Local
Columbus searches in vain for an identity, bouncing ridiculously from Cowtown to Crop Town, Cap City, Arch City, Buckeyeville, Nationwide or Crew City, or Number 14 or 15 (in population rank among U.S. cities). None of those fit the city past or present. I propose another, more appropriate and accurate moniker: the lawless, wild-wild-Midwest. (See my “Columbus’ identity crisis and its media”; “Columbus searches for its Downtown with historical, urbanist, and developers’ blinders”; “Columbus, Ohio, searches to be a city: The myth of the Columbus Way”; “Is Columbus actually a City?”)
Tuesday, April 19, Jewish leaders from central Ohio along with interfaith and secular allies gathered in front of the Columbus office of Chase Bank to demand that Chase Bank take immediate action to end their investments in polluting fossil fuels. Emphasizing the urgency of the moment and lifting up the symbols of Passover, community leaders proclaimed the plagues that fossil fuel Pharoahs – coal, oil and gas companies – have inflicted on us. They held up matzah to demonstrate the urgency needed to confront the climate crisis and urged Chase Bank to ‘move their dough’ out of polluting fossil fuels.
A group calling itself the Columbus Coalition on Rent Control filed a petition this week with the city to officially begin a citizen-led ballot initiative which would create a rent control ordinance and establish a new city office named the Department of Fair Housing.
While the petition for rent control or rent stabilization may not be a first for the state of Ohio, this would be Ohio’s first-ever rent control ordinance if the citizen initiative were to win at the ballot.
The Columbus Coalition on Rent Control is driven by several well-known progressive and political activists, such as Jonathan Beard, Joe Motil, Tyrone Thomas, and Noel Williams, Chair of the housing committee for B.R.E.A.D, the local faith-based activist group.
Seemingly overnight, the cost of housing in Columbus went from relatively affordable to now putting tens of thousands under extreme pressure to keep a roof over their family’s heads.
Affordable housing is at an impasse nationwide, but many believe Columbus, while late compared to other major cities, is now staring a homeless and affordable housing crisis in the face.
Neither the United States nor Russia is a party to the International Criminal Court – and the United States punishes other governments for supporting the ICC.
Both the United States and Russia defy the rulings of the International Court of Justice.
Of 18 major human rights treaties, Russia is party to only 11, and the United States to only 5, as few as any nation on Earth: https://indicators.ohchr.org.
Both nations violate treaties at will, including the United Nations Charter, Kellogg Briand Pact and other laws against war.
While most of the world upholds disarmament and anti-weapons treaties, the United States and Russia refuse to support and openly defy major treaties.
There is a problem in world leadership.
Today, Community Organizer and Producer/Host of GrassRoot Ohio Radio/Podcast Carolyn Harding is entering the Ohio State Representative race in Ohio, competing for the Democratic nomination for District (TBD, formerly District 18).
“I’m a Democrat running to represent our District at the Statehouse, to empower your Rights and your Vote,” said Carolyn Harding. “I will bring forward, brave leadership to the Statehouse with Equality, Sustainability and Justice for All as my guide. My campaign depends on everyday people, volunteers, and your contributions, not big corporate PACs or dark money.”
Homebound Entrepreneurs Against DeWines has now released its second video opposing Republican Governor Mike DeWine.
Just in time for Tax Day, Homebound Entrepreneurs Against DeWines has released its second ad “Tax Hike Mike,” which takes on Governor Mike DeWine for his controversial fight to raise Ohio’s gas tax over the last few years. The PAC is led by former Libertarian candidate for governor Travis Irvine, who ran against DeWine in 2018.
Selected bites of fresh cannabis news sliced from the headlines, with a legislative flavor and sweet Ohio twist. Sources are linked.
The famed cannaholiday is upon us again. Will 2022 bring back normalcy, recalling that the pandemic curtailed most activities in 2020 and 2021? Here are a few elucidations, events, and entertaining diversions for your holiday high!
And don’t forget Ohio Lobby Day at the Ohio Statehouse on 4/20. Find out more on Facebook Events here.
Tuesday, April 19, 2022, 12:00 PM
Location: Chase Tower, 100 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215.
Register here.
Greenhouse Canteen is a 100% plant-pure vegan restaurant chain headquartered in Australia. Local vegan owner operator Joshua Douglass launched its first US restaurant in Grandview in Oct 2020, in spite of covid. They have still managed to survive through some of the toughest years in business this millennium, as covid dramatically impacted our lives in so many ways.
Saturday, April 23, 2022, 9:00 - 4:00 PM