February 10, 201114 yr ^ Actually this poll is good for us. Shows that the governance issue is still there: people don't want to mess with the Charter even if they're not convinced about the streetcar yet -- and, trust me, many more will be by Election Day. You're going to see most of the questions about the streetcar cleared-up between now and then. The opponents have been putting inaccurate information out there that's going to come back and bite them, make them look stupid, perhaps deceitful, when the facts are in. Mallory can be effective here, and he will be all-in on this campaign. Plus it's generally a county poll, and it's uncertain how the city itself breaks out. There will be a good news background during the campaign -- Banks apartments selling-out, Banks retail opening up, casino site being cleared, three hotels opening or starting consruction, rising earnings tax collectons, plus a groundbreaking for the streetcar. And remember, Chris Smitherman was the only City Council member to vote against the new Fountain Square. That's a hard vote to explain-away, and it contributes to the meme that his vision for our city is suspect. Our going-in numbers were much worse before the last campaign. Plus, we have an army of supporters, one that's much more motivated, much earlier, based on the cash and calls coming in. Will everyone be going to Grammer's next Wednesday after work? Campaigns live or die on money and volunteers, you know.
February 10, 201114 yr ^ I'm looking at a spreadsheet with 150 names of people who are coming to Grammer's next week, the majority of whom are serving as Hosts and contributing $100 each. Lots of new names. Pretty good work for a few days. This kind of response will enable us to hire a really good campaign manager early in the game.
February 10, 201114 yr I'm going to be RSVPing as a host and donating. Just waiting to get my tax return Monday. Exciting to really be involved this go-around.
February 10, 201114 yr I also sent out a blast to All Aboard Ohio's membership list so you may be getting donations from people all over the United States (we have members as far away as Alaska and Hawaii!). At least I hope so!! The importance of getting this project completed has statewide implications. Its success will instigate copy-cat projects not just elsewhere in Cincinnati, but in other Ohio cities too. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 10, 201114 yr Doc thompson had Tom Luken on today and talked about the project again for an hour. Needless to say, this is the opposition's strategy. 700 and The Enquirer over and over and over again. This is pretty much all they are doing.
February 10, 201114 yr Is there someone (John?) who can approach WLW about speaking on the issue? Yes, WLW and the Enquirer are obviously anti-streetcar, but Tom Luken has nothing better to do than to wax idiotic about these issues. I'd bet if someone on the pro side approached these news outlets to speak on behalf of the project then they'd probably agree to it. They can't present a proponent's views if there's no proponent to give it, after all.
February 10, 201114 yr ^ I've served my time on WLW. I see no reason to debate them until they are on the ballot.
February 11, 201114 yr Much like the wording in Issue 9 this new charter amendment makes all rail pretty much a no-go since it restricts spending money on any rail in city owned ROW. The attack should be two fold. Much like in 09 point out how much this restricts future development from light rail to Cincinnati Southern RR, etc. Secondly, keep hammering that COAST wants to spend an additional 400K on an election. I'll be sending some cash to CFP and writing letters to the Enquirer, but we (pro-streetcar) folks need to have our talking points too. This is about all rail and not just the streetcar.
February 11, 201114 yr This press release is replete with inaccuracies. Foremost, the ODOT budget is legally firewalled from the general revenue fund where the $8 billion deficit resides. The two budgets aren't even approved by the general assembly at the same time (ODOT's must be passed March 1, the general fund's by July 1). But they tried this with 3C and succeeded. We must make sure this isn't repeated with the streetcar..... ________ PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 11, 2011 Contact: Christopher Smitherman Cincinnati NAACP Cincinnati NAACP Asks Governor Kasich to Stop $50 Million Funding for Streetcar Today is the Last Day to Send Email Comment at 5:00 PM! CINCINNATI, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11, 2011 - The Cincinnati NAACP today asks Governor John Kasich and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jerry Wray to stop $50 million in wasteful spending on the Cincinnati Streetcar. It is important for members to send an e-mail to ODOT. The public comment period on the state funding portion of the project closes on February 11, 2011. In March, the State will make the final determination if $50 million in state funding will be committed to this project. Ohio is facing a massive $8 billion deficit in the coming biennial budget. Wasting $50 million on a project a majority of Cincinnati residents do not support is poor public policy. We have other priorities in our neighborhoods that need to be addressed before a streetcar. "City Council just voted this week to fire our entire Cincinnati police department to save money. However, the same majority of Council is still pushing a streetcar," Christopher Smitherman, president of the Cincinnati NAACP says. NAACP members may write to the official recipient of comments on the streetcar spending at ODOT at [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] and may copy both the NAACP offices ([email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]) and [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Please [mailto:[email protected]] write your e-mail today. This is a reminder if you have not sent your email. Today at 5:00 PM is the last day. