Free Press History
Yes, I admit that on Oct 21 I drove to the downtown Main Library for a debate with five of the six candidates for Columbus City Schools. And, no; I haven’t been this disappointed since seeing Star Wars ATTACK OF THE CLONES at the movies.
Like you, I also love the Columbus Dispatch.
Unfortunately, the questions that they chose for the candidates reminded me more of middle school student government. On behalf of Western Civilization, I beg forgiveness to the candidates who wasted their time.
Normally the phrase used is that there is an “Elephant in the Room,” but since half of the candidates have been “Officially Endorsed” by the Franklin County Democratic Party it has to be a donkey. Their three candidates represent the STATUS QUO of COLUMBUS; swimming in thousands of dollars in donations from big business and a guaranteed spot on the MAGICAL “Sample Ballot” that will be forced into your hands if you choose to vote.
The important questions that were IGNORED?
As much as conservatives have tried to make the rest of America believe they’ve shed their white supremacist bigoted spectacles, a group of Young Republican national leaders hoodwinked us once again.
On a local level, will Ohio State’s new “intellectual diversity center” – the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society – make its students and devoted alumni also one day look like absolute fools for supporting Thee?
Not in leaked texts mind you, but through veiled far right and pro-white tendencies. No doubt – and this is for all left and left-leaning OSU alumni – your beloved alma mater is making a hard pivot to the right. Trump investigations, Ohio Senate Bill 1, the closing of all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices, and Anduril (killer robots) have laid the groundwork. But when it comes to actual boots-on-the-Oval, the Chase Center could become the command center as its first academic year began this semester.
Friday, October 24, 2025, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus, OH 43214
Help SoulCall Global raise money to feed and house the needy and enjoy an old-fashioned variety show with everything from great music and comedy acts to who knows what. Performers are encouraged to sign up. A keyboard accompanist is available. Doors open at 6:00 PM, performances 7:00-9:00 PM. Donation $15 (or more! 100% of profits go to our charitable programs).
More information and register to attend here.
An unnamed oil and gas company has submitted a “nomination” to the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission to frack 1,460 acres of Jockey Hollow Wildlife Area in Harrison County.
If approved, it would be the third-largest tract of Ohio public land for oil and gas extraction. But before that can happen, we the people who pay for and use this land have a chance to comment.
This Wednesday, October 22, a coalition of organizations working to better public safety in Ohio led by Ohio Families Unite Against Police Brutality and OFUPAC will host an O22 2025 Memorial Press Conference inside the Ladies Gallery at the Ohio Statehouse. October 22 is the National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality, and this year we will use our collective voice to honor the more than 1200 Ohioans whose lives have been cut short by police brutality in the state since 2000. Out of Ohio's 88 counties, 78 are home to families with loved ones killed by police brutality.
This year’s O22 memorial event will take place inside the Ladies Gallery of the Ohio Statehouse from 10:30am-noon. Speakers will include families who have lost loved ones to police violence, and State Representative Darnell Brewer (OH-22), who will be introducing new legislation.
Speakers will share more about their loved ones while highlighting legislative solutions to strengthen our public safety systems. OFUPAC will also release their new policy brief, titled How We End Community Violence in Ohio.
For the first time in recent history, a seat on the Columbus City Council has become an actual competition. Normally the hand-picked Democratic candidate WINS regardless of whether he or she is intelligent or has empathy. Who does the hand-picking? Franklin County Chairman Michael Sexton, also known as Willy Wonka. With a wave of his magic wand, anyone can become the “endorsed candidate” with their name on the “golden sample ballot.”
Maybe a Primary Might Help?
Sure, a primary within the Franklin County Democratic Party would encourage healthy competition and debate about the issues, but THAT’S NOT WHAT CHAIRMAN SEXTON WANTS. The party requires City Council to obey the Mayor and the party, NOT THE PEOPLE. Also, the City is CREATIVELY GERRYMANDERED into wards (they call districts) that encourage you NOT TO VOTE. The entire city gets to choose the member of City Council who will represent your district; this makes running for office beyond expensive. See “Citymandering” Columbus Free Press https://columbusfreepress.com/article/oped-columbus-citymandering-works
At the Newark Octagon, the Major Standstill is fading away. When the moon rises at its astronomically northernmost point on the eastern horizon every 18 to 19 years and pauses before returning southward. Aligning with or “framing” this lunar event, of course, are the corridor walls of this Native American-built earthwork.
Tuesday, October 21 - various times and sites
Across central Ohio, thousands of people will gather for one reason — to connect.
When we sit down, listen, and share our stories, something incredible happens: community grows stronger.
Pull up a chair, bring your curiosity, and get ready to be part of an unforgettable day of conversations.
There’s still time to join a public table near you: thebigtable.org.
On the 44th anniversary of Ohio’s death penalty law taking effect, twenty-seven members of the 114th General Assembly have now joined the chorus of leaders calling for abolition.
On Friday, the former lawmakers sent a letter to current lawmakers expressing support for efforts to repeal Ohio’s death penalty. The letter is directed to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where SB 133 was referred.
Hearings on the legislation have not yet begun.
The letter states, in part, “we understand this broken death penalty system’s grievous flaws, its unintended consequences, and its failure to achieve the benefits we had intended.”
The full letter can be found at this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-I2lV_0WycmTdX_ik6Ldg6O8geWRS_t6/edit