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 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 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 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 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“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.
CLICK HERE for slides
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 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 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 Should The City of Cincinnati Sell the Southern Railroad?
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Should the City sell its Railroad? Cincinnati voters will determine a proposed initiative by City Government on this November’s ballot to sell the Southern Railroad to Norfolk Southern Corporation for a price of $1.6-billion. At the next Community Issues Forum at Christ Church Cathedral on September 28th, 12:00 Noon, Vice Mayor Jan Michelle Lemon-Kearney will speak in favor of the sale, while former Councilman Kevin Flynn will oppose the initiative.
If passed, the money would go into a trust fund established to pay for needed infrastructure projects over the years. Opponents, however, say the sale price is far too low
Forum Focused on Should Voters Legalize Recreational Marijuana in Ohio? The Pros and Cons Of State Issue 2.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Voters this November will approve or reject a proposed State Statute that would legalize, regulate, and tax the adult use of marijuana in Ohio. At the next Community Issues Forum on Thursday, October 26th, Brian Kessler, representing the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, will speak for Issue 2, while Jodi Salvo, Director of Substance Use Prevention Services for Ohio Guidestone, will speak against it.The Forum takes place at the Cathedral, 318 East Fourth Street, at 12:00 Noon, and people can also participate via Zoom. As usual questions and comments will be invited from Forum attendees.
Forum Focused on New Redistricting Proposal in Ohio. Reformers Seek To Renew Democracy In This State
Thursday, November 9, 2023
The Republican majority in the State Legislature have ignored laws on the books that call for drawing non-gerrymandered political districts in Ohio. This has prompted a reform coalition to prepare a new State Constitutional Amendment Proposal that will create a non-partisan Citizen Commission to draw the political district maps. It is now time to collect signatures to put this proposal on the ballot.
At this Community Issues Forum, Catherine Turcer, Executive Director of Common Cause Ohio, and colleagues from the local League of Women Voters will describe this proposal and why citizens rather than partisan politicians will benefit from this Initiative
Forum Focused on How Is Downtown Cincinnati Faring After Covid?
Thursday, December 14, 2023
How Is Downtown Cincinnati Faring After Covid?
Cities across the U.S. were impacted by the COVID-crisis. At the next Community Issues Forum, City Manager Sheryl Long will discuss this impact and the City’s plans and policies for keeping our downtown a vital center in the years ahead.