Christopher Smitherman -- 4/15/26

In this episode of Brian Thomas' talk radio show, former Cincinnati Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman joins to discuss a controversial city charter amendment petition aimed at restoring accountability in the hiring and firing of the city's police and fire chiefs. The conversation centers on the ongoing fallout from the city manager’s decision to place Police Chief Fiji on administrative leave without clear justification, leading to a costly and prolonged legal process involving multiple law firms. Smitherman argues that the current system allows unelected officials like the city manager and her contractors—such as Iris Rolio—to wield unchecked power, bypassing elected city council and shielding the mayor from accountability. He emphasizes that the petition would require a supermajority vote from council to hire or fire key public safety leaders, ensuring transparency and public oversight. The episode also highlights the financial burden on taxpayers, with two police chiefs being paid simultaneously and potential multi-million-dollar lawsuits looming. Despite the petition’s logical structure, Smitherman reveals that the city is obstructing its circulation by claiming the language doesn’t fit on an internal form, prompting legal threats. The discussion underscores systemic governance failures and the urgent need for civic reform in Cincinnati.