April 2, 20214 yr Mitchell Brown becomes second Columbus City Council member to announce retirement Dec. 31 Columbus City Councilman Mitchell J. Brown announced Friday that he will withdraw from the November general election and leave office on Dec. 31. "I'll be 74 (then)," Brown told The Dispatch when asked why he was leaving. "It's time for me to pass stewardship on to my colleagues." His retirement announcement comes one week after Council member Priscilla Tyson, who has served on council since January 2007, announced that she would not be seeking reelection and would leave office at the end of 2021. There are three open seats on City Council this November, with five candidates competing. In addition to the candidates named to run in place of Brown and Tyson, City Council President Shannon Hardin will be seeking reelection, and two political newcomers are running: Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, who works for the national office of school-support organization City Year Inc., and Tom Sussi, the former Columbus TV reporter who in 2017 became a private investigator. Because there are not at least seven candidates for City Council, there will be no nonpartisan May primary election. MORE: https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/news/2021/04/02/columbus-city-councilman-mitchell-brown-retire-end-year/4839003001/
April 5, 20214 yr Census delays could cause headaches for commission drawing new Columbus City Council map A commission charged with drawing new Columbus City Council member residential districts will be pressed by unanticipated delays in receiving needed U.S. Census Bureau population counts for city neighborhoods. The problem could squeeze the drafting process in ways not contemplated when voters approved the plan in 2018. The new commission is still scheduled to begin its work this month — when the needed population data from the 2020 Census typically would have been released. But in mid-February, the Census Bureau announced that it had pushed back the delivery date until Sept. 30, which is just three months before the council is required to vote on a new residential district map for its members. The plan now is to use preliminary neighborhood population counts to come up with three new district plans and press on with the required public hearings to get public feedback. Then, when the census data is released in the fall, the commission would quickly make needed revisions using up-to-date 2020 population counts, said Councilman Emmanuel Remy, the council's point person on the process. MORE: https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/news/2021/04/04/covid-caused-census-late-possibly-delaying-new-city-council-map/4827348001/
April 14, 20214 yr https://www.columbusunderground.com/who-will-be-on-the-ballot-for-city-council-in-november-and-more-questions-answered-tm1
April 20, 20214 yr In candidate shift, Democrats choose two newcomers to run with Shannon Hardin for Columbus council Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin announced Monday the two fellow Democratic candidates who will run as a team with him in the November election, replacing retiring council members Priscilla Tyson and Mitchell Brown. Hardin announced on Monday that he, Barroso de Padilla and Bankston would run as team for the Nov. 2 election. Also on the ballot is Tom Sussi, a former Columbus TV reporter who in 2017 became a private investigator, meaning four candidates will now face off for three open two-year terms that will expire in 2023. Barroso de Padilla was born and raised on the East Side, where her family still lives today. She has worked for City Year, an education-focused organization dedicated to helping students and schools succeed, for more than 20 years. Bankston, a graduate of Columbus' East High School, is president and CEO at Gladden Community House, an organization that helps homeless people in Franklinton. He is also a former city Department of Neighborhoods employee. Last year, he ran the city's successful ballot campaign, Issue 2, in which voters overwhelmingly approved a new police civilian review board for Columbus officers. MORE: https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/news/local/2021/04/19/lourdes-barroso-de-padilla-nick-bankston-join-columbus-council-race/7292128002/
