Former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley lands job at downtown law firm

I FEEL VERY LUCKY AND BLESSED. THAT THIS COMMUNITY WENT FROM A DARK PLACE COMING OUT OF RACE RIOTS AND UNREST IN 2001 TO A CITY THAT BECAME THE ONLY CITY IN OHIO HISTORY TO MAKE COME BACK AND TO START GROWING AGAIN. YOU KNOW BEING THE MAYOR OF MY HOMETOWN HAS BEEN THE GREATEST HONOR OF MY LIFE PROFESSIONALLY. AND IT’S AMAZING. YOU KNOW, I’M CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS THE BEST JOB I EVER HAD AND PROBABLY WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST JOB I EVER HAD FROM WLWT. THIS IS LET’S TALK CINCY PRESENTED BY WESTERN AND SOUTHERN FINANCIAL GROUP PUT OUR FINANCIAL STRENGTH BEHIND YOU. HELLO. ONE, I’M CURTIS FULLER AND WELCOME TO LET’S TALK CINCY SOMEWHERE. I READ PUBLIC LIFE IS REGARDED AS THE CROWN OF A CAREER AND POLITICS IS STILL A GREAT AND HONORABLE ADVENTURE. WELL, NO DOUBT. THERE ARE MANY WHO MIGHT DISAGREE WITH THAT RATHER OPTIMISTIC VIEW OF THE CULTURE OF POLITICS, BUT MAYOR JOHN CRANLEY HAS TAKEN ON THAT ADVENTURE OF POLITICS AT CITY HALL FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES NOW HE PREPARES TO LEAVE CITY HALL, BUT THE POLITICAL ADVENTURE CONTINUES EIGHT YEARS AS MAYOR ANOTHER EIGHT AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER OVER THE YEARS JOHN CROWLEY HAS HELPED LEAD CINCINNATI THROUGH THE WORST OF TIMES AND THE BEST OF TIMES I FEEL VERY LUCKY AND BLESSED. SO HAVE FUN DOING THIS. OH, YEAH. ABSOLUTELY. HE AND I HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS DURING THE PAST TWO DECADES AND WHILE HE IS PROUD OF HIS OWN POLITICAL JOURNEY. HE NEVER FAILS TO GIVE CREDIT TO ANOTHER CRANLEY WHO’S MADE A NAME FOR HERSELF AS YOU SAID CURTIS IN CONVERSATIONS. I’VE HAD MY WIFE IS ACE IN A HOLE PEOPLE FIND HER A LOT MORE LIKABLE TO ME FOR GOOD REASONS. AND HER LEADERSHIP FOR THE FIRST LADIES FOR HEALTH AND BRINGING CHURCHES TOGETHER GETTING VACCINES OUT. SHE HAS BROUGHT A WHOLE NEW. ACTIVISM TO THE ROLE OF FIRST LADY AND SHE WAS THE FIRST FIRST LADY IN ABOUT 20 YEARS NOW AS HE PREPARES TO EXIT CITY HALL CRANLEY SAYS HE’S OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CITY’S FUTURE. WELL, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SPEND A FEW MOMENTS WITH JOHN CRANLEY, AND YOU’LL QUICKLY FIND OUT HE’S A WESTSIDER GREW UP. RICE HILL HIS MOM A SCHOOL TEACHER HIS DAD A VIETNAM VETERAN AND HIS WIFE DINA HAVE A SON JOSEPH AND NOW CRANLEY IS HOPING TO BECOME OHIO’S NEXT GOVERNOR. MORE ON THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER MY ONE-ON-ONE STARTS WITH A LOOK BACK. JUST LOOK BACK ON. THOSE 16 YEARS AND HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS THOSE? I FEEL VERY LUCKY AND BLESSED. THAT THIS COMMUNITY WENT FROM A DARK PLACE COMING OUT OF RACE RIOTS AND UNREST IN 2001. TO A CITY THAT BECAME THE ONLY CITY IN OHIO HISTORY TO MAKE A COMEBACK AND TO START GROWING AGAIN. MY WHOLE CHILDHOOD IN THE 80S AND 90S WAS ABOUT CINCINNATI SHRINKING AND GETTING SMALLER. AND THAT’S TRUE FOR MOST OF THE MIDWEST AND MOST OF OHIO. BUT WE BECAME THE FIRST COMEBACK CITY IN THE CENSUS IN 2021 WHERE WE’RE NOW RISING AGAIN AND GROWING FASTER THAN THE STATE OF, OHIO. IN MY OPINION THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR THAT COMEBACK BUT THE TWO BIG REASONS. WE’RE GETTING MORE SERIOUS ABOUT RACIAL JUSTICE. AND WORKING WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO INVITE JOBS AND INVESTMENT AND GROWTH INTO OUR CITY, BUT I BELIEVE THAT BOTH WERE NECESSARY AND FRANKLY WITHOUT THE RACIAL JUSTICE IMPROVEMENTS NOT PERFECTION IMPROVEMENTS. NONE OF IT WOULD HAVE SUCCEEDED AND SO I’M VERY VERY LUCKY AND BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY A LOT OF GREAT LEADERSHIP IN A CIVIL RIGHTS COMMUNITY WHO AGITATED FOR THAT CHANGE CITY LEADERS, AND I’M GLAD THAT I PLAYED A PART IN IT TOO TO SEE THIS COMEBACK. DID YOU EVER HAVE THIS IMAGE DREAM OF YOURSELF BEING THE MAYOR OF CINCINNATI. YOU KNOW. YOU KNOW BEING THE MAYOR OF MY HOMETOWN HAS BEEN THE GREATEST HONOR OF MY LIFE PROFESSIONALLY. AND IT’S AMAZING. YOU KNOW, I’M CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS THE BEST JOB I’VE EVER HAD AND PROBABLY WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST JOB I EVER HAD AND I’M GONNA BE SAD TO LEAVE BUT I’M PROUD OF WHERE WE’VE COME AND I DON’T KNOW KNOW ANYBODY WHO DOESN’T BELIEVE. THAT THE CITY IS NOT IN A BETTER PLACE TODAY THAN IT WAS EIGHT YEARS AGO 10 YEARS AGO 20 YEARS AGO. I THINK PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THE CITY IS MAKING PROGRESS. WE HAVE PROGRESS TO MAKE STILL. BUT WE’RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND THAT IS NOT TRUE FOR SO MANY OTHER MIDWESTERN CITIES OTHER OHIO CITIES AND SO WE REALLY HAVE SOMETHING THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON’T HAVE AND IT’S A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE YOUR FAMILY AND TO LIVE AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW THIS NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT STRONG MAYOR AS IS REFERRED TO IT’S ONLY BEEN TWO IT HASN’T BEEN TOUGHER THAN YOU ANTICIPATED. I MEAN BECAUSE THE ROLE OF THE MAYOR IS DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS 30 YEARS AGO. I DON’T THINK IT’S A COINCIDENCE. THAT OUR CITY STARTED TO GROW AGAIN. AFTER THE SHIFT TO A STRONGER MAYOR. I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT CITIES THAT DO REALLY WELL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THEY ALL HAVE A STRONG MAYOR BECAUSE THE BUCK HAS TO STOP SOMEWHERE. AND I GET THE MAYOR GETS ALL THE BLAME. AND SO IF SOMETHING GOOD’S GONNA HAPPEN, YOU’VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ELECTED. MAYOR HAS THE ABILITY TO GET SOME THINGS DONE. AND THAT’S I THINK THE WHOLE POINT IS TO MAKE DEMOCRACY REAL THAT IF YOU ELECT A MAYOR THE MAYOR SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO SOME THINGS TO HELP THE CITY AND THAT’S THE HEART OF DEMOCRACY AND I THINK IT’S I THINK IT IS NOT THE ONLY REASON I THINK THE BIG REASON IS RACIAL JUSTICE AND WORKING WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO BRING IN JOBS, BUT I THINK A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO MAKE THAT WORK HAS BEEN A STRONGER MAYOR SYSTEM. NOW, LET’S TALK A FEW ISSUES NOW, LET’S TALK A FEW ISSUES WITH THE MAYOR FROM THE STREETCAR TO DEVELOPMENT FIRST THOUGH HIS CONNECTION WITH FORMER CINCINNATI MAYORS. BEEN A WONDERFUL CLUB IF YOU