August 18, 201212 yr About a dozen vacant properties on the streetcar route in OTR south of Liberty St. are now under renovation. These are mainly the single-family homes that face Elm and Race, but also on the cross streets between them. What's interesting is seeing the Jostin signs on several of them, which is the Smitherman family's business. So, why is Smitherman allowed to vote on streetcar issues? Seems like an ethics issue to me. Didn't Bortz take heat and have to abstain from voting for a similar situation early on?
August 18, 201212 yr Yeah, but the rules don't apply to Smitherman. Didn't you get the memo? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 19, 201212 yr COAST gets knocked down for the count http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120818/EDIT02/308170135/We-won-t-let-COAST-get-our-way?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s
August 19, 201212 yr COAST gets knocked down for the count http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120818/EDIT02/308170135/We-won-t-let-COAST-get-our-way?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s The editorial does not (at this time) appear as a headline story on cincinnati.com. It will be interesting to see if the Enquirer promotes or buries this editorial.
August 19, 201212 yr COAST gets knocked down for the count http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120818/EDIT02/308170135/We-won-t-let-COAST-get-our-way?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s The editorial does not (at this time) appear as a headline story on cincinnati.com. It will be interesting to see if the Enquirer promotes or buries this editorial. It's the first story in the Opinion section on the website.
August 19, 201212 yr ^ In the print edition, top of the OP-ED page. The Blue Ash caper has really hurt them. Now more communities will be wary of COAST.
August 19, 201212 yr ^ In the print edition, top of the OP-ED page. The Blue Ash caper has really hurt them. Now more communities will be wary of COAST. It surely wasn't well-thought out to attack one of the most prominent suburban communities in the region as a means to achieve a suburban agenda.
August 19, 201212 yr ^Why do you say they have a suburban agenda? After all you've seen them do over the past 10 years, I think the more pressing question is why do you think they don't have a suburban agenda?
August 19, 201212 yr >The Blue Ash caper has really hurt them. Chris Finney made a lot of new enemies that night. He looked like he had rallied some new guys as possible future Jeff-Cappel types, including some guy named Scott _____, who appeared on the radio in the week leading up to this event. I saw them all out in front before the meeting, all congratulating each other. No telling if we're going to hear any more from these new recruits or if they're one-and-out after getting fooled into doing Finney's dirty work.
August 19, 201212 yr Also, I'd say that meeting was the third craziest incident in the the never-ending streetcar saga. I'd rank the 5 craziest incidents like this: 1. Chris Smitherman goes nuts in City Hall / throat slitting gesture 2. Jeff Cappel shoves a judge in front of City Hall 3. Chris Finney gets called a coward by Blue Ash city councilman 4. Barry Horstman story claims he walked 6mph / editor Carl Weiser affirms in follow-up email that he believes Horstman actually walked that fast 5. John Cranley "trying to understand TIF financing" at a 2008 council meeting, when it was he who introduced TIF financing to Cincinnati back in 03 or 04
August 19, 201212 yr and now COA T is gnashing their teeth about the cowardly, corrupt liars on Blue Ash city council.
August 19, 201212 yr ^Why do you say they have a suburban agenda? After all you've seen them do over the past 10 years, I think the more pressing question is why do you think they don't have a suburban agenda? I can see that they have an anti-streetcar agenda, but what make you think that they have a "suburban" agenda? What is a "suburban" agenda, anyway? Posters on this thread have been accused of going way off topic, but it's understandable considering that the streetcar is such a fascinating subject. Who would have ever guessed that a council meetin in Blue Ash would have anything to do with the streetcar, or that Steve Chabot is making an issue of it? I'd just like to know why you accuse COAST of being "suburban," as if being "suburban" is bad. After all, most of the City of Cincinnati municipality is suburban.
August 20, 201212 yr and now COA T is gnashing their teeth about the cowardly, corrupt liars on Blue Ash city council. Someone posted a response to the Enquire/Blue Ash City Council editorial on the TOAST blog late this morning. The post was removed within an hour of its posting and has not been reposted. In the harangue the poster accused the BACC of violating open meeting laws, called them liars, accused the BACC of secretly working with Mayor Mallory in order to aid Cincinnati's Streetcar, and also called the all Republican Blue Ash City Council "Soviet". It was an angry and absolutely batshit crazy diatribe. And as predicted, the Enquirer buried the BACC editorial. It was never featured in the headline section, nor did it even appear as a headline editorial.
