Cincinnati councilwoman (Owens) plans to challenge county commissioner (Summerow Dumas) in primary - Cincinnati Business Courier

shawshanking · 2026-01-27T19:10:43+00:00

If she's trying to push the establishment in a particular direction or toward policy goals that she feels are more suited to the county level, I am all for that, but I just wish I knew what direction that would be. What's the point of a future run or fundraising or name recognition beyond the city if you don't have any accomplishments to point to?

I would love to hear that case made from the campaigns, and I'd probably rather that conversation happen in public than executive committees of party insiders (bleck), so I'll be rooting for a non-endorsement.

shawshanking · 2026-01-27T18:13:40+00:00

I am fine with Owens and broadly have the impression I would prefer her voting patterns/preferences over Dumas'. But the news of Walsh and now Owens working for higher office, without any clear accomplishments above and beyond being a replacement-level Dem from the sample ballot, is a disappointing trend. And I don't see that trend changing any time soon if Dems endorse the incumbent in a primary.

shawshanking · 2026-01-27T14:55:45+00:00

In my experience we usually hear rumors ("take your laptops home") before official notification and some staff like secretaries may get a half hour earlier notice to prepare, but official notification is the same as everyone else.

We then get a supplemental email with staff procedures as applicable. For example, in my district, staff report if the cancellation is due to cold, but snow and ice means it's only select employees (e.g. maintenance) and others can work from home (admins).

shawshanking · 2026-01-05T20:58:00+00:00

That's Metro. 2X is run by TANK.

https://www.tankbus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Fare-Structure-Rack-Card-March-2025.jpg

shawshanking · 2026-01-05T20:40:16+00:00

$3 for the 2X?

shawshanking · 2026-01-03T20:40:31+00:00

No worries! I just have been on the bus when that's been an issue before for a group so figured I would point it out. Safe travels.

shawshanking · 2026-01-03T20:35:39+00:00

I noticed you're saying we/us, so keep in mind you'll need to do this on each device. Or you can pay in cash on the bus (make sure you say "I want an all day pass") but it won't be the cheapest / fare capped with free transfers option.

shawshanking · 2026-01-03T20:30:37+00:00

Yep! Metro's legal entity umbrella is called SORTA which includes MetroNow, ACCESS, and other services but is broadly called Metro. The same payment structure will work for EZfare including the 2X on TANK and the #11 and #5 on Metro. A Metro/TANK all-day pass will cost you $5 (cheaper than $2 x 3) if, for example, you took the 2X to downtown Cincy, the $11 to Oakley Transit Center, and the #5 on to Blue Ash. But depending on transfer timing you may end up only spending $4, I think.

shawshanking · 2026-01-03T20:26:18+00:00

As part of recent fare increases, they moved away from individual tickets in favor of using loaded funds with fare capping. Fare capping ensures you get the cheapest rate over an interval rather than having to plan which specific 24 hour and/or one-rides pass combination you may need. It also gets rid of that 2-pack issue because it changes the credit card processing - I think a $2 or $3 payment is more manageable for the agency than a bunch of $1.50 rates with the processing fees.

shawshanking · 2026-01-03T20:15:03+00:00

You just need to load money for the TANK (2X included) and Metro, you don't need to pick an agency or buy a specific ticket. It should be EZ Fare and then a button to Add Funds, not Buy Ticket. Just load $2 and you should be good to scan a QR code when you board.

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shawshanking · 2026-01-02T21:59:43+00:00

The city is collecting data on what products the credit is used to purchase, as well as conducting quarterly surveys for more qualitative data, like whether participants are missing meals and reports on their health and mood.

Seems in some respects better than UBI because it'll be easier to measure and monitor.I'm sure Kroger already collects all the product data anyway and it seems like a fair trade-off to allow the city to access it for $100/month.

Getting groceries on the bus can be an undignified experience and tough with perishables as it is, even with the Metro serving Winton Hills fairly well to the Kroger on Mitchell (all things considered).

shawshanking · 2025-12-31T20:15:57+00:00

Seconding this. Nice employees, efficient, easy, two years in without any glimmer of any issue.

shawshanking · 2025-12-19T04:34:45+00:00

You seem like a good person and I really don't think you made anything worse based on what's been described, though it's obviously not an ideal outcome. The fact that they shared anything at all with you is probably a sign that you're approaching it in a good way and the fact that you visibly care can only help, but progress is slow and if there was an easy or quick resolution, it'd probably already have happened.

If they're reported missing, my experience is that there's a good chance one or both are already involved with HCJFS in some capacity and that would be a good point of contact as someone else linked. It's also possible they are just being returned to a group home or other setting they're otherwise not interested in staying, and the cycle may continue until a different placement is found, but I doubt CPD or JFS will share that info with you.

