Councilmember Elizabeth Brown hosts Somali-American Community meeting Dec. 1

Councilmember Elizabeth Brown will hold “a first-of-its-kind” Somali-American community meeting on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 2365 Innis Road, Columbus, Ohio from 11am to 1pm.

The event, according to the organizers, will give residents a chance to talk with council members and department staff in an informal setting.

Also a youth networking session focusing on the experiences and needs of students and young professionals starts at 12:30pm.

Provisions have been made for translation services.

U. S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty honors Rosa Parks Dec. 3

U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) will host a Community Leaders Forum in Honor of Rosa Parks on  Monday, December 3, 2018 beginning from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at Fawcett Event Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio.

With a theme,  “Footsteps: We All Have a Role to Play”, Congresswoman Beatty, said others expected at the event include “local, national, and civil rights leaders for an important discussion on the “Power of One,” and its continuing importance to our community and the legislative work of the upcoming 116th Congress.”

Arts Matter: Columbus Residents Split on Previous 7% Fee

• 2,597 Residents Respond to Columbus Art Fee Survey

A survey hosted online by City Council, Columbus residents believe arts and culture are important to the City’s future, but a significant amount questioned the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s (GCAC) original proposal for investment in the arts and public facilities.

Data collected between the announcement of GCAC’s original art fee plan and November 27, 2018, when Council President Shannon Hardin rolled out a plan with a reduced percentage fee, shows that residents want a sustainable system to invest in creativity, arts and culture. Residents who took the survey split 53% to 47% for the GCAC plan with a 7% fee. The survey went live on September 18 and garnered 2,597 total responses.

“We are listening to advocates and residents on both sides of this issue and are taking in a lot of information on how residents want to grow the local creative economy,” said Council President Hardin. “We’ve met with the fiercest opponents and even they agree that arts matter. We believe our new proposal, with a lower rate of 5%, is the right kind of compromise and the right thing to do for our economy.”

THE SURVEY FINDINGS:

95% of residents believe arts, culture and the creative economy are important to Columbus’ future.

61% of respondents support a ticket fee on arts and entertainment events that reinvests dollars into Columbus’ arts and cultural community.

57% of residents support a ticket fee on arts and entertainment events that reinvests dollars into Columbus’ arts and cultural community that includes public facilities.

53% of residents support the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s original proposal for a 7% fee.

On September 17, 2018, Council received GCAC’s detailed proposal for an across the board 7% ticket fee to support the Arena and arts organizations. After receiving the document, Council solicited community input through the first of two public hearings, stakeholder meetings and an online survey to develop an equitable, sustainable plan that invests in the arts and public facilities. On November 27, 2018, Council President Hardin announced a revised plan with a 5% rate for creativity and stability.

Council will host its second public hearing on Thursday, November 29, 2018, 5pm, in Chambers to consider legislation for the December 10, 2018 meeting. If enacted, the plan would be in place July 1, 2019.