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To express appreciation to Columbus City Council President Zach Klein for his service and commitment to improving the quality of life for the residents of Central Ohio - and applaud him on being elected as the next City Attorney.
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WHEREAS, Zachary M. Klein, a proud graduate of The Ohio State University and Capital Law School, was appointed to Columbus City Council in January of 2011, faithfully serving the residents of Columbus for more than 6 years; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Zach quickly earned a reputation as a leader in Columbus - he introduced legislation creating the city’s domestic partnership registry, he updated the city’s contracting code in a way that matched the civil rights code, assuring that people are consistently treated fairly regardless of their age, disability, familial status, military status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression; and
WHEREAS, Zach Klein was able to sponsor and pass a number of significant legislative initiatives related to neighborhood safety and stability - he lead efforts to close down adult gaming parlors, established a citywide graffiti removal program, increased the number of active Code Enforcement Officers, and established City licensing requirements to help shutdown nuisance hotels and motels, and has been a leader in the effort to fight opiate addiction; and
WHEREAS, Zach has developed a reputation for his commitment to building healthy communities - he’s worked on legislation supporting the Community Crime Patrol, the Volunteer Peace Officers’ Dependents Fund Board, legislation opening a New Police Substation, and supported nonprofits like Alvis 180, and STAR House - he’s also supported the OhioHealth Investment, Neighborhood Safety Cameras, the Small Business Pilot Program, the City’s Re-entry Education Program, services to Equitas Health, and Ethics Legislation for the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Zach’s leadership and service has earned him the respect and admiration of many - in fact, his colleagues selected him to serve as President of Columbus City Council from 2016-2017 and the residents of Columbus selected him in November of 2017 as City Attorney; and
WHEREAS, Zach’s passion is not limited to his public service - he is a proud husband and father of two beautiful children; he also has a passion for young people and is universally acknowledged as one of the most exciting basketball referees in the NCAA; and
WHEREAS, Zach’s years of public service has included a consistent thread of excellence that has run through each initiative that he has championed - throughout it all has been his sincere desire to improve the quality of life for our City’s most vulnerable residents; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby express appreciation to Columbus City Council President Zach Klein for his service and commitment to improving the quality of life for the residents of Central Ohio - and applaud him on being elected as the next City Attorney.