Part 3: Addressing Socio-Economic Issues in Cincinnati

Cincinnati is no different than many cities throughout the country that are dealing with socio-economic issues or what I like to call class warfare. What will hopefully be different is how we as citizens and what our elected officials will do to engage this issue in a manner that this beneficial to all that live in Cincinnati. The citizens of Cincinnati need to not only elect officials that have the vision to move forward with improving our infrastructure and increase our tax base through new business, but we must elect officials that understand while doing this we cannot leave behind those in need like we have so many times in the past.

When it comes to economic development in Cincinnati I feel many times we do this at the expense of the poor in this city. We seem to take the attitude that if we can move the poor out and create “ a better neighborhood” then it will make Cincinnati as a whole better. I would argue that in fact that this has made our city worse. The reason why this is the case is because we are forcing the poor out of more of our neighborhoods in Cincinnati and they are moving into more concentrated areas, which is increasing crime in those areas like for example Price Hill. I am by no means saying that all people are criminals what I am saying that statistics show that poorer areas tend to have more crime.

All plans with regards to neighborhood redevelopment should be sensitive to the potential displacement of all residents in the area whether they are rich or poor. I am not saying that those projects should not move forward, what I am saying is lets find a way to improve our city by helping the residents that live within the the city while attracting new residents rather than trying to move out the poor and lower middle class in favor of those that are rich. We can be sensitive to those in need and that our less fortunate than us and still move Cincinnati forward with redevelopment.

This is why I favor of Smart-Growth Policy’s and Form-based Codes when it comes to neighborhood redevelopment. This isn’t some new government program that wastes millions of dollars a year on programs to win the vote of a particular block of voters. This is plan that encourages mixed use and mixed income growth. It promotes such ideas as having a livable walker friendly neighborhood that can support business growth for customers of all income levels. It also supports the idea of a viable public transportation system that is accessible and user friendly to all types of people for all types of uses.

I know it seems unusual for a Conservative to even want to bring up this issue especially when it comes running for Cincinnati City Council. Usually Conservatives want to scream we need more police and more jails to solve our crime problem. While I agree that we need more jail space, I do not believe that more police or jail space is the only answer. Raising taxes to solve this problem or adding more wasteful government spending is not the answer either. City Council needs to address the socio-economic issues while promoting growth instead of just promoting growth. We as a city cannot continually forgot about our poor for the sake of growth and expect to become a first class city. The cities that are successful are the ones that have found that balance. When I am elected to Cincinnati City Council I will promote growth in infrastructure and in making public transportation adequate for all that live in Cincinnati while also working to give those that need it better opportunities to improve themselves and to succeed in Cincinnati.

Part 2: Cincinnati and Race Relations, Time for City Council to make a Real Effort

One of the biggest hurdles that Cincinnati faces is addressing the racial issue. For far too long Cincinnati City Council has paid lip service to this issue. We need a Cincinnati City Council that is will to engage community leaders to find real solutions to this issue. This issue is not only are hurting those that are directly impacted by City Council’s lack of leadership, but its hurting every citizen that lives, works, and does business in Cincinnati.

Our city leaders must address the race issue head on. Have race relations improved in Cincinnati? I would say yes, but that doesn’t mean that we still don’t have plenty of work to do. Cincinnati City Council has failed to engage community leaders and at level necessary to bring real solutions to these problems.This issue should be addressed in every neighborhood in Cincinnati from Avondale to Hyde Park.

For example ,it’s shameful that we have such an obscenely low amount of worked being contracted to capable minority business owners, and the only thing that is being done is that Mayor Mallory says he will have a study. It doesn’t take a study and wasting taxpayers money to point out the obvious. This is a problem, whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, we all should demand a change.Unfortunately to the frustration of most, Council seems to take the approach that this problem will go away on its own. That’s not a solution, that’s a way to deal with a problem because your more worried about your political career rather than working for what is best for Cincinnati.

We must have economic plan that works for all Cincinnatians no matter your race, or gender. This economic plan should have in place a preference to business that are owned and or have the majority of their workers that live in the City of Cincinnati. Not only does this help the minority population, it is smart business for Cincinnati. This will allow the tax dollars to be spent on supporting the Cincinnati workforce rather than giving it to out of town corporations. If this policy is adopted this would significantly increase the number of minority owners getting contracts for work being done in Cincinnati.

How can we expect to grow if we don’t have city leaders that are willing to lead when it comes to dealing with important issues such as race relations? Dealing with this issue doesn’t mean we just throw money at programs that don’t work or by just pay lip service to the issue. It means making real decisions when it comes to neighborhood revitialization, education, and economic development. It means acknowledging our past shortcomings and working with our neighborhood leaders to develop a comprehensive plan that address race relations, neighborhood and economic redevelopment. The time has come to stop having studies and focus groups; we need leaders to implement a real plan and address these issues. If the leaders of this city can address these issues, we will see a positive change that will impact everyone that calls Cincinnati home.

A Call for Change

* This is the first of a five part series

Cincinnati for nearly two decades has been reaping the consequences of a lack of vision and leadership by Cincinnati City Council. We have limped though the last 20 years by having by having no vision in developing Cincinnati into a first class city in the 21st century. We have had numerous downtown projects started and then stopped. We are finally starting a Banks project that was supposed to be done about the same time the stadiums were built. Where is the vision and leadership? We need to be working with the Hamilton County Commissioners and business leaders to have a comprehensive regional plan that brings about a positive change to Cincinnati and the Metro area. City Council has a responsibility not only to Cincinnati but also to the entire region to be a leader of prosperity and change.

We have seen crime soar in the city, race relations failing to improve as they should, new schools being built but questions about how well are children are being educated, and the perception is that people are moving out of hear in droves. Why haven’t we seen improvements in theses area’s in the last 20 years, where is the leadership? When are we going to address the issues that face our citizens rather than covering up the problems with window dressing?
Our city leaders have combated these problems not by leading as we would expect, but by placing the blame on others. When will Cincinnati City Council take responsibility for what is going on in this city and admit that the status quo is no longer acceptable? Cincinnati City Council must attack head on the issues of Economic and Neighborhood Redevelopment, they must address the race and socio-economic issues that face Cincinnati, and finally Cincinnati must have a new and fiscally responsible plan for the future.