May 4, 20214 yr Panel charged with creating Columbus City Council districts to hold eight virtual hearings The panel drafting new Columbus City Council residential districts will convene a series of eight virtual public meetings starting this week and carrying on into late June to educate the public and gain input from residents, the city announced Monday. ( . . . ) The purpose of the first two meetings will be to educate the commissioners and residents about topics related to districting which include the Voting Rights Act, the history of the city, zoning and urban planning, and area commissions and civic associations. They are "for presentation" purposes, but will accept questions via Facebook and YouTube. Those meetings will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 5 and again on May 12. The next four meetings are to solicit recommendations and feedback from the community regarding the drawing of the maps. At each meeting, they will be focusing on one of the four corridors of the city, North, South, East and West. Those meetings are: North Quadrant Meeting, May 19th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. East Quadrant Meeting, May 26th, 5:30-7:30 p.m. West Quadrant Meeting, June 2nd, 5:30-7:30 p.m. South Quadrant Meeting, June 9th, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The final two meetings are "community outreach" to solicit recommendations and feedback from historically underrepresented populations. These are scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on June 16 and June 23. Under a city charter change approved by voters in 2018, the council will expand from seven to nine members, each of whom will have to reside in a different district — but with the entire city able to vote for each person running, regardless. The City Council must approve one of three maps produced by this panel by the end of 2021, and the districts will be in place for the 2023 Council election, when all nine seats will be up at the same time. MORE: https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/news/2021/05/03/panel-creating-new-coumbus-districting-panel-announced-eight-meetings-through-june-being-process-new/4922853001/
September 7, 20213 yr The Columbus Council Residential Districting Commission has released the first draft of a new district map: "Columbus residents – we want your help in shaping the future of Columbus and City Council! In 2018, Columbus voters approved a charter amendment adding two seats to City Council and creating nine districts within our City. The Council Residential Districting Commission (CRDC) has been hard at work to create a map outlining these nine residential districts. Help the CRDC draw the maps by providing your feedback on the draft maps." - DRAFT MAP PUBLIC COMMENT AND REVIEW
September 7, 20213 yr During the public comment phase of this rough draft map, it appears that the 5th by Northwest neighborhood isn't so happy with its inclusion in District 7 which primarily covers Hilltop (pinpoint = public comment): Submit a comment on this map at: Public Comment on Proposed City Council Districts
November 3, 20213 yr https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/11/02/city-council-candidates-shannon-hardin-nick-bankston-lourdes-barroso-de-padilla-tom-sussi/6105083001/ The well-financed team of three Democrats led by Council President Shannon Hardin easily cruised to victory over GOP-backed candidate Tom Sussi in Tuesday's race for Columbus City Council. Hardin and recently minted council incumbents Nick Bankston and Lourdes Barroso de Padilla were all out in front of former TV investigative reporter Sussi by a margin of almost two-to-one.
November 3, 20213 yr A strange issue referendum, that would have transferred $87 million in Columbus taxpayer money to a secretive group for "green energy" uses, was defeated by city voters by a huge margin - 87% voted against the measure, with just 13% in favor of it: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2021/11/02/what-is-issue-7-columbus-green-energy-secretive-proenergy-ohio/6231850001/ ProEnergy Ohio LLC, which represented a handful of people behind the effort, offered few specifics on how the money would be spent, and there basically would have been no public oversight. Mayor Ginther, other city officials and business leaders have said that the financial drain would have damaged city services - with the amount of money the city would have had to turn over at about 9% of its $970.3 million operating budget for 2021. Issue 7 made the ballot because the Ohio Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that Columbus City Council abused it discretion when it rejected the ProEnergy Ohio petition to put the matter on the ballot. The city council could have adopted an ordinance for the initiative, but instead put it on the Nov. 2 ballot after the court ruling.
