Spring in Columbus means the start of lots of community activities. I started my morning in Driving Park at the Sister 2 Sister pre-Mothers Day Community Prayer then went up to the Northland Market festivities. It's a beautiful day to be outside!
I never expected deer management to be on my bingo card but here we are, talking about deer in Clintonville. On Monday, I will be bringing an ordinance up for a vote on banning the intentional feeding of deer in Columbus. Next, my office will be advocating for the Administration to create a Wildlife Manager position in the city to address wildlife management issues including the over population of deer in some neighborhoods. Thank you to all the residents who came out on a rainy evening to talk deer!
Every spring, we celebrate new life at the Franklin County Municipal Court's Military and Veterans Services (MAVS) graduation. I am not including pictures of the graduates to protect their privacy, but it was moving to hear their stories and learn of their achievements through the program.
MAVS strives to honor the commitment of the participants who serve their country by guiding and assisting them in rebuilding their lives in the face of addiction and/or mental health issues that have led them to become involved in the criminal justice system.
Friday was a great day to participate in democracy and connect with community members across the city. I had conversations about the challenges faced by nonprofits who build affordable housing and provide housing counseling on the Westside at Homes on the Hill Community Development Corporation. Next up, I joined the celebration of a long time employee's retirement and then celebrated some more at One Columbus Cultural Festival in Northland.
Last night, Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla and I brought together residents in District 2 to share their Roberts Rd. traffic safety concerns with the Department of Public Service, Police Department, and Department of Neighborhoods. You can't truly know about traffic safety issues on a street just by looking at data, you need to learn about people's lived experience navigating that street. The departments gained important insight into the issues at hand that need to be addressed.
I love a great partnership! Yesterday, Volunteer Month and Earth Month came together as Besa volunteers planted trees, removed invasive species, and spruced up pollinator gardens at Columbus Recreation and Parks Department's Antrim Park.
The Parkinson's Foundation's Moving Day had an enthusiastic crowd at today's walk. As the spouse of someone living with Parkinson's Disease, I understand the challenges faced by people living with the disease and their families. Moving Day proceeds advance Parkinson’s disease research, increase access to quality care, and provide education and outreach initiatives to people with Parkinson’s. Together, we can help make life better for people living with Parkinson’s Disease.
One of the best parts of my job is meeting with our goat conservationists at Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. Every year, we contract with Goats On The Go to graze the invasive species in many of our parks. Thankfully, goats consider honeysuckle to be a tasty treat.
From hard hats to Dream Awards in one day. Yesterday, Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio broke ground on their exciting new Devon Triangle multifamily housing project. Townhomes are an affordable option for becoming a homeowner and I look forward to seeing more being built in Columbus. I ended the evening at The King Arts Complex's annual Dream Awards where Columbus City Council received the Corporate/Civic Service Award.
Yesterday was an eclectic day. I started at NBC4 for an interview with Colleen Marshall followed by the Wreath-laying Ceremony Honoring Fallen Ohio Airmen. The Fort Hayes AFJROTC did a great job! Several meetings later, the day ended in Linden at Columbus Recreation and Parks Department's Linden Green Line Community Open House where neighbors got to see renderings of design elements and provide feedback on their preferences.
