In 98 Degrees, he belted out tunes. As mayor, he plans to belt out legislation. Snubbed by both VH-1 and Charter,  Justin Jeffre remains undeterred. Bringing an independent look at politics, he focuses on citizen participation and politics-not-as-usual.

Justin wasted some of his time with us earlier this week.

Cincinnati Dealer: Who currently on City Council looks most like a pop star? I'm going with Tarbell because of that boffo top hat that he wears.

Justin Jeffre: I couldn’t agree more, but you’re forgetting his stage skills. That dude can pop-n-lock better than Justin Timberlake.

PURPLE PEOPLE BRIDGE - Still feeling snubbed by Hamilton County's grab of The Banks project, the city, in a stunning move, made their own power move on the river.

With no public input or collaboration, the city announced completion of development of the "Mini-Banks," or the area at the end of the Purple People Bridge leading into Cincinnati. $393,287 was spent on some yellow poles, yellow lights, and bamboo plants.

The Mini-Banks went up seemingly overnight, and at a paltry $393,287, a much cheaper cost than the real Banks.

And in the same spirit the county used to get outside funds, the city did likewise, spending a quarter-million dollar state grant.

HAMILTON, OH - City of Hamilton residents, angered over a very tragic act of violence on June 16th, vandalized property not owned by the aggressor.  Peggy Stems,  resident of the City of Hamilton says, “Sure, we understand that the landlord has nothing to do with this,  and that the aggressor is an illegal immigrant who surely hightailed away from here,  never to be seen again.  But we felt that somebody has to pay for his crimes if we can’t catch him.  The landlord seemed like the best choice.” 

Five days later,  after it was clearly pointed out that City of Hamilton residents can’t spell,  efforts were made to correct the error.  “We burned down the house,” said Daryl Meders.  “It was really the only logical thing to do.  We couldn’t let the rest of the county think we don’t know our three R's - reading, riting and 'rithmetic.”

Landlord Todd Narals agrees.  “What if kids saw that sloppy spelling?  It would just further perpetuate poor grammar in our city.  We can’t have kids growing up that way.  It had to be done.”

Sergeant Huntings of the City of Hamilton police force says, “Sure we lost all of the clues and evidence we would use to track him down and convict him.  But illiteracy is a crime that hurts everybody.”

CINCINNATI - The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that it was okay for a Connecticut developer to take a family’s home and erect a health club, hotel and offices.

The landmark ruling opened a floodgate of eminent domain claims resulting in complete chaos throughout the city of Cincinnati. As of today, 2,345 claims have been filed in an effort to take over property for the purpose of "revitalizing the community".

Indian Hill resident, millionaire and defender of the court ruling, G. H. Walker Shub, is attempting to seize Norwood in order to fulfill his lifelong dream of owning a parking lot.

"I have always wanted my own parking lot", said Shub. "Norwood will have to find a new place to live. This city needs this parking lot. It will give people a place to park."

ROSELAWN – It’s a typical Saturday night in this small neighborhood off I-75. Neighbors on the front porch are talking, then disappearing indoors to don bullet-proof vests as the night wears on. Children interrupt their games of tag and hide-and-seek to strap on helmets and grab riot shields to ward off the anticipated rain of ammunition as Club Ritz patrons get their groove on.

“Yeah, I know," said Duane Ellingham, a father of three, "They closed down that Irish bar in Hyde Park because of people takin’ a leak in the lawn. For real. Our community council voted to shut this shithole down.”

Clearly fed up with the threat of violence facing his family because of the Ritz, Ellingham has a hard time believing just how callous City Council can be. “But I guess the vice mayor has that title for a reason,” he laughs. “She sure does like to support her vice. And I don't give a damn about her skating ability. For real.”

MASON, OH - "Downtown Mason? Why would I go there?" wondered resident Tina Thorpe. "There's nowhere to park but the street.  There's no Dick's or Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Worst of all, you've got that turf war brewing between Mason and Loveland over who 'owns' that stretch of I-71.  Just the other day, I saw a car with a bumper sticker for the Loveland Tigers driving down Main Street. That's a recipe for violence."

Tina Thorpe is not alone. Faced with a declining downtown, Mason Mayor Peter Beck this week announced a $2 million revitalization plan for downtown. At the heart of the plan is a controversial decision to move the oak tree at West and Main a block east to East and Main.

"Still, I doubt anybody could've had worse aim than this young fellow," said Curtiss, "If he missed just one person - okay, maybe I can understand a beginner doing that.. But five shots at close range into a crowd of people, and not one hit? Jeez.. were his eyes even open?"

ERLANGER - Cranks and old folk with nothing better to do with their time living on one tri-state road are fed up… with people who have lives, places to go, people to meet and things to do.  Janice Locks, busy-body and life long resident of Erlanger, KY, says that speeders just don’t care about the 25 mile an hour speed limit sign she harangued the local resident’s council to put up on her street.  “I spent a good six months nagging local politicians to make this street just the way I want it, but everyone else is too busy to care,” says Janice.  “They just fly by my white picket fence without a single care of my needs!”

Drivers zoom by at 30 to 35 miles an hour not taking notice of the green lawns.  Erlanger Police say there is not much they can do since they need to focus on stopping real crime like murder, rape, violence theft and vandalism.

The day we were out on Tulip Tree Lane it was clear nobody gave a crap.  Like this driver we saw going 32 miles an hour.

DOWNTOWN - Last week, Hamilton County Commissioners gave a big middle finger to those currently involved with efforts to re-develop the area between Paul Brown stadium and Great American ballpark, affectionately known as "The Banks."

Hamilton County gave local companies Corporex and Vandercar Holdings exclusive rights to develop a plan for The Banks, which has seen numerous delays in the past few years. This supersedes efforts by other quasi-governmental groups such as the Port Authority and the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp (3CDC).

Bill Butler, Corporex CEO, stated, "As you all know, my favorite color is that maroon, tan-ish color. That's what I build all my buildings in. With any luck, I'll have that color on both sides of the river."

Rob Smyjunas, president of Vandercar Holdings, is best-known for building much-needed Target and Meijers stores at the Center of Cincinnati Center in Norwood. "I envision a three-story Target, with entire walls of glass, with a view across the river. After all, I like maroon too."

Commissioner Pat DeWine, fresh off his loss in the GOP primary for the 2nd District seat said, "As you all know, last year I vowed to serve the citizens of this county, and this is proof. I am a man of my word, at least until the next highest political seat is vacant."

COVINGTON - Shockwaves rocked the tri-state this past Friday when the Covington Diocese negotiated a deal to pay $120 million for abuse. Appointed Bishop of Covington in May of 2002, Roger Foys seemed eager to lead the Diocese into a new era. "For centuries Catholicism has dwelt on sadism, feeding off the punishment of others. We here, at the Covington Diocese would like to explore our masochistic side." The wild eyed Bishop continued, "I am proud, enthusiastic, and a little aroused to introduce our new policy, Tit for Tat."

The Bishop’s policy is a complete reversal of past practices. "Tit", symbolizes the 50-plus years of sexual abuse by priests and others at the local diocese. "Tat" represents an unprecedented 50-year embarkation of sexual abuse to be inflicted upon the local clergy by its parishioners.