bfwissel

I guess you're right. What it comes down to is that I am feeling aggrieved. I'm feeling a vindictive pleasure of SB5 sticking it to our local unions that are actively politicking against a capital project I find worthwhile to our city. Ultimately, I'm sure my feelings against our two local unions and progressive beliefs that are generally pro-union will clash and I just won't vote for or against the repeal. Republicans are playing politics and our local unions are playing politics both to the detriment of our city so both are on my S#!^ list.

I guess my issue, in general, is that unions take stances that have very little to do with their role as advocating for their membership. It is my opinion that this is a big part of the reason they are in the Republican cross hairs now. They come off as a political organization that must be dealt with. I guess I'm feeling the same way as the pro-SB5 people. Our local unions are fighting hard to attack progressive projects when (particularly now) they should be focusing their energies on fighting conservatives dismantling of their rights.

I'd be more supportive of the repeal of SB5, but the Cincinnati FOP and fire union are actively campaigning to keep Cincinnati from getting a streetcar system because they worry (falsely I believe) that the operating costs will take money out of their pockets. It is really had to be supportive of unions when they are not supportive of the city they serve.

Those that do have a support network outside the City of Cincinnati is definitely a subset of the homeless in our city. I think the organization helps as a third party to reestablish ties with the friends/family and pay the transportation costs. However, I am remembering a presentation from a long time ago, so I may be mistaken.

My concern about the battery powered streetcar option is not the technology itself. The problem is that considering it would add yet another delay to a project that has been delayed way too many times already.

In theory no, because the homeless individuals will be returned to a supportive environment where they could be raised out of homelessness with the help of friends/family. I don't doubt though that some of the individuals will fall back into homelessness if they return to bad habits and/or friends/family don't live up to commitments to provide help.

I do believe DCI (Downtown Cincinnati, Inc.) pays for one way bus tickets to homeless people to send them back home if: 1) they have a family/friends support structure that is not in Cincinnati, 2) the family/friends are willing to accept them back and 3) they want to leave, but can't afford to. Anyone else hear about this program? I'm recalling this from a presentation made on a variety of topics a year or two ago.

So does Tapatalk only work with vBulletin 4.0? I just plopped down $2.99 for it and only used it once before it stopped working when the forum technology reverted back.

Fantastic! XUMelanie and I will see you at the Neon's outdoor patio this summer. We'll be the couple with only one kid (boy), but with no dogs :-) .

I've never understood the complaint against having to walk a few blocks here and there to do things. I'd be lying if I said I love walking in snow and rain, but I dislike driving in snow and rain even more. To me walking is a great way to stay in shape and is far less stressful than having to put my son in a car seat, put wear/tear on my car and fill up the gas tank at $4/gallon every week. I know it's a stereotype, but many of the people I know who want to drive everywhere and complain about walking a few blocks tend to be the ones with physiques that put the "sprawl" in urban sprawl.

Our son is now 9 months old and we have no intention of moving out of the urban core. We're three blocks from Washington Park which will be one of the City of Cincinnati's premier parks taking up over an entire city block. There is also plenty of off street parking that is rarely, if ever, full. Evenings/Sundays off street parking is no cost. Our condo building has a deck and party room, just like many downtown residential buildings, to host events. We are a block away from a butcher/small grocer and blocks away from a variety of grocers/retailers (even if there could always be more hardware and other miscellaneous shopping options with some better hours) There is a dry cleaner just six blocks away with great hours. Graeters is only six blocks away at Cincinnati's Fountain Square and has great hours. We are six blocks from two Walgreens to pick up medicines. My eye doctor, dentist and primary care physician are all within ten blocks of our residence. We are a mere few blocks away from dozens of restaurants (many family friendly). There are many family events on Fountain Square, many educational/fun events at the Main Branch Library, the Contemporary Arts Center has a children's area, the Children's Museum is about a mile away, and many, many other random family events are held in the Central Business District. I agree that some of the city schools need to be improved (like many of those in our family we are planning on sending our child to Catholics schools anyway). However, there are also some fantastic Cincinnati Public Schools (for example the nationally known School for the Creative and Performing Arts is two blocks away). Sorry if I'm coming off harsh, but I would strenuously argue against the assertion that cities are not family friendly.

