Local
When it comes to major road projects in Central Ohio, MORPC – the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission – is a big power player. So is ODOT, of course. As Columbus and its suburbs continue to grow seemingly out-of-control, one question raised by residents is: What comes first, massive development and then surrounding road improvements, or improved roads first and then massive development?
Widening or adding lanes, for instance, before thousands move in. But there’s confusion over what comes first or what should come first. A West Side housing activist, who did want to offer their name for publication, says they heard this during an area commission meeting.
“One of the weird things I learned from MORPC is that development comes first followed by street improvements later,” said the unnamed source. “You would think that streets should be improved first but that’s not how it works in Ohio.”
When presented with this quote, MORPC spokesperson Melissa Rapp stated in an email, “That statement is not a factual statement. MORPC supports local governments with regional planning, tools, and funding but does not prescribe local policies, processes, or ordinances.”
Wednesday, May 24, 7-10pm, The Citadel, 1761 Parsons Ave.
Stand in solidarity with Cuba at our upcoming “Cuba Night” with IFCO [Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization] and Pastors for Peace!
On Wednesday May 24, 7-10pm, we’ll be coming together at The Citadel to raise funds to send medical supplies to Cuba this summer!
Catch speakers coming back from their recent brigades discuss Cuba’s successes and socialism, the genocidal blockade imposed by the U.S., their healthcare system, and more. We’ll have games, prizes, raffles, and cultural activities.
IFCO/Pastors for Peace has been working to support Cuba for more than 30 years and will be joining us for a stop on their Friendshipment Caravan. Come hear more about their efforts at our event, and help us raise money to buy medical supplies to send with them during their July caravan!
Stay tuned for more info. Let’s do our part and stand with Cuba!
Masks will be required and will be provided.
Hosted by PSL [Party for Socialism and Liberation] Columbus.
In order to witness firsthand Andy Ginther’s show of force and willingness to “spend whatever it takes to make our city safe” I walked the sidewalks of the Short North for nearly one hour on Friday night.
The police presence was overwhelming. I was informed that 150 members of law enforcement were present. Motorcycles, bikes, foot patrol, horses, canine units, helicopter, and cruisers. And it was also reported that drones were used. And I am certain that many Short North residents were not thrilled about the hours of constant noise from a helicopter. One officer told me he was being paid double time. $120 an hour. And although the Short North was probably the safest place to be in Columbus last night, the excessive use of law enforcement along with the sound of a police helicopter overhead presented a feeling of uneasiness.
What did all of this accomplish and was it worth the cost? Did the Short North business district warrant heightened police presence after back-back weekends of violence? If I were Mayor I would agree. But to the extent of Friday night? No way.
You might already know why the BlackBerry failed; if not, you can always search for the reason on your iPhone. Instead, I recommend watching the biographical comedy-drama directed by Matt Johnson, which cleverly blends sharp wit with insightful intelligence that delivers a highly entertaining exploration of the rise and fall of the smartphone that shaped an era.
"BlackBerry," tells the story of two unlikely partners, the innovative inventor Mike Lazaridis and the fiercely competitive businessman Jim Balsillie, who collaborated to create a global sensation in just over a decade. They were the driving forces behind the BlackBerry, a revolutionary mobile phone that altered how people worked, played, and communicated. A handheld sensation that, for the first time, allowed email, text messaging, web browsing, and, not to mention, phone calls. The integrated keyboard was a game-changer of its time. I can't say how much of the movie's narrative sticks to the actual facts, but it doesn't detract from the story's wit, charm, and compelling depiction of risk, reward, and fall from grace.
By Colemanville, I refer to undemocratic, unrepresentative ragged-edged principality of Columbus’ power elite dominated by the now more powerful former mayor Michael Coleman and his self-appointed Columbus Downtown Development Commission; the Columbus Partnership (whose leaders live outside the city): their promotional agents the Columbus Dispatch and Columbus Metropolitan Club, who dictate commands to Andy Ginther and the now minority-majority city council. They undemocratically rule the City but willingly remain almost completely unknowledgeable about it.
(Against all understanding, council president Hardin and now President pro tempore Dorans dizzyingly declare this unacceptable cosmetic change to be a genuine advance in Democracy, if not democracy, if I understand them correctly. It is often difficult to do so.)
Together, these self-appointed dictators maintain the power of the few, all profiteering private interests who pay for play in the long traditions of The Columbus Way. Together with the mayor and city council, they neglect the publics of Columbus. They rule by secret collusion and weak anti-factual slogans.
"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.
Fri May 19 at 5pm and Sun May 21 at 2 pm
Thursday, May 18 7pm-9pm
Enarson Classrooms Building Room 214 at OSU
Join online: http://tinyurl.com/CORSmeeting
Join the Central Ohio Revolutionary Socialists!
This week, we will be meeting from 7-9pm to discuss our local organizing and workshop ideas for promoting the socialist cause in Columbus.
This week we will be discussing our anti fascist work, solidarity with the movement against Cop City in Atlanta, the Stop Intel campaign, and other work we’re involved. We encourage anyone whose interested in organizing in the socialist movement to join us.
Hope to see you there!