Streetcar Interview on 700WLW

Admitting he hasn't looked at the plan yet, but also sentimental for the trolleys he grew up with, Mike McConnell takea a "pro" position. Some of the topics discussed are:

• People will get on a streetcar who would never get on a bus.
• Why should I buy your ride to work?
• Petition drives circumvent the usual process because we can't afford to let representatives put us into debt before firing them.
• Is the jail tax referendum to blame for current jail shortage?
• Does stimulus funding allow us to get what we want at someone else's expense, or just put us in Washington's back pocket?

This interview aired live on 700WLW's morning Midday program a little after 9:00AM on February 27, 2009.

Open Letter to President Obama

Northern Kentucky businessman David Hosea has built a business empire in greater Cincinnati, and he has done so through hard work and gutsy entrepreneurship.

Mr. Hosea has written a bold letter confronting President Barak Obama on the direction our nation is taking. Read it here (and weep).
Hosea Letter to President Obama

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Government Business & Legal 2008 president

Council Giveaway Ignites Firestorm

Local media attention ran high after COAST challenged Cincinnati City Council's illegal Feb. 11, 2009 ordinance earmarking $300,000 for the Glencoe Hotel and Condominium project.

WLWT-TV interviewed former resident Victoria Steel, who said, “Right now, there's nobody down here, and look at it, because it's worth saving. We just hope and pray that somebody will put up the money and try to get the community back the way it was.”

WCPO-TV interviewed Councilmember Chris Bortz, who said, "It's really not the right use of public dollars. When we invest in a property on a private side, generally it's part of a development agreement. There are claw back provisions. The city has a stake in the development and more than just an interest in seeing it done. This isn't that. This is literally writing a check to a private owner to fix a private building. This would be like you going down and saying, 'Can I have money to fix my roof?'"

UC Bearcast Radio's (22:52-36:05) Explore Cincinnati host Travis Estell interviewed COASTer Mark Miller, who said, "By short-circuiting the [legal] process, City Council has, you know, kind of thrown a pie in the face of everybody who obeys the law."

Funds were originally allocated to improve city-owned portions of the jobsite as part of a pending agreement with a private developer. City officials were unable to come to terms with the developer and dropped the deal. But recent storms destroyed the roofs, accelerating deterioration of the properties, and the owner was unwilling or unable to fix them, prompting Council to order stabilization of the private property at public expense.

A week earlier, Building Cincinnati reported that, "In a memo to council, city manager Milton Dohoney Jr. says that the funding cannot be used for anything other than public improvements, and that City staff will continue to design those improvements until directed otherwise." The Cincinnati Enquirer later reported the same. So why did Council reject Dohoney's counsel?

Lawyer Leslie Ghiz, followed the law and voted against it. Professional property developer, Chris Bortz, did too. Jeff Berding, honeymooning out of town, didn't vote. The remaining 6 Councilmembers saw nothing wrong with spending public funds on a private project, and drove the measure through.

Building Cincinnati, who broke the story, said "In supporting the redirection of City funds, the amended ordinance noted that 'preservation of such buildings would serve the public interest of the citizens of Cincinnati'". That would be true if there were any citizens in the buildings to protect, but the City ordered them vacated for safety reasons.

The simple fact is this developer at this time is simply not going to get financing.

1. It is $209,000 behind in property taxes,
2. it is subject to foreclosure suits,
3. it is subject to criminal prosecution for poor maintenance of the building, and
4. the capital markets are seized up as never before.

Even if converting these buildings into housing was an entirely laudable public purpose, even if the expenditure and the other $5MM of city funds committed to the project are an inefficient way of getting there, these monies and all the money the City has to throw at this project WILL NOT result in a single housing unit being developed a this site in the next 10 years. It's delusional to think we are going to “save” these buildings with NO REALISTIC PLAN to turn it into housing units.

Some of the damage to the Glencoe buildings can be seen in the slideshow below. Hover for player controls, and click any image for a larger view.

COAST's Biggest Draw to Date

COAST fundraiser on Thursday February 19 draws 263 attendees, our largest gathering yet.

Here, featured speaker John Kasich makes a point about the massive Obama administration spending package.

Also speaking were COAST Chairman Jason Gloyd, COAST founder Tom Brinkman, Jr., State Auditor Mary Taylor, Secretary of State Candidate Sandy O'Brien and war hero Dr. Brad Wenstrup.

Thanks to all our members, our host committee, our speakers and our many generous donors for making this event a resounding success!

