tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140267852012-01-28T13:59:27.689-05:00Enquirer reporters give the inside scoop on what your politicians are doing from Washington to Columbus to Cincinnati -- and all points in betweenBrian Buttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15738624681383335534noreply@blogger.comBlogger31681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-89106058619307891622008-05-22T11:27:00.002-04:002008-05-22T11:30:46.681-04:00

The Politics Extra blog has moved. Check out the new one here

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-88300314535572656252008-05-21T16:59:00.000-04:002008-05-21T17:36:10.458-04:00

UPDATEDJessica Brown reports:Union leaders met with Sheriff Leis today to voice their objections to the new tattoo policy. They offered some unspecified suggestions that would "make the policy acceptable to union members," said David Stanley, staff representative for the union. He said the sheriff will get back to the union on the suggestions. No timeline was given.Hamilton County Sheriff Simon

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-5457179674974352202008-05-21T14:49:00.005-04:002008-05-21T15:44:31.626-04:00

Records of contracts and money spent on The Banks riverfront project could soon be online under a program proposed by Hamilton County Commissioner Pat DeWine last week.The Government Accountability in Spending Program (G.A.S.P.) is a county-take on a federal and state program to give taxpayers access to records showing how their money was spent.DeWine said he hopes The Banks records will be among

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-66111312617483986122008-05-21T14:04:00.001-04:002008-05-21T14:05:04.060-04:00

We apologize, but as you might have noticed, we've had problems uploading photos to blogger.

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-69453870056903322442008-05-21T13:40:00.005-04:002008-05-22T10:24:20.590-04:00

UPDATE: Altman and Crowley are unable to make it today, but Merz will be there to answer questions.If you're interested in Vice Mayor David Crowley's proposed environmental justice ordinance, there's a Thursday lunchtime forum on it.Crowley, lawyer David Altman and Crowley's chief of staff, Rocky Merz, will be at the Christ Church Cathedral undercroft, 318 E. Fourth St., at noon to talk about the

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-44692885379218121402008-05-21T12:56:00.003-04:002008-05-21T14:01:13.372-04:00

So the county spent a ton of time this spring holding public hearings, gathering input, forming committees and debating the merits of dozens of projects that were vying for State Capital Bill funding.Well, it appears that was all for nothing.The State Capital list came out this week from Columbus and none of the three projects that the county had specifically deemed priorities (stadium debt money

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-82857001667835194972008-05-21T12:45:00.002-04:002008-05-21T13:29:15.640-04:00

As we noted in this earlier blog, the county commissioners are Cincinnati Cyclones fans (they passed a resolution commending the team for a great season).Well, now they have the t-shirts to prove it. Ray Harris, CEO of the Nederlander Group which operates U.S. Bank Arena (the Cyclones' venue) came to Wednesday's commission meeting to thank the commissioners for their support -- And to bring them

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-65892707486974660702008-05-21T11:42:00.012-04:002008-05-21T14:10:02.019-04:00

We're not the first to report about a Statehouse videotape in which former state Rep. Geoff Smith, a Republican from Upper Arlington, teases state Democratic Reps. Steve Driehaus of Price Hill and Todd Book of Portsmouth.The Whistleblower newswire published an item on the alleged "Girls Gone Wild" episode in March here:But to put persistent rumormongering to bed, readers can listen to Smith's

Jon Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02113373329694323706noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-10470078459683203112008-05-21T10:19:00.004-04:002008-05-21T15:46:43.826-04:00

When Ohio Democratic Party chairman Chris Redfern announced his picks for the two open Ohio super-delegate slots, it was pretty well a lock that he would pick a Barack Obama supporter and a Hillary Clinton partisan.That expectation has become reality.It didn't take long after the May 10 Ohio Democratic Party convention, when the two superdelegates were approved, for Dave Regan, president of SEIU

Howard Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04951416551428828706noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-73418632638539070362008-05-20T18:08:00.003-04:002008-05-21T08:56:04.365-04:00

We just noticed that Nate Livingston's blog, Cincinnati Black Blog, is "under review" by its host, Blogger, for possible violations of its terms of service. The blog is no longer accessible from its usual address.No word what exactly triggered the review, but it comes amid "Operation Heightened Contradiction." We're sure you have your theories.

Ben Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15229642113545538064noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-69596454984114470732008-05-20T15:57:00.005-04:002008-05-20T17:21:27.765-04:00

Doctors today said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., has brain tumor, a condition discovered after he had seizure and was hospitalized this week.Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, released this statement this afternoon:"Senator Kennedy is an inspiration for millions of Americans and a courageous fighter for working families across the country. I am honored to call him a colleague, a mentor, and a friend. He

Mommynoreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-8679356520136134262008-05-20T14:48:00.004-04:002008-05-21T09:20:10.579-04:00

Politico reports:House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) has put to rest questions about the future of NRCC Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.), but he hasn’t quelled concerns of Republican members, aides and lobbyists who say Boehner lacks the “killer instinct” necessary to fend off an electoral disaster in November.As usual in stories like this, no one is speaking on the record.Read the rest here

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-77007607325380961912008-05-20T13:38:00.005-04:002008-05-20T15:25:44.301-04:00

Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis is banning tattoos on his deputies — at least visible ones.Jessica Brown has the story here

