Ohio State, Columbus City Council Members have submitted their respective eight finalists to the City Clerk to be considered for the vacancy created by Council President Pro Tempore Elizabeth Brown’s announced resignation to serve as President and CEO of the YWCA Columbus.

The eight shortlisted members include:  

• Densil Porteous
• Eli Bohnert
• Ilhan Dahir
• Kelly Lombardo-Matthews
• Lucy Gettman
• Mitchell J. Brown
• Olubunmi Adekanbi
• Charity Martin-King

“We had a very impressive pool of candidates, and I sincerely thank everyone who took the time to apply,” said Council President Shannon G. Hardin.

“With the change to Council’s structure, my top priority is finding a candidate that will serve as an experienced caretaker and not as a candidate seeking to run in 2023.”

The City Council will meet on January 3rd, 2023, at 5pm to host a public hearing and hear testimony from the public about the finalists being considered.

All finalists are invited to speak, but it is not a requirement.

The council has invited members of the public who wish to provide testimony, either in-person or digitally via WebEx, to email ZGDavidson@Columbus.gov with the subject line “Speaking at Vacancy Public Hearing” by noon on January 3rd.

Written testimony may also be emailed to ZGDavidson@columbus.gov. Following the hearing, the Council will enter an executive session to discuss the candidates and public testimony.

During the January 9, 2023, council meeting, Council Members will nominate applicants for the vacancy and vote to appoint a new member. If a majority of Council Members vote to appoint a nominee, they will then be eligible to be sworn in under oath and take office pursuant to Section 5 of the City Charter and Section 111.35 of Columbus City Code.

Support the New Americans magazine to continue to serve our community with precise news that affect the new American, immigrant and refugee community. https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8LHFS78NRNJJY&source=url