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News
Mayor Michael Coleman and Columbus City Council Show Character and Courage in SB-5 Battle
There are times along life’s path when we are faced with challenges that demand a decision from us. No matter how hard we try, or how often we ignore them – they chronically reappear until we deal with the problem! Those menacing challenges seem to always be of principalities and philosophies we know are “right” or things we say we believe. We often refer to those issues as things we will “die on that hill for” or not. Never easy to be victorious in….but always a builder of character and wisdom if we see it through!
On February 28, 2011, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and the Columbus City Council dealt with a matter such as that. Against the latest "media buzz" and a GOP majority in Ohio Senate and House, they took their stand and drew a line in the sand. On that historic day, our Mayor and City Council publicly declared opposition to Senate Bill 5, the job killing legislation being pushed by conservative strongholds as a cure-all to Ohio’s economic woes.
Mayor Michael B. Coleman and the Columbus City Council showed an uncommon strength of character and courage that day. In a society where political thought is to stay out of harm’s way and protect your “career” - they did the opposite! Our elected leaders were the FIRST in this battle to stand before the public and make an official resolution of support of Ohio’s Collective Bargaining laws. That in itself would have been enough to make someone proud to work in Columbus; but it didn’t stop there…they galvanized the message by correctly adding, “Collective Bargaining works; and Columbus taxpayers will save an estimated 115 Million Dollars over the next 10 years due to the current collective bargaining laws!” (not a direct quote, but exactly the message)
Columbus Ohio is the largest city employer in our State. The fact that Columbus officials adopted that resolution on March 7th gives witness to a firm resolve and provides a beacon for other large municipalities in Ohio to follow! The media couldn’t stop that one! To highlight this point, the primary media outlets were nowhere to be seen that night!
Our Mayor and City Council deserve to be recognized for the courage they showed in making a public declaration to the truth. That message was being shut out of the press and was grossly distorted by conservative philosophies. The reality that public employees and collective bargaining work to provide a value and benefit to taxpayers and citizens of this State. The fact that Labor’s interests are always focused on making the employer profitable and efficient – in hopes that maybe this generation will retain jobs that provide for families and futures!
Like our country’s founding fathers, Columbus elected officials proved there are still political figures in our society who believe in what is right - and are willing to “risk it all”. To fiercely defend against those principalities sent to deceive the public and promise things which will never be delivered.
This outward sign of character and courage by Mayor Coleman and City Council deserves our respect and our loyalty. A “renewal” if you will, of good faith and dedication by all Columbus employees, to continue forward in making Columbus “the best place to live, and work, and raise a family!”
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