COAST Fundraiser to Feature Patriot

Dr. Brad Wenstrup, Major, U.S. Army to deliver the pledge

COAST will be joined at its fundraiser tonight by Cincinnati Physician Dr. Brad Wenstrup, a major in the United States Army. He will be delivering the pledge of allegiance before the speech by former Congressman John Kasich, to start off the evening.

Dr. Wenstrup is also a Podiatrist with Wellington Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine. He returned home to Cincinnati on May 28, 2006 after serving on active duty for fourteen months with the U.S. Army 344th Combat Support Hospital. Task Force 344 Medical spent one year at Abu Ghraib Prison Hospital, Iraq.

At the end of his tour, Major Wenstrup was awarded the following:

• Armed Forces Reserve Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Combat Action Badge
• The Bronze Star Medal

Major Wenstrup is currently assigned to the 4220th U.S. Army Hospital and is an active member of the U.S. Army Reserve.

Please join us tonight to meet Dr. Brad Wenstrup. We promise a raucous celebration of the revolution sweeping the nation rejecting the socialization of the American economy. You can be part of this movement.

The COAST Fundraiser will be held this evening (Thursday, February 19) at the Montgomery Inn in Montgomery at 6 PM. It will also feature former Congressman and Fox News Commentator John Kasich, State Auditor Mary Taylor, former Congressman Steve Chabot, County Commissioner Greg Hartmann, County Auditor Dusty Rhodes, County Treasurer Rob Goering, County Prosecutor Joe Deters, County Engineer Bill Brayshaw, State Representative Robert Mecklenborg, GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou, and Sycamore Township Trustee Tom Weidman.

You may sign up at the door. Tickets are $75 per person and $100 for a couple. RSVP to Jason Gloyd at 240-4996, or Jason.Gloyd@cbws.com. Or, you can purchase tickets on our web site at http://www.gocoast.org/ and our blog at http://www.coast-usa.blogspot.com/.

Join the revolution. Join COAST. Join Now.

The new $800 billion bailout
on top of the original $850 billion bailout
$75 billion more for mortgage foreclosure assistance
$30 billion more for General Motors and Chrysler
on top of the $21.4 billion they have already received
$2 trillion of additional bank bailouts
Locally, $777 million for a Super-Sized Jail Tax
a $200 million for a wasteful trolley,
$75,000 for David Pepper’s girlfriend’s Film Commission
Red Light Cameras
and
$300,000 for free roofs for private property owners

Yeah, it’s important

John Kasich Reminds Us What's Important

Come see and meet John Kasich at the COAST Fundraiser tonight.

February 19, 2009
6:00 - 8:00pm
Montgomery Inn
9440 Montgomery Rd
Montgomery OH 45242

Paid admission includes two complimentary beer or wine tickets, hors deoeuvres, and sandwiches piled high with world-famous Montgomery Inn pulled pork and chicken barbecue! Guests can talk politics with our speakers and star-studded host committee listed below.

5:45 PM Registration/Cash Bar
6:00 PM Dignitaries arrive
6:20 PM Food is served
6:50 PM Army Major, Dr. Brad Wenstrup leads Pledge of Allegiance
6:55 PM COAST Chairman Jason Gloyd welcomes guests
7:00 PM Sandy O'Brien comments on statewide taxes & spending
7:05 PM State Auditor Mary Taylor speaks on preserving tax funds
7:15 PM Former Congressman John Kasich gives keynote address
7:35 PM Formal program concludes
8:00 PM Event concludes

HOST COMMITTEE

Kimberly & Mark Ayer	Theodore & Peggy Hubbard
Donald Bock	Robert Mecklenborg
Jack Boyle	Chris Monzel
William & Joann Brayshaw	E. Paul Naberhaus
Thomas E. Brinkman, Jr.	Daniel & Kellie Peters
Steve Chabot	John Rabenold
Piotr Chomczynski	Daniel Regenold
Joseph Deters	Dusty Rhodes
Christopher & Diane Finney	Durk Rorie
Jason Gloyd	Brian Shrive
Hon. Robert Goering	Alex Triantafilou
Curt C. Hartman	Michael Valentine
Hon. Greg Hartmann	Tom & Dianne Weidman
Phil & Rebecca Heimlich	Charlie Winburn

Buy Tickets Here

One Person $75.00Couple $100.00Additional Person $50.00

State Auditor Mary Taylor Protects Taxpayers

Come see and meet Mary Taylor in person at the COAST Fundraiser tomorrow night.