November 3, 20213 yr 3 hours ago, Columbo said: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/11/02/city-council-candidates-shannon-hardin-nick-bankston-lourdes-barroso-de-padilla-tom-sussi/6105083001/ The well-financed team of three Democrats led by Council President Shannon Hardin easily cruised to victory over GOP-backed candidate Tom Sussi in Tuesday's race for Columbus City Council. Hardin and recently minted council incumbents Nick Bankston and Lourdes Barroso de Padilla were all out in front of former TV investigative reporter Sussi by a margin of almost two-to-one. https://columbusfreepress.com/article/never-ending-plot-keep-control-columbus-city-council?fbclid=IwAR2v8mqDQdohDmsJz_0GaDaITirawdg2uYnUPXSMFEPvNIubZy Quote The fact that two Columbus City Hall insiders, Nick Bankston and Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, pulled petitions to run against three incumbent City Council members, immediately drew a red flag that some type of fix was in the works. Anyone who follows city politics in Columbus knows that City Hall insiders do not run against City Council incumbents. Instead, City Council has replaced members who vacate their term early by appointing fellow establishment Dems who, as they did, toe the Columbus Partnership and pro-developer line. A blatant un-democratic and underhanded strategy I have called out since I began running for local office in the 1990s. Councilmembers Priscilla Tyson and Mitchell Brown, two Democratic incumbents, will be serving out their full term until the end of this year. Council President Shannon Hardin, another City Hall insider who was groomed by former-Mayor Coleman, is seeking re-election. That makes three open seats for City Council and four candidates – besides Hardin, Bankston, and Barroso de Padilla, there’s also Tom Sussi. So only one candidate will lose. Nick Bankston was Mayor Ginther’s former director of community affairs and resigned from the City early this year, and in January was, appointed as CEO & President of the Gladden Community House, a non-profit in the Franklinton area. Bankston’s appointment to a non-profit fit right into City Council’s musical chairs playbook. Michelle Mills, Priscilla Tyson, Matt Habash and Andy Ginther all worked for non-profits before they were ushered into leadership. Bankston’s appointment to the Gladden House was pre-arranged to help beef up his resume, enhance his public image and cushion his $58,000 part-time City Council salary once he is likely elected to City Council. And right on cue, his CEO position with the Gladden Community House is the very first thing announced when he was is introduced in Team Hardin’s political television adds. Priscilla Tyson and Mitch Browns’ retirement announcements, after the fact their Declaration of Candidacy petitions were certified by the Board of Elections, was a premeditated ploy to avoid the decades of criticism which accuses City Council of selecting “one of their own” through City Council’s legal appointment process. The Columbus political machine keeps on churning. Very Stable Genius
December 16, 20213 yr Columbus City Council on Monday selected one of three new district maps drafted by a citizen commission that outlines where members will have to reside starting with the 2023 election in order to spread representation across the city: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/12/14/council-map-determine-where-members-live-2023-election/6503423001/ A larger zoomable version of this Council Districts Map is available at the below link. Map B was the one they chose: https://columbus.maps.arcgis.com/apps/CrowdsourceReporter/index.html?appid=12d3163cd9e94b5e8e799c29ff2e7af2&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
January 11, 20223 yr On 12/16/2021 at 10:43 AM, taestell said: I didn't see this until just now - but that is funny(!)
January 11, 20223 yr On 11/3/2021 at 9:33 AM, Columbo said: A strange issue referendum, that would have transferred $87 million in Columbus taxpayer money to a secretive group for "green energy" uses, was defeated by city voters by a huge margin - 87% voted against the measure, with just 13% in favor of it: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2021/11/02/what-is-issue-7-columbus-green-energy-secretive-proenergy-ohio/6231850001/ ProEnergy Ohio LLC, which represented a handful of people behind the effort, offered few specifics on how the money would be spent, and there basically would have been no public oversight. Mayor Ginther, other city officials and business leaders have said that the financial drain would have damaged city services - with the amount of money the city would have had to turn over at about 9% of its $970.3 million operating budget for 2021. Issue 7 made the ballot because the Ohio Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that Columbus City Council abused it discretion when it rejected the ProEnergy Ohio petition to put the matter on the ballot. The city council could have adopted an ordinance for the initiative, but instead put it on the Nov. 2 ballot after the court ruling. Columbus City Council seats group to reexamine voter initiatives, prevent future tax grabs The Columbus City Council on Monday appointed five people to an advisory charter review commission that will examine if the voter-initiative process should be tightened up. City leaders have said they want the panel to reexamine the process that led to Columbus' Issue 7 — a murky ballot initiative to divert $87 million into a vague "green energy" program with no public oversight that went down in flames at the hands of voters in November. City leaders promised that they would try to ensure that no such measure would ever go before voters again. MORE: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/01/11/columbus-city-council-chooses-five-review-charter-rules/9155188002/
