Columbus Westside Gets Together

There's a folksy
anecdote behind that...







Tonight was the monthly Greater Hilltop Area Commission meeting. And in true grandpaboy fashion, I announce it after the fact. Way to get the word out. But I got to go, and it was a good experience. First up was a contentious appearance by city representatives regarding the Hilltop Health Center/Clinic/whatever the hell they want to call it.

To summarize, it's lovely that the city wants to lavish some money on the west side, but we've been at the back of the line. A lot of community activists are filled more with distrust and hurt than appreciation. So when Mayor Coleman's people say they are now going to use the historic fire house site on W. Broad, AFTER they promised to not muck with that building, AND after they've passed over blighted, cost-friendly sites, people are mistrustful. I can't blame them. I assume the nice lady who came to sell Coleman's points is more on the talky side of the business, less on the policy. Either way, she stepped in it tonight, but exuded the calm of someone who is an untouchable go-between.

There was also a fascinating presentation from an OSU grad student out of Texas. He's researching the demographics of the Westside's Hispanic community. He pointed out that the majority of them come from the more indigenous southern Mexico, as opposed to central Mexico. The majority of his presentation touched on the clash of cultures between people who were used to walking or biking everywhere when they find themselves in the strip malls and main streets that surround some of Columbus' older suburbs. Plus, he brought grasshopper salt and porkrinds for everyone.

Finally, we had a chance to hear from TJ Johnson. She is running for the Democratic nomination to take on Jeff Smith in OH 24 for the Statehouse. Her three minute speech to the commission was a bit rough, suffering from the inexperienced tendency of too many "ums." But she seemed personable. Her web site is very nice. (She's gotta to be on top of things to get "Johnson2006" for her name). All that, and she's not named "Celeste." Best of luck, and stay with it.

Sorry for the even-sloppier than usual reporting. Evidently, three beers isn't the cure for a fever. I'm going to have to have words with my doctor.