John Eby for Council - Blog

Thank You for your support

2007-11-07T09:27:00.000-05:00

To the 13,684 people that gave me their support on election day I would like to say thank you. Thank you for your trust, belief and faith in my campaign platform. I didn't win a seat on city council - this time - but my campaign message resonated with you and helped focus the debate on the real issues that face Cincinnati. Clean/safe streets, Great schools and market-rate affordable housing are the three big issues that must be dealt with in the coming years. I pledge to you to keep city council focused on these issues. When council begins to chase rainbows or takes their eye off the prize in Cincinnati I will be there to gently remind them of their first, most important duty - the business of Cincinnati first.

Thank you and God bless you all!

On November 6, Vote for John Eby

2007-11-04T21:47:00.000-05:00

Alexis de Tocqueville stated ,” The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.” On Election Day the greatest of these functions-Voting- will decide the health of Cincinnati as a new city council will be elected. Like all of the candidates I strongly encourage each of you to exercise this right and privilege that keeps the “democratic experiment” and the American Dream vibrantly alive. It was President John F. Kennedy who urged us “ to seek not the Republican or Democratic answer, but the right answer.”

My campaign has stressed that many of our issues are not democratic or republican issues. They are human issues. I utilize and believe in words like opportunity, inclusion, and diversity. I have promoted building bridges not only on the business/economic level but more so on the human level. All council candidates talk about development. I stressed the most important of all development- human development. What do our decisions do for our citizens? How do they support and promote the general good? Fifteen years ago I chose to live in the city because I wanted a diverse community for my children. I wanted them to experience the greater Cincinnati that I did when I was growing up.

I’ve challenged you to imagine a Greater Cincinnati . A Cincinnati where clean safe streets are the norm. A Cincinnati where quality educational opportunities are there for all children. A Cincinnati where market rate affordable housing can create a higher quality of life for our citizens. A Cincinnati where better jobs lead to better pay and better services for all our citizens.

The great communicator, President Ronald Reagan, reminded us that “Freedom is the right to question and change the established way of doing things. Freedom is the understanding that allows us to recognize shortcomings and seek solutions.” The Cincinnati Enquirer endorsed me as a “doer.” The endorsement further said,” Eby may be the hardest-working and best prepared candidate out there. Eby has advanced specific, well thought out proposals. Eby is collaborative. Eby studies issues thoroughly with an engineer’s eye for detail and function.” I am honored by such words. I’m willing to do the best that I can do in seeking solutions to the shortcomings of Cincinnati . It’s time to stop imagining and start realizing our dreams. I’m John Eby and I’m running for city council. Exercise your freedom to vote. Be part of those seeking solutions.

Common Sense Cincinnati Email Response

2007-10-14T15:40:00.000-04:00

John and Greg,

As a staunch, lifelong Independent*, I am always glad to see signs of bi-partisan cooperation. Your Bi-Partisan Plan for Cincinnati's future is a refreshing and welcome change of pace from predictable campaign harangues, soapbox pontificating, and insinuations that candidates of The Other Party are airheaded, malevolent, or both. The Plan's well thought out strategies demonstrate a wonderful combination of boldness and common sense.

Living in Green Township, I will be unable to vote for either of you, but you would each have my vote if I were able. I wish you both success in your run for Council.

Sincerely,

Jim Auer

* I voted for Goldwater in '64 and McGovern in '72, about as far-right and far-left respectively as we've had in many, many decades. Thought they were both a little over the edge in ideology, but nevertheless the more honorable candidate. Given the record of their opponents, I believe I was right.

Street cars in Cincinnati

2007-10-09T09:05:00.000-04:00

We must develop a multi-generational vision that focuses on Building Bridges across three “rivers” that divide our city. I-75/I-71/ and Ft. Washington Way. How can this be accomplished? We must build the Banks. We must connect the Banks to the vaults of the city center. The city center must be creatively connected to our neighborhoods by restoring our heritage of streetcars and inclines.

