Friday, January 26, 2007

Brian Garry gets early momentum from high profile Democrats

Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati

Everyone with a pulse on Cincinnati politics knows Brian Garry, a local progressive running for City Council in 2007.  And while it may be a bit early to start talking about next November’s City elections, Brain Garry’s campaign has already earned some respectable momentum with endorsements from Hamilton County’s two highest profile Democrats—Hamilton County Commissioners Todd Portune and David Pepper.  Garry’s candidacy may signal that the local Democratic Party is ready to get back to its roots.

"The momentum is building, and I’m excited about the upcoming race,” said Garry, when asked about the early stages of his campaign.  Garry said that neighborhood development, youth development, and the eradication of poverty are key issues our City must address.

Garry’s motto—O.N.E. Cincinnati (which stands for Opportunity, Neighborhoods, and Equality)—achieved notoriety in 2005 when mayoral candidates co-opted his slogan.  At the time, Garry was still thinking about running for Council, but decided instead to help with other Democratic campaigns, including David Crowley’s successful re-election team.

Now, Garry is ready again to mount his own campaign—and big names are taking him seriously.

Recently elected County Commissioner David Pepper supports Brian Garry’s candidacy.  “Brian was a very good friend and supporter in the County Commission race, and he helped bring about the important change we saw in November,” said Pepper.  “I applaud his grassroots approach, and his commitment to empower those in our community in need.”

Hamilton County Commission President Todd Portune has given a hearty endorsement, too.  “Brian Garry is an energetic and talented Cincinnatian who deeply cares about our city,” said Portune.  “He brings a passion for social justice and human rights to the race that is impressive and refreshing.  But he also has a deep understanding about the kinds of capital investments we must make in our neighborhoods and in economic development over the entire city that will become the catalysts for much needed growth and prosperity. I hope he wins.”

Update:  City Councilmember David Crowley has come out in support of Brian Garry.  “Brian Garry is worthy of the earning the democratic party endorsement in his bid to become a City Council Member,” said Crowley.  “His commitment to core democratic ideals is unflinching.”

Click here to see our 2007 City Council candidates archive.

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says:
27 Jan 2007  at  10:53 am | #

WOW!  Glad to Brian running for city council.  Brian is a very honest and grassroot’s person with the city’s best interest at heart unlike other so-called Democrats on city council.

Taggart says:
27 Jan 2007  at  10:50 pm | #

"Garry’s candidacy may signal that the local Democratic Party is ready to get back to its roots.”

Most Democrats do not want to get back to what they were in the 70’s.  Most want to see more business and development in the city, and Garry’s history has been to fight such developments.  The republicans have become the big spenders, and local Democrats like Portune have re-claimed the fiscally responsible mantle.  Let’s keep it that way.

Brian is a sincere dedicated, genuinely empathetic guy, but doesn’t come across as organized and successful.  I would like to see more specifics on how he would like to see our city grow and compete before I could vote for him.  The last thing we need is another tax and spend social service agency advocate.

anon says:
27 Jan 2007  at  11:40 pm | #

Don’t forget to add he was part of Damon Lynch, III’s last failed campaign too.

funnelcake says:
28 Jan 2007  at  03:20 am | #

His website is already up:
http://www.briangarry.com/

Looks nice.  Has some stuff up there and includes links to information from what appears to be his last campaign.

Brian seems like a really nice guy.

I kind of remember him from his previous campaign.  He had a couple of positions that initially attracted me.  But I was turned off after doing further research.  I can’t recall if he ended up making my list of 9 picks or not, but if he did, he was at the very bottom.

There were several areas that he was pushing for, that I had no interest in terms of a political leader.  But those are issue based points and I think everyone will tend to have different views on that and can judge for themselves how he aligns with their views.

The kicker (and at this point in the race please take this as constructive criticism, brutal… but someone has to tell him) is that he comes off as a little crazy in his writings.

What parts writings gave me this impression?  Well he seems to go off in a lot of tangents.  He is long, verbose and rambling. 

