Thursday, May 23, 2013

OKI Streetcar funding in danger

Dear fellow tax hikers, we strongly condemn Hamilton County Commissioners Chris Monzel and Greg Hartmann for urging the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) to rescind the $4 million they previously allocated for the Cincinnati Streetcar.  They believe the money should be redirected to projects that serve more residents.  We disagree.

So what if the streetcar route has been shortened by over 2 miles?  So what if the project has already experienced significant cost overruns?  So what if the start date has been pushed back many years?  So what if the projected economic benefits have been significantly reduced before track construction has even started?  This streetcar should be built, no matter how much it costs. 

We completely sympathize with streetcar supporters who happily solicit and/or take money from Hamilton County, the State of Ohio, and the federal government, while telling all non-city residents to shut up about the streetcar.  If you don't live in Cincinnati you have no right to comment on the city's streetcar, but we'll happily make you pay for it. 

We stand behind the streetcar 100%.  We don't care how much it costs, and we know that Mark Mallory, Roxanne Qualls, and the other streetcar supporters on Council agree.  We especially support requiring outsiders to pay for the project and we condemn Commissioners Monzel and Hartmann for trying to redirect these funds. 

15 comments:

Tax Hikin Rick Bryan said...

Disgusting! Good Republicans help to fund the streetcar, just like we did in Blue Ash

Greed Township Republicans said...

It's too bad that the streetcar doesn't run out to Colerain Township. We think a lot of the criminal element would really be in favor of that.

Kilgore said...

I love the smell of Rumpke in the morning!

Prince William of Groesbeck said...

Until the entire Streetcar route is designated as part of the Hamilton County Park District I have to agree with the Commissioners. In the meantime I'll continue patronizing my favorite parks after hours.

Vizzini said...

INCONCEIVABLE!!!

This Blog Is The Democrats' Best Friend said...

The way the Republican commenters on this blog use this blog to anonymously smear other Republicans is soooo enjoyable to watch. Especially when we need a diversion from all the scandals in the Obama administration. See, when Republicans have scandals we Democrats focus all our attention on them and do so until they resign or go to jail (and not just tennis prison, mind you, we always make sure you white-bread, silver-spoon, one-percenter Republicans get sent to Federal-Pound-Me-In-The-Rear prison). You guys, on the other hand, like to beat other Republicans up no matter what.

Inbred Westsider said...

My mother, sister and I look forward to riding the streetcar. Two tickets for a day of fun at taxpayer expense!

Hamilton County suburban resident said...

Good for Monzel and Hartmann. If Cincinnati wants their precious streetcar, let them pay for it.

Princess Margaret said...

Since there is no guarantee that icky smelly, inbred west siders can't be kept off the streetcar, then I can no longer support it. My buddy Greg did the right thing here and this Monzel guy is OK even if he had the nerve to challenge my good friend Leslie Ghiz in the primary and steal the seat she should have had.

Jim Sumner said...

When I defeat Monzel in the 2014 primary and get elected that fall, the Hamilton County Commission will never disrespect the streetcar again. I voted to fund the streetcar once and I stand ready to do it again.

Ghizzy Lizzy said...

Jim, you know you can count on my support when you run. My defeat has to be avenged, even if, as a judge, I can't publicly take sides, you know where I will be.

Yost is Toast said...

Paying to ride the streetcar should be a "snap" using your EBT cash card. I'll ensure that $90 million spent on supposedly lost cards will keep the cash flowing.

Councilmember Squeelbach said...

It is so great to be a city councilmember in Cincinnati, the city I represent as a councilmember. Being a councilmember in Cincinnati, the city I represent on city council, I am celebrating the anniversary of my coming out, by partying the only way I know how: dreaming up big government programs and then demanding other people pay for them. It's a great day to be a councilmember in Cincinnati, the city I represent as a member of city council.

Anonymous said...

Some of the user names on this blog disgust me. Whomever you are, you all should be ashamed of yourselves for acting as children.

Mark Mallory's closet said...

If you "disgust" anonymous web posters you must be doing something right. Thanks for visiting anonymous!!!