Someone actually came into the Fountain Square Visitors Center a couple of months ago wanting to pick up some authentic Cincinnati fare to take back home with him when he returned to his country of origin for a family visit. I'm excited that there is somewhere I can send someone who is looking for some Cincinnati memorabilia even if it may not have a Cincinnati food section.

+1

I'm not personally moving in, but one of our new Downtown Residents Council board members will be moving in shortly. He's been at our meetings for at least a year even though he does not live downtown yet. He's been giving us updates almost every month. I couldn't imagine a bigger cheerleader for this development. He's even promised to set up an event for the membership to tour the development. :-)

Maybe I've heard wrong, but it is my understanding that the leadership at Kroger is for the most part anti-urban. I'm guessing we'll see at least one other major grocer come in before Kroger will even consider investing.

The problem though is that this is a constitutional amendment and once again Kasich is attempting strong arm tactics that are at best against the intent of the voters and at worst illegal. How is this any different than his work to politicize TRAC for example?

Someone from Gannett wanted feedback on a future article about the need for a downtown grocery. Below was my response. Am I off base here? Are people really saying something to the effect of "I'd move downtown, but there is no big box grocery?" As far as downtown residents are concerned, I have heard some of our membership lament the lack of a large grocery. However, I would echo Conrad's remarks that we have "Findlay Market, Sunshine Fine Foods, Avril's, Mayberry Food Stuffs[, Vine Street Krogers,] and many other local businesses" to shop at downtown for groceries. My wife, who does all our grocery shopping, only needs to drive out of downtown every other week to stock up on a few can, dry, and paper goods. Personally, I get a lot of grocery "issue" questions from people who do not live downtown. The question always comes off as a bizarre argument against downtown living. Everyone must drive to get food if they do large grocery runs. We have many large grocery stores within a few mile radius from downtown. And quite frankly, if Gannett would drop its ideological crusade against the Cincinnati Streetcar, downtown would be more attractive to residents who could make more frequent trips (without having to drive) to Findlay Market to pick up their groceries. I hope this is helpful... Ben....

I work in the Mercantile Building just south of Fountain Square and would only seriously consider buying a place in northern OTR if the streetcar is built. If it is not built, we'll continue to live in our Central Parkway condo until we outgrow our space (as our family increases in size). Worst case scenario, we would have to move out of downtown if we cannot find a larger, affordable location within walking/streetcar distance of the Central Business District.

FYI Steve MacConnell and Mary Carol Melton of Cincinnati Union Bethel will be at the Downtown Residents Council Membership Meeting on April 12th @ 6pm (Main Branch Library - 3rd Floor Tower Room) to speak about the Anna Louise Inn.

I know I mentioned this before elsewhere, but "The Cincinnati Fish Wrap" was supposed to run a piece with me, XUMelanie and our little one about the growth in the Cincinnati downtown population. We were sick that day, but we still took time to be interviewed and I ran home at lunch to get photos taken. Of course, since the article would have been a positive piece about downtown it was dropped. *Sigh*

XUMelanie and I (and the little one) were to be in a positive article in the Fish Wrap about the increase in downtown population. However, they decided not to run it. I guess if the evidence conflicts with the dogma they won't publish it.

I just got the below notice from the City of Cincinnati. Anyone know what building is coming down? "The demolition of a large building in the area will require the closure of Reading Road between Liberty Street and Sycamore Street. This closure will be in place on Saturday and Sunday, March 19th and 20th, from 7AM until 9PM. A detour will be in place directing motorists around the closure site."

Nail meet coffin

This is what I was alluding to the other day. Berding was being the most obnoxious brat at that March 2nd meeting. I sure hope he leaves council soon. The Fish Wrap: "Council moves to limit mayor" http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110316/NEWS0108/103170331/Council-moves-limit-mayor?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

From my experience with Elm Mart's liquor license application (8th and Elm), it is nearly impossible to fight the issuance of a liquor license. As long as the owner and workers have no criminal record, they are almost guaranteed a license. It matters very little if everyone in a community is against the issuance. In my opinion, the laws regulating the issuance of liquor licenses need to be changed to give community input more weight in deciding to issue a license.