WILL. KNOW MARY LUCAS IS CLOSE FRIEND AND MENTOR. I TALKED HIM THE MOST. I TALKED TO MAYOR MALLORY QUITE OFTEN. I’VE APPOINTED HIM TO SEVERAL BOARDS. IN FACT, I HAVE APPOINTED BOTH MAYOR LUKE AND MARY MALLORY TO THE RAILROAD. COMMISSION, WHICH IS UP TO RENEGOTIATING THE LEASE WITH NORFOLK SOUTHERN WHICH IS YOU KNOW, TED BERRY DID THAT IN THE LATE 70S AND NOW IT’S UP AGAIN. AND SO I KNEW THAT WHATEVER THEY CAME UP WITH HAD TO BE HAD THE FULL RESPECT OF THE CITY. AND SO I ASKED MAYOR MALLORY AND MAYOR LUKE AND TO BE PART OF THAT COMMISSION TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IT’S DONE WITH THE INTEREST OF THE CITY IN MIND, YOU KNOW MAYOR QUALLS WHEN I WAS IN LAW SCHOOL. I VOLUNTEERED ON HER CAMPAIGN IN 1998, AND SHE AND I SERVED WELL TOGETHER ON COUNCIL I’VE ASKED HER TO SERVE ON A DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE SINCE I’VE BEEN MAYOR BUT FOR MUSIC HALL ALSO FOR THE COURT STREET RENOVATIONS, AND SO IT’S BEEN A WONDERFUL RICH EXPERIENCE BASE POOL OF PEOPLE TO DRAW UPON IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD. THIS RECORD WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THAT STREET CORNER? BECAUSE YOU INITIALLY THAT WASN’T ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE. ALL RIGHT, THAT WAS NOT WORTH THE MONEY, BUT YOUR PERSPECTIVE TODAY AND AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS WITH THE STREETCAR. WHAT DO YOU THINK? LISTEN, I LOOK I I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS STREETCAR WAS WORTH THE MONEY. I WISH IT THE BEST IT IS CERTAINLY DOING BETTER SINCE IT BECAME FREE. BUT YOU KNOW FROM MY POINT OF VIEW. YOU KNOW BUS SERVICE IS MORE IMPORTANT TO GET PEOPLE FROM THEIR HOME TO THEIR JOB AND BACK TO THEIR HOME. AND SO I STILL IT WASN’T MY CHOICE. I WAS OUTVOTED BUT YOU KNOW, I STILL THINK IT’D BE BETTER TO LOWER THE COST OF BUS SERVICE THAN THE STREETCAR BECAUSE THE BUSES ARE HOW PEOPLE GET. I THINK THERE’S A GREATER LEVEL OF JUSTICE WITH BUSES TO GET FROM YOUR HOME TO YOUR JOB AND BACK TO YOUR HOME. BUT I CERTAINLY WISH THE STREETCAR WELL, AND AND AND AND I THINK OUR DOWNTOWN OVER THE RHINE IS BOOMING IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF THE WORK THE CITY IS DONE WITH THREE CDC AND OTHER INVESTORS AND FCC COMING ALONG AND I THINK THOSE HAVE BEEN MORE PRODUCTIVE FOR THE RENOVATION RENAISSANCE OF DOWNTOWN. BUT CERTAINLY THE STREETCARS HERE. AND I HOPE IT CONTINUED TO DO BETTER. BUT IF WE’RE GONNA SINCE WE’VE MADE IT FREE, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE BUS SERVICE FREE OR LESS EXPENSIVE. FOR PEOPLE TRYING TO GET TO AND FROM THEIR JOBS. YOU MENTIONED THREE CDC AND I HEAR PRAISE FOR THREE CDC, BUT I IT HAS ITS CRITICS BECAUSE SOME WILL SAY THAT IT’S TAKEN CONTROL OVER THINGS THAT THE CITIES SHOULD BE MORE. IN CONTROL OF YEAH, I MEAN LOOK THERE THREE CDC IS ONE OF THREE OR FOUR REASONS WHY THE CITY IS BOOMING AGAIN? I BELIEVE IT WAS AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF IMPROVING POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND RACE RELATIONS AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY WILLING TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IF YOU DON’T GET SOMEBODY AS TALENTED STEVE LEAPER AND IS