EPHIA - Concert in Mount Echo

2007-10-05T13:07:00.000-04:00

On September 24th I was invited to attend the East Price Hill Improvement Associations free concert in Mount Echo. It was cool and pleasant evening near the shelter house. The crowd was great and the music was good. It was nice to see so many families out enjoying quality time together. If you ever get the chance drive by and visit Mount Echo park. You won't be disappointed.

Campaign Email

2007-10-03T10:44:00.000-04:00

I received this email response to my Blog Entries on the Enquirer Blog "Today at the Forum".

My daughter attended St. Catherine with Jane ( my daughter ) until we moved
to Green Twp. a few  years ago.  I've been reading your responses in the Enquirer
and I have to say this is the only time I've regretted not residing in the city because
now I am unable to cast a vote for you (even though the happenings within the city
still  affect us).  Your responses seem right on with what the city needs right now. 
I wish you the best of luck at the polls!

Thank you for those kind words of encouragement.

14 years and 14 minutes

2007-10-03T00:56:00.000-04:00

14 years ago, on October 2, 1993 my wife Susan and I were wed. I often tell my kids that in my lifetime I have had some really memorable days, but none will compare to the day that I married their mother. We were married on a beautiful autumn afternoon, in a small church surrounded by our family and our closest friends. It is odd to me that I can still remember the smallest details about that day. What a great day that was.

Now, I am so busy campaigning that sometimes I can't remember what neighborhood I was in the day before or what candidate forum I had attended. You cannot imagine how much time a well run campaign consumes. The schedule is demanding ( brutal really ) and unforgiving. Something or someone always needs attention. Candidates have to remain focused, determined and single minded in purpose. Mostly candidates need support.

I am a very lucky man. My wife Susan has always been my biggest supporter. Even when I could I only devote 14 minutes to her for our anniversary dinner. Susan suggested that we celebrate our anniversary in November, after the election. I wept on the way to Pleasant Ridge Community Council candidates night. Thank you Susan for your love, understanding and devotion. I am indeed a lucky a man.

Oktoberfest - Clifton Style

2007-09-30T16:23:00.000-04:00

On Saturday night, I took my family to the Annunciation Parish Oktoberfest in Clifton. Celebrations like this serve two purposes for any parish. First, they bring parishioners together around a common cause, raising money for the parish. Secondly, events like this bring the entire parish closer together. The planning takes months and running the event relies entirely on volunteers from the parish. Everyone has to get involved to pull off a successful event. The people who organized this celebration and those who volunteered should be very proud. The parish grounds were packed with people, the music was great, the food superb and the beers were cold. What more could anyone ask for from an Oktoberfest celebration?

Chabot Fundraiser

2007-09-24T21:43:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday, Congressman Steve Chabot was the guest speaker at a neighborhood fundraiser for my campaign. What a thrill to have Steve participate in this event. He delivered a great speech ( I was humbled by his kind words ) and then he gave an update on what has been happening in the nations capital. Afterward Steve mingled with the crowd, watched a bit of the Bengals game and relaxed with my friends and family.
My good friends the Koenigs hosted the event at their lovely home in Westwood. Their home was constructed over a hundred years ago. It is a true three story home with a stone foundation. The intricacy of the interior woodwork is amazing and the eleven foot ceilings leave you marveling at their height. Thanks Steve, Mark, Kara and all who participated in the event. Your generosity and support is appreciated.

Vote Yes on Issue 27

2007-09-20T13:21:00.000-04:00

As you may know, I am a strong supporter of the Comprehensive Safety Plan. When Mr. Pepper and Mr. Portune announced the sales tax increase, I was the only candidate to speak out about the importance of adopting the comprehensive safety plan. To say I am passionate about this issue would be an understatement. We NEED this jail and we NEED this comprehensive safety plan. For more information about the issues and a look at the comprehensive safety plan please follow the links I provided.

Please follow this link to the Citizens for a Safe Community website.

Please follow this link to view the Comprehensive Safety Plan.

