From award-winning investigative reporter Laure Quinlivan:

 

Laure Quinlivan's Streetcar Report

Great quotes from Portland's mayor in that report.

 

"It's hard to imagine the benefits of establishing a Streetcar line until you've actually seen it."

 

As JMecklenborg has pointed out before, that's why so many Midwesterners don't get it, while cities near Portland are building more Streetcar lines.

 

"I can't think of a better public expenditure that provides a better return-on-investment than the Streetcar."

Terrific report.

 

Next Portland trip is October 9th. We'll be spending less time with the streecar and more on Portland's new light rail line that opened a couple of weeks ago. Also, a trip to Portland's Union Station, where there's a terrific inter-city rail operation.

 

Write if you want to go.

The billboard idea is probably a great idea for a county-wide vote like the 2002 Regional Transit Plan, but in terms of Issue 9 we're just dealing with city voters. How many city voters are commuting into and out of Downtown via I-75 or I-71? With that said, I'm only trying to get your energies to be used in a more productive way. If you don't have the time, then you don't have the time.

 

There is probably a lot, given that many use the interstates to get to and between other neighborhoods for work and pleasure. I use Interstate 71, for instance, to go from downtown to Evanston because it saves me minutes on my commute. There are also a lot that reverse commute.

 

That said, Issue 9 isn't just about the streetcar, so targeting the message to drivers that could be using light rail would be appropriate. I can't remember what I was quoted on for a billboard a while back, but it wasn't as extreme as I had thought.

Well if you live on the west side of town, you won't be using the interstates much if at all.  This is the group that needs to be convinced most. 

I'm happy that Cincinnatians for Progress is out there putting up the good fight against COAST. However, as someone with a little bit of a PR background I think those in opposition to Issue 9 need to do more to get everyone to realize just how stupid it really is. And for once, it seems the progressive side of the argument might have the upper hand financially. Money wins elections and issues unfortunately. Right now I see two pro Issue 3 commercials for every one against. Those for rail transit need to get ads in the paper, swarm it with anti-issue 9 letters, and get the word out beyond downtown.

 

I live in Norwood so I can't vote on the matter. Believe me, I would vote against Issue 9 if I could and I'd volunteer a little bit of my time to fight it if I lived in the city. I'm just throwing my .02 out there b/c in a year I hope to be downtown. I commend Cincinnatians for Progress but the clock is ticking down until election time and the real fight is going to start soon.

some of us feel anonymity is the best course of action for various reasons...be they work or social pressures...so, i'll happily (and anonymously) support the efforts of CFP and others fighting for what i believe is right.

 

As far as using the interstates...i commute from PR to downtown every day using I-71 and so do quite a few people.  Billboards might be more effective than some may think.

You would also be surprised at how many people reverse commute from downtown and OTR.  Probably more downtowners drive on I75 and/or I71 daily than you would think.

Well if you live on the west side of town, you won't be using the interstates much if at all.  This is the group that needs to be convinced most. 

 

I couldn't agree more!! 

>Also, a trip to Portland's Union Station, where there's a terrific inter-city rail operation.

 

The new downtown light rail line pulls right up to the front door of the rail station. 

The billboard idea is probably a great idea for a county-wide vote like the 2002 Regional Transit Plan, but in terms of Issue 9 we're just dealing with city voters.  How many city voters are commuting into and out of Downtown via I-75 or I-71?  With that said, I'm only trying to get your energies to be used in a more productive way.  If you don't have the time, then you don't have the time.

 

There is probably a lot, given that many use the interstates to get to and between other neighborhoods for work and pleasure. I use Interstate 71, for instance, to go from downtown to Evanston because it saves me minutes on my commute. There are also a lot that reverse commute.

 

That said, Issue 9 isn't just about the streetcar, so targeting the message to drivers that could be using light rail would be appropriate. I can't remember what I was quoted on for a billboard a while back, but it wasn't as extreme as I had thought.

 

Trust me, I know that Issue 9 is about all passenger rail.  My point was that it's city voters we need to worry about since its a city vote.  Waging a general PR campaign to commuters coming in from the 'burbs is great and all, but probably not the right time given the importance of this city-only vote.

Who you need to know about rail fanatics. Don't let this happen in our city!

 

^Too late:

 

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

 

AND

 

There were about 40 students waiting for the UC's Southwest Route campus shuttle this morning in front of Calhoun Hall.  The bus got there and there wasn't even enough room for all the students.  Seems like it gets pretty high ridership for a route that "goes nowhere" (just makes a loop around the South and West sides of campus and comes back).

But isn't it also free?

The UC shuttle is free for students.  I'm just pointing out that it's crazy to say "no one will ride the Streetcar because it doesn't go anywhere" when 40 UC students are waiting at the shuttle stop at 8 a.m. to go an even shorter distance.

 

BTW, I'm hoping that a deal would be arranged similar to the original UC*Metro deal, where UC students would ride the Streetcar totally free.

Sounds like all the UC students would be completely satisfied with more busses!

Has anyone thought of getting as many college students registered to vote in the city as possible? They seem to be the demographic who would be likely to vote in favor of rail. I don’t know how it works if they live in the City for most of the year, are they eligible to vote in the city or do they have to take up residency within the city or something? I think next Monday October 5th  is the deadline to register to vote within the city, and I think that you can just get on Hamilton Co. Board of Elections website to register. Canvassing campus with a flyer or setting up a booth to help get them registered would be a good idea.

