Local
Thursday, January 26, 12noon-1pm, this on-line event requires advance registration
Budgets are Moral Documents
The Governor will introduce his budget proposal in a few weeks followed by five months of legislative committees, amendments, and votes. As people of faith, we have an opportunity to strengthen this public conversation about Ohio’s priorities and our future. Budget policy can change lives and strengthen Ohio.
Through our budget policies, we can help folks find economic stability, improve our schools, clean up our parks and rivers, and much more.
During our conversations on January 26, we will share the following.
• Our budget priorities for 2023
• Likely hot-button issues
• Historical context
• Why your voice is needed
We will hold the same conversation twice — once at 12noon and once at 7pm. Please join us for whichever time fits your schedule.
RSVP for this event by using this link.
Hosted by Hunger Network in Ohio.
The city with no identity, no history, no leadership, and no expertise adds to its uniqueness—and lack of distinction—by its assault on most of its residents in most of it “neighborhoods.” Unlike most cities, Columbus seldom refers to itself as a “city of neighborhoods.” That is a clue to follow through the decaying broken streets and sidewalks, full of trash, zoning violations, and limited mass public transit. (See the Columbus Free Press website for my relevant essays.)
In my University District, fraternities that actively harm the area “adopt the area.” That means paying a small fee to the for-profit/eering city departments to post a metal sign that further defaces the physical environment. “Area,” of course, is never defined. Where is the department of neighborhood protective services, like children or animals?
The sad slogan is “making Columbus beautiful.” Its parallel is city councilor-led very occasional “beautification” events of a few hours of individuals picking up trash. This substitutes for both funding and managing reliable recycling, trash collection, and inspection for violations. In others, slogans not public services.
Let us free our minds from the noise of media and politics and turn our attention to discussing the biggest decision a high school senior will make: Where to go to college.
May of you have children and grandchildren who are in their final semester of high school, ready to take the next step.
I offer you tips from the perspective of the grandfather of a high school senior, the holder of three college degrees including a doctorate, a retired college professor with more than three decades in that catbird seat, and a careful observer of the what and what not of higher education.
First and foremost is cost. One must total up the cost of classes and books, room and board and incidentals per year and subtract any scholarships and grants. Assume that it will go up 5 percent a year while the student aid stays the same, thus the cost increases annually. Will the university provide an on-campus job to help the student earn her keep?
Ask President Biden to Sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Sign the letter here.
Tuesday, January 24, 7-8:30pm
Donatos, 2800 E. Main St., Bexley
Sign the petition to end qualified immunity!
Monday, January 23, 2023, 10:00 – 11:30 AMJoin Single Payer Action Network Ohio (SPAN Ohio) for a webinar with Dr. Gillian Goobie MD PhD FRCPC, Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, and Ted Auch, PhD, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Biology at John Carroll University in Cleveland. He is associated with FracTracker Alliance as Great Lakes Program Director. Registration is required to attend this meeting. Register HERE.
Joe Motil, former Columbus City Council candidate and longtime community advocate who is submitting about 2,000 petition signatures to run for mayor in the 2023 May Primary election states, “On the eve of the trial of former Republican State House Speaker Larry Householders’ federal racketeering charges, statehouse Republican legislatures held a January 18th press conference to announce the introduction of an ethics reform bill. The proposals in this bill barely scratch the surface on corruption and the unethical behavior of elected officials, lobbyists and others. It’s hard to 'reform ethics' when there are none.”
Motil continues , “On May 10, 2016, Mayor Ginther signed an Executive Order on 'Ethics and Conduct: Accountability and Integrity for Effective Governance.' Just as leaders of the Republican state legislature attempting to save face because their former leader begins his trial in what is described as the 'largest corruption case in Ohio history,' Andy Ginther’s 2016 Executive Order on Ethics and Conduct stands as a page from the same playbook.”
Sunday, January 22, 2023, 2:00 PM
THE TERRITORY provides an immersive on-the-ground look at the tireless fight of the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people against the encroaching deforestation brought by farmers and illegal settlers in the Brazilian Amazon. With awe-inspiring cinematography showcasing the titular landscape and richly textured sound design, the film takes audiences deep into the Uru-eu-wau-wau community and provides unprecedented access to the farmers and settlers illegally burning and clearing the protected Indigenous land. The Panel will include diverse perspectives on the crisis in the Amazon, including ecological, Rights of Nature, anthropological, and political/historical.
Watch Film Anytime between January 17 – 22 and join the discussion on the 22nd.
Saturday, January 21, 1:30-2:30pm, Ohio Statehouse
This month marks the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and we are coming together at the Ohio Statehouse on Saturday, January 21 to commemorate, demonstrate, and continue the fight for reproductive freedom. During this time, we will be hearing from folx in our communities that have had abortions and rallying for access for all. Stand up for Ohioans and help us maintain what reproductive rights and abortion access that we have while we work towards building something even better.
RSVP for this event by using this link.
Hosted by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio.
This past weekend in the brisk sunshine, a volunteer representing Adrienne Hood for Columbus City Council knocked on the front door of a registered voter on Karl Road in the new District 4, which encompasses much of the northside. As traffic raced in both directions, someone finally opened the door.
The volunteer was seeking signatures to qualify Hood as a candidate for City Council’s primary vote this coming May – the first election ever for City Council’s new nine district system, that was approved by voters in 2018. The general election is November, and in 2024, a councilmember will represent each of the nine districts increasing the current number of Councilmembers by two.
Hood’s volunteer asks the voter, “Do you remember who Adrienne Hood’s son was? He was shot and killed by Columbus police.”