 A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHANNON G. HARDIN
This past Monday, Columbus City Council passed more than $15 million in grants to local human service partners. Thanks to the leadership of Councilmember Priscilla Tyson, County Commission President John O'Grady, and the tireless work of Council staff and the Mayor's administration, the City and County together funded more than 110 non-profit organizations in our community. These non-profits serve seniors, kids, veterans, families with everything from personal protective equipment to food, clothing, shelter, and even diapers for our youngest residents.
The collaboration between the City of Columbus and Franklin County allowed us to stretch dollars to help more organizations and more residents. But unfortunately, the need in our community is huge: non-profits' proposals added up to more than $90 million for $20 million in grants. These requests are on top of efforts Council has already supported to fight instability in our neighborhoods including, but not limited to, $10 million in housing assistance, $1 million in utility assistance, nearly $10 million for laptops and broadband access for Columbus kids, and more than $10 million for small business support. Council will continue to support innovative efforts to keep our families safe during this tumultuous time.
Looming over all these efforts is the uncertainty surrounding vaccine timelines. Congress needs to recognize that this crisis for families, small businesses, and local governments isn't going away anytime soon. I am grateful to our Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and Senator Sherrod Brown for their support of the Heroes Act. I hope that their colleagues in Congress can muster the will to act and help families persevere.
In solidarity,
Shannon G. Hardin
Council President
As part of the #VoteSafeCbus campaign, Council is encouraging residents to register to vote, from the safety of their home. Did you know you can register to vote online? It will take about five minutes to complete.
Click here to register to vote, or update your registration.
To register online you will need to provide the following.
- Ohio driver’s license or Ohio identification card number
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Address
- Last four digits of your Social Security number
If you do not have any portion of the required information, follow this link to update your voting address using our paper form (PDF). Once you complete this form, you must sign and send it to your county board of elections.
As schools begin the 2020-2021 year with remote learning or hybrid models, the Central Ohio Broadband Access Pilot Program is providing low-income, K-12 students and their families with low-cost internet access.
The lack of a reliable and affordable internet connection and device to access the internet makes remote learning impossible and causes more students to fall behind. This program seeks to address the inequities that exist from community to community.
The program will provide 10,000 refurbished computers and 10,000 hotspot devices for families to set up internet access using cell phone signals. No new infrastructure or professional installation required. Learn More
Does You Student Need a PC or High-Speed Internet for the 2020-2021 School Year?
All Central Ohio school districts are beginning the 2020-2021 school year with remote learning or hybrid models. In this challenging environment, students without access to a computer and a reliable high-speed (broadband) internet connection are at risk of falling behind. Partners throughout Central Ohio have worked together to launch the Central Ohio Broadband Access Program to provide eligible K-12 students and their families with computers and 12-months of broadband internet service for as little as $20. Visit https://www.pcsforpeople.org/ohio/ for more information.
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In early August, Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz published preliminary statistics on deaths in 2020. The stark reality in the wake of the pandemic’s effects showed a 65 percent increase in overdose deaths in Franklin County during the first six months of 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019. Ortiz says there’s a direct correlation between the increasing death rates and the negative impacts people have endured from COVID-19.
“There’s a lot of despair out there. The stresses are evident with unemployment and poverty. [Statistically] this year started off worse than last year and then COVID-19 came along,” said Ortiz. “I’m telling you, it’s going to be a lot worse by the time this is all over.”
The weekend of September 18-20 brought another overdose surge in central Ohio, with an estimated 32 overdoses and seven fatalities, according to Columbus Public Health and Dr. Ortiz. Weekends like these have become all too common.
In the continued fight against the opioid and drug crisis, the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance has launched a new campaign featuring Columbus Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Mysheika Roberts, and Franklin County Public Health Commissioner, Joe Mazzola. Both Roberts and Mazzola are on the front lines, fighting to prevent and treat mental health issues and substance misuse.
We encourage everyone to view the new campaign and educate yourself, your family and friends on the dangers of drug misuse and abuse.
To view the new campaign and learn how to prevent opioid misuse and abuse, visit DontLiveinDenial.org/psa-campaign.
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