Blog Title: The Cincinnati Beacon

Letters with Barry Horstman on the Streetcar coverage

Enosiophobia

“A black lady owns that house.”

Bearman Cartoon: Real Reason Palin Quit

“Finalizing” the ballot language

When City Hall finalizes the language for the anti-passenger rail ballot issue masquerading as an anti-streetcar initiative, what exactly does that mean?  Is it possible to modify the language so that it is just about a streetcar?  Is there anyway if this is possible, given the political will on both sides?  What kinds of finalizations are possible?

Protest NAACP Inclusion of Military Recruiters at 2009 Convention

The NAACP appears to be hosting Army Recruiters at its National Convention. Howard Zinn and hundreds of others have signed a letter to the NAACP asking them to disinvite the Army Strong Tour.  The deadline to sign the letter is Tuesday July 7, so that the anti-war group World Can’t Wait can send all the signatures to the NAACP Board. SIGN IT HERE.

Is it time to get a daily Enquirer subscription?

It is no secret that I have a long history of filing complaints with The Enquirer.  There are tons of times I have criticized them for what I consider their substandard news coverage.  But I’m not sure I want them to join the ranks of newspapers that have disappeared.  I think part of me likes having The Enquirer around.  But now that they are making more substantial cuts, I’m starting to wonder if I should care, and if I should do anything about it.

Letter to Cole:  $413,000.00

Councilmember Cole: Yesterday, after dropping out of the mayoral race in order to save the City around $413,00, Justin Jeffre and I dropped our symbolic “big check” at your office and spoke briefly with your staff.

Hey, Passenger Rail Advocates!  Don’t let NAACP/COAST dictate terms of the debate

Councilmember Cole: Yesterday, after dropping out of the mayoral race in order to save the City around $413,00, Justin Jeffre and I dropped our symbolic “big check” at your office and spoke briefly with your staff.

The Dean saves $413,000, announces run for School Board

Councilmember Cole: Yesterday, after dropping out of the mayoral race in order to save the City around $413,00, Justin Jeffre and I dropped our symbolic “big check” at your office and spoke briefly with your staff.

Is Smitherman a Vigilante Councilman?

Chris Bortz says local NAACP chair Christopher Smitherman is running the City, and no one is opposing him.  While standing mayors and councilmembers act on the authority of thousands upon thousands who voted them into office, Smitherman is only the branch president by virtue of a hundred or so votes.  What do vote counts tell us about public support?

Is it ever a good time to waste money?

Dear Councilmember Bortz, I saw your comment in today’s Enquirer in a story about the Streetcar:  “‘You’re building extra months and potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars for an election into the system,’ said Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Bortz, a leading streetcar proponent.”  Because you rightly recognize the waste in conducting unnecessary elections, I am writing to you now concerning the future of Cincinnati’s wasteful and unnecessary mayoral primary.

Cincinnatians for Progress:  They say they aren’t focused on the streetcar

Dear Councilmember Bortz, I saw your comment in today’s Enquirer in a story about the Streetcar:  “‘You’re building extra months and potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars for an election into the system,’ said Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Bortz, a leading streetcar proponent.”  Because you rightly recognize the waste in conducting unnecessary elections, I am writing to you now concerning the future of Cincinnati’s wasteful and unnecessary mayoral primary.

Councilmember Harris Examines Creation of Metropolitan Police Force

Cites cost-savings and public safety improvements in other cities Councilmember Greg Harris is examining the option of creating a consolidated metropolitan police force for Cincinnati and Hamilton County to achieve significant cost savings while reducing crime rates.  Cities that have formed metropolitan police forces have achieved long term cost savings by reducing administrative and managerial costs, lower personnel turnover, and sharing equipment and facilities.

Vice Mayor Crowley on Environmental Justice Ordinance

Photo courtesy of here. Dear Cincinnati Beacon: I thought your readers may be interested that, after four long years of hard work, and against aggressive opposition, the City of Cincinnati has finally passed an “Environmental Justice Ordinance”. This ordinance is the first of its kind where a municipality is using their police powers to enforce Environmental Justice in the form of an “environmental justice permit”.

Smithermania!  The hang-up and make-up and a call to cut the horses

This week featured some fireworks on Christopher Smitherman’s radio show.  He got upset with an anti-tax caller, hung up, and gave a passionate speech before accepting a call-back to clear the air.  Is there something in the water down at The Buzz?  Check out this audio excerpt to find out for sure.  It’s special.

Hey CityBeat, Enquirer!  Ditch the buliding!

This week featured some fireworks on Christopher Smitherman’s radio show.  He got upset with an anti-tax caller, hung up, and gave a passionate speech before accepting a call-back to clear the air.  Is there something in the water down at The Buzz?  Check out this audio excerpt to find out for sure.  It’s special.

Traditional Media Meet New Media

Nico Pitney is a blogger for the Huffington Post and has been live-blogging for the past several weeks on the crisis in Iran. He has developed sources within Iran, monitored social networking sites, posted images, posted videos, etc. and helped to provide a better understanding of this complex and ever-changing situation.

Two letters about the streetcar

Nico Pitney is a blogger for the Huffington Post and has been live-blogging for the past several weeks on the crisis in Iran. He has developed sources within Iran, monitored social networking sites, posted images, posted videos, etc. and helped to provide a better understanding of this complex and ever-changing situation.

The death of Billy Mays a bigger deal at my house than MJ and the rest

Billy Mays died.  You know—the loudmouthed, bearded guy on all those infomercials you either love or hate.  So while the rest of the world buzzes with the deaths of bigger celebrities, at my own house Billy Mays’ passing has made a much bigger impression—especially for my 6 year old, who has always been interested in infomercials.