PX: Yvette Simpson's stance on Children's deal still 'scares people'

It's been over a month since the Children's Hospital drama went down at Cincinnati City Hall, and mayoral candidate Yvette Simpson continues to stand by her baffling decision to push back on one of the city's biggest development deals ever.

OK, fine. It's tough for any politician to admit they're wrong on something.

But the City Councilwoman missed a big opportunity to at least further explain her decision on the Children's deal during Tuesday's first mayoral debate of the fall between Simpson and Mayor John Cranley.

The debate, hosted by the Cincinnati Chamber and Business Courier, was held in a banquet hall on The Banks filled with top business leaders.

"The conversation isn't over," Simpson said a few times during the hourlong debate.

That's not what these folks wanted to hear. Business leaders have spent the past five weeks freaking out about whether Simpson will hold up other big jobs-creating projects if she's elected mayor. Simpson did nothing to put them at ease. Cranley called it "pretty frightening" that Simpson wants to continue to discuss the deal, which ended up passing despite her resistance.

To recap, Simpson and Councilman Wendell Young introduced a last-minute motion Aug. 7 demanding Children's Hospital hand over up to $27.5 million to Avondale in exchange for their support of a zoning change. Children's didn't ask for any taxpayer money. It held multiple meetings with residents. It went above and beyond by offering Avondale $11.5 million for neighborhood projects in addition to the $550 million expansion.

Until then, many local political watchers thought Simpson had all the momentum heading into the November election. But by whiffing on Tuesday's opportunity, Simpson allowed Cranley another chance to gain steam in the race at the expense of her head-scratching Children's decision.

And Cranley was on the attack the entire debate, bringing up the Children's deal every chance he got. Here's a look at five times the deal was mentioned:

1. OPENING STATEMENT: Cranley established the issue early on, making a point to mention Children's as he was talking about continuing the city's growth. "We support our wonderful institution of Children’s Hospital," he said.

2. LANDING AMAZON: The candidates were asked about how the city could land Amazon's new headquarters. "I can tell you how we won’t get them," Cranley said. "We won’t get them by trying to charge $27 million for a zone change. We will not get them by pulling the rug out from under one of our greatest institutions that is investing $550 million in the city to expand critical medical services for the children of Avondale and trying to renegotiate that deal at the very last second. That will bring economic development in our city to a screeching halt."

3. CHANGE VOTE? Simpson was asked whether she would cast the same vote now after being criticized. "My proposal was all about trying to create a win-win between Children's and the community," Simpson said. "The proposal was aimed at avoiding vacancy, blight and crime in the area around Avondale." Simpson added that she wished she would have taken more time to introduce her motion and discuss it.

4. KEEPING JOBS: The candidates were asked what their plans are for retaining jobs and recruiting talented workers. Cranley opened by again bringing it back to the Children's deal. "You bring more talent here by having a pro-job growth administration that works with our partners, not against them," the mayor said. "That means working with institutions like Children’s Hospital."

5. IS IT OVER? "The council member keeps saying that the conversation around Children's is not over," Cranley said. "That's what scares people. What's scary is the proposal she made was in writing, which was so egregious. As mayor, you get to control the council agenda. So what scares me is that if she is mayor, she insist that they meet her demands or she won't allow their proposal to come forward for a vote."

The business community's scared. The mayor's scared. But is Simpson? Will her decision come back to haunt her on Nov. 7?

Politics Extra is a column looking inside Greater Cincinnati and Ohio politics. Follow Enquirer political columnist Jason Williams on Twitter @jwilliamscincy and send email to jwilliams@enquirer.com.