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 11, 201114 yr More opposition talking points..... __________ Here are some reasons the Southwest Ohio Green PAC and the Hamilton County Green Party opposes the Cincinnati Streetcar plan which is why we would like the State of Ohio to not fund this proposal in any way. sent by: SW OH Green Pac, Gwen Marshall Treasurer, 1417 Bercliff Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223 Here’s what we know about the Cincinnati streetcar proposal: - The bonds the city is selling to build the streetcar carry the full support of the city so they can be paid back from operating funds, tax increases or reduced city services. - The expected $50 million a mile (3 miles of travel = 6 miles of track) to build this proposed route is likely a low ball figure since it includes a figure for Duke doing the wiring that many who work at Duke think is too low. - Water lines and optical fiber lines will need to be relocated for this project and if placed under the rail line will be hard to service and water users will be paying for moving the water lines. - In taking federal funds, the city is obligating itself to operate the streetcar, whether it is useful or not, for 40 years. - To keep the persons who are getting on the streetcar from being run down by traffic in the parking lane, curb extensions will be added to stop the parking lanes from being used for rush hour traffic, plus the streetcars will stop in the traffic lane. - The details of how Cincinnati can get around the issue of Over the Rhine being a historic district has not been resolved and neither has the exact route or configuration of the 90 degree turns. - It is expected that the Streetcar would run at least a $5 million a year operating deficit so the city is planning to divert money from its anticipated casino revenue to pay for these losses. - The proposed route is about 3 miles long and the estimated time from the Freedom Center to Vine and McMillan Street is 27 minutes and the plan is to have the streetcar stop running at 11 PM. - If there is a fire, the Fire Department will not be allowed to run its hoses across the tracks and they can’t run ladders or other rescue items over the 720 volt power lines. If there is a major fire on the block, or even a traffic accident, the streetcar can’t change its routes like the busses do now. - The streetcar is not being designed to coordinate with the existing metro bus routes and it is anticipated that parking will be needed since most people are being expected to drive to get the streetcar. - The assistant city manager who was working on the streetcar plan full time and was paid from the city’s 2010 operating fund is now the project manager. - Other ways the proposed streetcar has been competing against Cincinnati city services such as police, fire, environmental, parks, recreation, pension funds and so on for scarce dollars is: -- when any police officers are assigned to protect or handle traffic to protect the construction of the streetcar or when the lease payments are being made to Duke Energy after the sale of the City’s gas and electric lights to seed the streetcar with 7 million dollars, -- when the engineers from the city spend time working on the streetcar plans. -- As in other cities where economic development springs up along a streetcar line, the City of Cincinnati is expecting to subsidize the development with its tax dollars and other revenue sources. The Hamilton County Green Party is in favor of good public transportation, which is why we oppose this project. We believe that if this streetcar, as proposed is built, that when people see how wasteful, inefficient and ineffective this streetcar is, that it will doom any chance our region has to get a meaningful light rail or other public transportation system beyond our current bus system. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 11, 201114 yr "- To keep the persons who are getting on the streetcar from being run down by traffic in the parking lane, curb extensions will be added to stop the parking lanes from being used for rush hour traffic, plus the streetcars will stop in the traffic lane." How is this bad??? Are they advocating for more parking for cars??? That doesn't sound very "green" does it? I moved here from California- where we have *real* green parties that successfully work to ensure tax credits for solar panels, better water treatment systems, etc. The Hamilton County Green Party doesn't know a thing about the word green.
February 11, 201114 yr I moved here from California- where we have *real* green parties that successfully work to ensure tax credits for solar panels, better water treatment systems, etc. The Hamilton County Green Party doesn't know a thing about the word green. Sounds like a letter to the editor to me! Or a reason for starting another green party in Southwest Ohio. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 11, 201114 yr Greenwashing is the name of the game here. Of course, the green party should take a harder look at some of the libertarian arguments too. The site Market Urbanism is a good example. For instance, rather than adding tax credits for solar panels, etc., to try to rebalance an already distorted market, remove the original distortions (i.e. tax breaks for the established polluting oil and electric companies). This doesn't apply to all situations, but it's a sensible "treat the disease rather than just the symptoms" mentality that can build good bi-partisan or even multi-partisan support.
February 11, 201114 yr "- The assistant city manager who was working on the streetcar plan full time and was paid from the city’s 2010 operating fund is now the project manager." Another completely ridiculous point... WHAT>!>! the City staff member who worked on the streetcar was paid for his job!!?!? BLASPHEMY. Do we pay other city employees too??? "- The details of how Cincinnati can get around the issue of Over the Rhine being a historic district has not been resolved and neither has the exact route or configuration of the 90 degree turns. " Considering OTR was built WITH streetcars in the 19th century, I think they can make this work... "- The proposed route is about 3 miles long and the estimated time from the Freedom Center to Vine and McMillan Street is 27 minutes and the plan is to have the streetcar stop running at 11 PM." - I'm sure it takes almost the same length of time to take a bus from the Freedom Way by the Freedom center to McMillan street (since you have to walk almost four blocks to Government square)- And WAY longer to ride a bike or walk (that hill is brutal!). I'm guessing the "green" party would prefer you drive a car instead. And 11PM is a completely guessed number. 12AM is much more likely.. the same time most busses stop- but neither of these times are decided upon.
