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.

Thank you for reading (and printing from) The Cincinnati Beacon.