image from cincystreetcar.com
When I started this blog a year and a half ago, I decided I didn't want it to be political or negative. There are plenty of those kinds of local blogs. However, the streetcar plan is under attack by local politicians. I feel I need to use this space to get the message out. Please take some time to send a letter or email to your Ohio representative and senator who want to withhold tax money from the project.
Below is the letter that I sent. Feel free to use this letter and change it to your needs. We need to show these politicians that there is major support in the streetcar plan and that this will help our up and coming city.
Thanks to Melinda for providing the base for this letter and informing me about this issue.
Excellent information on the streetcar is available at cincystreetcar.com.
Senator/Representative ________:
I write to express my extreme disappointment in your attempt to exclude state funding from the Cincinnati downtown streetcar loop. While I respect your desire to focus spending on needed projects, your decision, in my opinion, is shortsighted and misdirected. Streetcars are widely supported among downtown residents and the greater metro area. Streetcars are important to me and everyone I know.
I am a 2000 graduate of the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. As I am sure you are aware, it's very important for cities to attract and retain young creative professionals. Most of my classmates decided to leave Cincinnati. I stayed because I feel the city has great potential.
My friends and family have noticed all the great things happening in our city's core. I have friends throughout the country excited about what Cincinnati is doing. When out-of-town guests visit, they are happily surprised with Cincinnati and everything that is happening downtown and Over-the-Rhine. They share all of the wonderful developments our city has supported and they notice and tell others.
I live within the Cincinnati city limits. I recently have been seriously considering purchasing a condo in Over-the-Rhine. My decision hinges on the streetcar plan. If the streetcar is approved and begins construction, I will move. I am sure I am not alone, as others have told me they are thinking the same. I am sure the city and Hamilton County would love me to become a home owner as opposed to renting as I do now.
By dismissing the streetcar project you write off the hopes and dreams of young people looking to settle or stay in Cincinnati. We are in the position to finally make a difference and I am hurt by your choice to snub the Council's efforts by claiming misuse of funds.
With the rising cost of gas and the constant assault on open space by subdivisions our city is poised to make a serious comeback. This is not without great challenges. You are well aware of the unfair reputation downtown and Over-the-Rhine has suffered from. The community needs your buy-in. Streetcars are just the stimulus we need. Can you imagine our great city returning to a place where people live, work, and play? I certainly can! However this dream is hard to imagine without streetcars. Streetcars ensure the development of businesses in a concentrated area; dependable public transportation; increased public safety; the ability to support a huge urban population; reduced dependence of costly and polluting fuel; the list goes on and on.
I hope that you will reconsider your stance on the streetcar project and support funding for this great opportunity.
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