Another Painter in office?

Housing redeveloper Mitch Painter, nephew of Ohio 1st District Court of Appeals Judge Mark Painter, announces by e-mail today that he's an independent candidate for Cincinnati City Council.

Here's what he says about himself:

"I feel that it is time young people step up to the plate to push our city forward. My uncle, the honorable Judge Mark Painter, has laid the framework for our family having the political courage to do what's right. I am the next generation of great leadership that represents that political courage, the time is now.

I have rehabbed houses throughout our inner city neighborhoods and grew up downtown. I believe any city is as good as it's core. I plan to create an action oriented team uniting all groups of people. I am running as an independent to demonstrate this deeply rooted intention of mine. It's time that we stop drawing lines in the sand. The retention of our young people in the city is such a huge part of our growth. We need to send the message that Cincinnati is an amazing place to live for young people. Making Cincinnati a "green" city is a big part of this message. I am also a young developer building all green new buildings."

www.painterforcouncil.org

Painter and his twin brother, Matt, own Keystone Properties & Investments. They've bought, rehabbed and sold more than 100 properties. They also own about 120 apartment units in Clifton and Hyde Park. They're also proposing a $12 million, 44-unit condo tower in Columbia Tusculum, with construction to start in the fall.