A Reader Politely Chides The Daily Bellwether: You Failed To Credit The Cincinnati Business Courier

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- An anonymous commenter has a bone to pick with The Daily Bellwether. The issue: Credit should have been given to the Cincinnati Business Courier for its reporting on the Bill Keating/Gannett stock/investment advisor lawsuit. The explanation: When the Bellwether looked, there was nothing available showing Steve Watkins' Business Courier story was on the Internet. Click here to see what appears on Google. Of course, a deeper search using different search terms probably would have produced different results. But that search wasn't done. Another problem with the Business Courier's piece: It is hidden behind a pay wall. The Bellwether does not have a subscription to access Watkins' reporting. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Enquirer, the newspaper that Bill Keating used to lead as publisher, finally got around to reporting the story today. It did not credit anybody who got there earlier -- not the Business Courier, not The Daily Bellwether, not the countless national media blogs that picked up on the story long before the Cincinnati Enquirer.

So How Much Does Health Insurance Really Cost? About $18,000 For A Cincinnati Family

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- It's even more expensive in Cleveland. With all the raging debate about health insurance and reform, The Daily Bellwether figured it was time to dig up some information about premium costs in Ohio. The data is about the individual market -- which includes the self-employed and those under 65 who don't have jobs -- as opposed to people who get health insurance from their employers. The rate sheet above is from Aetna Inc., for Cuyahoga County. A 45-year-old with a family would pay $1,698 per month for Aetna's standard plan -- or $20,376 per year. In Cincinnati and surrounding counties, the price for the same standard plan $1,486 per month -- or $17,832 per year. Other health insurers charge different rates for their standard policies. Humana is $1,345.92 per month ($16,151 per year) for a 45-year-old male with a 40-year-old female spouse and two children in Sidney, Ohio. Kaiser Permanente is at $17,874 in all regions of the state for family coverage when the male is age 45. The Ohio Department of Insurance has links available to individual market health insurance premiums from several carriers. In Ohio, median household income is about $48,000 per year. That makes it impossible for thousands of Ohioans to purchase health insurance if they don't get it through an employer. Poor people, of course, have options. They are eligible for Medicaid. Senior citizens are covered by Medicare. But the middle class -- those who work, or start businesses, and don't have coverage -- clearly are getting squeezed. Elected officials in both political parties at the state and national levels are eligible for health insurance coverage through their jobs. They can afford to dawdle.

TV Time In Ohio Youth Prison: Kids Watch 'Vegas' Episode Showing Assault On Woman

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Prison staff was caught dealing sin from Sin City. And the state's Correctional Institution Inspection Committee wasn't happy when it walked in unannounced. The incident occurred at the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility, where the young inmates include juvenile sex offenders. Former State Rep. Tyrone Yates of Cincinnati was the panel's chair on the day of the surprise inspection. What happened in prison doesn't stay in prison; the 49-page report recently was posted online:

"During the inspection, youth were observed watching 'Las Vegas' on TV which depicted four youth assaulting a girl. Staff relayed that they use parental blocks on programs. The CIIC chairman [Yates] urged that television not be used as a babysitter, and that when used, that educational programming be provided such as National Geographic or the History Channel."

The inspection was last fall. Earlier this year, Yates became a Hamilton County Municipal Court judge. NBC cancelled Las Vegas in 2008 after a five year run. The episode shown at the prison must have been a re-run or from a video. The series was about the fictional Montecito Casino in Sin City. James Caan, and then Tom Selleck, played the casino's owner. Yates and the inspectors also raised questions about the use of classroom computers, where they found kids mixing sex and extreme profanity rather that the 3Rs:

"There is some concern that caution is needed that computers in the classrooms are not merely used as babysitters, but are used to their fullest potential as an instructional tool and delivery channel. Concern was expressed regarding the possible over reliance on education by computer, and perhaps inadequate presence and active involvement of a teacher. In one class, a student did not respond when kindly questioned about his work in progress, which appeared to be a narrative in which 99 percent of the words were extremely serious profanity . . .

"Another youth was writing about a movie that he reportedly watched the previous night, in which a child was raped by his uncle, and the youth later suffered confusion abut his own sexual identity. Hopefully, the movie was part of the sex offender treatment program."

Cincinnati Considers Switch to Google Gmail: Now Spends $724,638 Annually On e-Mail System.

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The city currently uses an internal IT operation to provide e-mail services, anti-spam and anti-virus filtering. City Manager Milton Dohoney says the cost is $13.57 per month for each of the 4,450 users on the city system. He says switching electronic mailboxes to Google looks less expensive: "The city could reduce or eliminate ongoing hardware, software and personnel costs associated with in-house messaging by moving to a hosted e-mail service." Dohoney told the Regional Computer Center earlier this month to assess the full impact. His memo said security issues - including the possibility of hackers and Google itself peeking at messages -- need to be studied before any switch is approved. Dohoney said he wants to weigh the risks and benefits before migrating to Gmail:

"Currently, e-mail availability is dependent upon internal (city managed) networks, e-mail application servers and client connectivity. Message delivery to local (city) users does not typically touch the public network (Internet). A disruption at the hosted e-mail site or other activity impacting Internet connectivity would result in a city employee's inability to access their e-mail. Furthermore, security of message storage on a hosted site raises questions about what parties have access to City information. Google established itself by employing data gathering techniques that tap into user information as a means to provide advertisers (Google's primary customers) with marketing information.