EFFECTIVE AS THREE CDC. WE’RE NOT HANGING OUT AND OVER THE RHINE AT PEPIN DOLORES. WE’RE NOT HANGING OUT AT SALAZAR. WE’RE NOT HANGING OUT AT GHOST, BABY. WE’RE NOT HANGING OUT AT WASHINGTON PARK OR ZULA OR WHEREVER. MOST CITIES WOULD KILL FOR WHAT THREE CDC HAS ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. AND THEY SHOULD BE COMMITTED NOT CRITICIZED THE ARGUMENT THAT THEY’RE DOING THINGS THAT ARE OWNED BY THE PUBLIC. THEY’RE JUST AN AGENT FOR THE CITY THE CITY STILL OWNS FOUNTAIN SQUARE THE CITY STILL OWNS WASHINGTON PARK. THESE ARE PUBLIC ASSETS. WE JUST HIRE THEM TO DO A SERVICE FOR US AND THEY DO IT REALLY WELL AND A WAY THAT HAS BROUGHT PEOPLE BACK DOWNTOWN. AND I WOULD ADD THAT THEIR PROJECTS ALL HAVE HUGE INCLUSION RESULTS WITH AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND WOMEN OF BUSINESSES WORKING ON THE PROJECTS THAT THEY DO BETTER IN MANY CASES IN THE CITY ITSELF. AND SO NO I AM NOT I AM A COMMANDER OF THREE CDC AND CANDIDLY PEOPLE WHO CRITICIZE THEM IN MY OPINION. DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT. MY CONVERSATION WITH MAYOR JOHN MY CONVERSATION WITH MAYOR JOHN CRANLEY CONTINUES, YOU KNOW, HE’LL BE A PRIVATE CITIZEN SOON. I WANTED TO GET HIS TAKE ON THE MAYOR ELECT AND THIS NEW COUNCIL AND ALSO A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE NEXT CHAPTER. HE HOPES IN HIS POLITICAL CAREER. I’M EXCITED. YOU’VE GOT A LOT OF NEW SO THAT’S YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO HELP THEM TRANSITION AS BEST WE CAN BECAUSE IT’S NEVER BEEN THIS MANY. I DON’T REMEMBER A TIME WHERE THERE’S THIS MANY NEW. SO WE’RE TRYING TO GIVE THEM BRIEFINGS AND ORIENTATION. I’VE MET WITH MAYOR ELECT PURVAL MULTIPLE TIMES NOW, WE’RE GOING TO MEET MULTIPLE TIMES MORE BEFORE HE SWORN IN. YOU KNOW, I’LL BE THERE FOR THEM. ANYWAY I CAN BUT I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE YOU KNOW, THERE’S SOME REALLY SCOTTY JOHNSON AND MICO AND JEFF KRAMERDING, I MEAN THESE ARE THESE ARE REALLY, YOU KNOW PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY AND AND DIFFERENT LIFE EXPERIENCES, BUT I THINK THEY’RE GOING TO BE UNITED IN BRINGING JOBS TO THE CITY AND MAKING THE CITY SAFER. AND I THINK THAT’S YOU KNOW, THAT’S WHERE I THINK THEY WERE ELECTED FROM AND AND I THINK MARYLAND LIKE PURPLE AND MONSTER VICTORY, YOU KNOW CLEARLY HAS A MANDATE. AND I’VE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED AND MY MEETINGS WITH HIM AND I’M VERY BULLISH ON CINCINNATI’S FUTURE. LISTEN IF YOU HAD TO HIGHLIGHT MAYBE TOP THREE THINGS THAT YOU WOULD SAY. THIS IS MY LEGACY FOR CINCINNATI. WELL THINGS THAT YOU WISH THAT YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN DONE MAYBE YOU’VE GOTTEN STARTED BUT NOT COMPLETED. WHAT WOULD THOSE BE? WELL, I THINK THE BIGGEST PICTURE IS THE FACT THAT WE’RE GROWING AGAIN. YOU’RE EITHER GROWING OR DYING IN THIS FOR MANY MANY DECADES THE CITY WAS SHRINKING AND DYING AND NOW IT’S GROWING AGAIN. IT’S COME BACK TO LIFE AND SO MANY OTHER MIDWESTERN CITIES. THAT’S NOT TRUE. SO WE ARE IN A COMMUNITY NOW AND WHETHER YOU LIVE IN A CITY OR IN OUR REGION, WE ALL ARE GOING TO RISE IN FALL TOGETHER AND SO TO ALL TO HAVE A CENTER CITY AS BEAUTIFUL CINCINNATI AS WITH THE ARTS AND SPORTS AND TO HAVE IT