February 19, 2009
6:00 - 8:00pm
Montgomery Inn
9440 Montgomery Rd
Montgomery OH 45242

Paid admission includes two complimentary beer or wine tickets, hors deoeuvres, and sandwiches piled high with world-famous Montgomery Inn pulled pork and chicken barbecue! Guests can talk politics with our speakers and star-studded host committee listed below.

5:45 PM Registration/Cash Bar
6:00 PM Dignitaries arrive
6:20 PM Food is served
6:50 PM Army Major, Dr. Brad Wenstrup leads Pledge of Allegiance
6:55 PM COAST Chairman Jason Gloyd welcomes guests
7:00 PM Sandy O'Brien comments on statewide taxes & spending
7:05 PM State Auditor Mary Taylor speaks on preserving tax funds
7:15 PM Former Congressman John Kasich gives keynote address
7:35 PM Formal program concludes
8:00 PM Event concludes

HOST COMMITTEE

Kimberly & Mark Ayer	Theodore & Peggy Hubbard
Donald Bock	Robert Mecklenborg
Jack Boyle	Chris Monzel
William & Joann Brayshaw	E. Paul Naberhaus
Thomas E. Brinkman, Jr.	Daniel & Kellie Peters
Steve Chabot	John Rabenold
Piotr Chomczynski	Daniel Regenold
Joseph Deters	Dusty Rhodes
Christopher & Diane Finney	Durk Rorie
Jason Gloyd	Brian Shrive
Hon. Robert Goering	Alex Triantafilou
Curt C. Hartman	Michael Valentine
Hon. Greg Hartmann	Tom & Dianne Weidman
Phil & Rebecca Heimlich	Charlie Winburn

Buy Tickets Here

One Person $75.00Couple $100.00Additional Person $50.00

Sandy O'Brien - Ohio Tax Fighter

Come see and meet Sandy O'Brien at the COAST Fundraiser this Thursday.

February 19, 2009
6:00 - 8:00pm
Montgomery Inn
9440 Montgomery Rd
Montgomery OH 45242

Paid admission includes two complimentary beer or wine tickets, hors deoeuvres, and sandwiches piled high with world-famous Montgomery Inn pulled pork and chicken barbecue! Guests can talk politics with our speakers and star-studded host committee listed below.

5:45 PM Registration/Cash Bar
6:00 PM Dignitaries arrive
6:20 PM Food is served
6:50 PM Army Major, Dr. Brad Wenstrup leads Pledge of Allegiance
6:55 PM COAST Chairman Jason Gloyd welcomes guests
7:00 PM Sandy O'Brien comments on statewide taxes & spending
7:05 PM State Auditor Mary Taylor speaks on preserving tax funds
7:15 PM Former Congressman John Kasich gives keynote address
7:35 PM Formal program concludes
8:00 PM Event concludes

HOST COMMITTEE

Kimberly & Mark Ayer	Theodore & Peggy Hubbard
Donald Bock	Robert Mecklenborg
Jack Boyle	Chris Monzel
Hon. William & Joann Brayshaw	E. Paul Naberhaus
Thomas E. Brinkman, Jr.	Daniel & Kellie Peters
Steve Chabot	John Rabenold
Piotr Chomczynski	Daniel Regenold
Hon. Joseph T. Deters	Hon. Dusty Rhodes
Christopher & Diane Finney	Durk Rorie
Jason Gloyd	Brian Shrive
Hon. Robert Goering	Alex Triantafilou
Curt C. Hartman	Michael Valentine
Hon. Greg Hartmann	Hon. Tom & Dianne Weidman
Phil & Rebecca Heimlich	Charlie Winburn

Buy Tickets Here

One Person $75.00Couple $100.00Additional Person $50.00

City Council Gives Private Property Owner Free Roof

$300,000 grant has no strings attached (oh my goodness)

COAST challenges legality with taxpayer demand letter

In one of its most brazen wastes of taxpayer monies ever, Cincinnati City Council on Wednesday voted to give $300,000 to a private property owner to replace the roof on an abandoned Mt. Auburn Apartment complex. The City has no development agreement with the owner, and the owner has no plans, financing or prospects for developing the property any time in the near future. Read the Council ordinance here.

Cincinnati City Council has voted to pay for a new $300,000 roof on these abandoned apartment buildings in Mt. Auburn that are owned by a private for-profit developer. There are no promises, prospects or financing to assure it will be developed further.

