Cincy1

Wow I have seen some dark takes on Cincinnati the past couple of days - I am not saying I am not extremely frustrated, but I think ultimately it comes down to many people who lack vision and who are easily influenced by outlets such as that conservative blowtorch called the big one (although I find it hard to argue how their personalities might view Mallory). It would have been nice if we would have had the Enquirer of the past week the past two years though. I am vey much in disbelief that we have elected officials that cannot see the insanity of what they seem intent on doing.

^^ It sure feels that way - I cannot figure this out. It is really disturbing because if you read the statements from Flynn he is well aware of the benefits. ^ To your point on one election undoing 8 years of work I keep torturing myself that Ann (yes I called her Ann) Murray beat Quinlivan by 850 votes - imagine that.

I just sent this to Cindi Andrews at Enquirer - hopefully she asks this in some form as I cannot get to City Hall during the day: In the Streetcar debate I am trying to understand why Cranley and the detractors are solely making their decision on whether or not the cost is more to cancel than to complete. This is flawed because they are completely ignoring any ROI, which Cranley clearly knows there will be - he even campaigned against Qualls by saying she was selling homes/condos that were increasing in value due to being on the Streetcar route. This example of return is the tip of the iceberg. Projected ROI is 2.7 and even if the ROI were 0.27 it would be enough to make the project worthwhile. The question I want to ask is not why they are considering canceling the project, but why are they so determined to throw away approximately $115 million? And why would they not want to spend an additional $15 - $20 million to get back $359 million ($133 million * 2.7)?

I really wish someone would call out those voting against the streetcar if it costs more to complete than to cancel - it's as if no one sees how ludicrous the notion is. Either we spend a little more to complete and then get a return on our investment or we flush over $100M down the drain - this is fiscal responsibility?

All of these topics have been addressed...please do not feed the guest.....I think we should try to stay on topic of how to move forward. I keep thinking that Flynn will somehow see the light or at least be spooked by the fact that Feds have already frozen money. Does anyone know if all of the new members have their email accounts up? I assume his is [email protected] and want to try another address.

Unbelievable - this council really is playing with fire, and I do not think they grasp the multitude of impacts cancelling will cause. They are pretty cavalier in this "pause" so it does not surprise me. I like when the detractors talk about canceling they fail every time to mention that this is lost money, and we will also lose out on any ROI - not feeling good unless Flynn somehow changes his mind. I wrote twice with no response.

I hope you are right, but I think we still need a new council to get to a 5-4 vote in favor. That does not seem like a guarantee, but the answer to funding the operational costs could be used to sway at least Flynn. The negative side of me is preparing for the worst, and I am trying to formulate a way to explain to friends in other cities our "unprecedented" move of canceling this late in the game. It would be mind-boggling.

Well Sittenfeld's announcement could give us a good idea of the future. If he decides to support the streetcar maybe he can influence Flynn. If not I think we will know how any vote under the new council is going to go.

Points well taken...logically do the math. Even within $20M would you rather sink a project with no ROI or would you spend to get the benefit? Again I think the drive should be to fund the operational costs. This question needs to be taken off the board.

Unfortunately, mayor-elect is not coming in with an open, objective view. He has protested previously, but he does seem to be an ideolouge against the streetcar. I think he is going to pull whatever numbers he wants to boost his argument. The council vote might be the only chance, and I hope someone in the media calls out his comparisons, which I am sure will bury the fact that cancellation has an ROI of zero (not to mention negative intangibles) while completion has an ROI of 2.7 (as in 2.7 * 133 Million). One way that the pro-streetcar side should be mobilizing is to identify a way to pay the operational costs. If that could be done through a special tax district, sponsorships, fund-raising, or just asking people that would take a bullet out of the chamber. I have no expertise in organizing or fund-raising so I know this is arm-chair quarterbacking, but I would be willing to contribute and probably a lot more than what I would give someone for a political campaign.

If this weren't so sad and absurd it would be comical and will do wonders for perception of the city. I am still in disbelief that this guy ran as a democrat with a straight face.

I think I agree that mayor-elect is hoping for a referendum, which he thinks would absolve him of any responsibility for canceling. I know this is hard to plan quietly but as opponents we should not be so public with next steps. I think the goal should be to convince him not to cancel first. Again it seems ridiculous that this would need another vote, but that is what happens when you have a mayor that unilaterally calls his race a vote on the streetcar. As if there were no other issues to consider and the streetcar had not already been decided.

I am what I think a quiet ambassaror for Cincy...I have travelled far and wide and continually have contact outside the city. If the streetcar does not happen I fear I might become a vocal mouth-piece of what our local media and old time conservatives tell the populace each day...hopefully the mayor-elect understands that the pioneers that took chances, invested money, and ultimately believed with a greater vision that this city could finally reach its potential will dissipate. I have never been a fan of the blogger, but this seems appropriate and t-shirts will be printed: "Cincinnati, the city of self-sabotage". At the very least mayor-elect needs to be exposed on a national level. Rant over.

I might have mised this, but is there currently an email address for mayor-elect?

I completely agree - I specifically remember an article stating there was much more opposition to the parking plan while the streetcar was almost neutral. It seems the current administration shot themselves in the foot a few times.

I am thinking the same thing as jdm00 - it sounds like Valerie might be dangling additional monies to get the new Mayor to complete the project. Obviously this could be wrong, but why specifically refer to the money as the 2011 funding turned down by Kasich? It seems like we could be in for another referendum, but I would prefer they do not attempt to cancel the project in the first place. With that in mind, I am also going to craft a letter. I want to be as positive as possible, but I do want to offer a little critique on the fact that he is calling his election a referendum on the streetcar after there were actually two, official referenda. I might even include the voter count for each election (two on the issue and one on the mayor), which I think are great numbers to put things into context (I can't remember who quoted those). Anyway, I have a question - has any democrat ever refused federal dollars for a rail project, much less one that has already begun construction?

Good points on Kasich. I am a little confused about the article that Cygnus posted from Channel 9 - in the Enquirer article on the subject they seem to be talking about the $45 M that the streetcar has already won and the new Mayor will simply ask Valerie Jarret to repurpose the money. The Channel 9 article seems to imply that the $44 M is part of the money turned down by Kasich in 2011 (the $50 M), and they could have discussions to save the project. Thoughts?

Many of these recent stories really highlight how jackass Kasich really screwed us on the project. Not only from a dollar standpoint, but the subsequently associated delays, and waivering support of the local politicians. There is also that lackey from Springboro or something - Shannon Jones? I need to send some thank you cards.

Aw that's too bad...he coached "personalities" to continually tear down the urban core and get the gullible general public to buy into a self-loathing of their own city/downtown. He was in it for ratings, but I feel no sympathy. I wonder if he still has that smile on his face.

What the f*** is wrong with this city. Extremely frustrated, and now we have the prospect of another canceled rail project. In 10 years as more and more cities get streetcars we will talk about coulda, shoulda, woulda and try to start again. But of course the feds will tell the city that no funds for any type of rail is coming because this city cannot finish a project.

Nice, nightmare scenario. Quinlivan and Landsman need to clip Murray and Flynn. Mann might be a wildcard after analyzing the cost to cancel.

Yikes - trouble is brewing.

Great, thanks - Qualls is clearly stronger in the central areas.

I am, but we also do not know which precincts have reported. Generally the early voters are older, but right now the results are a Republican's wish come true.

Looks like there are 175 precincts...come on young people, get out and vote.