4 minutes ago, JohnClevesSymmes said:

I also generally question these screenshots when it shows that an individual liked a tweet. Since you can change your name on twitter, how do you validate if it was the real "@voteSundermann" who liked the tweet, or someone who temporarily changed their name to "Betsy Sundermann"? I'm genuinely curious about how that works.

 

It's even easier than that for screenshots. In Chrome or Firefox, you can hit " ctrl + shift + i " and use the developer interface to search for the text and change it into whatever you want it to say. It takes about 20 seconds to fake a Tweet or any other online content if your deliverable is just a screenshot.

6 hours ago, Ram23 said:

 

It's even easier than that for screenshots. In Chrome or Firefox, you can hit " ctrl + shift + i " and use the developer interface to search for the text and change it into whatever you want it to say. It takes about 20 seconds to fake a Tweet or any other online content if your deliverable is just a screenshot.

 

What, exactly, are any of these local politicians and candidates gaining from their social media activities?  The climate is such that anything you post will invite real people to harass you and then of course bots. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's hard to tell what they're gaining. Whatever it is, it's probably overrated. Being visible IRL in the community and getting Old Media attention is far more important. Facebook is a bunch of people who sit around and use Facebook all day, not doers so much.

 

Why are forums different? Forums are by far the best way to exchange technical details that turn into actions. Facebook totally sucks for this. So do Instagram and Twitter.

Edited January 15, 20214 yr by GCrites80s

10 hours ago, GCrites80s said:

Why are forums different? Forums are by far the best way to exchange technical details that turn into actions. Facebook totally sucks for this. So do Instagram and Twitter.

 

The forum-ish Facebook groups often get out-of-control, too, since the moderation situation is a lot different than an independent forum, but Twitter obviously has no moderation whatsoever.  The "moderation" is just a nasty scrum.  

11 hours ago, GCrites80s said:

 

 

Why are forums different? Forums are by far the best way to exchange technical details that turn into actions. Facebook totally sucks for this. So do Instagram and Twitter.

 

Also, all of the know-it-all dudes on on Twitter and Facebook are trying to impress women.  There aren't any women on Urban Ohio or similar forums.  

 

 

 

 

7 minutes ago, jmecklenborg said:

Also, all of the know-it-all dudes on on Twitter and Facebook are trying to impress women.  There aren't any women on Urban Ohio or similar forums.  

 

Can we please return this thread to City Council conversation. I don't think this is the place to debate relative merits of various online platforms. 

WVXU has a pretty good summary of candidates running in 2021. 75 people have pulled petitions to run. I'm only listing Charter candidates with a (C) who were not also endorsed by the Republican or Democratic parties. To date, these are the names listed:

 

Of those elected in 2017, only one is running for reelection

Amy Murray (R) - resigned

David Mann (D) - term limited, running for mayor

Chris Seelbach (D) - term limited, running for mayor

Wendell Young (D) - term limited, running for mayor

PG Sittenfeld (D) - term limited, running for mayor, arrested

Jeff Pastor (R) - arrested

Tamaya Dennard (D) - arrested

Christopher Smitherman (I) - term limited, allegedly not running for mayor

Greg Landsman (D) - running for reelection

 

Since four members have been replaced, all of their replacements are planning on running to keep their seats:

Jan Michele Lemon-Kearney (D) - Replaced Tamaya Dennard

Betsy Sunderman (R) - Replaced Amy Murray

Liz Keating (R) - Replaced PG Sittenfeld

Steve Goodin (R) - Replaced Jeff Pastor

 

Former candidates/councilmembers:

Kevin Flynn (C) - Councilmember 2013-2017

Jim Tarbell (C) - Councilmember 1999-2007

Brian Garry (G) - perennial candidate

Derek Bauman (D) - ran as independent in 2017 after not getting the Democratic endorsement

Michelle Dillingham (D) - lost to Pastor by 223 votes in 2017, finishing 10th

 

Other Candidates recognized as contenders

Jaime Castle (D) - Mt. Washington resident who ran against Brad Wenstrup

Bill Frost (C) - Former Pleasant Ridge CC President. Charter Committee member.

