The Enquirer

Gay-rights activists say they plan to file petitions containing more than 14,000 signatures with Cincinnati Clerk of Council Melissa Autry today in order to force a November vote to repeal Article XII of the city's charter.

Article XII, passed by voters in 1993, prohibits City Council from passing ordinances protecting homosexuals from discrimination or otherwise giving them special treatment.

The Campaign to Repeal Article XII (www.citizenstorestorefairness.org) needs 6,771 valid signatures to get the issue on the ballot.

Court clerk seat may be contested

Democrats appear to have found a candidate for Hamilton County court clerk after all. The party's executive committee hopes to meet next week to consider lawyer Martha Good's request to run for the seat, party co-chairman Tim Burke said Monday. The only candidate running for the seat is Greg Hartmann, whom Republicans appointed to the job in early 2003. The Democrats' first candidate, Ed Large, backed out of the race after the March primary, saying he needed to devote more time to his new career as a minister.

Family thanks city for support

The family of Spc. Keith Matthew Maupin, the 21-year-old Clermont County soldier captured on April 9 by Iraqi insurgents and not yet found by the military, issued a thank you on Monday to those who have shown their support to the family and to the troops. "Throughout every day that has passed, there has been one thing that has not changed, one thing that is consistent and one thing that brings us a sigh of relief," the family said. "That one thing is you, Cincinnati, and other communities across the country. From the candlelight vigils, motorcycle fund-raising rides ... helping hands with household chores, yellow ribbons showing us you believe, and prayers, letters, hugs and smiles - all of these things have overwhelmed us with love and support." TRAFFIC WATCH

• Crews are reconstructing the intersection of Mehring Way and Freeman Avenue in Queensgate until mid-November.

• Reading Road is closed at the railroad crossing at North Street in Reading through Friday.

• Sutton Road is closed at the bridge north of Kellogg Avenue in Anderson Township until further notice.

• Watch for lane closures on Winton Road over Interstate 275 in Hamilton County from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly through Friday night.

• Ohio 63 is closed east of the intersection with Ohio 741 until Sept. 24. Follow posted detours.

• Princeton Road in Fairfield Township is closed between Bypass 4 and Morris Road until Sept. 6.

• North Bend Road is closed at the railroad crossing west of Vine Street in Elmwood Place until 4 p.m. Friday. Detours are posted.

• Turkeyfoot Road in Kenton County will be periodically closed at the Dudley Road intersection between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. today through Friday. Expect minor delays. Also, traffic may be periodically stopped at Stevenson Road.

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