"Maintaining the integrity and access of sensitive data is a concern for law, public safety and other groups who must protect confidentiality. Issues have been raised about who is accessing data on hosted e-mail systems. The presumption is that locally stored and managed data is more secure than data that exists on a server in another city, state or country. Google is in the process of addressing this issue by separating its hosted services for government entities from that of other customers."

Currently, the city uses Mircosoft Exchange Server 2003 for e-mail services. Los Angeles has undertaken a pilot program with Google Gmail. It ends this summer. Dohoney said Cincinnati needs to see how it turns out. He said the LAPD didn't take part in the Google pilot. The LA cops want to see if the system proves secure and reliable.

Belgian Ferrari Dealer Wants Ohio Title To Rare Roadster Stolen In Cincinnati: Paid $625,000, But Ownership Disputed

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The car is one of only six ever made and is overseas. It was last raced in Cuba before Castro came to power. Belgian Jack Swaters, who restores classic race cars in Europe, contends the heirs of a Cincinnati collector refuse to give him sole ownership. So far, nothing in the corporate media about the intercontinental legal battle being waged right here. In 1990, Swaters bought the burned out chassis of a rare Ferrari model 375 Plus Grand Prix Roadster, serial No. 0384AM. He got it from a trader in Belgium. But the car had been reported stolen by Karl Kleve, a eccentric Cincinnati junk collector who died in 2003. Kleve, an engineer who helped build the first atomic bomb in World War II, had at least 300 cars, a B-29 bomber fuselage, boats, piles of oil cans, and stacks of $10 and $20 bills scattered on his property. This was reported by the Enquirer in years past. Green Township officials fought a 14-year battle to declare it all a nuisance. They won.

But the fight over the Ferrari that vanished in Cincinnati and turned up in Europe goes on and on. The latest chapter started last Friday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court when Swaters and his daughter sought a restraing order and injunction over the Ferrari's ownership. The breach of contract case is pending before Judge Norbert Nadel. So far, the heirs have not filed an answer to the complaint. Phillipe Lancksweert, a friend and business associate of Swaters in Europe, has filed an affidavit in the court case contending he paid $625,000 in 1999 to settle competing ownership claims:

"In 1994, I invested in the vehicle as an equal partner with Swaters. A few years later we learned of an owernship claims by Karl Kleve. Although Swaters purchased the vehicle in damaged condition, it retained an extremely high value as a collector's item because only six were ever made by Ferrari. The more complete the veicle, the higher the value and hence, the value of the parts at issue."

Lacksweert said he sold his share of the car back to Swaters in 2004. He said the parts in Ohio include the original VIN plate. Swaters' daughter, Florence, says in an affidavit that there are Ferrari parts in Ohio with Kleve's heirs that should be in Europe:

". . . including, but not limited to, the VIN data plate, fuel tank, engine cover, steering wheel, wheel supports, three wheels, on rear wing, and five instruments . . . The fact that parts to the vehicle are or may be circulating in the market has greatly affected the value of the vehicle . . . But more importantly, claims regarding the ownership of the vehicle and parts have greatly affected not only the alue of the vehicle, but also the reputation on the Swaters."

Cincinnati Is The Birthplace Of America's Wine Industry: Yet We Couldn't Spot Fake French Pinot Noir

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Eighteen million bottles, and nobody noticed, not even in the city where it is claimed the U.S. wine industry was born. Well, whine me, dhine me. The first person elected into the wine hall of fame was Nicholas Longworth, a Cincinnatian known as the father of American winemaking. Ohio still has a thriving wine industry that is growing. Four of the state's vineyard tour trails start in Cincinnati (map above). In the BBC's news story about the Red Bicyclette scandal, a French lawyer argued nobody was guilty because nobody complained:

"A lawyer for Sieur d'Arques, Jean-Marie Bourland, told Agence France-Presse: 'There is no prejudice. Not a single American consumer complained.' A lawyer for three other defendants argued his clients had delivered a wine that had Pinot Noir characteristics. E and J Gallo said it was no longer selling any of the wine to its customers."

Gawker said Americans were too tasteless to know any better. That views seems to be a bit at odds with Cincinnati Enquirer Editor Tom Callinan's opinion piece this morning that declared "Cincinnati is on a high and in the national spotlight for its rich cultural assets." Still, we can't spot a fake Pinot Noir. That's a fact despite all the culinary wonders Callinan and others have been pointing out recently. If someone here had popped a cork -- and caught on to the scandal -- then Cincinnati would really look refined to the rest of the world. Instead, we're wine rubes like everyone else.

