Public Policy and Community Information Research

Forum Focused on The Rise In Gun Violence Prompts New Efforts To Curb This Crisis

Thursday, May 18, 2023

A startling rise in gun violence prompts new efforts to curb it. At the next Community Issues Forum on Thursday May 18, U.S, Representative Greg Landsman of Cincinnati will discuss his commitment to working to pass positive legislation to address this crisis, while Jack Jose of Christ Church Cathedral will review ongoing local initiatives to prevent gun violence involving young people. ( Landsman’s presentation will be via Zoom.) as usual, questions and comments will be welcomed from attendees.

Forum Focused on Why Citizens Need To Be Concerned About Preserving Democracy In This Country.

Thursday, May 4, 2023

There are a number of forces at work in this country that are threatening our system of representative democracy. The refusal by many to accept the results of the 2020 Presidential Election and the efforts in many states to create obstacles to voting are two of these factors. At the next Community issues Forum on Thursday May 4th, a panel will discuss the reasons why citizens need to be concerned, and suggest some steps to restore democracy to health. The speakers will include David Pepper, author of “Laboratories of Autocracy,” and Prince Brown, a civic leader and former Professor of Sociology at Northern Kentucky University. As usual, attendees will be invited to respond with their questions and comments SEE VIDEO

Forum  Focused on An Update on Cincinnati Public Schools 

Thursday, April 20, 2023 

COVID and related problems have impacted the operations of our schools. The next Community Issues Forum on April 20th will provide an update on the Cincinnati Public Schools. Eve Bolton, School Board Member and Michelle Dillingham, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers Organizer, will review the issues that have arisen during these unusual times. Also, discussion of  a major initiative to support equitable school funding for teachers and students in Cincinnati Public Schools. This update will occur on Thursday at 12:00-noon at Christ Church Cathedral, 318 East Fourth Street. (People can also link in via Zoom.)

Forum in Person and Zoom Focused on“Beyond The Larry Householder Conviction”

Thursday, March 23, 2023 

Former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Larry Householder was convicted last week on bribery charges related to one of the largest legislative scandals in Ohio political history. What immediate steps can be taken to prevent this type of dark money influence on the Ohio General Assembly? At the next Community Issues Forum, Catherine Turcer, Executive Director of Common Cause Ohio, will tackle this question as well as review other reforms that are needed to renew the health of representative democracy in Ohio. Turcer  makes her presentation via Zoom, while William Woods, former Chair of Common Cause Ohio, will emcee this Forum before the Forum attendees at Christ Church Cathedral. This luncheon Forum will take place at Christ Church Cathedral, 318 East Fourth Street, and via Zoom on Thursday March 23rd at 12:00-noon. As usual, questions and comments will be encouraged from attendees.

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Forum in Person and Zoom Focused on Making City Policies More Equitable For Cincinnati’s Neighborhoods

Thursday, March 9, 2023 

Many neighborhoods have experienced neglect or the negative impacts of development projects over the years. City Council and the Mayor are currently talking about putting in place more equitable neighborhood policies such as major zoning changes.

At the next Community Issues Forum, Jennifer Arens, Community Education Coordinator for the Peaslee Neighborhood Center, and Joele Newman, Community Organizer and Youth Program Coordinator for the Peaslee Neighborhood Center, will share key takeaways from their research and advocacy that help to shed light on how such proposed changes may or may not contribute to equity. This Special Forum takes place at the Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 14th St E (Free parking ) on Thursday March 9th at noon, and it will also be available on Zoom

Forum in Person and Zoom Focused on A City Hall Update By Mayor Aftab Pureval

Thursday, February 23, 2023 

What are the critical issues confronting City Government in 2023? At the next Community Issues Forum, Mayor Aftab Pureval will provide a City Hall update. At this Forum, the Mayor will talk about the long and short term issues facing the City as well as reviewing recent policies implemented by the Mayor and City Council. Come join us for this live in person Forum at Christ Church Cathedral on Thursday February 23 at 12:00-noon. Mayor Pureval was sworn into office last January, and much has happened in the last twelve months. What should citizens be aware of in terms of City policies, and what are the Mayor’s priorities for 2023? As usual, Forum attendees will have a chance to ask questions and make comments. This in-person and Zoom Forum will take place at Christ Church Cathedral (The Forum Room) 318 East Fourth St on Thursday, February 23 at 12:00 Noon.

Forum in Person and Zoom Focused on A New Initiative to Fund the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Thursday, February 9, 2023 

A New Initiative to Fund the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund – The Petitions Are Ready and Josh Spring Reviews What’s in This Initiative

For years, Cincinnati has experienced a worsening affordable housing crisis. A continuing issue is the lack of funding to produce more affordable housing units for thousands of local families and individuals. At the next Community Issues Forum, Josh Spring, Executive Director of the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, will review the new Charter Amendment proposal that would fund the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund if passed by the voters in November. Petitions will be available for attendees who wish to become involved. This luncheon discussion takes place in person and zoom at noon on Thursday, February 9th at Christ Church Cathedral, 318 East Fourth Street.

Forum in Person and Zoom Focused on  An Update on Hamilton County Government By Commissioner Denise Driehaus

Thursday, January 26, 2023 What are the critical issues confronting City Government in 2023?

What are the critical issues confronting Hamilton County Government in 2023? What should citizens be aware of in terms of recent County policies, and what is the Commission’s agenda for the new year? At the next Community Issues Forum, Commissioner Denise Driehaus will provide an update on County Government and discuss the long and short term problems that she believes the County needs to address.

This Forum takes place at Christ Church Cathedral on Thursday January 26th at 12:00-noon. As usual, time will be made available for questions and comments, and attendees may bring their lunch or purchase a box lunch at the Forum.

Forum in Person and Zoom Focused A City Hall Update By Vice Mayor Jan Michele Kearney

Thursday, January 12, 2023 What are the critical issues confronting City Government in 2023?

What should citizens be aware of in terms of City policies, and what are the city’s priorities for 2023? Vice Mayor Jan Michele Kearney will talk about the long and short term issues facing the City as well as reviewing recent policies implemented by the Mayor and City Council. As usual, Forum attendees will have a chance to ask questions and make comments., 2022 Noon in person and  via zoom

Forum in Person and Zoom Focused on Addressing Health Care Inequities In Greater Cincinnati- Part II

Thursday, December 15, 2022 Noon via zoom

Inequities exist in the delivery of health care services in Greater Cincinnati. At the next Community Issues Forum, Steve Sunderland, director of the Cancer Justice Network, discusses these inequities and the initiatives needed to address them.  Sunderland and colleagues from the Cancer Justice Network, a community based health navigation program in the Cincinnati region is striving to change individual and community health outcomes. This in-person and Zoom Forum took place at Christ Church Cathedral (The Forum Room) on Thursday December 15th at 12:00 Noon.