BY ANNE MICHAUD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Hamilton County commission candidate Marilyn Hyland announced her campaign platform on Monday, perhaps in recognition that a one-issue campaign can't work when the issue is on the ballot.
Ms. Hyland began her campaign as the pro-Broadway Commons candidate, as opposed to Republican Tom Neyer Jr. who voted for the Wedge riverfront site for a new Reds stadium.
With Broadway Commons now a separate ballot question, Ms. Hyland, a Democrat, hopes to broaden her appeal.
"By voting for Broadway Commons and Tom Neyer, you would be directing an unwilling participant to do something," Ms. Hyland said during a news conference on Monday. "He hasn't demonstrated any vision about Broadway Commons as a catalyst for downtown revitalization to date."
Announcing her platform, she promised:
Accessibility. She plans a commissioners' night at locations around the county to hear citizens' concerns. She promised to make house calls when necessary.
Jobs. Ms. Hyland would use the stadium construction to employ local workers and train African Americans in the construction trades. County commissioners have announced similar goals.
An end to E-check. Ms. Hyland would lobby state and federal lawmakers to eliminate the program because it has not improved air quality. Most cars pass inspection.
A light rail commuter system for the Interstate 71 Corridor and Eastern Corridor, the area reaching from downtown Cincinnati eastward to Batavia, and from Interstate 471 in Northern Kentucky to Milford.
The county should take over the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), while maintaining employees' jobs and civil service status. Currently, the city of Cincinnati manages the agency under a long-term contract with the county. The county sets policy for the MSD, including decisions about where to build new sewers.
County commissioners have proposed to take over the MSD several times and have met with opposition from city council.
Ms. Hyland said she would work cooperatively with city council to begin negotiating a smooth transfer of the agency, which has been troubled in recent months. Its director, Tom Quinn, resigned in April amid charges of mismanagement and faces a grand jury inquiry.
