Who’s looking out for Black contractors
By Ronda Watson Barber
Publisher
OhioMBE – Oct. 15, 2014
I continue to ask the question, who is looking out for Black contractors in the City of Columbus? The City of Columbus is enacting new regulations for those involved with construction projects, beginning in 2015. The new pre-qualifications virtually removes Black owned construction firms from participating in tax-payer funded projects. In order to qualify to submit a bid, small businesses will be required to sign a union agreement or provide health and retirement benefits as well as operate an apprentice program. Black owned construction companies that are presently working on city owned projects will not be eligible to work on city owned projects in 2015, unless they implement the new initiatives. Small businesses are being forced by a government entity to change their business models and incur additional fees –thus raising their rates–if they wish to compete for city work. Who does the new construction pre-qualification requirements benefit? Did the majority Black elected Columbus City Council speak with any small Black owned construction companies to find out the impact the pre-qualification requirements would have on their businesses? Why does new law appear to favor unions, who have historically discriminated against people of color, over small and Black owned businesses? Who is the City Council answering to? I understand that the majority of the Council Members’ political campaign funds come from Council President Andy Ginther and his political action committee, but it is obvious they don’t feel an obligation to vote for legislation that empowers Black businesses. Perhaps they have forgotten that Black people put them in office.
The Wall of Shame grows…
For obvious reasons the City of Columbus City Council is joining the OhioMBE Wall of Shame. The City of Bexley and Bexley City Schools are also be added. They join Whitehall City Schools, South-Western City Schools and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Bexley City Schools’ superintendent Mike
Johnson finally got around to responding to my public records request on the district’s inclusion efforts in purchasing. Mr. Johnson skipped over the first question and refused to answer what good faith efforts the district practiced to ensure a diverse purchasing pool. The Bexley district has a student of color population of about 18 percent.
The City of Bexley also responded to my public records requests on their purchasing practices. They indicated that they didn’t keep records on the amount of sales tax revenue generated, the demographics of their residents or the amount they
budgeted in their general operating fund.
Organizations that accept public dollars have an obligation to include all segments of the community in their purchasing practices. Doing businesses with small and Black owned businesses is just good business.
OhioMBE endorses…
OhioMBE endorses the candidacy of Nina Turner for Ohio Secretary of State. Ms. Turner will work tirelessly to see that all Ohioan’s have access to the ballot box regardless of their political views or where they live.
OhioMBE endorses the candidacy of Monica Hawkins for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge. Monica is a lifelong Franklin County resident and has been involved in the community. She will bring passion, fairness and insight to the bench.
OhioMBE endorses the slate of candidates led by Nana Watson for leadership in the Columbus NAACP. The Columbus Branch is just a hot mess. Having been a member for the past two years there is a blatant failure to communicate with the membership. Members are not notified of meetings or chapter sponsored events. Email is free. Why are they not informing us of what is going on? How can the community get involved if the members are not apprised of what’s happening within the branch? New blood is needed in leadership positions.
Just my thoughts…rwb