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-20132939314518439372008-05-20T08:41:00.010-04:002008-05-20T14:02:32.851-04:00

UPDATE:Tim Burke told the Enquirer today that the other name he gave the governor’s office was that of Commission President Todd Portune."What I have said consistently is there are two people down here who could do this job and do it well and that’s Todd Portune and David Pepper." He didn’t know whether Portune is being considered by the governor or not."The AP said Pepper was one of them. They

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-90702749873473206532008-05-19T16:00:00.000-04:002008-05-19T12:58:34.402-04:00

A note from the blog administrator:Starting later this week, this blog will be published in a new blog tool on a brand-new Cincinnati.Com website.It will be the same Politics Extra you love and curse, but with some improvements. And don't worry - we'll still link back to this one.Eventually, any bookmarks and links to this blog will take you to the new one.Once we start posting to the new blog,

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-51966210885475096182008-05-19T15:30:00.002-04:002008-05-19T15:33:06.313-04:00

We don't make this stuff up.Here's the release:Cincinnati native, Dawnyell Reese, inspired by The Life Of Senator Barack Obama and his race to become the President of the United States has created a new website.She began this site hoping to showcase moms who want to sing and show their support for the candidate. Dawnyell was classically trained at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her pure

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-86750334520740799402008-05-19T12:56:00.001-04:002008-05-19T12:57:34.299-04:00

Kimball Perry reports:A Mount Washington man who robbed a man who turned out to be the city of Cincinnati’s director of community development was sent to prison Monday.Reginald Rice, 36, was sent to prison for two years by Visiting Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Gorman after being fund guilty last month of robbery and kidnapping.Rice and Nicholas Donnerberg, 24, of Mount

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-65893004973092722392008-05-17T15:34:00.003-04:002008-05-17T15:45:53.137-04:00

Mayor Mark Mallory announces that he's starting something new to honor people who contribute the most to Cincinnati Public Schools.There'll be one winner a month of the Mayor's Recognition of Educational Excellence Award for six months and each will be honored at a City Council meeting as well as featured on the mayor's Web site. Anyone working in a field that directly affects the life of CPS

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-48008780839414244502008-05-16T16:15:00.000-04:002008-05-16T16:16:12.882-04:00

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-25279356811959507112008-05-16T14:18:00.003-04:002008-05-16T14:21:40.489-04:00

The Associated Press reports: Former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann spent his first day after resigning helping his wife with her business selling dishes online.Dann’s attorney Mike Harshman says Dann helped his wife, Alyssa Lenhoff Dann, with her side job selling Fiestaware on the Internet.Dann walked two miles from his suburban Youngstown home Thursday to the office where he took orders and

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-88358794542266559672008-05-16T12:52:00.003-04:002008-05-16T14:13:19.695-04:00

Westwood Republican John Eby, who twice ran for City Council, will be at the St. Catharine's church festival tonight. Check in or around the beer booth.Where he won't be, he says, is in the race for state representative against Denise Driehaus. Somewhere on this blog or another, someone suggested he might replace Scott Gehring, who got out of the race last week, citing a family issue.Today at the

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-26707144891529232672008-05-16T10:18:00.003-04:002008-05-16T10:44:44.029-04:00

The Hamilton County Republican party this morning announced they opposed Cincinnati's plan to add red light cameras at intersections - a move the city hopes will add $1 million to city coffers. From the Hamilton County Republican party this morning:On May 15, 2008, the Hamilton County Republican Party Policy Committee met at Party Headquarters to discuss the issue of Red Light Cameras. The

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-67534791519844403442008-05-16T09:15:00.016-04:002008-05-16T17:48:41.308-04:00

UPDATE: For what it's worth, Portman is in the "final four" of CQ's veepstakes bracket:US News reported Tuesday:10 Things You Didn't Know About Rob PortmanBy Bobbie Kyle SauerSen. John McCain disclosed that he is in the "embryonic stages" of selecting a running mate, whom he hopes to introduce at the Republican National Convention. While he refused to disclose any names, McCain told reporters

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-83474728215444625902008-05-16T09:15:00.015-04:002008-05-16T17:05:36.445-04:00

At last night's Cincinnati school board public hearing called to discuss Superintendent Rosa Blackwell's proposed $445 million budget for next year, just two people who aren't on the CPS payroll or the board came.One of them was me, a reporter who routinely attends as part of my job. The other was Jim Berry, an Over-the-Rhine resident who's a frequent schools volunteer and member of the joint

Ben Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15229642113545538064noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-57991315077719718122008-05-15T19:30:00.004-04:002008-05-16T08:44:14.517-04:00

It wouldn't have been a total shock had Hamilton County's credit rating slipped after it spent $12 million of its reserve money on inmate housing fees, lawsuit settlements and elections equipment since 2006. However, the county made a ton of changes in the past 16 months and made a strong case to Moody's Investors Service and ended up salvaging its financial rating (read the Moody's report here).

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-44303286869524188382008-05-15T19:02:00.004-04:002008-05-16T08:45:33.431-04:00

OK, so it's not the Tour de France, (see photo) but we hear there may be some spandex sightings. Three of your county leaders will be bicycling to work Friday for Bike-to-Work Day. Get the details here.

