Avtar S. Gill (age 65) is a mysterious Cincinnati personality.  Gill is a Native of Malaysia.  He apparently lives in a hotel downtown(<-disputed as outdated information) somewhere, and he does not have a telephone.  He decorates hats and wears them to all significant Cincinnati events.  Additionally, he attends virtually every City Council meeting, and during campaign season he can be spotted wearing stickers from every candidate who bothers to give him one.

External links
News stories and Excerpts

*Frontier blog reference 6/29/2006, The Cincinnati Enquirer Political Blog

Then, Avtar S. Gill—known around City Hall as “the hat guy” for the political statements he makes with his colorful handmade baseball caps—registered his approval with an impromptu sign.

Gill, a 65-year-old downtown resident, said he wanted to write “Habemus Manager” on the sign—a reference to the Latin phrase used to announce the election of a new pope—but was afraid the five non-Catholics on City Council might not get the reference.

*On the Line 12/05/2001 The Cincinnati Enquirer

Standing in the chili line, Avtar Gill — a native of Malaysia — and Anna McClain — just back from her hometown of Bombay, India — proved Terry’s point.

“I gave a hat I made to the mayor,” Avtar said. “Before I caught my bus from Delhi, I wrote on his cap: “Charlie Luken, First Strong Mayor.’ Hope it helps him make something good come out of City Hall. We need it.”

*Oba Violently Gunned Down In Front of City Hall April 12, 2006, The Cincinnati Beacon

Murmurs of riot and curfews echoed the streets of downtown this afternoon after Kabaka Oba, a local activist and a General of the Blax Fist, was violently gunned down outside city hall in broad daylight. Avtar Gill, a usual around City Hall, was present at the time of the shooting. As he steps around the blood and glass on the sidewalk, he states that he heard “ five or six shots, but if the woman didn’t cry out, you wouldn’t have known it was gun noise.”

*More than a bus stop 4/19/2006, The Cincinnati Enquirer

One might assume that Avtar S. Gill is a fan of the bus system. He was on the new Government Square Friday.

*Event isn’t only about the music 7/31/2006, The Cincinnati Enquirer

But some fest goers weren’t there for the music. Avtar S. Gil came just to people-watch.

“I come down for the sights and sounds ... that’s entertainment in itself.” Gil said.

Gil likes that people come from Chicago, Detroit, Columbus and “they dress so nicely.”

Usually you see fashion in a more formal setting, said Gil. “In the natural setting, there’s beauty, just in that.”

Pointing out a woman wearing a daring dress with strategic slits along the thighs and torso, he said. “I can come see that for free - most people can’t appreciate that.”

Multimedia Appearances

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Photo by The Dean of Cincinnati during Mayor Mallory’s inauguration:
12/01/2005

Wish List

I have some media memories of Avtar I would like to find and link.  Help is appreciated.

1.  During a recent article in the Enquirer online, I saw a picture of Avtar in the background while someone addressed Council about violence.  It was after Melanie Bates’ husband was murdered.

2.  Avtar told me he was photographed by The Post in front of the County building with a sign about child welfare, or something like that.
* Just because he was photographed does not mean it was published. -Funnelcake

3.  I know there was an Enquirer photo of Avtar next to Kabaka at some kind of memorial about the riots.