NBow37

Smitherman had to be restrained by members of the NAACP. Tried to provoke/fight a supporter

What is this vote that keeps getting updated? Who is voting? What's the point of the vote? Not a vote. Just the number of supporters vs opponents who came and spoke...I apologize for its fluctuation but different people are saying different things. Mayor's aide's official count is 39 in favor, 6 against. Winburn wants to hold more "special meetings" to answer his questions that were just answered in Westwood and Bond Hill. Opponents gameplan is to stall construction for eternity

Everyone is saying anywhere from 36-38 in favor, 5-6 opposed Tom Luken, Mark Miller, Some Reverend, and some other guy. One guy worried about the loss of parking lots in the city and that "Steel wheels on steel rails do not work in Cincinnati."

Mark Miller coming up. This should be interesting

An ACLU member made a slit throat gesture sign to one of the supporters according to people on twitter Also, Reinhardt is reporting that Luken was not thrown out. However, there really is a picture of him with a streetcar supporting sticker on him taken before COASTers removed it 33-1

23-1 in favor of the streetcar. The 1 said we should use the money to pay for police and fire... SMDH

Tom Luken kicked out of the meeting for causing a disturbance. Was also photographed wearing a sticker that supported the streetcar. Also, way more supporters than opponents. Winburn says he will hold an emergency meeting every week until his questions are answered. "I was deceived" Ghiz flipped out asking who has the authority to build this. City manager responded "12 ordinances, 7 motions, and one resolution passed to build streetcar. Ghiz still trying to second-guess all that. Lippert citing Detroit People mover as an example not to build it and wanting them to peer review this. Murray cynical

Wow...Sounds like you have a friend for life in the herpes kind of way.

Kasich really hates this state

And casino construction officially halted http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110511/BIZ01/305110120/ Casino developer Rock Gaming and its partner Caesars Entertainment have suspended construction of both its gambling projects in Cincinnati and Cleveland, citing its dispute with Ohio officials who want to increase their taxes.

Saw this one online from the Fake Cincinnati Enquirer twitter. What's the difference between John Kasich and Jesse James? Kasich holds up casinos

Exactly. Their goal is to delay construction as late as possible until November. They could care less about anything being presented to them

The push to add an anti-rail measure to the Cincinnati Charter is being supported by the Cincinnati FOP and firefighter unions (they were at one point helping to collect signatures). I'm always surprised that these unions are so anti-rail. Is it really a conservative bent against rail, or is it something else (like misguided selfishness that it would take money out of their pockets)? Its very unusual. The argument I keep hearing from opponents of the streetcar is "They are cutting fire and police to build a streetcar". We all know that is BS and would be illegal if true, but do they? The Enquirer fuels this statement as well. Anyways, Mallory just stood up for police and fire in Cincinnati in his public opposition to SB5. We'll see how it goes. Regardless,police and fire will be a key vote in November since they will be out in droves due to SB5.

This is the mentality fueled by the Enquirer that we are dealing with: 'Streetcar is a Communist Idea' http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2011/05/09/streetcar-is-a-communist-idea/

Looks like Bortz doesn't like this new route either. He's jumping ship and wants to shelve the project for awhile to get everything in order. Gotta admit. If, and I hate to say it but possibly when this thing doesn't get built, delays will be the cause - Not the opposition. The opportunity was there 700wlw, Smitherman, Winburn, Ghiz, and Finney are leading a charge now to see if Mallory can legally build this without another council vote by getting a cease and desist motion (naturally they did not feel the same way after Kasich/TRAC did their suspicious/possibly illegal acts in April).

If you want some interesting reading, do some background checks on the two companies Kasich hired to consult him on the Casino deals. One of the companies was just founded a few years ago by a man who was mentored by Michael Milken, the Junk Bond King. Simply incredible

John Kasich delayed the Cincinnati Casino opening now until 2013 and now the project could be scaled back... http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110427/BIZ01/104280349/Casino-opening-pushed-back-2013?odyssey=mod|breaking|text|FRONTPAGE Unbelievable.

Just start building something. Don't care if its a shorter route or not, the project cannot afford to be idle much longer for a variety of reasons (Opposition, probable escalating costs, etc)

God I love the enquirer. Keith's well written Letter is rejected yet they print this one out right after: "Get Kings Island to Fund Streetcar" With the lack of government financial involvement in the downtown streetcar, I suggest approaching the private sector. The pro street car people should approach Kings Island next to fund the project in their park. It truly is an amusement ride and more befitting at their location. KI could locate the streetcar right along side the current steam train engine. They may have to remove a few trees and move the early American Colonial homes to make room. I know the time periods are nearly a century apart and the inconsistent displays may confuse the little ones, but the conductor could clarify everything during the en-route entertainment discussion. Or should I say enterTRAINment discussion? Barry Allmon Maineville Also hilarious that they bury the transcript to Mallory's speech(because it was actually good and reflected the idea in a positive light).

Here's the full speech http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2011/04/22/mallorys-full-state-of-the-city-speech/

Berding was/is angry at Mallory and Lippert was the way he could seek some revenge. At least that's my theory

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110421/NEWS0108/104220347/Mallory-Now-time-bold?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Mallory had some great quotes tonight. Standing ovation

So what can we expect to hear from Mallory tomorrow? A construction timetable? Any further delays could be disastrous