If he cleans up his incoherent methods of communication he might have a better chance of reaching his target audience.

says:
28 Jan 2007  at  06:23 am | #

Two users posted insults that I deleted.  If you have criticisms of Garry, please see comments #2 and #4 above.  Those users actually had something to say.  It’s time we hold ourselves to a higher standard of discourse.  Why not begin on this strand?

discourse says:
28 Jan 2007  at  11:23 am | #

Wean, part of that discourse would include you yoursefl not planting comments under different names to keep discussion going.  Yes, I know.

says:
28 Jan 2007  at  11:58 am | #

I have done no such thing.
See for yourself.

says:
28 Jan 2007  at  01:54 pm | #

enquirer, err I mean Dean - you are a censor. There I said it. You can criticize and make snide comments and spread rumors, but no ones else can. Wha-wah-wha-wwhat?!!!

So somebody has something bad to say about Mr. Garry (who BTW I think is a hella great guy). So what? Brian is an adult and in politics. Chances are he can take it.

You are going down a slippery slope. First, nasty comments. Next jokes , then anyone who you disagree with. If this is really “where divergent views collide” then you wouldn’t censor anybody’s view.

Justin Jeffre Behaving Badly (Again...) says:
28 Jan 2007  at  03:03 pm | #

What does that prove, sockpuppet?

says:
28 Jan 2007  at  06:55 pm | #

Yossarian, I am a moderator.  I will not censor relevant views.  I have two critical comments posted, and I will gladly post more.  But I fail to see why I should continue to let discussions get hijacked by people stealing my bandwidth for their insults.

praise? says:
28 Jan 2007  at  07:40 pm | #

So they can only use bandwith for fluffy dean-approved praise? 

The only censoring you should be doing is to remove foul language.

Freedom Fighter says:
28 Jan 2007  at  08:27 pm | #

“....If this is really “where divergent views collide” then you wouldn’t censor anybody’s view.....”

Careful yo, he’ll put you in your own little censor area like Heimlich treated Jason by making him sit in his own designated bar stool area.

Jason, is still better the KKKorte’s “footnotes” !

He is straight from Germany with repugnant propaganda !

Talk about censor !

Alyssa B says:
28 Jan 2007  at  10:48 pm | #

I agree Dean, I love this blog, but there’s too much childish BS. This site has some great discussions sometimes but too often it’s just the same haters with nothing worth while to say.

The only time Yossarian talks about issues is when he gets called out. I think it’s good to discuss important issues instead of just making childish remarks about people you disagree with,especially from anonymous cowards.

says:
28 Jan 2007  at  11:12 pm | #

And yet there is an insult that you leave up on your post entitled “James Abernathy:  Blinded by Dogma, or Ignorance?”

Anti-Chickenhawk says:
27 Jan 2007 at 05:17 pm | #
You better watch out Dean, or that big, tough chickenhawk Steve Fritsch will threaten to kick your ass! He’s a platoon leader of the 101st Fighting Keyboarders!

Now I agree with anti-chickenhawk that fritsch is a certifiable P.O.S. and it seems so do you. It’s funny how if somebody insults someone you like, they get censored, but if somebody insults somebody who is an irritating prick, when then they have carte blanche. They have a name for people like you - enquirer editor.

downtowner says:
28 Jan 2007  at  11:40 pm | #

I really would think this was newsworthy if they sent a letter of support to the enquirer, or hosted a fundraiser.  I dont see simple quotes as endorsements.

says:
29 Jan 2007  at  01:49 am | #

I like Garry’s views, they are pretty close to my own. I will vote for him in November if he goes through with running. More people in Cincy need to be willing to admit that the needs of people should come before the needs of business.
I will soon test out how friendly and approachable Garry truly is. Lately I have been extending a kind words to other local politicians that I thought were decent people, only to find out that most of them really don’t give a shit about the people who vote for them. The only person I am giving an excuse to on my list is John Cranley, after the election I sent him a letter which he never responded to. He was probably swamped with mail at the time though.

I like how funnelcake said Garry seems, “a little crazy” in his writings. While maybe a little more focus is needed, his words do seem genuine and I believe that Garry is a better choice than a few of the Dems on the Council.
Im a rambler myself and tend to go off into unrelated musings, so maybe that’s why I identify with Garry so much.  Either way, at this point I have a good feeling about him, even though an endorsement from me is probably a kiss of death in the eyes of the Beacon.