“Cincinnati City Council has degenerated from wasting tax money on foolish public projects,” said COAST Chairman Jason Gloyd, “to wasting tax monies on pet projects of preferred private for-profit property owners. What possible public interest would exist to waste money on this project is unfathomable. That our elected leaders fail to understand the difference between public projects and private, for-profit development is stunning.”

COAST believes the expenditure is not just unwise, but flat-out illegal. Ohio law requires that tax dollars be spent for a proper public purpose. Improving private property owned by a for-profit developer can never be a public purpose, unless a contractual agreement outlines an exchange of equal value. Absent that, the expenditure is illegal. On Monday, COAST will send a letter to the City Solicitor demanding that he act to prevent that illegal expenditure, and if he fails to act, COAST will initiate a taxpayer suit on the matter to recover the public's funds.

All 7 parcels are listed on Cincinnati’s Abandoned/Vacant Building Maintenance List and have been ordered vacated due to unsafe conditions. Utilities were shutoff in 2002, violations began piling up in 2004, and Criminal complaints have been underway in Cincinnati Municipal court since May 2007 for failure to comply with Orders; arrest warrants were issued in May 2008.

The Auditor lists the value of the real properties (dubiously) at $1.4 million, but they are mortgaged for $1.6 million, and are all in foreclosure. The developer owes another $214,000 in unpaid property taxes and other debts which will also be assessed to the property. Even if this were legal, it simply flushes more money down a endless rathole.

All members of Council voted in favor of the illegal misspending except for Council members Chris Bortz (352-3255) and Leslie Ghiz (352-3344). Please call them to thank them for doing the right thing. And call the other members who voted for this and ask them what in the hell they were thinking.

2008-02-16 2:30PM Councilmember Jeff Berding reports that he has voted against all Glencoe appropriations, and would have voted against this one too if he wasn't away on his honeymoon. COAST apologizes for the error and wishes Mr. & Mrs. Berding a long and happy marriage.

Here are the parcels, values, tax deliquencies, and code violations that make up this project:

Parcel ID	Address	Mkt Value	Taxes Owed	Record #	Notes
0880009006500	49 GLENCOE PL	$243,680	$36,141	B200700032	* Yellow South WSLIC Foreclosure I
0880009006600	7 GLENCOE PL	$362,920	$53,752	B200703405	* Pink East WSLIC Foreclosure III & V
0880009006900	4 LE ROY CT	$241,640	$35,891	B200604437 B200403223 B200402767	* Brick Boarded Up North WSLIC Foreclosure IV
0880009008300	1 LE ROY CT	$152,180	$26,157	B200604438	Brick South WSLIC Foreclosure A1 Prop Tax Foreclosure
0880009008500	2 GLENCOE PL	$373,020	$55,371	B200805930 2004P04222	* Pink/Blue North WSLIC Foreclosure II 5/3 Foreclosure
0880009009500	10 GLENCOE PL 34 GLENCOE PL	$6,020	$472	B200606793 B200404935 B200404941 B200704664 B200404942 B200703966	Surface Parking Lot WSLIC Foreclosure II 5/3 Foreclosure
0880009009700	45 GLENCOE PL 46 GLENCOE PL 47 GLENCOE PL 49 GLENCOE PL 49 GLENCOE PL 144 GLENCOEPL	$10,100	$801	B200404936 B200404937 B200404938 B200700032 B200606789	* Surface Parking Lot WSLIC Foreclosure II 5/3 Foreclosure
Totals		$1,389,560	$208,585