Cam Hardy (D) - Better Bus Coalition leader from Mt. Airy

Dale Mallory (D) - Mark Mallory's brother and former state rep

Jeff Cramerding (D) - Well connected campaign operative for Dems and Charterites

Meeka Owens (D) - Campaign operative from North Avondale

 

There are more candidates, and the full list of names of those announced or rumored are kept at cincyblog.com. Their post from January 12th is here.

 

The parties will officially endorse their slate of up to 9 endorsed candidates in March or April. Traditionally the Republicans have nominated fewer than 9 candidates, which seems like a good strategy for a minor party in a city. You assume there will be some crossover of Republicans who vote for a couple of Charter, Independent, or Democratic candidates, and splitting the votes of Republicans is unacceptable for their party who needs every possible vote for their strongest candidates.

 

Democrats have always nominated 9 except one year when David Mann messed it all up by entering late, likely costing the Democrats a seat in 2013. Laure Quinlivan lost to Amy Murray that year by 900 votes. Between people who voted for 10 candidates (thus invalidating their votes) and people who voted for 9 candidates, but not Quinlivan because of a crowded field, they likely caused her to lose that seat.

God I hope Dillingham and Garry do not win seats. 

1 hour ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

God I hope Dillingham and Garry do not win seats. 

Good news! If you're a resident of the City, you will get a chance to vote!

1 hour ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

God I hope Dillingham and Garry do not win seats. 

 

Derick Bauman has certainly put in the legwork over the past four years.  He was denied an endorsement in 2017 but should get the party endorsement this year, and so should win a seat.  

 

Oddly, Brian Garry's 2017 campaign sign on Vine St. just uphill from Schwartz's Point remained for years after his failed campaign. Hell, it still might be there.  

 

He, Crowley, and some judge really ham it up on the shamrocks and Irish motif.  This isn't Boston so I'm not sure what hyping up Irish roots gets you in an election here.  

 

 

1 minute ago, jmecklenborg said:

 

Derick Bauman has certainly put in the legwork over the past four years.  He was denied an endorsement in 2017 but should get the party endorsement this year, and so should win a seat.  

 

Oddly, Brian Garry's 2017 campaign sign on Vine St. just uphill from Schwartz's Point remained for years after his failed campaign. Hell, it still might be there.  

 

He, Crowley, and some judge really ham it up on the shamrocks and Irish motif.  This isn't Boston so I'm not sure what hyping up Irish roots gets you in an election here.  

 

 

Garry and Dillingham are a bit of just constant complainers and really do not bring much as far as legislative ability and ability to get things done, besides cause problems and create an advocacy platform. I think the city needs people who will not constantly just seek to cause problems. 

 

Bauman at been around and understands how legislation gets done and can work within the structure of council better. 

 

If there is anything people should have learned about council over the last term is that we need people who can work together and not throw expletives around on Twitter all day (like some current council member tends to do)

8 minutes ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

If there is anything people should have learned about council over the last term is that we need people who can work together and not throw expletives around on Twitter all day (like some current council member tends to do)

 

Yeah Seelbach had yet another Twitter episode last week.   He took Dusty Rhodes' bait.  

 

I still fail to see what politicians at any level are gaining by directly engaging with people on Twitter.  

 

 

 

 

 

^Throwing all of the money and time spent on PR in the toilet, that's what.

4 minutes ago, GCrites80s said:

^Throwing all of the money and time spent on PR in the toilet, that's what.

dont think Seelbach every cared about PR. He just likes using whatever power he can have to exact revenge and vengeance on anyone who disagrees with him.

1 hour ago, jmecklenborg said:

He, Crowley, and some judge really ham it up on the shamrocks and Irish motif.  This isn't Boston so I'm not sure what hyping up Irish roots gets you in an election here.  

 

Brigid Kelly also uses shamrocks. Of course, she didn't have an opponent this year. 

 

FWIW, there is a positive correlation between Ohio Supreme Court race performance and having an Irish or Scottish surname. So maybe there is something to the shamrocks.

