Great Letter Showing Support for Street Car (Cincinnati, Madison: neighborhoods, taxes)

[TomJones123]

Another great letter to Cincinnati City Council supporting the streetcar from Bill Collins, a member of the Madisonville Community Council.

https://www.facebook.com/Cincy4Progr...04396742966617

[HartwellGirlISback]

i'm a young woman, and i DO NOT support the "need" for a streetcar in this City. Nor do i dismiss the opinion of my elders who have more wisdom about history & finances in one of their fingers than those on seated City Council. Those references to seniors are just rude & insulting.
With all due respect, yes, the City voted for the street car but check the numbers, it surely wasn't by a landslide. This is a City divided by a project. A project i see as a waste. Want to see an increase in tax base? Take care of ALL our neighborhoods.

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by HartwellGirlISback

i'm a young woman, and i DO NOT support the "need" for a streetcar in this City.

I support it, because I understand what a strong, vibrant urban core means to a city endeavouring to stabilize itself after years of decline. The letter shows a good grasp on the topic. Actually, voters in this city voted yes on two referendums.

[HartwellGirlISback]

again, NOT by a landslide by any means, Along with pathetic wording. I've been a council president as well. And for years I was told how important our City core is. Unfortunately, years of negative focus of our neighborhoods is destroying our City as a whole. A streetcar running in a circle isnt going to save this City. Keeping good residents who work hard and provide a solid tax base will.
i'm not going to get into a streetcar debate with you or anyone else. My point was that letter is disrespectful to seniors who have every right to have a valued opinion as well.

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by HartwellGirlISback

My point was that letter is disrespectful to seniors who have every right to have a valued opinion as well.

I didn't get that from reading it, but if you did, more power.

[Sarah Perry]

Originally Posted by HartwellGirlISback

again, NOT by a landslide by any means, Along with pathetic wording. I've been a council president as well. And for years I was told how important our City core is. Unfortunately, years of negative focus of our neighborhoods is destroying our City as a whole. A streetcar running in a circle isnt going to save this City. Keeping good residents who work hard and provide a solid tax base will.
i'm not going to get into a streetcar debate with you or anyone else. My point was that letter is disrespectful to seniors who have every right to have a valued opinion as well.

Had the writer said "a small number of Mexicans" or "a small number of blacks," etc. people would be asking what exactly those people's ethic origin or race had to do with their opinion on the streetcar or on anything else to do with economic development.
It's the same thing. Age is irrelevant in that context, and pointing it out is divisive--not helpful.

Just responding to the discussion. And welcome back, HG.

[jmecklenborg]

Ohio permits its cities to levy earnings taxes, which means neighborhoods aren't equal. Downtown + Uptown generate over half of the city's tax revenue, meaning Downtown + Uptown subsidize the rest of the city. The Streetcar will connect these two areas through what was previously a huge drain on city resources. I'm not sure, when looked upon in this way, somebody can so viscerally oppose the streetcar project.

And what, exactly, do you want the city to do for Hartwell, et. al.? Under Ohio law our state's municipalities have very few tools available to aid neighborhoods. Increased police protection is the greatest, and it is the most expensive. Public transportation is another. We have a C+ at best bus system, and the only way to expand it is with a tax increase. The streetcar is a way to introduce rail transportation into the region and build voter sentiment for a tax increase that will build a larger rail system and fund more buses.

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by Sarah Perry

people's ethic origin

What's an ethic origin?

[rrtechno]

Originally Posted by TomJones123

What's an ethic origin?

"ethnic"

You never make an error and couldn't comprehend that? Most people probably read it as "ethnic" based on a thing called "context".

[flashes1]

Agree that the author was patronizing the dissenters....he also noted their gender.....i.e. he basically called them little old ladies....I would like to see him describe in his next "letter to the editor" a bunch of old blacks, gays or Mexicans and see what kind of unholy chaos that would create.