I have a wishlist just like Councilwoman Ethel Stewart. We are all proud of our city, and we all want to live in safe, well-kept neighborhoods. And yes, Councilman Beard I am old enough to remember the glory days of Propst Park. My children are grown so what I wish for is more for the children who are growing up today.
If you asked me what I want Columbus to be, I would say I want blighted areas cleaned up and gone, I want Propst Park to be a place where Columbus’ children can laugh and play and dream of one day playing baseball at MSU.
What does it take to make our dreams and the dreams of our children come true? Simply put, these things we all want for Columbus are not free. How do we get there?
Many of you may not agree with me, and that’s ok. But I have watched Columbus draw up plan after plan and then sit back and dream, only to just dream.
We cannot move forward until we have a true understanding of where we are financially. Yes, I am for a forensic audit. And I have four reasons why.
#1 Do we really know exactly how much our previous CFO took from the city? My guess is we are simply just guessing. And yes, our government officials are bonded so that means with clear accounting records Columbus is insured against theft. But we have to be able to prove every penny that was stolen, and the best way is a forensic accounting audit.
#2 I also think there is some confusion around the discussion of the cost of a forensic audit. I understood Mayor Gaskin to say there is enough support from the private sector that an audit would be funded by our citizens and would cost Columbus taxpayers nothing. Yes it would be free to the city!
Peter, you asked me in an email exchange what happens if the citizen funds aren’t enough to pay for the audit. My response was that when the funds run out, the forensic audit ends. I will never support a project that brings debt to the city in any form or fashion.
#3 We seem confused and don’t have a handle on exactly what Columbus’ debt level is. We need a clear picture of our debt.
#4 I am very troubled that as a city we don’t want to know where we stand financially. Yes, I find this alarming and honestly. I am very concerned we don’t all want to know all the good, all the bad and all the ugly.
My husband and I have raised our family here, and we love Columbus.
Cathy Coleman, Columbus
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