Do we think he'll be in favor of continuing construction?  His comments in the Biz Courieron today's city ordinance to complete phase 1 make me think he's a little miffed that current council did that.  Still, his twitter post is promising.

Sittenfeld is going to support the streetcar. He's going to champion a tax district, owning the issue like it was his own great & innovative idea. He'll hold the banner of pragmatism, compromise, cool- and clear-headedness. He wants to be seen as the savior of the project, and the one who brought the perceived pie-in-the-sky financial plan (where the streetcar, especially operating expenses, could potentially eat into other budget items) into something sensible, where businesses along the line (direct beneficiaries of the project) pay for a bulk of the financing.

 

He aims to retain the support of people who were ambivalent or mildly against the project, and become a hero to those who support the streetcar (look for him to actually starting to use our language when talking about the project and its benefits). He wants a signature accomplishment, a sign of his great leadership qualities, his problem-solving skills, his willingness to change his mind in the face of new facts/situations.

 

Get ready, this is his way to set himself apart and try to become a hero. And, frankly, I welcome it. However cynical it might be.

I hope you are right, but I think we still need a new council to get to a 5-4 vote in favor.  That does not seem like a guarantee, but the answer to funding the operational costs could be used to sway at least Flynn.

 

The negative side of me is preparing for the worst, and I am trying to formulate a way to explain to friends in other cities our "unprecedented" move of canceling this late in the game.  It would be mind-boggling.

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.

 

Really? That'd beawesome.  I'm hearing from some cfp members that it's essentially dead if pg doesn't vote for the emergency clause

The negative side of me is preparing for the worst, and I am trying to formulate a way to explain to friends in other cities our "unprecedented" move of canceling this late in the game.  It would be mind-boggling.

 

I just sent off a bunch of letters, and that was the gist of my point to them.  Basically, I can point to projects like The Banks, Washington Park, Fountain Square, all the construction around UC, new bike lanes and bikeways, and even Metro Plus, and those get people excited.  At the very least, it makes them think that things are finally moving forward.  None of that will matter, NONE of it, if Cincinnati becomes “that dumb city that canceled their streetcar project mid-construction.” 

 

This city has had enough trouble shaking off the stigma of subway debacle, and it is still perceived by many to be backwards and slow moving.  The momentum has definitely been building, in many cases in anticipation of the streetcar itself, but it can, and dare I say will be halted if Cincinnati defaults on this project.  It doesn’t matter what else is done in the city, because all that anyone will know about and remember is that once again Cincinnati failed.

Keep the letters coming.  I'm hearing apro Streetcar guest letter will be in the Enquirer tomorrow. 

 

I'm also hearing coast members are posting 'dozens of emails under fake names' to flynn, pg, and Mann about killing the project

What is the best way to get letters to Flynn and Mann?

Seelbach is saying that the vote today has huge ramifications.  Cranley can, with city manager, pause or temporarily halt the Streetcar if Council doesn't get 6 votes today.  Doesn't sound optimistic. John is saying opposite.  Who's right

Here are the issues:

 

* A finance measure is not subject to a referendum, measure only five votes are necessary.

 

* Ordinances require three readings in committee before they can become law. The first reading was yesterday. Apparently this requirement can be waived with six votes.

 

I thnk that's ^ what Chris is talking about.

What is the best way to get letters to Flynn and Mann?

Someone posted these addresses earlier in this thread

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

I'd recommend emailing all of 'em so they can't say, "Everybody I heard from..."

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.

 

He is acting sort of crazy.  The fact is, he had a win with the cancelling of the parking lease; he doesn't really need to cancel the streetcar to win in four years.  Also, Mallory spoke against 3CDC (a Luken creation, pretty much his only signature project during his 2001-2005 mayoralty) when he was running for Mayor and didn't cancel it.  Cranley is acting incredibly petty and vindictive.  And I don't think he has aspirations for a House district.  If he has any it is Senator or Governor.

Here are the issues:

 

* A finance measure is not subject to a referendum, measure only five votes are necessary.