If I had to guess today, my predictions for endorsements would be:

 

Democrats:

1. Greg Landsman (i)
2. Jan Michele Lemon-Kearney (i)
3. Derek Bauman
4. Michelle Dillingham
5. Cam Hardy
6. Dale Mallory
7. Jeff Cramerding
8. Meeka Owens
9. (I don't know who the final person would be, but I would predict either Jim Tarbell as a cross endorsement or Jaime Castle, mentioned above)

 

Charter (if they don't cross-endorse a lot like they did in the last election cycle):

1. Kevin Flynn
2. Jim Tarbell
3. Bill Frost

 

Republicans:

1. Betsy Sunderman (i)
2. Liz Keating (i)
3. Steve Goodin (i)

 

I predict the Republicans to pick up at least two more endorsement so that they can try to get a majority. The other names thrown around I've seen are Derrick Blassingame, Rayshon Mack, and Linda Matthews. All three are black Republicans. I don't know anything about Blassingame or Matthews.

7 minutes ago, DEPACincy said:

 

Brigid Kelly also uses shamrocks. Of course, she didn't have an opponent this year. 

 

FWIW, there is a positive correlation between Ohio Supreme Court race performance and having an Irish or Scottish surname. So maybe there is something to the shamrocks.

 

Maybe it's supposed to mean they went to Catholic school.

3 minutes ago, GCrites80s said:

 

Maybe it's supposed to mean they went to Catholic school.

 

I think this is a good theory.

Garry’s invincible 2017 campaign sign...somehow still in the same spot 38 months after he lost.  

2 hours ago, ryanlammi said:

Democrats:

1. Greg Landsman (i)
2. Jan Michele Lemon-Kearney (i)
3. Derek Bauman
4. Michelle Dillingham
5. Cam Hardy
6. Dale Mallory
7. Jeff Cramerding
8. Meeka Owens
9. (I don't know who the final person would be, but I would predict either Jim Tarbell as a cross endorsement or Jaime Castle, mentioned above)

Mark Jeffreys' campaign launch event had a who's who of local Democratic officials attend so I assumed he would get an endorsement

1 hour ago, jmecklenborg said:

Garry’s invincible 2017 campaign sign...somehow still in the same spot 38 months after he lost.  

Its like that old dentist who lost his license for Mal-practice that constantly has his billboard up in Kenwood. I cant remember his name.

I saw this this morning.  Here we see Seelbach getting out in the weeds on Twitter, feeding a sort-of troll or maybe a troll-troll.  There is no reason to engage somebody with pro-gun stuff on his profile.  You're not going to change their mind on anything.  

 

Again, the only thing you can do with Twitter/Facebook is preach to your choir.  You can concoct loyalty tests and take a victory lap when you successfully complete the loyalty tests of others.  On one hand Seelbach proclaims to be a champion of the down-and-out but then he's making fun of fast food workers.  

 

 

Ha, I used to know that first commenter.

49 minutes ago, jmecklenborg said:

I saw this this morning.  Here we see Seelbach getting out in the weeds on Twitter, feeding a sort-of troll or maybe a troll-troll.  There is no reason to engage somebody with pro-gun stuff on his profile.  You're not going to change their mind on anything.  

 

Again, the only thing you can do with Twitter/Facebook is preach to your choir.  You can concoct loyalty tests and take a victory lap when you successfully complete the loyalty tests of others.  On one hand Seelbach proclaims to be a champion of the down-and-out but then he's making fun of fast food workers.  

 

 

For a guy who on one hand preaches empathy and understanding but on the other hand is quick to demean and insult anyone he disagrees with as inferior. This is a guy who thinks he should be mayor. Absolutely sad.

 

I knew Chris many years ago, I thought he was an A$$ and a world class jerk at that time and hoped he would mature to develop a level of reason and understanding instead of just throwing insults at his detractors. Sadly, he has not changed. 

 

He often speaks of his time growing up and how he was bullied. You would think that would have taught a level of empathy in him as he is now in a position to wield power and influence. Instead, it has served as a tool for him to exact vengeance against those that he perceives enemies or just dares to disagree with him. 

