Jim Tarbell

James "Jim" Tarbell is an American politician of the Charter Party, who currently serves as a member of the city council of Cincinnati, Ohio. By mayoral proclamation, Jim Tarbell hold the title "Mr. Cincinnati" for life.

Background

A descendant of writer-reformer Ida Tarbell, he graduated from St. Xavier High School. As a young man, he was an independent and altruistic community activist, especially in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Later he played a more controversial role as a landlord and developer in the same neighborhood, which involved him in noteworthy disputes with homeless advocate Buddy Gray.Tarbell is the former owner of the much-loved Cincinnati restaurant Arnold's Bar and Grill and Grammer's. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Mr. Tarbell was also the proprietor of the Ludlow Garage, a popular destinations for such up-and-coming bands as The Allman Brothers Band, NRBQ and Santana. During this time Tarbell was also instrumental in starting the Hyde Park/Mount Lookout Teen Center, converting an old church in the Hyde Park neighborhood to an all-ages club with huge main stage and "underground". Tarbell enlisted the help of Hyde Park's teenagers to help convert the church.

Until the mid-1980s, Tarbell was noted for his rabelaisian-red head and beard. Alopecia universalis resulted in the loss of all facial hair, including his eyebrows. Unabashed, he has since carried off a 'Daddy Warbucks' look with laudatory panache.

Political career

The restaurateur was first elected to the council in 1998 to replace the retiring Bobbie L. Sterne and was re-elected in 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2005. Until 2003, when Christopher Smitherman won a seat on the council, Tarbell was the sole Charterite on the council. In 2005, Tarbell was appointed Vice Mayor by Mark Mallory, the newly-elected Mayor of Cincinnati. Because of term limits, Tarbell may not run for reelection in the November 2007 election. In 1997, Tarbell became known for campaigning in a top hat and tails.

ee also

* Ludlow Garage