November 4, 200915 yr Great pics from Arnold's... Wish I could've been there. Is everybody else as hung over as I am? Too much Gin? HA!
November 4, 200915 yr I hadn't paid too much attention to the casino until now, but yeah, it is a pretty big deal. If they put it anywhere in Cincinnati, the city will have a monopoly on casinos in the region, except Lawrenceburg. Lawrenceburg always was in competition with Cincinnati. The Whitewater Canal was the response to the Miami and Erie. I guess the light rail to Lawrenceburg is unneccessay now, not that it ever really had a chance.
November 4, 200915 yr Streetcar clears hurdle, but maybe not the last The Cincinnati streetcar plan remains on track today after winning a major - but perhaps not final - victory Tuesday when city voters decided that they want choices about passenger rail made at City Hall, not at the polls. Read Full Article Here: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091104/NEWS0108/911040379/Streetcar+clears+hurdle++but+maybe+not+the+last "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
November 4, 200915 yr From the article... "The other side kept saying this wasn't about the streetcar - so we'll make it about the streetcar," said Cincinnati NAACP President Christopher Smitherman A$$hat "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
November 4, 200915 yr What are the chances we will get the funding from the stimulus request through ODOT before this nonsense happens again next year? "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." - Warren Buffett
November 4, 200915 yr Happy to hear the news and glad that my absentee ballot that I send in from Bermuda helped issue 9 get voted DOWN!
November 4, 200915 yr Federal funding awards for streetcar projects are expected in late-January. Cincinnati is right at the top of the list along with Milwaukee, Fort Worth, West Sacramento, Tucson and Atlanta. Boise would have been in there, but now it looks like it will have an Issue 9 of its own.
November 4, 200915 yr I'm guessing the West Sacramento request is for the extension of Sacramento's current LRT system. Fort Worth and Milwaukee certainly need it as well. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 4, 200915 yr I'm thrilled that issue 9 failed. Now with council we have who that supports the actual streetcar? I know Monzel and Ghiz are against it (at least for now)...Winburn is probably against it. I think the majority is still positive with Bortz siding with Qualls, Thomas, Cole and Quinlivan. so, that's 5.
November 4, 200915 yr It's fitting that Cincinnati bought back its rail future on the same day that Warren Buffett bought Burlington Northern.
November 4, 200915 yr Any thoughts about the Casino encouraging council to add an extension to the proposed route...or even adjusting the route to make a stop by broadway commons. Maybe council can use that as leverage for additional support and funding for the streetcar.
November 4, 200915 yr Ghiz will be for it. She has countywide ambitions, and the county wants transportation choices. I worked the Main Libary polling place yesteday -- kind of a microcosm of the region if you think about it. And lots of suburbanites on both sides of the river said they wished they could have voted against it too. There is significant interest in light rail here again. Ghiz isn't going to be able to pick and choose between what's a streetcar and what's light rail. Except for the people reading this and maybe 1,000 other Cincinnatians, most people couldn't tell the difference.
November 4, 200915 yr Any thoughts about the Casino encouraging council to add an extension to the proposed route...or even adjusting the route to make a stop by broadway commons. Maybe council can use that as leverage for additional support and funding for the streetcar. Personally, I'd leave the first phase as-is, and have the second phase be an East-West loop from Broadway Commons to the Museum Center.
November 4, 200915 yr Smitherman et al promising yet another petition drive and vote for 2010: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091104/NEWS0108/911040379/1055/NEWS/Streetcar+clears+hurdle++but+maybe+not+the+last
November 4, 200915 yr Smitherman et al promising yet another petition drive and vote for 2010: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091104/NEWS0108/911040379/1055/NEWS/Streetcar+clears+hurdle++but+maybe+not+the+last Shouldn't the NAACP have more pressing issues to deal with? Maybe it's a good sign for race relations in Cincinnati, that the NAACP has the time to get so worked up about rail transit.
November 4, 200915 yr Smitherman's obsession with the streetcar is starting to look like Ahab's obsession with Moby Dick. He should really get some therapy.
November 4, 200915 yr The thought is with this cloud over the project's head they can keep delaying funding and stall it out until there's council turnover.
November 4, 200915 yr As long as they have the money to do so. Hopefully we'll get some good news in January, and construction will already be underway before Smitherman can get another stupid referendum on the ballot.