So how was this scam exposed? French Customs inspectors caught on, not gourmands. They noticed that more Pinot Noir was being exported to America than the region of France where it originates had historically been able to produce.

Downtown Cincinnati Inc.'s Chair Gets Plum Gig: Coordinates Strategy For State Spending Spree

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- With DCI in the driver's seat, do the suburbs and neighborhoods have a chance? Officially, the state spending spree is called the Capital Improvements Bill. Unofficially, it is known as the Pork Bill. In 2008, Hamilton County got $18 million. In 2006, it was $20 million. Things like the Undergound Railroad Museum, football stadiums, or a theater for plays about Johnny Appleseed (near Mansfield) tend to get funded. Every two years, the Ohio General Assembly approves a capital budget with earmarks for building, replacing or improving countless assets and facilities. For the Cincinnati area region, the capital budget bill is a jackpot of money for renovation or construction of community projects. Competition is brisk. Lawmakers will fashion the Pork Bill later this year, and already local wish lists are being prepared.

DCI Chair Patricia Ann Smitson is in charge of Hamilton's County's efforts to win state money from the Pork Bill this year. DCI's job is to promote the downtown business district. Smitson is partner-in-charge of Thompson Hine LLP's, Cincinnati office. The law firm is based in Cleveland. She got the Pork Bill gig through the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, which has set up a task force to prioritize requests for state Pork Bill funds. In other words, the Chamber is putting together the wish list that will help determine how public funds are spent. Here's what the Chamber has told its members:

"Every two yeas the State of Ohio produces a capital spending bill that sets aside limited funds for community projects. Given the competition for limited resources, our region will not receive funding for all our local projects. In an effort to maximize our local return, representatives of the City, County, and the regional business community are working through Patricia Mann Smitson . . . to coordinate a regional winning Capital Bill strategy for 2010 and future years."

A preliminary version of the wish list already exists, and it is heavy on city projects like the streetcar, improvements at Union Terminal, the Central Riverfront Park project. But there are also requests from the suburbs. Lockland wants money to tear down the 14-acre Stearns and Foster mattress plant, an eyesore that could be redeveloped as an industrial tract along I-75. Blue Ash is seeking funds for a 40,000 square for conference center and 1,200 seat performing arts center. Green Township is looking for state financial aid for landscape improvements around a historic home that it uses for community civic meetings. Wyoming needs money to remodel its recreation center. The Mayerson Jewish Community Center in Amberley Village has requested state money to remodel its restrooms and changing areas -- they would accommodate handicap accessible facilities. Bottom line: All of these projects are unlikely to get a cent.

Ohio Republican Party Wrecks Kasich's Qualifying Day: Presser Surfaces Blasting 'Ties To Lehman Brothers'

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- In November 2008, one didn't have to work for Lehman Brothers to be considered unfit for government service in a high office. According to the Ohio Republican Party, one just had to have "ties to Lehman Brothers," the bankrupt Wall Street investment house. John Kasich, a former Lehman Brothers managing director (2001-2008), qualified today as the GOP candidate for governor of Ohio. Wall Street is in his past, and so is his own party's criticism Wall Street executives. Today, The Daily Bellwether links to this Nov. 24, 2008 Ohio Republican Party press release that first raised the Lehman Brothers fitness issue. The state GOP targeted Lawrence Summers -- an Obama economic adviser -- with a headline that said "Summers Is A Managing Director Of A Hedge Fund With Ties To Lehman Brothers." It turns out that Lehman bought a 20% stake in the D.E. Shaw hedge fund in March 2007. By that time, Kasich had been a managing director for six years -- he was full time with Lehman Brothers. Below is the actual text of the Ohio GOP's concerns about Lehman Brothers:

"Summers Is A Managing Director Of A Hedge Fund With Ties To Lehman Brothers:
"[Summers] Is A Managing Director Of A Hedge Fund, D.E. Shaw Group, At A Time Of Distrust Of Wall Street." (Deborah Solomon and Michael M. Phillips, "The Obama Transition: Summers And Geithner, Two Contenders For Treasury Job, Have Close Career Ties," The Wall Street Journal, 11/8/08)
Summers Took On The Role Of Managing Director In October 2006. "In October [2006] Lawrence Summers, former Harvard University president and U.S. Treasury Secretary under the Clinton administration, was named managing director at D.E. Shaw; Mr. Summers also is known for his role in the bailout of Long-Term Capital Management in 1998." (Jacob Bunge, "Lehman Brothers Buys Into D.E. Shaw," [New York] Daily News, 3/13/07)
In March 2007, Lehman Brothers Bought A 20 Percent Stake In D.E. Shaw Group. "Lehman has also heavily expanded its investment banking capacities in Europe and Asia, and has built up its asset management capabilities. Its business trading and arranging financing for hedge funds have also picked up just this week Lehman took a 20 percent stake in D.E. Shaw Group, one of the world's largest hedge fund managers." (Joe Bel Bruno, "Lehman Brothers 1Q Profit Up 5.6 Pct.," The Associated Press, 3/15/07)
D.E. Shaw Founder David Shaw Said "We're Very Pleased To Be Associated With Lehman Brothers." David Shaw: "We're very pleased to be associated with Lehman Brothers. ... Lehman has demonstrated a strong commitment to investment management, and will be a valuable resource to us as we continue our efforts to innovate within both the absolute-return and benchmark-relative asset management areas." (Jacob Bunge, "Lehman Brothers Buys Into D.E. Shaw," [New York] Daily News, 3/13/07)"

