Council Announces Districting Commission Finalists
Fifteen Finalists to Give Presentations on Why They Wish to Serve
[COLUMBUS-OH] After receiving 123 applications to serve on the Council Residential Districting Commission (CRDC), Columbus City Council has selected 15 finalists for further consideration. The CRDC will draw the residency maps to be used by Council beginning with the 2023 elections.
“It has been exciting to have 123 members of the community step up and show their interest in the Council Residential Districting Commission. There was representation from all types of backgrounds,” said Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy. “My colleagues and I narrowed the list down to 15 diverse candidates, and I look forward to learning more about them and discussing the work ahead at the public hearing on February 10th.”
Finalists for the CRDC (in alphabetical order) are:
- Herb Asher
- Napoleon Bell
- Jeff Cabot
- Monica Cerrezuela
- Pat Deering
| - Averi Frost
- Terrence Gilchrist
- Sarah Ingles
- Brandyn McElroy
- Jibril Mohamed
| - Malik Moore
- Eileen Neale
- Dave Paul
- JM Rayburn
- Chris Wyche
|
Applicants were required to submit an application; resumes were optional. Elected officials (except precinct committee members), lobbyists, candidates for elective office and City employees were prohibited from serving on the commission. Once the application closed, Councilmembers reviewed the applications and selected their top three candidates. Each candidate has the option to present a three-minute synopsis on why they wish to serve on the commission during a public hearing scheduled for February 10, 2021, at 5:30pm. The members will be seated by March 1, 2021, to begin drawing the maps.
In accordance with the Charter requirements, the CRDC will consist of five members; Council will appoint four. The Mayor and Council President will select the final member who will serve as the commission chair. In 2018, Columbus residents passed a charter amendment to enhance neighborhood advocacy and amplify community voices inside City Hall. The vote added two Council seats to bring the total number to nine while establishing residential districts for each seat.
The recommendations made by the CRDC will require a vote of Council. However, Council cannot make any changes to the maps except as necessary to ensure compliance with the Charter.
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