For the second year in a row, Mayor Michael B. Coleman has topped our “Best Civic Leader” category in our annual reader’s poll. This result shows a strong showing of support for our city’s mayor despite a turbulent year filled with many ups and downs. The administration was forced to make drastic cuts early in 2009 to balance a faltering budget, which eventually led to the increased income tax that was approved by voters in August. Many Coleman supporters also turned into critics later in the year when the administration attempted to enact a parking meter rate hike without seeking any public input. Despite these issues, Mayor Coleman has continued to push forward with programs reform city spending, attract new jobs to the region, promote new development Downtown and create special funding for public artwork in Columbus.
Top 10 Columbus Civic Leaders in 2009: