Truth is, he is.

Mr. Cranley has emerged as City Council's most enthusiastic supporter of the Oakley North development by Vandercar Holdings Inc., arguably the biggest private retail development in the city in 30 years.

Why? Mr. Cranley says he's just pro-development, but opponents of the big-box development suggest another reason.

Mr. Cranley's campaign committee received $5,750 last year from Vandercar President Rob Smyjunas and his wife, the former Mary Ruth Conway, daughter of former Charter Committee Chairman Robert Conway. (On many of the contributions, Mrs. Smyjunas also listed her business affiliation as Vandercar Holdings.)

“I make no apologies for being pro-development and I want to do everything I can to expedite the process, especially when there's private money involved,” Mr. Cranley said. “It's my understanding that Mr. Smyjunas has never asked for a single direct subsidy from the city.”

Mr. Cranley wasn't alone. The Smyjunases contributed to all seven council incumbents running for re-election last year: Pat DeWine ($2,450), Chris Monzel ($650), Alicia Reece ($600), Jim Tarbell ($500), Paul Booth ($250) and Minette Cooper ($250).

Mayor Charlie Luken's campaign received $4,500. Two challengers, Lawra Baumann ($1,000) and Dawn Denno ($500) also received support.

Total given to current incumbents: $14,950. Total given to those same candidates by all contributors in the Oakley zip code: $13,635.

These numbers come from a database of 9,447 campaign contributions for the 2001 campaign built by Ohio Citizen Action, which will release a report on campaign contributions today. Citizen Action's Catherine Turcer said the progressive advocacy group is opposing Issue 8, which would repeal campaign finance reforms that would allow candidates to rely on taxpayers, instead of contributors, for campaign funding.

Mr. Smyjunas' campaign contributions have not escaped notice of neighborhood leaders who oppose his development plans.

“What Vandercar wants, Vandercar gets,” said Oakley Community Council President Sue Doucleff.

But Mr. Smyjunas' lawyer, Joe Trauth, said his client's influence is overrated.

“Whatever contributions Mr. Smyjunas has made really hasn't made it any easier for him,” he said. “It really is a tragedy that the city of Cincinnati can't be more developer friendly. If it weren't for people like Rob Smyjunas, we'd be dead in the water totally.”

Cranley vs. Fox, Round II: Lobbyist Dick Weiland has brokered a peace treaty between Mr. Cranley and Butler County Commissioner Mike Fox.

The two lawmakers exchanged words last week in this space over the Michael A. Fox/I-75 interchange.

Mr. Cranley, a Democrat, said the project will encourage sprawl and he will fight to block it; Mr. Fox, a Republican, said Cincinnati shouldn't blame Butler County for its failures in development.

Friday, Mr. Cranley and Mr. Fox will meet for coffee in Kenwood.

“I don't expect my position to change, but I think the region would be better off if we got along,” Mr. Cranley said. “I'd like to learn whatever I can from his ability to bring jobs and opportunity to his district.”

Still, they've agreed to a private debate over the interchange for the benefit of Enquirer reporters and editors next week.

Your tax money: As City Manager Valerie Lemmie looks for ways to cut $35 million from the city's 2003 budget, she hopes to protect the city's more than 6,000 employees.

A recent memo to department heads (Subject: Rumors of layoffs) acknowledged that some employees are anxious, but said, “At the present time, I have made no decision that makes layoffs necessary.”

In fact, the city manager told employees in a memo Tuesday that she will ask City Council for across-the-board raises of 3 percent for nonunion employees with satisfactory job reviews.

City Hall reporter Gregory Korte can be reached at 768-8391 or gkorte@enquirer.com.

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