By Howard Wilkinson
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Retired federal appeals Judge Nathaniel R. Jones hasn't indicated he is interested in becoming the new monitor to oversee Cincinnati police reforms, but Vice Mayor Alicia Reece is pushing for his appointment anyway.

Ms. Reece said Saturday she would ask city attorneys Monday to approach the 76-year-old jurist, who stepped down in January after 23 years on the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, about his interest in taking over the position. The post became available last week with the resignation of California lawyer Alan Kalmanoff after criticism from City Council over the bills he submitted.

"I have not talked to the judge about it; I do not know if he is interested or not," Ms. Reece said. "But I do know that he is one of the most respected people in the community. He seems to me to be the ideal candidate."

But Kenneth Lawson, a lawyer for the Black United Front, one of the plaintiffs in the racial-discrimination case that resulted in a settlement with the city, said his clients have no interest in Judge Jones as monitor because of the judge's opposition to the Black United Front's economic boycott against downtown Cincinnati businesses.

"It's well known that he has worked to destroy the boycott,'' Mr. Lawson said.

Mr. Jones said Saturday he would "reserve judgment" on Ms. Reece's proposition until after he is actually approached by city lawyers on the subject. Professionally, however, he said he has a "very full plate."

His private law practice is "very active, both nationally and internationally," the judge said. In addition, he is co-chairman of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and chairman of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative.

Mr. Jones said he was approached earlier this year by Mayor Charlie Luken and City Manager Valerie Lemmie about his interest in the monitor's post, but declined the opportunity to apply.

The retired judge has a decades-long reputation as a civil-rights activist - from his time as general counsel for the NAACP to his participation as a monitor in South Africa's first democratic elections.

A new monitor must be agreed upon by all parties involved and members of the Black United Front, the principal plaintiff in the suit, have indicated a preference for retiring Ohio Supreme Court Justice Andrew Douglas, who was one of the original applicants for the job.

Alphonse Gerhardstein, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said the monitor will come from the original pool of applicants.

If the parties can't agree on a new monitor, one will be chosen by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Dlott.

E-mail hwilkinson@enquirer.com