If people in the Tristate were polled on the subject, they would likely ask for less trauma and more tranquility in 2002 than they saw in the previous year.

        It remains to be seen if they will get it. But they can expect some things as the new year unfolds, including:

        Cincinnati City Hall: This will be the year theory becomes practice.

        Cincinnatians ushered in a new era in city government last fall with the election of Charlie Luken as the first directly elected mayor since the early 1920s. He's the first since then to hold considerable power and be more than a figurehead.

        First among the mayor's new powers is the ability to choose a city manager, with the approval of a council majority. Mr. Luken is expected to exercise that early and then set about restructuring the city administration.

        The newly elected council — which includes two first-term Democrats, David Pepper and David Crowley — unanimously passed a budget in December that will add 30 police officers to the police department in 2002 and introduce “managed competition” for some city services such as street cleaning, convention center management and fueling city vehicles.

        Cincinnati police: Police officials expect to present a response this month to the Justice Department's 23-page preliminary report suggesting massive changes in the Cincinnati Police Department's policies and practices on the use of force.

        Implementing the changes recommended by the Justice Department, city officials say, could cost millions — a daunting prospect in a time of shrinking city revenues and budget-cutting.

        The consensus at City Hall is that money will have to be spent in order to avoid the possibility of an even more costly Justice Department suit against the city.

        Racial profiling: Parties to the racial profiling lawsuit filed against the city will begin informal negotiations as part of a mediation process to settle the suit in the next few weeks.

        Jay Rothman, president of Aria Group, a Yellow Springs-based conflict resolution firm leading the mediation, said he expects significant progress on settling the suit by Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 21.

        Aria has already collected input from more than 3,500 residents on how the police and community can better get along.

        Politics: Democrats have a chance to do something this year in Hamilton County that they have not done in more than a century: win a majority on the three-member board of Hamilton County commissioners.

        But it won't be easy.

        Republican incumbent Tom Neyer Jr. took himself out of the race in 2001, setting up a race for an open seat.

        So far, Marilyn Hyland, an Indian Hill Democrat who ran a strong race against Mr. Neyer in 1998, is the only announced candidate.

        Republicans expect Phil Heimlich, who couldn't run for re-election to Cincinnati City Council in 2001 because of term limits, to become a candidate.

        Education: Big changes of the physical kind are coming to Cincinnati Public Schools. On Jan. 9, officials of Cincinnati Public Schools will unveil a “master plan” for upgrading, closing and consolidating many of the district's 76 school buildings.

        A state report issued in August said 61 crumbling, out-of-date and aged school buildings — 80 percent of the schools in the districts of nearly 42,000 students — should be replaced or closed rather than repaired.

        Building and renovating new schools has a price tag up to $900 million. The district expects state help to pay the bill.

        Religion: The most significant religious event of the year in the Tristate is likely to be the June return of the Rev. Billy Graham to Cincinnati for a four-day crusade at Paul Brown Stadium, 25 years after his last crusade here.

        It may well be one of the last for the legendary 83-year-old preacher; he has had health problems in recent years and his son, Franklin, took over management of his Billy Graham Evangelistic Association a year ago.

        But the man who has been called “The Nation's Pastor” is still likely to draw upwards of a quarter of a million people for the four-day event, which is being billed as a community coming-together to help Cincinnati heal from last April's rioting.

        Entertainment: After a record-breaking season of more than 3 million in attendance, Paramount's Kings Island in Warren County is expecting even more visitors in 2002, mainly because of a new ride.

        “Tomb Raider: The Ride” will plunge riders into a dark and dangerous fantasy world, complete with computerized special effects. Guests, Kings Island officials say, will be part of the action even while standing in line.

        And a Cincinnati era will end Sunday afternoon, Sept. 22, when the Cincinnati Reds meet the Philadelphia Phillies at Cinergy Field for a 3:10 p.m. game.

        It will be the last game played in Cinergy Field — unless the Reds get into the playoffs next fall — and it will take place as the new $280 million Great American Ball Park rises next door for its April 2003 debut.

