Newly elected members of the Columbus City Council are making plans to “tackle the city”s issues head-on” after they are sworn into office early next month.
Democratic Ward 2 and Ward 5 City Council-elects Joseph Mickens and Kabir Karriem said they plan to take time orienting themselves to the City Council and the issues facing the city before they are sworn into office July 6.
“The first thing I want to do is get to know the other councilmen and the mayor,” said Mickens. “After that, I would like to sit down with the rest of the council and see what”s going on and get an idea about the wishes of the citizens.
“There are a lot of issues that didn”t get wrapped up last term, and I would like to follow their guide,” Mickens added. “I have my own plans and ideas, but I want to talk with everyone and get the feel of the people before start acting on anything.”
Mickens is a pastor at the Kingdom Vision International Church on Highway 69 South, and has been living in East Columbus since 1995.
Although Mickens also lived in Columbus from 1980-1985, he moved to Connecticut for about 10 years before returning to the Friendly City.
“When I first left Columbus when I was a young boy, I remember East Columbus as being so beautiful,” said Mickens. “So when I moved back, I bought a house in East Columbus without knowing about the drainage problems that had developed over the years.
“Since moving back, I definitely could have moved out of this house and gone elsewhere in the city,” Mickens said of his one-story house on Maple Street. “But that wouldn”t have made the problem go away for anyone else.”
Because he has been living in a flood-prone area for nearly 15 years, Mickens said he has a “definite interest” in addressing the city”s drainage problems quickly.
“That”s an issue that I am definitely interested in, and it”s something that many of the Ward 2 constituents have been telling me since I decided to run for the office,” Mickens said.
Joining Mickens July 6 will be fellow council newcomer Kabir Karriem. Karriem, a father of five, is owner of Helen”s Kitchen on 15th Street North. Karriem also plans to “get a feel” for the will of the public and work to address the city”s problems.
“Getting an idea of the financial situation of the city, getting to know the rest of the council and listening to what the people have to say — those are my immediate plans right now,” said Karriem. “I don”t really have one specific thing I plan to push immediately, because all of the city”s issues are important to me.
“Right now, the sportsplex issue is on the table,” Karriem added. “The voters have already spoken out in favor of the sportsplex, but what else do they want? I want to hear what the citizens say and work to get what they want.”
Although not a city government newcomer, Democratic Mayor Robert Smith, who was re-elected overwhelmingly Tuesday night over independent candidate Thom Geiger, said he plans to “continue the progress” the council has seen during the past several years.
“There are several things we need to finish. Whether the sportsplex construction, infrastructure improvements, economic development or crime reduction, I definitely plan to work to continue the progress we have made,” Smith said.
“As far as infrastructure, we need to really address the drainage, sewer and road paving problems,” Smith added. “We”re moving in the right direction with all of these, but we”ve got to finish the job now.”
Grateful concessions
Although Republican Ward 2 and Ward 5 council members Susan Mackay and Jay Jordan Tuesday lost their seats to Mickens and Karriem, respectively, the two ousted council members shared words of gratitude and respect for Columbus residents.
“I want to thank the citizens of Ward 2 for allowing me to work with them for the past 15 months,” Mackay said Wednesday morning. “I really do wish the new council great success.”
Jordan said he would attempt to remain close to the incoming council.
“I look forward to seeing the new council in action. If there”s anything I can do to help, I would certainly be willing to do it,” Jordan said. “There were lots of things we were working on this year, and I”m sure the new council will continue to pursue those positive things.”
Ward 1 Democratic incumbent Gene Taylor, Ward 3 Republican candidate Charlie Box and Ward 6 Republican candidate Bill Gavin were elected to the City Council during the May 5 primary election. Ward 4 Democratic incumbent Fred Stewart ran unopposed.
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