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-80903799957334548072008-05-15T13:36:00.002-04:002008-05-15T13:37:20.117-04:00

Gov. Ted Strickland was in Cincinnati today.Reporter Denise Amos was there, and filed this report

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-78329006071501612942008-05-15T11:03:00.002-04:002008-05-15T11:08:57.325-04:00

From House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering: “His resignation is long overdue. We can now allow the Inspector General’s independent investigation – and others – to take their course so integrity and public trust can be restored to the office of the Ohio Attorney General.”From Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland: "By tendering his resignation as the Attorney General of the State of Ohio, Marc

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-55458475636880170332008-05-15T10:46:00.003-04:002008-05-15T11:10:08.971-04:00

Enquirer Columbus bureau reporter Jon Craig rode the Straight Talk Express Wednesday: Sen. John McCain had nothing but praise Wednesday for Rob Portman, former congressman and budget director under President Bush, whose name often crops up as a potential running mate for the presumptive Republican presidential candidate.Read the full story hereAP photo of McCain in Columbus this morning.

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-1072060608978029832008-05-14T18:30:00.004-04:002008-05-15T10:12:37.007-04:00

Commissioner David Pepper wants you to weigh in on The Banks. Take his survey here.

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-52782604943363952102008-05-14T17:08:00.003-04:002008-05-14T18:40:26.095-04:00

Read the story here Here's Marc Dann's statement: Twelve days ago I came before you to admit mistakes, to take responsibility, and to announce steps towards giving the office of attorney general an administrative backbone worthy of the great legal work that we were doing in this office. I sincerely viewed it as my fiduciary responsibility to fix the problems on my watch, especially as it

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-66469849746357948092008-05-14T17:00:00.003-04:002008-05-14T17:47:52.863-04:00

Cincinnati City Council members, or most of them, agreed Wednesday to appoint these folks to these boards:Bryn Lewis, Cincinnati Elections Commission; Michaele Pride, planning commission; David Rattenbury, Roger Burdorf, Ginny Corsini and Bill Wildeboer, Lunken Airport Oversight Advisory Board; Hamilton County Coroner Dr. O'dell Owens, Kenton County Airport Board Advisory Committee; and

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-60158799852009430402008-05-14T16:49:00.004-04:002008-05-19T11:19:27.709-04:00

On the floor of council today, Cecil Thomas' proposal to change the city's pit bull ordinance failed to get an immediate hearing. It takes six votes to do that; he had five.He thought he had six, though, Thomas said later. He thought Jeff Berding would be that sixth. But Berding said he voted against it because he'd tried before the meeting to get Thomas to take out the part about training police

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-197633812566612342008-05-14T12:24:00.010-04:002008-05-15T09:26:12.147-04:00

Auditor Dusty Rhodes won't be bicycling to work any time soon. During a discussion at today's county commission meeting about the subject it was noted that Andy Dobson, a senior planner on the county planning commission, sent a memo to staff last month asking for suggestions for a "bike commuting program. "Rhodes sent a sarcastic response suggesting the establishment of a "county stable" so

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-26035206742783280302008-05-14T12:07:00.004-04:002008-05-14T12:41:41.305-04:00

If you're a fan of the Cincinnati Cyclones Hockey team, Hamilton County's the government for you. Commissioners not only congratulated the Cyclones today on their impressive season, they passed a resolution to make it official.The resolution called the team "fan friendly," and "model citizens," and that games are "fun to watch and reasonably priced."It then encouraged the team to win:"It is

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-71342030530670671882008-05-14T10:45:00.004-04:002008-05-14T14:22:55.738-04:00

UPDATE: The Dispatch reports that computers and files have been seized. Read the full story hereFirst, there was supposed to be a noon press press conference. The Plain Dealer reported that hereThe Dispatch quoted Dann's spokesman, Jason Stanford, saying this morning that Dann would have a press conference at noon. “ Attendance is mandatory,” Stanford said. Reporters gathered outside Dann's

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-15534885961936333822008-05-13T17:15:00.003-04:002008-05-13T20:44:17.207-04:00

Cecil Thomas' changes to Cincinnati's pit bull ban are back on council's agenda for Wednesday - some of them, at least.Interim solicitor Pat King sent out a revision of the ordinance that sparked some controversy this week. Dated today, it changes the things that SPCA Cincinnati CEO Harold Dates found objectionable, namely that the ordinance proposed to order the private, non-profit agency to

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-37887496594950519382008-05-13T16:53:00.002-04:002008-05-13T17:10:03.134-04:00

Reds field Ken Griffey - who may be leaving Ohio - will be appearing in a new Ohio tourism advertising campaign. Here's the release:COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Tourism Division today unveiled a new consumer advertising campaign designed to drive travel to and within Ohio. The campaign was presented in conjunction with recognition from Governor Ted Strickland and Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-32000459003817032082008-05-13T16:17:00.002-04:002008-05-13T17:11:16.258-04:00

Guess who wrote this guest column which will appear in Wednesday's Enquirer?I have never been a big women’s libber, bra burner or the like. But recently a number of anti-female biases have really sent me into a tailspin. You see, not only am I a member of Cincinnati City Council and a practicing employment discrimination attorney, I am also a soon to be mom. We are expecting our first baby in

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-1868133410207859532008-05-13T16:14:00.008-04:002008-05-13T17:12:06.314-04:00

The identity of contributors to the successful Cincinnati Public Schools levy campaign has been public information for more than a month, but another interesting tidbit came out this week, courtesy of the Clark Montessori High School newsletter (see page 6):Perfector of the sleaze/chat TV genre and former Cincinnati Mayor Jerry Springer gave $1,000 to the campaign. He's listed as Gerald Springer

Ben Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15229642113545538064noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-11475832639790862262008-05-13T13:01:00.003-04:002008-05-13T13:37:58.787-04:00

This just in from Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign:McCain will make a speech at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus at 10 a.m. on Thursday. No word yet on what the speech will be about.

Mommynoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-7567269217871252532008-05-13T11:23:00.006-04:002008-05-13T11:58:30.356-04:00

Cincinnati City Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz - who is 6 1/2 months pregnant - is throwing out the first pitch tonight before the University of Cincinnati's baseball game.She said in a news release this morning that she is confident she'll throw a perfect strike. Her aide, Zach Garrison, helped her toss a few balls last night to practice."I can totally do it," she said today. "Are you kidding me?"No

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-39951190706595632672008-05-13T11:07:00.004-04:002008-05-13T13:39:44.595-04:00

UPDATE: Marc Dann released this statement The Attorney General has said that he does not believe there are grounds for impeachment, and he will continue to do the job that he was elected to do.”The Democrats have prepared the articles of impeachment for Attorney General Marc Dann. There are nine counts, including obstructing the investigation, neglecting his duties, and "gross immorality."They

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-4915900357753792252008-05-13T10:14:00.004-04:002008-05-13T11:44:14.124-04:00

Former city councilman Charlie Winburn has become a one-man promotion machine for a proposal to start deleting old misdemeanor warrants. Winburn (who insists he is not running for anything) teamed up with Municipal Court Judge Nadine Allen last month to draw up a proposal and present it to the judges, who have to approve it. Read the story here. The judges haven't given a green light yet, but

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-43622730169002969492008-05-13T08:28:00.001-04:002008-05-13T08:32:44.483-04:00

The AP reports:John Weiler is a Southern California police detective, a Republican, an Air Force veteran and self-described conservative. He is starring in a television commercial in support of Barack Obama.Top entertainment figures, including Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, selected the ad in a contest run by the liberal group MoveOn.org for the best 30-second pro-Obama television spot."I'm a

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-42724912060991585442008-05-12T17:42:00.003-04:002008-05-13T09:26:06.345-04:00

Hamilton County Commissioners approved the spending of $350,000 to lease 200 more ankle bracelets so more people can be put on house arrest. (Read the story). The move came after the county ran out of the devices last month and asked for more. Sheriff Simon Leis supports getting the devices, but shook his head at the county spending money when it says it's broke. (the county says the money is

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-50241460140405500942008-05-10T21:35:00.003-04:002008-05-11T08:18:12.195-04:00

Marc Dann was excommunicated, as much as Democrats can do that.Read Howard Wilkinson's story on that hereEven Hillary Clinton's own delegates want her to get out of the race.Read Howard Wilkinson's full story here

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-9138907519769557792008-05-09T16:46:00.000-04:002008-05-09T16:47:17.032-04:00

It's true, Scott Gehring's getting out of the state rep race.He said he told the county Republican Party about a month ago that this likely would be coming so party officials could start talking to other people who might face Denise Driehaus in November. He said he knows they've talked to some people. The party has until Aug. 20 to come up with someone.He plans to stay on as a board member of the

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-66850345767275419632008-05-09T12:13:00.000-04:002008-05-09T12:14:00.351-04:00

In a weird procedural move this week, House Republicans, including several Cincinnati lawmakers, seemingly voted for motherhood before sort of voting against it.The whole strategy is a bit confusing, but essentially, everyone in the House voted (412-0) to pass the seemingly uncontroversial H. Res. 113, "Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of

Mommynoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-22092211800033072122008-05-09T11:55:00.000-04:002008-05-09T11:55:55.852-04:00

Republicans have renewed their call for Democrat Steve Driehaus to return money raised at a fundraiser hosted by tainted Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann.Read the Ohio GOP's original news release on this topic HERE.Driehaus told The Enquirer earlier this week that he had the fundraiser, not Dann, and that Dann was just an invited guest. And on top of that, Dann didn't even end up attending the

Mommynoreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-19495389764079386382008-05-08T16:48:00.004-04:002008-05-09T10:25:12.568-04:00

Hamilton County's Department of Family Services recently got some praise for its work involving food stamps. Specifically: food stamp accuracy. It may not seem too exciting, but it's actually a lot harder then it sounds, said JFS officials. Put simply, food stamp accuracy is the process of making sure the person is getting the amount of food stamps they're supposed to be getting. The county

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-71727623275813972202008-05-08T16:15:00.003-04:002008-05-08T16:46:19.970-04:00

Harold Dates, CEO of SPCA Cincinnati, talked today about the proposed changes to Cincinnati's pit bull ordinance.He doesn't mind the part about training 10 officers (five in each district) in how to identify a pit bull. The SPCA, he said, is happy to do that training.But what he can't do, he said, is "be compelled to remove pit bulls." The private, non-profit agency enforces only the Ohio Revised

