Westside Messenger - October 3rd, 2021

PAGE 4 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - October 3, 2021
Voter’s Guide
www.columbusmessenger.com
The Westside Messenger sent a
questionnaire to candidates running
for local office in contested races in the
Nov. 2 election. The following are their
responses. (If there is no photo by a
candidate, one was not provided.)
South-Western City
Schools Board
of Education
(Three seats up for election)
• Chris Boso - No response received
• David Donofrio, 4699 Snowy Meadow
Dr., Grove City
O c c u p a t i o n :
Office of the Fire
Department for
Prairie Township
Education/military/
and/or political
experience: I am
a lifelong resident of
central Ohio, and
product of its public
schools. BA from
W i t t e n b e r g
David Donofrio
University. I’ve served on the Board of
Education the past four years. I currently
work for our fire department, but have
wide-ranging experience in the private sector,
particularly in career development/job
creation.
Goals if elected? I put students first,
always. This nonpartisan role is about
what’s right for kids, not political ideologies.
I am fiscally responsible, and a proactive
communicator, keeping you informed.
I fight for district health, equity, safety and
unity — giving every child equal access to
the American Dream. Learn more:
www.daviddonofrio.com.
• Cathy Johnson, 7475 Opossum Run
Road, London
O c c u p a t i o n :
Retired classroom
teacher
Education/military/
and/or political
experience: BS
& MA in Education,
OSU. Reading
Recovery, OSU.
OSBA Master
Board Member.
Cathy Johnson
Member of All-Ohio
School Board.
Twenty-year member of the South-Western
City Schools Board of Education.
Goals if elected? Increased student
achievement. Complete the second phase of
Ohio Facilities Construction Commission
project by opening four new middle schools
in 2022. Work with E&A Coalition’s lawsuit
against vouchers. Continue to work
with the SBC Foundation to support student
athletes. Work with other elected officials
to improve public education.
• Kelli Martindale - No response
received
• Jamie Shumaker, 6006 Cork County
Drive, Galloway
Occupation: Union president, Columbus
Public Health
Education/military/ and/or political
experience: Associates degree from Owens
C.C. in dietetics, 19 years at Columbus
Public Health, 3 years as a band booster
parent, AFSCME 2191 president;
Treasurer Area Federation of Labor
Goals if elected? Our district is growing
rapidly. I want to ensure that growth is felt
equitably across our district. As a parent,
communication from the district is key to
me, and I hope to hold regular community
meetings and engage with parents.
Columbus City
Schools Board
of Education
(Three seats up for election)
• Mohamed Ali - No response received
• Michael Cole, 6088 Whitman Road,
Columbus
Occupation: Education administrator
Education/military/ and/or political
experience: Bachelor’s degree: The Ohio
State University/International studies,
Masters: Seton Hall University/Master of
arts in strategic communications and leadership,
former area commission of Greater
Hilltop, former executive director of J.
Ashburn Jr. Youth Center.
Goals if elected? I will continue my servant
leadership endeavors to strengthen
accountability, curriculum, transparency
and safety for students and staff in CCS.
• Kevin S. Hairston, 754 N. 6th Street,
Columbus
Occupation: Clergy, Living Word Bible
Fellowship
Education/military/ and/or political
experience: Dr. Kevin Hairston is the
Pastor of Living Word Bible Fellowship in
Columbus, Ohio, graduating from
Independence High School. Received a
degree in Political Science from The Ohio
State University. Attended Trinity
Lutheran Seminary obtaining a master’s
degree in theological studies. Received his
Doctorate in Ministry from United
Theological Seminary.
Goals if elected? Providing the services
that children and youth need to help them
better manage and support their mental
health needs at school can be quite challenging.
If the appropriate services are put
in to support a young person’s mental
health needs, we can maximize success and
minimize negative impacts for students.
• James Ragland - No response received
• Ramona Reyes - No response received
• Christina Vera - No response received
Columbus City
Council
(three to be elected)
• Nick Bankston - No response received
• Lourdes Barroso de Padilla - No
response received
• Sheila Ann Eubanks, 1696 Burley
Drive, Columbus
O c c u p a t i o n :
Field Specialist
Sedgwick Claim
M a n a g e m e n t
Service
Education/military/
and/or political
experience:
Sheila Ann
Eubanks
Lifelong resident-
Columbus Ohio.
Attended Columbus City School, Ohio
State and Columbus State. I work for
Sedgwick CMS. I have 36 years’ experience
in Insurance. I am currently Chairwomen
of the Trustees -Marion Franklin Civic
Association and Director at Genesis of
Good Samaritan. I work hard to serve the
Southfield Community.
Goals if elected? I stand on communities
and the forgotten people. I want to
bring the communities to the table. Often
communities are left behind. It is all about
big money in Columbus. I want to make
sure that our communities are being heard
and the concerns are being addressed.
• Shannon Hardin - No response
received
•Tom Sussi, 234 Neruda Ave.,
Columbus
Occupation: Selfemployed
(thesussireport.com).
Education/military/
and/or political
experience: I
have worked professionally
in newspaper,
radio and television
for more four
decades, about 30
years in TV news as
Tom Sussi
an Emmy-Award
winning Investigative Reporter. I currently
produce, thesussireport.com. I have
degrees from Michigan State University
(Journalism) and Mott Community College
(Criminal Justice).
Goals if elected? It’s insane that for two
decades one party has called the shots in
Columbus. There must be a dissenting
voice at City Hall to challenge the politicians
who tow the party line. There must
be a watchdog to check the backdoor politics
and represent the best interests of the
people.
Auditor offers
levy estimator
In advance of the November general
election, Franklin County Auditor Michael
Stinziano reminded voters that the auditor’s
office online levy estimator tool is
available to help residents understand how
the levies and bond issues on their ballot
will impact their property taxes.
Levies and bond issues are on the ballot
in several jurisdictions across the county,
including: Franklin Township, Minerva
Park, Reynoldsburg City School District,
Truro Township, Upper Arlington, and
Valleyview. The auditor’s levy estimator
has been updated to reflect the potential
tax impact of the passage of these issues.
“As the former director of the board of
elections, I want everyone to understand
the value of their vote by using the levy
estimator. Make sure your voice is heard
this November and go vote,” Stinziano
said.
To use the levy estimator, visit
apps.franklincountyauditor.com/LevyEsti
mator. After entering your home’s address
or parcel number, the estimator will show
both your current and estimated property
taxes if a levy or bond issue in your jurisdiction
passes in the November election.
Early and absentee voting began Oct. 5
and will continue through Nov. 1. As a
reminder, mail-in absentee ballots must be
postmarked by Nov. 1 or dropped off at the
Board of Elections office at 1700 Morse
Road by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 2.
Election Day is Nov. 2, and polls across
the county will be open from 6:30 a.m.
until 7:30 p.m.
Election Day tips
The following tips can help voters prepare
for Election Day.
•Confirm your polling location.
•Bring photo identification.
•Confirm registration.
•Be familiar with the candidates and
issues on the ballot. Voters should familiarize
themselves with the candidates and
issues on the ballot in the weeks leading
up to Election Day.