COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Republicans are hoping 2009 is the year that the party can break up the Democratic monopoly on the Columbus City Council.
Republican challengers Matt Ferris, Alicia Healy and Roseann Hicks all argue that the city needs a different viewpoint on the council, which currently consists of seven Democrats, zero Republicans. Ferris points to the August passage of a half-percent income tax increase as an area that needs additional scrutiny.
"People are looking for a watchdog. They're looking to hold City Hall accountable," Ferris said. "Now that Issue 1 passed, somebody has to go in there and hold city council's feet to the flames to make sure that this extra $90 to $100 million that we gave them is going to be used wisely and efficiently."
Current council members Eileen Paley, Priscilla Tyson, and A. Troy Miller were originally appointed to serve on council. The three Democrats are running now to retain their seats with experience in their
favor. Paley said their ability to work together is an asset, not a weakness.
"My opponents say that they need one dissention, why," asked Paley. "Different party ideas allow for checks and balances across the board. They don't necessarily have to sit on city council to check and balance us, trust me."
Ferris, whose approach to governing is conservative, contends that the all-Democrat council limits important debate on key issues.
"Right now any message that we get from City Hall is pretty much one message. There really isn't a lot of difference between one council member and the next. They really go in lockstep," Ferris said.
Paley counters that city residents benefit from council members who work in unison, rather than in conflict.
"You don't want to make it a public scene. You want to be able to discuss your issues in a more manageable way," Paley said.
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