I think Roseann’s short resume is going to hurt her at the polls tomorrow. The idea of the everyman/everywoman serving the community can certainly be attractive at times, but I think in the end, most people want someone in charge who has an impressive list of qualifications and a wide range of accomplishments behind them.

COLUMBUS needs people who have “vision” for the WHOLE city.  She seems ok but I she doesn’t seem to get out much from her own surroundings…..

My issues this year are around better (publicized?) public transit and more bike-friendly practices (not to be confused with the rail system) and fiscal conservatism. She beats out the other candidates for me, so far.

As far as the rail issue, every republican candidate has missed that mark.  Does the party realize that rail creates economic development? 
Maybe with the 3C minds will change, but first Ohio must get awarded that federal funding.

I agree with the street lighting could certainly help with the high crime neighborhoods.  Overall, she did very well as a republican candidate.

She doesn’t have to go so far as renting a minority child to pose with, but it looks bad.

i am glad that roseann is aware of the poverty related issues i referenced, but if not for your intervention, how would i know that?  walker asks the same questions of every candidate, which is great because we all get to compare and contrast.  however i cannot read her mind and have to rely on how she responded, at least within the context of of this forum.  As far as North Linden is concerned, it is great that you have family roots in such a storied community, but you may have noticed that I mentioned Linden, not North, South or East Linden.  This is because for generations, North Linden was not open to the residents of South Linden.  There was, and to some extent still is, a clear racial, economic, deed restricted (this is in the ”was” category) and political division at Hudson.  The poor were warehoused in South Linden while North Linden continued to be middles class.  For generations.  I try not to reference directional Linden because it brings up a lot of negative emotions for a lot of people, but since you mentioned it, and for anyone who reads this, let me assure you that there is a hell of a lot of difference between Cleveland/Windsor and Karl/Oakland Park.

I firmly believe that as a city, state and nation, we are completely vulnerable, economically and infrastructurally, to the next spike in oil prices and/or oil shortages. Last year’s $4/gallon spike should have been a wakeup call for a car-dependent US. However, it seems that since prices dropped back down under $2.50 at the pump, most of us have hit the “sleep button” and the gas pedal, again. Folks, this is unacceptable. Or at least most of us will think so when gas prices spike higher again, and stay there this time due to global Peak Oil production and political instability in oil producing nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Mexico.

To that end, the 3Cs Plan will be a massive step forward in terms of connecting Columbus with other significant regions within the state and ultimately, the nation, with an energy efficient means of transport, at a time when we will truly need one. However, Columbus also needs a light rail system to provide the city and the surrounding region with an energy-efficient local/regional means of transport.

Is light rail expensive? Yes. So subsidize it! We already subsidize the cost of building and maintaining our roads, including the Interstate System, which is why we don’t pay tolls to drive on most roads and routes. The US airline industry is also massively subsidized, which is the only reason why it is still in business. If you think it’s costly to build now, wait until we have no other choice. It’s all a matter of our priorities. We must shift our focus to follow our changing circumstances.

I don’t mean to single out Ms. Hicks, but I am concerned about the complete absence of radical, out-of-the-box forward-thinking and vision expressed here, and really by all of the candidates whose profiles/interviews are posted here on CU.

All the candidates, it seems, want to play it safe, collect a nice city council member’s salary and focus on the things that will be of little consequence while the larger, quintessential issues of energy use, transportation and even food production are banging on the door, ready to bust it down and come charging through. It’s not five or ten years off, people. We’re in the shift NOW. Power is shifting around the globe, and the US is no longer the financial and political superpower we all grew up with. That means major changes in store for how all of us live, work and conduct our lives at home.

At this point, we don’t need representatives who will simply play it safe and promote the status quo. We need people with genuine original vision, higher ideals and the courage and conviction to pursue them, even in the face of mounting uncertainty and chaos. Especially in the face of mounting uncertainty and chaos.

@shibbol13th: your concern about Roseann’s faith comments - I know that Roseann is very committed in her faith but she is a very accepting of all faiths. There may be points of disagreement, but that does not stop her from doing everything she can to help everyone.

@cmhcow: Roseann has been going to block watch and community meetings YEARS before she even thought to un for office. Second, you are right about generational poverty. My family has been in North Linden for nearly 3 generations – my grandparents moved here, my mom and her siblings grew up here and still live here, I grew up here, and we are starting our family here. So yes, there is a point of generational poverty. This point is not lost on Roseann however.

@Everyone: She may have been a little light on some of the issue or a litte vauge, but don’t take that as a sign of not understanding the issues. Roseann has a very good grasp on just about every issue facing this city. It is her committment to the community and the great work she has done in the community that people should pay attention too.

Thanks again for making sure we get to hear from all the candidates Walker. This has been a great asset.

Try going to block watch and civic association meetings BEFORE the election, not after.   At least I have seen her at the Weinland Park meetings.