November 4, 200915 yr I'm guessing the West Sacramento request is for the extension of Sacramento's current LRT system. Fort Worth and Milwaukee certainly need it as well. I can't speak about Fort Worth's proposal, but if they had to make the choice between funding Milwaukee's route or Cincinnati's route, Cincy would win for sure. Milwaukee still hasn't decided on a final route (we're down to three and all have minor impact) and none of the proposed routes to date have an expansion plan. Cincinnati has the strongest phasing plan I've ever seen for a streetcar route. There's no doubt in my mind that it will be a success and I think that stimulus funds will reflect that.
November 4, 200915 yr Anyone know Smitherman's term as President? I know he took office in April of 2007. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
November 4, 200915 yr I'm guessing the West Sacramento request is for the extension of Sacramento's current LRT system. Fort Worth and Milwaukee certainly need it as well. I can't speak about Fort Worth's proposal, but if they had to make the choice between funding Milwaukee's route or Cincinnati's route, Cincy would win for sure. Milwaukee still hasn't decided on a final route (we're down to three and all have minor impact) and none of the proposed routes to date have an expansion plan. Cincinnati has the strongest phasing plan I've ever seen for a streetcar route. There's no doubt in my mind that it will be a success and I think that stimulus funds will reflect that. Is there any chance that we could use the fact that Cincinnati voted down issue 9 (effectively a vote for rail transit), to bolster our argument that Cincinnati is serious about rail?
November 4, 200915 yr Laketa Cole is pro-streetcar unless she decides to pick a fight with Mallory, which seems unlikely. If you're a D it's best to be on Mallory's good side considering he's likely headed back to some state or to some national office at some point. The night was a clean sweep for pro-city causes with the exception of the reappearance of Charlie Winburn. I doubt that Laurie Q will rock the boat in any way, but Charlie Winburn is a bringer of chaos. I doubt that he will be particularly effective at anything other than appearing on the Bill Cunningham show slightly less than Leslie Ghiz. Also, that 2 of 3 top-3 vote getters are Charterites I think is quite remarkable. What other city has a local political party that wins that kind of support? From what I remember, Winburn is not as obnoxious as Cole. Cole was asked about the streetcar in a class I'm in at UC and she was hesitant to say anything. Hopefully she'll go along with the majority (heck she always does, doesn't she?) because I only foresee two people adamantly opposing the streetcar. Quinlivin is definitely pro streetcar. I'm just happy Winburn is on because it breaks up that 5-4 vote that was consistent the past two years, where the 5 basically ignored the other 4 at every council meeting I ever attended. Maybe there will actually be meaningful, constructive debate now, rather than constant bickering. It seems there are a few people in the middle that will do a good job of representing Cincinnati's best interest, rather than their own or their parties. It's a good thing that we broke up that majority, while keeping council pro-streetcar overall.
November 4, 200915 yr Streetcar clears hurdle, but maybe not the last ISSUE 9 By Barry M. Horstman, Cincinnati Enquirer, November 4, 2009 The Cincinnati streetcar plan remains on track today after winning a major - but perhaps not final - victory Tuesday when city voters decided that they want choices about passenger rail made at City Hall, not at the polls. By a 56-44 percent margin, city voters rejected Issue 9, a proposed charter amendment that would have given the public the definitive say on whether to proceed with the streetcar and other regional, statewide and national rail systems involving Cincinnati.
November 4, 200915 yr When this thing gets built they should name it "the trolley" out of spite...lol. San Diego's whole light rail system is the trolley
November 4, 200915 yr When this thing gets built they should name it "the trolley" out of spite...lol. San Diego's whole light rail system is the trolley I prefer Cincy Choo-Choo Train
November 4, 200915 yr Ram23, I really hope you're right, but to me it looks like we'll still have 5-4 splits, they'll just go the other way with Bortz, Ghiz, Windbag, and Berding as the majority. Fortunately, the streetcar should have majority support, depending on how Cole actually decides to vote. Great job on getting the word out on Issue 9 everyone. It's a great day!
November 4, 200915 yr Chicago has this stupid little "trolley" bus system (like the one shown on COAST's yard signs) that shuttles fat tourists between Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier, and each of the buses has a name that rhyme with "trolley": Molly, Wally, etc. I propose that Cincinnati's first four streetcars be named Smitherman, Miller, Finney, and The Dean.
