*

*
Politics Extra
Enquirer reporters give the scoop on what your politicians are doing


Jessica Brown,
Hamilton County reporter


Jon Craig,
Enquirer statehouse bureau


Jane Prendergast,
Cincinnati City Hall reporter


Malia Rulon,
Enquirer Washington bureau


Carl Weiser,
Blog editor


Howard Wilkinson,
politics reporter

Powered by Blogger

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Finney fallout

Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich is disappointed his friend and supporter loudly cursed Heimlich's political opponent, but said today that opponent -- David Pepper -- was as much to blame as Finney.

"It was immature on both their parts," Heimlich said of supporter Chris Finney and Pepper, the Democrat hoping to unseat the incumbent Republican.

"It was wrong for Pepper to start this fight, to pick on somebody who wasn't campaigning."

Finney, believing his name and reputation were being smeared by Pepper, attended a Tuesday Pepper press conference and cussed out Pepper and his campaigned spokeswoman.

Finney told each to "kiss my a--" and called Pepper "a rich f------ ---hole."

Pepper scoffed at Heimlich's response, calling it "obviously absurd."

Pepper was trying to say how he believed government should be transparent and that appointing a business party to a volunteer government committee -- like Heimlich did with Finney -- was wrong.

"I don't think it's immature to bring it up. It's basic government," Pepper said.

Meanwhile, a local activist, Carrie Davis, also e-mailed the Enquirer to note that Finney's actions were the result of an investigation by the St. Bernard police.

What Davis didn't say -- but St. Bernard Police Chief Steve Moeller did -- is the police knew about the incident only because Davis called St. Bernard police at 2:50 a.m. today, almost 16 hours after the incident, to report it as a disorderly conduct.

Moeller said his officers couldn't site someone for disorderly conduct unless it happened in thier sight and no evidence other than Davis' allegations.


18 Comments:

at 5:48 PM, October 04, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Heimlich says it was "unfair" for Pepper to pick on someone who "isn't campaigning". That's rich! Finney runs ALL of Heimlich's campaign events and sits on county boards at Heimlich's behest. But now we're supposed to feel sorry for poor wittle Chris because Pepper had the temerity to reveal Heimlich and Finney's illicit business relationship.

Sorry, Phil. It's politics. You and Finney got caught. Face the music and dance.

 
at 6:19 PM, October 04, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not campaigning? What's this? . . . . . .

Can you help our "East-Side Meet and Greet" for Phil Heimlich?

In the midst of the major battles for Governor, U.S. Senate and United States Congress taking place in Hamilton County, you may have overlooked another important race -- the battle for control of the Hamilton County Commission.

My friend and proven conservative Phil Heimlich is running for re-election this year . . .

PleasHere's all I ask:

1) That you agree to co-sponsor the event, which means we will use you name on the invitation

2) That you commit to come and bring along at least 10 Hamilton County voters.

3) If you can pitch in a little something to help cover expenses, that would be appreciated. We are trying to make sure this is no-net-cost for the campaign.

Here are the details for the event:

When: Wednesday, October 4, 2006 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM

Where: 7261 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230. (This is called "Oak Tree Center." It is where Pelican's Reef and VIP Fitness are located.) We will set up a tent in the lot.

Price: Free. We just want people to come to hear the Heimlich message.

Please e-mail me back in the coming week, affirming your participation so I can get the invitation printed.

I will get you 25 copies or so to mail to your friends.

If you commit, I will be following up for your 10 committed names to make sure the event is a success.

Thank you!!!

Paid for by me, no chairman or treasurer required, address below.

Christopher P. Finney, Esq.
FINNEY, STAGNARO,
SABA & KLUSMEIER CO., L.P.A.
2623 Erie Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45208
Direct Dial: (513) 533-2980
Direct Fax: (513) 533-2990
e-mail: cfinney@fssk-law.com

 
at 6:21 PM, October 04, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

The real question is did Chris Finney cross the line? Did Finney violate the rules of professional conduct? Will Pepper be filing a complaint with the Ohio Supreme Court?

 
at 6:39 PM, October 04, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Meanwhile, a local activist, Carrie Davis, also e-mailed the Enquirer (see below)

Mr. Perry - Ms. Davis's e-mail was not posted. Please upload.

 
at 6:46 PM, October 04, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

We've had to listen forever to Heimlich's rants about family values, clean living (shut down Hustler books, think of the children, and stop those demon gay people!) and Heimlich's peculiar version of Christianity.

