On Tuesday night, the Columbus City Council voted to table an appointment to the Golden Triangle Development LINK Board of Directors after neither of the two applicants — Quincy Harris and Colin Krieger — were able to get the four votes needed for the appointment.
As Mayor Keith Gaskin noted, the outcome did not necessarily reflect on either of the two applicants.
During the discussion, Ward 6 councilman Jacqueline DiCicco argued that, given the importance of the position, she preferred to open up the appointment to a large pool of candidates.
With all due respect to Harris and Krieger — whose names both remain under consideration — we share the view that board appointments benefit from large pools of applicants.
Since its inception, the LINK’s successes in bringing industry and manufacturing to the area have made it the envy of many in the Southeast. And with numerous new projects now emerging on the horizon, the LINK’s role in attracting those industries, jobs and tax dollars is as important now as it has ever been.
The importance of The LINK underscores the importance of its Board of Directors. This is not an honorary title nor a position sought to build a resume. It’s a position that requires time, preparation, careful thought, wisdom and expertise.
The ideal candidate brings an understanding of finances, an understanding of the community and a vision of what it can become, a skill set that adds value to the discussions, debates and conversations. By its bylaws, the LINK Board is the group from which the organization’s executive committee is chosen, so board members should have all the qualities required to act on a range of matters, including budgets, strategic planning and development work. Ideally, board members will have experience in the top leadership of their fields and be able to use that experience to add to the unique backgrounds of the other board members.
Board members function as representatives not just of the LINK organization, but of their communities and act as voices for growth and development in support of the LINK’s vision for economic growth.
So we welcome and encourage those who live in the city and have these qualities to apply for this position, which is expected to be settled when the city council meets again on Aug. 26.
We believe a good pool of applicants who will be vigorously vetted and thoroughly discussed will help the council make the best choice for this position. Applications can be submitted to Angela Jones ([email protected]) at Columbus City Hall.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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