November 4, 200915 yr Author Ram23, I really hope you're right, but to me it looks like we'll still have 5-4 splits, they'll just go the other way with Bortz, Ghiz, Windbag, and Berding as the majority. Fortunately, the streetcar should have majority support, depending on how Cole actually decides to vote. Great job on getting the word out on Issue 9 everyone. It's a great day! Two things to remember 1. The mayor can veto a 5-4 vote if it doesn't go his way. 2. This is Cole's last term on council, she can't run again.
November 4, 200915 yr Smitherman is planning a Mayor recall ballot initiative as well as a streetcar ballot initiative for 2010. These next 7-8 months are crucial for the streetcar. They need to secure the funding asap. Hopefully the casino will pitch in some and I imagine more will invest since they know it is a go at the current moment without any obstacles. There is no time to delay and sit around though. The research is done, the route is in place, lets secure that funding
November 4, 200915 yr Interactive voting map on Issue 9: http://dunes.cincinnati.com/election2009/map/issue9/
November 4, 200915 yr Interactive voting map on Issue 9: http://dunes.cincinnati.com/election2009/map/issue9/ Ok, it's not so interactive, but still shows the precinct breakdown.
November 4, 200915 yr Wow. Issue 9 failed by 3 votes in my precinct! That's my wife and I, plus 1. Crazy.
November 4, 200915 yr Smitherman is planning a Mayor recall ballot initiative as well as a streetcar ballot initiative for 2010. Be cautious of any ballot initiative you are asked to sign! "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
November 4, 200915 yr Christ, will he please just quit? No. He is still a cry baby from losing his seat on City Council.
November 4, 200915 yr Ram23, I really hope you're right, but to me it looks like we'll still have 5-4 splits, they'll just go the other way with Bortz, Ghiz, Windbag, and Berding as the majority. Fortunately, the streetcar should have majority support, depending on how Cole actually decides to vote. Great job on getting the word out on Issue 9 everyone. It's a great day! Two things to remember 1. The mayor can veto a 5-4 vote if it doesn't go his way. 2. This is Cole's last term on council, she can't run again. And Monzel (which makes it the majority) but with the mayor veto, I think we may end up with a productive council that is able to debate issues and come to some sort of agreement on things. The 5 that may be a majority a lot of the time aren't all against the streetcar, so I have absolutely no fear that council will try to stop this from happening.
November 4, 200915 yr Someone from Issue 9 will be on Bill Cunningham's show 12-3 today. Not sure which side will be represented though... With Wenstrup also being on his show today, I am guessing it'll be a COASTer. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
November 4, 200915 yr When this thing gets built they should name it "the trolley" out of spite...lol. San Diego's whole light rail system is the trolley I prefer Cincy Choo-Choo Train I really like Cincy Choo Choo. It's got a nice ring to it. Once it gets built, people will ride it no matter what it's called. I think we can have fun with this. (NOTE: I'm one of those people that will always call the Seattle Streetcar the "South Lake Union Trolley". HAHAHA, being able to tell people you rode the Seattle SLUT is priceless)
November 4, 200915 yr Ram23, I think you will be severely dissapointed in Winburn. He doesn't think things through, acts before he thinks and does not work collaboratively at all. He will fight the streetcar, and he will fight it mostly in the public arena, because that is how he operates.
November 4, 200915 yr Someone from Issue 9 will be on Bill Cunningham's show 12-3 today. Not sure which side will be represented though... With Wenstrup also being on his show today, I am guessing it'll be a COASTer. Sloan(Can't stand him) is talking about a "trolley" on his show. "Does it make sense now that a casino has passed?" Also cunningham will have some Cincinnatians for Progress on as well as Luken
November 4, 200915 yr Someone from Issue 9 will be on Bill Cunningham's show 12-3 today. Not sure which side will be represented though... With Wenstrup also being on his show today, I am guessing it'll be a COASTer. Just announced that it'll be be someone from Cincinnatians for Progress. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
November 4, 200915 yr Smitherman is planning a Mayor recall ballot initiative as well as a streetcar ballot initiative for 2010. Who elected Smitherman? This guy is out of his guord. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 4, 200915 yr He may be operating on the theory that if he keeps at it eventually it will stick. In other words...even a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut.
November 4, 200915 yr Author Let's Make Cincinnati A Better Place to Live http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/let%E2%80%99s-make-cincinnati-a-better-place-to-live/
Create an account or sign in to comment