Do the math
If only city council would have worked as hard (or at all) to save McCoy Park for the nearby residents as they have on crafting proposed changes to the makeup of city council.
It took months of “hard work” to craft this “hybrid” approach, which ensures that nearly one-third of the proposed 13 members will still follow the money, while the others will follow it only if it helps them retain their seats.
A subtle but insignificant difference.
It took about a minute for council to fall in line with Mayor Andrew Ginther and give a city park and $25 million to the Haslems.
The Haslems, who could liquidate their fortune and fund the operation of the entire city of Columbus for 8 years!
near my checkbook
Next, astute money manager Ginther found we could no longer afford the new courthouse, resulting in at least $25 million of lost money.
But, we do get back a downtown green space that has inexplicably been closed for the past eight years. Further, according to Ginther, this frees up money for new police and fire equipment!
What world do we live in where giving the Haslems $25 million and McCoy Park has priority over police and fire equipment?
To recap, so far in 2026, Andrew Ginther has cost us: $25 million in lost plans for a new courthouse, $25 million gift to the Haslems, McCoy Park and at least $1 million we spent on development plans for the park.
Fortunately, he opened a beautiful new soccer park that Dublin, Powell, Worthington and Westerville residents can afford to enjoy.
Did any of the proposals for revamping city government include getting rid of the mayor, hiring a city manager and having City Council totally consist of ward representatives?
Dave Schwendenman, Columbus
Where are the dads?
Every day local newscasts report shootings in Columbus, often by juveniles. Many reactions comprise "this or that" possible cause or solution.
What is never spoken or written is that more often than not, the major cause is the paucity of fathers in these young perpetrators' lives and homes.
The federal government helped cause this under Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society welfare programs that made it more economically feasible for dads to leave a household, especially those with children.
Two-parent homes, consisting of mom and dad, need financial incentives in the tax code to help alleviate this growing problem.
Hand-wringing by the city leaders is not helping.
Matthew Parr, Pickerington
Hardin inspires hope in me
I’m writing regarding The Columbus Dispatch's recent coverage of Shannon Hardin. I met Shannon eight months ago at a dinner with local women, and that evening convinced me to support his mayoral run. As a small business owner, I’m deeply invested in Columbus. This city is my home and livelihood.
In that living room, our conversation was raw. We discussed the real pressures of life here: health care, rent and raising families. People were vulnerable. It was clear we are all starving for authentic connection.
Shannon didn’t bring a polished politician’s pitch or rehearsed answers. He just listened. He asked questions and shared his own experiences as a renter, a single dad and someone navigating student debt. He wasn't there to lecture; he was there to hear what our community actually needs.
I left feeling hopeful about the change we can drive together. We need leaders who don't just talk at us but who understand what we’re going through and have the heart to create space for those real, human conversations.
Brooke Kinsey, Columbus
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: I've done the math. Ginther has put Columbus in a $50 million hole | Letters