60 Seeking 15 Seats On County Gov't Reform Panel: Anderson Trustee Russ Jackson Among Applicants

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Kroger Co's. director of government relations -- who once was former Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken's top aide -- is also angling for a task force spot. The Daily Bellwether has the names of all 60 applicants (see below). The plan by Hamilton County's commissioners is to name 15 to the reform task force early next week. The panel is supposed to roll out a newly designed government in time for the November election. The goal is to produce something akin to Cuyahoga County's new county exec-led government, or perhaps seek to end local balkanization with a form of metro government. The 60 hopefuls include Russ Jackson, a well-known Republican from the suburbs; former County Administrator Dave Krings, who is now a consultant; Brendon Cull, director of government relations and regulatory affairs at the Kroger Co., and Roger Banzaf, retired after a 40 years career in sales and marketing. Banzaf lives in Cincinnati and calls himself an "average Joe." The deadline for applying is closed. Here's the complete list of names and what they do for a living:

Scott W. Brinker, Glendale, Henkle-Schueler & Assoc.; David Krings, non-profit and government consulting; Dave Mayer, Cincinnati, environmental engineer; Mark Rosenberger, Cleves, Barger Becker, land surveyor; Craig Hilsinger, Cincinnati, real estate developer and builder; Barry J. Burke, Cincinnati, FOPPE Technical Group, civil engineer; Earl Patrick, Cincinnati, retired from Ohio Casualty Group, member of the board Price Hill Historical Society.

Henry Browning, Cincinnati, retired executive Gannet Co. Inc., 30 years with Enquirer, none in editorial positions; Glen Arthur Ratz, Cincinnati, homebuilder, part-time fitness trainer Urban Active; Norman Falick, Cincinnati, self-employed investor; Helen Berkman Habbert, Cincinnati, consultant QRC Associates, Penny Manes, Amberley Village, attorney; Carolyn Lindsley, paralegal, Cohen Todd Kite & Stanford LLC.

Roger Banzaf, Cincinnati, retired sales and marketing; Timothy G. Mara, Cincinnati, attorney and urban planner; Michael J. Mobley, North Bend, field representative Nielsen Co.; Gavin Leonard, Cincinnati, non-profit director of Center for Progress Leadership; Connie M. Hinnitz, administrator, Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati; Scott Gehring, Cincinnati, vice president Cincinnati Volunteers of America Ohio River Valley.

Kevin R. Flynn, Cincinnati, attorney, Griffin, Fletcher & Herndon LLP; Donald Shreve, retired sales use tax audit manager, State of Ohio Department of Taxation; Kathleen M. Schmidt, Cincinnati, executive assistant, Cincinnati Bar Association;

Peter V. Hoyt, Cincinnati, retired architect; Ralph G. Ressneker, Cincinnati, retired, former director Cincinnati Regional Computer Center; Larry Taylor, Cincinnati, retired, Unisys 38 years; Robert E. Wiggins, Cincinnati, retired software development engineer.

Sam Knobler, Cincinnati, real estate developer, owns company Midlife Development Group Inc.; Stephen H. Wessels, Cincinnati, lead electrician Hamilton County's facilities department; Nikki C. Johnson, Woodlawn, small business owner, A+Care Janitorial Service; Russell L. Jackson, Anderson Township Trustee; Thomas J. White, Cincinnati, management analyst Center for Local Government; Willard D. Fletcher, Cincinnati, retired law enforcement, Hamilton County prosecutor and Cincinnati police; Rosemarie L. Sturgill, Cincinnati, retired Cognis Corp. 29 ears; Margaret Cook, Cincinnati, parts specialist Intelligrated; Robert J. Joesting, electrician, Bob's Electric Service; David Collins, Cincinnati, architect, The Preview Group Inc.

Tim I. Long, Cincinnati, union glazier, IUPAT DC 12, "average joe; Robert Willis, Cincinnati, retired business administrator, University of Cincinnati; Michael Tranter, Reading, attorney; Wyndell Ellis, Cincinnati, mail handler, U.S. Postal Service; Arnold C. Shoop, retired, P&G marketing and sales 30 years; Russ W. Stewart, Cincinnati, registered investment advisor, Nottinghill Investment Advisers Inc.; John R. Mayo, Loveland, IT project manager, G.E. Aviation; Marilyn DeCourcy, self-employed, retired 2002 Hamilton County Juvenile Court.

