On behalf of the citizens of the City of Columbus I want to apologize to Ms. Averi Townsend for how she was treated by Emanuel Remy and our elected City Council. You deserve better. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness by the people we elect. The politicians who sit above us in City Hall are not entitled to anything other than the opportunity to help us become better than we were yesterday. In this they failed miserably and you suffered for their shortcomings. And unfortunately, they will never admit that they were wrong.

City Council has forgotten that in addition to showing up to meetings, their part-time job must also include love. Love for themselves first and the love of helping other people second. They lack empathy and you were the target of how little they care about us. They have no motivation to change.

Without Hardin, Remy would never have been elected.

And even after the abuse was communicated to Hardin he admitted that they are, “stuck with him.” Hardin knew there was a problem before you were abused. Always remember that it was Hardin who handpicked Remy over a community advocate (a black woman by the way) and supported his election to City Council. For Hardin a realtor is more important than a community leader.

Remy will never change. He is protected by President Hardin and the complicit members of City Council. They support each other at all costs and this time you were the victim. I am sorry and embarrassed of their behavior. Worse yet, there’s nothing anyone can do to change them. Both Remy and Hardin will always hold their own selfish priorities above the needs of other people.

No, our leaders in Columbus don’t listen or care about the people anymore. Why care when you have a gerrymandered voting system and even a half million dollars cannot get you elected (just ask Jesse Vogel)? Once elected to City Council there’s no need to learn or change. They have their job for life.

The behavior of Remy is inexcusable, but Hardin has chosen to let it pass because in his judgement you are not important. The financial payment you received was not enough for the damage to your career. You deserve a letter of apology and since neither Remy or Hardin will ever write one I will do their job for them.

We are sorry.

The people of Columbus are sorry for how little empathy you were shown. Everyone, regardless of whether they are a wealthy CEO of the Columbus Partnership or a homeless family living in a tent under the freeway; they deserve empathy. We have a right to be treated with respect and to be heard. That should be the minimum to expect from our elected politicians, but not in Columbus.

Who is going to want to work for Remy again knowing that he is abusive? Who would want to work for Hardin knowing that he will protect people who are abusive? I am sorry that you mean nothing to them. Since they will never apologize, I hope that you accept this apology from the people of Columbus who have empathy. We are sorry for the abuse you experienced. As long as they work there City Hall will never be safe. A safe work environment is not important to Columbus City Hall.

The $85,000 you received (not enough), his “managerial training,” the additional staff member in Human Resources? None of it will come from his deep pockets. He and City Council will continue to do whatever they want whenever they please. You aren’t the first person to be abused at City Hall and you won’t be the last either.