I would definitely let those students who were waiting for the shuttle know that there is a better option.

 

Well, at the University of Virginia, where I was at for three days last week for a conference, there were plenty of people using the bus system that connects their sprawling campus together. Additional buses and rubber-wheeled trollies connected the campus to various parts of the city -- and the downtown mall. All of the buses and trollies were packed, but the trolly is free and subsidized by the government.

 

To be able to vote, you need to be a U.S. citizen over 18 years of age.

 

You can register and vote instantaneously anytime this week starting on Tuesday, September 29th at the Board of Elections, 824 Broadway.

 

You need to bring a driver's license and some proof that you live in Cincinnati/Hamiton County -- a utility bill in your name, a pay stub with your local address on it, a current lease or deed showing you live at a local address.

 

You can definitely vote here if you are a student, but then that means you can't vote anywhere else.

 

If you can't get to the Board of Elections, you can also register at any library. You must register no later than October 5th.

 

Vote No on Nine! The only candidates who favor Issue 9 are Brad Wenstrup -- running for mayor -- and City Council candidates Chris Monzel and Charlie Winburn. All of the others are pro-rail.

 

I haven't seen any yard signs up yet. The library levy has been well marked throughout the city, but nothing regarding the rail initiative or the casino.

I'm not particularly familiar with UC's demographic trends, but don't a majority of the students commute from their parents' homes?  I know there is a sizeable population in Clifton and they'd probably be able to vote.  Any get out the vote campaign would be good.  Probably a lot of them are registered after last November's election.

Why can't we just run buses to see if the streetcar will work?

http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/why-cant-we-just-run-buses-to-see-if-the-streetcar-will-work/

 

  In the 1990's they said that U.C. had 20,000 commuters, including faculty and staff.

 

   In the 1990's they said that U.C. had 20,000 commuters, including faculty and staff.

 

That number is probably a little less, as more people are living on or immediately surrounding campus. The streetcar wouldn't really serve commuters, but it would serve to provide transportation to students, faculty, and residents of Clifton Heights to the zoo, area hospitals, and downtown/OTR.

 

 

For any UC students reading this, you can drop by the DAAP building at 4:15 in room 5401 (the second floor auditorium) to register.  Most UC students I've spoken to love the streetcar concept.

^Now that was some old stock footage.  Star Bank/Provident Bank @ 1:11 !!!!

 

Glad to know the streetcar will connect me to the SPCA too!  :evil:

 

 

Posted without comment: http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2009/09/28/smitherman-camping-out-at-elections-board/

 

 

For any UC students reading this, you can drop by the DAAP building at 4:15 in room 5401 (the second floor auditorium) to register. Most UC students I've spoken to love the streetcar concept.

 

Any chance we can get something like this going at XU?  Last year I saw Obama stuff EVERYWHERE on campus, but so far, there has been nothing for this election season.  I'd love to see some "No on 9" signs.

^ "Any chance we can get something like this going at XU?"

 

Isn't Xavier in Norwood?  I'm sure lots of students actually live in the city of Cincy, but being located outside the city limits might explain why they are slower on the draw.

Xavier's mostly in Evanston, growing into Norwood.

Joe Sprengard of Cincinnatians for Progress on Mike McConnel:

 

Listen Here (Select Hour 2): http://www.700wlw.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=mike_mcconnell.xml

 

 

 

Mayor Mallory was on Cunningham and the first question was his take on Issue 9.

 

Listen here: http://www.700wlw.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=bill_cunningham.xml

Tairy Greene over at the CAAST Blog sent me this link: http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/now-you-can-make-decisions-just-like.html

Tairy Greene over at the CAAST Blog sent me this link: http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/now-you-can-make-decisions-just-like.html

 

Awesome!

Anyone know when CFP plans to put out yard signs?  It's less than a month until the election...  Time is fleeting.  I noticed COAST is putting out their signs this weekend.

Contact CFP thorugh its site. They've been in town for several days.

^ Okay, thanks.  I havn't noticed any yet, and I signed up for one through their website, but maybe my information got lost somewhere along the way.

Got this from Cincinnatians for Progress:

 

You are invited! Cincinnatians for Progress is holding our final fundraiser at one of Cincinnati's oldest restaurants, Mecklenburg Gardens. In addition to eating some great traditional German food, we'll be unveiling our commercial and watching the Mayoral debate. Admission for general supporters is only $30 so come out and support the final push to keep Cincinnati's transportation options open. And remember this November, Vote Nein On Nine!

 

Überstimmen Sie das Volksbegehren Nummer neun doesn't quite have the same appeal as "Vote Nein on Issue Nine."    Enjoy the German food and drink...

 

:-P

 

I wish I voted in Cincinnati and not NKY. 

Produced by http://getsickproductions.com/a/Home.html

Say Yes to 9:20 on 91.7 WVXU, today.

 

I think that's when they said they'd be having an Issue 9 discussion.

Love the video!! Great stuff!!!

I wouldn't call the Brewery District a "point of interest" for now, unless you are there looking for prostitutes and gangs :D

^

Thousands of people come to the Brewery District every year to experience one of the largest collections of pre-Prohibition brewery architecture in the country.

 

^^and tens of thousands more will come once we have a streetcar.

Great video!!!  That makes the point.