Elizabeth M. Robinson, Cincinnati, benefits manager, Pension Corporation of America; Cathy K. Doyle, hospital and health services administration; William C. Frankenstein, Cincinnati, retired, sold computers; Thomas R. Chambers, Cincinnati, product coordinator, The Health Alliance; Jeffrey G. Mayer, Cincinnati, business development and marketing, New Horizons Credit Union.

David A. Singleton, Cincinnati, attorney, executive director Ohio Justice Policy Center; James T. O'Reilly, Wyoming, law professor, University of Cincinnati; Timothy E. Oppelt, retired civil engineer; Gary V. Trick, Cincinnati, social studies teacher, Fairfield School District; Franklin O. Gerson, Cincinnati, retired, founder Free Store; Stephen M. Taylor, Cincinnati, manager U.S. Bank.

Ron L. Pitman, Springdale, real estate broker, Ron Pitman Realtors; Brendon Cull, Cincinnati, director government relations and regulatory affairs, The Kroger Co.; Patrick B. Morgan, Harrison, City of Montgomery firefighter and paramedic; Matthew C. Christopher, Cincinnati, assistant fire chief Mariemont Fire Department; William J. Ennis, Blue Ash, retired lawyer, retired city law director Harrison Township administrator.

Two Pro Sports Stadiums For Sale In Cincinnati: If There's A Buyer, County Will Sell

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- A move to temporarily raise Hamilton County's sales tax died at today's commissioners' meeting. Officials then acknowledged they were open to selling Paul Brown Stadium, where the Bengals play, and Great American Ball Park, home of Cincinnati Reds. The county is facing a $27 million dollar deficit next year in the fund that is dedicated to paying off stadium construction costs. The deficit is estimated at $93 million by 2014. Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune, who proposed the sales tax hike, told The Daily Bellwether both sites on the Ohio River could be sold. The problem is finding a buyer.

"We'd consider it. We don't have a sign up. The problem is the same one we have. Anybody that looks at this steps into a sea of red ink," Portune said. He said outside investment groups were welcome to talk about a deal. He said they could come from China, Saudi Arabia or anywhere if they are interested in trying to make a deal. "If they bought them, they would basically inherit the same problems we have."

Portune said the slow economy and stadium funding issues are draining the county and deepening a serious financial crisis. He said Hamilton County has already cut 1,500 employees and $62 million in spending. "It is bad. The problems are real. The crisis is present," he said during a public hearing on the proposed sales tax hike. After the hearing, he said the county approached the Bengals and offered Paul Brown Stadium to the NFL team. The county's lease terms -- negotiated in the 1990s -- are so favorable to the pro football franchise that it wouldn't even negotiate. He said the Reds might be approachable, but didn't hold out much hope: "That all sounds good. It makes a nice soundbite. We know the teams aren't going to buy the stadiums. We've gone down that path. It takes a willing buyer."

The county does plan to seek another $7.55 million from the State of Ohio for stadium expenses. It contends Hamilton County was promised $81 million, or 15% of total construction costs for the pro sports facilities on the Ohio River. So far, lawmakers have delivered $73.45 million. A county memo to state officials points out the promise remains unfulfilled: "While we fully understand that the General Assembly that made the $81 million commitment was composed of legislators who are no longer in office, at the same time Hamilton County constructed a financing play on the basis of that commitment with a reasonable expectation that it would be fulfilled. We understand the state has financial problems of its own, and would appreciate any assistance the state may offer at this point."

University of Cincinnati Fans Lose Faith In Mick Cronin: Straw Poll Results Are Awful

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Bearcats basketball fans look to be turning against Coach Mick Cronin. A straw poll run by the University of Cincinnati student newspaper shows nearly 59% of the voters think Cronin can't handle the head coaching job in the Big East Conference. Here are the numbers:

"Is Cronin the right man for the job?
Yes 18%(104)
No 59%(348)
Can't say yet -- give him more time to prove himself.
23 %(136)"

The straw poll in the campus daily The News-Record isn't scientific. Nor is the sample huge at the moment. But it does draw from a sample of people who are involved with U.C., or have a stake in campus life. It's a clear signal that patience with Cronin -- whose team lost a conference game to the University of South Florida (65-57) last night -- has worn thin. UC is 15-10 overall this season, but 6-7 in the Big East. Its chances of getting into the NCAA tournament are fading. Cronin took over after the Bob Huggins era. He has not been able to coach U.C. to the heights Huggins' teams had. The Cronin era is mediocre at best. On the other hand, Cronin's teams don't have the reputation for thuggery that plagued the Huggins era. He has cleaned things up. But this straw poll is not good news for Cronin, whose job could be on the line after the season. It looks like the fans have turned against him. How long before they start asking for his head?

