Title
To express the appreciation of the Council of the City of Columbus to Michael C. Mentel for his service to this Council and for his commitment to improving the quality of life for all Columbus residents.
Body
WHEREAS, Michael C. Mentel, appointed to Columbus City Council in 1998, thus continuing a long tradition of public service in the Mentel family, has faithfully served the citizens of Columbus for 12 years; and
WHEREAS, throughout his years of service, Council President Mentel has consistently worked with public safety officials, union leaders and rank and file police officers and firefighters to provide Columbus first responders with the best training and technology possible to keep residents and visitors safe; and
WHEREAS, Council President Mentel has helped to craft responsible, balanced budgets even during the most troubling economic times, budgets that reflected the values and essential services sought after by City residents; and
WHEREAS, Council President Mentel has consistently advocated for the least among us, working with and ensuring funding for organizations such as the Community Shelter Board to provide comfort, hope and an alternative to living on the streets to hundreds of men, women and children; and
WHEREAS, to help realize that dream of moving Columbus' homeless population to stabilized housing, created the position of Director of Advocacy for Homeless and Social Services to best coordinate our community's response to homelessness; and
WHEREAS, Council President Mentel has helped to nurture a better relationship between City Council and various Area Commissions and neighborhood associations by convening a special working group of residents to study ways to improve communication between neighborhood organizations and City Council; and
WHEREAS, Council President Mentel has traveled nationally and internationally to foster economic growth in Columbus by acting as an ambassador for local business and educational institutions; and
WHEREAS, Council President Mentel has fought to break down long standing barriers that separate municipalities and governmental agencies to improve the quality of life in the central Ohio region; and
WHEREAS, when necessary, Council President Mentel has reached across party lines to promote a sense of bipartisan cooperation rarely seen in today's political climate; and
WHEREAS, the presence of Council President Michael C. Mentel in Council Chambers will be sorely missed, but never forgotten for his legacy will live on in the numerous lives he has enriched and improved; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize and express its appreciation to Michael C. Mentel for his service to this Council and for his commitment to improving the quality of life for all Columbus residents.