What ever happened to all the talk about Cranley leaving Council to take a job in Columbus?

The real question we should be asking about Garry is this? How does he expect to get more votes than me. The Holbrook-a-Mania Campaign is gaining momentum, and I believe it’s going to be hard for all other runners plants to grow in the shadow I cast.

Quim says:
29 Jan 2007  at  08:01 am | #

I never insulted Garry.
I said I found his voice creepy.
That is my opinion.
I said his politics were nuts.
As an example (which I did not give before I was censored): his advocating a $14 per hour minimum wage is economic alchemy. It will just raise the income level of the impoverished as turning lead into gold would just devalue gold.
It doesn’t make sense. Hence, it is nuts.
For an example of insults & low level discourse, look at the way you refer to your fellow bloggers at the Whistleblower or your juvenile entrapment videos of Phil Heimlich.

Alyssa B says:
29 Jan 2007  at  11:57 am | #

Yossarian, stop crying already. I must have seen you insult Justin Jeffries, Andrew Warner and the Green party a thousand times on this blog. As a matter of fact that’s all you ever do. That’s all you know how to do and that’s why you’re so upset. Grow up and discuss real issues like an adult for a change.

Anonymous says:
29 Jan 2007  at  04:09 pm | #

Dean-

Please inform Garry that he is not a city council member and has to include the “for” on his Web site, as in “Brian Garry FOR Cincinnati City Council” otherwise that could be misleading- ask David Pepper about that in his mayoral race. Thanks.

Robert Wilson says:
29 Jan 2007  at  04:18 pm | #

I remember meeting with Brian Garry and Damon Lynch in Kaldi’s.  Brian Garry seemed like a very nice guy, but somewhat, like others are saying too, he did seem a bit strange. 

I remember him saying that Jim Tarbell tried to kick Buddy Gray out of a window in OTR.  This may or may not have happened, but it seems a bit fictitious.  I don’t think someone could get away with that if someone was witnessing it.  If Brian Garry was a witness to this why didn’t he say something if he is such a good guy?

Also… update your website Mr. Garry.  Repealing Article XII is listed on your website under the E in ONE.  I think that was accomplished in 2004.  Its 2007.  Get with it man.

You also have end the death penalty under the E too.  What legislation on city council can you actually pass to phase this out?  You need to get in touch with real issues in our city and what positions can actually handle what legislation.

I’m sure there is more, but I don’t have time to research his website further.  Good luck though.  Fix that stuff before more people see it.

UKnoWho says:
30 Jan 2007  at  01:38 pm | #

He is definately one to watch. I like that he is supported by Portune and linked to Lynch.  At the same time, having Pepper and Crowley throw their support his way as a TRUE DEMOCRAT, is troubling to me. The person who said in the last election that Garry was ‘1 of his 9’ may as well have not gotten out of bed. Splitting your vote 9 ways is pointless, you don’t do ANY candidate any good.  So far, I know I am voting for Smitherman, and that will likely be all.  That way he will be one vote higher against ALL others in the race.  I will not vote for 8 more and make my Smitherman vote pointless. Now, if SMITHERMAN says to vote for Garry, I will do it, and vote for just 2 instead of one, but I’m withholding judgement until I hear what Smitherman thinks of him.It’s so funny how the only person who can speak on REAL democratic values must run outside of the Party because in a city as corporately owned as this one, there is no diff between a Republican or so-called Democrat.  There is NO real Democrat on council or on the Dem list. If Garry is the real thing, Smitherman will lend his endorsement.

Green Machine says:
30 Jan 2007  at  02:19 pm | #

UKnoWho, the truth is that Garry really isn’t a TRUE DEMOCRAT and I mean that as a compliment. It’s been said that in Cincinnati people like Jeff Berding who are really Republicans run as democrats to have a better chance of winning in this town.

This is true, but the samething can be said nationally. Kerry and Clinton are NeoCons, but because the right-wing pundits call them “looney liberals” people are fooled in to thinking there’s a difference between them and Bush. They’ve supported Bush every step of the way. Sure they’ll critcize the way he handles the war, but continue to fund it and say we need to fight it.

