Wednesday, October 27, 1999
School levy backers target undecided voters
BY DANA DiFILIPPO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Backers of Cincinnati Public Schools' proposed $24 million levy say the next seven days are the most crucial to persuade undecided voters to pass Issue 11. But a recent poll suggests it could be a tough week.
More than half of voters who have made up their mind on the issue support it, but about 15 percent of voters remain undecided, said Brewster Rhoads, the Mount Washington man hired to run the levy campaign.
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STIRRING UP VOTES
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Cincinnati Public Schools supporters plan several activities during the next week to raise awareness about the district's efforts to pass a $24 million, 4.5-mill levy:
• Walk — Organizers expect more than 5,000 people at a “Walk for Our Schools” Saturday. The 11/2-mile walk originates at Sawyer Point Park downtown. Entertainment begins at 10:30 a.m.; rally at 11:30 a.m.; walk at 11:45 a.m.
• Vigil — The Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati will lead a prayer vigil for the schools 5:45-6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Main Branch of the public library on Vine Street between Eighth and Ninth streets downtown.
• “Honk-In” — Students, parents, teachers and supporters plan to hold signs and urge passing motorists to honk for schools 3-5 p.m. Monday at 80 sites citywide.
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The poll — conducted by a Cincinnati firm last week — should inspire hope in supporters because earlier polls indicated they were in the minority, Mr. Rhoads said.
Campaign supporters held a pep rally for the levy Tuesday morning, when about 80 community leaders and parents gathered at the campaign's Bond Hill headquarters to announce their support.
“Is the money really needed? You bet it is,” said John Pepper, former Procter & Gamble chairman, co-founder of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative and a longtime school volunteer. “To me, it's a no-brainer because it comes on behalf of our children. It's a no-brainer because our children are our future.”
The 4.5-mill levy, most of which is a tax increase, would cost the owner of a $75,000 house $103 a year. Supporters say it would restore a $180-per-pupil budget cut, cover inflation and pay for building repairs.
Tuesday's gathering was the first in a blitz of awareness activities planned before the Nov. 2 election. They include a walk, a prayer vigil and a “honk-in.” Supporters also hope undecided voters will be swayed by newspaper inserts, TV and radio ads, mailers and a telephone campaign planned during the next week.
Meanwhile, one anti-tax activist is mounting his own campaign to persuade voters to oppose the levy.
Tom Brinkman Jr., a Mount Lookout resident and founder of
the Coalition Opposed to Additional Taxes and Spending, expects his radio ads to air this week. He also will erect anti-levy signs citywide.
Campaign supporters have collected endorsements from about 50 community groups so far, and representatives from most groups attended Tuesday's gathering.
“The best investment we can make for the future of our community is in the children and in public education,” Cincinnati Mayor Roxanne Qualls said. “We have a school system that is beginning to show results.”
Said Marian Spencer, a former Cincinnati councilwoman and former NAACP-Cincinnati president: “A functioning democracy requires an educated electorate. Let's get this thing passed.”
Suspensions and annual dropout rates are down, SAT and proficiency test scores are up and many reforms implemented in the past several years are really starting to take hold, supporters said.
“What our teachers need now more than ever is stability in the system,” Superintendent Steven Adamowski said.
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