A Time For Celebration

By Tom Neyer, Jr

This paper was delivered during my installation ceremonies as President of the Board of Commissioners. It is a reflection of the past, anticipation of the future and a celebration of all that we are as a community.

I am told it's a bit uncustomary to gather like this in today's circumstances. There is no great intrigue here, no unfolding drama, no last minute speculation as to who will get what position and lock out whom to get it, I had to laugh at our anti-climactic hubris as -- last week -- we mailed invitations to "the election of Tom Neyer, Jr." as President of this Board.

What we lack in theater, however, we clearly make up in activity and potential. Though it is a predictable installation, I need your support and this community needs to come together. So I asked you here today, and I sit honored and genuinely moved that you found time to come. You didn't come for the pastry though, so let's join together for a few minutes of community reflection, anticipation, and celebration.

Reflection. Let's look back a few years, to another exciting time. For so long in this community, it felt like we were on a winning streak -- and we were. We spent the 1970's and the 1980's executing dreams and decisions embraced in the late 1960's. Think about that amazing period of change. A dynamic crew of community leaders, led by Gene Ruehlmann, examined questions quite similar to those facing us today.

Where should we put a stadium? Should we build an exposition hall? How can we route 1-71 so it doesn't obliterate irreplaceable neighborhoods the way 1-75 did? How big should the stadium be? Why bother preserving that obsolete, infested Music Hall? Maybe we should demolish it, as with the other old theaters -- we'll never want those downtown again. What should our stadium look like? What are these new Federal funds and rules - a "Block Grant"? Would a bridge connecting our core with Northern Kentucky and Anderson Township help us with improved regional mobility, or more harm us by promoting urban flight?

Do we even need a new stadium? How can we possibly afford to keep our municipal university competitive -- maybe the state would help? What is the best way to meet our regional transportation needs? What color should the tickets to our new stadium be? How do we really want downtown to look, work, and feel? All of these planners, positively certain of absolute contradictions … What do you mean, "move the Tyler Davidson Fountain?" And about that damn stadium …

Like most amateur historians from Cincinnati, I could go on and on about the excitement of that period. Unlike most amateur historians, though, I'll lose my audience in about fifteen minutes, so I'll end my list here. You get the point, though: things were changing! Profound, generational changes in the way our community looked, governed and ift into the world around us. After years of review and debate, those leaders then made decisions that, appropriately, took twenty years more to fully implement.

We moved, we built, we grew, and we saw World Series victories, new office towers, great highways, the Who concert, growing neighborhoods, riverfront parks, Airport expansions, a Bicentennial, shiny new stores, "Striper Bowls", Tall Stacks and on and on. My family always went to Hilton Head for vacation, and even as a kid I was so proud to tell anyone who would listen about the cool things we were doing around Cincinnati. Of course half of Hilton Head was from Cincinnati - but I was still preaching.

Well finally, after a twenty-five year ride, we ran out of gas. More accurately, we ran out of decision. The choices that we as a community made in the 1960's and the executed in the 70's and 80's were either completely fulfilled or no longer relevant by the 1990's.

The first part of this decade, was, for most of us a frustrating time during which our cherished new image suffered. It suffered because governments changed, markets changed, lifestyles changed, and we didn't. Initially we remained confident that the world had momentarily deviated from our true course. Finally realizing that we, in fact, were lost, we slipped into a meandering period in which inertia and indecisiveness ruled.

This is the fault of no one person, of no one group. Rather, it is the painful but inevitable result of a long journey completed, with tomorrow's path unknown. I don't mean to overstate it -- it wasn't abysmal -- but for the first time in at least twenty years, we were going there to see how they "did it". That was, for me at least, a humbling reversal.

That time is behind us. Now, it is our turn.

Among the privileges of this new position is to make an occasional "State of the County" address. I don't get to do that for a few months though, and I'm just too excited to wait. What I can do now, however, is ask you to share with me a few minutes of anticipation. On January 13, 200@, some lucky person is going to sit where I do now and deliver their own "State of the County" address. Since that fortunate soul might not have had time to think it out completely, I'm going to help. Let us now anticipate our future, and listen to the state of Hamilton County, five years and one day from this moment:

Paul Brown Stadium continues to be a source of community pride. Since the day the last paint dried, just in time for the start of football in the year 2000,.more than 3 million people have come through the turnstiles. In addition to several special events, football fans have packed 8 pre season warm-ups, 32 regular games, and four post-season thrillers. Television audiences around the Nation have come to recognize the building's dramatic lines as a powerful symbol of a vibrant community's renewal. Eight years later, aren't we glad that Bob Bedinghaus had a dream.

