Explanation
Title
To recognize the remarkable career and civic contributions of William C. Habig, Executive Director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.
Body
WHEREAS, in 1967, Bill Habig joined the staff at the transportation department of the Franklin County Regional Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, in 1971 Bill was appointed executive director of the newly named Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, carrying its influence far beyond highway planning into areas such as economic development and land use planning, housing services, the environment and air quality, comprehensive transit and other areas key to central Ohio's long term sustainability; and
WHEREAS, through Bill Habig's leadership, MORPC played a critical role in the construction of I-670, the expansion of I-270, Rickenbacker Airport, the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the regional multi-use trail program, and the Central Ohio Transit Authority; and
WHEREAS, at the core of Bill's countless achievements is his deep commitment to regional thinking and cooperative planning as he expanded MORPC's impact and reach through partnerships with dozens of member governments, building coalitions and working directly with all MORPC members by helping them to achieve goals that benefit the entire region; and
WHEREAS, Bill's widely recognized skills at mediation, negotiation and helping others build collaborative consensus around major projects are a model for MORPC's staff, board and members, establishing the organization as a respected leader, able to bring together diverse interests for the greater good of all central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, in Columbus, Bill served five separate mayor's administrations and 40 city council members (plus Pete Cass); and
WHEREAS, Bill's uniquely effective management style fosters collegiality, shared learning, integrity, and mutual respect among MORPC's staff and board members; and
WHEREAS, many of us who began our work in government looking to Bill for guidance and advice soon developed personal friendships with him based on his openness, honesty, character, warmth and humor; and
WHEREAS, central Ohioans greet each day with cleaner air and water, managed roads and highways, better parks and recreation choices, greater job opportunities and better functioning local governments because of Bill's presence and personal contributions at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council hereby extends our thanks and our heartfelt appreciation to William C. Habig on the occasion of his retirement from the Mid-Ohio Planning Commission.