Mallory news conferences are now routine

Mayor Mark Mallory has now held enough mayoral news conferences that he's settled into a predictable rhythm: recite a list people he's met with, announce a schedule of people he plans to meet with, and give vague answers to reporters' questions about headlines in the morning paper.

Today's highlights from the weekly Tuesday news conference:

• In the past week Mallory has met with Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority director Donald Troendle, city manager search consultant Norman Roberts, Procter & Gamble CEO A.G. Lafley, Convergys Corp. CEO James Orr, Department of Buildings & Inspections Director William V. Langevin, Department of Community Development and Planning Director Michael Cervay, Rev. James Strayhorn of the Bright Star Baptist Church in the West End, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College President Ron Wright, Chamber of Commerce Vice President Doug Moorman and President Michael Fisher and U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot.
  
  
• Upcoming meetings include Margaret Hulbert, vice president of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Joseph W. Diebold, president of the Cincinnati Fire Fighters Union Local 48, William E. Moller, the city's finance director, and Kathy Harrell, elected Sunday as president of the Fraternal Order of Police Queen City Lodge No. 69. "I am encouraged by her comments about being willing to cooperate with the new mayor and council," Mallory said. "I think it's critical that we put all the effort we can into improving that relationship."

• On the budget: There will be minor amendments to the budget Wednesday, but the mayor would not elaborate on what they would be. Mallory said the process was different this time, with more decisions being made off the floor of City Council in one-on-one meetings with the city manager and members of City Council. "I will stress and emphasize that this is a continuation budget," he said, promising that his campaign pledges to create three new city offices for safety, environment and planning would come in the 2007-2008 biennial budget.
  

• On a proposal by Hamilton County Sheriff Simon L. Leis to patrol Over-the-Rhine: "We haven't had that conversation. I still need to talk to the chief about that," he said. "I think it's good to look at all available options."
  
  
• On shelters from the cold weather: "I think I'm relatively satisfied right now that there are enough places for people to go, but it's something we need to keep an eye on."
  
  
• On City Hall security: Mallory confirmed that the metal detectors at the front door of City Hall would be eliminated in his budget proposal to pay for more staff. "Maybe I should make clear: the metal detectors are going away." But he promised that there would still be "a very strong security presence at City Hall."
  
  
• His press conference last week to announce that site preparation will begin at the Banks won't be rescheduled, after the news was "scooped" by the newspaper anyway.