Get Ready For Costliest Governor's Race In Ohio History: $40 Million Plus Likely On Kasich v. Strickland

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Democrats expect to raise more than $20 million for Ted Strickland's reelection campaign. Republicans have been tossing around similar numbers for GOP challenger John Kasich. Strickland's 2010 campaign manager Aaron Pickrell, who was just on the phone with The Daily Bellwether, confirmed that he's sure the contest will set spending records: "This is going to be an extraordinarily expensive campaign." He said the governor's reelection budget will be at least $3 million more than the $17 million spent defeating Cincinnati's Ken Blackwell four years ago. Pickrell said the money is necessary for television ads, new media and to "build a massive field operation" that can send volunteers door-to-door spreading the governor's message.

While early polls show Strickland trailing Kasich, Pickrell said the data is not discouraging. He said the economy trumps all issues. "People are angry, they're blaming anyone that is currently in power." But the data also shows, "People trust the governor and people like him. Those are things you cannot buy." And, "There is no question this is going to be a tough political year." Pickrell sees early polling suggesting the race -- at this point in time -- is Strickland facing the economy, not Strickland facing Kasich. That will change over time as voters begin to focus on Kasich, a former congressman and Lehman Bros. investment banker who is largely unknown statewide.

Strickland Wins Big Jobs Package: $20 Million In Federal Stimulus Money Opens Door To Natural Gas Bonanza

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- All of a sudden, a large swath of Ohio's hill country is in the middle of an energy drilling boom. European and Asian investors poured more than $2 billion into the region over the past two days. Energy markets were rocked today when Japan's Mitsui & Co. invested $1.4 billion to drill for natural gas, primarily in Pennsylvania's Appalachian region. A day earlier, French steel maker Vallourec SA announced it would invest $650 million to expand an Ohio mill near Youngstown. The French said they plan to manufacture steel tubes to extract natural gas from shale deposits -- the same deposits in the Marcellus basin (the gray portion on the accompanying map) that the Japanese intend to tap. Ohio

Gov. Ted Stricland's economic development team used $20 million in stimulus funds to prepare the Youngstown site for the French investment. The new mill will cover nearly 1 million square feet over an old mining area. Vallourec got another $5 million in state economic development incentives, including tax breaks. At least 350 new manufacturing jobs will be at the mill; they will pay more than $50,000 annually.

The Marcellus basin (everything about it seems to be here at Geology.com) generally follows the path of the Appalachian mountains in a region that includes eastern Ohio, West Virginia, western Pennsylvania and portions of New York. It is one of the largest shale formations in the world. Mineral riches have been locked up because they were beyond the reach of drilling technology until recently. The French company said Youngstown and Ohio are in the middle of the boomlet: "Shale gas production typically requires an increased number of wells, horizontal drilling and sand fracturing at high pressures . . . Ideally located close to major shale basins (e.g. Marcellus) and combined with the Group's other operations in the vicinity of other shale plays (eg. Fayetteville or Haynesville), this new facility will benefit Vallourec's customers in the US."

The Japanese are investing $1.4 to team up with Houston-based Anadarko Petroleum Corp., which believes more than 30 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas lay below Marcellus' acreage it has leased. Overall, there could be 500 trillion cubic feet of gas in the basin. Anadarko Chairman and CEO Jim Hackett said the joint venture with Mitsui & Co. will lead to thousands of new gas wells:

"We continue to ramp up our activities in the Marcellus and anticipate drilling more than 4,500 wells in the coming years. We have successfully teamed up with Mitsui in other parts of the world, and look forward to working with them and our partners in the Marcellus, as we continue to develop and deliver these domestically produced, clean-burning natural gas resources to the American people."

Xavier University Sex-Bias Lawsuit: 2 Fired Female Profs Win 1st Round v. Catholic School

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- This is another major news story that suffers lack of attention in Cincinnati's corporate media. U.S. District Judge Sandra S. Beckwith issued a 28-page ruling last week that rejected Xavier University's efforts to dismiss claims that women faculty members face illegal sex discrimination. She ruled there is some evidence of women receiving lesser pay than men on the Jesuit campus in Cincinnati -- a jury will sort out the facts later this year. Miriam Finch and Tara Michaels were tenured professors in the Communications Arts Department. They were terminated at the end of the 2008-09 academic year after internal faculty disputes, including allegations of dereliction "in carrying out their ethical responsibilities to the University." In refusing to dismiss, Judge Beckwith said: ". . . there is at least some evidence which would support a finding that Plaintiffs' conduct was not the true reason for their termination. For instance, the fact that none of the members of the Faculty Hearing Committee could pinpoint a specific incident in which Plaintiffs were guilty of gross dereliction of duty suggests that the committee's assessment of their conduct was highly subjective." Judge Beckwith scheduled an October trial in Cincinnati federal court on charges the women professors were subjected to age and gender discrimination, retaliation, and violations of the Equal Pay Act. Finch and Michaels contend they were forced out because they complained about disparities; the university describes them as people who could not get along with colleagues.