17 minutes ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

For a guy who on one hand preaches empathy and understanding but on the other hand is quick to demean and insult anyone he disagrees with as inferior. This is a guy who thinks he should be mayor. Absolutely sad.

 

I have heard that he is being harassed quite a bit behind-the-scenes by the handful of far leftists in Cincinnati for not being left enough.  He is their only toehold on council.  So I wonder how much of this sort of thing is him being himself or if he's putting on a show to impress those people.  

 

 

16 minutes ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

He often speaks of his time growing up and how he was bullied. You would think that would have taught a level of empathy in him as he is now in a position to wield power and influence.  Instead, it has served as a tool for him to exact vengeance against those that he perceives enemies or just dares to disagree with him.

 

You would think, but some people instead feel that "if I had to suffer, I will make everyone else suffer too."  Sort of like forced reverse empathy.  This happened a lot in Malcolm in the Middle. 

2 minutes ago, jmecklenborg said:

 

I have heard that he is being harassed quite a bit behind-the-scenes by the handful of far leftists in Cincinnati for not being left enough.  He is their only toehold on council.  So I wonder how much of this sort of thing is him being himself or if he's putting on a show to impress those people.  

 

 

Believe me, it is him being his narcissitic self. He has always done these types of things. Back when I knew him, he would engage in the same tactics. Someone would disagree with him on a policy point or make a valid point of contention, then he immediately fires back that the person who dared to disagree with him is a bigot, racist, homophobe, sexist, etc.. He then attempts to get louder if people do not take him seriously enough and will escalate things up the ladder.  From what I knew of him back then to today, he is just a world class jerk, not just as a politician but as a human being

I dunno. Remember his alleged assault after he grabbed someone's ass? Someone made a few memes on Reddit after the blow-up then that still ring true: https://imgur.com/a/V10dr

58 minutes ago, seicer said:

I dunno. Remember his alleged assault after he grabbed someone's ass? Someone made a few memes on Reddit after the blow-up then that still ring true: https://imgur.com/a/V10dr

 

Well he helps keep things interesting around here.  

1 hour ago, seicer said:

I dunno. Remember his alleged assault after he grabbed someone's ass? Someone made a few memes on Reddit after the blow-up then that still ring true: https://imgur.com/a/V10dr

One of my faves was the 911 call from 2009/10 timeframe whereby he made sure to remind the 911 operator that he was a "city council member" so she needed to give him extra special treatment when sending police to handle his claim.

On 1/26/2021 at 1:01 PM, Brutus_buckeye said:

One of my faves was the 911 call from 2009/10 timeframe whereby he made sure to remind the 911 operator that he was a "city council member" so she needed to give him extra special treatment when sending police to handle his claim.

 

I still have this bookmarked for some reason:

 

 

^With the proliferation of camera phones his career might not have survived had this incident occurred a few years later. 

Someone would surely have had a video of Seelbach grabbing a man's ass then! Or slurring his way across Over-the-Rhine claiming impunity because he's a big city council member. And for his latest blowup: yes, Dusty should fall more in line with the Demoratic party, but it in no way deserved the unhinged response from Seelbach who just had to interject by telling him to f**k off. Just because someone has Twitter doesn't mean it needs to become a mouthpiece.

The Granny Bunny is still a factor:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/01/27/cranley-appoints-development-reform-panel.html?fbclid=IwAR23lUU4g6KsKdFFfOKEQHfUg51UF6Us7wpzVAMmV6etLhTlyHxWxgDZUFQ

 

 

Thread by Sharon Coolidge referring to money raised so far in the race. It would imagine she will update it tomorrow.
 

 

 

Council set to add developer who gave big to Cranley to reform panel

 

Cincinnati City Council is set to alter a panel aimed at reforming the development process to allow for the appointment of a developer who, along with his wife, gave Mayor John Cranley’s gubernatorial campaign $26,000 in January.

 

Cranley has said including a developer on the panel is essential to giving the panel, which will be led by former Judge Ann Marie Tracey, a complete picture of development in the city.

...

