I can't believe my ears!

John Schneider on 700WLW right now and Scott Sloan is talking about the streetcar and saying the most positive things I've ever heard anyone on our local media say about this project. He said "Not only am I getting warmed up to the streetcar now, but I'm getting all hot and bothered with it!" He's saying that with the casino going in, the banks being completed and all the other great assets we have downtown that he really believes its time to "tie them all together" and that "we'd be foolish not to." This is 700WLW speaking!

I really think I've died and gone to heaven! Could our city really be turning around and seeing the potential we have that quickly!? Yes for rail transit and thank you 700WLW for being the first media outlet to speak so highly of this project! You've hit the nail right on the head!

I am truly excited for our future and I think we're heading in exactly the direction we need to go!

Deciding Cincinnati's Future Tomorrow

I realize that this blog has essentially been devoted to encouraging voters to defeat Issue 9 for quite some time now. That was not the original intent I had when I started this blog over a year and a half ago now. However, my interest in seeing a successful revitalization of Downtown and Over the Rhine mandated that I also become interested in the reintroduction of rail transit within the city of Cincinnati.

I've learned over the last year or so how vitally important a good public transportation system is to ensuring a successful, healthy, and vibrant urban core. I fully believe that the revitalization of Over the Rhine and the rebirth of a strong urban environment in Cincinnati can not reach its full potential without some sort of investment in rail transit within the city. A dense, walkable urban neighborhood like Over the Rhine simply can not support the large number of people it needs to be a success without an adequate means of moving them from place to place. There simply isn't enough room for all the cars that would come with the increase in population. In order for Over the Rhine to achieve the necessary density in population to be a success, we must invest in a good public transportation system in the form of rail transit. The streetcar would be a great first step, but certainly only part of the solution. Future projects involving regional light rail and intercity high speed rail would also be necessary to fit the needs of an ever growing urban population.

Cincinnati voters are at a critical turning point in our city's history. Over the last 50-60 years Cincinnati, like most other mid-west cities, has embraced the automobile culture of suburban sprawl and flight from our urban cores. As a result our most historic and important neighborhoods have suffered. This same process has happened all over the country. In recent years people everywhere have begun to realize how critically important a city's urban core is to keeping the entire city and its surrounding regions strong. Because of this there has been a renewed interest in preserving, revitalizing and strengthening our urban environment.

Good, reliable public transportation systems are vital to giving people options when it comes to transportation and allowing for the full revitalization of the city center. The United States as a whole is beginning to realize that we can no longer be a car-only culture. People need diverse options for transportation. High speed rail, regional light rail and inner city rail are all going to be an important part of strengthening our cities for the future.

Tomorrow, voters will decide what direction they want Cincinnati to take. Do we turn our backs to progress and ignore the need to diversify our transportation options by allowing Issue 9 to pass? Or, do we say no to issue 9 and move ahead with a future open to new transportation options? I know that I don't want to live in a city where it is necessary to use your car for your every transportation need. I want to live where I have choices. I want to live in a city with a bright future and that is willing to move forward.

Please, for the sake of Cincinnati's future VOTE NO ON 9!!

Nein on Nine Party Tonight! Grammers!

What: Nein on Nine: PROJECTMILL has put together a No on Nine rally tonight at Grammer's that promises to be a great time. The purpose is to inform people of the dangers of Issue 9 and encourage everyone to go out and vote NO On 9! Several city council members/candidates are expected to be there to answer questions and we'll have lots of materials to give out from Cincinnatian's For Progress to show your support for the No on 9 campaign.
Also, the event will be followed by an "Octoberfest in October" dance party to be DJ'd by PROJECTMILL. Remember, these are the same guys that put on DANCE_MF in Northside Tavern, so you know you can expect an awesome time!

Where: Grammer's, 1440 Walnut St
When: Tonight Oct. 24, 8pm-10pm with after party starting at 10pm

Be There and Remember to Vote NO ON 9!!

New Streetcar Promotion Video

Here's a link to a very nice new streetcar video produced by the city to help people understand what the streetcar investment is all about.
Enjoy! And remember No on 9!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnazP-9va-E

Issue 9 Video: Channel 12 Newsmakers

Please watch this video. Tom Luken and Roxanne Qualls answer questions about Issue 9 on Channel 12 newsmakers.
Tom Luken is introduced as the "spokesperson for Issue 9." Let me just say that if HE is the spokesperson for Issue 9 then we have nothing to worry about. What I mean is, that he does a HORRIBLE job answering questions, in fact, he doesn't even answer the questions he is asked directly. When he does attempt to answer these very fair questions it is very clear that he has no valid argument for Issue 9 whatsoever and jumps immediately to a defensive, almost combative stance.
On the other hand, Roxanne Qualls does a very nice job of explaining her support for the streetcar project and clearly explains the danger of Issue 9 and why she does not support it. She gives very valid, clear and concise arguments that are obviously well informed and you can immediately tell that she has really put the time in to research the subject and give us a solid picture of what Issue 9 is all about.
If Issue 9 was written by people like Tom Luken and you watch this video, you can easily see that they do not have the well being of Cincinnati in mind at all. Not only that, but you start to get the sense that they really have no valid argument for Issue 9 at all. That explains why they immediately revert to being argumentative and quite unwillingly to participate in civil debate. Why? Because they know if they answer questions directly they will expose the ignorance and irresponsibility in proposing an amendment to our charter such as Issue 9.

Here are the links to the videos, they actually had to extend the length of the program because nothing was accomplished in part 1, mostly because of Tom Luken's inability to clearly answer questions:
http://www.local12.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=42641@wkrc.dayport.com&navCatId=86

Must Register to Vote by Monday Last Day

If you want to register to vote in the fall election and help defeat issue 9, you must register by the end of the day Monday Oct. 5th!! Tell all of your friends and family to get their voter registration cards in immediately. They have to be post marked by Monday or you won't be able to vote.

If you don't know if you're registered or not, you can call the board of elections and find out at: 513-632-7000

Visit this website to download registration forms: http://www.hamilton-co.org/BOE/

This Link tells you exactly how to register to vote: http://www.hamilton-co.org/BOE/howtoreg.asp

Don't Delay! This is one of the most important elections in Cincinnati's history and WILL affect the future of this city in a very big way!

Register Today and Vote No on Issue 9!

Vote Early This Week: No on 9!!!

As written by the folks at millvalley:

Few people know this, but this week and this week only, you can register and vote for mayor, city council candidates and especially against Issue 9 -- the anti-rail amendment to our city's constitution.

It's really simple to do, and you'll miss the crowds on Election Day.

So at 11:30a this Tuesday, rail supporters are gathering downtown at the Board of Elections (824 Broadway) to register and vote early. Any U.S. citizen over 18 and now living in Hamilton County, even if you just attend school here, can register and cast a vote in this all-important election.

If you're not sure whether you are registered to vote, they will look it up for you. If you're not registered, they will register you on the spot. Bring your driver's license and any other evidence that you live in Cincinnati/Hamilton County -- a utility bill in your name, a paycheck stub with your local address on it, an apartment lease, etc.

The following candidates for Mayor and City Council are the only candidates in favor of Issue 9, the anti-rail Charter Amendment. And all of them are opposed to the Cincinnati Streetcar too:

* Anti-rail candidate for Mayor -- Brad Wenstrup

* Anti-rail candidates for City Council -- Chris Monzel and Charlie Winburn

All of the other candidates for Mayor and City Council are pro-rail and against Issue 9.

Please forward this email and bring some friends. Ask them to vote "No on Nine!" See you Tuesday.