GROWING AGAIN MEANS THAT THERE’S GOING TO BE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS IF WE KEEP GROWING. SIMILARLY ON A MORAL LEVEL THE FACT THAT WE REDUCE POVERTY FASTER THAN ANY OTHER PART OF OHIO. WE REDUCE POVERTY ONE AND A HALF TIMES FASTER THAN THE STATE OF OHIO OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS THAT IS DEEPLY PERSONAL TO ME BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. I BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, I’M A RELIGIOUS PERSON AT TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS EXPECTED AND WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE LEAST OF THESE AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES. EVERYBODY ELSE THE AMERICAN DREAM. AND WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO REDUCE POVERTY IN CINCINNATI, BUT WE REDUCED IT FASTER THAN ANY OTHER PART OF. OHIO AND SO THAT MEANS THAT WE’RE DOING BETTER THAN MOST PLACES AND MAKING THE AMERICAN DREAM A REALITY. IF YOU LOOK AT PRICE HILL OR WEST WATER, MADISONVILLE WALNUT HILLS, THESE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS COLLEGE. SO WHAT YOU KNOW NEIGHBORHOODS AT 10 15 YEARS AGO PEOPLE THOUGHT WERE REALLY HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION AND NOW THEY’RE ALL HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND PEOPLE FEEL IT IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS. AND IT’S EXCITING TO SEE THE THE RETURN OF URBAN LIVING AND NOT JUST IN DOWNTOWN OVER THE RUN WHICH TREMENDOUS BUT ALSO IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WORK, YOU KNOW FEELING A LITTLE ROUGH 10 15 YEARS AGO AND NOW OUR MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND I KNOW I PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THAT AND I’M DEEPLY PROUD OF IT. ANYTHING THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN DONE. WELL, I MEAN WE PUSH FOR A HOUSING COURT, YOU KNOW. WE’RE THE ONLY MAJOR CITY IN, OHIO. THAT DOESN’T HAVE A HOUSING COURT TO HOLD BAD LANDLORDS ACCOUNTABLE FOR LITTER AND FOR MISTREATING TENANTS AND I THINK IN SOME NEIGHBORHOODS THAT STILL SEE A LOT OF CRIME AND BLIGHT I THINK A HOUSING COURT WOULD HELP TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF THOSE ISSUES AND I KNOW MAYOR ELECT PURVAL IS ALL SO AN ADVOCATE OF IT. SO MAYBE HE’LL BE ABLE TO GET THAT DONE AND I HOPE SO. TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU THINK AS A CITY. YOU PERSONALLY AND YOU’VE TOUCHED ON IT OBVIOUSLY JUST IN THIS SEASON OF THANKSGIVING. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO FOLKS TO JUST KEEP THEIR SPIRITS UP TO PRESS THROUGH WHAT WE’RE DEALING LOOK. CINCINNATI HAS SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR I MEAN AS I MENTIONED SO MANY CITIES IN THE MIDWEST ARE STILL IN DECLINE AND WE’RE GROWING. AND THE REASON IS IS THAT OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY OUR NONPROFIT COMMUNITY OUR FAITH COMMUNITY THE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW DESPITE MANY DIFFERENCES OVER TWO DECADES WHEN THE CHIPS WERE DOWN PEOPLE YOU KNOW DOUBLED UP. THEY DIDN’T. TAKE THEIR CHIPS AND GO HOME. THEY REINVEST IT. WHETHER IT WAS A BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN THREE