They’ll criticize his no health care policies and offer one that’s barely different. They voted for the Patriot Act because they think we need to give up our civil liberties for “freedom”. They’ll criticize the way Bush enforces it, but they want the same oppressive power if they can ever win.

Republicans, Democrats are the same. The only differnce is the name.

says:
30 Jan 2007  at  02:41 pm | #

"Now, if SMITHERMAN says to vote for Garry, I will do it, and vote for just 2 instead of one, but I’m withholding judgement until I hear what Smitherman thinks of him.”

Wow, that is some independent thought right there., way to be your own person. Let me inform you on a little something. Smitherman is no God, you have a mind of your own. Use it, do not wait for some politician to tell you how to vote. Make your own opinion about Garry, do not rely on Smithermans.
Smitherman had his shot on Council and blew it, why would you want to recycle the same thing that didn’t work in the first place. Thats like buying a T.V that had all types of hype, but broke soon after plugging it in. So instead of getting rid of it, you put it in the basement to dry rot and collect mildew a few years. Then bring it back upstairs two years later thinking it is going to fucking work.  Nothing has changed with him in the last two years, the NAACP fiasco should have taught you that Smithermans boat is on fire and sinking quickly in the political sea’s of Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Hawkman says:
30 Jan 2007  at  05:53 pm | #

Last time this loser ran, did he not finish dead last?

Garry is a lunatic, who thinks christ is a communist, how can you want this guy to run, much less win.

Hey Dean, how is that house coming?

CH

Chickenhawk Over says:
31 Jan 2007  at  12:57 am | #

Cincinnati Chickenhawk, your buddy Phil is the loser, did he not finish dead last?

You are a loser who thinks christ is a neocon. Would Jesus raises taxes on the poor by cutting taxes for the rich? Who would Jesus bomb and occupy? Jesus never said anything about gays or marriage? Jesus didn’t say pay or die to the sick, did he? Would Jesus sell Drake to the campaign contributors at the Health Aliiance in a no-bid contract for peanuts despite the fact that the voters voted for the levy?

Hows the job search coming? Dean, can we find this guy a job?

funnelcake says:
31 Jan 2007  at  05:13 am | #

He came in with 1.28% of the vote (5,504 ballots cast for him).
http://smartvoter.org/2003/11/04/oh/hm/race/ccic/

The 9th place finisher that year was Crowley with 5.27% of the votes just for comparison sake.

My gut tells me he is one of the guys that can do a heck of a lot more for the city doing activities outside of office, than he could do being in the office.

Matt says:
31 Jan 2007  at  08:46 am | #

Brian Garry is a strange bird.  I’ve known him for several years and as most others have said, he seems like a nice guy, but you can’t get past the fact that he appears a bit crazy. That strange, medicated, 20 yard stare he has doesn’t help. I don’t recall him being quite so friendly when he wasn’t running for office, but that probably can be said about anyone seeking a public position.

Does anyone know why he changed his name?  He explained it once but I don’t recall the reasoning.

UKnoWho says:
31 Jan 2007  at  01:13 pm | #

Mr Holbrook, I am going to venture to guess that you are a middle class white. It is your demographic who typically likes to warn the black and poor communities against ‘blind trust,’ and tell us we have minds of our own in an effort to divide us. We know we have minds of our own. Lets look at the middle class white community for a moment.  You don’t believe in blind trust? There is a post on this very page about how Reps and Dems are at heart no different.  Sure, you have your two-party system that you can look back and forth between, but have you ever challenged THAT SYSTEM itself?  Of course not, because YOUR leaders have taught you to trust in them and you will be fine, Democrat government or Republican government, you know you will be just fine, and that is why you never challenge it, so don’t talk to my communities about blind trust or having minds of our own. My INDEPENDENT THOUGHT PROCESS is telling me that Smitherman will defend my interests as a woman, a black woman, a single mom, a low-income earner, a college student, AND an American who wants to see my country be what it says it is.  And that’s it, that’s all the independent thought I need, and I’m not alone.  That’s why people like you are so terrified.

