The first ever City Council district election is in November and roughly half the candidates met last night in a forum, not a debate, at the First Church of God on Refugee Road. The local chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, which is often referred to as an “organization of organizations” of African American women, sponsored the event.

The mayoral and Columbus Board of Education candidates were also invited. Mayoral candidate Joe Motil took the stage to field questions from the audience, but Mayor Ginther did not show.

Council President Shannon Hardin, running in District 9 (Far East), was in attendance but did not take the stage to field questions. Both Councilmembers Shayla Favor, running in District 7 (downtown and Near East), and Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, running in District 8 (Southside and Southeast), were not in attendance or did not take the stage. Melissa Green, running in District 6 (Hilltop and Southwest), was in attendance but due to time constraints and because her district is uncontested, she was not asked to take questions on stage.

The announcement by Vladimir Putin over the weekend that Russia will deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus marked a further escalation of potentially cataclysmic tensions over the war in neighboring Ukraine. As the Associated Press reported, “Putin said the move was triggered by Britain’s decision this past week to provide Ukraine with armor-piercing rounds containing depleted uranium.”

Sunday March 26, 12noon-4pm, Milo Arts, 617 E. Third Ave.

This Bizarket will highlight collaboration over competition in its many forms. The Evolution symbolizes how many of us have progressed, thanks to the efforts of the community. We welcome the growth within Milo Arts and the warm reception we’ve received in the Milo-Grogan neighborhood. Expect food and desserts with vegan options, libations, entertainment, 30 vendors, a larger space, and a strong art community to indulge yourself in while at Milo Arts.

There will be gourmet vegan food vendors, drinks, amazing music, live painting, giveaways, and more. This is a market by vendors, for vendors, so make sure you shop local! Attend Bizarket and enjoy the community and love free of charge. There will be donation gift bags and discounts on select vendors. So, the love is free, but you have to pay for everything else. We’ll see y’all there!

Parking:

Around the perimeter of Milo Arts. This includes E. Third Ave. and Starr Ave.

In a viral video that has racked up more than half a million views, students from Columbus Alternative High School (CAHS) urged Gov. DeWine and key legislators to deliver on their promise of fairly and fully funding public schools during the 2023 budget cycle. 

The Ohio Organizing Collaborative (OOC) – a grassroots people-centered power organization – helped create the viral video in collaboration with CAHS students. They released it last week on All In For Ohio’s Instagram page, along with an online petition to key legislators urging them to fully fund our schools. 

The video has attracted significant statewide and national recognition for hitting a nerve in the ongoing debate around public schools and charter schools.