Cincinnati City Council

In 2013, the Cincinnati mayor’s race is likely to suck most of the air out of the room, as it has since the city adopted direct election of the mayor in 2001.

But it is not the only important race in Cincinnati next year.

There is this little thing called a city council election; and it will be vastly different this year than any other since the city charter was created in the 1920s.

As of now, Cincinnati voters will be electing nine council members for four-year terms, instead of the two-year terms we have had since 1927.

Michelle Dillingham, a former aide to the late city councilman David Crowley, announced Friday she will be a candidate for Cincinnati City Council in 2013.

Dillingham, who is from Kennedy Heights, will seek the Democratic Party's endorsement in the council race.

She is currently working for a regional labor-management fund "to tackle industry issues of mutual interest" to business and labor, "such as transportation funding, family-supporting wages and workforce development," according to her campaign website, www.michelledillingham.com.

Cincinnati Council will spend the rest of the week completing work on the 2013 city budget. 

About 40 people spoke during the final public hearing Monday night in Corryville.

There were again a number of speakers who asked Council to preserve funding for Media Bridges.  It operates several cable-access channels and a small radio station in the city.

Executive Director Tom Bishop said turnout for the group should show Council Members the value of the service.

Could Cincinnati's massive general fund budget deficit be gone?  It could be, but it comes with a big if.

Earlier reports suggested City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. would have to close a $34 to $40 million deficit.  

But during council committee meeting last week at least a couple Council Members dropped hints his plan will again close the deficit with no layoffs for city workers.  

Reportedly the manager could close a large portion of the deficit with a sizeable up-front payment in a contract to lease the city's parking system to a private operator.  

Cincinnati Council is expected to vote Wednesday to approve the city’s first comprehensive plan in more than 30 years. 

The Livable Communities Committee approved the proposal Monday night. 

The document has been in the works for more than 3 years and focuses on what the city will look like in the future.  Specifically it has strategies that for the first time focus on economic development activities in the neighborhoods. 

Planning and Buildings Director Charles Graves described the plan this way.