Local

A generation ago, racist politicians invented a mythical “Willie Horton” as a made-up “straw man” to represent their false stereotype of African Americans. They campaigned against this mythical character, using his made-up bad behavior as something we had to fight against, change. Unfortunately, they were able to mobilize many white people to vote against their own interests, further their reactionary agenda that hurt all of us.

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an important theory developed over 30 years ago that explains how racism/inequality toward one group also harms, increases inequality of others, including white people and harms our nation as a whole. It in no way vilified white people. Unfortunately, that hasn’t stopped Republicans, racists, from saying it did, using it (like those politicians a generation used Willie Horton) to mobilize their base.

CRT shows how race/racism has been central to our nation’s development, since even before its founding. It shows how defeating racism is key to progress, for African Americans, but also for white folks. Republicans are using our people’s ignorance to push cutting Social Security, huge tax cuts for the wealthy.

Local labor unions, environmental groups, students, and social justice advocates will gather in honor of the birthday of civil rights leader Rosa Parks, as well as other civil rights icons, as part of national Transit Equity Day led by the Labor Network for Sustainability, now in its sixth year.

Leaders from labor and advocates from across the environmental and social justice movements will lay out a broad vision of accessible public transportation for Ohio including demands to electrify passenger and school buses, expand bus service and eliminate fares, build new local bus rapid transit, and protect worker rights.

After being rejected by Ohio Attorney General (AG) Dave Yost on its first attempt to win approval of its amendment’s summary, the Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity (OCEQI) will resubmit signatures on February 23. Having the AG’s office approve an amendment’s summary is the first significant hurdle needed to amend the Ohio Constitution, and for this case, to end qualified immunity in the state.

Back in December, the OCEQI submitted the 2,000 signatures needed to approve the summary of the proposed amendment – “The Ohio Civil Liberties Restoration Act.” But AG Yost rejected the amendment’s summary, stating, “the summary does not properly advise a potential signer of the proposed amended statute’s character and limitations.” AG Yost also stated the title of the summary is “misleading”.

OCEQI’s Cynthia Brown of Columbus – who lost a nephew to Columbus police – believes the only way to change the behavior of the police is to change policy.

Saturday, February 4, 7-9pm, Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave.

Serious love songs, humorous trivia questions, and surprises will highlight the 14th annual Valentines concert by Bill Cohen and friends from 7pm to 9 pm on Saturday, February 4.

With guitar and piano, Bill will sing favorites from the 1940s through the 1980s that have been made famous by John Denver, the Everly Brothers, Sam Cooke, Bette Midler, James Taylor, Bing Crosby, the Shirelles, the Eagles, Johnny Mathis, and others.

Ann Fisher will be on hand to add some romantic flute accompaniment on several songs. David Maywhoor will keep the beat on percussion, and Brian Szuch will add extra sparkle on lead guitar. Plus, the all-girl trio, The Harmonettes, will sing smooth backup vocals.

While the songs will reflect the ecstasy, warmth, heartache, and pain that love can bring, there will be a lighter side too, as Bill will pose trivia questions about famous and infamous couples and love songs throughout the decades.

The concert will take place at the Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave.

The Oil and Gas Land Management Commission met Wednesday morning to discuss a change to the Ohio Revised Code which will compel state agencies starting April 7 to approve any request from the oil and gas industry for extraction on public land. 

In attendance at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources office on Morse Road was a group of dedicated users of Ohio state parks and forests who demanded robust public notice and commenting procedures before any state lands are fracked or drilled, as well as calling out the oil and gas industry’s grab of our public land. 

The meeting follows the passage of HB 507, signed into law by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on January 6. HB 507 forces any state agency, which owns a parcel of public land, to allow the oil and gas industry to extract from public land. It changed the phrase “may lease” to “shall lease” under the law.

Saturday, February 4, 9am on Zoom
We have meetings of our State Council every other month to plan the ongoing work of our organization. Everyone is invited to join us, though to participate in voting you must be a member of the State Council. Our next meeting is this Saturday, February 4th, at 9:00 am via zoom. The zoom invite is below.  We would love to see you there.

Writing about, and at present attempting to live in Ohio and Columbus is a daily challenge. It is not for the progressive, civil libertarian, fainted-hearted, sanitarian, diverse community members, or the unsteady walker or driver. As my wife and I ponder how much longer we can remain in radically right-wing Ohio and broken, dirty, corrupt, and mismanaged Columbus, I turn to humor.

Both Ohio and Columbus may rival other states and cities in these achievements despite today’s competition from many names and many lies of Congress-person Santos et al., many ballots of Kevin-athon McCarthy, mis-reader of children’s literature Ted Cruz, and know no rights-know no history Ron DeSantis (aka DeSatan).

Immediately following his election to the US Senate, I first offered to trade Senator (it pains me to type that title) J.D. Vance to three friends in Texas, for Ted Cruz. Cruz makes me laugh, Vance does not. They all turned me down cold.

Then I offered our newbie to friends in Florida for Marco Rubio. Without hesitation, they refused as well. We are stuck, Ohio. A six year sentence, at least.

Writing about, and at present attempting to live in Ohio and Columbus is a daily challenge. It is not for the progressive, civil libertarian, fainted-hearted, sanitarian, diverse community members, or the unsteady walker or driver. As my wife and I ponder how much longer we can remain in radically right-wing Ohio and broken, dirty, corrupt, and mismanaged Columbus, I turn to humor.

Both Ohio and Columbus may rival other states and cities in these achievements despite today’s competition from many names and many lies of Congress-person Santos et al., many ballots of Kevin-athon McCarthy, mis-reader of children’s literature Ted Cruz, and know no rights-know no history Ron DeSantis (aka DeSatan).

Immediately following his election to the US Senate, I first offered to trade Senator (it pains me to type that title) J.D. Vance to three friends in Texas, for Ted Cruz. Cruz makes me laugh, Vance does not. They all turned me down cold.

Then I offered our newbie to friends in Florida for Marco Rubio. Without hesitation, they refused as well. We are stuck, Ohio. A six year sentence, at least.

Impact Emergency Rental Program (ERA) will re-open tomorrow, February 1, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please see the attached flyer for details on this year's rental program and how you may qualify.

Former Columbus City Council candidate and long-time community activist Joe Motil is submitting more than 2,000 petition signatures to the Franklin County Board of Elections at noon on Wednesday February 1, 2023. This officially confirms his campaign for mayor in the 2023 non-partisan May primary election.  

As a community leader dedicated to fairness, opportunity, equality, and justice, Motil has been involved with city government for 37 years in numerous capacities. His advocacy and commitment is well known and respected throughout Columbus’ neighborhoods. He is recognized especially for his fights against the city’s tax abatement policies, proposing solutions for truly affordable housing, advocating for the unsheltered, exposing corruption and the unethical conduct of city officials, reforming police, and advancing the rights for all Columbus citizens voices to be heard.