 

* Ordinances require three readings in committee before they can become law. The first reading was yesterday. Apparently this requirement can be waived with six votes.

 

I thnk that's ^ what Chris is talking about.

 

Thanks John.  Pg announcing right now

PG says "continue the streetcar project."

^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

 

Thanks, John.

Here are Yvette's remarks from last night:

PG says "continue the streetcar project."

 

BTW......

 

German Lopez ‏@germanrlopez  15m

.@votepg equates delay to cancellation.

Vice-Mayor Elect David Mann on WLW at 9:33 to discuss streetcar status with Dan Carroll.

wow

 

P.G. Sittenfeld Says He'll Vote to Continue Streetcar

 

CINCINNATI (WKRC) -- Re-elected Cincinnati city council member P.G. Sittenfeld announced Tuesday that he plans to vote to keep streetcar construction going. Sittlenfeld, who was the top council vote-getter, is considered a swing vote.

 

http://www.local12.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/pg-sittenfeld-says-hell-vote-continue-streetcar-4993.shtml

Worlds best soap opera.  WKRP in Cincinnati indeed.

so the next steps would be . . .

 

"...Indeed by passing this ordinance the new council will have to pass a law requiring the project to stop.

 

Once that is passed we now have the leverage to go to a judge, seek an injunction, and gather our 8700 signatures.

 

Its brilliant in that the issue, if enough signatures are gathered, will go on the ballot in November of 2014. While we wait for the election, work must continue on the streetcar."

Being placed to the back of the line for future federal funds is not good. That alone should turn boys into men.

I guess we will hear from Mann at 9:30.  Anyone have all the facts comparing the postive features of the streetcar versus buses for people with disabilities?  If you could post them here, it could be a good resource for letters to Flynn, as someone else mentioned.

I guess we will hear from Mann at 9:30.  Anyone have all the facts comparing the postive features of the streetcar versus buses for people with disabilities?  If you could post them here, it could be a good resource for letters to Flynn, as someone else mentioned.

 

He knows. 

Worlds best soap opera.  WKRP in Cincinnati indeed.

 

Right!?!  That's all I've been thinking this entire election season.  It's almost poetic political theater. 

I guess we will hear from Mann at 9:30.  Anyone have all the facts comparing the postive features of the streetcar versus buses for people with disabilities?  If you could post them here, it could be a good resource for letters to Flynn, as someone else mentioned.

 

He knows. 

But can he remember?

He was kinda rambling in some of the candidate forums.

I guess we will hear from Mann at 9:30.  Anyone have all the facts comparing the postive features of the streetcar versus buses for people with disabilities?  If you could post them here, it could be a good resource for letters to Flynn, as someone else mentioned.

 

He knows. 

But can he remember?

He was kinda rambling in some of the candidate forums.

 

I talked to him in person about it about two years ago. 

The Mann is also 74 years old... just saying. He supposedly ran for his children and grandkids. Wonder if he asked them about the streetcar.

So what does this all mean(Assuming PG votes today for the project)

 

As I understand it, and Kevin Osborne tweeted it, It means that even if Flynn and Mann vote to STOP the streetcar Dec 1, construction will continue for 30 days.  If streetcar supporters collect enough signatures to put it on the ballot after 30 days(8k+), then construction WILL CONTINUE UNTIL NOVEMBER 2014.

 

Today could be HUGE

 

Still some jockeying going on at the 11th hour...

 

EDIT: PG just voted for the emergency clause. 

 

 

And by November 2014, how much would be completed? Almost all of it?

I feel confident now that phase 1 will be built now.  It seems pointless now for Cranley to even hold a vote...But as we all know, Cranley has an ego.  We'll see

 

It is not over though.

-We need to work with PG and figure out this Special Tax District

-We need to educate people more and do a better job of reaching out in the media

 

And I guarantee you Smitherman, Cranley and COAST will be meeting to discuss how to stop future phases and monies being spent...

 

So we gotta keep an eye out for everything

So Mark Miller attended the Town Hall meeting last night.  Maybe I'm missing something but could someone explain to me why has was clapping with the rest of the group. It was very odd to say the least.

