ARTICLES AND LETTERS

Bentley Davis:

Hi Ellen,
I survived yesterday!  But no rest for the weary.  I have another meeting I must attend tonight and will once again miss the salon.  As of right now, my calendar is clear for next week -- and I hope to make it then.  Below are some notes to share with those in attendance and those who are salonistas via the ether. 

Thank you.
Bentley



Political Notes:
Well, Election Day has come and gone.   There were some major disappointments as Cincinnati City Council becomes more conservative and the passage of Issue 2.  However, the levies won – all of them.  The library, MRDD, family services, museum center, and the Cincinnati schools all had their levies/ renewals pass.  In fact, throughout the region, levies did fairly well. 
What does this mean?  One possible answer is that though voters went with the candidates with the most name recognition, they are happy to have their tax money spent on services for the public good.  Hopefully, the newly elected members will realize that and spare some of the city services while trying to close budget shortfalls.
On another note, politics keeps moving on….  In order to fill the budget gap created by the State Supreme Court’s ruling against slots at the race tracks, the Governor has called for a freeze on tax cuts which were scheduled to go into effect next year (in case you didn’t notice, there were tax cuts last year).  The state house quickly passed this proposal (HB 318).   It is now the senate’s turn.  At this point, the senate has not voted on HB 318, but has proposed SB 52 – which cuts another 11,000 state jobs and eliminates more state agencies to fill the $851 million hole.  State Senators need to hear from concerned voters.   HB 318 is not a tax increase, but a tax freeze.  Yet it will save the state budget.  For more information, see this website:  http://www.saveohio.org/
The state legislature is also proposing a partial deregulation of landline telephone service (SB 162 and HB 276).  This legislation will permit carriers to raise rates, limit the low-income Lifeline service, increase the time for the phone company to restore service from 24 hours to 72 hours (after a storm or the like), reduce restrictions on security deposits, and more.  The bills have bipartisan support, but are being opposed by several community groups, including AARP, the Ohio Poverty Law Center, and the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel.   If this is an area of concern for you, contact your state representative and/or state senator and express your opinion.  More information about the bill can be found here:  http://www.pickocc.org/news/2009/pressrelease.php?date=10232009
As always, if you have any questions about any political issues:  local, state, national, or international; please contact me.  bentleysdavis@gmail.com

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Howard Konicov on the Meaning of Council Election
This was written as a Get Out the Vote piece, but it is interesting in pointing out the environmentalism impact of the new council.  See above in Table Notes for the election results.  Ellen

Dear Ellen et al,

Please remember to vote TODAY [tomorrow].  

The outcome will likely determine whether the city will have an OEQ, TITLE X, EJ, et al.. in the future.

.. a few years ago in what Jim Tarbell described as a "highly prejudiced & politically charged process" they were targeted for removal including at that time: Recycling, Park's Nature Education funding, the city's air pollution ordinance (Title X), and the city's former Office of Environmental Management.

Cincinnati voters responded by having the wisdom to elect a highly competent environmentally progressive mayor, Mayor Mark Mallory and a 5 vote political consensus for the environment on our current City Council.  And this is the only reason the City of Cincinnati currently has recycling, nature education, a newly re-enacted pollution ordinance, and newly created Office of Environmental Quality (Please re-elect the MAyor!!).

Currently ONLY the following 4 Council Members up for re-election were part of this 5 vote environmental majority & for this reason alone should be re-elected:

1. Roxanne Qualls
2. Cecil Thomas 
3. Greg Harris
4. Laketa Cole
   

Which means we are still 1 vote shy of a majority consensus on the environment on city council and so, and after speaking with:

Laure Quinlivan, 
Bernadette Watson, and 
Anita Brockman (the only Green Party candidate),

I am confident that they would vote consistently for informed environmental policy and request that you please consider giving them one of your 9 votes.

In contrast Jeff Berding, following in Charlie Luken's shoes, coordinated the opposition to these programs & represents the single largest threat to their continued existence.  No outcome for this election could be more constructive than to remove Jeff Berding from office.  I respectfully request that you do not vote for Jeff Berding and that you urge others to do the same.

Please remember to vote on Tuesday!!

Sincerely,

Howard M. Konicov

MSES/MPA                                 IU School of Public & Environmental Affairs;
Bachelor of Arts in Economics     Washington University in St. Louis
Former EAC Chairman                 2002-2003 

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