CDC, WHETHER IT WAS DAMON LYNCH AND AND AND IRISH ROLLY NOT JUST CRITICIZING BUT WILLING TO BE A PARTNER FOR BETTER POLICING. I MEAN IF WE DIDN’T HAVE MAYOR LUCAS BRINGING THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT MAYOR MALLORY GET THE BANKS OUT OF THE MUD. YOU KNOW IF WE DIDN’T HAVE THE LENDERS TO BUILD FCC AND AND HELP BRING THE SUPPORT FOR A NEW SOCCER TEAM. WE HAVE THREE MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS NOW. THE CITY IS DRAMATICALLY BETTER AND HUMAN RELATIONS. AND ECONOMICALLY BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE DESPITE HAVING DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW OVER MANY YEARS. PUT THE CITY FIRST. AND SO I AM THANKFUL THAT I LIVE. COMMUNITY WAS SUCH GREAT PEOPLE. THAT THEY’RE WILLING TO PUT THE GOOD OF THE WHOLE AGAINST THEIR OWN EGOS AND VIEWPOINTS AND COMPROMISE TO FIND A BETTER WAY FORWARD AND NOT EVERYBODY LIVES IN A COMMUNITY WITH PEOPLE. THAT ARE WILLING TO DO THAT. AND I AM SO THANKFUL THAT I GOT TO BE PART OF THAT. AND I’M CONFIDENT THAT CINCINNATI WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE LEADERS WHO EMERGE WHO CONTINUE TO DO THAT. THE NEXT CHAPTER YOU WANT TO BE GOVERNED. YES. RUNNING FOR MARRIAGE STUFF. THIS IS REALLY TOUGH. IT’S A BIG STATE. BUT YOU KNOW, I THINK CINCINNATI HAS A LOT TO OFFER YOU KNOW, OHIO BECAUSE THE REST OF OHIO NEEDS TO COME BACK THAT WE HAD AND BY THE WAY WE CAME BACK FROM TOUGH DEEP RACIAL DIVIDE WE CAME BACK FROM DEEP DECLINE SO IF WE CAN COME BACK, I’M CONFIDENT, OHIO CAN COME BACK. YOU KNOW IN ADDITION TO POLITICS CROWNLY CO-FOUNDED THE OHIO INNOCENCE PROJECT WHICH AS A RESULT OF DNA TECHNOLOGY HAS EXONERATED NEARLY THREE DOZEN WRONGFULLY CONVICTED PEOPLE IN 20 YEARS. UP NEXT THE STORY OF A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE USING HIS VOICE IN A RATHER DIFFERENT WAY TO HELP STOP THE VIOLENCE WHEN LET’S TALK CINCY CONTINUES. AND FINALLY TODAY DURING THE AND FINALLY TODAY DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON WE FOCUS A LOT ON THE JOY OF SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, BUT FOR SOME THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF PAIN BECAUSE OF A VOID LEFT BY THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE THE VICTIM OF A FIREARM INJURY DEATH HERE’S THE STORY NOW OF ONE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE. USING HIS VOICE IN A DIFFERENT WAY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. YOU THINK ABOUT IT CURTIS MORE AND MORE NOW. WE’RE SEEING BABIES AND AND AND NOT JUST BABIES IN TERMS OF 17 AND 18, BUT CHILDREN THAT ARE GETTING SHOT AND AT SOME POINT OUR MIND HAS GOT TO GET TO WHERE WE’RE SAYING. NOT ONE MORE PASTOR JACKIE JACKSON IS A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE PAIN OF GUN VIOLENCE. HE CHOSE MUSIC AS ONE WAY TO EXPRESS THAT PAIN. NOT ONE. OF FAMILY SHOULD WONDER HOW YOU? THINK I WAS SHOT AT 10 YEARS OLD. NO 10 YEAR OLD SHOULD BE SHOT IN THE SUMMER OR IN THE WINTER IN A FOLLOWER IN THE SPRING. I’VE HAD EIGHT FAMILY MEMBERS IN THIS CITY IN THE CITY OF OF CINCINNATI MURDERED BY GUN VIOLENCE. ONE OF THEM 14 YEARS OLD NO MORE FATHER’S MOTHER’S. SISTERS BROTHERS STANDING AT THE PLACE OF WORSHIPS DOOR SEEING THE FAMILY