CINTAS WORKERS: Maybe Scott Farmer and the Cintas board of directors took their tips on how to run a business from old Charles Dickens novels. It would help explain why the Mason-based firm keeps getting multiple federal fines for workplace safety violations.  

CORRYVILLE & MT. WASHINGTON: The two Cincinnati neighborhoods were chosen as recipients of the city’s Neighborhood Enhancement Program in 2010. Each will undergo a 90-day blitz in which municipal workers will pick up litter, crackdown on building and nuisance violations, and more.  

DEB WEISSBUCH: Weissbuch, who was recently selected as the area’s top dog trainer in Cincinnati Magazine’s “Best of the City” issue, has nabbed another honor due to her expertise. She won a spot to compete in the prestigious American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championship.  

As Mayor Mark Mallory and the new City Council are sworn in this week, the city says goodbye to two of its trusted progressive allies, David Crowley and Greg Harris. With the return of hard right-winger Charlie Winburn, council's conservative coalition now owns a 5-4 vote margin. It's now time for them to step up and offer a more inspiring plan than their current "No."  

Bus Riders: Merry Christmas! People who use the Metro bus system for transportation in Cincinnati and Hamilton County are going to have to dig deeper in their pockets beginning Dec. 27. Due to cuts in federal funding, Metro is raising its fares.  

The Enquirer: Now that the election is mercifully over, we must pause to reflect on The Cincinnati Enquirer’s hodge-podge of endorsements for City Council. The paper’s slate included two Democrats, three Republicans, two Charterites, one Charter-Democrat and one independent.  

DAVID PEPPER, TODD PORTUNE: The two Hamilton County commissioners, both Democrats, have long complained about how the Bengals’ lease for the county-owned stadium is wreaking havoc on taxpayers.  

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL: This progressive downtown church, located on East Fourth Street, helps serve the public good with its “Community Issues Forum.” Held alternating Thursdays at noon between late September and May, the forum features speakers on current issues and political races affecting Cincinnati.  

NICHOLAS HOLLAN: In an unusually odd mixture of endorsements, The Cincinnati Enquirer recently included Hollan among its picks for City Council. A first-time candidate with progressive leanings, this thoughtful West Side Democrat is well-qualified for public service.  

TONY FISCHER: This young, firsttime candidate for Cincinnati City Council spent the summer defying the mayor and stumping for a pledge not to layoff police officers as part of planned budget cuts at City Hall. A council majority backed the mayor and won cuts from the police union without the pledge.   

Simon Leis Jr.: We knew he couldn't help himself. Just two weeks after CityBeat dubbed him a "winner," Hamilton County's crusty sheriff returned to form by letting his fourth-highest paid employee retire to collect his state pension, then rehired the man for the same job.  

Showing his guts and integrity, Sherrod Brown — Ohio's Democratic U.S. senator — last week took issue with White House Chief of Staff (and all-around shifty a-hole) Rahm Emanuel after Emanuel said he didn't think the public option would survive in the Senate's health care reform bill.  

SIMON LEIS JR.: Yes, you’re reading that right. We’re giving kudos to Sheriff Simon for having the cojones to publicly say what many politicians agree with privately: Local governments could save mounds of money and provide more efficient services if Hamilton County took over some functions that are duplicated by cities and townships.  

JEAN SCHMIDT: Poor Jean, she just can’t seem to keep herself off our list. Just a week after her embarrassing testimony in an Ohio Elections Commission complaint she filed against an opponent, the sour-looking congresswoman drew nationwide scorn for an incident caught on video by Think Progress.  

MAYOR MARK MALLORY: Despite fear-mongering by his opponents, Mallory hung tough in negotiations with the police union and won a major victory. The mayor asked the union for concessions to help avoid a $28 million deficit or face 138 layoffs in the Police Department. The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) initially refused, hoping a public relations blitz would change his mind.