About halfway through an interview Thursday, Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken leaned back, propped his feet on a desk in his office and laid down a challenge: “I'll say you won't print it because reporters never do. But the police believe one of the organizations that's run them down is the Enquirer.”

        We were talking about how the morale of Cincinnati cops has drooped lower than a crack-head's britches.

        And that was not the only candid thing he said. Mr. Luken was relaxed, like a man who has been shot at and missed. He's seen the worst, and he doesn't wrap his words in shiny paper and a bow. It's refreshing.

They ducked

        • On the absence of black leaders who oppose the boycott: “There's no question a lot of people have ducked. This has not been a profile in courage for a lot of people in our community. But in fairness, the boycott does resonate with anyone who ever felt discriminated against, so it's wrong to categorize it all as cowardice.”

        • On boycott leaders: Mr. Luken said he was assured by Cincinnati Community Action Now leader Ross Love that the collaborative settlement would bring a positive response from boycott leaders. And that didn't happen. “Like some people don't want poverty to end, some people don't want the boycott to end because it gets them their 15 minutes, and much longer, of fame,” said Mr. Luken.

        Boycott leaders have said the collaborative is merely a tool to extract millions from the city, he said. “They are increasingly demonstrating that there is no goodwill.”

Cops yes, lawyers no

        • On the demand for attorney fees for the boycott/plaintiff lawyers: “The taxpayers are not going to pay this,” he said.

        “Three months before the collaborative (agreement), this came up. And I said, "If we have to pay their attorney fees, we should get out or settle now.' The lawyers said it was not an issue. Then at 2 a.m. (during final negotiations), I got frantic calls from the courthouse saying we've got to pay them. I said no.”

        The city did offer to help raise the $600,000, and Mr. Luken made “about 10 calls.” But since the boycotters tore up copies of the agreement at a council meeting, then sued Vice Mayor Alicia Reece, City Hall is fed up, he said.

        • On police: “I get complaints about the police every day. The complaint I get is that there are not enough of them.”

        Morale is low, but improving. “They are saluting me again. For a while, they were not,” he said. “I personally feel bad that they thought I let them down.”

        And for the first time, he said the city should pay legal fees for six city cops who were accused of improperly firing non-lethal beanbags at protesters. A police report is likely to exonerate the SWAT officers, who have gone into debt with legal bills up to $17,000 each.

        “If it's determined that the officers acted appropriately, it's my position that the city is responsible for their legal fees.”

        Mr. Luken expects the boycotters to fume. “Politically, it's a no-win situation.” But the city should “treat people fairly,” he said. “It's taken too long.”

        Mr. Luken also challenged the media to stop giving so much attention and credibility to the boycott leaders. “My attitude is to keep the city moving forward,” he said.

        He's right.

        E-mail: pbronson@enquirer.com. Past columns at Enquirer.com/columns/bronson

Erpenbeck partied while company imploded
Freedom Center searches for slave-era artifacts
Freedom Center breaks ground Monday
PULFER: Freedom Center our chance to reclaim good name
UC sophomore crowned Miss Ohio
Over-the-Rhine school struggles to shape lives
Cincinnati CAN urges mentoring of at-risk kids
SMITH AMOS: Last chance to provide public input
Big cities feeling picked on by state
BRONSON: Top complaint about cops: 'There aren't enough'
Diverse crowd celebrates emancipation
Falwell's speech focuses on dignity
Local Digest
Residents give river a clean sweep
Special breed featured at dog show
Congrats
DeWine assesses nation's security in wake of 9-11
Travelers giving police keys to house
Presbyterians elect new leader
Race revs up fans
Teacher content standards lag
Fund-raiser searched for alcohol
LG&E faces charges in deaths
Maysville rep named Miss Kentucky
Poison ivy covers most of Kentucky
Wilkinson undergoes treatment