SEEING THE BABIES SEEING THEIR LOVED ONES WHEN I THINK ABOUT THAT WHAT IS AFFECTED MY FAMILY AND THEN, YOU KNOW, I WORKED WITH THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH ADVOCATES FOR A WHILE AND WE RESPONDED TO THE HOMICIDES AND SHOOTINGS AND NOW I’M ALSO WITH ON ON THE CHIEF OF POLICE AS GOD SQUAD SO I STILL ON OCCASIONS GO OUT. SO MY LIFE IS SURROUNDED BY GUN VIOLENCE. I’M SEEING GUN VIOLENCE. MY LIFE PERSONALLY OR IN THE FAMILIES IN THE CITY, YOU KNOW, WE JUST DID THE GUN VIOLENCE MEMORIAL WHERE FAMILIES COULD BRING OBJECTS OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THEIR LOVED ONES WHO WERE TAKING BY GUN VIOLENCE, BUT I’M DOING THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY, SO I’M SEEING GUN VIOLENCE ON A CONTINUAL BASIS AND WE’VE GOT TO GET TO WHERE NOT ONE MORE IS NOT SOMETHING WE SAY, BUT IT’S A ACTION THAT WE TAKE JOYCE SMITH SAYS HER BROTHER USED A GUN TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE. SHE SHARED SHARED WITH ME HER THOUGHTS LISTENING. THE SONG NOT ONE MORE FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT SONG MADE ME FEEL LIKE IS HOW IT JUST KEEPS COMING UNTIL WE ALMOST WOULD FEEL LIKE THIS IS NORMAL TO HEAR ANOTHER DAY AND MORE MURDERS. YOU 21 YEAR. OLD HI. SAID HE LIKED THE SONG IT’S A DOSE OF REALITY. I FEEL A LOT OF GUN VIOLENCE MYSELF. JUST I JUST WANT TO GET AWAY FROM IT FOR YOU, BUT IT’S AROUND LIKE OH, NO, WE GOTTA MAKE A CHANGE MUSIC IS SO POWERFUL AND MUSIC IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT IS WHAT MOVES US MOVEMENTS HAVE BEEN BUILT ON THE BACK OF MUSIC. NO NOT ANOTHER CHILD SHOULD BE GUNNED DOWN, BUT I’M HOPING THAT THIS WILL DO IS I’M HOPING IT HAS A HEALING EFFECT FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE ARE DEALING WITH THE LOSS OF LOVED ONE. I’M HOPING THAT IT HAS A A PUSH IN THE BACK. SO TO SPEAK FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GETTING INVOLVED BECAUSE GUN VIOLENCE IS AFFECTING EVERYONE. I’M HOPING THAT A POLITICIAN WILL HEAR THAT PART THAT GIVES GREAT FOR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, BUT THE BIBLE SAYS FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD. SO I’M HOPING THAT THAT WILL PUSH SOME POLITICIANS INTO GETTING MORE ACTIVE. I’M HOPING THAT IT WILL MAKE US AS PEOPLE. AS PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO SIT BACK FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE IN THEIR SOME AREAS AND FOR EVERYBODY TO GET OUT AND DO BUT FOR THOSE OF WHO ARE WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO SIT BACK AND SAY SOMETHING’S GOT TO HAPPEN. WITHOUT DOING SOMETHING AND GETTING INVOLVED. SO I’M HOPING THAT THE SONG WILL BE A MOTIVATOR A HEALER A TEACHER. OR EDUCATOR, I GUESS I SHOULD SAY AND I HOPE THAT IT WORKS ON SOME CONSCIOUS MUSIC FOR EVERYTHING. IT IS A POWERFUL THING IT TOUCHES OUR SPIRIT IT TOUCHES OUR SOUL IT TOUCHES OUR MIND AND IT MOTIVATES US TO RISE ABOVE OPPRESSION AND MOTIVATES US TO RISE ABOVE PAIN AND IT MOTIVATES US TO TAKE OUR BEST SELF AS FAR AS WE CAN GO. ACCORDING TO THE CDC MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE DIE FROM GUN INJURIES EVERY DAY IN THIS COUNTRY THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM CRIMES TO SUICIDE. WELL THAT DOES IT FOR THE PROGRAM TODAY. I’M CURTIS FULLER. THANKS FOR JOINING US. SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

