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YouTubeMayor's proposals need more public input, members sayWednesday, April 16, 2008 3:22 AM
By Robert Vitale
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Is the Columbus City Council still relevant?
Some council members say they feel overlooked by Mayor Michael B. Coleman, who is asking them to approve money for a streetcar line and neighborhood surveillance cameras before they've passed judgment on the merits of either idea.
"These are huge dollars we're talking about to be obligated by the city of Columbus," Councilwoman Charleta B. Tavares said of the mayor's requests. He is asking for $2 million on design and engineering for a streetcar line and $1.45 million to study how the Division of Police should deploy the cameras.
"These are taxpayer dollars," Tavares said. "I would think we'd want the public's input on it."
The two requests were included in a $1.1 billion capital budget that Coleman submitted yesterday to pay for roadwork, sewer improvements, building renovations and other long-term improvements he wants started this year.
The mayor's cabinet presented the plan to City Council members last night and defended Coleman's request to pay for projects on which lawmakers have yet to sign off.
"On cameras and streetcars, it's just false that there hasn't been public input," said chief of staff Michael D. Reese, who listed groups that have endorsed Coleman's plan to spend $103 million for a streetcar line between Downtown and Ohio State University.
Safety Director Mitchell Brown said plenty of policy decisions remain for Coleman's plan to install cameras as a crime-fighting tool in neighborhoods that want them. But he said the administration is asking for money this year to move the issue forward.
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion
Council brakes on streetcar, cameras
[19 posts] [12 contributors]
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DawonHawkins
Sixty Spring (Downtown Columbus)
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Posted 4 years ago # -
surber17
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Wow, are you kidding me. Did these people, who hold a public office, show up to any of the meetings on the streetcar? Were they not at the Summit, or the financing plan meeting? I was, and from what I saw most major groups in the downtown area have released press releases on how they support the Streetcar. NOT TO MENTION STREETCAR DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. Even if I wasnt for the streetcar this would make me angry. This shows a lack of knowledge coming from the central part of our government. Anyone on city council who hasn't looked over every piece of literature that has been release should be ashamed of themselves. DO YOUR JOB. This hasn't been put on your desk in the past couple days.
Posted 4 years ago # -
louie
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Must be a backstory here. Maybe some portion of High St. business isn't on board? Maybe some rumblings from neighborhoods -- this may not be the most expensive project but it would be pretty visible. So what's in it for them (holding this up for a trade on a different project)? I assume we'll learn.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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louie wrote Must be a backstory here. Maybe some portion of High St. business isn't on board? Maybe some rumblings from neighborhoods -- this may not be the most expensive project but it would be pretty visible. So what's in it for them (holding this up for a trade on a different project)? I assume we'll learn.
The backstory here is that we advocates of the streetcar have to make our presence known somewhere other than posting on Columbus Underground (and I'm as guilty as anyone).
We need to be in City Council, we need to be e-mailing and writing our council members, we need to be as vocal or more vocal than the opposition.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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We may be blowing this out of proportion. They are concerned about the engineer's survey proposal. Maybe they want to have other engineers bid on it or get more diverse surveys. I read nowhere that the council is opposed to the streetcar, but rather they are just being cautious in thier steps. Props for being prudent leaders and thinking things through.
Posted 4 years ago # -
timjeby
St. Louis, MO
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I've heard some worrisome rumblings that some folks in the Short North are worried about the impact of the Streetcars on parking along High Street as well as during the construction period.
I hope it's not a large number of people -- but it is something that I've heard. Some are saying the current bus system is fine and we shouldn't mess with it.
We really need a full fledged effort by folks supporting this to communicate how transformational the Streetcars will be for the city -- and the region.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Tigertree
771 N. High St.
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timjeby wrote I've heard some worrisome rumblings that some folks in the Short North are worried about the impact of the Streetcars on parking along High Street as well as during the construction period.
I hope it's not a large number of people -- but it is something that I've heard. Some are saying the current bus system is fine and we shouldn't mess with it.
We really need a full fledged effort by folks supporting this to communicate how transformational the Streetcars will be for the city -- and the region.
I think I have heard those somewhere too.
Posted 4 years ago # -
DawonHawkins
Sixty Spring (Downtown Columbus)
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I'm sorry, but these "rumblings" havent gone unheard. What's puzzling about this article is that it makes it seem as though this is the first time coucil has heard about this and its NOT! Critics or not, this it the largest coo for our city and the fact that these two council members took NOW as the time to voice their "opinion" - which I doubt was voiced in the best interest of the city and more as a publicity stunt to get themselves noticed is insulting!
Coucil has had 2 years to voice their concerns - if they in fact had any, and failed miserably to do so. These comments come as a shock to all of the people who've worked very hard to show public support of this project. Countless letters to the editor in the Dispatch and ALive newspapers, hundres of posts seen on this blog, and in person when the Downtown Residents Association of Columbus presented M. Coleman with over 1000 signatures from COlumbus residents in SUPPORT of the street cars - airing on the evening news on all major networs.
UGH! ... sorry, just a little frustrated at this obvious political stunt that's base at best!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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roy wrote The comments were made at a public hearing on the city's capital budget, which includes $2 million for the next step of the feasibility study and no plan for streetcar design, engineering, construction and operating costs.
Help me out royster, I thought the 2 million was for the engineering study from comments the mayor made at the finance hearing, is that not correct? I just want to be precise when I write my letter :D
Posted 4 years ago # -
surber17
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roy wrote
DawonHawkins wrote I'm sorry, but these "rumblings" havent gone unheard. What's puzzling about this article is that it makes it seem as though this is the first time coucil has heard about this and its NOT! Critics or not, this it the largest coo for our city and the fact that these two council members took NOW as the time to voice their "opinion" - which I doubt was voiced in the best interest of the city and more as a publicity stunt to get themselves noticed is insulting!
