University presidents, chancellors, and vice-chancellors come and go with unusual frequency today. The average tenure has fallen from 8 to 6 years. News of firings and resignations, and less often hirings fill the front pages of national and higher education dailies. At the same time, major universities seem to learn nothing from their experiences.

Although final decisions rest with Boards of Trustees or Governors—in ageless academic rhetoric, and in the case of public universities in some states final approval by elected state governors, even the pretense of a full, inclusive, clear procedural, and all major interest groups participating search is now rare. Ohio State and Youngstown State exemplify the trends toward minimal input, scant participation, and increasingly unqualified selections.

The City of Columbus Land Bank’s purpose is to bring vacant land and structures back into productive use. It often collaborates with the Franklin County Land Bank. Most Land Banks acquire properties that are abandoned or seized for unpaid taxes. Occasionally, property is donated. Newly acquired structures are inspected to determine if they should be demolished or rehabilitated. 

Technically, taxpayers own land bank property. However, The Land Bank in Columbus determines to whom they sell property and are tasked with ensuring the planned use complies with their own rules, city environmental code and ultimately to benefit the community. In blighted, poverty-stricken neighborhoods, the Land Bank can promote positive improvements. Yet, it seems to fail repeatedly.

The Land Bank’s process to buy their properties is complicated and exhausting – many individuals give up along the way. However, properties are being sold to investors whose job it is to master the process, then sit on property for years if not decades and resell at a profit. Some applicants pose as a single family home builder or seller then build rental units instead.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost held a press conference January 30 to announce legislation to bring the gas chamber to Ohio so that once he is elected governor, he can resume executions - this time with horrific nitrogen gas asphyxiation.  Wow.

Will  new president  Ted “Top Gun” Carter finally announce that the senior administration moved across the street from the campus itself in July, and place a sign on 15 E. 15th Ave., other than Smashburger’s and Chicken Tenders?  And on Bricker Hall, now unannounced home to the Department of Economics?

His opening remarks to the Columbus Dispatch (Jan. 12, 2024): “I believe I’m where I’m supposed to be.” “Carter said he now gets to the chief spokesperson for Ohio State and what it stands for…. ‘I’m looking forward to making sure [Ohio elected officials]  know that we’re going to be doing the right things for the right reasons here at Ohio State.’”

Will OSU finally turn off the indoor lights overnight at 15 E. 15th Ave., and reduce its use of fossil fuels across campus, despite years of promises? And finish the first floor of University Square South which is now unsuitable for human use including for Buckeyes’ scrimmages?

Our gathering begins with former Google executive AHMED MUSTAFA and a deep dive into the politics of the world’s leading search engine.  

With power and clarity, Ahmed, among other things, issues a stark warning on the challenges being posed to our future by Artificial Intelligence.

JOHN STEINER asks for specifics on Ahmed’s campaign for Congress now navigating the primaries in Silicon Valley.

STEVE CARUSO, ERIC LAZARUS, LYNNE FEINERMAN and CAMILLA REES join the dialog.

TIM JUDSON of the Nuclear Information & Resource Service updates us on the horrendous Senate decision to remove Commissioner Jeff Baran from the Nuclear Regulator Commission, proving beyond any lingering doubt that any member of the NRC who values public safety over private profit will not remain.

MYLA RESON updates us on our YouTube presence and asks for your thumbs up!

MIKE HERSH then introduces us to “local hero” KEN BAWERS, who gives us a very impressive deep dive into the demanding world of Stormwater Control and his battles with the $25 billion Riverine Restoration industry.