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-91116343180778170822008-05-08T14:24:00.004-04:002008-05-08T15:50:54.442-04:00

Charlie Winburn's been popping up here and there lately.Three weeks ago, he and Judge Nadine Allen pitched their plan to Hamilton County Commissioners that would erase old warrants.Then, Monday, he took to the steps of City Hall with representatives of the NAACP, COAST and other groups to announce that they'll try to gather 6,000 more signatures to put an initiative on the November ballot that

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-6977212989850914472008-05-08T14:15:00.004-04:002008-05-08T15:08:58.453-04:00

The invitation doesn't say how much it'll cost you, but Brian Garry's inviting people to a fund-raiser tonight in Clifton for Steve Driehaus, who's running for Congress.It's at the home of Beverly Thomas and Michael Ramundo and lists former Gov. John Gilligan and former Congressman and Mayor David Mann as among the hosts.It's 6-8 p.m. tonight. Call 513-221-5807 or e-mail mike@mcr-marketing.com

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-41277048005509323072008-05-08T13:29:00.007-04:002008-05-08T14:59:16.275-04:00

Several blog commenters (thanks) pointed out this story, headlined "Meet Caspar the friendly Swiss intern," in The Hill, a Capitol Hill newspaper. It's about Caspar Oertli, a Swiss 18-year-old, who briefly interned on the Steve Driehaus campaign. Oertli did not much like Cincinnati, it turns out. Oertli is friendly and shy with shaggy brown hair that hangs in his eyes and a big smile he

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-74781111266663832712008-05-08T13:06:00.004-04:002008-05-08T13:49:26.726-04:00

Mayor Mark Mallory recounted today:“I stopped at a car wash out in Colerain Township and a woman out there told me that maybe she would come downtown if there weren’t so many bodies piled up in the streets. And I thought she was joking, but she was absolutely serious,” Mallory said. The woman later told him she hadn’t been downtown in 17 years.Read Keith Reed's full story here

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-84876583106992462972008-05-08T12:16:00.004-04:002008-05-08T12:42:45.837-04:00

Last week, state auditors published the annual financial audit of Cincinnati Public Schools. Here's an accompanying management letter.The district routinely makes news for its money problems, but auditors found only limited problems with how CPS complies with state budget law and accounting protocol, and how it controls its own spending. Four shortcomings outlined in pages 7-9 of the report

Ben Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15229642113545538064noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-84027633657363159252008-05-08T10:25:00.002-04:002008-05-08T10:31:01.969-04:00

Here's an AP story, followed by the press release announcing the 2 p.m. press conference:From AP: Thursday is the deadline for state lawmakers to act on a proposed bill that would require most Ohio companies to provide workers with at least seven paid sick days each year.The bill’s supporters say that, without action by legislators, they plan to collect enough signatures to put the issue on the

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-47748440564343018302008-05-07T19:46:00.005-04:002008-05-08T10:25:34.903-04:00

Cincinnati City Council talked for more than half an hour Wednesday about vicious dogs and pit bulls. On the table for a vote was an ordinance from Cecil Thomas that would train 10 police officers to learn to identify pit bulls and order any officer or dog warden to remove from premises any improperly confined vicious dog or "any dog identified as a pit bull terrier."It wasn't just the ordinance

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-8861346875675023152008-05-07T17:31:00.004-04:002008-05-07T18:32:37.674-04:00

A Danish journalist visiting the Enquirer today stopped by City Council - and shot this video. Brother Steven Gerard Sidlovski of Cincinnati was was singing on behalf of anti-abortion event "40 days for life." The song is "Most High Powerful God," according to Brother Steven's fellow activisit JoElla Manella, who also spoke at council. Video by Tue Bladel of Danish National Radio

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-18600279161450335272008-05-07T16:52:00.000-04:002008-05-07T16:53:13.819-04:00

AP reports:Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted says lawmakers determining whether Attorney General Marc Dann should be impeached over a sex scandal need help from an unlikely source: the attorney general himself. Husted said Wednesday the House isn’t equipped to investigate whether Dann has committed any impeachable offenses. He says it would be helpful if Dann appointed an independent investigator to

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-60487960337043528632008-05-07T15:36:00.007-04:002008-05-09T11:26:58.936-04:00

The Ohio Republican Party today called on state Rep. Steve Driehaus to return money raised at a fundraiser at the Aronoff Center last year with tainted Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann.Driehaus, the Democrat running against Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot in the 1st Congressional District, has called for Dann to resign. "If Driehaus truly believes Dann should go, he would reject Dann's financial

Mommynoreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-24905018972346252412008-05-07T13:31:00.007-04:002008-05-07T16:49:23.533-04:00

A committee working to solve jail overcrowding in Hamilton County has come across a simple way to empty more beds without letting inmates out early.It changed the procedure relating to "holds" by other counties.A hold means the inmate is wanted by a police agency in another state or a non-adjoining Ohio county.In 2006, Hamilton County held roughly 1,000 inmates a total of 19,480 days for their

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-9051955063925747282008-05-07T13:14:00.002-04:002008-05-07T14:26:27.909-04:00

Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls joins Sheriff Simon Leis, Lincoln Ware and others as the celebrities Saturday in a Dancing With The Stars-type event to raise money for the Cincinnati Arts Association.Read more here.

