Title
To express the appreciation of the Council of the City of Columbus to Maryellen O'Shaughnessy for her service to this Council and for her commitment to improving the quality of life for all Columbus residents.
Body
WHEREAS, Maryellen O'Shaughnessy, elected to Columbus City Council in 1997, has faithfully served the citizens of Columbus for more than a decade; and
WHEREAS, throughout her years of service, the consistent thread that runs through each initiative she has championed and implemented has been her sincere desire to improve the quality of life for Columbus residents; and
WHEREAS, her impassioned drive has resulted in responsible development, which despite initial challenges, has saved taxpayers millions of dollars, while creating quality neighborhoods by laying the groundwork for the "Pay As We Grow" approach to expansion and annexation; and
WHEREAS, while Maryellen O'Shaughnessy has been a driving force behind the city's efforts to deliver city services creatively and efficiently, she, herself, transformed Columbus' approach to transportation from simply moving traffic, to a comprehensive 21st century transportation strategy; and
WHEREAS, Maryellen O'Shaughnessy's commitment to alternative transportation systems, pedestrian friendly streets, sidewalks, traffic islands and traffic calming helped to focus the city's approach to mobility and launched the "Complete Streets" concept in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, through her recognition of the inherent attributes and strengths of each Columbus neighborhood, her embrace of diversity and the spirit of inclusion, and through her support of the arts, humanities and physical fitness she has been a champion for the collective qualities that make Columbus a great place to live, work and play; and
WHEREAS, all of the many initiatives, public policy decisions and programs advanced through the leadership of Maryellen O'Shaughnessy are, above all else, a testament to and clear reflection of, the quality of her character; and
WHEREAS, Maryellen O'Shaughnessy possesses a unique and admirable ability to effect positive change in the face of adversity, to maintain grace under fire, to interject humor and levity into tense situations, and to make difficult decisions with compassion and humility; and
WHEREAS, the presence of Maryellen O'Shaughnessy in Council Chambers will be sorely missed, but never forgotten for her legacy of service lives on not only in the streets, sidewalks and bike paths she helped build, but in the numerous lives she touched, 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 Maryellen O'Shaughnessy for her service to this Council and for her commitment to improving the quality of life for all Columbus residents.