James (Jim) Tarbell is an American politician of the Charter Party, who was a member of the city council and vice-mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio. By mayoral proclamation, Jim Tarbell holds the title "Mr. Cincinnati" for life.
In 1997, Tarbell began his political career by campaigning in his now well-known top hat and tails. He was first appointed to Cincinnati City Council in 1998 to replace the retiring Bobbie L. Sterne, was elected in 1999, and re-elected in 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 could not run for re-election in the November 2007 election.
In March 2010, Tarbell ran for Hamilton County Commissioner for the first time.[8] In September 2014, Tarbell announced that he was running for Hamilton County Commissioner again, this time as a write-in candidate.[9]
^"1957 The X-RAY St. XAVIER Jim Tarbell Cincinnati OH HIGH School ANNUAL Yearbook". eBay. June 1, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013. - Michaud, Anne (July 2, 1998). "Tarbell to carry Charterite torch". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Gannett Company. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Vine Street and other major city thoroughfares have deteriorated to a state he never would have imagined, [Tarbell] said, when he attended St. Xavier High School downtown. - "Graduation 2010" (Press release). St. Xavier High School. June 4, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2013. The June 3 ceremonies at Xavier University's Cintas Center featured the class of 1960 leading the procession into the arena. ... (It was also a special walk for Jim Tarbell, who famously didn't quite graduate with his class and have the opportunity to walk 50 years ago.)