Donald Spencer on Safety and Parks at MWCC

2007-09-20T11:57:00.000-04:00

At the Mount Washington Community Council meeting last night, Donald Spencer spoke before the community in favor of the Comprehensive Safety Plan. Mr. Spencer is ninety-two years old and speaks very softly, but he knows how to work a crowd. It was a pleasure and an honor to watch a true master at work. He spoke eloquently about why we need the jail and why the comprehensive safety plan is so important to our regional community. His points were crisp, concise and delivered from the heart. When he finished speaking in favor of the safety plan, he effortlessly switched gears and spoke about the Cincinnati Park board. Apparently, the city is considering cutting the parks budget by twenty-five percent and Mr. Spencer was relaying to the community the ramifications of such a deep cut. Thank you Mr. Spencer for your strong support of the jail and for allowing me to watch you work a room. God bless you.

Mt. Washington 2015 Plan

2007-09-13T14:08:00.000-04:00

Last night the Mount Washington Community Council and the Mount Washington Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation unveiled the Mount Washington Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan was developed through a visioning process that involved input from the Mt Washington community. The comprehensive plan will serve as the guide to development and reinvestment in the Mt. Washington Community. The plan has been approved by the MWCC, the Cincinnati Planning Commission, and the Cincinnati City Council. Visit the MWCC website to view the plan. Pay special attention to the implementation section of the plan (page 75). After reading through the plan if you see something of interest please contact the MWCC and volunteer to help make that portion of the plan a reality.

Bengals Defeat Ravens

2007-09-11T07:25:00.000-04:00

I've been going to Bengals football games for years. I've seen the best the team has to offer and survived the "Shula-Era". Last night wasn't our teams best performance and thank God the defense kept us in the game, but a win, is a win, is a win.... Like most of the 66,000 fans (rocking the house) my voice is gone, but the beer after the game seemed to go down a little easier. So here's to you mister "Who-dey, screaming, Bengal-maniacs!" Great job keeping the team motivated. I love it when we beat the Ravens.

The Harvest Home Parade

2007-09-08T21:20:00.003-04:00

Every year I attend the Harvest Home parade I'm amazed at the number of people who attend this event. The parade veterans line their chairs on Harrison and North bend Road three days prior to the parade. This parade is truly one of the best family fun events in the region. The parade last for more than two hours and features Si Leis's Army of deputies (and all their gadgets), local high school marching bands, the Shriner's, Community organizations and every politician under the sun. The parade is only the kick off to the "World's Greatest Little Fair". The Harvest Home fair runs from Friday to Sunday and is a throw back to another era. If you get the chance stop by the fair and enjoy an elephant ear ( or two ) while you tour the fairgrounds.

AFL CIO Questionnaire

2007-09-05T20:31:00.000-04:00

Anonymous poster September 5, 2007 5:10 pm wrote:
So John, when are you going to post your answers to the AFL-CIO questionnaire? The people of Cincinnati really want to know where you stand on the "people related" issues.

Thanks for your interest in wanting to learning more about the AFL-CIO and the great work that they perform everyday. Here are few links to some of the local AFL-CIO affiliates.

Local 212 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Local 392 Plumbers and Pipefitters

Here is the link to the Citizens Working Group Platform for the Banks Project.

Here is the link to my responses to the questionnaire from the AFL-CIO.

2007 Tailgate Bash

2007-08-26T08:23:00.000-04:00

Last night before the Reds game, I took my family down to the 2007 Tailgate Bash. The centerpiece of the event was the world championship cornhole tournament. The marathon cornhole event was sponsored by the Easter Seals Work Resource Center. The Easter Seals Work Resource Center is a greater Cincinnati nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower people with disabilities and disadvantages to improve their lives through work. The event was well attended and it was good to see fountain square so active. My kids had a great time and a little rain in the afternoon didn’t dampen anyone’s spirit.

