Hello all. Let’s talk about news, shall we?
If you follow me on Twitter, (if you don’t, you should — @nswartsell) you know all about the drama that unfolded yesterday as the Historic Conservation Board denied an application to tear down the Dennison Hotel downtown. That’s hardly the end of this multi-part saga, of course. Dennison owners the Joseph family seem destined to appeal the decision to the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals. You can read all about the whole thing in our story here, at our shiny new website. Did I mention we got a new website?
• Another issue that had me tweet-storming: Cincinnati City Council Wednesday passed resolutions opposing plans by Duke Energy to build a pipeline through parts of Pleasant Ridge and beyond. That pipeline could pass close to schools, neighborhoods and other populated areas, as CityBeat’s story from a few weeks ago details. Council condemned the proposed routes for the pipeline unanimously, though it also pointed out that it was not trying to vilify Duke. The energy company held an open meeting Wednesday night, which hundreds showed up to. However, there’s still no sign that a compromise between Duke and residents around the proposed pipeline is coming. Of course, Council doesn’t have the final say in the matter, but it has pledged to file a request to block the pipeline with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, which does.
• In “sometimes the world is incomprehensible” news, a pro-gun group has made plans to stage an open carry “outreach event” at this year’s Cincinnati Pride festival. Pride celebrates the city’s LGBTQ community, and this year’s June 25 gathering downtown looks to hold even more weight following the horrific shooting deaths of 49 people in Orlando gay club Pulse last weekend.
“The purpose of this event is to provide visible outreach to members of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Queer) community, who, like many, are sickened and apprehensive about the injuries and loss of life this past weekend at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando,” planners of the open carry event wrote in a Facebook event page. That page has been inundated with negative reactions to the plan, which stipulates open carriers should only bring small arms and engage Pride attendees in small groups. We’ll keep an eye on this one.
• Meanwhile, Cincinnati officials have pledged to step up security at this year’s Pride following the Orlando shootings. City Manager Harry Black sent a news release this morning saying the city is working with multiple law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety during Saturday’s parade and festivities, and throughout Cincinnati Pride week.
• Jim Obergefell, Cincinnati resident and lead plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court case that overturned same-sex marriage bans nationwide, is cancelling a book tour appearance at the downtown branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. That move comes after the library’s board voted not to extend transgender-friendly healthcare benefits to employees, including 10-year employee Rachel Dovel, who is seeking benefits that would help her pay for gender transition procedures. Obergefell is touring to support the book Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality, which he co-authored with Debbie Cenziper. Instead, the appearance has been rescheduled for Joseph Beth Bookstore in Norwood this Saturday at 6 p.m.
• Finally, the GOP presidential primary might be over, but there is still a bunch of fun stuff to sift through in the aftermath. You’ve all heard the expression “the evil you know is better than the evil you don’t,” right? Well, in case you’re wondering why Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz didn’t have an easier time convincing the party’s elites to back his counter-Trump bid for the nomination, this article says it basically comes down to the opposite of that folksy saying. Hilariously, party elites are saying they chose to back Trump over Cruz because they DO know Cruz better. And they can’t stand him. Ouch.