Power 2 the People! says:
31 Jan 2007  at  01:50 pm | #

Funnelcake, pleas provide some reasons for your analysis, otherwise I find it worthless.

Garry represents the voice of people who aren’t currently represented. We don’t need a council filled with a bunch of corporate shills for 3CDC. We need someone that will actually listen to the public and stand up for those that don’t have any power. Poor people pay taxes too and they deserve representation because we are the majority.

anon says:
31 Jan 2007  at  01:58 pm | #

If he is a fresh face on council that is good enough for me. The group we elected in 2005 is not supportive of people and continues to hand out huge amounts of tax benefits and grants to the wealthiest corporations and persons among us while pretending they care about us. This is not black/white but rather have/havenot and I object. When a minimum wage earner would have to work over ten years to earn what the Mayor makes in one year or over 400 years to reach the income of some CEOs in town the balance is lost and the house of cards must crumble. Once it does Humpty Dumpty will never be put together again.

says:
31 Jan 2007  at  02:23 pm | #

Im not terrified by the thought of Smitherman being elected at all. He was elected once accomplished nothing, and was not voted in again. I was just kind of freaked out by you saying you were going to vote how he said to. But honestly, how you vote is none of my business. If you put it on a message board though, people are going to give their two cents though.

“Mr Holbrook, I am going to venture to guess that you are a middle class white. It is your demographic who typically likes to warn the black and poor communities against ‘blind trust,’ and tell us we have minds of our own in an effort to divide us”

Firstly I am part of the poor community that im supposedly trying to divide. How could I and why would I have been trying to divide you?, based on the thought of you being “black” and “poor” , When this is a ananymous blog and I had no idea you were “black” or “poor”? It’s not like my computer comes with a race and income meter… yet

I want a strong black voice in the community, and I want a strong voice for the poor. To me Smitherman doesn’t represent that voice for the poor, It is hard for me to say if he does or not for the black community. Honestly I don’t think any one man or woman could represent the black community, because like white people, and hispanic people, and asian people, there are many different types of black people in their communities. Rich, poor, rep, dem, ind, christian, muslim, there is no one set type of black or white person. So the notion of a politician who has the interests of all black or white people in mind is ludacris.

Just my opinion

Urbanists II is dead says:
31 Jan 2007  at  07:10 pm | #

Garry is his mother’s married name.

UKnoWho: for God’s sake, go to math class and stop listening to Ken Anderson.  Also: you’re prejudicial (against Holbrook) and a dullard (AKA “Smitherman’s base")

Hawkman: call me- we need to talk about your doormat.

Anon #30: such as?

Funnelcake: that result is a) a percent of total votes cast, but probably only 1/4 the votes received by the 9th place finisher, and b) a result of stupidity advocated by the likes of Ken Anderson and U Hoo, who can’t count to nine.  The people with the most votes win.  Period.  Voting for more than one candidate in a field race does not dilute the vote of the one.  You simply deny others a vote. If people who voted for Eric Wilson only voted for Eric Wilson (a staggeringly fearful prospect in its own right) he would still lose.  If people who voted for Cranley only voted for Cranley, he still would have won.

It’s this stupid “bullet theory” advocated by Ken Anderson and sheepishly followed by the likes of Uh Oh that denies candidates like Damon Lynch and others enough votes to win.

You get 9 votes.  If you don’t exercise them then a) you truly can’t find 9 candidates to vote for or b) you deny yourself a say in who gets elected beyond the 1 or 2 or however many you do vote for.

Let’s say Whoopsy Daisy only votes for Smitherman.  If he loses she whines like a child about all nine who get elected.  If he wins she whines about the other eight.  Either way she can claim indemnity for responsibility about the undesirables who were elected while actually contributing to their electoral success.

Stupid mediocre sophomoric (and apparently easily-amused) kool-aid drinker.

Robert Wilson says:
01 Feb 2007  at  12:15 am | #

Yes… anon 30 I would like to know all the corporate tax breaks that have been given out.  I have not seen any blockbusters in quite awhile since Convergys, Krogers, etc.  Don’t spit crap at us.  We read the news too.

funnelcake says:
01 Feb 2007  at  02:55 am | #

Power 2 the People! -
If you are talking about my assessment in post #4 of him seeming a little crazy, that was originally based on some of his original writings during his prior election.  I couldn’t quite remember way I thought that until I read his website again.

