I'm sad to see Sen. Voinovich go.  He was a thoughtful, pragmatic voice for the State of Ohio and was a politician with a lot of character.  He was one of the faces of that dying breed: the moderate Republican senator.  Especially in recent history, it was nice to see his thoughtful position-taking in the midst of an era of rhetorical bomb throwing and hyper-partisanship.  His leadership will be missed, and I'm thankful he's represented Ohio for all these years.

Greatly overrated as a senator. And as a governor. He wasn't a bad governor, but was in denial about school-funding problems, and was more of a governor of the business establishment than of the people. As a senator, he wasn't as independent as he'd like us to believe. Usually, he'd wring his hands to maximum effect before he caved in to the GOP majority. As a senator and governor, he was an unfaltering enemy of passenger rail and transit.

I'd rather have Voinovich than Portman any day.

^ True. But we don't know if Portman will be the GOP candidate, and we don't know who the Dem candidate will be. And there's no GOP shoo-in.

Asking questions about the Republican party, taxes, gay marriage. LOL, they will never, ever learn. Further lulz @ the tricky "Would you agree the Republican party left you?" Ummm..no, I would not. I left them, thx.  :wave:

I guess you were begging the question, so I'll go ahead and ask. Why did Ken Blackwell call you, and what are you affiliated with that would warrant the Republican Party leaving you?

the bigger picture is also that this is just the latest round of israel's never-ending 60+yr war of independence.

 

the saddest news item currently is how out of step the usa is on supporting this madness:

 

"U.N. General Assembly called in a nonbinding resolution on Friday for an immediate, durable truce in Gaza, rejecting a more radical text proposed by a group of Islamic and Latin American countries. The assembly's electronic scoreboard showed 142 countries in favour, four opposed and eight abstaining.

 

Voting against were Israel, the United States and the Pacific island of Nauru, which believed the resolution was biased against Israel."

 

 

here's the latest killingfields totals:

 

1,206 Palestinians killed, including 410 children.

5,300 wounded

Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians have been killed.

 

 

 

I guess you were begging the question, so I'll go ahead and ask. Why did Ken Blackwell call you, and what are you affiliated with that would warrant the Republican Party leaving you?

 

I have no idea why he would call. It was a recorded survey from the Republican party. I'm registered a Democrat, but before I knew any better I voted against my own self-interest and for Republican candidates.

OOOohhh lol. You made it sound like Kenny called you up personally to mess with you lol

Poll: Dems in lead for Voinovich seat

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/02/02/daily43.html

 

Democrats lead the GOP pack in an early Quinnipiac poll targeting Sen. George Voinovich's seat, while former Cincinnati congressman Rob Portman lags.

 

The examination by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute was sparked by Voinovich’s January announcement that he won’t seek re-election to a third term next year. In the poll, Quinnipiac asked Ohioans who they might favor among the politicians who either have thrown their names into the ring or who might surface as candidates – Portman and state Auditor Mary Taylor, both Republicans; and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan and Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, all Democrats.

 

More at above link:

I had hoped that Jennifer Brunner would run for a second term as Ohio Secretary of State.  Voting law is her professional specialty and she did an unquestionably excellent job in the 2007 and 2008 elections.  I would expect every newspaper except the neolithic Warren Tribune and Willoughby News Herald would endorse her on account of her performance (which, did I mention, was excellent).  She comes off as rather low key in a state where one must raise five or ten million dollars to win a state-wide race (on account of the large number of media markets to buy ads in).  But if she wants to run for Senate, I think she deserves the party endorsement.

 

If Tim Ryan, the fighting Red Dragon from Niles, runs for Senate, expect Capri Cafaro to run for the Mahoning Valley Congressional seat.  First the fourteenth, then the thirteenth, then the seventeenth.  Gotta love her.

The governor's current budget proposal cuts $5 million in funding from the Ohio Urban University Program (http://urban.csuohio.edu/uup/). This collaboration of urban affairs programs at Ohio public universities works to coordinate economic development efforts in Ohio's urban communities and to disseminate research and best practices about urban policy. The funding cut impacts Cleveland State University, Kent State, Ohio State, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo, Wright State and Youngstown State.

 

If you're so inclined, please consider contacting state officials to let them know how important this program, as well as urban affairs programs in general, are to the future of our state.

 

Governor Strickland

http://governor.ohio.gov/Assistance/ContacttheGovernor/tabid/150/Default.aspx

 

Chancellor Fingerhut

614.466.0887

 

Speaker of the House Budish

[email protected]

 

Your Representative

http://www.house.state.oh.us/index.php?option=com_displaymembers&Itemid=58

 

Senate President Harris

[email protected]

 

Your Senator

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/index.html

 

 

Cleveland State University tries to head off budget cuts

Janet Okoben

Plain Dealer Reporter

February 26, 2009

 

Cleveland State University officials are working to block state budget cuts that they say will cripple critical research at the Levin College of Urban Affairs.