*Tax Lien Certificate Pending

Here's a timeline of project activity with links to source documents:
2009-02-17 NAACP: City unfair to Glencoe developer
2009-02-17 Enquirer: Critics warn city, intended gift is illegal
2009-02-16 Cinti Beacon-City Council Gives Property Owner Free Roof
2009-02-16 Bldg Cinti Blog-Glencoe funding will be used for stabilization
2009-02-11 City Council to spend $300,000 to repair Inwood’s Property
2009-02-09 Bldg Cinti Blog-Glencoe Developers Need Bldg Stabilization Money
2009-01-09 Bus Courier-Cincinnati realty firm seeks to raze historic buildings for Christ Hospital
2008-10-25 AbandonedOnline-History by Sherman Cahal
2008-10-06 Bldg Cinti Blog-City Approves $300k for Glencoe-Auburn Improvements
2008-09-17 Bldg Cinti Blog-Motion to jumpstart stalled Inwood Village project adopted, but questions remain
2008-06-06 5/3 Bank sues for foreclosure. Case A 0805447
2008-06-00 DAAP/Fein-Glencoe Place History Study
2008-03-06 Hamilton County sues for foreclosure for unpaid taxes. Case A 0802334
2008-02-12 City sues Inwood for $1920.50. Case 08CV04869
2007-12-24 Bldg Cinti Blog-ODOD changes status on Glencoe-Auburn
2007-11-21 Urban OH Blog-Misc Discussions & Photos from late 2007
2007-09-26 Bldg Cinti Blog-Inwood Village project seeking preservation tax credits
2007-05-24 Inwood charged criminally. $10,000 capias. Case /07/CRB/18646
2007-05-10 Inwood charged criminally. $10,000 capias. Case /07/CRB/16559
2005-10-17 City -Finance Committee Denies Van Der Haer Smitherman wants update
2005-07-15 Auto Owners Ins. sues for garnishment of $3958.91. Case 05CV19636
2005-05-30 Bus Courier-Mount Auburn condo deal up for City Council vote
2005-04-11 5/3 Bank mortgages 3 parcels for $270,000.
2005-03-24 City Letter-City Spends Millions on Glencoe
2005-03-15 WSLIC sues for foreclosure. Case A 0502253
2005-03-01 Pauline Van Der Haer purchases Fleming Rd estate.
2004-12-16 Cohen, Todd, Kite & Stanford mortgage for $250,000 (pg 41).
2004-12-09 Clinton Springs, Ltd mortgages for $25,000 (Pg 41).
2004-09-24 Bus Courier-Inwood condo project on the outs with City Manager
2004-04-16 Bus Courier-Historic Row House to be reborn as condos
2004-01-26 Enquirer Article–Glencoe ‘Hole’ now historic
2003-05-28 WSLIC corrects property description and extends maturity (Pg 68)
2002-10-18 WSLIC mortgages all parcels for $1.1 million.
2000-01-16 Enquirer Article-Remaking Sycamore Hill

Steve Chabot - Rock Solid Fiscal Conservative

Come see and meet Steve Chabot at the COAST Fundraiser this Thursday night.

February 19, 2009
6:00 - 8:00pm
Montgomery Inn
9440 Montgomery Rd
Montgomery OH 45242

Paid admission includes two complimentary beer or wine tickets, hors deoeuvres, and sandwiches piled high with world-famous Montgomery Inn pulled pork and chicken barbecue! Guests can talk politics with our speakers and star-studded host committee listed below.

5:45 PM Registration/Cash Bar
6:00 PM Dignitaries arrive
6:20 PM Food is served
6:50 PM Army Major, Dr. Brad Wenstrup leads Pledge of Allegiance
6:55 PM COAST Chairman Jason Gloyd welcomes guests
7:00 PM Sandy O'Brien comments on statewide taxes & spending
7:05 PM State Auditor Mary Taylor speaks on preserving tax funds
7:15 PM Former Congressman John Kasich gives keynote address
7:35 PM Formal program concludes
8:00 PM Event concludes

HOST COMMITTEE

Kimberly & Mark Ayer	Theodore & Peggy Hubbard
Donald Bock	Robert Mecklenborg
Jack Boyle	Chris Monzel
William & Joann Brayshaw	E. Paul Naberhaus
Thomas E. Brinkman, Jr.	Daniel & Kellie Peters
Steve Chabot	John Rabenold
Piotr Chomczynski	Daniel Regenold
Joseph Deters	Dusty Rhodes
Christopher & Diane Finney	Durk Rorie
Jason Gloyd	Brian Shrive
Hon. Robert Goering	Alex Triantafilou
Curt C. Hartman	Michael Valentine
Hon. Greg Hartmann	Tom & Dianne Weidman
Phil & Rebecca Heimlich	Charlie Winburn

Buy Tickets Here

One Person $75.00Couple $100.00Additional Person $50.00

COAST/Kasich Fundraiser Gains Momentum

Bi-partisan Political Stars Sign-on as Co-Hosts

Reserve your spot now!

Former Congressman and Fox News Commentator John Kasich

The COAST 2009 fundraiser featuring former Congressman and Fox News Commentator John Kasich is gaining momentum as the February 19 date approaches, with new sponsors getting behind the event. COAST is hosting its annual fundraiser with Republican Super-Star, Congressman John Kasich, at the Montgomery Inn in Montgomery on Thursday, February 19 from 6-8 PM.

