Wednesday, February 26, 2014

City Hall

Well, you know what they say about old news. This is a group of images that i have been sitting on for a couple of months now and while they were perhaps once a good general news story they don't really hold much journalistic potential anymore. Still, i would like to showcase them somewhere because, well, i think i did a pretty good job with the day.
I went down to cover this City Hall story on my own mostly because i was personally interested in the issue. I wasn't sure if i could even find an outlet for the work, but the combination of a packed public council meeting to decide if the city would continue with its controversial streetcar project coupled with the very first day in office for our new mayor, John Cranley, piqued my interest. One of Cranley major campaign promises was that he would kill the streetcar if elected.
I probably would have published it here earlier, but i had sent a few of the images along with some other shots i made of John Cranley for an article on him for Cincy Magazine that just came out in February. I figured they might be able to use some shots of the new mayor in action on his first day and i didn't want to publish them myself before the magazine had its chance to publish first. I would always rather get paid than not for the work i do. But in the end they didn't use them. So, old news or not, here is the picture story. It may not be newsworthy, but hopefully it is still interesting to some and serves as an example of what i can do in these situations.
(click any image for an enlarged gallery view)

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics
©David Sorcher 2013

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics
©David Sorcher 2013

The earlier part of the public hearing was overseen by members of the Streetcar Committee with Vice Mayor David Mann at the helm. Newly elected councilman Mann had been hand-picked by Mayor Cranley to be his second in command and at this point in the proceedings seemed to stand with Cranley in opposition to the project continuing. Whether the project continued or not, it was still going to cost the city tens of millions of dollars. The question was whether the difference between going forward and having a streetcar was really significantly more expensive than halting the project after already having spent millions and having nothing to show for it at all.

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics
©David Sorcher 2013

A full house of citizen turned out to speak their mind to the council on the issue. It was, by far, a predominately pro-streetcar turnout.

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; Kevin Flynn
©David Sorcher 2013

Community activist Heather Sturgill debates the pros of the streetcar with newly elected councilman Kevin Flynn, who at this time was on record as being opposed to the project. With the new council in place, what was once a sure thing during the previous administration now stood 5-4 with council opposed. But the pro-streetcar faction on council actually needed to pull two council members to their side to avoid an executive veto from the mayor. 

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; Mayor John Cranley
©David Sorcher 2013

Mayor John Cranley ran strongly on killing the streetcar which he felt was fiscally irresponsible for the city at this time. He claimed a mandate from the people to move forward on ending the project, though many of his opponents have questioned whether such a mandate can really exist from an election that only drew 28% of the electorate.

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; P.G. Sittenfeld
©David Sorcher 2013

P.G Sittenfeld was one of the major proponents of the day for continuing the project even though he once stood opposed. Given the relatively small difference in the cost projections for either pro or con he now felt that it would be fiscally imprudent not to move forward. 

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; John Deatrick
©David Sorcher 2013

John Deatrick was the man of the hour at these proceedings. As the executive supervisor for the project he has unavoidably found himself at the very center of the debate. 

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; P.G. Sittenfeld
©David Sorcher 2013

Councilman Sittenfeld exercises his media communication skills. He was perhaps the strongest spokesman on council that day for continuing the project.  

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; David Mann; Tom Luken
©David Sorcher 2013

Vice Mayor David Mann has a hallway consultation with ex-mayor/ex-state rep. Tom Luken. Mr. Luken, whose son Charlie also served as a Cincinnati mayor, keeps his eye on City Hall even in retirement and the current mayor sees his family as close advisors. 

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics
©David Sorcher 2013

The chandelier and tall windows of council chambers are reflected in this woman's glass as she speaks with a man at the back of the room. 

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics
©David Sorcher 2013

 Berta Lambert catches up on the news during a break in the session. 

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; Amy Murray
©David Sorcher 2013

Newly elected councilwoman Amy Murray speaks with an aide during a break in the session. Murray was one of the five council members who stood opposed to the streetcar that day.

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; Mayor John Cranley
©David Sorcher 2013

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; Mayor John Cranley
©David Sorcher 2013

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; Mayor John Cranley
©David Sorcher 2013

Though certainly meeting a strong opposition front to his commitment to kill the streetcar, Mayor Cranley remained adamant that the project would not proceed. 

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; David Mann; Charlie Winburn
©David Sorcher 2013

David Mann and Charlie Winburn listened as citizens came forth to state their case for the project. 