He want's to offer his services as a lawyer suing the city

I'm sure that 90% of those in attendance don't know who he is or at least don't recognize his face.  He was just "spying" while trying to look like part of the group.

He continued to clap after the presenter (Ryan?) put the spotlight on him. He seems like a very socially awkward person. So maybe he was nervous and just felt like clapping. I dunno.

I can't believe they are making the streetcar construction an ordinance now.  Poor Cincinnati transit advocates.  With friends like these...

He continued to clap after the presenter (Ryan?) put the spotlight on him. He seems like a very socially awkward person. So maybe he was nervous and just felt like clapping. I dunno.

 

Really?  LOL.  I don't know then.

Are they screening the calls? I have not heard one person call in 700 wlw for the streetcar.

Anyone have any news on what Mann said during his time on 700 this morning?

Flynn might be seeing the light . .

 

...the anti-streetcar vote that may be most vulnerable to being flipped, said Tuesday morning that he remains in favor of at least pausing streetcar construction for 30-60 days to review the numbers.

 

“I’m not opposed to the streetcar; I’m not opposed to the tracks,” Flynn said. ”I’m opposed to the cost vs. the benefits.”

 

He said he’s interested in the idea of a special improvement district to pay for streetcar operating costs, but “it’s going to take significant time to see whether people really want to do it and how that will work.”

 

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2013/11/26/sittenfeld-now-supports-continuing-streetcar/

^Does anyone have any guesstimates on how much $$$ a special improvement district would raise and how that would affect fares?  Just wondering if making it "fareless" is a possibility, since that would be a huge improvement to the walkability of the area.

Anyone have any news on what Mann said during his time on 700 this morning?

 

He basically said that he wants to take a seconnd look at the financial numbers to cancel versus complete and will then make his decision.  He said that he still wants a short pause (30-45 days) on the construction while this review is done. 

I can't believe they are making the streetcar construction an ordinance now.  Poor Cincinnati transit advocates.  With friends like these...

 

The ordinance was definitely a good thing. With all the times that council has voted on streetcar-related issues -- voting to study it, voting to sell bonds for it, etc. -- they had never voted on a clear and simple ordinance saying "build the streetcar". That's what they did today.

Why are the keep being up 50,000 a day? How much does it cost to run the city a day?

 

Edit: 3,443,000 to run the city every day.

And by November 2014, how much would be completed? Almost all of it?

 

Test track & MOF substantial completion: March 1, 2015.

Substantial completion of all work: March 15, 2016.

And by November 2014, how much would be completed? Almost all of it?

 

Test track & MOF substantial completion: March 1, 2015.

Substantial completion of all work: March 15, 2016.

 

That's just for the OTR portion, right?

And by November 2014, how much would be completed? Almost all of it?

 

Test track & MOF substantial completion: March 1, 2015.

Substantial completion of all work: March 15, 2016.

 

That's just for the OTR portion, right?

 

The test track is primarily in OTR, but the March 2016 date literally means "all work", downtown and OTR.

^Ha, somehow I missed the 6 in 2016.

 

Anyone know how sure it is the OTR portion will operate prior to the whole system?

^Ha, somehow I missed the 6 in 2016.

 

Anyone know how sure it is the OTR portion will operate prior to the whole system?

 

It is highly likely that the OTR portion will be used to test and commission the vehicles. Not sure about revenue service.

In Wetterich's article he writes, "But Ian James, an organizer of statewide campaigns, warned of one potential Achilles heel in any referendum - the new council could pass multiple ordinances canceling the streetcar with language that varies slightly, making it difficult to gather signatures. It's something supporters have to be ready for, he said."

 

What are your thoughts on this?  How would this play out?

^ I think there won't be enough zealots on council willing to do that. That is too risky for them politically. If emergency ordinances are controversial because they are anti-democratic, this tactic is way beyond the pale.

 

I think it also has the potential to set in motion a flurry of attempts to recall council members, etc. People would respond with ballot initiatives intended to subvert council. CO  's tactics would seem like child play. There would be protesting in the street and a major revolt.