State Auditor Mary Taylor will be join us at this event to introduce John Kasich. Together, Congressman Kasich and State Auditor Mary Taylor, along with Rob Portman, are the star team who will help us make Ohio competitive for attracting families and jobs in our tax structure and fiscal discipline.

State Auditor Mary Taylor

Also joining us that evening as a special guest will be Dr. Brad Wenstrup, Major, United States Army Reserve; Medical Service Corps. Dr. Wenstrup is an Iraq war veteran who is a rising star in the local Republican party.

RSVP to Jason.Gloyd@cbws.com or call 240-4996

You can purchase your tickets on line at http://www.gocoast.org/Donate.aspx
Read more about the event on the COAST web sit, http://www.gocoast.org/ and the COAST Blog, http://www.coast-usa.blogspot.com/

Buy Tickets Here

One Person $75.00Couple $100.00Additional Person $50.00

The Growing List of COAST Hosts for this are:
Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters
Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Hartmann
Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes
Hamilton County Treasurer Rob Goering
Hamilton County Engineer Bill Brayshaw

Former Congressman Steve Chabot
Former State Representative “Taxkiller” Thomas E. Brinkman, Jr.
Sycamore Township Trustee Thomas Weidman
And although former Congressman Rob Portman can’t join us,
he will be sending his wife, Jane, to promote his U.S. Senate campaign

Always entertaining and enlightening, this COAST event will be a raucous celebration of the revolution brewing in this state and nation against out of control taxes and spending, and threat of our nation’s rapid transformation into a socialist, command economy. COAST has had a resurgence over the past 24 months, an advance even more pronounced since the liberal victories in November.

The only way we can counter this breathtaking descent into unprecedented levels of taxes and spending is urgently to unite and fight!

Join COAST and these political stars of our community in promoting the cause of limited government and lower taxes.
RSVP to Jason.Gloyd@cbws.com or call 240-4996

************************************************

Lost in the political world?
Do you have to rely on the Enquirer for your news?
Now, you have run out of excuses,
because you can get completely plugged in with COAST’s e-communications network:

• Sign up for COAST e-mailed newsletters here.
• Visit COAST’s web site here.
• Comment on COAST’s blog here.
• Join COAST on Facebook here.
• Follow COAST on Twitter here.
• E-mail for more information here.
• Call Jason Gloyd for more information at 240-4996

We are honored to have The Honorable Mary Taylor as our Special Guest for this event. The solicitation for funds is being made only by COAST. In accordance with Ohio law, The Honorable Mary Taylor is not soliciting contributions from any person or business in conjunction with this event.

Boehner Blasts Porkulus Bill

What happened to our 48 hour waiting period?!?



Rep. John Culberson, TX claims the "stimulus" bill must be urgently voted on today because Speaker Nancy Pelosi is leaving at 6:00 PM for an 8 day trip to Europe! Culberson made the charge on Houston's KSEV radio.

Pelosi is hoping to lead a delegation to Europe; there's a meeting with the Pope and an award from an Italian legislative group. In the rushing, Democrats have now broken their promise to have the public see the $790 billion bill for 48 hours before any vote.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) predicted that none of his Senate colleagues would 'have the chance' to read the entire final version of the 1,071-page bill before it comes up for a final vote. When CNSNews.com asked members of both parties on Capitol Hill on Thursday whether they had read the full, final bill, not one member could say, "Yes."

The bill is expected to land on President Obama’s desk no later than Monday, and the president is expected to sign it into law--whether the nation's lawmakers have read it or not.

2009 COAST Fundraiser

Support COAST and bring a friend!

Thursday
February 19, 2009
6:00 - 8:00pm
Montgomery Inn
9440 Montgomery Rd
Montgomery OH 45242

FEATURED SPEAKER
John Kasich is a popular public speaker, businessman, Fox News Channel commentator and frequent guest-host for the "O'Reilly Factor." John's ability to communicate powerfully and effectively means he is in high demand to speak to national organizations and corporations throughout the country.

Hard-working and aggressive, Kasich has been in politics most of his adult life. The son of a mail carrier who grew up in Pennsylvania, Kasich went to work after college as an administrative aide to Ohio State Senator Donald Lukens, a position he held from 1975 to 1977.

In 1978, at the age of 26, Kasich undertook a campaign of his own and won election as a Democratic state senator. In 1982, he ran for the House as a Republican and won.