July 19, 20222 yr https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2022/07/19/columbus-tax-deal-employee-monitoring-software-company-aware/10089832002/ Quote The Columbus City Council approved a new "jobs growth incentive agreement" Monday evening estimated to deliver $1.53 million over five years to Aware, a Columbus-based software firm that designs systems for employers to monitor and analyze their workers' electronic communications and interactions. "Is that what this city is about?" Don Byrnes, who writes a daily internet newsletter on politics and current events, told the Council in lambasting the move to subsidize Aware. But the deal to share workers' municipal income taxes with their employers in return for jobs being located within the city limits is nothing novel. The city entered into six employee tax-sharing agreements just in November alone. Quote The seven-member Council approved the Aware tax-sharing agreement unanimously. It gives the software firm 25% of the municipal income tax collected on new employees, and 30% if those employee live within the city, for the next five years. "We're going to give 35 cents on the dollar to a spyware company whose objective — let's not get it twisted — is to spy on their employees, break their unionization efforts?" Byrnes said. "... I mean people are struggling, and you're up here talking about giving out handouts to Goldman Sachs-backed companies? What are you all doing here, man?" Full video of Byrnes's testimony: Very Stable Genius
November 11, 20222 yr Liz Brown, president pro tem, will vacate her council seat after the new year. Council will vote on a replacement. YWCA Columbus taps Columbus City Councilwoman Elizabeth Brown as next CEO “YWCA Columbus has found its next CEO: Columbus City Councilwoman Elizabeth Brown. Brown will replace Christie Angel, who earlier this year announced her plan to leave the organization at the end of 2022. Brown has been a member of Columbus City Council for seven years, and currently serves as executive director of the Ohio Women’s Public Policy Network. She has previously talked to Columbus Business First about her passion for women's rights and policies that support them.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/11/10/ywca-columbus-liz-brown-city-council-ceo.html
November 13, 20222 yr Interesting... I'm honestly surprised she's leaving politics, both as Senator Brown's daughter but also as someone who seemed to be making a name for herself in government lately She easily would have been one of two top contenders for Mayor after Ginther, along with Shannon Hardin Edited November 13, 20222 yr by NW24HX
November 13, 20222 yr People do bounce between politics and NGOs/the private sector often. Kasich roared right back from Lehman Brothers to the Governor's office.
November 13, 20222 yr 2 hours ago, NW24HX said: Interesting... I'm honestly surprised she's leaving politics, both as Senator Brown's daughter but also as someone who seemed to be making a name for herself in government lately She easily would have been one of two top contenders for Mayor after Ginther, along with Shannon Hardin Yeah, it surprised me too. I still think it’ll be either her or Hardin running for mayor once Ginther decides to step down. (Are there mayoral term limits here?)
November 17, 20222 yr Columbus City Council Seeking Applicants for Vacant Seat Last week, Elizabeth Brown announced her upcoming departure from Columbus City Council to take a new position as President & CEO at YWCA Columbus. Today, the City of Columbus formally announced the process to fill the vacant council seat for the remainder of the term. “To ensure the continuity of governing, Council must fill vacant seats based on the process outlined in the City Code,” stated City Council President Shannon Hardin in a release this morning. “As we prepare for historic changes at Council, moving to a nine-member hybrid district system to better represent our neighborhoods, I believe the City would be best served by an experienced civic leader who can act as a caretaker.” More below: https://columbusunderground.com/columbus-city-council-seeking-applicants-for-vacant-seat-we1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 2, 20222 yr Columbus City Council to vote on raising minimum required wage for job incentives to $20 an hour Columbus City Council will vote Monday on raising the minimum required wage to $20 an hour for a company to get incentives from the city. "We want to make sure we're not just creating job opportunities, but we're creating opportunities for workers to have a livable wage and live and enjoy the city they work in," Councilman Nick Bankston told Columbus Business First. If passed on Monday, which Bankston believed will happen, the new wage policy would take effect on Jan. 1. Earlier this year, Columbus city staff recommended city council raise the required minimum wage to get an incentive from $15 an hour to somewhere between $18.50 and $20 an hour. The city held two public meetings and other meetings with stakeholders to discuss the issue. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/12/02/minimum-wage-columbus-incentives-vote-increase.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 13, 20222 yr Hmm. City council approves ban on sale of flavored tobacco products in Columbus “Columbus City Council voted Monday night to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products in the city. The ban, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2024, includes menthol cigarettes and flavored vaping products. City leaders have recently shown support for banning flavored tobacco products, saying tobacco companies target minorities and children. City council announced a $1 million proposal to help people quit smoking. Council says the campaign will help connect people to resources that can help them quit smoking.“ https://www.10tv.com/mobile/article/news/local/city-council-approves-ban-flavored-tobacco-products-sales-in-columbus/530-1fc9c81f-e0d2-4570-acee-770957496369 This one is definitely a good thing, though:
December 13, 20222 yr The flavored tobacco ban will never take effect. The state legislature plans to ban the ban as early as this week. The bill has been drafted and is rumored to be introduced tomorrow with a goal of full passage in the lame duck. Much like any other progressive initiative any large city in Ohio tries to pass, the State has a prerogative to override it.