It's been exactly one hundred years since the Cincinnati Reds opened their Palace of the Fans, the first stadium that was actually designed to be in a community, not on it. Now, our fabled Redlegs are again in a fitting home. Can you believe all the time and energy that we wasted talking about a site? It seems ridiculous now, because baseball would have worked in that other place just as nicely. If only we spent that misdirected energy on... Oh well, that's in the past. The overriding point is that we now have a facility, of enduring value to the County and the Reds, that is integral to its surroundings and promotes greater things around it. Consistent with the dream approved by voters on March 19, 1996, our community's major league standing is assured.

Construction continues on the Sabin Convention Center. Having found produce companies, railroads, and nightclubs insufficiently thrilling negotiations, the Commissioners have acquired property controlled by a media conglomerate and the Federal Highway Administration to allow a $250,000,000.00 expansion to the west.

In a related matter, County Administrator David Krings has taken a sabbatical. He is spending six months back in Minnesota, where I understand he is picking daisies, aging Gouda and repeatedly mumbling something about Commissioner Neyer's delusions.

The City of Cincinnati has exceeded all aspirations with the renaissance of its downtown, Formerly referred to as the "Central Business District", this core of our region is once again an energetic hub of residences, shopping, dining, and entertainment. The amenities and excitement have actually increased office employment downtown, helping to reverse the declining earnings tax base so common to older cities. The vibrant pulse one feels walking through varied attractions and districts explains why visitors from around the region and around the world ask: "have you seen Downtown Cincinnati lately? Why can't we have that?

Make no mistake; this impressive feat was led by the City of Cincinnati. They are due great thanks for its success, as would they be due great ridicule had it failed. I am proud to say, though, that this Board too deserves credit for the vital but supporting role we played in this effort, It wasn't pretty at the time, but it sure looks worth it now. Investments that the County made as part of stadium development now serve many purposes. Our expenditures on land, parking, roads, and streetscapes, not to mention the stadiums themselves, are dollars that the City can spend on Over- the-Rhine, Fountain Square, and myriad other improvements critical to our shared urban core.

As with support to other jurisdictions within the County, these contributions were appropriate. They leveraged other dollars so that the entire community benefits. I am proud that we took an opportunity to aid the growth of an area that in so many ways, tangible and not, powers the entire region. Feeling not threatened but thrilled, relevant leaders embrace the initiative of others. Within its means, this Government will continue to magnify and assist the progress of others in Hamilton County.

These glittering spaces are of little consolation to still too many in our community. Though Hamilton County continues to earn recognition for the way its government handles human services, much work remains. Back in 1997, eight thousand adults were identified as a particularly hard to serve population. Two years into the new millenium we are halfway to success. Four thousand have been moved off of welfare and into jobs and classes that allow them to stabilize themselves.

The personal responsibility that these steps require of welfare recipients, once thought hardhearted, is now recognized as more compassionate, not less. This understanding exists partially because programs introduced with welfare reform do offer dignity and opportunity to those who need them. More critically though, as this government insisted on responsibility from its clients, we insisted on responsibility from ourselves. Policies using, food as a hammer to enforce compliance were abandoned, and those offering childcare-and transportation were enhanced, Pray we recognize that these "least of our brothers" could just as easily be ourselves; the way we choose to treat them will stand long after,. any stadium has crumbled.

Most people in Hamilton County, though, are doing better than ever. The investments we've made over the past few years are now paying dividends. True, some of these dividends are intangible things like "pride" and "quality of life". As valuable as those qualities are, citizens of this community are also seeing real payoff in their pocket. The jobs created by public construction projects are good paying and develop the skills of our residents. With this community's commitment to its future so evident, local companies are growing and new ones are moving in. Our investments have prompted others with high paying, long lasting jobs that offer security to our families. There is no more fundamental role for government than this.

