[WINNER]
MUSIC FOR YOUTH:
A free after-school classical music program that offers students in Price Hill the opportunity to study an instrument and play in an orchestra, Music for Youth was founded by cellist Laura Jekel. Working with Price Hill Will and BLOC Ministries, the program provides urban children with access to free, high-quality musical instruction. Participants may chose from violin, viola and cello and also will sing, learn to read music and participate in other music-related activities. By studying music, students can develop self-confidence and discipline. Sounds like a good idea to us. For more information, Jekel can be contacted at [email protected]
[LOSER]
SEAN PARKER:
D’oh! Parker, the 28-year-old Procter & Gamble employee appointed to the Cincinnati School Board in spring 2010, won’t be running this fall to keep the seat. That’s because he reportedly got the deadline confused about when he had to file signatures to qualify for the ballot. Parker, who is a new father, alleges he was busy and never verified the date. We’re pretty sure someone from the local Democratic Party would’ve kept him abreast of the correct deadline. More likely, Parker intentionally chose not to run but didn’t want to announce that publicly. After all, he still could’ve filed to run as a write-in candidate. Maybe it’s best for the district that Parker not run.
[WINNER]
NINA TURNER:
Turner, a Democratic state senator from Cleveland, has introduced an excellent proposal as a reaction to a truly draconian idea. State Sen. Tim Schaeffer (R-Lancaster) has pushed a bill that would require drug testing for adults who apply for federal assistance. This is just a punitive measure to punish the poor. According to a 1996 study by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, differences between the proportion of welfare and non-welfare recipients using illegal drugs are statistically insignificant. So, Turner wants members of the Ohio General Assembly also to be randomly drug tested once a year in order to receive their pay. We would add their staff members to the list, too.
[LOSER]
CHRIS BORTZ:
Maybe Bortz, the Charterite attorney who is seeking his fourth term on Cincinnati City Council, doesn’t own a calculator. That’s about the only reason we can think of that Bortz would complain to The Enquirer that he’s tired of hearing from council’s Democrats that he doesn’t have a plan to avoid a $33 million deficit next year. As proof that he does, Bortz listed cuts that would eliminate half that amount. That’s right — half . Sorry, Mr. Bortz, but almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. As the de facto leader of City Council’s conservative majority, it’s time for Bortz to offer a full $33 million in cuts so they can be debated by his colleagues and the public. Put up or shut up.
