October 26, 2009

Cincinnati NAACP
Media Release

The Cincinnati NAACP remains concerned that a Yes vote on Issues 8 & 9 mean No and a No vote on Issues 8 & 9 means Yes.  "This is nothing short of madness and political corruption," Smitherman says.  There is no explanation for a Yes meaning No and a No meaning Yes.  This is not a tradition but an attempt to trick voters.  It is important that Cincinnati NAACP members educate the community prior to the vote on November 3, 2009 so citizens are not tricked.  A YES vote on Issue 9 STOPS the streetcar and a YES vote on Issue 8 STOPS the sale of our water.  The opposition is hoping that citizens are confused on November 3rd.  The African American Community's communication pattern is still word of mouth and all of us must make it our responsibility to pass this information on to others.  Our ancestors did not have email, text messaging or cell phones yet they were able to leverage church gatherings and social events to quietly get the word out.  "As the President of the Cincinnati NAACP I am asking you to forward this email and text message out that a Yes vote on Issues 8 & 9 stops the streetcar and the sale water, "  Smitherman says.  The Cincinnati NAACP is confident if our constitutes are given the right information they will overwhelmingly reject Mayor Mark Mallory's attempt to build a $200 million streetcar while shutting down our bus system, laying off bus drivers, and raising bus fares on the poor and disabled.