Former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley lands job at downtown law firm

Updated: 12:06 PM EDT Jun 6, 2022

Former Cincinnati mayor and democratic candidate for governor John Cranley announced he will be returning to the law firm he practiced at before becoming mayor.Cranley will be rejoining the Cincinnati law firm of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL (KMK Law). “I’m thrilled to be returning to KMK Law,” Cranley said in a statement. “KMK Law is an integral pillar in the Cincinnati region where I’ll be able to use my experience in leading results for the city into delivering results for the firm’s clients.”Cranley had practiced at KMK Law from 2009 to 2013 prior to when he was elected mayor.“John Cranley provides KMK Law clients with a unique background of legal experience and government service,” Alan Fershtman, Managing Partner at KMK Law said in a statement “To have John, former Mayor and City Councilman practicing at KMK Law is an honor for us and a great opportunity for the firm and our clients. John has strong expertise in the area of government finance and in the issuance of bonds and notes, and he is a proven leader in developing and administering economic incentive packages and in fostering economic development throughout the city of Cincinnati and the region.” He then served as mayor from 2013 to 2022. He then put his hat in the race for the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor. He conceded to former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley who won the nomination in the Ohio primary election.

CINCINNATI —

Former Cincinnati mayor and democratic candidate for governor John Cranley announced he will be returning to the law firm he practiced at before becoming mayor.

Cranley will be rejoining the Cincinnati law firm of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL (KMK Law).

“I’m thrilled to be returning to KMK Law,” Cranley said in a statement. “KMK Law is an integral pillar in the Cincinnati region where I’ll be able to use my experience in leading results for the city into delivering results for the firm’s clients.”

Cranley had practiced at KMK Law from 2009 to 2013 prior to when he was elected mayor.

“John Cranley provides KMK Law clients with a unique background of legal experience and government service,” Alan Fershtman, Managing Partner at KMK Law said in a statement “To have John, former Mayor and City Councilman practicing at KMK Law is an honor for us and a great opportunity for the firm and our clients. John has strong expertise in the area of government finance and in the issuance of bonds and notes, and he is a proven leader in developing and administering economic incentive packages and in fostering economic development throughout the city of Cincinnati and the region.”

He then served as mayor from 2013 to 2022. He then put his hat in the race for the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor. He conceded to former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley who won the nomination in the Ohio primary election.