From the email inbox:

Cincinnati, OH – On Friday, June 6, a letter signed by 40 persons representing a diverse coalition of law enforcement personnel, non-profit organizations and concerned civic leaders was hand-delivered to the editor and general manager of CityBeat, a publication, which they feel has become greater Cincinnati’s primary outlet for solicitation and promotion of prostitution and related services. Among the signers are Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis; Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher; Cincinnati Councilman Chris Monzel; and Bishop Dwight Wilkins, President, Interdenominational Ministers Alliance.

This morning, June 9, 2008, that coalition will make their appeal public at a press conference at Cincinnati’s City Hall, 801 Plum Street, Room 115, at 10:00 A.M.

“There is no question that the adult classifieds of their print and online editions consist primarily of solicitations for prostitution and promotion of businesses that front for prostitution,” said Phil Burress, president of Citizens for Community Values, one of the organizations signing onto a letter that asks the paper to eliminate their adult category.

Burress noted, “The recent investigation and raid of so-called massage parlors and spas that were fronting for prostitution once again drive home the obvious: These ads are promoting illegal activity and are contributing to the exploitation and trafficking of women. Responsible corporate citizenship demands that they be eliminated. And that’s what we’re asking.