City leaders should know there are a lot of us who 1) want to pay our fair share for a stronger community, 2) want to invest in the future, and 3) don't want to see cuts, but we need a better levy and process. I voted yes for the levy, but a lot of great people I know who want to invest in Columbus public education voted no. I believe my neighbors and I had reasonable concerns that weren't fully addressed, like: lacking a strategic plan to measure success and ensure accountability, including money for charters, and wanting space for community input. People can understand this is complex - poverty is pervasive, state funding has fluctuated greatly, diverse interests mean compromise, etc. - but this past campaign didn't feel honest or accountable to voters. We can do better together!

Carbon dioxide causes climate change. It increases temperature and it accelerates the water cycle. Higher temperatures bake pollution already in our air into ground level ozone, causing 3,800 premature deaths every year in America. In the words of EPA head Gina McCarthy, “One thing we know for sure: when the weather gets hotter, smog gets worse, and people of all ages suffer.” The United States needs to burn less coal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The coal industry and the 160 climate-change-denying members of congress that accept their donations complain less coal burning will raise the cost of energy. These same individuals complain about a lagging energy market. A lagging energy market means people are using less energy. This is a good thing! Energy efficiency needs to be institutionalized. Our environment simply cannot withstand the impact of a robust fossil fuel market. The EPA needs to construct a plan to use less energy and lower carbon dioxide emissions. They need congressional support.

Dror Feiler is a man of conscience and--above all--a human being who is not an enemy of the people of Israel. The denial of his right to visit and support his mother is unconscionable and does not accord with the values of a democratic state.

I have been closely following what little is being leaked and reading reports about the super-secret Trans Pacific Partnership and Transatlantic Free Trade Area. I have participated in a national coalition of interested citizens groups. I am adamantly against Fast Track of TPP and, of course, the TPP itself, as well as the TAFTA free trade agreement. I fear the loss of sovereignty of our governmental structures from bottom to top to multinational Corporations. We stand close to losing not only of our governmental sovereignty, but also of the very soul of our country and the ruin of our beautiful blue planet. This cannot be allowed to be perpetrated. In order to get this through Congress, President Obama will be asking Congress to approve Fast Track legislation. We urge mayors across Texas to oppose this power grab, and Texas' senators and representatives in Congress must vote NO on Fast Track legislation.

John Cranley and 5 council members want to cancel the Streetcar project, which is currently underway. Stopping the Streetcar project would be a significant waste of tax dollars that have already been used in the planning and construction of the project up to this point and federal funds specifically allocated for the project that would have to be returned and would be used in other cities. Termination of the project will also severely hamper our city's appeal to future residents and graduates of the area's educational institutions who we would like to remain in Cincinnati rather than moving on to bigger and more progressive cities. Please ensure that we continue the momentum that we have seen in other areas of Downtown by completing the Streetcar. Please note that is not the ballot initiative for the Charter Amendment. In order to sign the petition to get the Streetcar placed on the ballot, please visit 27 E Court St (M-F, 9-5) or email [email protected].

As the mother of a special-needs child, I find this name highly offensive. I am disappointed that such a well-respected company would offer a product that has such an insensitive name. "The R Word", or any version thereof, is simply unacceptable.

Parks and Recreation is in control of the building and in order to obtain the rights to the building we have to show them that enough people want this! For anyone who ever went to the jaycees as a young kid and the jaycees provided a social hangout for you and your friends on the weekends. A place that was both constructive and conventional to people that both want to pursue the arts and entertainment as a hobby or a profession. The Jaycees provided both a safe haven in it's environment and initial exposure to the foundation of musical entertainment.

Dr. Van Winkle was convicted of a crime he could not have physically committed and one there was no evidence supporting. He was a great man that helped his community and those that were in need through dentistry. He needs to be pardoned and those at fault need to be brought to justice

The Red Knot is a small, plump, reddish shorebird - and a true wonder of nature. With a wing span of only 20 inches, these tiny explorers migrate almost 20,000 miles each and every year. But the Red Knot population has declined almost 90% since 1989. It went from being among North America’s most abundant bird species to the brink of extinction in less than 20 years. Climate change, overfishing of horse shoe crabs (their key food source) and other factors are to blame - but now it's up to us to save them. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to protect the Red Knot rufa under the Endangered Species Act. Doing so would not only benefit the Red Knot, but other shorebirds since many other species have similar long migrations and are declining due to habitat pressures. But in order for The FWS to follow through on this recommendation to turn into a real listing your help is needed. The 90-day public comment period closes soon and before it does we need as many people as possible to support strong protections for these miraculous fliers. The Red Knot is just one of many species threatened with extinction in our country. From beetles to birds to bats hundreds, if not thousands of animals are disappearing. The Red Knot rufa could easily become one of them if action is not taken today. Do your part to keep another species from disappearing. Extinct means forever. You can learn more about the Red Knot at our Facebook page facebook.com/FriendsoftheRedKnot Or our website: http://www.friendsoftheredknot.org/

Currently, gas stations are not environmentally conscious, cost effective, or convenient for Hybrid car owners. Hybrid cars are consistently gaining popularity and gas stations should begin to cater to their needs to improve environmental impacts and the cost for hybrid car owners.

Starting this petition because the senator has abused the powers granted to her to influence the contract to be given to her husband for tremendous financial gain. These abuses can no longer be tolerated.

The 19th and 23rd districts were combined in 2011. The 19th district had a staffing of 249 officers while the 23rd district had a staffing of 214. With the consolidation of these two districts, staffing decreased to 356. In addition, 57 police officers are detailed out to other jobs, which leaves the 19th district with only 299 officers. From 2011 to 2013 overall citywide police staffing dropped by less than 7%. In the 44th Ward we had a decrease of 35%. There is a vast difference between citywide and 44th ward decreases of manpower with no explanation. The 19th district is a well known entertainment district. It is the home of the historic Wrigley Field, the lively Clark Street tavern and food district, the historic gay community, most commonly known as "Boystown” with its 30 liquor licensed establishments, and most importantly, it is our HOME. Crime dominates the daily news in the 44th Ward and countless crimes go unreported because residents have given up on reporting, therefore the distorted low crime rate. The perception of an unsafe neighborhood is pervasive and is a detriment to our community. Please see articles http://ow.ly/qmB7R and http://ow.ly/qtS0M on crimes in the Lakeview neighborhood. The residents of 44th Ward are grateful for our distinguished police commander, District Commander Elias Voulgarus, and his continued tireless dedication to the neighborhood. However, the faces of our Commander, his police officers, and the residents of the 44th Ward show the daily frustration due to the lack of sworn officers. The true crime increase in the 44th ward is directly related to the decrease in police staffing which also decreased our quality of life. While the manpower statistics speak for themselves, perception is stronger than reality and we feel unsafe. Please return our full appointment of police to our district.