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; Mayor John Cranley
©David Sorcher 2013

Mayor Cranley directed questions to John Deatrick on the feasibility and costs of the project. 

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; John Deatrick
©David Sorcher 2013

As the central person on all things streetcar in Cincinnati, Mr. Deatrick was brought back to the table on numerous occasions to clear up points of interest for the council.

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; Mayor John Cranley
©David Sorcher 2013

Mayor Cranley reviews maps of the proposed streetcar routes during the public speaking session.

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; Mayor John Cranley
©David Sorcher 2013

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; Christopher Smitherman
©David Sorcher 2013

Christopher Smitherman is another councilman who was and remains opposed to the streetcar. 

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; P.G. Sittenfeld
©David Sorcher 2013

P.G. Sittenfeld questioned John Deatrick on the streetcar, specifically the difference in the cost to the city between killing or proceeding with the project. 

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; P.G. Sittenfeld; Kevin Flynn
©David Sorcher 2013

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics; John Deatrick; Kevin Flynn
©David Sorcher 2013

Kevin Flynn also questioned John Deatrick on the project. Flynn voted that day to postpone the project until an independent audit could confirm Deatricks cost findings. That postponement, however, only added to the over all costs in the end. But there was a more ominous deadline looming. The city had until Dec. 19th to restart the project or all federal funding would be withdrawn.

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics;
©David Sorcher 2013

A citizen watches the proceedings from the balcony.

Cincinnati City Council; City Hall; Streetcar; Politics;
©David Sorcher 2013

At the end of the day the council did indeed vote to postpone streetcar construction until an independent audit could report on the costs. About two weeks later they confirmed pretty much what John Deatrick had already reported. At that juncture two council members jumped ship to the pro-streetcar camp giving the streetcar a 6-3 victory in council. Vice Mayor David Mann and Kevin Flynn both made the decision to join four other council members to push the deal forward just ahead of the federal funding deadline. Both have received quite a bit of flack and name calling over their decision from the anti-streetcar camp. To be fair, David Mann had never come out in full opposition, always saying it was going to be down to a matter of numbers. The independent audit showed him the way. Flynn had gone on record previously as being definitely opposed, but also said that the numbers changed his mind along with a promise from the Haile U.S. Bank Foundation to help fund operations of the streetcar over the next ten years. Still, it is probably fair to say that this has left some sore feelings inside council chamber walls that will linger for some time to come. 

So there it is folks, yesterday's news. And it's only 2 1/2 months past deadline. ;-)

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The Farmers Hotel

This isn't the first time i've photographed the old brick building of the corner of Hoffner and Colerain. Sadly, each time i pass it has fallen further into decay. Crumbing facade, rotting wood and broken windows are its current state of being. Fortunately i am apparently not the only person concerned. After a bit of research i have found the it is the old Farmers Hotel, built in 1859, and there is a concerted effort to grant it historic status and save the structure. This hotel was once a stop-over for farmers driving their stock to market back in Cincinnati's "Porkopolis" days.
(click images to enlarge)

Farmers Hotel; Northside; Cincinnati
©David Sorcher 2014

Farmers Hotel; Northside; Cincinnati
©David Sorcher 2014

Obviously i enjoy the subject matter of things in decay, but it would still be wonderful to see this piece of Cincinnati history restored to its former glory. So many of our historical sites fall into disrepair and their stories are lost forever. If you are local and interested please check out the links above and get involved. 


Monday, February 17, 2014

Sacred Snow

After a couple of missed opportunities to return to Wesleyan Cemetery in the snow i finally made my way back there yesterday. Given the forecasted warming trend for the week it was probably a good thing as all this lovely white stuff will most likely be gone by Thursday.
(Click on any image for an enlarged gallery viewing)


Wesleyan Cemetery; Cincinnati; Northside; Tombstones; Graves
©David Sorcher 2014

I struggled with how to present these, color or Black & White. The stones did have some lovely subtle colors in them, but in the end i went for the B&W treatment, mostly because with all the snow it gave the over all image a stronger continuity. 

Wesleyan Cemetery; Cincinnati; Northside; Tombstones; Graves
©David Sorcher 2014

Mother Nature and Father Time own all things material. Gravestones well over 100 years old are slowly swallowed by trees that were mere saplings when the stones were first laid. 

