Charles Tassell
President of Blue Chip Young Republicans
Throw the bums out! That was the chant for 40-plus years outside of Congress, until the '94 Revolution brought in a majority of Republicans. But of course, everyone wants to keep his representative. A simple syllogism reveals that voters are humans who are creatures of habit — and thus we end up with the same old incumbents back on city council, the school board and judicial seats. However, the newly elected members of council provide evidence as to the motivations of the predominantly West Side electorate — two rich, white, male Democrats, led by a Mayor of the same ilk.
It seems this election was more a battle for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party than a prescription of where Cincinnati should be in eight years (the expected term of a council member). Was it racial? You bet. Will we overcome it as a city? Not because of city council's efforts.
The development — racially emotionally and economically — we need and that Cincinnati CAN (Community Action Now) is finally starting to recognize, is a one-on-one discussion without fear of accusation and attack. Or conversely, a joint commonality with neighbors that is provided by an event like Sept. 11.
That commonality can be nationalism or simply the fear of a terrorist attack, but it leads to better relationships with next-door neighbors, an essential part of the social fabric that has been worn thin since the advent of the air conditioner.
On a more tactical and local note, canceling the broadcasts of city council meetings was a relief to insomniacs everywhere. Who could sleep watching those antics? Now if council could just figure out how to limit the reappearing race-baiters and get down to serious policy work, we can begin paying off neighborhoods and activists for their votes. Genesis was just the beginning. Over-the-Rhine trash pick-up was the first in a series. Wait until you see how much subsidy goes to downtown businesses over the next 18 months to keep them and their money here!
David N. Schaff
President of Hamilton County Young Democrats
November 6, 2001: a date that will go down in the history books with little fan-fair. No hanging chads, no surprises about those elected and another dismal turnout. So what now?
We must continue our education about the policies and the people making them. Our responsibility to democracy does not stop on Election Day.
As a columnist, it is my responsibility to try to educate you. So let's start at the top.
The mayor, Charlie Luken, was a decisive winner, which is no surprise given the lackluster campaign that Courtis Fuller ran. Fuller failed to offer any real dialogue and debate, which — win or lose — could have aired out many of the city's frustrations.
Luken is off to a good start, setting clear direction for council, and his choice for vice mayor, Alicia Reece, was a solid pick. Hats off to the new Davids on Council: Crowley and Pepper have the "courage to do what's right" and will "add pepper" to the council.
As for the Cincinnati School Board, newcomer Melanie Bates, along with Sally Warner, Harriet Russell and Catherine Ingram, should maintain the majority on the board needed to continue the reform of our public schools.
Finally, there were three contested judicial races in Hamilton County's Municipal Court. We missed a chance to bring substantive racial healing through our picks for judge. Democrats Ed Felson, James Kenney and Darlene Kamine were free of ties to the prosecutor's office and could have sanitized the Ol' Boys Network at the Courthouse.
In short, educate yourself on how the game is played, who the power brokers are and how you can influence the outcome. You can start by joining the daily protests at the courthouse or visit one of the courtrooms or a city council meeting. Then pass along the information you learn to educate someone else.
David Mitchell
Homeless activist
We should first consider how Charlie Luken became our first strong mayor in 76 years. Between the primary and the general election, he spent more than $160,000 on his campaign, compared to a little over $40,000 raised by Courtis Fuller.
This election really opened my eyes to what politics is all about in this city: money, power and deception.
I believe that our problems as a community will continue to increase as long as the interests of Big Business are more important to this city's government than the needs of the people that live in it. They want to get things back to the status quo and stimulate a dwindling economy. With a new strong mayor, with a four-year administration, Luken will have plenty of time to cater to the desires of this city's corporations.
His plan, modeled after the National Main Streets Program, will be the priority in his administration. The Main Streets Program has been incredibly successful on a national level — that is, if you own a business. It is one of the most powerful economic development tools in the nation.
By eliminating the economic development department, Luken plans to expand the Port Authority's jurisdiction all the way to Central Parkway — the same street that, in April, a police line blocked so protesters could go no further. It is the invisible dividing line of the economic and social class system in Cincinnati.
Luken's plans go right along with the implementation of the Cranley ordinance, which is going to displace low-income families in the West End by forbidding the city from approving more subsidized low-income development and restricts spending on rehabilitating subsidized housing that already exists.