December 13, 20222 yr I don't think it's progressive -- I think it's racist. But I don't think that's the Republican-dominated Statehouse's reason for blocking it.
December 13, 20222 yr 55 minutes ago, DTCL11 said: The flavored tobacco ban will never take effect. The state legislature plans to ban the ban as early as this week. The bill has been drafted and is rumored to be introduced tomorrow with a goal of full passage in the lame duck. Much like any other progressive initiative any large city in Ohio tries to pass, the State has a prerogative to override it. I figured something was in the works—either that or a lawsuit. Probably both. So much for home rule. I don’t really agree with the ban, but I really don’t think the state should be able to swoop in and kill anything the cities try to do.
December 13, 20222 yr 27 Applicants for Vacant City Council Seat Following the recent departure announcement of Columbus City Council Member Elizabeth Brown, Columbus City Council announced its process and timeline for a replacement appointee to serve out the remainder of that term through the end of 2023. ... The full list of 27 candidates include: Christina Pelletier Olubunmi Adekanbi Patricia Duckworth Eli Bohnert Kelly Lombardo-Matthews Josh Leach Larry Druggan William Dodson Kurt Looper Rick Shuster Densil Porteous Martin Alvarado Tom Price Chelssy Alvarez Hugh Butler, III Charity Martin-King Forrest Neuswanger Mitchell J. Brown Aaron Neumann Lucy Gettman Charles Nabrit Kristen Hosni Ilhan Dahir Eric Duffy Angela Meddock Sean Ruffin Stephanie Matthews More below: https://columbusunderground.com/27-applicants-for-vacant-city-council-seat-we1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 13, 20222 yr Busy night for City Council last night! Additionally, the rezoning for the South Franklinton mental health crisis center was approved. Columbus City Council Approves Funding for E-Bike Rebate Program “Columbus City Council last night approved legislation allocating $250,000 to establish an e-bike rebate program that would be administered by Smart Columbus. “Transportation is the leading contributor to climate change in Columbus and working class residents often have limited choices about how to get around,” said Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, in introducing the legislation. “In light of these facts, the city of Columbus is excited to launch this pilot e-bike discount program.” “I know folks are probably very excited about their e-bike rebate, but we’ll officially launch the program in spring [and] we’ll announce more details as the program is further developed,” Barroso de Padilla said at the council meeting. Also approved during last night’s meeting was $100,000 of funding to be allocated to two new programs – a pilot project meant to reduce speeding on Thurman Avenue (between South Champion Avenue and Lockbourne Road), and an effort to build new “mobility hubs” throughout the city.“ https://columbusunderground.com/columbus-city-council-approves-funding-for-e-bike-rebate-program-bw1/
December 14, 20222 yr Flavored Cigarettes & Vapes Banned in Columbus At last night’s Columbus City Council meeting, legislation was passed to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, citing the harmful effects on targeted communities including children and minorities. Ordinance 3253-2022 will prohibit the sale of flavored cigarettes — including menthol cigarettes — and vape products, within the City of Columbus, starting on January 1, 2024. “In 2020, the City of Columbus and Columbus Public Health declared racism a public health crisis, and a big part of this conversation must be the acknowledgment of decades of predatory targeting of harmful tobacco products to black communities, our youth, the LGBTQ community and other at-risk populations,” stated Council Member Shayla Favor, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, during yesterday’s meeting. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/flavored-cigarettes-vapes-banned-in-columbus-we1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 14, 20222 yr 10 hours ago, ColDayMan said: Flavored Cigarettes & Vapes Banned in Columbus At last night’s Columbus City Council meeting, legislation was passed to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, citing the harmful effects on targeted communities including children and minorities. Ordinance 3253-2022 will prohibit the sale of flavored cigarettes — including menthol cigarettes — and vape products, within the City of Columbus, starting on January 1, 2024. “In 2020, the City of Columbus and Columbus Public Health declared racism a public health crisis, and a big part of this conversation must be the acknowledgment of decades of predatory targeting of harmful tobacco products to black communities, our youth, the LGBTQ community and other at-risk populations,” stated Council Member Shayla Favor, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, during yesterday’s meeting. