Speaking Out Against Issue 22
Amy Murray (R)
Cincinnati City Council
"As Transportation Committee chairwoman, I've been working on some of these projects, like the Wasson Way and Oasis Bike Trail, for two years. However, I don't think a property tax levy should be in the City Charter."
Marian Spencer
Civil rights activist, former Cincinnati vice mayor and NAACP president, and Charter Committee board member
"A property tax levy should not be in the city charter ... parks and all their activities to be open and accessible, free of charge to everyone ... This park levy should not be for capital projects only ..." read more
Sierra Club
"Sierra Club has carefully considered both the contents and
the intent of Issue 22. We have performed due diligence by meeting with other proponents of the charter amendment and listening to the informed opinions of our more than 5,000 Miami Group members. At our most recent Executive Committee session, Sierra Club voted to oppose Issue
22."
Gerry Kraus
Community activist and former coordinator for the North Avondale Neighborhood Association
"I oppose this proposed parks levy because it will be a charter amendment rather than a normal property tax levy ...because the money raised will not be used to maintain our public parks as a source of pleasure for all Cincinnatians to freely enjoy ..." read more
The Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes
"With proposed projects such as restaurants, beer gardens, roads, and golf course expansions, this tax hike arguably does more to destroy nature than it does to enhance it ... COAST opposes a permanent, costly property tax increase as well as the poor accountability of the funds that would be raised ..." read more
Charlie Winburn (R)
Cincinnati City Council
"I want to support the parks with Norfolk Southern."
Wendell Young (D)
Cincinnati City Council
"We are concerned about the lack of input from the public on identifying projects the tax would fund, and with the possibility that some parks would no longer be free for every family, regardless of income, to enjoy."
Audubon Society of Ohio
Ned Keller, President
"At our board meeting last night, we voted to oppose Issue 22, and to communicate our opposition to our membership."
Tom Brinkman, Jr (R)
OH House of Representatives,
Dist. 27
Jim Tarbell
Former Cincinnati vice mayor; By mayoral proclamation, "Mr. Cincinnati" for life.
Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition
Chris Seelbach (D)
Cincinnati City Council
"The allocation of the money generated by the proposed 1-mill tax increase is concerning. The only role the nine citywide elected council members have is to issue bonds to pay for the projects, giving one person, Mayor John Cranley, the majority of the control. With respect toward democracy and the value of every council member and his or her constituency, this is yet another troubling part of the tax increase."
Yvette Simpson (D)
Cincinnati City Council
"I am a huge supporter of parks, but I have huge concerns about Issue 22, a permanent tax without a repeal or clawback provision that does not allow the legislative body to expressly evaluate projects for which taxpayer dollars are spent. Further, many of these projects can and should be funded within our capital budget, or in partnership with the Port Authority."
Michael Earl Patton
Community volunteer; Former Cicinnati Council candidate.
"It’s often the details that really matter. There are so many things wrong with Issue 22, the so-called “Preserve Our Parks” levy, that it is hard to know where to begin ..." read more
Believe in Cincinnati
Charter Committee of Greater Cincinnati