        Butler County: By mid-January, the Butler County commissioners will find out whether the 10-year sales tax increase they approved will be placed on the ballot by a referendum drive. The tax increase is scheduled to go into effect March 1. But if it gets on the ballot, voters could reject it. That would delay or kill some major road projects, including the Ohio 63 extension.

        Butler County officials will also learn whether the proposed $91 million Ohio 63 extension will receive state funding. Butler has committed $27 million to the project. But if the state doesn't come through with its share, the project is dead. That would be a big blow — Butler County officials are counting on it to alleviate traffic congestion in the growing Monroe-Trenton area and to spur economic development.

        The long-term fate of Butler County's public transit system will also be determined in 2002. After two ballot issues failed in 2001, the Butler County Regional Transit Authority received emergency funding from several communities to keep going for a few months. The county commissioners have earmarked $1.1 million in sales tax revenue for the transit system. But that's much less than the $2.8 million the Transit Authority requested.

        The new Butler County Jail will open in June. Initially, it will house about 300 inmates. It replaces the chronically crowded existing jail. Located south of downtown on Hanover Street, the new jail eventually will have a capacity of more than 800 inmates.

        Warren County: Lebanon's city-run telephone system — a partnership with Cincinnati Bell to compete with local provider Sprint — could be ready for testing by spring. The service will stretch city customers' local calling area into Dayton, Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

        The city also faces decisions on how to provide long-term water and wastewater service to residents — decisions that could require higher rates.

        Three top former officials in Lebanon — James Patrick, Debbie Biggs and Bob Newton — are scheduled for trial in late January on felony charges related to early-retirement buyouts taken by Mrs. Biggs and retired city attorney Bill Duning. Mr. Duning already has been found not guilty.

        Common Pleas Judge P. Daniel Fedders will retire after 30 years of administering justice in Warren County. His departure at the end of late 2002 could create a domino effect in the county courts as other judges consider vying for the seat.

        Officials likely will seek a levy in May to pay for elderly services. County commissioners had resisted the move in the past, preferring to provide the money themselves. However, in November they said they don't have the $2 million needed to erase a waiting list of almost 300 seniors who need a hand with housekeeping, personal care and other services.

        Kentucky: Development is always a hot topic in Northern Kentucky, but the economy could slow construction of some major projects that depend in whole or in part on public money.

        State lawmakers, local officials and area business leaders will head to Frankfort in January to lobby state lawmakers for three major Northern Kentucky projects:

        • A $46 million arena at Northern Kentucky University.

        • Riverfront West, a proposed $300 million office, residential and retail development between the Roebling Suspension and Brent Spence bridges. About $6 million is needed in state money for initial site preparation and infrastructure.

        • $5 million to complete a museum at Big Bone Lick State Park in Boone County.

        However, the state is facing a $533 million revenue shortfall, and it will be difficult to find money for local projects.

        Money also plays a role in when the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will begin construction on a new north/south runway and an extension of the east/west runway.

        The Federal Aviation Administration has approved construction of the runway, but airport officials are still putting together a plan to pay for the $230 million project, which includes construction, land acquisition and sound mitigation for homes and businesses in flight paths.

        The airport is seeking federal money, but an increase of up to $4 in ticket prices is also likely.

Ten local newsmakers in 2002

The Year Ahead in Metro
New Year's Day closings
Young voices call for a coming together
4 bank robberies end record year for heists
Cold is here to stay
Luken in no rush to find manager
Mosque damage assessed
Muslim activist hopes for peace
New, tougher GED takes effect today
Oak Hills senior wins pageant
Police think deaths were accidental
Congrats
Engineering students get early college start
Fawn Candy founder dies
Local Digest
Police connect with collectors
Recreation Notes
Terwilleger considers run for Senate seat
Bones likely from flooded graveyard
Franklin family displaced by fire
Interfaith event celebrates peace
City divided over agency
CROWLEY: Likely newsmakers in 2002
Kentucky Digest
Accident kills 1, injures 2
GOP pioneer Warriner dies