After long public-service career, Councilman Mann says he has even more to offer
Today and next Tuesday, Cincy Today is providing the Cincinnati mayoral candidates—Cincinnati City Councilman David Mann and Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Aftab Pureval—an opportunity to explain why you should vote for them (if you live in the city). We asked them the same set of six questions and requested that they provide their written answers before today’s first publication so that neither candidate would know the answers of the other candidate. There were no word limits, but we did remind them that they are appealing to potential voters. The answers are their own, with only minor editing. By alphabetical order, last name, we start with Councilman Mann. Next week: Clerk of Courts Pureval.
David Mann
1. Tell readers about yourself—including your educational and professional background—and why they should select you as the next Cincinnati mayor.
Born in Cincinnati, I grew up in Northern Kentucky. I was fortunate enough to win a NROTC (Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps) scholarship to Harvard College. Upon graduation, I spent four years as a Navy officer on a destroyer sailing in the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters. My ship was one of the first ships in Cuban waters at the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Upon discharge from the Navy, I attended Harvard Law School, where I was an editor of the Harvard Law Review and graduated magna cum laude. I joined the Cincinnati law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl and later became a partner. My wife, Betsy, and I have lived in Cincinnati ever since, first in Mount Adams and then Clifton. We have three grown children and five grandchildren, all of whom attended Cincinnati Public Schools. I now practice law with my son, Michael, in the firm of Mann & Mann.
I have had the privilege of serving my community as mayor, vice mayor, member of council and member of Congress. This council term, I chair the Budget and Finance Committee, overseeing a budget of $1.5 billion and the work of more than 6,000 employees. I count public service as a high calling and believe I have more to offer this community.
The new council will be one of the youngest and least experienced in history. The next mayor must have the experience and commitment to Cincinnati to lead this new council and address the serious challenges we face. We must also have someone who is not looking to the next steps in his career. I have no ambition but to continue the progress of our great community and to improve the lives of our citizens.
2. What are your top three priorities for the city if elected mayor?
Restoration of public trust in City Hall; growing jobs with living wages through economic development; reducing crime and continuing to improve policing.
3. In 2020, there were 97 homicides in Cincinnati, a record. So far in 2021, they total 66, also on track for one of the highest numbers of homicides ever. The next mayor will have a big voice in choosing the next Cincinnati police chief, when Eliot Isaac retires. Explain your plans for public-safety services and your views on the recent “Defund the Police” movement.
I reject direct or indirect moves to defund the police. Providing adequate patrol personnel means that we must fund the recruit classes necessary to meet our authorized strength. Due to the Collaborative Agreement and the hard work of our police personnel and engaged citizens, we have an exceptional police department, recognized as a model around the country.
4. In the past 19 months, three Cincinnati City Council members were indicted on federal corruption charges, and a fourth was charged with tampering with records. How will you ensure that high ethical standards are met in your dealings with City Council and in your administration?
As these sad charges came out, I immediately presented legislation creating a reform panel to look at our practices backward and forward and to make recommendations for improvement. The committee I chair, Budget and Finance, is reviewing this host of recommendations and will soon move forward with implementing legislation. Most important, all elected officials must keep out of the details of negotiating with outside entities, developers, contractors, nonprofit companies or otherwise.
Voters have a responsibility to investigate candidates to make sure we do not elect candidates more committed to their careers and the next political office than to the duties of the office.
5. Who inspires you and why?
My wife, Betsy, has been my partner for over 58 years. She is a person of amazing faith who sees nothing but good in every person she meets. Her warmth and empathy for others is so natural that folks just plain feel good in knowing her. She is so positive in all things.
Recently, Betsy has been fighting multiple myeloma, a serious blood cancer. Her treatment is going very well, and we are very optimistic. Part of her care included a very strong chemo drug followed by a stem-cell transplant. The chemo crashed her immune system, which is slowly rebuilding. She must once more have her childhood immunizations and, of course, another round of COVID 19 vaccinations.
Betsy has hardly missed a beat with one exception. Until her immune system recuperates, she must avoid crowds and any other threat of exposure to COVID 19. For someone who feeds off the energy of people, this has been very challenging. To Betsy’s credit, she is doing fine.
6. What makes you passionate (issues, personal or professional life or hobbies, for instance—open-ended)?
I believe that my public service can make a difference and give us a better city with real improvements in the lives of our citizens.
