Marilyn Brown heads Board of Commissioners

The three-man Board of Commissioners for Franklin County, Ohio has unanimously elected Marilyn Brown to serve as president for 2019. The other two Commissioners include Kevin L. Boyce and John O’Grady. 

Commissioner Brown begins her fourth term on the board this week. She has previously served as Board President in 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2015.

Each year, the commissioners select one of their own to serve as president of the board, overseeing the board’s weekly General Session and Briefing meetings.  The board president also serves as spokesperson for the Board of Commissioners at community events, meetings, and during media interviews.

“I want to thank my fellow commissioners for a great 2018, and the opportunity to serve as board president in 2019,” said Brown.

“I am looking forward to working closely with my colleagues, administrator, directors and staff, to create a strong, safe and sustainable community, and to consistently search for ways to improve the quality of life for every resident, every day.”

Commissioner Brown replaces Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce.

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners meets in General Session each Tuesday at 9:00 am and Thursday at 9:00 am on the 26th floor of the Franklin County Courthouse, 373 S. High Street, Columbus, Ohio.  All meetings are open to the public.

Columbus City Council shortlists 15 for Jaiza Page spot

Council President Shannon G. Hardin

The Columbus City Council will hold a hearing Thursday, Janaury 10, 2019 to solicit comment from the public on the 15 finalists being considered for the vacancy created by the departure of former Councilmember Jaiza Page.  It will begin at 5pm at the City Council. 90 W. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio.

In 2018, Council received 56 applications from a diverse array of residents to fill two 2019 vacancies on Columbus City Council. Members selected 15 finalists for interviews.

The Finalists for the Council vacancies (in alphabetical order) are:

Nicholas J. Bankston

Lourdes Barroso De Padilla

Stefanie Lynn Coe

Nancy Day-Achauer

Rob Dorans

Albert Edmonson

Shayla D. Favor

Catherine A. Girves

Chenelle Jones

Marco Miller

Michelle Moskowitz Brown

Rick Neal

Ramona Reyes

Sam Shim

Erin Synk

All interested citizens are invited to offer public testimony. Comments are limited to three minutes. Anyone wishing to address City Council on this matter must fill out a speaker slip between 8am-5pm on the day of the hearing at Columbus City Hall.

This hearing is available live stream on the CTV website and broadcast on Spectrum, Channel 1024; WOW, Channel 3 and AT&T U-verse, Channel 99. The video will also be posted on the City of Columbus YouTube channel following the event.

Columbus Board of Education Invites 6 for Interview

The Columbus Board of Education will interview six individuals who are seeking to fill a current vacant seat and serve as the Board’s newest member.

On Tuesday, January 8, 2019, the Board voted to interview the following local residents:

• Jennifer Adair
• Phillip Calloway
• Jibril Mohamed
• Dr. Tina Pierce
• Brandi Slaughter
• Emily White

A total of 45 individuals had submitted a notice of interest in seeking the appointment, including several who had applied for a previous opening on the Board.

President Gary L. Baker II says the Board will hold a Special Meeting on January 15 to conduct the interviews. Following those closed-door interviews, the Board is expected to officially vote on the appointment.

The new Board member could be sworn-in and seated by the next regular Board Meeting on January 22.

Mauritanian Community meets on Immigration issues on Jan. 13

The Mauritanian Community in the United States will meet on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at Zenith Academy East, 2261 S Hamilton Road, Columbus, Ohio starting 3.30pm to decide on the process of a federal litigation for the immigration challenges many of the citizens here as refugees have been having in recent months.

Spokesperson for the community, Houleye Thiam told New Americans that “the information session is in collaboration with a group of lawyers to discuss the process of litigation for the Mauritanian Immigration Case.”

According to her, “others expected at the meeting include community leaders, elected officials and others who are interested in the issue.”