Chase School Festival

2007-08-25T23:58:00.000-04:00

Today I helped the teachers, parents and administrators of Chase School with their back to school festival. The event was held in the parking lot of the schools swing space location at Kirby school. I arrived early to help anyway I could and with the help of the staff we had the entire festival set up within thirty minutes. Before long parents and their school age children were walking the parking lot enjoying the games and a few free hot dogs. I was impressed with the amount of community participation at the event. The Chase LSDMC committee helped plan and work the festival. Prizes for the games were provided by CAIN (Churches Active In Northside) and people from the neighboring community were helpful as well. I was thoroughly impressed with the dedication of the staff, parents and the Chase school LSDMC.

Lit Drops - Pleasant Ridge

2007-08-24T21:56:00.000-04:00

This entire weekend the Eby for Council campaign will be in Pleasant Ridge. Today we walked three precincts in the sweltering heat. The people I met today were courteous and friendly ( sometimes people aren't so nice when you knock on their door). Most people that I introduced myself to were concerned with crime, the development of their business corridor and (believe it or not) the development of the Banks. One older women told me today, "They built the pyramids in less time." I had to laugh, after all she was just parroting what everyone thinks. "I don't think I'll live to see it," she sighed. By nature I'm an optimist so I assured her, "The Banks project is too important to the city and the county, it will be built."
When elected to city council I pledge to work cooperatively with the Mayor, the City Manager and the County commissioners to ensure that the Banks project is completed. We must set measurable and attainable goals for completion of the Banks. However, if we do not connect the Banks to the city center then one or the other will fail.
I have always been a supporter of Smart Growth Principals and in a recent visit to St Louis, Missouri; I have become a true believer. My sister moved to St Louis in 1973 and to say the least my parents were not impressed with her new home. The riverfront was in shambles, blighted buildings lined the park surrounding the new Gateway Arch and crime was rampant. Today the St Louis riverfront and the surrounding ten block area is booming, thanks to smartgrowth planning. One of the hottest development areas in St Louis is the Loop. The Loop is a six-block area that contains 140 different shops, restaurants, boutiques and condominiums. Located in University City the Loop was designated as an Arts and Entertainment Economic Zone. We can replicate that success here in Cincinnati, but we must have the political will.

Lit Drops - Hyde Park and Westwood

2007-08-19T23:35:00.000-04:00

"Lit Drops" - those two little words are the life blood of any campaigns ground game. The "Up-side" of Lit drops is that you get to deliver your message to the voters door personally. The "Down-side" is that during the summer the long hours, steamy weather and the hills of Cincinnati take a real toll on your volunteers. The month of August has been exceptionally brutal this year, but we persevered.
This week we concentrated our efforts in Hyde Park and Westwood; two of Cincinnati's most beautiful communities. Whenever I walk the streets of Hyde Park I'm amazed at how similar the housing is to that in old Westwood. The large brick homes with the surrounding portico, amazing wood trim and the Rookwood fireplace. The old German builders really knew their craft and both our communities have benefited from their work ethic and attention to detail. Look for me and my volunteers in your neighborhood. Stop me and lets talk about how to make Cincinnati a better place to live together.

Here-a-Fest, There-a-fest, Everywhere-a-fest Fest

2007-08-04T15:59:00.000-04:00

As everyone knows festivals and community events are good ways for candidates to meet the people of Cincinnati. Beginning in May with the first festival of the year, St Catharine of Siena, and running straight through to Oktoberfest. Festivals can be tough on campaigns. You spend every weekend during the summer traveling from festival to festival. This weekend has been especially tough on campaigns. This weekend there were four church festivals plus Blues fest and Goetta Fest. The Eby for City Council campaign hit them all, but it wasn't easy. Thank you to all of our volunteers and to all the great people we met at every festival.

