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March 2005
We the People and Issues that are Changing it All
Whatever happens in the next year—from social, to political, to non-profit—meet some of the young professionals who are sure to be involved.
By Michael D. Altman
Queen City Forum Magazine editor in chief
When you think of the movers and shakers behind the front-page stories of local politics, the people who make ballots move and issues spin, you probably don’t picture twenty- and thirty-somethings at the front lines. And when you think of social and political organizations, you probably don’t picture young, fresh faces leading, organizing and motivating these groups. But behind some of the big stories you’ll find some unexpected names, names of the up-and-coming. And whatever influence these young players have exhibited in the last year, you can be sure it will be only more so in the stories to come.
Big, Small... Decided: One Issue Changes Everything
Many, including Leslie Ghiz, look no further than perceived selection point-man Sam Malone, defender of Article XII—which Ghiz so vehemently apposed--and heir de throne of the local GOP after DeWine left for County Commission. However there is a larger issue, a simple issue…money. As in, money talks and bullshit walks. Councilman Malone doesn’t seem to have so much clout when you consider Carl Linder, Jr. not only championed Article XII as well, but he holds a considerable amount of stock in the local and national GOP and whose son, Carl Linder III, sits on the advisory board of Citizens for Community Values which financially fortified the “Equal rights, not special rights campaign” for sustaining Article XII in Cincinnati. The table was set long before Malone came to the dinner party.
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Front Runner for City Council
In local politics, Leslie Ghiz was not selected to replace Republican Pat DeWine on City Council. In much of public speculation, she was the odds-on favorite for at least six months, having received more votes than any runner-up Republican in City Council election past. Loved by County Republican strongmen such as Greg Hartmann and party chair Michael Barrett, champion of Bush/Cheney in Hamilton County —why did she not get chosen?
In this particular race, the table may have been set before Ghiz arrived on the scene, outmaneuvered by hidden handshakes and checks that were already in the mail. But this will not be the last we see of Leslie Ghiz. On the contrary, she’s just gaining speed.
Mayoral Rumble
Now we have another development that may play out similarly—the current Mayoral race in Cincinnati . The issue is the Hyde Park Methodist Church expansion. Doesn’t seem like a big deal in the city, right?
Consider that if David Pepper, the early favorite who has the advantage of people such as maximum campaign contributions from Robert Johnson, owner of the BET Network and the Charlotte Bobcats, doesn’t lock down the east side of Cincinnati, he may not be the next mayor.
The “Honor Your Promise” signs, which crowd lawns in the area like fans at a playoff game in Yankee Stadium, opposing the expansion, suggest that Councilman Pepper will have to take a side on the church issue if he wants to secure the east side. Interestingly, Pepper’s grandmother is on the board that is for the expansion of the church, an unpopular side of the issue in this situation. |
If you look at the voting demographics for Mallory and Reece, all three will do well throughout the city, but each has an anchor. Pepper’s is Hyde Park , Mallory the 9rd district [the West End ], and Reece Bond Hill. If a Republican is thrown into the race and traditionally Republican-voting east-siders have a reason to not vote for Pepper, the race will be spread thin and it will certainly be anyone’s ballgame.
Due to some fired-up people and a seemingly small issue, the fledgling Hyde Park Church issue right now looks be the issue that determines whether the young Pepper will be Mayor.
The Lighter Side… Young Activism
Enter Chrissy Heubi, Hyde Park native and Indiana University graduate. She returned to Cincinnati for medical school this year and has quickly, through her work at Children Hospital , been swept off her feet by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati (DSAGC).
The 25 year old feels very strongly that young professionals in Cincinnati need to take active roles in organizations such as DSAGC. “Everyone who is a young professional should be concerned and should be prepared,” the young med school student appeals. “I know there are a ton of organizations in town and not a lot of young people are putting their energy into them.”
Joe Colaco, a young Procter & Gamble employee, thinks that with people like Heubi at the front, young professional support will build. “When you find a jewel, you want to stick with it,” Colaco adds. “People like Chrissy are so motivated about the community, it’s infectious.”
Chic-to-Chic
Another young woman making a splash is Arlene Aranzamendez, founder of Fashion on the Rocks. This year Aranzamendez will be hosting the 2 nd annual chic-to-chic benefit for the Hearing Speech and Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati. Saturday April 9 th at the National Underground Railroad from 7pm to Midnight , the evening will feature spring and summer fashions and diamonds. The models are from New View Model Management, and can they walk! Along with the fashion show come music, dancing, a silent auction and great hors d’oeuvres. Arlene is all about supporting and spotlighting Cincinnati retailers. Who says you can’t find the latest trends right here!
What’s great about this event is that is draws a diverse crowd, including people who are highly supportive of local charities, people who are directly involved with the Hearing Speech and Deaf Center, and Arlene’s famous followers who know fashion and a great party. Proceeds will benefit the Hearing Speech and Deaf Center , which has served Cincinnati for the past 80 years. For ticket information call the center at 513-221-0527.
Pushing Buttons
While organizations such as the Blue Chip Young Republicans [BCYR], continue to thrive on the momentum of the presidential election, many on the anti-Bush side of things have struggled to find a focus or
organization, feeling as if their cause had the wind knocked out of it. But two Cincinnati women found a way to maintain the solidarity that was forged during campaign season and direct it in a positive way, a functional way... a progressive way--in both meanings of the word. They call their organization “WE… the people for change.”
We the People for Change Buttons
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Marji Mendleson recalls, the urge that was echoed on the campaign trail was, “If Bush wins, I’m gonna' leave the country. Then [after Bush did win], it’s like, ‘This is my country, I’m going to take it back!’”
Mendleson, and Co-Founder of WE Janice Weiss, wanted to take the focus off partisanship and create what they describe as an umbrella for all kinds of people with the focus on education of the issues. “We’re for truth, which is fundamentally not partisan,” says Weiss.
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“The story that is being told isn’t even one-tenth of the real story,” contends Mendleson, “I feel it’s very non-partisan to distill through the mess and find the truth… The mantra of Bush/Rove is to keep it simple, repeat, repeat, repeat, and use fear.” Mendelson and Weiss believe this creates a wall of mis-information under which the truth is buried.
The mission of their organization is so much more imperative now, after the election ended in defeat for those who voted against President Bush. It has given the downtrodden and confused volunteers and activists left over from the campaign a focus, hopefully linking “d emocrats, independents, progressives, and moderate-republicans from diverse backgrounds and organizations into a far-reaching movement of fearless dissent.”
(It) has an awesome personality…
Politics is not the only arena in which young people have been making an impression. Just check out the clubs Alchemize or Purgatory, or the restaurants like Nicola’s, the Diner, or Nicholson’s, and you’ll see their influence there as well. This city may project an ugliness sometimes, with its racism, intolerance, and clashing between governing bodies, but when you look at the positive, you’ll see that it still has an awesome personality.
“The City has a lot to offer, we just need time to redevelop it,” concludes Stuart Hensel, vice chair of the BCYR.You’ll see proof of the young people acting as catalysts for all the big things that have happened and are going to.
QCF Magazine staff writers Joshua Pringle and Kimberley Shroyer contributed
Michael D. Altman writes “I Don’t Mind Telling You” based on insight into the direction politically and socially of this, the Pepsi Generation (No--- that’s Gen Y?). The fact checker responsible for this confusion has been sacked (fired). The column appears as a weekly feature in QCF magazine.
Contact Information
· michaelda@queencityforum.com
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