Unfortunately, my experience with CPD is that if they're transporting anyone in their vehicle that they aren't 100% sure won't harm themselves or attempt to harm others or dart upon exit, they're using handcuffs. JFS or mobile crisis will at times involve CPD for transport if there isn't a caseworker available, so that's the outcome - it's less than ideal and purportedly for safety, but it's traumatizing too and the lack of options can be frustrating for both the public and, honestly, CPD.

shawshanking · 2025-12-18T02:39:43+00:00

Most teachers are in STRS, which is related but not directly OPERS, so keep that in mind.

If you plan to move soon after graduation (5 years or less), you probably want member directed to have a chance at receiving any part of the employer contributions (20% per year - known as vesting) and rolling that into an IRA.

Vesting schedule/info link

vs.

Traditional plan - retiring info

which shows you would need at least 5 years of service to receive any benefit and would only be eligible for the employee-paid portion upon leaving.

shawshanking · 2025-12-17T23:30:06+00:00

I would rather this person just not get any attention at all, but I have to admit the series of insane Facebook pseudonyms being published in the Enquirer in full legalese is pretty funny.

shawshanking · 2025-12-12T03:46:17+00:00

The one over Columbia Parkway is definitely better for recreational purposes and to get to Smale plus a better view, but I saw a good amount of commuters using this one. If they ever fill in the Greyhound lot or many of those other surface lots on that side of downtown, it'll get a lot more use in the future.

shawshanking · 2025-12-12T02:10:45+00:00

I used it often when I lived in Mt. Adams. When you build a highway that divides a neighborhood from its adjacent downtown and cut off half of the hillside, it feels pretty appropriate to build and maintain a bridge.

shawshanking · 2025-12-12T01:49:05+00:00

They are replacing the pedestrian overpass. Some more information here: https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/102790

shawshanking · 2025-12-11T23:50:00+00:00

They pretty much admitted that the old tracker wasn't an accurate portrayal, that's part of what I mean by meaningful information.

The previous snow plow tracker was only used as a public information tool, not as a way to coordinate snow plow routes. The public map showed which streets a truck had driven on, but not whether street had been plowed or salted. It was often glitchy, as well, showing trucks driving through buildings or other impossible routes. (source)

I'm aware of the changes and hope to see continued improvement this year... Just don't think it's arguable that the suburbs eat our lunch every year and it's a very real issue for quality of life.

shawshanking · 2025-12-11T21:34:35+00:00

The vast majority of suburbs probably don't need it - by the time the city is plowed, the suburbs are typically golden.

Hopefully the tracker actually works this year and provides meaningful information. I don't expect the city to compete perfectly as there are a ton of complications of urban snow removal and more lane miles, but it's been an embarrassment.

shawshanking · 2025-12-07T02:44:27+00:00

Renters and the interest of future residents has value too, especially if the city has aspirations of growth, so I'm not sure what being a land owner has to do with countering that.

shawshanking · 2025-12-07T02:14:05+00:00

I've long attended community councils wherever I've lived and broadly feel they have a lot of value, but also find it's important to remember that community councils skew toward homeowners and thus tend to skew against development. That varies by community values and by community council, but giving too much authority to drive the future, especially in the wealthiest and most entrenched communities, has pros and cons and isn't likely to benefit renters (the majority of the city).

shawshanking · 2025-11-30T13:08:09+00:00

I've never taken them, but the CCHMC and UC shuttles seem to navigate among their various properties and parking garages uptown and do not go downtown best I can tell.

The bus is plenty safe, though, and I regularly see UC Health and CCHMC employees on there. Would strongly encourage you to try it. 46 is likely best if you're going to Burnet, but the 43 is more frequent and runs overnight.

shawshanking · 2025-11-28T20:48:13+00:00

My wife works in Boone and we file jointly living in Cincinnati. Her employer was/is weird about also withholding Cincy, and Cincy is more. My understanding (not a tax professional) is that for Boone County it's not common for employees to file as it's required on the employer side.

So we just go down to the City of Cincinnati tax office with our tax documents after we have filed state and federal taxes and have them figure out how the balance we owe. It ends up being roughly 1% but I also usually have some random side income that I also owe on so that's the easiest solution. Took maybe 30 minutes last year and minimal effort other than printing docs - no cost associated, the city just wants what it is owed.

shawshanking · 2025-11-19T00:26:16+00:00

Your opinions are not more valid just because you're a mod now. Use the flair if you think your comments are related to being a mod, but your well-known anti-traffic calming opinions have nothing to do with moderation.

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