Columbus Coalition for Responsive Government issues endorsements for City Council
The Columbus Coalition for Responsive Government today issued its final set of endorsements for candidates to the Columbus City Council. The screening process was performed in conjunction with the Columbus Coalition of Concerned Black Citizens.
Highly Recommended: Nicholas Schneider and Brian Bainbridge; Recommended: Greg Lawson and John Lively; Not Recommended: None; Unfit for Public Office : Priscilla Tyson, A. Troy Miller, Eileen Paley Special Designation – Champion of Democracy: Nicholas Schneider
In addition to the ratings, the Coalition has a Special Designation – Champion of Democracy –which is awarded to the candidate whose scaled scores rank highest on the principles of a representative democratic form of government.
The Coalition is pleased to award the “Highly Recommended” rating to candidates Nicholas Schneider and Brian Bainbridge, and the “Recommended” rating to candidates Greg Lawson and John Lively. The Coalition has assigned a preliminary rating of “Unfit for Public Office” to candidates Priscilla Tyson, A. Troy Miller, and Eileen Paley.
“We were impressed with the quality of candidates coming forward to serve Columbus,” said Screening Committee member Michael Moore, “Columbus residents should be proud of those stepping forward to serve. Each of the candidates had unique strengths, and we could see where each one of them could serve effectively on behalf of the citizens of Columbus.”
Beginning in late January, we made multiple efforts to reach Council members Troy Miller, Eileen Paley, and Priscilla Tyson. By mid-March, we extended offers for them to submit answers to our screening questions in writing. None has responded, and at the March 19th Council meeting at Barnett Recreation Center, council member Paley indicated verbally that they are running as a slate and decided not to screen with “people who don’t agree with us.”
The Coalition believes that type of attitude and belief system indicates a set of people who are unfit for public service, and as such, the Coalition believes the citizens of Columbus would be well-served to not return them to office. City council members represent all the citizens of Columbus – not just the ones who agree with them. To adopt a posture of not talking to people with whom one disagrees is simply childish, and condemns the council to narrow and noncreative thinking.
