November 23, 201311 yr But what all the Republicans who voted for Cranley missed is that his "fiscal conservatism" will all be for show to eventually unseat Brad Wenstrup. So Cincinnati will suffer from his chaos so that Cranley can show Ohio's second district that he's the "real conservative". He'll get all the D votes, split the Republicans, and send Wenstrup back to his podiatry practice. I wish nothing but future failures for Cranley, and I would never, EVER vote for him for State office. He's ostracizing a lot of democrats with this foolishness...real democrats that he will need as his 'base' for any future run. Cranley is a scum bag, and I would vote for Sarah Palin over his dumb ass. ^ Posts like this aren't helpful. We're trying to build bridges to Cranley and newly elected City Council members. Rail opponents read this site, and stuff like this gets back to people we need to influence and it damages our efforts. Think about it.
November 23, 201311 yr Out of curiosity. What exactly are you referencing when you say you're trying to build bridges? How's that working out?
November 23, 201311 yr Points well taken...logically do the math. Even within $20M would you rather sink a project with no ROI or would you spend to get the benefit? Again I think the drive should be to fund the operational costs. This question needs to be taken off the board.
November 23, 201311 yr Points well taken...logically do the math. Even within $20M would you rather sink a project with no ROI or would you spend to get the benefit? Again I think the drive should be to fund the operational costs. This question needs to be taken off the board. I agree. It would even be a face-saving measure to just finish the project but not commit to starting service unless and until a revenue source could be identified to fund the operating costs. And if the new administration doesn't (won't) find one, at least nobody sunk yet another transit project and wasted millions of dollars. I would almost even respect a decision to defund operating costs, because at least it would show a true difference of priorities between this new administration and the outgoing one. Canceling the project mid-construction is just wasteful and, frankly, insane.
November 23, 201311 yr Out of curiosity. What exactly are you referencing when you say you're trying to build bridges? How's that working out? John is right. Even though we would all love to sit around and talk crap about Cranley and his new council, it would do nothing to help us keep this project a float. Like it or not, we're stuck with them and we have to try to get them to listen to us or the project is dead. The only way this project will be finished is if we can convince council to go against Cranley's orders and vote not to cancel it.
November 23, 201311 yr I agree. It would even be a face-saving measure to just finish the project but not commit to starting service unless and until a revenue source could be identified to fund the operating costs. And if the new administration doesn't (won't) find one, at least nobody sunk yet another transit project and wasted millions of dollars. I would almost even respect a decision to defund operating costs, because at least it would show a true difference of priorities between this new administration and the outgoing one. Canceling the project mid-construction is just wasteful and, frankly, insane. We can't simply build the project and not operate it. Well, technically we COULD do that, but the feds would take their $45 million back. There are operating requirements for us to keep that money.
November 23, 201311 yr I would think Kevin Flynn is someone worth trying convince of the Streetcar value. Accessibility was a big selling point and with Flynn being wheelchair bound that would be something to highlight.
November 23, 201311 yr I would think Kevin Flynn is someone worth trying convince of the Streetcar value. Accessibility was a big selling point and with Flynn being wheelchair bound that would be something to highlight. Not only that, but he used to be a BIG supporter. I remember him coming to lots of No on 9 events during that election as he was trying to get elected with the pro-streetcar crowd at that time. In fact, I spoke with him personally on several occasions and he was all for it. I think he switched camps just to get himself elected. Now we can only hope that he will do the thing politicians are best at doing and not stick to his campaign promises.
November 23, 201311 yr In the spirit of hoping to gain his support I emailed him and other council members essentially explaining, from the perspective of a soon-to-be graduate, that people my age will just go elsewhere if projects like the streetcar aren't implemented. My friend and I have also reached out to and gotten responses from Santa Ono at UC urging his support of the project as retaining his student body within the city is incredibly important. He seems to be in support of making this city better for his students and as such is looking into working with council and the mayor to do so. I'm hoping more people in power positions come out in favor of the project. We know they're out there, I just don't know why they choose to mostly stay hidden. We could use their support.
November 24, 201311 yr I would think Kevin Flynn is someone worth trying convince of the Streetcar value. Accessibility was a big selling point and with Flynn being wheelchair bound that would be something to highlight. Not only that, but he used to be a BIG supporter. I remember him coming to lots of No on 9 events during that election as he was trying to get elected with the pro-streetcar crowd at that time. In fact, I spoke with him personally on several occasions and he was all for it. I think he switched camps just to get himself elected. Now we can only hope that he will do the thing politicians are best at doing and not stick to his campaign promises. Do you mean what politicians do best, disavow any connection with their former heartfelt statements? It is all about the here and now, anything tzhey may have said before is strictly heresay.