In the House, Kasich was appointed to the Budget Committee, where he has built a reputation as an attacker of bloated government and a supporter of strong efforts to reduce the nation's deficit. National Journal once described him as "one of the most innovative and daring budget-meisters in Congress."

SPECIAL GUEST
State Auditor Mary Taylor is one of three women appointed to represent the United States as a delegate to the 52nd United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

She is currently a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) where she serves as a member-at-large for the AICPA Council (term ending 2010). She is also a member of the Ohio Society of CPAs, the Ohio Government Finance Officers Association and the Association of Government Accountants.

During Taylor's service in the state legislature, she received the Watchdog of the Treasury Award and the 2006 National Federation of Independent Business Guardian of Small Business Award. Taylor is a 2003 graduate of the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, a program offered by the Midwestern Office of The Council of State Governments. In addition, Taylor was an adjunct professor at Walsh University where she taught accounting.

We are honored to have The Honorable Mary Taylor as our Special Guest for this event. The solicitation for funds is being made only by COAST. In accordance with Ohio law, The Honorable Mary Taylor is not soliciting contributions from any person or business in conjunction with this event.

HOST COMMITTEE

Kimberly & Mark Ayer	Phil & Rebecca Heimlich
Donald Bock	Theodore & Peggy Hubbard
William & Joann Brayshaw	E. Paul Naberhaus
Thomas E. Brinkman, Jr.	Daniel & Kellie Peters
Piotr Chomczynski	John Rabenold
Christopher & Diane Finney	Daniel Regenold
Jason Gloyd	Durk Rorie
Hon. Robert Goering	Brian Shrive
Curt C. Hartman	Alex Triantafilou
Hon. Greg Hartmann	Michael Valentine
	Tom & Dianne Weidman

Buy Tickets Here

One Person $75.00Couple $100.00Additional Person $50.00

Portune Panhandles DC Politicians

From: Portune, Todd
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 12:25 PM
To: COAST
Subject: Out of Office AutoReply:
Action Alert-Speak Out on Trillion Dollar "Stimulus"

Thank you for your email. I will be traveling to Washington DC Tuesday February 3rd and returning late night Thursday the 5th. While in Washington I will be meeting with key Congressional Leaders and Obama administration Officials about energy legislation and energy related stimulus bill projects.

If you have a specific issue or question demanding immediate attention please contact my aides Lisa Daria and kathy Binns. They can be reached at 946-4401, or 946-4402. Their emails are lisa.daria@hamilton-co.org and kathy.binns@hamilton-co.org.

Thank you,

Todd Portune

This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain private, confidential and/or privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, employee or agent responsible for delivering this message, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original e-mail message.

Clueless in Congress

500 million Americans lose their jobs every month? WTF?!?

FYI Madam Speaker, the Census Bureau lists the entire population of the United States at only 300 million. And only 116 million of them are employed (non-farm). The rest are retired, students, or free-loaders.

Speak Out on Trillion Dollar “Stimulus” Bill

The United States Senate is poised to vote on an unprecedented $1 trillion dollar so-called “stimulus” bill. In fact, combined with the unprecedented levels of spending imposed during the waning days of the Bush administration, the spending plans have and will impose on this county a new command economy directed not by private entrepreneurs and free enterprise, but by the Presidency. The enormous levels of spending, combined with unprecedented control over these new dollars without even Congressional input, signal a dangerous new direction for our nation.

COAST needs you to contact your senators to express your firm opposition to this rapid socialization of the American economy. Our frequent partner for economic liberty, Americans for Prosperity, has set up a web site to expose some of the ridiculous spending items in the so-called federal stimulus bill.

http://www.nostimulus.com/ gives a lot of great information and it provides links to contact our Senators directly. It also has an on line petition which has received more than 23,000 signatures as of 9:00 AM yesterday morning. (25,700 as of noon)

1. Sign the petition! [Click Here] COAST also encourages people to visit the web site and forward the petition to everyone in their email list.

2. Call your Senators! COAST also asks our supporters to call both of our Ohio senators every day until the stimulus package is voted on. Call the local office and the Washington office each day and express your outrage at the pork, the debt, and the lack of stimulus.. If you can't get through, GREAT. That means a lot of people are calling and our message is getting through. Keep trying.