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/flavored-cigarettes-vapes-banned-in-columbus-we1/ Looks like @DTCL11was right. Ohio GA moved pretty quickly to try to stop this: Columbus' new ban on flavored tobacco products faces challenge from Ohio lawmakers “Just hours after the legislation passed, state lawmakers launched an effort to prohibit bans like the one Columbus leaders approved. The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted late Tuesday on an amendment added to another tobacco bill that would prohibit cities and other jurisdictions like Columbus from passing bans on flavored tobacco products. The amendment says “The regulation of tobacco products and alternative nicotine products is a matter of general statewide concern that requires statewide regulation.” House Bill 513 would need to pass through the Ohio Senate and House Wednesday as lawmakers hold their final sessions before the end of the current General Assembly. Any legislation not passed by the end of the year is dead and could return next year.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/12/12/columbus-bans-sale-of-menthol-cigarettes-other-flavored-tobacco/69721864007/
December 14, 20222 yr What's kind of interesting but predictable is that Dewine had previously pushed for a ban on flavored vaping liquids. Though the Columbus ban is wider, there is a compromise in theory but Dewine's push died when they realized how much of the base uses vaping liquids.
January 10, 20232 yr Mitchell Brown Appointed (Again) to Columbus City Council “For the second time in seven years, Mitchell J. Brown has been appointed into a position on Columbus City Council. The former Director of Public Safety previously served in the legislative role from 2016 to 2021, and chose not to run again when announcing his retirement. With a vacant City Council seat following the departure of Elizabeth Brown, who was hired to lead YWCA Columbus, the remaining City Council members were looking for someone who could fill the role this year without any further ambitions for reelection. “With the upcoming change to Council’s structure, my top priority was finding a candidate that will serve as an experienced caretaker and not as a candidate seeking to run in 2023,” stated City Council President Shannon Hardin, who separately announced his official campaign kickoff taking place this month.” https://columbusunderground.com/mitchell-brown-appointed-again-to-columbus-city-council-we1/
January 21, 20232 yr The gun safety measures Council passed last month are back in place. Kinda surprised the Fairfield County judge ruled against the state here. Fairfield County judge denies state request to halt Columbus gun restrictions “A Fairfield County judge has denied the state of Ohio's request for a preliminary injunction to block the city of Columbus' recently enacted gun restrictions. The restrictions will go into place at midnight Saturday, according to Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein. “Today, the rule of law prevailed, and the biggest winners are the residents of Columbus who want nothing more than to take commonsense and reasonable steps to reduce the scourge of gun violence in our neighborhoods and keep our kids and communities safe," Klein said in a statement. In his decision on Friday, Fairfield County Common Pleas Judge Richard E. Berens wrote that based on four legal standards, he found it unlikely that the state would be able to prevail in the case.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/01/20/fairfield-county-judge-denies-state-request-to-halt-columbus-gun-laws/69826415007/
February 15, 20232 yr Columbus City Council & School Board Races Will Largely Go Uncontested in 2023 The Franklin County Board of Elections verified the signatures collected for local candidates yesterday, and despite a large pool of open seats for Columbus Mayor, Columbus City Council and Columbus City Schools Board of Education, very few candidates are actually running. Columbus City Council, which is undergoing a historic transformation in 2023 from a seven-member at-large system to a nine-member district-based system will see seven of its seats go completely uncontested. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/columbus-city-council-school-board-races-will-largely-go-uncontested-in-2023-we1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 15, 20232 yr The two incumbent challengers are Farxaan Jeyte and Adrienne Hood. The former is apparently a part of the Somali American Chamber of Commerce, and the latter is a relatively well known name around the city who advocates for police reform after her son was killed by CPD. My money is on the incumbents, but it’ll still be interesting to see how this goes. I’m disappointed there isn’t going to be much competition overall, but it’ll still be nice to see a few fresh faces on Council.