Because of those plentiful, high wage jobs, Hamilton County's budget has been in balance for years. This simple sounding statement is actually a phenomenal situation, one increasingly difficult in government finance. It is brought about by the elected officials of this County working with the six thousand professionals they employ to find innovative, efficient business practices. Beyond that, a goal of this Board remains to have as little government as possible, retaining competitive private sector services wherever practical.

These sound practices have allowed the County to maintain its Aa bond rating, a grade among the top five percent in the Nation. This unexciting but critical feat is all the more remarkable in the context of the financial calisthenics required by our huge capital investments.

Within that prudent financial structure is a commitment to the Arts in Hamilton County. Although we had been out of that arena for nearly twenty years, this Board now sees our Arts not as a luxury, but as the powerful tool they are to increase our region's competitiveness. Many communities can build new assets. One of the things that distinguishes our community is a uniquely rich tradition of cultural life for our citizens. Rich traditions, however, require new ideas and resources to stay alive. May we not forget how difficult, how distracting, how expensive it is to re-create assets that were once ours, and invest that we never lose those we now have.

A farsighted dream for our great region has recently come into focus. Last. fall, the United States Olympic Committee selected our bid to represent t Nation and compete for the 2012 Summer Games. A notion once thought incredible has graduated through possibility and into reality. Because Nick Vehr dared us all to exceed ourselves, "The Cincinnati Games" are now an accomplished vision. Next year, the International Committee will evaluate the proposal -- but we have already won. Even if the Games go to some other country, our community's potential has been affirmed by the world, and most importantly, by ourselves.

These final two points are perhaps the most promising developments in the state of our County in 2003.

I referenced this earlier, but it deserves special mention. In a condition known only to fantasy just five years ago, our region's two largest governments are cooperating. Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati now embrace the fact that only together may each they thrive. Cities and counties by design of law have strengths and responsibilities unique to each other. Recognition of those differences and pursuit of ways to align them for strength is energy spent wisely. The old fight over turf and hegemony was not.

Because of the productive demeanor brought with this awareness, our local politicians are gradually becoming regarded as true public servants. Although there are more difficult challenges than ever confronting all communities, including this one, our unity has equipped us to emerge stronger for the effort. Imagine that the incessant, public displays of parochialism, self-interest and acrimony that prevailed in 1997 were still present. Our community, which those in office are sworn to preserve, would have ripped apart. The fine residents of this County, no longer able to know or care which side was fight on what issue, would have given up on us all. In so doing, they'd have tragically given up on themselves. Thank God, the leaders of 1998 grew into leading.

We're back. It's 1998 again, and I hope you can see why I am so very excited for our community. This is a time for celebration!

This "State of Hamilton County, 2003", is a very real vision. I accept that it seems a bit unlikely, given the trials of the past year. I sit with you today, however, absolutely confident that this dream will be attained. 1997 was a difficult time, but not unforeseeable. It is illogical to expect that any community undertaking such complicated endeavors could do so with seamless motion. What matters now is that this Board, and though not my business I believe Cincinnati City Council, stand unwilling to permit the undoing of this dream.

When taking office last March, I referred to this community as a "Great American Center," a center of caring, justice, education, jobs, business, health, entertainment, culture, ideas, and leadership. "A Center of practically everything!" says my very focussed sister. While I agree this notion of a Great American Center is ambitious, I have great ambition for this community. This ambition exists not in a vacuum of idealistic dreams, but in proud awareness of au the people in Hamilton County can do.

When speaking of this County, my home that I hold so dear, I refer to us as people of great history, diversity, commerce, and culture. That too is great cause for celebration. Every strength we need to become this "Great American Center" is here for the asking. Our greatest disagreements are over how to capitalize on our potential, never whether in fact that potential exists.

Thirty years from now, when the next generation of community leaders combat seemingly overwhelming challenges, they will look back with wonder on the accomplishments of today. They too will conclude that because of the solid legacy left them they can and they must continue moving this region forward. That legacy will be left them by us.

Upon proud reflection of their past, fond anticipation of their future, and joyous celebration of their moment, they will choose to succeed. As will we. Thank you.