the momentum keeps going and going
As everyone knows by now, the finance committee voted yes for streetcar funding, sending a strong signal to Washington that Cincinnati is serious about the future.
For those few naysayers out there in the x-burbs that think that the people of Cincinnati don't want a streetcar lets rehash what happened last Novemeber.
Issue 9 which opposed the streetcar was crushed.
Brad Wenstrup, who opposed the streetcar lost in a landslide to a guy who didn't even bother to campaign.
All the candidates who were elected endorsed the streetcar, including one whose entire platform was the streetcar.
That along with the continued funding sends a very strong signal that this is exactly what we want.
And One other thing, man I am so sick of hearing about the subway, does anyone here remember it? Something that happened 90yrs ago at the beginning of the last century is proof rail doesn't work in Cincinnati?
Going on that logic why aren't we all on horses?
From what I heard there was one citizen who spoke in council against the streetcar, but I don't know how anyone could take his logic serious when he doesn't know what a sign is.
Don't forget to vote May 4th, State Issue #1, I say vote yes, its one of the few if only government programs actually working. For every dollar the state has spent, there has been $9 in private investment. Its also one the the unique programs having broad bipartisan support.[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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I didn't interpret either vote as an up/down on streetcars, so it's possibe that Cincinnati nihilistically still doesn't care about its future.
ReplyDeleteWell you are certainly free to "interpret" the facts how you want.
ReplyDeleteBut after all that voting, I don't see how you can say people don't care. Everyone I've talked to has strong opinions either for or against.
Lucky for Cincinnati the fors outnumber the againsts.
As a suburbanite looking to become an urbanite I'm really looking forward to the streetcar. If it goes in before I'm there, it will just facilitate my enjoyment of all Cincinnati has to offer.
ReplyDeleteI basically agree with Donald (from Cincinnati Blog)'s take after the election - No on 9, Doesn't Mean Yes on Streetcars. I also voted against Issue 9 because I thought it was a bad law, but am sceptical of the specific streetcar idea. My view is that it's a mildly bad idea, that's being passed because it has support from politically important landowners.
ReplyDeleteOK Joe, everyone likes their conspiracy theory's. But say these naughty landowners get their wish and the streetcar goes in, then what? They pay more property tax.
ReplyDeleteEveryone still wins.
The whole point of this is to make money, thats the American (and Republican) way right?
Joe, a lot of those landowners need VBMLs & get other fines as well. The route damn near avoids some choice Towne properties.
ReplyDeleteI repeat, Go to the HamCo Auditor;s site & look at who owns the property. There are hundreds of individual owners.
Don't mean to sound conspiratorial, just cynical ;-)
ReplyDeleteQuam - No doubt, it would be rare for a 3.9 mile stretch to have only a few owners. But there are some more significant owners & I don't think you'd argue that Towne Properties wouldn't benefit from the streetcar (arguably a benefit).
...I'm not alleging some conspiracy emanating from a smoked filled room. But besides the activists who spoke at the city council hearing, many of the other speakers were various business/land owners who would benefit from a streetcar. I've read Tom Luken also made this point (not that I necessarily want to be associated with him). They probably genuinely believe it's a good project, but they are lobbying for tax dollars to help themselves. ...It wouldn't be the end of the world if the streetcar gets built, I just suspect it's a bad decision being made for the wrong reasons.
Joe - If I am hearing you correctly, you are "mildly against" the streetcar because it would ... work? I mean it sounds like you are "mildly against" the streetcar because it would benefit those who own property along the line, which, incidentally, is precisely the intent (among other things).
ReplyDeleteAlso, did you just imply that people ought not lobby for their own interests? Really? Whose interests should they lobby for? That money is out there. We can argue whether or not the federal government ought to control and divvy up those sums of money, but that is an entirely separate discussion. As our society currently works, funding is available, and some of that funding came from your pocket. Why not fight to bring that money back home so that it can generate more local economic activity (a premise you've already acknowledged would happen)?
^ Especially Bob Pickford. That business owner spoke and said the streetcar is the single most important thing the City could do to support his business.
ReplyDeleteBut to me, success of his business (Findlay Market) is pretty critical to the success of downtown.
Thanks for the awesome comments everyone.
ReplyDelete