Judge Beckwith said Xavier's Communications Arts Department was plagued with faculty disputes an infighting:

"This case arises from or at least coincides with the appointment of Professor Indira DeSilva to the position of chair of the Communications Art Department in 2003. The record fairly reflects that the Communications Arts Department was factionalized and beset by in-fighting among its faculty. The lack of collegiality among the staff is a central issue in this because because Xavier claims that [the fired professors] were jointly responsible for the dysfunctional atmosphere in the department and that is the reason they were eventually dismissed. Plaintiffs deny that they were the source of the dysfunction but nevertheless contend that the Communications Arts Department was no different from other departments, such as the Marketing Department, which supposedly had a reputation for demonstrative disagreements among its faculty . . .

"Plaintiffs filed formal discrimination complaints against DeSilva with the University in February 2007. The continuing conflict within the Communications Arts Department and counter-charges of discrimination between Plaintiffs and DeSilva led . . . to . . . an ad hoc committee comprised of several Xavier faculty members and a professor from the staff of Northern Kentucky University to investigate the inner workings of the entire department. Plaintiffs, however, contend, that the ad hoc committee was not formed to investigate the department or their discrimination complaints. Rather, Plaintiffs alleged that the ad hoc committee was formed to investigate them in retaliation for their complaints against DeSilva. The ad hoc committee not only determined that DeSilva did not discriminate against Plaintiffs, it recommended that the University should institute formal termination proceedings against them for gross dereliction in carrying out their ethical responsibilities to the University."

The Case No. is 1:07-cv-00987, Miriam Finch et al v. Xavier University et al, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Xavier is represented by Peter Cassaday, Kristen Marie Myers and Brian Redden of the law firm Beckman, Weil, Shepardson & Faller LLC. The terminated professors are represented by Robert Gutzwiller and Joseph Krause, of Clodfelter & Gutzwiller.

Cincinnati Tea Party Muffs U.S. Flag Etiquette: Old Glory Becomes A Snowman's Cape

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- At the moment, some folks are frostier than the snowman in the accompanying photo. Has the Cincinnati Tea Party disrespected the American flag? The picture comes from its blog. By law and custom, a U.S. flag is not supposed to be used as an ornament, nor displayed in inclement weather. And the stars are on the wrong side. Obviously, nothing intentional. Probably irrational exuberance. But the rules are encoded in federal law at Title 36 of the U.S. Code, Chapter 10, Sections 174, 175 and 176. The rules say: "The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise . . . The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free."

The Cincinnati Tea Party claims its foundation is anchored in patriotism. Certainly respect for the flag should be a priority for an organization that claims other citizens with differing political viewpoints are dedicated to the destruction of our nation, or ignorant about about the meaning of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Many of those non-Tea Party citizens have served in the military under the American flag. They pledged their lives. Imagine if the snowman with the flag as a cape scene were in front of a Democratic or Republican headquarters. There would be howling. (H/T to Jim Schifrin at the Whistleblower, who spotted this first. He suggests they violated the spirit if not the law.)

Remember Pete Rose And The 1976 Aqua Velva Commercial? He Sang It

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- A fellow Cincinnati blogger snagged a video of Singin' Pete. You can check out Charlie Hustle as Charlie Warbler by clicking here. And yes, Aqua Velva after shave is still around. But now it's in the product stable of Combe Inc., a White Plains, N.Y. outfit that also sells Vagisil, Grecian Formula and Brylcreem. How did Brylcreem's jingle go?

Former Enquirer Publisher Bill Keating Feuds With Financial Advisor: Claims $2.5 Million Loss On Gannett Stock

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- So far, this peek into the lives of the rich and famous, about wealth and how it is managed in Cincinnati, hasn't seemed to make many ripples here in the city where it is unfolding. Bill Keating, a former GOP congressman from Ohio who ran Gannett's newspaper operations in Cincinnati and Detroit, contends his $20 million investment portfolio was mismanaged. He wanted his newspaper stocks dumped, and dumped quickly. His lawyers claim Keating and his wife, Nancy, took a $6 million hit on holdings in Gannett (43,558 shares) and Fifth Third Bank (225,000 shares) that Keating ordered aggressively liquidated. Keating says his orders were not followed. Keating says in an affidavit filed with his lawsuit in Hamilton County that his instructions were given before the economy slipped into recession and the share prices sank to historic lows. Both the bank and the newspaper chain have been beaten up on Wall Street -- Fifth Third for lackluster management and Gannett for the erosion of print publishing in the face of online challenges. Keating had been an insider at both corporations. He served on Cincinnati-based Fifth Third's board for much of the 1980s and 1990s. At Gannett -- the nation's largest newspaper publisher -- he ran the Cincinnati Enquirer, was president of the company Central Newspaper Group, was v.p and general counsel of Gannett Co. Inc., and ran the Detroit Newspaper Agency which published the News and Free Press. He was chairman of the Associated Press from 1987-1992. His brother, Charles, was the poster boy of the S&L scandal in the early 1990s.

In his Jan. 6, 2010 affidavit, Keating said: "Both before and after investment accounts were opened with SWRW LLC, I and members of my family made clear on numerous instances our instructions to William T. Sena Sr. and William T. Sena Jr., to immediately liquidate the Fifth Third and Gannett holdings and reinvest the process so as to create a well diversified investment portfolio."