Wesleyan Cemetery; Cincinnati; Northside; Tombstones; Graves
©David Sorcher 2014

An unusual mirrored marker reflects the cemetery behind it. 

Wesleyan Cemetery; Cincinnati; Northside; Tombstones; Graves
©David Sorcher 2014

One of the things i have always found so interesting about old cemeteries is the irony of fading tombstones. Markers left behind declaring that yes, we once lived, we once existed, are slowly wiped clean of names and dates by wind and rain, lichen and time. There is a certain bittersweetness to this secondary loss of the lost that borders on the poetic. 

Wesleyan Cemetery; Cincinnati; Northside; Tombstones; Graves
©David Sorcher 2014

Wesleyan was actually founded in 1843, but some bodies, including whole families, were moved there from certain over-crowded Downtown cemeteries after the fact, so dates can be found on some gravestones that actually pre-date the founding.  

Wesleyan Cemetery; Cincinnati; Northside; Tombstones; Graves
©David Sorcher 2014

Angel or goddess? The wings would suggest the first, but the bird at her feet, which looks very owl-like to me, could imply a connection to Athena. Perhaps her secret is hidden in her lost details. 




Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Walkabout

I've been in a state of hibernation this winter, never a very good mode for the process of good photography. The flu took me down for a couple of weeks, keeping me indoors even if i did want to risk my fingertips to explore the effects of the polar vortex on the lives of the local flora and fauna. And winter this year has put on a show worthy of documenting if i could just get myself out the door to shoot any of it. So i did finally force myself to get out for a bit of a walkabout yesterday, though none of the signs of our recent weather fronts were in evidence.
(You can click on any image for a larger gallery view)

©David Sorcher 2014

Through the gray of winter i think all of our eyes seek color to find some relief from the short, cold days and long, colder nights. I must admit that i was a bit unsure of myself creating this positive/negative diptych. It's a bit more contrived than my usual approach and i generally try to avoid gimmickry in my work. But when i accidentally hit the invert control while working on this image i just fell for the warmth of that orange sky. Right now my psyche needs all the warming up it can get. 

©David Sorcher 2014

Though the brilliant blue sky made this one of the cheerier afternoons we have experienced this winter my eye is still pulled to bright colors like the ones on this three-wheeled scooter.

©David Sorcher 2014

Standing guard over his domain, this pit bull strikes a strong pose for my camera. He would remain perfectly still when the camera was to my eye, but became instantly loud and animated as soon as it dropped away. 

©David Sorcher 2014

Woody Sander Body Shop along Spring Grove Ave. has been vacant for quite some time and i often wonder what kind of use this space could be put to. For now it made for a striking contrast against the deep blue sky. 

©David Sorcher 2014

I set my compass for this walk specifically to bring me past this point above. Until recently there was a huge 12-foot high monster truck tire that stood just to the left of the frame, an advertisement for the tire sales and repair done within. I would make note of it whenever i passed by and this was my day to finally use it in a photograph…or not. This is a lesson i seem to constantly need to re-learn. When something attracts your interest, don't wait. If you have your camera handy (i still need a small everyday camera), stop and shoot it. If not, go back the next day. Time waits for no one. My tire had apparently rolled away. 

©David Sorcher 2014

©David Sorcher 2014

©David Sorcher 2014

I've been documenting my neighborhood of Northside for some time now, and a lot of it has been focussed on what i might call shooting around the edges. This is a lively, active, alternative culture community, but most of my images seemed to find the quiet and forgotten places and be more concerned with urban landscape and architecture than people. You can see more of this project HERE.

©David Sorcher 2014

Tattered and faded, i wondered how much prayer was actually left in these flags to be spread by the winds.

©David Sorcher 2014

I love exploring the alleys of Northside, the backdoors and garages that aren't presented for regular public viewing.  

©David Sorcher 2014

A backlit door window and porch provide some architectural interest.

©David Sorcher 2014

Ornamental grasses that have been pressed flat by cold and snow are revealed by the temporary thaw. 

©David Sorcher 2014

It seemed amazing to me that after all the bitter cold, snow and wind of this season that these leaves and petals still clung so loyally to their stems. Groundhog day has passed and apparently Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow, forecasting six more weeks of winter, so perhaps my chances to photograph some really brutal snow and ice are not gone for the season. Still, i'm not sure i would complain if spring was sprung a wee bit early this year giving me one less excuse for any continued hibernation. I really need to get out more. :-)