Portune: `A new era'

Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune made an unexpected appearance before Cincinnati city council Wednesday, and told council members that a new era of cooperation would begin once new commissioner and fellow Democrat David Pepper takes office.

Pepper's election Tuesday marks the first time since 1962 that Democrats have had a majority of the three-member commission.

Portune said he wants to hold quarterly joint meetings between the county commission and the city council. Jail overcrowding, riverfront development, and county-wide development are just a few of the issues the two legislative bodies have in common, he said.

"Voters spoke to us all on a national, state and local basis and we are about to usher in a new era of city-county relations," Portune said. "We have an opportunity for a fresh beginning in a way that has the county and the city working together to put forward the best solutions to all of our issues."

Portune said the defeat of Issue 12, which would have raised property taxes to build a new permanent jail, tops the list of issues to work on.

"We still have to confront that very important issue," Portune said. "It will require that we sit down together."

After his public comments, Portune said the city's temporary jail idea would be one possible solution to consider. "It's certainly in the mix. But the city and county need to sit down and identify a range of options."

Portune has often complained over the past four years that, with a Republican-controlled commission, he has been left out of the loop on many issues. He said that practice will end now.

"I met with (County Administrator) Pat Thompson today and told him that I not only expect it to change but that I insist it will change," Portune said. "Not only for me, but for all of us, including (Republican) Pat DeWine. None of us will tolerate a situation where a commissioner is cut out of the loop."