The following are excerpts of e-mails between Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken and Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune regarding expansion of the convention center, beginning Friday, Aug. 16:

        Luken, 9:38 a.m.: Todd, I read your comments about the Convention Center expansion and have the following suggestion that would put the project back on track: If the city and the county would each commit $1.5 million per year for 30 years, we could begin the project as proposed, and get moving again.

        The problem, as you know, is that the city is the only entity willing to commit cash to the project. Your comments about urgency suggest that you are willing to rethink that....

        Finally, the real damage expressed to me by hoteliers and the (Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau) is your proposal to create a northern suburban convention bureau. Such a proposal does lasting, serious damage to bring future conventions to our area.

        That proposal, like so many of your suggestions since we first unveiled the plan, was not part of our plan for an expanded center and increasing convention business.

        I believe you had another “defining moment” back in 1994 or so when the council laid out the original convention center plan, and let that fail. This is your chance to step up, show leadership, and finally put some real muscle behind an idea we have been talking about for over a decade.

        If you accept this plan, we can get together and announce it Monday.

        Portune, 5:25 p.m.: That announcement (by Delta), as disappointing as it was, is not, in my opinion, reason to mothball the project. ...

        I do not believe there is county support for a countywide tax increase for a makeover of the existing center.

        I take it from your e-mail that you are willing to reconsider the position you articulated Wednesday. If so, that is good news.

        Delta's sponsorship does not reflect an insurmountable loss. Their announcement may be the catalyst for others to step in. I have had several conversations with business leaders beginning Wednesday around that point and I can't believe that the local business community would allow their asserted No. 1 priority to fail. ...

        In the interest of forging constructive dialogue on this question I'll refrain from responding in kind to the balance of your e-mail. ...

        Luken, 9:33 p.m.: I repeat, will you pledge money to help the project make up the funding gap? Will you pledge to reverse your position on the creation of a suburban bureau? Will you pledge that the county will secure half of the debt? Simple questions. How about simple answers?

        There is no reconsideration of my position. If you answer my questions in the affirmative, we are a go. If you do not, it is more of the same.

        (Saturday, Aug. 17)

        Portune, 11:44 a.m.: Thank you for your reply.

        Just what is the gap as you understand it?

        Will the city exercise the additional 1 percent authority given to it by the state?

        I have no control over whether a northern bureau exists or not. It is a local decision and by all accounts they will move forward.

        Assuming they do, I will support county aid to them. It behooves all of us for the suburban jurisdictions to be successful in their marketing efforts since 52 percent of the county's tax contribution to the Cincinnati Sabin Convention Center expansion project comes from there.

        (Sunday, Aug. 18)

        Luken, 1:07 a.m.: ... more of the same.

        (Wednesday, Aug. 21)

        Portune, 4:08 p.m.: I understand you are attempting to market naming rights for $15 million. There are those who believe Delta got a bargain at $15 million. Shouldn't we go out of the box at the higher figure?

        Luken, 4:53 p.m.: You are not correct, but we still need your answers to the questions posed last week. If you have bidders at $30 million, let me know. I have none.

        Will you help? We need to know.

        Luken, 4:57 p.m.: (Responding to the same e-mail) ... more of the same.

        Portune 5:16 p.m.: I am soliciting one in particular at that level. While I have no commitment, I have engaged interest in the discussion.

        I wonder if we would benefit by letting it be generally known that city and county are both soliciting bids on naming rights and try to create a competitive environment that could work to drive interest up?

        I have shared these thoughts with business leaders such as (Western and Southern Life Insurance Co. President John F.) Barrett and (former Procter & Gamble Chairman John) Pepper and they seem to agree. ...

        Luken, 5:23 p.m.: I do not think anyone would benefit from getting anything in the press at this point. The next announcement should be a groundbreaking, or nothing. There has been too much talk from some, and not enough action.

        As I said, I have no concrete proposals, nor am I “soliciting” from anyone other than the county and the business community, trying to keep their pledges on the table. We have already lost part of the county's.

        Portune, 5:29 p.m.: (Responding to Mr. Luken's “...more of the same” message of 4:57 p.m.)

        I just now saw this after taking time to reply to your earlier e-mail and I don't understand this. If you want help you have a funny way of showing it. If you want to go it alone just say so.

        Luken, 5:47 p.m.: You have not been helpful. You have been a critic without producing any results, other than backtracking on our original deal. We need action, or silence. We are trying to do something for the city and region, not posture. There is no more time for games.

        (Thursday, Aug. 22)

        Luken, 11:30 a.m.: Todd, this morning the media FOI'ed (Freedom of Information Act) all my e-mails so I am going to get them together in the next few days. I hope you will help with the Convention Center.

        There were no further e-mails.

E-mails uncover political squabble
E-mails show Luken's and Portune's differences
Report says air in Ohio among worst in nation
W. Chester officials try to shut out adult shops
West Nile find doubles search
Add Mason to list of mall sites
Coalition attacks bill backing charter schools
Labor Day travel looks thinner
Light rail factions squaring off
More time granted for overseer applicants
Obituary: Bud Weast admired for caring and ethics
Oldenburg Academy rich in charm, tradition
Tenants' views not well received by magistrate
Tristate A.M. Report
When to test for West Nile uncertain
Workers drill row after row for posts
BRONSON: Spin cycle
HOWARD: Some Good News
SMITH AMOS: Lincoln Hts. reunion
Airport named for Hogans
Butler Co. parks district wants transfer-fee increase
Clermont water tower is approved
Prison workers fear uprising
Cash-strapped Hagan runs campaign ad on Internet
Congresswoman sought help for husband's firm
Florence Y'all fest lasts all weekend
Insurance scam gets man 5 years
Lucas' fast-track view praised
N.Ky. in high gear after first W. Nile sign
Report: Gas main was left on
Schools tackle bullying
Toss out ice cream from church festival