AFL-CIO Endorsements

2007-08-02T21:25:00.000-04:00

Today the AFL-CIO released their list of endorsed council candidates. Unfortunately I did not make the list. Although I was not chosen I want to thank my friends from the AFL-CIO for allowing me to interview before the endorsement board. For those who may not know I am a past member of Local Union #8. I hail from a union family as five of my six brothers belong to a union. My uncle, Vince Eby, was an international vice-president for the Pipe Coverers/Asbestos workers. My cousin Gary Eby is an attorney practicing Labor Law. I believe that unions are part and parcel of the fabric of American life. Unions play a vital role in business, civic and political life. It is my belief that we can improve unions, union productivity, union wages, and union benefits. Union work and Union membership is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It is a community, quality-of-life issue. I want to thank my good friends from the building trades, AFSCME, the retail workers and the transportation workers for their willingness to think progressively. For their willingness to look beyond party lines and rhetoric. For their willingness to take a chance on a moderate Republican.
I will post my answers to the AFL-CIO on this website. Take a moment and browse through my answers. Let me know what you think. Ask other candidates to show you their answers and let them know what you think.

Local 392 Family Picnic

2007-07-29T09:22:00.000-04:00

My family has been very, very supportive of my campaign but there have been times when my children have said, "Are we going to another festival this weekend?" My kids enjoy themselves when they make it to the festival, but you can only go to so many festivals before they all start to look the same.

On Saturday my family was invited to attend the Plumbers and Pipefitters family picnic at Stricker's Grove. I didn't need to ask my kids twice to attend this event because they love picnics and Stricker's Grove. The Plumbers and Pipefitters do a fantastic job with this event for their families. Free amusement park rides, cotton candy, popcorn, soda and ice cream - a kids dream come true! The park was packed and it was good to catch up with some of my grade school and high school friends who work in the trade. Events like this within the union do more than just provide its members with an afternoon of fun; they build camaraderie.

Thank you Local 392 for the kind invitation to your family picnic. My family thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

96.5 FM City Talk Radio

2007-07-24T22:46:00.000-04:00

On Sunday night I had the pleasure of sharing the radio studio with City Council Candidates Greg Harris and Mitch Painter. We were invited by Michael Sweeney and his co-host Tom Schaefer of the City Talk Radio show to discuss our campaigns. I've met Greg Harris several times and I've always been impressed by him. He was well prepared and on top of his game during the interview. This was the first time I've met Mitch Painter and I have to say his energy is infectious. Both men ( like me )believe that Cincinnati's best days are just around the corner, but we need to elect council member's who can think past the eight years that they are on council. It is a crowded field this year and the voters are going to have to be on top of their game. If you are happy with the direction of the city continue to vote for the same group of people, but if you want change than you have to vote for change.

The Sounds of Stanbery

2007-07-22T09:20:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, with my family in tow, I visited the Sounds of Stanbery celebration in Mount Washington. The day long music celebration was sponsored by the Mount Washington Community Council and featured Elliot Ruther, the Dancelot Studio, Mr. Bodashius, the Steve Mutter Trio and The Woomblies. The good people from MWCC who organized and ran the event couldn't have asked for a better day. Thank you MWCC we really enjoyed ourselves.

Stanbery Park was dedicated in 1940 and is named in honor of Brigadier General Sanford B. Stanbery who had his home on the park site. The park has a huge shelter, playground equipment, a walking trail and several hiking trails. One hiking trail extends to the Little Miami Scenic River Park on Elstun Avenue and is part of the National Trail System of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Along the Albert Shoop Trail, named in honor of Stanbery's caretaker, you will find wildflowers of all varieties.

St Lawrence Festival Price Hill

2007-07-07T17:05:00.000-04:00

Festivals and parades are one of the best ways to meet people in Cincinnati. Every two years city council incumbents and hopeful candidates invade the Cincinnati church festival circuit. Some weekends campaigns will have to attend three different festivals on the same night. This weekend my campaign visited my childhood neighborhood of Price hill and attended the Saint Lawrence Church festival.
This small parish is one the places that makes Price Hill great. The congregation of St. Lawrence was organized in 1868 and the original church was dedicated on June12, 1870. The church architecture is absolutely gorgeous. As an engineer working in the building trades I can't help but marvel at the buildings construction. Those old Deutsch, stone masons certainly knew their craft and practiced it with pride. Stop by the church sometime soon. Meet the good people of St. Lawrence parish and see why it is one of the cities hidden gems.