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Ten finalists present qualifications; public testimony centers on housing, seniors and criticism of appointment process
Summary
Nine finalists spoke tonight about housing, equity and community service; dozens of residents and local leaders endorsed multiple candidates while one speaker called the appointment process undemocratic and announced an independent run.
Nine finalists addressed council and described their experience serving District 7 and Columbus. Speakers emphasized housing affordability, public-safety concerns, infant and maternal health, foster-youth services and neighborhood preservation.
Among finalists: Dorothy Malone highlighted decades of civic service and advocacy for seniors and mental health; Bailey Phillips described front-line social-work experience and reentry housing programs; Tim Fulton and Lisa Massey pledged not to run for reelection and said they would serve as placeholders; Jesse Vogel said he is also running for the seat and emphasized voter-registration work; Catherine Curry D'Souza ("Kate") outlined her Near East Area Commission service and zoning-process improvements; Denzel Porteus and Otto Beatty III emphasized district roots and housing expertise; Shanice Green described her advocacy for foster youth and educational equity.
Public testimony filled much of the hearing. Dozens of residents, nonprofit leaders and neighborhood-commission members spoke in support of particular finalists. Supporters repeatedly cited candidates' track records on housing, senior services, neighborhood engagement and youth programs. Pastor Julius Lancaster spoke for Dorothy Malone; multiple witnesses from Near East area commissions, neighborhood groups and service providers endorsed Catherine Curry D'Souza; Lower Lights Ministries and Reeves Center staff endorsed Bailey Phillips; Capital University-affiliated speakers and teachers backed Shanice Green.
A contentious moment came when Aurora Dawson criticized political appointments as undemocratic and said she will run an unappointed independent campaign. Dawson repeated a list of appointed officials she said remained in office as examples and told the council she had gathered more than 250 petition signatures to appear on the ballot.
The hearing ended without a vote. President Hardin said the council would not call an executive session tonight unless a colleague objected and that an executive session would be scheduled in January before council formalizes a nomination and vote.