November 24, 201311 yr 11/24 Newsmakers covers Metro & the streetcar. The first segment covers efficiency of Metro & expansion plans & sets the stage nicely in promoting the streetcar. http://www.local12.com/entertainment/features/newsmakers/#.UpIimyjvMUh
November 25, 201311 yr Chris Wetterich lays the smackdown on Cranley. This article is chock-full of great quotes. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2013/11/commentary-cranley-doubles-down-on.html?page=all Asked why anyone should believe a politician over an engineer with decades of successful project management experience, a budget director with a Xavier MBA and 15 years experience at City Hall, and half the city legal staff, Cranley didn't answer the question. "Well," he said, "The fact of the matter is it doesn’t take $40 million to say stop. And that's a scare tactic." It reminded me of what Stephen Colbert once said about George W. Bush: "He believes the same thing Wednesday that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened on Tuesday. Events can change. This man's beliefs never will."
November 25, 201311 yr yeah that is a pretty scathing article attacking Cranley's attitude since the election. Too bad the Enquirer won't write with the same quality of journalism
November 25, 201311 yr Something incidental that I've been meaning to mention since the election: I know of people who voted for Cranley because he's pro-life, not because they oppose the streetcar. Don't forget that the Right to Life movement basically started in Cincinnati, founded by Dr. John Willke and his wife Barbara, and there are many voters in this town who consider abortion THE one and only issue. African Americans as a group are anti-abortion. So are Roman Catholics. Both groups figure largely in Cincinnati's demographic makeup. Cranley's victory is just as likely attributable to his stance on abortion as his stance on the streetcar. Yeah, because the Mayor of Cincinnati has a lot of sway in the national abortion debate. :wtf: Municipalities can change zoning & health code ordinances to make providers existing offices non-compliant and new offices prohibitively expensive.
November 25, 201311 yr I won a free trial subscription for this year from the Business Courier and I am seriously considering renewing my subscription because of their coverage of the streetcar. It really is the voice of reason in Cincinnati media.
November 25, 201311 yr I won a free trial subscription for this year from the Business Courier and I am seriously considering renewing my subscription because of their coverage of the streetcar. It really is the voice of reason in Cincinnati media. Do it. I really think streetcar supporters and others should have organized a boycott of the Enquirer a long time ago. Their reporting has been slanted at best and since most papers are in a rather precarious financial state these days, a boycott might have had a positive effect.
November 25, 201311 yr ^If this step is taken, we should simultaneously direct readers to outlets like the Business Courier and CityBeat that have actually been delivering some solid reporting as of late.
November 25, 201311 yr ^If this step is taken, we should simultaneously direct readers to outlets like the Business Courier and CityBeat that have actually been delivering some solid reporting as of late. That's a good idea.
November 25, 201311 yr I love the Business Courier for their honest reporting. Does anyone know what this is all about? http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2013/11/25/federal-transit-lawyer-to-talk-about-streetcar/ I'm guessing Cranley and his new council members won't bother to show up for this either...
November 25, 201311 yr ^It was mentioned on the "Cincinnati Streetcar Organization's" facebook page today. That's all I know. Do those guys post here? It seems like there are 2 or 3 groups fighting for the streetcar, but I have no idea how/if they are affiliated or even working together: 1) Cincinnatians For Progress 2) Townhall Streetcar Team/WeBelieveInCincinnati 3) Cincinnati Streetcar Organization I'm glad that there are so many people working to save this, but it feels pretty disorganized. If it's all the same group (Cincinnatians For Progress?), then that needs to be clearly defined. If it's separate groups working toward the same goal, it would be helpful if that was spelled out somewhere, so that supporters know who to inform if something gets missed. Also, whatever that group is, there needs to be a suggestion box so that supporters can submit ideas without broadcasting them to the entire internet. Basically, we need a unified voice and right now, it sounds like we have many voices echoing the same messages. No offense intended to anyone involved.
November 25, 201311 yr David Mann is your new vice mayor. That most likely means he will vote to cancel the Streetcar. It's up to Flynn and pg now
November 25, 201311 yr David Mann is your new vice mayor. That most likely means he will vote to cancel the Streetcar. It's up to Flynn and pg now Assuming Amy Murray is a lost cause? I think Flynn is our best bet for support. PG is a maybe, but I just don't know if it can happen. I really hope these people are going to wake up and make a responsible decision.