Please read through his writings yourself and come to your own conclusion. 

http://www.briangarry.com/

I don’t expect everyone to think like me or to necessarily come to the same conclusion.  Based on some of the reactions from others above, it appears I am not the only one who has formed that opinion of him.  What I am advocating is not that everyone should cast him aside out of hand, but that if he runs his campaign the same way he did last time, he will end up with similar results.

says:
01 Feb 2007  at  04:10 am | #

Sean: 
Keep an open mind about Smitherman.  As a progressive, I think you’ll find a lot to like about his policies.  He’s just as strong an advocate for the poor as Garry is, and I think he wasn’t re-elected because his commitment to his principles scared white/wealthy moderates and conservatives who voted for him in 2003, not because he “didn’t accomplish anything on council” (that’s just what they want you to think).  You are right that one person can’t represent an entire community, because there will be a range of political views within any group.  That’s one reason I hope to see more black councilmembers elected next year.

Urbanists II:
Bullet voting is one reason we don’t have absolute Democratic rule.  If the majority of city voters voted Democratic and they all supported the whole Democratic slate, all of the Democrats would have the most votes and they’d win every seat.  Even if you’re a Democrat, I hope you can see that that isn’t fair.  That’s the fatal flaw of the “9X"/top-nine method we use to elect council.  We should use Proportional Representation instead, which guarantees that every political or racial group can win as many seats as it deserves, but no more.  9X allows a majority group with 60% support to hold 8 or 9 seats, but PR would limit that majority to 5 or 6 seats, leaving room for appropriate representation of smaller groups.

Fortunately for those who do want to vote for 9 candidates but may not like every candidate endorsed by a given party (would a fully-informed Berding or Lynch supporter really vote for both candidates?), there are always a lot of independents to choose among.  Look past the major media coverage and get to know them, because they represent some interesting ideas and embody the spirit of citizen involvement.  Isn’t it time we elected some independents again?

UKnoWho says:
01 Feb 2007  at  01:37 pm | #

It’s nice to see you, Urbanist, but I’m talking to Mr Holbrook at the moment.  Be patient, I’ll get back to you, I promise. Mr Holbrook, I don’t know quite how to read you, whether you are actually poor, or if your portfolio isn’t yielding as highly as you would like, but unlike Urb, you are thinking so I do like you. If you are actually a member of the poor community, you cannot find anyone who will represent you as tirelessly as Smitherman.  I fear you trust the Cinci Enquirer as a reputable source of unbiased information, so I do not blame you for your not understanding why so many of us believe so strongly in him. The black community is used to lies and character assassination of our leaders, we expect it, but WE do not believe it. And you are right, no one man can represent ALL black people, but he can represent all of us who are not Uncle Toms, looking out for number 1.  Anyone who wants to see SOMEBODY do right by us does indeed allow Smitherman as our black leadership. Pay attention, Mr Holbrook to what you see this season, and I BET at the end of the day, you will vote Smitherman yourself.

UKnoWho says:
01 Feb 2007  at  01:57 pm | #

Now,Urbanist, there you go, I did call your rants mediocre and sophmoric, but I NEVER called you stupid. Just relax. Further, I am not prejudicial against ANYONE in the WORLD (unless your name is Urbanist). And, while I do enjoy a fairly extensive vocab, I don’t know what ‘dullard’ means, have honestly never heard the word, so thanks for suggesting a loose definition.  So if I am a ‘dullard’ for Smitherman, whose dullard are you? You sneak around behind the scenes and as soon as someone says something nice about Smitherman, here comes the Urbanist! Who are YOU working for, or better, who are YOU? YOU’re no candidate, but this is a small town.  You have a little Crowley blood flowin through ya? Or maybe you’re Ghiz’s nephew, by marriage, and if she keeps her seat she has promised you a job emptying wastebaskets. You have a vested interest, Urb, and that is why you are so emotionally charged and hellbent on saying whatever it takes in your attempt to cost Smitherman his rightful place on Council. Read on and I will explain my ‘math.’

