Update:
During this program, anti-Issue 22 advocate Donald J. Mooney Jr. was critical of the Cincinnati Park Board for taking a $200,000 donation from the private Meyer Fund and giving it to Great Parks, Great Neighborhoods Inc., a committee that is campaigning to pass the charter amendment. Mooney questioned the legality of giving the money to Great Parks, Great Neighborhoods. Attorney Tim Burke, a supporter of Issue 22 and a former park board member, argued that it was perfectly legal and that no public funds were given to the pro-Issue 22 campaign.
Thursday morning, former mayor Charlie Luken, a spokesman for Great Parks, Great Neighborhoods Inc., released a statement saying the $200,000 was being returned to the Meyer Fund. Luken said that although the committee believes strongly the donation was "above board, it has no doubt become a distraction to our goal of supporting the parks and passing Issue 22."
Most people would agree, the City of Cincinnati has a first-rate park system. But a charter amendment, appearing on the November 3 ballot as Issue 22, that would place a permanent one mill tax in the city charter for park improvements, has generated a lot of disagreement among residents and organizations.
Joining us to discuss the levy is attorney Tim Burke, who supports the levy. Tim Burke is also chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party and Hamilton County Board of Elections. Attorney and Partner with , Donald J. Mooney, Jr., who, along with Tim Mara, organized , an anti-levy effort; and, WVXU political reporter .