Signing Off with Gratitude
This will be my last monthly President's Newsletter to the Engaged Members of Building Worthington's Future. Starting on October 1st, Sean Suttle of Hanlin-Rainaldi will be taking over as President of Building Worthington's Future. I am excited to turn over leadership of this organization to Sean. In early October, Worthington Spotlight will be publishing a guest editorial written by Sean outlining the characteristics to look for in a City Council candidate. Attached is a sneak peek at the content of the editorial that is attached to my letter.
The upcoming City Council election has 4 seats up for election. Building Worthington's Future's main focus for 2025 has been reviewing the qualities we think are important in electing these officials. The next council will be implementing the Worthington Together Comprehensive Plan, Northeast Area Plan, and making important decisions on future projects being proposed at The Boundless Campus and West Wilson Bridge Road sites. Electing officials that align with the issues that Building Worthington Future has been promoting is key.
Last week, the Franklin County Democratic party endorsed council candidates' Glen Pratt, Joy Dong, Rebecca Hermann, and Maria Ramirez. These candidates have met with our members on many occasions and have listened to issues that are important to us. While Building Worthington's Future does not endorse candidates, we do support those who align with our mission and encourage our Engaged Members to support candidates of their own choice with their time and financial resources. To hear more about their campaign platform, listen to Amplify Worthington's recent interviews of all 7 council candidates as well as the Candidate Forum here: https://www.worthingtonchamber.org/worthingtonvotes/.
As I leave my tenure as President of Buildings Worthington's Future, I wanted to thank you for all the support each of you have given to me. It has been one of the most rewarding positions that I have ever held. The individuals involved are some of the smartest people that I have ever met. I have many people to thank as I leave my role. First, thanks to Jon Melchi for recommending that I get involved in this organization. Mick Ball for believing in me and asking me to get involved in the Executive Committee as Treasurer, then as Vice President. I very much enjoyed working with Matt Gregory for the last 2+ years as the BWF Past President. He and I have very different styles, but we work very well together in communicating our message to the community and officials within the City of Worthington. Sean Suttle for agreeing to be the next President of BWF. Lastly, the support of my Executive Committee. Each meeting would be loud and unorganized. We didn’t always agree, but we kept disagreements within the meeting and presented a unified message to the public.
My only regret as President is that the City of Worthington’s staff or City Council members have not placed more of an emphasis on implementing the Divided Community Project to bring together various community organizations to discuss the two issues that divide our community: Housing & the Comp Plan. The Divided Community Project is a program that Ohio State’s Moritz College of Law in collaboration with Stanford University and Fordham’s law schools to bring together communities to discuss issues that are dividing their community. In 2023, Robyn Stewart and representatives from WARD, BWF, MPC/ARB, Worthington’s Community Relations Committee, & City staff to attend this two-day seminar at The Ohio State University. Our divided community project was housing.
Lastly, we have sent out invitations for Engaged Members in October (flyers attached). I hope that you can attend these events:
Thursday, 10/23/25: Special Screening of “Missing Middle Housing”. This explores the future of Walkable, Resilient communities.
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at McConnell Arts Center
Wednesday, 10/29/25: Conversation with Planning Next and City of Worthington offices to discuss Building Worthington Future’s priorities for the Worthington Together Comp Plan.
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at 374 Highland Avenue in the City of Worthington’s Planning & Building Training Room.
Thanks again for allowing me to be the President of Building Worthington's Future. I look forward to seeing everyone in the near future.