But when his indispensible puppeteer Chris Finney gets caught sticking his rump in a woman's face and bellowing the F-word, that's no problem for Holy Heimlich.

Please. Get this guy and his disgusting special friend out of government.

 
at 11:05 PM, October 04, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Finney is a jerk and Pepper can handle him with one hand tied behind his back. Here's hoping he handle his "friends". Like that goofy "activist" who's always spouting her interpretations of the "law" and calling police departments at 2:50am with phony, baloney complaints. How does one achieve the designation "activist" anyhow? By being perpetually stupid in public? Sure seems like it.

 
at 11:34 PM, October 04, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Finney has probably sunk Heimlich's election chances against Pepper. It's like the factory union with legitimate grievances against the employer. The union makes headway in negotiations until some yahoo blows up the factory. Then no matter what the union's legit complaints are, the focus is permanently shifted to the unacceptable violence. Finney's profane tirade was a form of unacceptable violence. What next? Hired thugs disrupting Pepper meetings and threatening citizens? Where have we seen this before? Hamilton County's Republican leadership had better wake up and put a lid on this turkey. He's creating divisional splits in the party that could take years to heal. Meanwhile the damned Dems profit.

 
at 2:04 AM, October 05, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kimball dear, of course I reported the incident to the police -like any good citizen should when they learn of illegal activity-like disorderly conduct that offends the senses of even the most seasoned citizen.
Isn't that our duty to report crimes and hope the police do their jobs?(Unless, can you say cover-up? Can you spell "special treatment"? How about "abuse of discretion"?)

Geez, I wonder what would happen if I did that at one of Heimlich's press conferences. I'm sure Heimlich would be on the 911 quicker than Finney could drop the f-bomb.And where would I be - in jail - where I would belong, if I dared to engage in such despicable public conduct.

I wonder what the Republican Chief of St.Bernard would say if I called in and told them I knew who painted graffitti on some sidewalk - I'll bet he'd make a move. Especially if there was a video and audio of the kid doing it?

But hey, if you would have called me (you know, confirm the source, verify I actually wrote the email, you know , "check your sources" like most journalists do), I would have told you myself.

Lucky for Finney - Pepper and his campaign spokesperson, obviously, have apparently chosen not to stoop to the pit levels of Heimlich's Pit Crew, and keep their own campaign on the high road and out of Heimlich's muck.

They obviously have more class than Finney does a--, well you know.

I'm really surprised everyone reading these blog entries hasn't reported the incident to the police and demanded they keep this trash talk out of our communities ( including you - you were a witness - I would have hoped that you were a better citizen than you are a reporter)

Oh, and on the 2 am thing - hopefully, that proves once and for all to disprove your many false and ridiculous claims, that I absoultely am not "working with the Democrats" now, or ever - Since I was in class ( you can verify that) from 2PM until 9:30 last night, then went to Krogers ( I got the receipt)and didn't get home until after 11 - I didn't learn about this whole fiasco until - well, very early in the morning when I read it on the blog.

So, obviously, I didn't and don't, work as an "operative" of anyone unless I can call a conference at 2 in the morning!

I do, what I do, based on my own conscience - not on any fictional relationship or loyalty you think exists with Democrats. As you well know, I am a disenchanted Republican, not a Democrat. I support, and don't support, candidates based on their character, not the letter behind their name anymore. Republicans are just so screwed up, I can't find one worth backing.

And by the way - I wonder what kind of response Carl and the Enquirer would have if they knew all that you told me during your forced apology?

Do you think that would make some interesting blogging?

For those itching to know what letter I copied to the Enquirer - it was a complaint /demand that the commissioners and prosecutor use their authority to formally remove Finney from all county posts immediately due to his multiple incidences of misconduct; the public F-bomb, his failure to fulfill the TLR Committees' mission statement to protect taxpayers from waste and abuse, including to catch the misapproriation of the Children's Services Levy money after his exhaustive 6-month "review," his inappropriate references to the social service agencies vying for TLR Committee's approval to keep children, the elderly and disadvantaged safe and well as "cabals," the preferential treatment he received in the selection process for county appointments that he bears clear bias, prejudice and conflicts of interest.(Of course, Kimball knows I asked for that issue to be reviewed by Deters back when Heimlich was still running for Lt Governor and Pepper wasn't even in the commissioners race, and Heimlich fired everyone but Finney fromthe TLR Committee and was appointed simultaneously to the Drake Board - of course, Kimball didn't report that)and the violation of county resolutions in Finney's appointment to those posts.
Will the Pit Crew (DeWine, Deters, Heimlich, the Enquirer) do what's right? (Since Deters is doing commercials for Heimlich - I don't know that he isn't biased in performing his duties about now and about this issue), or will they leave it up to me or some other regular citizen to do the right thing for them?
Now if the Enquirer would just embrace the concept of Free Press, appreciate their position as part of the country's checks and balances to hold ALL public officials accountable and fufill their duty to report without bias - all this would be on paper and not hidden in some political blog.
Have a nice day, Kimball.
Carrie

