Washington Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Today in quick order the Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to uphold the previous decision of the Historic Conservation Board in favor of the Anna Louise Inn. This body of people did the right thing today. This is not the end of the road though. There will be other hearings and at least one other appeal for us to stand strong against. We must remain vigilant. Second- Park Rule 28 that allowed opening for the creation of discriminatory rules in Washington Park without any public over site was struck down today. This means that no longer can any rule in any park be created without public over-site. While this is a specific with for the People who use Washington Park- this is a bigger win for the People in general and democracy. Read the press release below.
For Immediate Release: September 20, 2012
From: Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition
Contact: Josh Spring LSW, Executive Director; 513-716-7455. Call anytime.
This morning, the Cincinnati Park Board voted to strike down Park Rule 28
and effectively ended the special rules for Washington Park. This is the
rule that previously allowed the Park Board to simply erect a sign in any
park at any time with any “rule” on it and those “rules” would be enforced
by police like laws. Park Rule 28 allowed opening for the back-room
creation of the special rules in Washington Park that were written by an
employee of the Police Department, a couple of Park Board employees and 3cdc
employees- completely without the input of the public or any legislative
body or process.
Three people living near Washington Park filed suit against the Park Board
on September 4th. These people included Jerry Davis of the Homeless
Congress and Ann Brown and Andrew Fitzpatrick of the People’s Platform for
Equality and Justice. Today, 16 days later, the Park Board realized they
did not have a winning battle and struck down Park Rule 28. This is a win
for the People and for democracy. This means that rules, including those
for Washington Park and any park in Cincinnati, will have to be created in
front of the Public with the ability for Public input. No longer will rules
be allowed to be created by companies attempting to run public spaces. This
means that specific to Washington Park, all special rules created outside of
public oversight, are now null and void and the rules for Washington Park
are returned to the rules for all parks.
Josh Spring LSW
Executive Director
Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition
117 E. 12th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Office: 513-421-7803 ext. 13
Cell: 513-716-7455
www.cincihomeless.org
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