November 25, 201311 yr ^It was mentioned on the "Cincinnati Streetcar Organization's" facebook page today. That's all I know. Do those guys post here? It seems like there are 2 or 3 groups fighting for the streetcar, but I have no idea how/if they are affiliated or even working together: 1) Cincinnatians For Progress 2) Townhall Streetcar Team/WeBelieveInCincinnati 3) Cincinnati Streetcar Organization I'm glad that there are so many people working to save this, but it feels pretty disorganized. If it's all the same group (Cincinnatians For Progress?), then that needs to be clearly defined. If it's separate groups working toward the same goal, it would be helpful if that was spelled out somewhere, so that supporters know who to inform if something gets missed. Also, whatever that group is, there needs to be a suggestion box so that supporters can submit ideas without broadcasting them to the entire internet. Basically, we need a unified voice and right now, it sounds like we have many voices echoing the same messages. No offense intended to anyone involved. This group: 2) Townhall Streetcar Team/WeBelieveInCincinnati
November 25, 201311 yr Cindi Andrews @cindiincincy 3m @VotePG will give streetcar position at 8:30 tues. His takeaway from today: to cancel now would be unprecedented & hurt relationship w feds. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 25, 201311 yr >Assuming Amy Murray is a lost cause? She had a slumber party with Lisa Wells on 700WLW on Saturday night at 11:30. Both went on and on panning the streetcar and taking jabs at Laure Quinlivan.
November 25, 201311 yr @VotePG will give streetcar position at 8:30 tues. His takeaway from today: to cancel now would be unprecedented & hurt relationship w feds. I'm glad I set my expectation low, way to go PG!
November 25, 201311 yr Anybody hear what the FTA guy had to say? heh - wonder if PG felt snubbed on the VM thing?
November 25, 201311 yr Anybody hear what the FTA guy had to say? heh - wonder if PG felt snubbed on the VM thing? He reiterated everything in the letter: a pause would require the feds to immediately request their money be returned, SORTA funding could be cut if the money isn't repaid, no other city has ever done anything like that, he's never had to meet a legislature this far into a project before, the FTA would look into the failure of the streetcar when considering future requests, etc. It really made it even more painfully obvious that quitting now would be unprecedented, yet John Cranley marches on.
November 25, 201311 yr He reiterated everything in the letter: a pause would require the feds to immediately request their money be returned, SORTA funding could be cut if the money isn't repaid, no other city has ever done anything like that, he's never had to meet a legislature this far into a project before, the FTA would look into the failure of the streetcar when considering future requests, etc. It really made it even more painfully obvious that quitting now would be unprecedented, yet John Cranley marches on. Correct on all counts, including the last part...... Jeff Hirsh @local12jeff Cranley: we will give back federal streetcar $$ if necessary @Local12 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 25, 201311 yr John Cranley is an absolute lost cause. He's a borderline lunatic and has zero interest in the future of Cincinnati. I honestly can't think of a worse mayor, other than Smitherman or the lifetime losers at Coast. Surely those who had hopes of working with him are now realizing that he's in this for his ego. He'll work with you, if he gets HIS way. The enquirer tabbed it right: He's a freaking dictator. At this point, he's so obsessed with winning that he'd pay $200 million stop the streetcar if it was 100 percent completed and was shuttling thousands of riders a day at full capacity.
November 25, 201311 yr "The Enquirer tabbed it right?" No way they endorced he guy. No, but they did admonish him for his dictatorial style in that joke of an endorsement.
November 25, 201311 yr John Cranley is an absolute lost cause. He's a borderline lunatic and has zero interest in the future of Cincinnati. I honestly can't think of a worse mayor, other than Smitherman or the lifetime losers at Coast. Surely those who had hopes of working with him are now realizing that he's in this for his ego. He'll work with you, if he gets HIS way. The enquirer tabbed it right: He's a freaking dictator. At this point, he's so obsessed with winning that he'd pay $200 million stop the streetcar if it was 100 percent completed and was shuttling thousands of riders a day at full capacity. Wow. Even as the tide begins to build against him, he entrenches.
November 25, 201311 yr @VotePG will give streetcar position at 8:30 tues. His takeaway from today: to cancel now would be unprecedented & hurt relationship w feds. I'm glad I set my expectation low, way to go PG! Sorry for the multiple posts but I need somebody to relieve my disbelief here. Does this mean PG is pro-streetcar now?
November 25, 201311 yr He can't stop it if he doesn't have a majority council on his side though right? Sounds like PG is being intelligent. Lets all write letters to PG thanking him for his responsible thinking.