 

Gov.Ted Strickland's proposed two-year state budget, currently making its way through the state legislature, would cut out $5 million a year for the Urban University Programs. CSU, which partners with other universities through the program, is the biggest beneficiary of the state funding at $1.6 million annually ...

 

... For more information, please visit http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/02/cleveland_state_university_tri.html

I hate the cuts.  But the reality is that in these times, it must be expected.

Ohio hates the humanities and social sciences . . . they have decided one can only get rich through STEM, which is nuts.

Yeah, I agree, cuts must be made, but it's a real shame. These programs have helped create a palpable shift in policy priorities in the last several years. When I moved to Ohio in 2003, there was so little discussion of sustainable design or community-supported agriculture or biking infrastructure or (fill in the blank with a progressive policy consideration). These urban affairs programs are producing a new vision for our state and its cities. I would imagine a pretty considerable chunk of Urban Ohioers have gone through one of these urban affairs programs or a sister program in architecture, etc.

 

And I wouldn't be as upset about the cut if not for Fingerhut's quote that "we know that these programs have value, but it is a statement of prioritization at this time". Just like C-Dawg indicated, this seems to be EXACTLY the time when we need to make community-wide dissemination of urban best practices and churning out new urban leaders a priority.

And we all know that these programs are SOO expensive. . .

OMG ... I actually like a PD editorial. How perplexing! ;)

 

Save a Cleveland State University program that is trying to save the state

Editorial

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

 

A state struggling to boost its economy, promote regionalism and create fairer taxation systems can't afford to lose one of its best and brightest think tanks.

 

Yet that is what Gov. Ted Strickland and Chancellor Eric Fingerhut propose in taking an eraser to the $5.2 million annual budget line for Ohio's Urban University Program ...

 

... For more information, please visit http://www.cleveland.com/editorials/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1236159168204820.xml&coll=2

 

If you would like to show your support for the UUP please visit:

 

http://urban.csuohio.edu/uup/

 

Yes, we are facing difficult times and the state has to make difficult budget decisions. But this is a travesty. Between this and the previous deficit, they are in effect gutting the university's premier program, a program, mind you, that outranks Harvard's Kennedy School in U.S. News and World's Report's review of urban policy graduate programs and a faculty and staff that have helped vastly in steering Cleveland toward a more progressive and sustainable agenda. This is incredibly depressing ... PLEASE consider contacting your elected officials.

 

End of Urban University Program at Cleveland State University could force layoffs

Posted by Janet Okoben, Plain Dealer Reporter

April 06, 2009

 

CLEVELAND -- The human impact of the proposed elimination of the Urban University Program, based at Cleveland State University, will be decided tomorrow as CSU officials determine how many employees will have to be laid off.

 

Because union rules require CSU to give employees 90 days notice of a layoff, university officials must act now if the UUP program is dismantled in July, said Ned Hill, interim dean of the Levin College of Urban Affairs at CSU, where the UUP is based ...

 

... For more information, please visit http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/04/end_of_urban_university_progra.html

 

This is not the same as their Urban Affairs school, which is ranked 2nd in the nation.

 

UUP is housed at the Urban Affairs school, and the research programs have been cited as one of the reasons for Levin's ongoing positive rankings. And coupled with previous rounds of layoffs, such a move will further hollow out support and research staff, resulting in a lower-quality experience for the students there.

I haven't been able to locate a single thread on the tea parties for Ohio. If someone has posted about it previously, please notify me of it or move it. Thanks :)

 

Suburbs planning new tea parties

By Amber Ellis, Cincinnati Enquirer, May 25, 2009

 

Chris Littleton wants to build on the momentum of Cincinnati tea party events that drew thousands to Fountain Square on April 15 and earlier to register concerns about taxes and government spending.

 

But the goal for a series of tea parties throughout Southwest Ohio - the first to be held Friday in West Chester Township - is to have smaller, more productive events.

 

"We want this to be more focused. If it gets too big, it's just more of a rally than a meeting, and we won't be able to do the things we want to do," says Littleton, 30, of West Chester Township.

 

More than 100 people are expected to gather on Friday. Mike Wilson, the Springfield Township resident who organized the tea party rallies downtown, is the featured speaker.

 

Click the link above for the full article.

I haven't been able to locate a single thread on the tea parties for Ohio. If someone has posted about it previously, please notify me of it or move it.

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18785.0.html

I wonder if they have a time they are starting their tea party. I'd be interested in attending, to at least hear and discuss divergent opinions and to voice my statements.

