Former mayors club leads anti-tax repeal effort

Cincinnati mayors, from left, Arn Bortz, Charlie Luken, David Mann, Roxanne Qualls and Bobbie Sterne speak to the Enquirer's editorial board last week. (Photo by Joseph Fuqua/The Cincinnati Enquirer)

As they entered the conference room for a meeting with the Enquirer's editorial board last week, several former Cincinnati mayors wondered aloud whether the city has more living former mayors than any other big city in America.

It could be. Because of several factors -- a history of young council members getting elected mayor, a 14-year experiment in one-year mayors, and a little bit of good health and good luck -- Cincinnati now counts 15 citizens who once occupied Room 150 at City Hall.

But the former mayors weren't there for a reunion. Instead, they were summoned by the current occupant of the office to rally support against Issue 9, a property tax repeal question on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The former mayors are honorary co-chairs of the union-backed effort to keep the city's property tax. It's a strategy cooked up by Brooke Hill, the political strategist leading the anti-Issue 9 campaign, in an effort to raise the group's profile and gravitas.

Here's what the mayors said about Issue 9:

Charlie Luken, Democrat, 1984-1990, 1999-present: "The only point I want to make about Issue 9 is that I think it's very important that the city maintain a certain flexibility.... If this passes, I think the first thing that will happen is that our bond rating will be reduced dramatically.... The cliche for this, I think, is 'draconian.'"

David Mann, Democrat, 1980-82, 1991: "The earnings tax is very volatile. This particular source, as modest as it is, is at least stable."

Arn Bortz, Charterite, 1983-1984: "This all has to do with the quality of life as well as bond ratings.... It's easy but irresponsible to say, 'We'll eliminate the property tax,' when you don't have to say what services you'll cut."

Roxanne Qualls, Democrat, 1993-1999: "If you don't like the way Council is spending the money, you have the polls. You have Nov. 8 to make that decision. It is at least patronizing, and perhaps elitist, to suggest voters can't make that decision.... This is absolutely the wrong time to be playing politics with the revenue streams of the city, particularly when times are so tight."

Bobbie Sterne, Charterite, 1975-1976, 1978-1979: "Which centers are going to pick up those people if the (city's) health clinics close? That's just stupid."

A sixth mayor, Republican Gene Ruehlmann, has lent his name to the effort but was out of town and not available for comment.