LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: democratic principles

  • Let Loveland Heal – Create a Referendum for the Garage

    Let Loveland Heal – Create a Referendum for the Garage

    by Lauren Enda

    Loveland is a vibrant, bustling, and prosperous city. Which is why the question of increased parking space is an issue. People come to Loveland to live and visit because it is quaint and unique. Another asset that Loveland enjoys is an educated, engaged, and energized resident population. This is an asset that many towns would covet and that could be used to great advantage. Sadly, however, the mayor’s council continues to deny residents a vote on the parking garage, keeping them from actively participating in their own city. Instead of seeking a clear mandate through referendum to go forward with the plan, the council claims that all decisions, regardless of impact and cost, belong squarely with them. This lack of respect for residents’ role in Loveland’s future causes controversy and encourages mistrust of authority. A referendum would take away the controversy completely – the voters would have their say and all questions about the soundness of a garage and discord between residents on either side of the issue would simply dissolve.

    The council could easily calm this discord and start to heal the damage caused by the garage proposal. By creating a referendum for the garage, the council sends a clear, strong, unequivocal message that they care what voters think; that they listen to the will of the people; that they trust the residents to make wise, thoughtful decisions. There is a bonus to the referendum for newly elected council members. By voting in favor of the referendum, the new members would prove beyond doubt that they are living up to their campaign promises to listen to residents.

    Whether in favor of the garage or opposed to the garage, every resident in Loveland should have a voice in this momentous decision. And Loveland residents should not have to force the council into the referendum by collecting signatures. The path of pitting residents against council by collecting signatures to force a referendum is beneath Loveland city council and its constituency. This would only cause further distrust and anger among residents, which is not in Loveland’s best interest.

    According to Councilmember Bateman’s statement on 23 November 2021, democratic principles are alive and well in Loveland. This comment was seconded by Mayor Bailey. A referendum is your chance to prove it. Create a referendum and let democracy take its course. There is literally nothing to lose and everything to gain.

    Almost everyone agrees that the parking situation in Loveland needs attention. Let’s create a parking committee. Loveland has almost 20 committees and not one of them is tasked with parking. Let’s invite residents to investigate options and alternatives that will be cheaper, more flexible, and less intrusive. Let’s work together to gather data, define the problem, and come up with a range of solutions that can be openly discussed and debated. Working on this project could bring people together instead of causing strife.

    Myriad solutions are possible: institute valet parking; purchase an old-fashioned retro shuttle to get visitors to locations in downtown; increase use of Nature Preserve parking; use Loveland’s beautiful parks for events and gatherings instead of having every event in the downtown area. All of these could be accomplished for a fraction of what the garage would cost and keep our town quaint and unique. Each of these solutions would also greatly reduce traffic into the downtown area. Let’s take a breath, think outside the “parking garage” box, and have a conversation. Let’s work together to get it right.

    The decision on whether to build the proposed garage is too important to get wrong. And it isn’t important enough to tear the city apart.

    Do the right thing. Heal the conflict. Put the garage on a referendum.

    Lauren Enda lives in Loveland at Hidden Creek

  • To the Mayor and City Council: 
Why Can’t We Vote?

    To the Mayor and City Council: 
Why Can’t We Vote?

    The proposed parking garage for Historic Downtown as envisioned by City Hall.

    “A man without a vote is a man without protection.”

    Lyndon B. Johnson

    by Lauren Enda

    I retired here from the National Security Agency after 30 years of playing my part to protect the United States. I did not expect to continue that role in retirement, but in my opinion, democratic principles in Loveland are in trouble, especially with the proposed parking garage in Historic Downtown. The Mayor is on record denying residents the right to vote on whether to build the garage. I will not stay silent when this and other examples of abuse of power in my own city are happening. Below, I outline examples.

    In recent weeks, we have heard evidence about the mayor’s record of stifling free speech – both of ordinary citizens and of council members. Also, a Loveland resident captured a photo of a campaigner for the Mayor’s “endorsed block” who was removing campaign signs of their opponent on Election Day. Removing campaign signs subverts open, free and fair elections. Who authorized this tactic? Every Loveland resident should be concerned that this type of anti-democratic behavior is happening here. This behavior does not uphold democratic principles. These are two examples of democracy in trouble, but I will focus now on the garage. 

    Building a multi-story level parking garage in Loveland is very controversial. Many Loveland residents do not want it. The only official feedback we have about the garage is the recent election. Only one council member indicated he was opposed to the garage. And he won the most votes. The message is clear. Loveland voted against the garage. If the Mayor and the newly appointed Council go forward with the garage, they do so against the will of the people. 

    But does the will of the people matter in Loveland? Mayor Bailey clearly does not think so. During a council meeting on 11 February 2020, the mayor said, “Residents will not be voting on the garage.” When asked WHY residents were not allowed to vote, the mayor responded, “You vote on your elected officials and those are the decisions we have been elected to make.” The Mayor would like for residents to become mute after an election, however, an election does not provide the winning party free rein with taxpayer money. An election does not give the winning party carte blanche to permanently disfigure a town without the clear support of the people. An election does not give anyone a green light to plan a large, controversial project in virtual secrecy. 

    Below is video of resident Karen Hawkins asking the Council, and specifically, Mayor Kathy Bailey, about the inevitably of the parking garage being built in Historic Downtown Loveland and if the public will be allowed to vote on its construction.:

    Elected officials should uphold the will of the people. They should give citizens a voice, not deny their voice. Residents are not mute once they leave the polling booth. Quite the contrary. Loveland citizens should retain a voice in what is decided here – especially on the largest capital expenditure in the history of Loveland.

    The proposed parking garage for Historic Downtown as envisioned by City Hall.

    Protection from abuse of power at the federal level is enshrined in the Constitution by checks and balances between the executive, legislative and judicial branches. What safeguards against abuse of power does Loveland have?  Where are our checks and balances? How does Loveland’s electorate ensure our voices are heard? 

    Luckily, there is precedence that the council could use to uphold democratic principles – Council could determine the will of the people by submitting the garage to a vote. In 2007, Loveland was faced with a similar decision – whether or not to build a YMCA. Since it was an expensive project with strong opposing views, the council wanted citizen input and put in on a referendum. The voters went to the polls and voted the project down. Other municipalities have put similar proposals to a vote. This is how democracy can work when a Council respects the electorate and allows them a vote. Why is our Council not providing us the same opportunity?

    My recommendation to the new Council who support the garage is to let Loveland vote on it. The recent election suggests the public doesn’t want the garage. The burden lies with Council to convince the public that this project is in the best interests of the city and the taxpayers. Once appropriate data is gathered and shared with the public on why it is necessary and how much it will cost, then let us vote. Ignoring voter input from the recent election and restricting voter input for the next election is certainly not democratic. 

    It is not too late for the Council to make this right. Loveland goes to the polls again on May 3rd. To the new Council, this is your chance to show that you are listening to us, not developers or outside interests. Your responsibility to listen to the voters does not end once the election is over. That is when your responsibility begins. Let us vote.