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-82085295420444119122008-05-07T13:03:00.010-04:002008-05-07T17:36:24.275-04:00

Update: Turns out Hamilton County already levies a convenience fee for credit card property tax payments. Check it out here.If you get a traffic ticket in Hamilton County, it might soon cost you a little more to pay it--at least if you're planning to do it with a credit card.County Commissioners voted 2-1 Wednesday voted to explore charging "convenience" fees for credit card transactions. The

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-44951437806883427572008-05-07T12:48:00.007-04:002008-05-07T14:07:49.403-04:00

The morning after Sen. Barack Obama won a decisive victory in the North Carolina primary and Sen. Hillary Clinton narrowly defeated Obama in Indiana's primary, Sen. Sherrod Brown is still undecided about who he'll support.Brown, a Democrat from Lorain in northern Ohio, is among the last remaining super delegates who have not endorsed a candidate. He's the highest ranking super delegate in Ohio to

Mommynoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-73699935058192534412008-05-07T09:06:00.002-04:002008-05-07T09:08:35.680-04:00

Patrick Crowley gives Washington readers and political junkies the lowdown:If there is any House race in the nation that is primed for a compelling rematch, it is in Ohio’s 2nd District.In 1996, Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt held off Democrat Victoria Wulsin, 50-49 percent to retain a seat that was once held by Rep. Rob Portman — a vice presidential short-lister — and has been in GOP hands for

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-74531014864798867832008-05-06T14:33:00.002-04:002008-05-06T14:34:22.440-04:00

An estimated 2,500 supporters of the payday-lending industry held a rally today at the Statehouse to urge the Ohio Senate to reject new legislation to regulate the industry.Read the Dispatch's story here

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-55190030450305011172008-05-06T10:17:00.003-04:002008-05-06T13:28:48.978-04:00

Kathleen Akin of Wyoming was featured in The Enquirer April 24 for her decision to be a single mother. But it was her dog that got the attention of the Hamilton County Auditor's Office.After a photo showed Akin, 45, and her children walking with Sophie, the family's King Charles spaniel, Akin got a letter from the Auditor's Office."We saw a picture from Thursday's Cincinnati Enquirer of you in

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-38343446919138537222008-05-05T17:56:00.007-04:002008-05-06T11:29:37.067-04:00

UPDATED. Here's the Plain Dealer's list of possible replacements. Portune is not listed.Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune said he was approached over the weekend asking if he would be interested in Marc Dann's job.He wouldn't specify who the phone calls came from - whether they were state officials or local officials. He did say though, that some were from people in positions of influence

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-35826124507606820782008-05-05T15:25:00.004-04:002008-05-05T17:24:27.385-04:00

Hamilton County Commissioners David Pepper and Pat DeWine ran for the "Finish Swine" in separate relay races for the the Flying Pig Marathon Sunday.Pepper was invited to be the last leg of the "SWOFCA" team's relay (Southwest Ohio Family Care Affiliate.) He said he was asked to participate several weeks before the race and practiced by running 5K or 10K runs every weekend leading up to it. The

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-85644453451532325482008-05-05T12:07:00.005-04:002008-05-05T15:01:15.640-04:00

UPDATED: Congressional candidate and State Rep. Steve Driehaus - who would be invovled in any impeachment proceedings - has joined the call for Dann to resign:Statement from State Representative Steve Driehaus"It is time for Attorney General Marc Dann to resign. Previously, I had called on the Attorney General to cooperate with the investigation and the investigation now shows unacceptable

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-27413732429924666062008-05-05T10:39:00.002-04:002008-05-05T10:48:00.478-04:00

AP reports a sexual harassment scandal inside Attorney General Marc Dann's office began about seven months ago when aides overlooked the concerns of a staff member who tried to raise the issue with human resources, according to transcripts of a recently concluded investigation.Read that story hereHoward Wilkinson reported Sunday that the last thing the GOP wants is for Marc Dann to resign,

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-19363279990565271972008-05-02T18:53:00.005-04:002008-05-02T19:12:38.763-04:00

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said in a report released Friday Hamilton County should repay $134.5 million in state and federal funds. The county, of course, completely disagrees. The ordeal stems from an audit released in 2006 accusing the county's Job and Family Services Department of commingling and misspending federal money. Read the report here.

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-76135786913289944572008-05-02T17:24:00.003-04:002008-05-02T19:10:50.807-04:00

Mayor Mark Mallory will be at the starting line Sunday morning, 6:30 a.m., for the 10th Flying Pig Marathon.He'll be starting the race by blowing a whistle. He reiterated Friday his refusal to start races by firing a gun and said his office informs anyone asking him to start a race that he won't do so by firing a gun.