February 11, 201114 yr The twitter universe is exploding with pro-streetcar people. Its incredible. There's some enlightening and funny people all over the city. Its great to see. I think COAST has awakened a sleeping giant. Some of these tweets are great. "If Chris Finney, Chris Smitherman, Eric Deters, and Tom Luken were in a band, what would the name be? The Four Flops? MISS? The Bores?"
February 11, 201114 yr I'm looking for the exact ballot measure language for an upcoming letter to the editor. I want to point out how the proposal limits all future rail on city owned ROW (guessing the Zoo is included again). Anyone have a link?
February 11, 201114 yr John, can you post one here? If not, e-mail me and I can post it. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 11, 201114 yr This is COAST's version: Streetcar Spending Petition 2011 v5 C _FINAL "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
February 12, 201114 yr The Fishwrap's new commenting system allows "voting" up AND down now. In the past streetcar opponents would have no "likes", now they get negative "scores". Smitherman is now warning citizens that in the event of a snow emergency, PEOPLE WILL DIE because too much of the city budget will be diverted to the streetcar thus underfunding snow removal.
February 12, 201114 yr We should start warning citizens that PEOPLE WILL DIE if Smitherman is given any credibility whatsoever.
February 12, 201114 yr I just hope a lot of Cincinnatians are watching Smitherman's TV show on Time Warner Channel #4 at nights. That ought to disabuse them of the notion that he ought to be our leader.
February 12, 201114 yr The twitter universe is exploding with pro-streetcar people. Its incredible. There's some enlightening and funny people all over the city. Its great to see. I think COAST has awakened a sleeping giant. Some of these tweets are great. "If Chris Finney, Chris Smitherman, Eric Deters, and Tom Luken were in a band, what would the name be? The Four Flops? MISS? The Bores?" Maybe it's just a generational thing having to do with the demographics of twitter users, but it seems like Cincinnati's twitter-universe is overwhelmingly in favor of the streetcar. (And aren't these the types of people the city should be trying to retain -- you know, the "young professional" types?)
February 12, 201114 yr ^ Here's the problem: most people under 30 don't vote. If they're at UC or Xavier, chances are a lot of them who do vote don't vote here. We're really going to need streetcar supports to register to vote in Hamilton County within the next month and then vote on May 3rd. People can go to the Hamilton County Board of Elections site, put in their address to see if they're registered properly at their current address (not a previous one, this is very important) and then follow a link to see how to properly register if they're not.
February 12, 201114 yr ^ Here's the problem: most people under 30 don't vote. If they're at UC or Xavier, chances are a lot of them who do vote don't vote here. We're really going to need streetcar supports to register to vote in Hamilton County within the next month and then vote on May 3rd. People can go to the Hamilton County Board of Elections site, put in their address to see if they're registered properly at their current address (not a previous one, this is very important) and then follow a link to see how to properly register if they're not. Very true. That under 30 demographic was crucial in 2008 for Obama, and the lack of the under 30 demographic really helped republican steamroll of 2010. Its also important to note that if one wants to vote for this May 3rd ballot, you have to register 30 days in advance. http://www.electionsonthe.net/oh/register.htm
February 13, 201114 yr <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v7sSEERTjKY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Regional Priority - Cincinnati Streetcar New streetcar video.
February 13, 201114 yr ^ Good. Really well done. A couple of things maybe or maybe not worth changing. * The streetcar doesn't go as far north as McMicken in OTR; it turns east on Henry Street to Race. * It shows rail on Mehring Way; that would never happen -- because it floods too often. * Also shows rail running along the river in Covington. That probably won't ever happen. I think they want to pull it up more into the center of Covington, maybe even as far north as 11th/12th Street. That's where they need more investment -- kind of like what we're doing in OTR. Who made this?
February 13, 201114 yr ^ Judging by the name of the YouTube channel, it was OKI who made it. I wish someone would make a plan to send a streetcar to Lower Price Hill. I think that would really help the support base -- showing the west side some love. It could really give a boost to the Incline District, by giving some modern relevance to its historic brand. Plus LPH is super-ripe for revitalization. It's politically and economically useful (provided the cost of going all along 8th St. between DT and LPH does not kill the potential benefit). But even hinting at the possibility could do wonders politically. The west side seems to be the heart of opposition, and one of the main reasons is because they don't see how the west side could benefit.
