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Big Crowd For First Public Hearing On Cincinnati Budget

An overflow crowd filled a small room at the Oakley Recreation Center Thursday night for the first of three public hearings on Cincinnati's proposed budget for the new fiscal year.  

About 30 people offered comments on the spending plan during the two-hour long hearing.

Many of those attending were in favor of city funding to purchase the former Wasson Way rail line so it can be turned into a bike and hike trail. Mayor John Cranley recommended funding for it last week.

"Something that I don't think gets appreciated about the Wasson Way is the way that it's going to connect residential areas to jobs," said resident Luke Brockmeier. "I think it's really essential that we make sure the development at Madison and Whetsel and the development at Madison and Redbank get connected to Wasson Way.  So that everybody can bike to work, bike to entertainment, and most importantly, bike to services."

Many others spoke in favor of the various other neighborhood developments Cranley announced last week. Those include projects in Avondale, Bond Hill, Roselawn, West Price Hill, College Hill, Westwood, and Over-the-Rhine.

Another project includes funding in the next two budgets for a new recreation facility to serve the east side.

"Money spent on a new east side rec center is an investment," said resident Evan Nolan. "The current rec center is over-subscribed. We have to turn kids and seniors away from the events that we have. These are full paying city residents that pay to use these programs. If we have a new rec center, we can bring in more money that adds to the revenue that can be spread across the city and across the Cincinnati Recreation Commission."

There were also people who lobbied for human services funding, even though the mayor and a council majority have expressed support for keeping it the same as last year and perhaps adding too it.

"I believe that human services funding not only provides needed services to the most vulnerable citizens, but it give those citizens an opportunity to get back on their feet and be fully contributing members of their community," said Stacey Burge. "Which in turn is healthy for our growth and development as a city."

Another public hearing is set for Monday evening at the Reds Urban Youth Academy at 2026 Seymour Avenue starting at 6 p.m.  

Right now council is scheduled to vote on the budget June 15.

Jay Hanselman brings more than 10 years experience as a news anchor and reporter to 91.7 WVXU. He came to WVXU from WNKU, where he hosted the local broadcast of All Things Considered. Hanselman has been recognized for his reporting by the Kentucky AP Broadcasters Association, the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists, and the Ohio AP Broadcasters.