February 17, 20232 yr I don't know these challengers enough in particular to form an opinion but I will say in general it's a shame the only contested districts are the ones in which incumbents are running
April 3, 20232 yr Columbus City Council to consider legislation that would forgive home repair loans Columbus City Council will consider legislation tonight that would forgive city-issued loans for home repairs. The new legislation would forgive home-repair loans for residents who have stayed in their homes for at least 10 years since the loan was issued and who have no active bankruptcies or foreclosures. There are nearly 600 loans in the portfolio today that would be considered for forgiveness, according to a release from the city. Mayor Andrew Ginther and Councilmember Shayla Favor announced the new legislation, saying it would help low-income homeowners in Columbus. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/04/03/lien-legislation.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 16, 20231 yr $335 Million in Medical Debt to be Wiped Out for Columbus Residents Columbus leaders announced this morning a plan to forgive $335 million worth of medical debt for low and middle income Columbus residents. The program represents a partnership between the City of Columbus and the nonprofit Central Ohio Hospital Council (COHC). “All too often medical debt becomes a financial albatross for working families; as it’s the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States,” stated Columbus City Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans. “Families should not have to choose between putting food on the table and accessing needed medical care. While Columbus City Council does have the power to restructure America’s healthcare system; this legislation will bring increased economic stability to working families in Columbus that have been saddled with medical debt.” City Council will review a sponsored ordinance tonight that would allocate $500,000 to COHC to cover the expenses related to notifying residents about their relieved debt burdens. Enrollment in the program is automatic, and is related to residents who were treated at the four area hospital systems (Mount Carmel Health System, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and OhioHealth) from 2015 to 2020. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/335-million-in-medical-debt-to-be-wiped-out-for-columbus-residents-we1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 8, 20231 yr Incumbent & Endorsed Democrats Sweep Columbus City Council Race In 2024, Columbus City Council will restructure for the first time into a district-based system, expanding from seven councilmembers to nine. Voters went to the polls yesterday and endorsed a slate of incumbent and endorsed Democrats for all nine seats. Six of the nine districts saw were unopposed races, so the victories were more of a formality than anything else. Those six included: District 1: Chris Wyche District 3: Rob Dorans (incumbent) District 6: Melissa Green District 7: Shayla Favor (incumbent) District 8: Lourdes Barroso de Padilla (incumbent) District 9: Shannon Hardin (incumbent) More below: https://columbusunderground.com/incumbent-endorsed-democrats-sweep-columbus-city-council-race-we1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 9, 20231 yr Luis Gil continues to contribute more trash to our roadways for less votes than any other candidate Can't wait to see what he runs for next
January 3, 20241 yr New Columbus City Council Members Assigned Term Limits Via Ping Pong Balls This evening’s Columbus City Council meeting was not just the first of 2024, but also the first of the new nine-member district-based council system. All nine representatives were elected in November, and the first order of business tonight was to determine which five councilmembers would be serving four-year terms ending in 2027, and which four councilmemebers would be serving two-year terms ending in 2025. To accomplish this task, a bag of nine ping pong balls — five white and four orange — were drawn by City Clerk Andrea Blevins at random. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/new-columbus-city-council-members-assigned-term-limits-via-ping-pong-balls-we1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 4, 2024Jul 4 Columbus could create vacant, foreclosure registries this month Columbus City Council could pass legislation this month that creates two registries to identify properties in the city that are vacant or facing impending foreclosure. The legislation had a first reading Monday. Council will hear the legislation for a second reading July 15. Councilman Rob Dorans, who chairs the zoning committee, said that the registries could keep vacant homes from becoming blighted properties in Columbus neighborhoods. Dorans Tuesday gave an update on this legislation at a virtual hearing. Councilwoman Shayla Favor, chair of the housing committee, said that in order to solve Central Ohio's housing crisis, elected leaders need to be intentional. "We do not take our housing and our region's housing crisis lightly," Favor said at the hearing. "We cannot fix this housing crisis with one policy." More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/07/03/housing-legislation-update.