Cincinnati’s community councils: Bridging gaps or hindering progress?

About 50 residents gathered Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the First Unitarian Church in Avondale for a public forum titled, “Cincinnati’s Community Councils: A Crucial Link or an Obstacle to Development?” The event, hosted by the Woman’s City Club of Greater Cincinnati, explored whether the city’s network of community councils truly strengthens neighborhood voices—or unintentionally slows progress.

The evening featured a panel discussion with local leaders who have long worked within Cincinnati’s civic framework: Elizabeth Bartley, Executive Director of Invest in Neighborhoods; Jacqueline Edmerson, President of the Bond Hill Community Council; Amber Kassem, President of the East Price Hill Improvement Association; Dave Mann, former Cincinnati mayor and council member; and Sue Wilke, Co-chair of the Woman’s City Club Civic Engagement Action Team. Cheri Rekow, WCC’s Vice President for Civic Engagement, served as moderator.

The discussion sought to address an ongoing concern shared across Cincinnati’s 52 community councils: whether these neighborhood bodies remain vital conduits between residents and City Hall—or have, in some instances, become procedural roadblocks.

The city’s own description of the councils calls them “a crucial link between the City and its many unique neighborhoods.” Yet for many in attendance, that connection feels frayed.

Amber Kassem described how years of neglect and unresponsiveness from city departments have forced some residents to seek their own remedies.

“You’re not working with us and you’re not responding to what you’re hearing. So you’re actually not listening—this is how I feel,” she said.

Kassem, who leads the East Price Hill Improvement Association, shared that she once had to hire an attorney to get action taken against a nearby drug house. “I had sewage running down the children’s bedroom in a slumlord property,” she added. “In my neighborhood, we’re fighting for basic rights that I shouldn’t even have to stand up and ask for.”

Panelist Jacqueline Edmerson, president of the Bond Hill Community Council, emphasized the need for elected officials to listen beyond their own agendas.

“I feel that some city council members have in their head how they want the community to move and to go,” she said. “No matter how much you say or how much you beg, they’re not moving from that. They work for us—but I think a lot of people aren’t getting that these days.”

Audience member Nafree, representing the Westwood neighborhood, echoed that sentiment during the Q&A.

“It was quite evident and clear to me that, no, they’re not [listening]—especially not the current city council,” Nafree said. “I’m interested in seeing us come together as a community, but I also want a council, a mayor, and a city manager who hear the cries of the people and are actually listening.”

Elizabeth Bartley explained that Invest in Neighborhoods, the nonprofit that supports Cincinnati’s community councils, continues to provide training and funding to help councils become more effective advocates. She encouraged residents to stay engaged, noting that long-term change often starts at the neighborhood level.

Moderator Cheri Rekow closed the panel by reminding attendees that civic participation must be a two-way effort. “Community engagement requires both the willingness to speak and the willingness to listen,” she said.

Following the panel, a lively Q&A allowed residents to share experiences and ask direct questions about communication gaps, transparency, and accountability in city decision-making.

The evening made one thing clear: while frustrations persist, there remains deep passion for collaboration across Cincinnati’s neighborhoods. As several participants noted, community councils can only serve as bridges—not barriers—when both residents and city leaders commit to consistent dialogue and mutual respect.

In a city rich with diverse voices and challenges, the conversation underscored a fundamental truth: progress depends on participation, and participation depends on being heard.