• Senator Sherrod Brown
  Cincinnati: 513-684-1021
  Washington: 202-224-2315


• Senator George Voinovich
  Cincinnati: 513-684-3265
  Washington: 202-224-3353

3. Attend Townhall Conference! AFP is sponsoring a national tele-townhall with Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) to talk about the stimulus legislation. DeMint has been a great leader in the fight against earmarks, pork, and wasteful government spending. Anyone can join the call as follows:

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 at 8:00 pm EST.
Telephone: 1-877-229-8493
Dial Pin # 13896

North COAST Membership Meeting is Tonight!

Third in a successful series -- please join us

After wildly successful east and west COAST meetings, tonight (Monday, February 2) COAST will hold its third and final regional membership recruiting meetings, this one at 6:30 PM at the Heritage Green Clubhouse in Deerfield Township, Old Village Drive, Loveland, Ohio 45140. Please join us if you can, and bring a friend along. Call Kim Grant (513) 479-8475) if you get lost or have questions. RSVP via email.

Cut Property Taxes - Seminars Added

Five MORE new dates added.

COAST attorneys have been holding a series of free property tax reduction seminars to train homeowners and commercial property owners how they can successfully challenge their property tax valuations reflected on their January 2009 bills from the County Treasurer. Those seminars were each completely "sold out," with more than 60 persons attending each class.

These new, free classes have been added, and they are filling up quickly as well.

North COAST Membership Meeting

Wednesday, February 4, 6 - 7:30 PM
Heritage Green Clubhouse
Old Village Drive in Deerfield Township
Loveland, Ohio 45140

The event is especially designed for our members in Butler and Warren Counties
Please join us for a raucous evening of tax fighting. Bring your pitchforks along. Call Kim Grant (513) 479-8475) if you get lost or have questions.Please RSVP via email

***This event will contain an abbreviated version of the tax reduction seminar***

Tuesday, February 3, 6 - 7:30 PM
Anderson Center
7850 Five Mile Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45230
More information is here or RSVP.

Wednesday, February 4, 6 - 7:30 PM
Home Builders Association
415 Glensprings Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
More information is here or RSVP.

Thursday, February 5, 6 - 7:30 PM
Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors
14 Knollcrest Drive
Reading, Ohio 45237
More information is here or RSVP.

Monday, February 9, 6 - 7:30 PM
HORAN Offices
4990 East Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45236
More information is here or RSVP.

Steve Driehaus shows his hand:

Yet another big-spending Democrat

For years, Steve Driehaus has claimed to be a “conservative” democrat, and has campaigned telling his constituents that he has west-side, fiscally conservative values. Well, the new Congressman was tested with his first major vote – on the bloated $819 billion stimulus bill. He voted “yes.”

The Enquirer asked Driehaus about his inaugural vote and he cynically declared: "I take very seriously the notion that we should be balancing budgets," he said. "But when we are facing an economic crisis as bad as this, there is little choice but government intervention."

Um-hm, the big spenders always have a reason, don’t they. Expect more of the same from this traditional tax-and-spend democrat.

Cincinnati Requests $12.6 Million of Federal Stimulus Package For Trolley

Boondoggle railroaded on voters

Ignoring the WeDemandAVote.Com coalition’s petition drive to force a public vote on Council plan for a $400 million trolley system serving only three neighborhoods, Mayor Mark Mallory in January asked its Congressional delegation to support inclusion in the federal stimulus bill of $12.6 million for the nascent trolley plan. A copy of the City’s request is here.

The request is part of an overall request by the City of nearly $333 million in Stimulus funds. Read the entire request here. COAST supposes we should be happy there is no request for funds for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in there.

Cincinnati City Council first approved the trolley plan in April of last year. The Council resolution called for raising $32 million of the costs for the plan from private sources and charged the City Manager with doing the private fundraising. The April resolution called for the City Manager to report to Council quarterly on his fundraising results. To date, the City Manager has never issued such a report and no private funds have been donated.

The City did, however, extract $3 million from Duke Energy as part of a complex kick-back deal in which the City consented to a higher rate increase than Duke requested, and sold them 20,000 city-owned streetlights for $200 a piece. Cincinnati previously maintained the lights themselves to save money under a recommendation by the Smale Commission. The city sellout abandons that strategy to raise some quick cash.

The WeDemandAVote.Com coalition, which has placed three issues on the ballot in the past two years, has committed in 2009 to placing an issue on the ballot preventing the expenditure of major funds by the City for passenger rail transportation without first receiving the approval of voters. Call Mark Miller at 513-617-2263 for your copy of the petition and instruction sheet, or e-mail Treasurer@GoCOAST.Org.