Cranley, a Democrat, has appointed Dan Schimberg, president of Uptown Properties, to fill the developer role. He also appointed his former chief of staff, Bobbi Dillon, and Tim Burke, a longtime ally who is the former Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman and often has real estate development clients before the city.

 

Cranley's role in development projects has come under fire recently by some citizens who believe he is too deeply involved. Cranley, who has raised a significant amount of his own campaign and political action committee war chests from developers, has said he has the right to be involved in development deals because the city's charter gives him the authority to refer ordinances to council. Development deals usually involve council action.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/02/01/cincinnati-development-reform-panel.html

'I'll be forever sorry': At a Cincinnati City Council meeting, bickering gives way to an apology and forgiveness

 

"Greg Landsman, one of the Gang of 5, apologized. And the two had an unplanned, heartfelt and emotional exchange on live video.  It ended with thanks and forgiveness. Amidst a discussion about whether more text messages from those long ago text exchanges should be released, Councilman Greg Landsman paused, spoke directly to Smitherman, and apologized. It wasn't Landsman who made the political claim and Landsman never even said anything derogatory about Smitherman, he's the first of the five to apologize to Smitherman."

https://www.wvxu.org/post/these-groups-want-help-cincinnati-trust-its-local-government-again

 

Today's first segment of Cincinnati Edition was on attempts to reduce corruption in City Hall.  One thing that stood out in that segment was both guests echoed that Neighborhood Councils used to have power and should get some of that back if we want to remove opportunities for council members to solicit bribes.  Philosophically, I agree with this sentiment, but before any power is ceded back to neighborhood councils, the problem of NIMBYism needs to be dealt with first.

 

These councils are (largely) against adding residents, require more parking in proposals, and typically don't care about pedestrian oriented improvements.  They can only imagine the status quo, and how to get more of that out of proposals.  Rather than having council bypass neighborhood councils completely (like OTRCC), the city should institute progressive, ped-oriented laws for developments, then let the neighborhoods work within those laws to get the development they prefer.  

 

Off the top of my head: parking maximums need to be enshrined in law city-wide.  Not sure how to properly address the density issues easily, those almost always go to council for changes and variances.

Edited February 3, 20214 yr by 10albersa

21 minutes ago, 10albersa said:

Today's first segment of Cincinnati Edition was on attempts to reduce corruption in City Hall.  One thing that stood out in that segment was both guests echoed that Neighborhood Councils used to have power and should get some of that back if we want to remove opportunities for council members to solicit bribes.  Philosophically, I agree with this sentiment, but before any power is ceded back to neighborhood councils, the problem of NIMBYism needs to be dealt with first.

I don't see how ceding power to neighborhood councils (which are unregulated, unsupervised, with no formal legal requirements) will reduce corruption. I say this as somebody on the Board of a community council.

3 hours ago, seicer said:

'I'll be forever sorry': At a Cincinnati City Council meeting, bickering gives way to an apology and forgiveness

 

"Greg Landsman, one of the Gang of 5, apologized. And the two had an unplanned, heartfelt and emotional exchange on live video.  It ended with thanks and forgiveness. Amidst a discussion about whether more text messages from those long ago text exchanges should be released, Councilman Greg Landsman paused, spoke directly to Smitherman, and apologized. It wasn't Landsman who made the political claim and Landsman never even said anything derogatory about Smitherman, he's the first of the five to apologize to Smitherman."

That was an extremely classy move by Landsman. While I do not agree with him politically, you could always tell he was a good person and always tried to do right. It can be difficult to not get caught up in the mess sometimes but at least he recognized it and did right. On a personal level, he is a class act.

Smitherman was always laying a trap with the wife illness.  He baited and baited and baited people to accuse him of exploiting the situation, when quite obviously he was exploiting the situation to spectacular effect.  You were the bad guy if you called him out on his game, not the guy who was exploiting his wife's illness.  The ruse is still paying dividends, years after the fact.  

 

6 hours ago, 10albersa said:

Philosophically, I agree with this sentiment, but before any power is ceded back to neighborhood councils, the problem of NIMBYism needs to be dealt with first.

