Paul Dehner Jr. and Jason Williams talk about what’s coming on this week’s episode. Cincinnati Enquirer
Republican Mike DeWine will be sworn in as Ohio’s new governor on Monday. Here are three ways he can help Greater Cincinnati:
1. Pay attention to us.
It seems like such a simple ask. Of course, Ohio’s governor is going to pay attention to the state’s third-largest city, the home of Fortune 500 giants Kroger and Procter & Gamble, right?
Yet business and community leaders often felt the cold shoulder from outgoing Gov. John Kasich, a Central Ohioan who some have jokingly called the “Governor of Columbus.”
Kasich did very little for Greater Cincinnati. He didn’t have many close relationships here, beyond a handful of major campaign donors. When was the last time Kasich made a public appearance in Cincinnati in his role as governor?
Even his Cincinnati-based regional director was rarely seen. Former Adams County Commissioner Stephen Caraway was a ghost to Cincinnati business and economic development leaders during his 2½ years as Kasich’s Southwest Ohio liaison.
It’s not like Kasich is the only governor to treat Cincinnati like we’re on our own little island down here. Heck, no one seems to remember what – if anything – Cincinnati’s own Bob Taft did for his hometown when he was governor from 1999 until 2007.
But many believe DeWine will be much friendlier to Cincinnati.
He’s from nearby Cedarville, and has known some of Cincinnati’s top political and business leaders for decades. His son, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine, is a former Cincinnati city councilman and Hamilton County commissioner. The elder DeWine has grandkids here. He’s a long-time Reds and Bengals season-ticket holder.
DeWine’s arrival in the Riffe Center has given Greater Cincinnati leaders optimism that Southwest Ohio will have…
