Divisiveness over unity

Sounds like a given, right? Cincinnati City Council should be in favor of unity. Having just been through the scare of a threatened march by neo Nazis and all.

But when Councilman Cecil Thomas surprised his colleagues this afternoon with a resolution in support of a Statement of Unity - attached to it was a list of 162 supporters, from Buddhists and rabbis to the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati - it got sent to committee rather than being passed immediately like Thomas wanted.

Councilman Chris Bortz asked that the idea be sent to Thomas' Law & Public Safety Committee for more discussion. He said he isn't against unity.

"I just felt like it should be something that should be more fully discussed," he said.

There are some pointed phrases in the statement. Like these:

1. "We stand in solidarity and support of the African-American community in Over-the-Rhine..."
2. "We are committed to a new Cincinnati and will hold the city accountable to the progress..."
3. "...we are committed to working together until Cincinnati reflects the type of city that does not attract hate groups...."