ELECTION DAY: Who supports the Cincinnati Streetcar? And who opposes it?

Posted on November 4, 2013 Updated on November 4, 2013

If it ever gets to the point where it’s easy and acceptable to stop public projects once construction has begun, attracting public and private capital will become much more difficult and expensive for our city. Cincinnati will be regarded as an unreliable partner that is risky to do business with.

Consider carefully the credibility and judgment of those candidates who would rip the tracks out of the streets. Or claim they can. Does their thinking make them worthy of your vote?

The costs of not completing the streetcar to Uptown are incalculable in dollars and Cincinnati’s loss of reputation. We’re setting a precedent here.

Please take this list to the polls with you tomorrow. Share it on Facebook and send it to your email contacts.

CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR:

Supporting the streetcar:

•     Roxanne Qualls – says it’s essential to extend streetcar to Uptown

Opposing the streetcar:

•     John Cranley – promises to stop construction on the streetcar

CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL (vote for no more than nine):

    Supporting the streetcar:

•     Laure Quinlivan – “I strongly support Cincinnati’s streetcar.”
•     Mike Moroski – “I have not wavered in my support” for the streetcar.
•     Yvette Simpson – “I have been a steadfast supporter since the inception.”
•     Wendell Young – “A critical first step in improving & diversifying our transportation system”
•     Chris Seelbach – Will push to finish project on time and within budget.
•     Michelle Dillingham – Streetcar should be part of our regional transportation strategy.
•     Shawn Butler – “Yes, I support the streetcar plan.”
•     Greg Landsman – Wants to lead effort to get streetcar to Uptown, private dollars needed.

Opposing the streetcar:

•     Amy Murray – Says “streetcar project is a mess” and will vote to stop its construction.
•     Kevin Flynn – Says the streetcar project “must be terminated.”
•     David Mann – Wants to see if Cincinnati can break the streetcar construction contract.
•     Angela Beamon – Says the streetcar “has robbed our neighborhoods.”
•     Pamula Thomas – Says ” I voted against the streetcar” and it “has become a burden.”
•     Charlie Winburn – “I oppose spending any more tax dollars for the Cincinnati Streetcar.”
•     Christopher Smitherman – “The city can’t afford the streetcar.”
•     PG Sittenfeld  – “I’ve been a ‘NO’ on giving the streetcar more taxpayer money.”
•     Melissa Wegman – “Simply put, the benefits do not outweigh the costs,” she claims.
•     Vanessa White – “I oppose the streetcar plan.”
•     Sam Malone – “I do not support the streetcar.”