UKnoWho says:
01 Feb 2007  at  02:14 pm | #

Thank you Josh! Hopefully that cleared some things up.  Since Urbanist has chosen me to hold his hand, and repeat things slowly for him, I’m just going to kick this power voting dead horse ONE more time just for him. Did you get that Urb, when they got rid of proportional representation, they got rid of personal accountability in our elected officials. So bullet voting is all we can do to bring that individual accountability back.  No one will get my vote unless I like what HE or SHE is doing.  I will not just vote for anyone because I want to use all of my votes! It HURTS the people I actually DO want to vote for!  Tell me something about your math Urb: last election, I think there were 30 candidates. If you were allowed 29 votes would you vote for 29 names and really stick it to that last guy?

different Anon says:
01 Feb 2007  at  03:52 pm | #

"Don’t spit crap at us.  We read the news too.”

Ok Robert Wilson, then tell us how much money the city has given to 3CDC. How many of the corporations that belong to 3CDC pay their taxes? How many of their CEOs pay taxes on their stock options? How many big developers get 15 year tax abatements?

Tell us about TIF districts. When an area gets to keep it’s tax money in it’s little area, who picks up the tab for their services? Is that fair?

Power 2 the People! says:
01 Feb 2007  at  04:03 pm | #

Funnelcake, I think you’re crazy and your posts often ramble on and are verbous. Now wasn’t that productive? How about you talk about an issue that you disagree with him on and why.

Samething goes for Wilson!

Josh Kreckler, we don’t need black faces on council, we need public servants who will represent black and poor peoples interests. We could have Laketa Cole, Condi Rice, Charlie Winburn, Clarence Thomas, Sam Malone or we could have Brian Garry and Greg Harris. If I were black I’d take the latter.

says:
01 Feb 2007  at  07:47 pm | #

Power 2:  I take your point, and I hope you also take mine about the need for both racial diversity (whatever the political views) and political diversity (whatever the colors).  There should be more women on council too, but we need more women to run as candidates to get there.

Power 2 the People says:
01 Feb 2007  at  09:33 pm | #

Josh Krekeler, I agree in principle that a democratic government should be a reflection of the population.

I think it’s unfortunate that gender equality is such an overlooked problem. Women are oppressed and until we fix that, this will be a very troubled world. Dealing with this one issue alone could do wonders for the world.

I think voting on skin color is using flawed logic. Due to 400 years of slavery and continued institutional racism I do see the need for Affirmative Action, but if we were truly enlightened we would judge people “not on the color of their skin, but on the content of their character.”

“Until the color of a mans skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, there is a war"-Bob Marley

funnelcake says:
02 Feb 2007  at  07:42 am | #

“I think you’re crazy and your posts often ramble on and are verbous. Now wasn’t that productive?” -Power 2 the People

Ahh… a variant of the “I’m rubber, your glue” defense.  You sir, are a master.

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“How about you talk about an issue that you disagree with him on and why.” -Power 2 the People

Yeah!  And afterwards we can go beat up some retarded kids!

Look.  In all seriousness, I really have no desire to pick on Brian Garry.  As I said, it seems like a nice guy.  The only reason I mentioned my thoughts on him was because I hope he might be able to clean it up.

Anon says:
04 Feb 2007  at  12:13 pm | #

The only way people like Garry and Lynch will ever have a chance of being elected in corporate-owned and ran Cincinnati is to have districts. If you look at other city’s with district elections, you will see that a lot of them come from community-based organizations or grassroots efforts. Not lawyers, rich “daddies”, or other corporate cronies.

Cincinnati can come out with study after study to continously determine that districts are not a good idea, but that’s a load of crap. With the current race-relations, segregation, and economic disparities, Cincinnati is ripe and ready for change. Your city refuses to even entertain the notion of district-wide elections because it gives “the people”, not corporations, a voice. What does that tell you?

Marine Engineers Beneficial Association says:
02 Nov 2007  at  02:12 pm | #

For the person who posted comment 44: why look at other cities ? When we live here and we have to do something to change what we can if we can! It’s easy to judge and to say, but it better people aren’t running the campaign, we don’t have to just sit around and wait for something better to happen because it won’t!