Neyer

        The Greater Cincinnati Port Authority gained a possible development firm last week but may have lost a county commissioner in the process. The Port Authority needs the commissioner more.

        Twelve development teams submitted their qualifications to the Port Authority last week in an attempt to show they are capable of building the $600 million riverfront community known as The Banks. That list included Hamilton County Commissioner Tom Neyer's firm, Al Neyer Inc.

        Mr. Neyer has been the biggest supporter of The Banks on the commission and now may be barred from voting on any issue involving the project — particularly funding issues — while his firm is being considered.

        Some time next year the Port Authority will ask the county for interim financing to begin construction.

        If Mr. Neyer's firm is se lected as one of the developers, it would benefit financially. He has asked for an opinion from Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen on whether he can vote on issues involving The Banks.

        Mr. Neyer's exclusion would make passage of any financing package more difficult because it leaves just two voting commissioners — John Dowlin, who has been reluctant to spend county money to develop the riverfront, and Todd Portune, who doesn't believe the county has enough money for the project.

        Mr. Allen said he hasn't reached a conclusion on whether Mr. Neyer has a conflict of interest.

        “We're in the process of researching it now,” he said.

        Mr. Neyer has said he will not run for re-election in 2002.

        Chris Finney has an opinion on the matter. He says his organization, the Coalition Opposed to Against Spending and Taxes (COAST), will file a complaint with the Ohio Ethics Commission if Mr. Neyer votes on any matter involv ing The Banks.

        “I think the violation has already occurred,” Mr. Finney said.

        “(Mr. Neyer) voted to give the Port Authority all of its powers, and he (helped) appoint half of its board of directors. He should not deal in a profitable way with the agency he helped create.”

        Mr. Neyer said he doesn't believe there is a conflict of interest because the commission won't select the developer.

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