Candidate for
Council Member; City of Cincinnati

May 11, 2007

Dear Friends:

It seems like only last week that I began my career as a Cincinnati City Council Member. Nine years have gone by quickly. I am very proud of the service and support I've been able to give to all of the people of Cincinnati.

I am equally proud to introduce you to Joan Kaup who will be a great asset to City Council. Ms. Kaup is an advocate for the arts, tourism, small business, and creative solutions to increase the worth of our city. When I was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Arts and Culture with $5.4 million dollars to invest in capital improvements for the arts, I turned to Joan to devise a process for application and criteria for the grants.

She has a passion for making Cincinnati a creative city through the renaissance in our urban core. She was instrumental with the creation of the "Live. Buy. Design." Program. This is an unprecedented no-interest, combined purchase and rehab loan vehicle that supports new homeownership in downtown and Over-the-Rhine (OTR). Ms. Kaup is the force behind the OTR Chamber of Commerce's Business First AdVenture grant program to attract and support business new to Over-the-Rhine.

She is bright, energetic, thoughtful and persistent. She listens, works well with others, and follows through. Her successful career includes serving as VP of Marketing for Downtown Cincinnati Inc. and VP of Tourism for Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau. She orchestrated I Do Downtown, produced Holidays Downtown, initiated the city's first cultural tourism marketing campaign and opened the Visitor Center on Fountain Square. Her community services includes marketing committee chair for the Big Pig Gig, executive board member of the OTR Chamber of Commerce, founding board member of Ohio River Way and member of the steering committee of the Regional Culture Planning Commission.

Joan's vision and leadership will sustain projects and causes that I have championed. I ask you for your financial support to her campaign and for your vote in November to bring Joan Kaup to Cincinnati City Council. Thank you.

Sincerely,

James R. Tarbell