 
at 9:07 AM, October 05, 2006 Blogger Whiskey Tango Foxtrot said...

Finney can't be separated from Heimlich. If Heimlich was intelligent, he'd be calling for Finney's resignation from the Tax Levy Review Commission. Of course, Heimlich was the one who appointed Finney to the Commission. Heimlich should also vow that if he somehow pulls off a win that he will NEVER appoint or support the appointment of Finney to any position of public trust. Phil: You are known by the company you keep, and you are not keeping good company. You embarass us by keeping the cowardly bully Finney around you.

For the good of the Republican Party, for the good of Hamilton County, Finney and Heimlich and the rest of their cronies have to go!

 
at 9:36 AM, October 05, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Perry - In all of your articles about the Finney freakout, both in the paper and on the blog, none include the names of the Heimlich-Finney-Eichorn real estate companies, which are "Three Centurions LLC" and "Three Centurions II LLC."

Why didn't you publish the names of the companies? Kevin Osborne at CityBeat did. He also wrote that the companies own about $1.7 million worth of properties.

Those facts come from public records of which you were made aware many months ago and at least a week before the Enquirer published your January 15, 2006 article about Chris Finney's influence in county government as a member of the Drake and Tax Levy committees.

Nevertheless, your January article failed to include that Finney was Heimlich's business partner, a fact that would have bolstered the foundation of your report.

Now, because David Pepper raised the issue about Three Centurions (and Finney blew a gasket in public) you were forced to report it.

Therefore, your reasons for previously failing to report the story can only be drawn from the following list:

1. You didn't think it was newsworthy. If that's the case, obviously you were proved wrong.

2. You were ordered not to report it. The above link to Tom Callinan's feeble excuse to the Dean makes that appear likely.

3. You were protecting the interests of Commissioner Heimlich. Your failure to name the companies by name and to state their value lends credence to this possibility.

In other words, either your news judgement is questionable, you're Callinan's slave, or you're in Heimlich's pocket.

Under the circumstances, perhaps you could be more gracious to Carrie Davis, who is trying to expose crime by politicians, not ignore or cover it up as you have.

 
at 5:13 PM, October 05, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kimbell you are a sorry excuse for a REPORTer! If for once you would report the news as is in your job description then your readers would not be so uninformed. You attack a citizen who has balls enough to speak out, bring attention to, and report the real news. (even when it means contacting the local police department as her civil duty)It is SO OBVIOUS that Ms. Davis is a threat to you by what you posted here. You would do good to ask Ms. Davis to teach you a few things or maybe that is the problem and the reason you feel threatened is because she is brilliant and you sir just possess a pen. Spend the Enquirer dollars they pay you to do your job and not attack others who are trying to do it for you.

 
at 5:20 PM, October 05, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

What difference does it make if Davis told you who did file the complaint?? Sounds like you should have handled this yourself Mr. Perry. Wasn't he disorderly? What would have happened to you if you acted out like that at a meeting?
Why then if she sent this news to you did you not report on it?

