So Valerie Lemmie's position wouldn't seem to matter.

        Yet that was one of the first questions asked of the city manager at the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week, where she delivered a controversial speech broaching the politically delicate subject of the downtown boycott.

        Her answer on reparations, though somewhat vague and arguably irrelevant, does give a rare glimpse into Ms. Lemmie's passion on civil rights issues.

        “Reparations is a controversial issue. It doesn't have an easy solution,” she said. But she added: “I think debate is healthy. I know it's healthy.”

        Many African-Americans support reparations because they would at least be an acknowledgement that slavery built the economic disparities that last to this day, she said. It's an indication of “how our neighbors feel about not being included in the economic success of the city.”

        That's why she supported a bill by her old congressman, Rep. Tony Hall, which called for an apology for slavery and establishment of a reparations commission to study the issue. It died in Congress.

        Since arriving in Cincinnati almost five months ago, Ms. Lemmie has refused to release her public schedule, and her few public speeches have stuck to safe statements of support for City Council. That's why her answers to questions at events like the chamber luncheon are so extraordinary.

        The often-guarded Ms. Lemmie even spoke of her personal experiences with racism.

        “I'm a woman of color. I know what business as usual means, what it feels like, because I've lived it,” she said.

        Lock-down: It's part of the political culture of Cincinnati: The suite of offices for the mayor and city manager has been open to the public since Murray Seasongood was in diapers.

        Any citizen of Cincinnati could stop by city hall and ask to see the mayor. You wouldn't always get in to see him, but you could ask.

        That all changed last Tuesday, when the city manager's office installed a new security system. The doors are locked, and a notice posted outside says the mayor and city manager have “redirected traffic” to a new waiting room.

        “Our intent is to alleviate some space considerations in the main office, and to increase security,” the notice says.

        The clampdown on visitors has been rumored since Charlie Luken became the new “strong mayor” last December, but was more immediately precipitated by an incident this month in which a belligerent man threatened staffers and was arrested by City Hall's capable cop, Sgt. Emmett Gladden.

        What if? Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Laura Pulfer's fanciful vision of a Jungle Jim's grocery store at Broadway Commons, which she wrote about Sunday, may not be so far-fetched after all.

        At least, Mr. Luken didn't think so. He wrote owner Jim Bonaminio on May 21:

        Dear Jim:

        I would like to know if you would have any interest in pursuing a location in the city, in or near downtown. There is a site known as Broadway Commons that we do not currently have title or control of, however, if you would be interested I would pursue securing it....

        Talks reportedly continue behind the scenes.

        City Hall reporter Gregory Korte can be reached at 768-8391.

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