It is a recession, and Cleveland has been hit hard.  There are literally people with PHDs begging for work. Now Rokakis wants to put together a half decent idea for a county wide land bank... and somehow thinks we need to pay the leader $142k of public money with a platinum pension plan... not to mention it his current Deputy!!!  Kick back spawning ground???  WAKE UP CUYAHOGA COUNTY YOUR GOVERNMENT IS RAPING YOU IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE.  How did Rokakis defend this salary price point and his selection (im sure his search was real sweeping: who will pay me under the table?)  He said that, "he has a background in law which will make him well suited for this position".  WOW... a law degree... there's a rarity... I think there are more law degrees these days than toilet paper.  Rant over.

Do you really think that is a lot of money?  Why would anyone take such a job for less?

I'd be more worried if the advertised pay were $60k. This "half-decent" idea is actually a great idea and I wouldn't want the salary to attract a field of under-inspiring candidates.

Here's the Cleveland.com piece on topic:

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/124453630565260.xml&coll=2

 

I don't know anything about Gus Frangos, but I have no problem with the salary or benefits if he is up to the task.  The land bank is going to be a very important redevelopment force.

that's actually horifying to me.  Member of the Frangos group, they've been turning buildings to rubble for parking lots for a long time... I think they've personally knocked down just about everything east of Jacobs field.  of course they plan to "develop" it, I'm guessing sometime in 2087.

As I'm sure most of you already know, Ohio has four of the nation's ten best county libraries. Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Columbus have all been ranked among the top in the United States. This is one of the major points of pride left in our state. Well, that might not last much longer. Due to the economic depression and collapse of Ohio, our libraries are about to see their budgets cut by 50%! While I'm sure budget cuts are inevitable, I'd rank county libraries well above schools and just about everything else in terms of overall value to their cities. Libraries give people the opportunity to educate themselves. They also do many community activities and tons of stuff for kids to help be a positive influence in their lives. I know if it weren't for the Lucas County library system, I'd have gone insane a long time ago.

 

Anyway, there's a big petition going around. This greeted me today on the Toledo-Lucas County Library website:

 

http://www.toledolibrary.org/

Saveourlibraries.com has more as well olc.org. If you know anyone in a law firm or other heavy user of the public library with pull in Columbus, now is the time to use those connections.

Library: Governor's budget would force branch closures

http://www.wxix.com/Global/story.asp?S=10573274&nav=menu63_2

Posted: June 22, 2009 12:37 PM EDT

Updated: June 22, 2009 02:28 PM EDT

 

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - Hamilton County Library officials say Governor Ted Strickland's proposal of 50 percent in the Public Library Fund could cost the county up to 20 branches.

 

The Public Library Fund is the primary source for public libraries in Ohio. Library officials say the cost to the Public Library of Cincinnati would be $6 million in 2009 and $12 million more in 2010.

 

"Cuts of this size would be devastating," said Kim Fender, Executive Director of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. "We are struggling to stay open with the cuts we have already made. If passed, as early as September this year, area residents could see up to 20 of our 40 branch libraries closed, dramatic reduction in Main Library hours, 250 additional Library jobs lost, computer access reduced by over 30%, fewer new materials available, elimination of services to residents of all ages, fewer children's programs, and less qualified staff to help."

 

The governor's proposal must be approved by the Conference Committee of the Ohio Legislature, which is currently working out differences between the Senate and House budget bills. They have to complete their work by June 30.

 

 

<b>CU Podcast #22: Save Ohio Libraries</b>

By Walker | June 24, 2009 8:00am

 

<img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/save-ohio-libraries.jpg">

 

In this week’s ColumbusUnderground.com Podcast, we sit down to chat with Jeff Regensburger from the Northwest Library, Angel Gondek of the Educational Resource Center at Columbus State, and Rachel Rubin from the Old Worthington Library. Together, we discuss the proposed state budget cuts that would have deep impacts upon our library systems throughout Ohio.

 

To find out ways that you can help, please visit SaveOhioLibraries.com and ColumbusLibrary.org.

 

Click here to download/listen to the mp3: http://blip.tv/file/get/ColumbusUnderground-CUPodcast22SaveOhioLibraries607.mp3

 

This is looking really, really bad. Such a shame. I hope this leads Levin to invest time and dollars into an endowment campaign among the alumni ... or a campaign to provide at least modest offsets for these losses. But I would imagine that a college already strapped for resources would find an effort like that daunting at the moment. Makes me really sad for my alma mater.   :cry:

 

Budget cuts could impair research at Cleveland State's Levin College

Crain's Cleveland Business

By SHANNON MORTLAND

4:30 am, July 1, 2009

 

Much of the research that has put Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs on the higher education map is likely to disappear as state legislators are expected to stop financing such research projects in the two-year budget that begins July 1.

