ICE is on the streets of Columbus arresting people. Supposedly Columbus officials and police are not cooperating with ICE, and if true, this is good news.
But you need to tell your friends and family about what else your “elected” Columbus City Council has recently done. It would make President Trump proud.
In the greatest power-grab in Columbus history your City Council took revenge on the residents of German Village over side-walk improvements by changing the City Charter. Wait a minute… Doesn’t the city already update the City Charter once every ten years with a panel of citizens who make recommendations?
Correct. That’s how the City Charter is supposed to be updated in a rational democracy, but not Columbus.
In one swift decision City Council voted to destroy decades of protection for historical neighborhoods. This was so important Columbus City Council made this exception all to take revenge on the residents of German Village. They have set a new and sad standard for a city government that exists to serve themselves.
This isn’t about sidewalks.
Sit down for this. The residents of German Village wanted their new sidewalk ADA upgrades to compliment the historical style of their neighborhood. German Village is a unique neighborhood. People love to live there because it’s one-of-a-kind architecture. Remember, they live and pay taxes in Columbus. City Council is supposed to serve their needs, but continued to disagree with these citizens.
The argument was that City Council wanted to destroy the original sandstone and replace it with plastic and modern concrete (less expensive). The residents wanted the ADA ramps, but just with an attempt to look like what was already there.
The conflict with City Council continued and there appeared to be no compromise by City Council, so the residents sued the city. That’s how much they love German Village. They took their time and energy to fight for the future of their historic neighborhood; not to hurt the tender feelings of City Council, but because they love Columbus.
And yes, the obvious observation is that Columbus City Council is supposed to work for the people of Columbus. They are sworn “public servants” who make the best decisions for our shared future. Not today.
This isn’t about sidewalks.
Franklin County Judge Kimberly Cocroft ruled in favor of German Village and that’s when your City Council had their own secret meeting to take revenge.
and instead change the city charter to eliminate all historical protections in Columbus.
They could have appealed her decision but went with the “nuclear option” to destroy decades of historical protection for irreplaceable neighborhoods. City Councill reminded the people of Columbus that they answer to no one. They are untouchable and make all decisions. We must fear them or they will punish us all.
If You Don’t Like the Game. Change the Rules.
City Council had the power and the budget to listen to the citizens but chose the path of total destruction. In a sweeping motion they eliminated decades of historical protection for every neighborhood in the city. They actually changed the City Charter to show the residents of German Village that they have the power. They made an example out of citizens who love Columbus but disagree with City Council.
Naturally, developers and real estate investors celebrated with fireworks and cocktails. They don’t care if you are a Democrat or a Republican as long as you obey and follow their directions to make more money.
It’s not just that the upgraded ADA sidewalks will not historically complement the existing character of this unique neighborhood.
This power-grab by City Council has nothing to do with sidewalks!
This decision opens the floodgates to building new steel and glass apartment towers everywhere in the city for the rich and powerful. Expensive apartments earn more rent. The rich don’t care about history. Their God is money and thanks to Columbus City Council they now have a clear path to make more. Get down on your knees and worship the God of money like City Council does.
Achieving the Dreams of Columbus Republicans
The Columbus Republican Party may not exist as a viable organization in Columbus, but that hasn’t stopped Franklin County Democrats from achieving their goals. Deregulation, deregulation, deregulation (in addition to cutting funding for the Columbus City Schools). Goal achieved.
Setting Priorities. Ignoring You.
Take note of what is most important to City Council and the Mayor. Negotiating an expensive upgrade to Nationwide Arena, funding a Women’s Volleyball Team, taking photo opportunities with the homeless (but not doing anything about it). They run the city government and don’t work for you. They work for the rich and powerful. So much so that they will change the City Charter at a moment’s notice to destroy any citizens group that dares to question them.
City Council Hates You.
You might be one of the only 11% of people who vote in elections, but it doesn’t matter. Columbus City Council hates you. They don’t care about doing their jobs well or listening to the needs of the people of Columbus. They care about protecting their positions of power and being worshiped by the rich and wealthy corporations (that use them as tools in a broken democracy called Columbus).
And all along the way they enjoy gold-plated health insurance and a once in a lifetime guaranteed retirement pension.
If I was Rob Dorens I would expect a better than normal “Christmas Basket” from the Columbus developers who own his vote. He sold out the future of German Village and anything that is still historical in Columbus. All for the low price of a few thousand dollars in campaign donations; and maybe a nice fruit basket.
Hardin may be our next anointed mayor, but Rob Dorens will always be there to support the worship of money inside City Hall. Never forget: Profit is always more important than people. This is the future of Columbus.
