This is the fourth in a series of articles on the Occupy Cincinnati movement. Time Magazine has named “The Persons of the Year” is The Protester. Loveland Magazine recently attended an “Occupy” meeting in Northside.
by Alana Johnson
After seven groups met individually, Occupy Cincinnati gathered as one large unit to discuss each team’s priorities. Donna and Reigal chaired the General Assembly. Teams expressed the ideas discussed in the small groups. These were written down on a large easel in the middle of the floor.
Team One’s priorities were the City of Cincinnati’s Housing Codes.
Sec. 1117-05. Purpose.
1117-05.1 General: The purpose of this Housing Code is to establish minimum housing standards necessary for the preservation of the public safety, health, and general welfare in all buildings, portions thereof, or premises used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes; to assign the maintenance responsibility of owners, operators, and occupants of dwellings and accessory buildings; and to adopt the administrative and penalty provisions of Chapter 1101 CBC (Administration).
Is the Housing Code being enforced fairly?
Team Two’s number one concern is gentrification (restoration of run down urban areas by the middle class resulting in the displacement of low-income residents.) Their specific concern is with 3CDC (Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation.) 3CDC defines itself as a non-profit, tax-exempt, private, real estate development and finance organization focusing on the revitalizing of Cincinnati’s urban core in partnership with the City of Cincinnati, the State of Ohio and the Cincinnati Corporate Community. 3CDC focuses on the central business district and Over the Rhine.
A comment was made that Over the Rhine has the largest income disparity in the USA.
Team Three’s priorities are the privatization of public assets, public space and public services.
Team Four’s concerns were the growing plutocracy (government run by the wealthy) in America. Corporate control of government has become the norm in the US.
Team Five’s priority was campaign finance reform. The Supreme Court’s ruling on “Citizens United” that granted corporations “personhood” must be overturned. Corporations are citizens and can give politicians unlimited, anonymous amounts of money.
Team Six addressed the issues of income disparity, foreclosures and unemployment. They stressed the need to start locally.
Team Seven’s concerns were health and wellness. Our food supply is provided mainly by corporate farms. Food security and food labeling were concerns. Monsanto owning patents on organisms it develops were mentioned. The inner city being a food desert and environmental degradation were discussed. Water supplies and utilities should never be privatized. They belong to the public.
Another concern mentioned was that the major media (TV and radio stations) are owned by corporations and access to information could be restricted.
Continue Reading the other Installments of this Series and read about Loveland resident Casey Abernathy...
Recent Comments