Politics

A report by WSYX-Channel 6 TV reporter Darrel Rowland with the title, “Ohio Issue 1 latest example of sliding government accountability, transparency” was published on social media today. Among other things, Rowland wrote, “A 6 On Your Side analysis shows that government accountability and transparency have been crumbling in Ohio for some time.”

The article refers to Gov. Mike DeWine’s refusal to debate Democratic challenger Nan Whaley in last year’s Ohio gubernatorial race. DeWine also rejected numerous interviews from media across the state of Ohio.

Rowland’s story also touches on one-party rule not only on the state-level but the “lack of accountability at the local level in the city of Columbus.”

He writes, “In places like Columbus, where Democrats dominate, incumbents often won’t debate or engage with lesser-known Republican opponents…For example, the campaign spokesman for Mayor Andrew Ginther would not commit to a debate with the Democrat’s GOP challenger this year.”

“Power Corrupts. Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely” ~ Lord Acton

"As Ohio goes, so goes the nation.” The Buckeye State was once considered the ultimate bellwether in electoral politics. While the state has trended conservative in recent years with Republicans, on average, out-performing Democrats in the state by a 54-46 percent margin, the State Legislature’s composition gives the illusion that Ohio is overwhelmingly in the Republican camp.

In the last few days, selected Columbus residents received a text message fake opinion “survey” from uncredentialled market research company Research-Opinions.com in a brazenly dishonest and intolerable attempt to discredit me.

A friend of mine alerted me yesterday about the survey, and its unacceptably biased portrayal of Ginther as a successful mayor with absolutely no evidence. At the same time, it grossly misrepresented me as someone who opposes affordable housing and inclusiveness, and only runs for office “so he can get his name on the news.” Contradictorily, professional politician Ginther calls me “a professional political candidate.”

Ginther, his campaign, and his hacks are blatantly slandering and defaming me. These lies about me clearly demonstrate that Ginther, his campaign, and the Columbus establishment are already frightened about the head-to-head November election between two Democratic candidates for Mayor. My record of nearly 40 years of advocacy for justice, fairness, and quality of life issues for neighborhoods and everyday people of Columbus is a proven fact across this city. I am a Democrat. Ginther is not democratic.

Recent weeks have seen several stories of states seeking to silence legislators going against the powers that be. The expulsion of two lawmakers from the Tennessee legislature advocating for gun control efforts was followed by a session-long ban placed on Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr for protesting the state’s proposed ban on gender-affirming care. In this race to the bottom to silence dissent and subvert the democratic process, however, Ohio’s recent effort stands out. The Ohio legislature's recent effort seeks not just to silence individual minority legislators, but to potentially ignore the will of a majority of Ohioans.           

The facts cannot be denied. Andy Ginther accepted campaign contributions of $20,000 funneled to him through his friend, former neighbor, campaign contributor and convicted lobbyist John Raphael and the Ohio Democratic Party. The Columbus Dispatch reported on June 23, 2015, “Court documents, supported by campaign finance reports and sources with knowledge of the case, detail in September 2011 in which someone in Ginther’s campaign sent Redflex an email seeking a $20,000 campaign contribution.” 

Federal court documents show that former Redflex executive Karen Finley stated that Raphael was a conduit for delivering money to elected officials in Columbus. Ms. Finley sent Raphael an invoice that was labeled as a “success fee.” She stated that she knew the “success fee” would be passed onto local elected officials in the covert form of campaign contributions.  Raphael handed over Redflex’s “success fee” to the Ohio Democratic Party. The party then wrote Ginther a check for $21,000.

City of Columbus mayoral candidate Joe Motil says, “Andy Ginther continues to spout off about crime numbers being down and how he is going to make Columbus, Ohio “the safest city in America” while he reduces the police force. At the same moment, five homicides occurred within a 48-hour period between this past Saturday evening and late Monday afternoon. To date, there have been 44 homicides in Columbus.  On March 13th, the city of Columbus tragically recorded its 30th homicide of 2023. Since Ginther has been mayor, this is the second fastest time that Columbus has reached 30 homicides.”  

City of Columbus mayoral candidate Joe Motil states, “Today’s [April 3rd] homeowner repair loan forgiveness by Mayor Ginther was just another election year staged media event. Due to the city handing out home repair grants to eligible recipients for some time now, it is only fair to those homeowner repair recipients who have been required with paying back their interest free loans to be given the same treatment. The earlier recipients should have been given grants in the first place.”  

Motil continues, “Assistance with home repairs for seniors and those on fixed incomes is important. I have heard stories for years now how new residents who are purchasing tax abated luxury homes in desirable risk-free development urban neighborhoods are calling code enforcement officers on long-time residents who cannot afford repairs. Along with escalating property taxes, this is just one more adverse impact caused by gentrification.”    

The first ever City Council district election is in November and roughly half the candidates met last night in a forum, not a debate, at the First Church of God on Refugee Road. The local chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, which is often referred to as an “organization of organizations” of African American women, sponsored the event.

The mayoral and Columbus Board of Education candidates were also invited. Mayoral candidate Joe Motil took the stage to field questions from the audience, but Mayor Ginther did not show.

Council President Shannon Hardin, running in District 9 (Far East), was in attendance but did not take the stage to field questions. Both Councilmembers Shayla Favor, running in District 7 (downtown and Near East), and Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, running in District 8 (Southside and Southeast), were not in attendance or did not take the stage. Melissa Green, running in District 6 (Hilltop and Southwest), was in attendance but due to time constraints and because her district is uncontested, she was not asked to take questions on stage.

March 21, 2-23

Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for joining me.

Andy Ginther just finished presenting yet another of his state of the city addresses. He repeatedly proclaims advancements in nearly every aspect of what impacts the lives of neighborhoods, individuals and working families both socially and economically. He once again paints a picture of neighborhood improvements across the city. He continues to make promises that Columbus’ great economic growth leads directly to well-paying jobs that are plentiful to everyone.

Andy Ginther’s regular refrain that never has any credible evidence-is, “he believes in doing the right thing, and not what’s easy or politically expedient” and “investing in roads and sidewalks that connect our community.”