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 10, 2024Jul 10 Council Outlines Plans to Combat Absentee Landlords, Encourage ADUs Columbus City Council is moving forward with several pieces of housing legislation, including a pilot program that would help residents add an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit, or a secondary housing unit) to their single family residential property. The ADU program was discussed last week during an online council hearing, led by Councilmember Shayla Favor, in which all of the proposed legislation was explained. An in-person hearing is scheduled for July 10. Averi Townsend, Legislative Aide for Councilmember Emmanual Remy, said that the city has been working with Jonathan Barnes Architecture and Design to produce a manual that will serve as a “step-by-step guide on the process of building an ADU.” The program will also provide a “financial incentive for the construction of ADUs for Columbus residents who are accepted into the initial pilot,” she said, although no details have been released about how much of an incentive would be offered. Townsend did say that any ADUs built as part of the program could not be used as short term rentals, would have to be built on owner-occupied land, and would need to meet certain affordability requirements. “We’re optimistic that we’ll be able to launch applications potentially early this fall,” she said. “This program’s quite cutting edge in the housing space and therefore has required more advanced planning and implementation; we’re aware this program is something that many residents have a lot of interest in, and we’re excited to bring it to the community as soon as we can.” More below: https://columbusunderground.com/council-outlines-plans-to-combat-absentee-landlords-encourage-adus-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 20, 2024Nov 20 Columbus Seeking Applicants for Open City Council Seat Even though all nine city council seats were just filled back in January, one has already come open again. District 7, which represents Downtown Columbus and its surrounding urban neighborhoods, will be vacated at the end of the year following the resignation of Shayla Favor. Favor announced her intention to vacate the office just weeks after winning the unopposed race in 2023, as she decided to run for Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney in 2024. Favor defeated Republican challenger John Rutan earlier this month by a healthy margin of 62.83% to 37.17% and will succeed outgoing Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack, who is retiring. “I want to thank Councilmember Favor for her service and commitment to the City during her time on Council,” stated Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin in a statement released last week. “I wish her the best as she moves on to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office.” More below: https://columbusunderground.com/columbus-seeking-applicants-for-open-city-council-seat-we1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 14, 2024Dec 14 10 Finalists Named for Columbus City Council Appointment There’s a vacant seat on Columbus City Council for 2025, and the list of candidates to fill that spot has been narrowed down to 10 finalists today. Over 30 people applied for the District 7 spot, which will be vacated by Shayla Favor, who is moving on after winning the 2024 election to serve as Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney. The list of 10 finalists include: Otto Beatty III Kate Curry-Da-Souza Shaneece Green Tim Fulton Robert Leis Dorothy Malone Lisa Masci Bailey Phillips Densil R. Porteous Jesse Vogel More below: https://columbusunderground.com/10-finalists-named-for-columbus-city-council-appointment-we1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 29Jan 29 Otto Beatty III Selected to Fill Columbus City Council Vacancy for 2025 During Columbus City Council’s Monday meeting, the eight sitting council members selected Otto Beatty III as their appointment pick to fill the vacant ninth seat. Beatty was chosen from a list of 10 finalists, and received unanimous support during the appointment vote. “Council had the privilege of considering many outstanding candidates,” stated Council President Shannon Hardin during Monday’s meeting. “What I heard from my colleagues in executive session is that we wanted a council member who would be ready to address the biggest issue facing our city on day one — housing. Even though Otto is new to council, he is not new to service, having been on multiple city, state and nonprofit boards and commissions.” More below: https://columbusunderground.com/otto-beatty-iii-selected-to-fill-columbus-city-council-vacancy-for-2025-we1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
