Hot News!
• An Unlikely Partnership: Civil Rights Organizations and the Payday Loan Industry
• PepTalk: Listening to Foster Kids
Contact Us
v mail, fax: (214) 481-6464
e mail: click here
Events
 Tuesday, Sept. 9 Tri-State Suicide Prevention Coalition’s all day symposium: “Youth and Young Adult Suicide...Prevention, Crisis Response, and Postvention” will be held from 8 AM to 4:15 PM on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, 1 West RiverCenter Blvd, Covington, KY 41011. A brochure is available on-line. |
|
|
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Reason rears its head in Westwood
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
Photo courtesy of here.
Michael Flannery speaks against Melva Gweyn’s band of bandits, suffers image smearing by Mary Kuhl
When I read this Enquirer blog entry, I was thrilled to learn that someone like Michael Flannery—a Westwood resident—stood up against the incoherent fears and ramblings of people like Melva Gweyn and Mary Kuhl. What’s unfortunate is how those activists immediately tried to smear his image and reputation for daring to have an opinion about his neighborhood.
But first, if you have never had the pleasure of beholding Westwood’s lunatic fringe in action, check out Mary Kuhl speaking recently at City Hall. (Kuhl’s up right after the handicapped girl saying she doesn’t think she should have federal assistance dollars denied to her just because she lives in Westwood, forcing her to choose between paying rent and medical care.)
And, if you’ve never had the chance to study Melva Gweyn’s use of logic and the English language, check out this letter she wrote to Councilmember David Crowley. That is some classic Gweyn venom.
So when Michael Flannery wrote a letter about an ongoing debate in his neighborhood, supporting a family who wants to change zoning so their historic home can be a bed and breakfast, Gweyn and Kuhl, the dyanmic duo, used the moment to smear his name:
It didn’t go over so well. Westwood activist Mary Kuhl promptly forwarded the entire message along to Flannery’s colleagues on the school board, Superintendent Rosa Blackwell, City Council members and many journalists across the city.
“You have to wonder if this is what he thinks of all the hardworking volunteers in the CPS system who voice their concerns on issue that he disagrees with....” Kuhl wrote. “Oh brother, what an arrogant ass. My NOT voting for him last election cycle was strengthened by this response.”
The fact that Flannery is a school board member should not silence him on being vocal about his neighborhood. Kuhl’s “wonder” at Flannery’s behavior is about as legitimate as suggesting that the Center for Independent Living Options wishes to subsidize housing for pedophiles. His letter has no bearing whatsoever on his efficacy as a school board member.
If anyone is guilty here of being an “arrogant ass,” I’m not sure that dubious honor goes to Michael Flannery.
• Share This Article!
Listen to this article
|  |
Register
Anonymous comments are allowed, but you can create an account above to stamp your name and to avoid typing the anti-spam code.
If you are not familiar with our rules for leaving comments, click here! The Cincinnati Beacon is not responsible for the contents of any comments. Comments do not represent the views of the moderators of The Cincinnati Beacon.
16 Jul 2008 at 05:16 pm | #
Jeez, well-heeled vacationers relaxing on the porch, drinking lattes and eating croissant. There goes the neighborhood! Maybe that’s the problem. A B&B is too “high faluttin’” for functionally illiterate, Kuhl. She’d make better use of her time taking some English classes at a community college or even high school. Why’s she snitching on Flannery to Blackwell?
And every neighborhood would welcome such a business which would obviously enhance the surrounding properties and obviously blend in nicely. Her racism isn’t even veiled. It’s overt. What a lunatic.
17 Jul 2008 at 07:32 am | #
I learned after writing this that the family who owns the property is Black. Maybe it doesn’t mean anything; maybe it changes how to view the actions of these Westwood obstructionists.
Let me admit my ignorance here: I know nothing about local Bed and Breakfast culture. But I know there are some around town. What kind of business do they get? Any crime involved? (Somehow, I doubt it.)
17 Jul 2008 at 03:55 pm | #
Dean,
What other research have you done regarding this issue?
1) Is the problem these folks are black?
2) Is the problem that they want to do a B&B?
3) Is the problem that Michael F gave an opinion that was different than Kuhl’s?
OR
Is the real reason the people who live around that beautiful old building are concerned with a zone change that would have long term affect on their homes and\or quality of lives?
You know I don’t know much about zoning changes but I do know that all you have to do is look along Harrison Ave, Reading Rd and many of this City’s major corridors and see where there were once beautiful old homes they are now either chopped up into apartments or there are apt buildings in its place. That destruction came from zoning changes, from single family to multi-family.
I don’t think anyone who lives there are against a B&B. I have heard some not in favor but to be honest not many. In fact, most people think the very idea of a B&B is charming and would be great for the Westwood community. I think people are confused as to exactly what the Mincy’s want to do, from what I hear the buildings end use has changed several times. Look, I am not sure that is wrong, they maybe have changed their minds are they get further into the process, how much things cost stuff like that. But I do think those changes do make people somewhat leery.
I did attend the meeting the other night and this issue was discussed. Most people like\LOVE the idea of a B&B but think there are more questions to be answered by the Mincy’s.
I know the whole black “thing” makes good for a headline but this is not a race issue, I think it is a zoning issue. Zoning is a real boring subject but when you really think about it, it really is a powerful tool and should not be taken lightly
17 Jul 2008 at 03:57 pm | #
If Melva and Mary didn’t have the reputations they have (which they have certainly earned), then this wouldn’t be an issue now.
17 Jul 2008 at 05:08 pm | #
Well, that may be your not so humble opinion. You set the tone of race when it seems to really be a business issue. Should this parcel have its zoning changed? Not really a black or white issue but a business\neighborhood issue. I try to read you blog and do not agree most of the time but still read it, I like to follow local topics. This whole race baiting\personal attacks on this topic is not appreciated. You are blaming these 2 women and their alleged “reputation” when you are realy the person who did the first shot based on nothing but your opinion, I get it your blog=your opinion on people whom you do not like. I think you are biased regarding these people in fact I keep reading your blogs on Melva Gwen and it appears on the surface you may be somewhat obsessed with her.
I read a little on the newspaper blog about this issue and the reporter chimed in and said no one personally solicited Michael F for his opinion he chimed in as is his right and Kuhl sent a reply back with her opinion as is her right. Does not appear to be a big deal.
17 Jul 2008 at 05:58 pm | #
winks, as you know, the Dean isn’t the only one that took issue with this. At least one other blog has a similar take.
18 Jul 2008 at 06:29 am | #
winks,
I am not the one who introduced race into the strand, and the topic is not in my original article.
You write:
Yes, she sent a reply to City Council, County Commissioners, and all area media, calling him an “arrogant ass.” You call that her right. Then I guess you’ll concede that this post is mine.
Winks, get out more. These two women, and Westwood as whole, has a very shaky reputation in other neighborhoods, to say the least.
18 Jul 2008 at 11:52 am | #
I least they are fighting for a neighborhood. Who cares what their reputation is because they get things done.
18 Jul 2008 at 02:28 pm | #
Maybe they wouldn’t have the reputation if it wasn’t for character assassins like you
19 Jul 2008 at 03:35 pm | #
Yes Dean, it’s all your fault that Mary & Melva are power mad hate-mongering bigots. Just like it’s the American’s people’s fault that there is a resecion, because they just a bunch of whiners.
19 Jul 2008 at 04:49 pm | #
Sorry make that “recession”