 

Hanging in the balance is Ohio’s Urban University Program, which has supported economic development research in areas such as foreclosures and financed training programs and community forums. Under the 30-year-old program, Ohio’s public urban institutions — including CSU, Kent State University and the University of Akron — have been paid by the state to conduct research and host the various programs ...

 

... For more information, please visit http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20090701/FREE/906309952

This is not the same as their Urban Affairs school, which is ranked 2nd in the nation.

 

If Cleveland has one of the best urban affairs schools in the US why is Cleveland itself in such dire straits?  Is the work this college does for naught if it hasn't had an impact on the city that it's in? Is the work it does effective?

 

 

^ A friend makes the same point about the Cleveland Foundation.  It's the second largest community foundation in the US (behind Tulsa, OK of all places), but it doesn't seem like the probably billions of dollars invested has made a substantial impact in Cleveland.

This is not the same as their Urban Affairs school, which is ranked 2nd in the nation.

 

If Cleveland has one of the best urban affairs schools in the US why is Cleveland itself in such dire straits?   Is the work this college does for naught if it hasn't had an impact on the city that it's in? Is the work it does effective?

 

 

 

The rankings aren't exactly an exact science, and I highly doubt it has much to do with the caliber of students.  There are some brilliant minds there, but there are also some that make you wonder how they passed H.S.

As an alum, I'm obviously a little biased here. But I do think the college is making a substantial difference in the community. Economic impact analysis, alternative energy, historic preservation, form-based zoning, asset-based community development, bicycle connectivity ... these are just a couple of the issues that Levin has been really great at advocating. Granted, our city has many, many problems, and Levin is hardly in a position to solve them all ... but I would argue that decision makers in the city are increasingly taking on a progressive agenda compared to 10 or 15 or certainly 20 years ago; Levin can't take exclusive credit for this shift in focus, but it has certainly played a strong role. The college's rankings and thus its magnetism for high-quality students is relatively recent, so I would look to see this role increase in the years to come; almost all of my friends are Levin alums now working in the area as mid-level managers and pushing a more progressive agenda. This type of shift is bound to take time. In the meantime, the college is at the very least capturing students who would never otherwise consider Cleveland ... and many stay. I for one relocated to Cleveland intending to head to D.C. afterward. Had it not been for my time at Levin and how it exposed me to the really interesting projects going on here, there's no way I would have accidentally fallen in love with Cleveland like I did :)

 

Beyond that, I think you guys might be expecting a little too much from a single college. By the same token, why do we have one of the best medical schools in the country and still such a high rate of obesity-related illness? I would hardly guess that Lawrence, Kansas (home of No. 1 on the list, the University of Kansas) or DeKalb, Illinois (No. 3, Northern Illinois) or LA (No. 4, USC) or Chapel Hill (No. 5, UNC) or Phoenix (No. 6, Arizona State) are making anyone's shortlists for cutting-edge urbanism. But the schools are still undoubtedly making a positive impact to their students, universities and respective communities.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican Sen. George Voinovich, who is not running for re-election next year, told a newspaper in his home state of Ohio yesterday that Southerners bore a good share of the blame for his party's lagging popularity.

 

"We got too many Jim DeMints and Tom Coburns," Voinovich told the Columbus Dispatch Monday. "It's the Southerners….

 

For more, click the link:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/07/28/voinovich-the-gops-being-taken-over-by-southerners/

 

--------------------------------------------------------

 

 

The man has balls.

[pulls up a lawn chair and munches on some popcorn]

OMG!  :-o

I just threw up in my mouth a little.

OMG!  :-o

I just threw up in my mouth a little.

 

Well then.....My job here is done!

 

I think I might just have to figure out how to use that ignore feature; just so if I happen to accidentally click on this thread again, I won't have to see that last one.

 

As per the article, I wish this kind of statement was coming from perhaps the new senator from Ohio whomever that might end up being rather than our retiring senator.

Should I remove that photo?

Hey, Living in Gin can't help being reared in Kentucky!

Voinovich is basically correct. The loss of the Midwestern GOP is deeply depressing (I'm not so troubled by the loss of the old New England GOP).

^

what loss?  Take a look at what party dominates nearly every county in South and West Ohio.  It doesnt get more Midwestern than Darke County.  Doesn't get more GOP, too.

 

 

Voinovich is a lame duck so is free to make opinionated statements in is waning days in office.  Yet his own Ohio GOP is as conservative as the "Southerners" he is complaining about. 

 

The big myth about the Midwest GOP being somehow "different".  The only thing differnt is the accent.