August 20, 201212 yr And as predicted, the Enquirer buried the BACC editorial. It was never featured in the headline section, nor did it even appear as a headline editorial. You and I have a different opinion of "buried". John Schneider wrote above that "it was in the print edition, top of the OP-ED page", and it is still in the Opinion headlines on the front page of the website. To me, that's not buried. So what if it's not front and center? The Enquirer's too busy pandering to the "easy-to-get-page-views" crowd, by showing us the wonderful hats of the tennis tournament.
August 20, 201212 yr It was inside the Forum section, not on its front page. But with a prominent photo of Blue Ash's current city council and an illustration of the planned park it was no tennis fashion show but I think got more attention than if it didn't have any visuals.
August 20, 201212 yr Did you read what I wrote? The original Phase 1, from The Banks to Findlay Market, was fully funded by 2008. We were basically ready to break ground at that point. Then Issue 9 happened throughout 2009. Then in 2010 we got the $50 million from Ohio to build up the Vine St. hill. Then Kasich was elected in November 2010 and the money was taken back in April 2011. Then Issue 48 happened throughout 2011. Then we had a groundbreaking back in early 2012 and utility work has been underway since. I mean, the whole premise of your argument is destroyed by the facts. from the sidelines -- thx so much for this mini-summary. i was wondering about just all that and now i don't have to scroll back thru the longest thread in uo history lol!
August 21, 201212 yr A little off topic: Our favorite Enquirer "I can walk at a 6mph pace for 3 miles" Barry Horstman was on Hardball with Chris Matthews last week with Ted Strickland... And look at that thing on his head http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/ns/msnbc-hardball_with_chris_matthews/#48695322
August 21, 201212 yr A little off topic: Our favorite Enquirer "I can walk at a 6mph pace for 3 miles" Barry Horstman was on Hardball with Chris Matthews last week with Ted Strickland... And look at that thing on his head http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/ns/msnbc-hardball_with_chris_matthews/#48695322 And on that note, TOAST tweeted this tonight. Res ipsa loquitur: COAST @GOCOAST @GOCOAST welcomes the follow from @barryhorstman 9:15 PM - 20 Aug 12 via Twitter for iPhone Edited to add: OMG, is he wearing Davy Crockett's coonskin cap?? BBWWAAA!
August 21, 201212 yr I'm as concerned about his tie. But it gets even weirder: around 4:50 we start hearing the calls of tropical birds.
August 21, 201212 yr Smitherman had 34 min today as an in studio guest on Brian Thomas show. As you can imagine there was a lot of misinformation. Said the 2nd ballot initiative only stopped the streetcar and only for 10 years. Said supporters argument against that initiative is that "we weren't progressive". Said the streetcar will bankrupt the city like the California cities. You get the idea
August 22, 201212 yr In regard to walking to Findlay Market instead of taking the streetcar: How about walking from Fountain Square on a cold and rainy day with packages in your hand and holding onto a crying child with the other?
August 22, 201212 yr Horstman was the talk of the twitterverse: Angela C P Mills @AngelaCPMills @RadioGuyChris Barry Horstman......wow....just freakin' wow! Kimmy ;-* @iGOes_N_iTWEETs But about Barry horstman and this hair honey lmbo http://lockerz.com/s/235328030 Annie Knit Modesitt @modeknit @RadioGuyChris It was Barry Horstman from the Cincinnati Enquirer http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1053&bih=566&tbm=isch&tbnid=IDqZ6vRoEaVdHM:&imgrefurl=http://twitter.com/barryhorstman&docid=wqc_DzY0LjPkrM&imgurl=http://a0.twimg.com/profile_images/1877864582/cindc5-63qhx94ukig10si16nbc_original.jpg&w=299&h=448&ei=P0IuUL2NIqm1ygG8sYGgBw&zoom=1 shafik mansur @ShafikMansur Watching Barry Horstman on @hardball and wondering why he is wearing a helmet of matted roadkill on his head. Ms. L. @SouthernLady328 Excuse me, but WTH is that on top of Barry Horstman's head? Seriously??? @hardball_chris @msnbc Spirit of America @TheSpiritofUSA @AnnCoulter Barry Horstman is wearing a pet... not sure what kind though. Mr. Furley to YOU @KittyLamont The wig Barry Horstman is wearing on msnbc right now is wild. Dr. G- M.-S. @DrAriafya Watching #Harball @MSNBC Hey! Barry Horstman, how did you get that cat to sit so still on your head? Joy__Hart @Joy__Hart I am sorry but doesn't Barry Horstman On hardball ever look in the mirror. Women On The Move @WomenOnTheMove1 watching @hardball and trying to figure out what is going on with Barry Horstman's hair!! Holly Tooker @kellabeck What is the animal reclining on the had of Barry Horstman talking to @hardball_chris ? Jack @Mr_Fastbucks Love the hair on Barry Horstman. Dude, WKRP went off the air years ago.
