It's Time for Cincinnati to S.O.A.R. to New Heights

By George J. Zamary

My plan for Cincinnati. "S"afety, "O"verhaul spending, "A"dding population, and "R"educing taxes.

SOAR is an acronym:

Safety + clean and safe. We must support the police in the community and actively work to make the city safer. People are not going to move into historic neighborhoods if they are putting their lives and property in danger.

Overhaul spending + people deserve the right to feel the government is spending their money wisely. Today, the expenditures for the City are rising at 4% with revenue only growing at 2%. Council is dipping into the reserves and not balancing the budget. This must stop.

Add population + both residential and business. Since the 1970s, the city has lost 1/3 of its population. Lexington, Louisville, Indianapolis, and Columbus have all gained population.

We must add population and reverse the trend of the last 30 plus years. We must target a new middle class known as the "creative class," made up of young professionals, empty nesters, and artists back to the city.

If these three objectives are met, then council should be able to do the unthinkable ----- reduce our taxes.

Right now the tax burden is too heavy on those who live and work in the City. Our taxes remain some of the highest in the state. They cause people and business to leave for the suburbs or other states. WE need to implement a plan to bring this to an end.

WE must also not forget the first ring suburbs in our plans. Westwood, Price Hill, Northside, Hyde Park, Oakley, the list could go on, are all part of the city... Council must work with their community leaders to achieve progressive development.