Coucil has had 2 years to voice their concerns - if they in fact had any, and failed miserably to do so. These comments come as a shock to all of the people who've worked very hard to show public support of this project. Countless letters to the editor in the Dispatch and ALive newspapers, hundres of posts seen on this blog, and in person when the Downtown Residents Association of Columbus presented M. Coleman with over 1000 signatures from COlumbus residents in SUPPORT of the street cars - airing on the evening news on all major networs.
The comments were made at a public hearing on the city's capital budget, which includes $2 million for the next step of the feasibility study and no plan for streetcar design, engineering, construction and operating costs.
Were you at the meeting, did you watch the full discussion on GTC-3 or online? Or did you read only the conflict-generating quotes the Dispatch chose to print? Have you written a letter to city council sharing your support? I understand they're a little short on letters in favor.
Before you go calling thoughtful deliberation a 'political stunt,' you might want to hear all the facts.
I think DawonHawkins is saying exactly what I was saying before. I have no problem with people questioning this. But these people should have been on the front line of knowledge and they obviously did not do their homework or else these questions would have come up at a much earlier time. Like I said before, streetcar talk/studies did not start yesterday. They should have brought up their concerns months ago, not right before we hire an engineering team to figure out how to build this. I'm sorry but this is CRAP and all it's doing is pushing back the timeline. And yes, I've attended every meeting there has been for the streetcar. I've looked at each press release and listened to community leaders endorse this. They could have done the same, and as a public leader they should have. Also, if they did go, then I'm not sure where these comments are coming from or why they are coming now.
Posted 4 years ago # -
DawonHawkins
Sixty Spring (Downtown Columbus)
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Roy, I think I was pretty clear in my disappointment in this STUNT. I have followed this initiative intimately since its inception (more than you'll ever know) and i'll thank you to keep your smuggness to yourself when it comes to calling someone on the facts.
My point was clear: Council has been involved and informed throughout (which includes the proposed budget for the project the entire process) and to raise concern at the ninth hour is nothing more than a political stunt. If there in fact were concerns with the allocation of city funds for the budget, they should have come up well before getting to this point and the truth of the matter is they weren't.
And not that I feel it necessary to explain myposition, but to answer your question (1) I have written letters to council (2) i had a support letter to the dispatch printed (3) I submitted 200+ signatures of current downtown Columbus residents in a petition to support the Streetcar and several other grassroots initiatives to show support.
So I'll ask you to excuse me if I express my frustration.
Oh, and while you're at it, think about adding commentary that's more focused on the issue rather than the opinion of another poster - your comments might carry weight then.
roy wrote
DawonHawkins wrote I'm sorry, but these "rumblings" havent gone unheard. What's puzzling about this article is that it makes it seem as though this is the first time coucil has heard about this and its NOT! Critics or not, this it the largest coo for our city and the fact that these two council members took NOW as the time to voice their "opinion" - which I doubt was voiced in the best interest of the city and more as a publicity stunt to get themselves noticed is insulting!
Coucil has had 2 years to voice their concerns - if they in fact had any, and failed miserably to do so. These comments come as a shock to all of the people who've worked very hard to show public support of this project. Countless letters to the editor in the Dispatch and ALive newspapers, hundres of posts seen on this blog, and in person when the Downtown Residents Association of Columbus presented M. Coleman with over 1000 signatures from COlumbus residents in SUPPORT of the street cars - airing on the evening news on all major networs.
UGH! ... sorry, just a little frustrated at this obvious political stunt that's base at best!
The comments were made at a public hearing on the city's capital budget, which includes $2 million for the next step of the feasibility study and no plan for streetcar design, engineering, construction and operating costs.
Were you at the meeting, did you watch the full discussion on GTC-3 or online? Or did you read only the conflict-generating quotes the Dispatch chose to print? Have you written a letter to city council sharing your support? I understand they're a little short on letters in favor.
Before you go calling thoughtful deliberation a 'political stunt,' you might want to hear all the facts.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Schoolboy wrote what i fear is that if this gets nixed
they won't put that money towards improving our bus system
You're right. The benefit zone money isn't something that will be allocated elsewhere. These aren't general budgeting dollars being used.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Schoolboy
Columbus
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Walker wrote
Schoolboy wrote what i fear is that if this gets nixed
they won't put that money towards improving our bus system
You're right. The benefit zone money isn't something that will be allocated elsewhere. These aren't general budgeting dollars being used.
scary thought.
honestly, i feel that if this is put to vote it will not pass. it doesn't directly effect enough of the population. indirectly, perhaps.... but that may not be enough.
Posted 4 years ago # -
BCOZ
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I did an informal poll of my lunch customers yesterday, and 100% of the ones I asked (only 6 people...but what the hell ;)) were violently opposed to the streetcar.
My place is in a suburb, so I'm guesing that is the big factor.
I was amazed, though, that people are as passionately opposed to the streetcar as the supporters are passionate of their side. IMO both (extreme) sides need to reach for a mother's lil helper.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Roland
Clintonville
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The time has come for streetcar proponents, and even those who question the details of the streetcar but can see the project as a first step of a comprehensive rail system in Columbus, to make sure the right people see and hear our support for this project.
Lets get to those meetings, write those letters, and talk to the people making decisions on our behalf.
Posted 4 years ago #
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