August 22, 201212 yr I'm as concerned about his tie. But it gets even weirder: around 4:50 we start hearing the calls of tropical birds. LOL
August 22, 201212 yr If Horstman's hair gets cut (or he trades in the rug), does the Mark Twain expression lose its hold on the city? I think we've found the source of its power. It might be what's holding Duke/the streetcar back, too! Get out the shears!
August 22, 201212 yr If Horstman was really walking 6mph that thing would have blown off. Now I know Horstman's claim is BS. There's no way a man that old can walk that fast, let alone while being weighted down by so much carpeting! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 22, 201212 yr Silly Horstman claim. Because he can do it, it don't mean every one can do it while holding groceries and such.
August 22, 201212 yr If Horstman was really walking 6mph that thing would have blown off. Now I know Horstman's claim is BS. There's no way a man that old can walk that fast, let alone while being weighted down by so much carpeting! LOL! Plus, those tweets about Horstman are hilarious!
August 22, 201212 yr Ok Ok- enough hortsman bashing. Let's get back to real things about the streetcar...
August 23, 201212 yr Tall Stacks Festival Delayed Until 2014 http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120822/NEWS/308220078&Ref=AR This could be a blessing in disguise. The streetcar could be up and running in time for the next Tall Stacks. That would be a big win for Cincinnati, which will be swamped with visitors.
August 23, 201212 yr Tall Stacks Festival Delayed Until 2014 http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120822/NEWS/308220078&Ref=AR This could be a blessing in disguise. The streetcar could be up and running in time for the next Tall Stacks. That would be a big win for Cincinnati, which will be swamped with visitors. Not to mention the riverfront park should be extended west, the boat dock should be in place and maybe - maybe - The Banks hotel will be open.
August 23, 201212 yr Streetcar won't be opening until late 2014/early2015. Will just miss tall stacks
August 23, 201212 yr Heard yesterday that the Federal Transit Administration completed its Final Review of the Cincinnati Streetcar project and that FTA judged to be one of the best -- if not the best -- of any of the new streetcar projects funded by FTA to date. Which sets Cincinnati up nicely for the expansion to Uptown.
August 23, 201212 yr John -- any word on why an agreement with Duke has not been announced? Are they still negotiating or are Duke and the city just laying low on the topic?
August 23, 201212 yr Heard yesterday that the Federal Transit Administration completed its Final Review of the Cincinnati Streetcar project and that FTA judged to be one of the best -- if not the best -- of any of the new streetcar projects funded by FTA to date. Which sets Cincinnati up nicely for the expansion to Uptown. That's good news....Do you know what criteria they use to judge it?
August 23, 201212 yr John, the Enquirer recently reported that Obama has freed up $400 million km transit funds that had been earmarked since 2003 but never used. Has the city tried To take advantage of that at all for the streetcar? Heard anything?
August 23, 201212 yr Author ^^that's $400 million for the whole country and allocated specifically to individual states. I think Ohio gets like $15 million for the whole state.
August 23, 201212 yr ^^that's $400 million for the whole country and allocated specifically to individual states. I think Ohio gets like $15 million for the whole state. If the current governor is still in charge when the money is allocated, you know it won't be going to the streetcar.
August 23, 201212 yr I asked that a while back, but got no response. If those funds are given directly to the state, it would be illegal for any to be allocated to the streetcar EVEN IF they wanted to due to Ms. Jones' asinine piece of legislation that made it illegal for the state to award money to the streetcar. That $15M could pay for .004% of the new Brent Spence Bridge! And that's probably what they'll do anyway...
August 24, 201212 yr If Ohio gets the money it will go to build more roads and sewers for yet more unsustainable exburban subdivisions.
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