 
at 5:37 PM, October 05, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

anon 11:05
YOu get the designation of activist - a term i hate -when you do something other than serve your own self interests.
Thats' why I won a car out of over 700 other "activists" nominated in the tri state area, for my outstanding community serivce. THose quiet activities I perform everyday without any recognition, financial benefit or fanfair. i was amazed that the judges of that award program thought what I did was anything extraordinary but the Character Council, Make A WIsh FOundation, Cancer Society - all judges who reviewed the work i do in the community, somehow thought that i had earned it.maybe that's how i get the opportunity to be attacked as a stupid "activist" It is hard work,everyday on behalf of others,kimball(?)
Or,on the specific issue of cronyism - a few years back - i found that the county had a 48% rate of nepotism and favortism in hamilton county. it is a well known story that this illegal hiring practice filled our county jobs with unqualified, often inept employees whose only accomplishment was to be a friend of this politician or that.now the county prosecutor and commissioners had your opinion - who am i to interpret the law - so they did nothing. i followed it up and filed one of my "stupid" legal briefs with the feds who conducted an audit based on my "interpretation of the law" and found that, indeed, i was correct and ordered the county into a corrective action plan which stymied the illegal hiring practices in the county in most offices - until of late.
so the federal government lawyers have confirmed my understanding of the law while nixing the county lawyers who claimed I knew nothing.
but i'm no lawyer and never claim to be - but i believe the laws of this country belong to all of us. what's more i believe we all have a duty to use those laws to promote honesty and integrity for all of us not a select few. by the way, if you can read and follow a map - you can get a pretty good understanding of what is right and what is wrong under law.
the difference is, i believe that we all have to follow the same laws and am prepared to stand up for that belief even if i receive no benefit in so doing.
does it garner me hurtful and heart wrenching criticism? yes. I am often targeted and attacked for standing up. but i don't do it to please any award committee or answer to you, kimball or any politician - i answer to GOd and my conscience.
have I ever been wrong? certainly - i'll work harder to get it right. by the way,as to how "stupid" I am, my multiple community service awards are only exceeded by my academic excellence awards.
and there i laid it out,that's how you become labeled as a "stupid" "activist" - and who are you?

 
at 5:47 PM, October 05, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kimball- perhaps you could proof your "writing", and I use the term loosely.
"Moeller said his officers couldn't site someone for disorderly conduct unless it happened in thier sight and no evidence other than Davis' allegations."
The correct term is "cite" and you misspelled "their".The latter part of the sentence should read "and there was no evidence other than Davis' allegations".

 
at 5:53 PM, October 05, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

The last Anon post appears to be someone other than Ms. Davis, who writes well and signs her name, vs Anon who doesn't know how to capitalize "I". Kimball- perhaps you could proof your "writing", and I use the term loosely.
"Moeller said his officers couldn't site someone for disorderly conduct unless it happened in thier sight and no evidence other than Davis' allegations."
The correct term is "cite" and you misspelled "their".
To make sense the last part of the sentence should read, "and there was no evidence other than Davis' allegations".

 
at 2:35 PM, October 06, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

THere wasno evidence other than a video tape,an audio tape and reprters who witnessedit - including the one the chief was talking to on the phone.
the chief didn't investigate because he was giving finney preferential treatment - just the reason why finney thought he could get away with it - and did.

 
at 3:26 PM, October 06, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

What kind of witch hunt is this? I know Chris Finney personally and he is a good and decent citizen and man. His unqualified apology, not even being willing to discuss the valid reasons behind why he was so frustrated, is merely an example of the kind of character of this man. You'd like to be half the person!

 
at 10:24 PM, October 07, 2006 Anonymous Anonymous said...

chris finney has cut assistance to mr/dd clients,children like marcus fiesl. finney has told elderly parents on fixed incomes of disabled adults to pay child support for the remainder of their children's lives inorder to save about $6 on our property taxes.
finney destroyed the drake tax levy which was the best catastrophic insurance plan this community could ever have access to for about 45 bucks a year, PER HOUSEHOLD
chris finney couldn't find any errors inthe keepingof records for the children's services tax levy despite over 2 billion in questionable costs and requiring what the dispatch calls, the biggest taxpayer bail out in ohio history.
chris finney is interested only in his personal bottom line - the most evil, vile anti-christian political stance a person could have.
half the man as finney - i'd be satisfied to see half the presense of finney in county politics and policy

 
Post a Comment*

* Our online blogs currently are hosted and operated by a third party, namely, Blogger.com. You are now leaving the Cincinnati.Com website and will be linked to Blogger.com's registration page. The Blogger.com site and its associated services are not controlled by Cincinnati.Com and different terms of use and privacy policy will apply to your use of the Blogger.com site and services.

By proceeding and/or registering with Blogger.com you agree and understand that Cincinnati.Com is not responsible for the Blogger.com site you are about to access or for any service you may use while on the Blogger.com site.

<< Home


Blogs
Jim Borgman
Today at the Forum
Paul Daugherty
Politics Extra
N. Ky. Politics
Pop culture review
Cincytainment
Who's News
Television
Roller Derby Diva
Art
CinStages Buzz....
The Foodie Report
cincyMOMS
Classical music
John Fay's Reds Insider
Bengals
High school sports
NCAA
UC Sports
CiN Weekly staff
Soundcheck