Two years ago at a community forum sponsored by WDBZ thebuzzcincy.com radio, at an auditorium across from the closed down Bethesda hospital in Avondale, former Councilman Charlie Winburn debated hard-core style with Councilman Cecil Thomas.
Both Winburn and Thomas won seats on Council and they have publicly clashed over everything from streetcars to health clinics.
At a recent Council forum at the Avondale Pride Center it was as if current Council Member Laure Quinlivan was the referee, as she was squished in between the bickering-pointing candidates.
Councilman Cecil Thomas accused Charlie Winburn of stealing the Open Cincinnati jobs plan, a plan he helped create, and turning it into the Winburn job’s plan-Cincinnati Competitive Edge initiative (CCE-I).
The arguing Councilmen may have irked some of the panelist, but the audience loved the energy between the two men.
Former Councilman Sam Malone called into Lincoln Ware’s radio program to give his thoughts on the debate.
“I loved the energy of the two men. We need to hear from their mouths, what they are about. Winburn is a great Councilman and I know that he will continue to bring solid ideas.”
It’s with good reason that the Councilmen are going at each other with the gloves and lubricant off. In the iron-clad laws of politics there isn’t enough room for two chocolate “foehead” brothers to occupy the same political space.
Presently, there are four chocolate “foehead” men running in the 2012 Cincinnati Council race. Seriously, and with all due respect to these men who are role models to many young black men. These men are needed and appreciated (by some) in the black community.
Cincinnati is 50 percent black and 23 percent of blacks are unemployed. Statics may reflect a lower unemployment number, but statics don’t include blacks not counted because they are not listed in the unemployment books or the ones standing on blighted street corners.
Black Cincinnatians are hurting and they are the dangerous “swing vote.” Their numbers are large enough to make or break a council candidate.
“I’m voting for Winburn and Smitherman and I’m walking out the door,” said a crass black Republican in Cincinnati who I did not asks permission to quote.
He’s not alone. On any given day one can listen to black radio in Cincinnati and discover that many blacks only plan to vote for two-five candidates.
It’s no wonder Winburn and Thomas publicly criticize the others record on City Council.
In an ideal world, there would be room on council for all four black men candidates. But in the real world, Life’s a big black (curse word) for the majority of black Cincinnatians. Only two will survive. Put on the boxing gloves.
In this corner…..
“Gonzo’s back.”
“Gonzo’s back.”