The Sena's see things differently. They have submitted several memos (see an example above) that were sent to Keating about efforts to manage the $20 million account. The financial advisors said their strategy was to unwind the portfolio piecemeal. The Sena's lawyer, Charles Reynolds, said during a Hamilton County Common Pleas court hearing last month that Keating gave no direct order to liquidate the shares:

"There are no documents which say sell Fifth Third. There are no e-mails that say sell Fifth Third or Gannett. There is nothing in writing that exists that says sell Fifth Third. All we have is the oral representations supposedly in place to sell Fifth Third. It is a 20-month relationship. Each month the Keatings got account statements. Several times a week, there are phone calls. Interspersed with that is written communications from Bill Sena describing what the account is doing."

Reynolds also noted during the hearing that Bill and Nancy Keating could have sold their stocks at any time on their own:

"Mr. and Mrs. Keating were the trustees at all times in question and they could have at any point before or after June 2007, diversified their portfolio. In fact, it would have been a simple matter to buy an S&P 500 fund and achieve complete diversification without the need to buy individual stocks. They elected not to do that. They elected to come to Sena, Weller, Rohs, Williams and Mr. Sena Sr., in particular, to use his investment expertise to make those stocks decisions, including the buy and selling of Fifth Third stock."

The lawsuit is pending under the caption Charles Miller, Trustee et al v. Sena Weller Rohs Williams LLC et al, Case No. A0911952. It is assigned to Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jerome J. Metz, who has scheduled a case management conference and hearing for Feb. 17 in his Cincinnati courtroom. The docket is available on the clerk of court's website.

Wow!! Hamilton County's Republican Chairman Can't Spell Procter and Gamble Correctly

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- P&G is a Fortune 100 company. It is Cincinnati's most important corporate citizen, the city's signature multinational that's been around for more than 170 years. The twin towers of the downtown headquarters are a landmark. Yet Hamilton County GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou doesn't seem to know how to correctly spell Procter & Gamble. He gets it wrong three times in three straight sentences on his blog:

"Proctor and Gamble knows that Tide has a strong brand presence and that consumers recognize Tide as a high quality product. (We might say Tide has high name ID!)What if Proctor and Gamble puts out a new product without the "name ID" of Tide? What helps Proctor and Gamble establish its new brand worldwide? Advertising, of course. Advertising is a key element to capitalism and we see it everywhere. Think of Times Square or even the streets of Tokyo with paid advertising on every free inch of every facade."

It's Procter, from William Procter, who co-founded the company in 1837. Triantafilou may want to go back and scrub the erroneous spelling. (He can use Tide, or Mr. Clean.) But that's how it appeared -- "Proctor" -- when The Daily Bellwether checked tonight. By the way, Procter, who is buried in Cincinnati's Spring Grove Cemetery, was a Republican, according to some biographical sources.

Greater Cincinnati YMCA Seeks Director of Afterschool Programs: Up to $52,500; Oversees 28 City Schools

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- For some reason, the Greater Cincinnati YMCA has not yet posted the job opening on its local website. The application deadline is Feb. 28 and the salary range is $41,967 to $52,500. The Daily Bellwether got a tip from the state officials in Columbus, who asked that word of the Cincinnati job opening be spread. Here's the complete text -- including name and e-mail of whom to contact -- of the YMCA's help wanted notice:

"As a greenhouse for youth and community development initiatives for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, the Community Services YMCA (CSY) leads a network of youth development agencies, school leaders and citizens. Currently managing afterschool academic and personal enrichment for 28 schools, CSY ensures quality programming featuring nine core components: Tutoring & Mentoring, 21st Century Skills, College & Career Exploration, Service Learning, Leadership Development, Arts Education, Health & Wellness, Global Learning, and Parent and Family Engagement opportunities. CSY supports Cincinnati Public Schools’ Community Learning Center initiative district-wide, particularly in supporting instructional practice and academic programs, promoting youth engagement, and developing a portfolio of innovative school-community models afterschool.

"Reporting to the District Vice President, the Director is responsible for planning, implementing, managing, and improving year-round, out-of-school time programs. This role requires a very strong project manager with an acute attention to detail and strong people management skills. In addition, the ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker who can transform the current program by adopting best practices from successful school-community partnerships and incubating innovative ideas.

"Master’s degree strongly preferred. Six to eight years work experience required, with specific experience in executing large-scale, cross-functional initiatives in an urban area strongly preferred. Previous exposure to or experience in full service community schools and/or academic-focused afterschool design and development a plus.

"We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including retirement plan participation after meeting eligibility requirements. Salary Range: $41,967-$52,500

"The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati sees diversity and inclusion efforts as an asset to our organization and as fundamental to living the mission; we therefore encourage all minorities to apply for this position.

"Please email a current resume and cover letter before February 28th to Rebecca Kelley at rkelley@cincinnatiymca.org."

The Greater Cincinnati YMCA is currently advertising the job opening in Education Week. Apparently, it is conducting a national search.