November 25, 201311 yr He can't stop it if he doesn't have a majority council on his side though right? Sounds like PG is being intelligent. Lets all write letters to PG thanking him for his responsible thinking. Include in that letter that now is the time to convince a fifth member of council to come out and "stop the madness" and move on. End the debate before the new council is sworn into office.
November 25, 201311 yr "We will practice fiscal prudence no matter how much it costs us!" -- the gospel according to John Cranley "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 25, 201311 yr and shortly after Sittenfeld's Tweet, someone slams into him from behind on Columbia Parkway. A message from COAST? The NAACP? Was the driver the same guy who attacked Seelbach? People ridiculed Mallory for having a bodyguard... http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2013/11/25/sittenfeld-ok-after-columbia-parkway-accident/
November 25, 201311 yr Why did Cincinnati council members just vote to approve the streetcar today? Chris Wetterich - Staff reporter - Cincinnati Business Courier Just five days before a new mayor and city council take office, the current Cincinnati City Council will vote on an ordinance directing the city administration to finish the first phase of the streetcar project. The reason? The current council has never taken such a vote. It has voted to spend millions on the project and passed favorable resolutions but never put the construction of the streetcar line, stations and maintenance facilities and manufacture of the cars into the city code. The ordinance also ensures that mayor-elect John Cranley and the person he appoints to be interim city manager cannot cancel the project on their own. Cranley, who intends to cancel the streetcar project, always has said he would ask for a city council vote anyway. Cont "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
November 25, 201311 yr PG and Cranley both have eyes on higher office. PG is inhabiting a bigger fishbowl, looking at how his position would play statewide and nationally. Cranley is looking at the county/House districts. PG is thinking Senate and beyond. Cranley is thinking House. Sound about right?
November 26, 201311 yr Hmmm yes, ability to change is a mark of a statewide election (Senate) winner, where as unwavering belief systems can do well in small geographical races such as the House.
November 26, 201311 yr Feds: Killing Cincinnati Streetcar Project Unprecedented ...Carter told council members pausing the streetcar construction would violate the grant agreement the city has with the federal government. That would prompt Uncle Sam to cut off money and collect the money already used by the city. ...He also said stopping the streetcar could have ramifications down the road for Sorta, the bus authority. Plus, it would put Cincinnati at the back of the line for any other federal transit funds and put them under additional scrutiny the next time they applied for funds. ...He also said of the 14 other cities getting streetcar funds, Cincinnati was unique. "Has there been any indication of action from any other project in this entire country to pause or cancel their streetcars? No." ...The Federal Transit Authority lawyer said the grant money could not help fund a rubber-wheeled trolley system or be reused by the city on other projects. That money would go back to the federal government and then to other cities building streetcars. Read More at: http://www.local12.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/feds-killing-cincinnati-streetcar-project-unprecedented-4972.shtml#.UpPvhJHQFqE
November 26, 201311 yr I like to see someone laying out the cold hard facts. You can't debate with the feds. It's either yes or no, "ain't nobody got time for that". :wave:
November 26, 201311 yr Guys, tomorrow is D Day. From my understanding, if pg does not vote for the emergency clause to fund the Streetcar, it's essentially dead. Cranley will hire a temporary city manager to halt the project without a Council vote. He will return the fed funds and is game over If pg votes for the emergency clause, cranley has to have Council vote and then supporters will have signatures ready for referendum. That means construction on the Streetcar would continue until Nov 2014 Huge day tomorrow. Pg or Thomas need to vote for the emergency clause. Then when flynn and Mann vote to cancel it, the referendum will be ready
November 26, 201311 yr Guys, tomorrow is D Day. From my understanding, if pg does not vote for the emergency clause to fund the Streetcar, it's essentially dead. Cranley will hire a temporary city manager to halt the project without a Council vote. He will return the fed funds and is game over If pg votes for the emergency clause, cranley has to have Council vote and then supporters will have signatures ready for referendum. That means construction on the Streetcar would continue until Nov 2014 Huge day tomorrow. Pg or Thomas need to vote for the emergency clause. Then when flynn and Mann vote to cancel it, the referendum will be ready Nope. Today's vote was a finance ordinance. Finance ordinances are not subject to referendum. It will pass, and the new Council will have to repeal it.
November 26, 201311 yr Well Sittenfeld's announcement could give us a good idea of the future. If he decides to support the streetcar maybe he can influence Flynn. If not I think we will know how any vote under the new council is going to go.
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