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-5460996791628054452008-05-02T17:00:00.004-04:002008-05-02T19:10:34.730-04:00

After working almost three years on his proposed Environmental Justice ordinance, it might seem logical that Vice Mayor David Crowley was wed to exactly what is written in the 13 pages.But he said Friday he's having meetings with city administrators to talk about their questions and concerns about the idea, which proposes that many commercial new and expanding businesses be subjected to an

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-48400762275101608882008-05-02T15:29:00.012-04:002008-05-02T17:35:16.430-04:00

We'll update as we get 'em:David Pepper so far has come the closest to calling for Attorney General Marc Dann's resignation as a result the exploding scandal------------------------------------------------------------------ Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, who served in the Ohio Senate with Dann: "I have absolutely no reason to comment on this matter.” Updated: Mallory offered this reaction: “All I

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-29226670087688166082008-05-02T11:14:00.001-04:002008-05-02T11:16:10.529-04:00

Jon Craig has the story here

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-15698112826053121562008-05-02T10:20:00.002-04:002008-05-02T10:22:23.802-04:00

Barrett Brunsman reports:MILFORD – Todd Portune and David Pepper can’t vote for Theresa Conover in the Democrat’s bid to replace Mary Walker as a Clermont County commissioner, but the two Hamilton County commissioners are urging others to do so.“The future growth, stability, security and prosperity of both Clermont and Hamilton counties requires that we work together,” Portune said in a statement

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-55744900580978256362008-05-01T18:39:00.005-04:002008-05-01T20:39:37.645-04:00

Wayne Coates, a Democrat running against Rebecca Prem Groppe for Hamilton County Recorder kicked off his campaign Thursday with a "Listening Tour." He is traveling around Hamilton County hearing from property owners and attorneys about how he can best serve them as recorder."As an elected community leader, and a real estate broker for twenty-seven years I'm dedicated to constituent and customer

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-15671157092695813172008-05-01T17:59:00.007-04:002008-05-06T14:31:22.841-04:00

UPDATE: The Community Fund has also agreed to renovate Forest Park’s six ball fields. Both communities’ renovations are expected to begin in June.“We couldn’t be happier to have found Lincoln Heights and Forest Park,” said Charley Frank, executive director of the Community Fund. The organization fixes fields in Reds territory which is a large geographic area that stretches far outside Cincinnati.

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-2883278934802633642008-05-01T17:10:00.003-04:002008-05-01T17:14:12.420-04:00

UPDATED: The report is due out tomorrow, followed by a Marc Dann press conference. Here's the release: ---------- First Assistant Attorney General Thomas Winters and Executive Assistant Attorney General Ben Espy will hold a news conference on Friday May 2, 2008 at 9:30am to discuss the findings of an internal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment. The news conference will be held

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-60010344341392751502008-05-01T15:49:00.002-04:002008-05-01T15:52:24.840-04:00

Quinnipiac University's new poll:Winning among white working class voters, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton holds strong leads over Arizona Sen. John McCain - and runs much better than Illinois Sen. Barack Obama - in three critical swing states, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to three simultaneous Quinnipiac University Swing State polls released today.If Sen. Obama is the Democratic

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-67591823411591295942008-05-01T13:15:00.004-04:002008-05-01T14:15:02.548-04:00

Joe Andrew, a former Democratic National Committee Chairman from Indianapolis, announced today that he's switching his support from Sen. Hillary Clinton to Sen. Barack Obama.Read more about Andrews' announcement HERE.

Mommynoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-31728475725001669292008-05-01T13:14:00.001-04:002008-05-01T13:16:10.441-04:00

Who? He's a GOP congressman from Virginia. And in this NCAA-like veep bracket from Congressional Quarterly, he's Rep. Rob Portman's first round opponent.Cast your votes!

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-5455276738943041602008-05-01T11:56:00.004-04:002008-05-01T12:16:35.563-04:00

You read that right... Rep. Jean Schmidt's team in this year's ACLI Capital Challenge race was called "Your Team Ain't Schmidt."And, yes, they won 2nd Place... In the category for Worst Named Team.Beating them for 1st Place was a U.S. State Department team, called "I-Rock, I-Ran."3rd Place went to the USA Today team, called "USA Toadys."4th Place went to Sen. John Cornyn's team, called "We're No

Mommynoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-773750867222343242008-04-30T16:27:00.005-04:002008-04-30T20:16:22.690-04:00

Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune is getting up at 3:30 a.m. Thursday morning and he's a little ticked at the reason.He's getting up early to drive all the way to Dayton's airport in time to catch a morning flight to Washington DC.Why Dayton, you ask? After all, CVG is much closer to the commissioner's Green Township home.Well, a round trip flight from Dayton costs around $500. That same

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-42348428540357294292008-04-30T15:17:00.004-04:002008-04-30T20:08:03.220-04:00

City Council's meeting lasted, oh, 5 minutes today. The most anybody had to say about anything was during the Sunshine Committee report.That's Mayor Mark Mallory's designation for Jeff Berding - chairman of the Sunshine Committe. That means Jeff notes birthdays, etc.Today, Berding thanked Cecil Thomas for "captaining" a City Hall basketball team that beat a police team Saturday in a fund-raising

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-43613800280379663912008-04-30T12:47:00.007-04:002008-05-01T13:21:12.416-04:00

Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential front-runner, picked up two Tri-State super-delegates this week.Yesterday, Rep. Ben Chandler of Kentucky endorsed Obama, D-Ill.Read the story in the Louisville Courier-Journal HERE.Today, Rep. Baron Hill of Indiana announced that he too will endorse Obama.Read the story HERE.

Mommynoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-90159131206701589512008-04-30T12:39:00.007-04:002008-05-01T11:50:16.544-04:00

Sen. George Voinovich says food prices have been rising steadily in the last few months - and he wants to know why.Voinovich, the top Republican on the subcommittee on oversight of government management, the federal workforce, and the District of Columbia, send a letter today to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) asking for a study and report on the rising cost of food.Voinovich wants to

Mommynoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-2971351951171306922008-04-30T12:18:00.004-04:002008-05-01T11:49:00.202-04:00

Terrace Park's Rob Porman will be in Washington tomorrow to get an award from a fellow Ohioan.What's interesting about this award is that Portman - a Republican - will be presented the award by former Ohio Sen. John Glenn - a Democrat.The award is actually named for the former senator. It's the John Glenn School of Public Affairs’ 2008 Excellence in Public Service Award. The former senator will

Mommynoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-82678823702195532992008-04-30T12:05:00.003-04:002008-04-30T13:20:12.680-04:00

CincyPAC will hold a Congressional Candidate Meet & Greet event Thursday.Here are the details:Who's invited: First and Second District congressional candidates Steve Chabot, Steve Driehaus, Jean Schmidt and Vic Wulsin.When: Thursday May 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Where: Mixx Lounge, 1203 Main StreetQuestions/RSVP: e-mail sean@cincypac.com

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16111887248667448494noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-21601646376257611482008-04-29T16:56:00.003-04:002008-04-30T13:17:40.049-04:00

Here's some of what we learned at Tuesday's weekly press briefing with Mayor Mark Mallory:1. He's working on solidifying Operation Hospitality, though it might not be called that permanently. That's the effort last year to make sure people felt welcome downtown when they came for the Macy's Music Festival. The effort will continue this year, he said, and during other summer events as well.2. More

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-45919902324629646962008-04-29T16:22:00.005-04:002008-04-29T17:33:26.994-04:00

Supporters of Vice Mayor David Crowley's Environmental Justice ordinance spoke for more than an hour Tuesday at his health, education and environment committee, where he introduced the idea and brought it up for discussion. Among the supporters: the local Sierra Club; local and state chapters of the NAACP; Communities United for Action; former mayor Dwight Tillery, now director of the Center for

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-88373373375642014442008-04-29T16:04:00.004-04:002008-04-29T17:34:12.013-04:00

Mayor Mark Mallory says he thinks City Manager Milton Dohoney is handling the efforts to improve the off-duty conduct of Cincinnati firefighters well and he supports Dohoney's idea of a code of ethics for the fire department."We certainly hope that that would take care of any problems that may exist," the mayor said Tuesday.The code suggestion came in a memo dated last week, four days before the

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-13592023101219018202008-04-29T11:34:00.005-04:002008-04-29T15:25:02.654-04:00

UPDATE: Thomas said today he was on his way to a meeting last night when he saw people fighting in the middle of Reading Road. He saw the man with a handgun. The man had started to drive off when Thomas flagged down Fangman, who drove after the man. Thomas followed Fangman, who got out of his cruiser with his gun drawn. The man got out with his gun, but quickly dropped it and was arrested.

Jane Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01496773597025657835noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-17531431551015555812008-04-29T11:28:00.003-04:002008-04-29T16:58:42.064-04:00

UPDATE from Jane Prendergast: Mayor Mark Mallory, in his weekly press briefing Tuesday, said he hasn't yet been convinced that the city owes this money to the county. He was unaware of any previous payment deal, he said, and hasn't "seen anything in writing" that shows the agreement."Certainly, if there was," he said, "we will adhere to it to the best of our ability." Jessica Brown reports:From

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-2371126559766520702008-04-29T10:36:00.003-04:002008-04-29T11:07:01.427-04:00

While the Democrats duke it out next door in Indiana, John McCain is clearly trying to lay the groundwork for a fall campaign in the battleground state of Ohio, scheduling his second trip here in two weeks.Thursday morning, the Arizona senator will hold a "Town Hall Meeting" on the subject of health care in a ballroom at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Cleveland. Last week, McCain made the

Howard Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04951416551428828706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-13900304182199651442008-04-29T09:01:00.003-04:002008-04-29T09:04:06.610-04:00

Jon Craig reports from ColumbusJohn J. Gilligan has been a city councilman, congressman, school board member and governor.Now, he is going to be an institute.The Gilligan Institute, a new non-profit organization, has been formed to study the career of the Clifton resident and encourage discussion and debate on politics and government in Ohio.Incorporated last month, the Gilligan Institute is

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026785.post-20733445453325219842008-04-29T08:39:00.002-04:002008-04-29T08:41:08.897-04:00

Congressional Quarterly, the respected Washington magazine, puts both the 1st and 2nd Congressional districts in the "leans Republican category."Their take in this week's issue:OHIO 1 -- Steve Chabot, R2006: Chabot 52%, John Cranley (D) 48%The "Battle of the Steves" has been quiet recently, as it's been clear for a year that state Rep. Steve Driehaus would be the Democratic nominee against Chabot

Carl Weiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278548866892063538noreply@blogger.com26