Chris Monzel's message hasn't changed since he ran and lost for Cincinnati City Council two years ago.

        But before being sworn into office Tuesday, he said people are now more willing to listen.

        “I was talking about this two years ago,” the 32-year-old Republican said after an announcement that he had been chosen to replace outgoing Councilman Charlie Winburn. “Citizens are now starting to take notice.”

Chris Monzel holds daughter Mary Grace, 3, as he is sworn in Tuesday by City Solicitor Fay Dupuis. Wife Jana holds 4-month-old son Jacob. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        His 1999 campaign focused on neighborhoods, and he said that's what he's going to concentrate on for the next nine months as he works on getting re-elected to the seat in November.

        He said that means a shift to basic services — repairing streets, cleaning up litter and fighting crime — from the distractions of downtown development, stadium con troversies and other issues that have taken up council's attention.

        “We need a vision,” said Mr. Monzel, a Winton Place resident and community council member. “We don't have the vision and the goals to take this city 10 years down the road.”

        While those might seem the words neighborhood activists want to hear, some were opposed to Mr. Monzel, who is white, replacing an African-American.

        “We were not supportive of this at all,” said the Rev. J.W. Jones, vice president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Cincinnati. ""This wasn't what we wanted at all.”

        Mr. Monzel, who holds a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University, says he understands the criticism.

        “I am sure the African-American community is going to ask, "What can a white, male Republican do for me?'”

        Mr. Winburn, who is resigning to take a position with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, brushed off any concerns about Mr. Monzel.

        “He is sensitive to the poor, to African-Americans,” Mr. Winburn said. “You won't see Chris Monzel targeting African-American groups.”
       
       

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