Once Endorsed. Now? Not So Much

The West Side POWR PAC endorsed Cincinnati City Council candidate Melanie Bates back in July. At the time, Pete Witte, president of Price Hill Civic Club and one of the neighborhood leaders who interviewed 18 candidates, said the group chose Bates and eight others because members felt they were the ones who would hold the line on property taxes, could work together best and be the most likely ones to help out the West Side.

Today, this is what Witte e-mailed in response to a question about the status of Bates' endorsement:

"POWR PAC believes Melanie has unfinished business with the School Board, which we think she needs to work on. With the latest deficit revelation, subsequent tax levy request, and superintendent search, it is obvious the CPS School Board needs to stay focused and right their ship."

"Melanie would do us all a favor and stay on school board and work to fix the many problems they face."

No decision yet on whether to give the endorsement to someone else. That could come in a few days, Witte says.

Bates said Friday afternoon she hadn't yet heard about POWR PAC's change of heart. She planned to talk to Witte.