CPS campaign talking big

On paper, it might seem like the CPS tax levy is a tough sell. After all, it was only four months ago when voters rejected the levy by a 58 percent to 42 percent margin.

But now, with polls closed in the district, CPS backers now gathering at pro-Issue 10 campaign headquarters in Spring Grove Village say they're legitimately excited about their chances tonight.

"I do believe the wind's at our back," said school board member Susan Cranley.

Cranley was among a group of board members who at first opposed going to the
March ballot, feeling their odds of success were low. But that's changed
dramatically since then, she said, noting the high turnout among Democrats
because of the white-hot presidential primary campaign.

"Those circumstances, which no one could have foreseen, that was not what anybody
thought was going to happen when we made our decision," Cranley said.

CPS Board president Eve Bolton predicted a victory by a wide margin -- a 53
percent "yes" vote.

Despite a late start, the pro-CPS campaign picked up steam in the campaign
homestretch, engineering a major radio advertising buy in the final week.

At an election night gathering at Million's Cafe on Mt. Lookout Square, Jason
Gloyd, chairman of anti-tax COAST, said CPS is going down badly tonight. His prediction is 55 percent "no."

"Hamilton County property owners have already reached their limits as far as being overtaxed," he said, according to Enquirer reporter Lori Kurtzman.

The CPS gathering place (an old Turner Construction office space on Este Ave.) is quickly filling up with CPS officials, volunteer parents and other levy supporters. At the moment, American Idol is on the big-screen TV, and the beer and wine supply is mostly untapped. For now.