February 13, 201114 yr This press release is replete with inaccuracies. Foremost, the ODOT budget is legally firewalled from the general revenue fund where the $8 billion deficit resides. The two budgets aren't even approved by the general assembly at the same time (ODOT's must be passed March 1, the general fund's by July 1). But they tried this with 3C and succeeded. We must make sure this isn't repeated with the streetcar..... ________ PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 11, 2011 Contact: Christopher Smitherman Cincinnati NAACP Cincinnati NAACP Asks Governor Kasich to Stop $50 Million Funding for Streetcar Today is the Last Day to Send Email Comment at 5:00 PM! CINCINNATI, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11, 2011 - The Cincinnati NAACP today asks Governor John Kasich and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jerry Wray to stop $50 million in wasteful spending on the Cincinnati Streetcar. It is important for members to send an e-mail to ODOT. The public comment period on the state funding portion of the project closes on February 11, 2011. In March, the State will make the final determination if $50 million in state funding will be committed to this project. Ohio is facing a massive $8 billion deficit in the coming biennial budget. Wasting $50 million on a project a majority of Cincinnati residents do not support is poor public policy. We have other priorities in our neighborhoods that need to be addressed before a streetcar. "City Council just voted this week to fire our entire Cincinnati police department to save money. However, the same majority of Council is still pushing a streetcar," Christopher Smitherman, president of the Cincinnati NAACP says. NAACP members may write to the official recipient of comments on the streetcar spending at ODOT at [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] and may copy both the NAACP offices ([email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]) and [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Please [mailto:[email protected]] write your e-mail today. This is a reminder if you have not sent your email. Today at 5:00 PM is the last day. This and other things make want to stay away form the NAACP...instead of reinvesting in cities they want them to stay run down and terrible.....there afraid change...:(
February 14, 201114 yr Today's casino article makes mention of the streetcar... Casino estimates shrink Fewer seats mean lower tax revenues Ohio's four casinos will open next year with 7,400 fewer gambling seats than originally projected - potentially cutting millions of dollars from new tax revenue to the state's cities, counties and schools. The implications could be felt across the state, as officials debate using casino money for new textbooks, arts enhancements, economic development - perhaps even the streetcar in Cincinnati. cont "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
February 14, 201114 yr BTW, I think it's time to update the Cincinnatians for Progress website! It's not Issue 9, and their address/contact info doesn't jibe in the different places it's listed. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 14, 201114 yr Cincinnati Streetcar Wikipedia page has been updated to include the 2011 ballot initiative. Pretty funny looking...
February 15, 201114 yr Event at Grammer's looks to be pretty much a blowout. Awesome to hear, great work yet again John and those folks who put this together. One question...what are the odds that the fish wrap covers this event?
February 15, 201114 yr They may cover it, but they will write a critical piece that no one took a streetcar to get there. :-P "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 15, 201114 yr >what are the odds that the fish wrap covers this event? I'll take some video footage at it so nobody can deny that it is packed.
February 15, 201114 yr What about WCPO, Fox19, WLWT, etc- Anyword if Soapbox of CityBeat will at least write about it?
February 15, 201114 yr ^ Judging by the name of the YouTube channel, it was OKI who made it. I wish someone would make a plan to send a streetcar to Lower Price Hill. I think that would really help the support base -- showing the west side some love. It could really give a boost to the Incline District, by giving some modern relevance to its historic brand. Plus LPH is super-ripe for revitalization. It's politically and economically useful (provided the cost of going all along 8th St. between DT and LPH does not kill the potential benefit). But even hinting at the possibility could do wonders politically. The west side seems to be the heart of opposition, and one of the main reasons is because they don't see how the west side could benefit. I made a quick Google Map. What do you think? http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cincinnati,+OH&gl=us&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213298464299610475493.00049c313145d4fc470d8&t=h&z=13
February 16, 201114 yr ^ Thanks for doing this! It really illustrates why a Streetcar line to Price Hill is kind of tricky... Streetcars traditionally have stops every 800-1000 feet and traditionally work better in high density areas. The nearly mile long stretch across queensgate passes such a low density area the cost would not be worth it. Now-- Perhaps a streetcar that extended from the Glenway crossing area down to Lower price hill and across 8th to downtown could exist. but I just don't think there would be much value in spending the roughly $30-50 per million a mile that a streetcar system would cost to go through such an unbelievably low density area such as Queensgate. In an ideal world... you would have light rail that stopped in most neighborhoods, with streetcars that are within just a few denser neighborhoods.
February 16, 201114 yr Just a reminder about tonight's Get on Board event at Grammer's. Be there! When? 6:00 PM Where? Grammer's Bar, Liberty and Walnut, Cincinnati Who? YOU
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