 

These councils are (largely) against adding residents, require more parking in proposals, and typically don't care about pedestrian oriented improvements.  They can only imagine the status quo, and how to get more of that out of proposals.  Rather than having council bypass neighborhood councils completely (like OTRCC), the city should institute progressive, ped-oriented laws for developments, then let the neighborhoods work within those laws to get the development they prefer.  

 

Off the top of my head: parking maximums need to be enshrined in law city-wide.  Not sure how to properly address the density issues easily, those almost always go to council for changes and variances.

I agree completely with you, especially in the neighborhoods with the most wealth.

 

As for reform, to his credit, Greg Landsman seems to be introducing some smart motions which might be leading to action related to parking minimums and density waivers, and maybe this Liberty & Elm and corruption discussions can push the issues on affordable housing and reform. A broad report/plan by City Planning looks to be in the works as their next major project, specifically related to the transit corridors, though my fear is that nothing would happen until there's a lot of turnover on council - but maybe it would be a good thing to implement with a new mayor? Should be some positive opportunities for 

Tarbell mulls run for Cincinnati City Council

 

Former Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jim Tarbell, the iconic Over-the-Rhine businessman whose likeness is painted on the side of a building on Central Parkway, is considering running for City Council.

 

Tarbell was at a news conference Wednesday announcing the Charter Committee’s platform. He is a longtime Charterite, he told reporters, going back to his father’s association with the committee.

 

“I’m certainly thinking about it,” Tarbell said of a council run. “I’m working with this team right now. Really, the emphasis is the team and the recruiting of more people.”

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/03/03/tarbell-mulls-run-for-cincinnati-city-council.html

 

Council changes what voters will read when they decide affordable housing ballot measure

 

Cincinnati City Council on Wednesday voted to change the wording on the May 4 city ballot that explains a charter amendment to devote $50 million a year to affordable housing, a decision that could prompt a lawsuit from supporters.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/03/04/council-changes-affordable-housing-wording.html

 

The estimate for Cincinnati is $290 million. The budget deficit for FY22 is currently estimated at $25.6 million for the general fund, and $103 million for the capital improvement program.

 

Other liabilities include the pension fund, the possibility of an earning tax refund for workers who were remote for most of 2020, and cuts to the Local Government Fund out of spite by the statehouse. This money cannot be used to fund the City's pension fund but it could with some slight of hand. Hamilton County itself should get 9 figures as well. The funds need to be spent by December 31, 2024.

33 minutes ago, Dev said:

The estimate for Cincinnati is $290 million. The budget deficit for FY22 is currently estimated at $25.6 million for the general fund, and $103 million for the capital improvement program.

 

Other liabilities include the pension fund, the possibility of an earning tax refund for workers who were remote for most of 2020, and cuts to the Local Government Fund out of spite by the statehouse. This money cannot be used to fund the City's pension fund but it could with some slight of hand. Hamilton County itself should get 9 figures as well. The funds need to be spent by December 31, 2024.

Woooooow!!! That’s a ton of cash my gosh.

I wonder if it means anything that Goodin and Keating have endorsements but not Sundermann.

Bill Frost is Pleasant Ridge's CC President.

Hardy has already said that he is still asking for the Dem endorsement and I'm curious if Victoria Parks will as well.

31 minutes ago, Dev said:

I wonder if it means anything that Goodin and Keating have endorsements but not Sundermann.

Bill Frost is Pleasant Ridge's CC President.

Hardy has already said that he is still asking for the Dem endorsement and I'm curious if Victoria Parks will as well.

 

Goodin and Keating are old school fiscal conservatives. Sunderman is a q anon Trumper. Makes sense they wouldn't be interested in endorsing her.

On 3/18/2021 at 10:11 PM, DEPACincy said:

Sunderman is a q anon Trumper.

Let's not slander her like that. Goodin and Keating are much more in line with the establishment that is for sure. Sunderman is a bit more outspoken which typically has not been what the charter committee likes to see. Most of the Charter committee endorsements tend to be those who keep their heads down and out of the news and more or less keep a lower profile in the media.