, too. Murray is also vulnerable, since she got in by only 900 votes. I don't think recalling Smitherman or Winburn would be very fruitful. They have a constituency, and everyone knew what they were getting with them.

Someone PLEASE seek injunctions based on (1) Smitherman ethics investigation, and (2) the possibility that appropriations for new expenditures do not rule out referendum.

Let the petitions fly.

John S., you do have a stake in the matter, as someone considering investing in the city. It helps to have voices from outside the bubble, so I hope you continue contributing to the conversation.

Oh you forgot the $120 million to operate it over 30 years that they are starting to hammer into peoples heads. Question from a non-resident: Why is so much emphasis put on Streetcar annual operating deficits? Is there any solid data from cities with existing streetcar systems to validate this $4 million or more per year projected deficit? Given that OTR is a popular tourist destination as well as The Banks new development how did the guesstimate of an operating deficit originate? Moreover, looking at this situation, wasn't the time to cancel the project BEFORE the city invested a dime in bricks and mortar not after millions have been pumped into it? I understand the Streetcar project survived two public referendums so not much of a convincing argument can be made that cancellation was the will of the people. It seems cancelling the project now is like barricading the barn door long after the cows have gotten loose and scattered. Therefore, to those who scoff at Streetcar project supporters and base their opposition on arguments of fiscal/financial responsibility; is a project cancellation the financially prudent path now or would it not be better to complete phase one and put ridership revenue to a real world test? I suspect and I'm sure many here would agree that this issue is really about ideology and/or local politics and is far less about financial prudence. The ghost of old Boss George Cox is probably smiling down on this debacle from somewhere. I'm personally most bothered by the information being shared that as many as 200 construction workers are being pink-slipped for Christmas just as the Holidays are now upon us. The new Mayor has shown little inclination to compromise in any way perhaps taking his cue from Congressionally gridlocked Washington. The day will come when cooler minds must prevail because compromise is the foundation everything our country is built upon. Without compromise, we cannot have a civilized society. I wish the new mayor and his supporters the best but urge them to put the needs of their city and its voters ahead of their own political/ideological agenda. Cincinnati wants to be perceived as a progressive city and surely shooting down the signature accomplishment of the previous city administration is not the best way to accomplish that. That's my 2 cents worth. It's a rhetorical tactic. unusualfire was parroting (and mocking) one of the new council members (Amy Murray), who was using the total 30-year operating cost to show how allegedly expensive the project will be. Of course, she completely ignored the professional and academic studies noting that the ROI is multiple times greater than the expenses. Even if these estimates were significantly off the mark, the ROI is certainly greater than zero, but it doesn't serve Murray's purpose to admit there will be any return, whatsoever. You are preaching to the choir in your analysis of the situation. It's a relatively minor project, which the local media, opportunist politicos, and gullible citizens have whipped into a civil war, to disastrous effect.

I wonder if the 5th/3rd Bancorp CEO was talking about Mark Miller and Chris Finney when he said "We will leave it to the transportation experts to determine whether these key objectives are best accomplished by a streetcar system, an expanded bus network or other solutions."

Ironic how Republicans and the American and Cincinnatian right have essentially become anti-business.

I prefer Simpson to anyone else. She is an amazing person, intelligent, progressive, etc. I agree we would miss her as a council member, though, which I think Ryan was getting at.

Run Simpson or Young.

For people, like me, who have been boycotting and avoiding reading the Enquirer, I will mention that they have been presenting rational discussion of, and even support for, the streetcar project over the past few days. I am reading the paper again, and I urge you to do so. Reward the positive and punish the negative.

DAVEINCINTI is a troll. The "yes means no" argument is completely moronic. It relies on the assumption that the people who wanted to vote "no" (against the streetcar) but voted "yes" outnumber the people who wanted to vote "yes" (for the streetcar) but voted "no," which is essentially an argument that streetcar opponents are stupider than streetcar proponents. It also ignores the fact that the people who drafted the initiative (who came up with the language to be used) were the leaders of the opposition -- which means, if anything, the language was designed to trick people into voting for the measures (e.g. by including the word "streetcar" in an initiative which was much broader). The argument that Mallory did not make the case for the streetcar is moronic. It relies on the assumption that the local media did not spin their coverage, to make the streetcar controversial, to increase readership, to increase revenue. Which is 100% disingenuous. DAVEINCINTI might as well be banned from this board for trolling. He is trying to arouse emotions from people using arguments he knows to be bullsh!t.

Ha. Good luck. I like that comments will be subscriber-only. Should clean out many of the idiots.

So the new administration wants to gamble an additional $15m in order to embarrass the previous administration. Smart. Classy.

Any truth to the rumor that the "assassination threat" was given by an "opposition plant?"

Is there anything showing the current OSU president is doing things differently? The whole OSU-State Government marriage is really disgusting.

I can't watch anymore. this is completely disgusting. I would pay good money to find out what the REAL reasons are behind these votes, because they're sure as hell not in good-faith interest of the city. Someone needs to file for an injunction PRONTO while the Ohio Ethics Board reviews whether Smitherman has a conflict of interest. That or some heavyweights in the business community pitching a major b!tch to Cranley are the only way I see this going forward.

The fix is in. There is no amount of data which would change these peoples' minds.

We (I) think that is true, but the full truth is no one knows. What is more "known" to be true is that repeal of the ordinance passed by the old council to continue construction on time would be subject to referendum. What is not known is what a law contradicting, but not repealing, that law would mean. Might have to collect 11 sets of signatures for 11 ordinances.

OMG what a sh!tshow! I knew it would be ridiculous, but never in a million years would I have imagined this.

Make sure to point out that the FTA has specifically stated the opposite (that a pause means pulling funds). Use that fact to emphasize the importance of hearing from them that a pause will not mean the grants go away, and that it would be totally irresponsible to take on blind faith that they were lying previously.

Smitherman knew of Jostin's involvement with the streetcar since 2009: http://naacpcincinnati.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=229&Itemid=1

^ Maybe he thought there'd be more money in breach of contract litigation. Or a better ratio of money-to-work performed.

Dave, you've done a poor job at presenting your case. We all know Cranley "views the city the same way you do," but that's no more justification than if Qualls won and we had nothing better to say than "Qualls agrees with us!!!1" but we have a lot more to say than that. If you're a lifelong Cincy resident, I suggest moving and getting a more objective perspective on the world. I don't live in Cincy currently. Havem't for a number of years. Never lived on the streetcar line. But I know abandoning the streetcar at this point would be nigh-suicidal. It would set the city back 10 years or more, while other cities progress. None of my family lives on the streetcar line, but they all recognize its value, and/or recognize how completely idiotic it is to continue debating the topic after two referenda, multiple elections, and signed contracts.

You simply can't get the same ROI from a similar investment in other neighborhoods. Which is why this project is much better for Westwood than a similar investment in Hyde Park. Regardless, the streetcar can be extended into other neighborhoods AND it can serve as a portion of a light rail network which would serve many neighborhoods and suburbs. Downtown is the only obvious place to start such a system. Look at the forest, not the tree.

3-to-1 ROI benefits the entire city. Period.