Long time Columbus City Council member Mike Mentel is stepping down. The current Council President says he will leave the governing body in January about a year before his term expires.
Fellow Council member Charletta Tavares will also leave at that time to take a seat on the Ohio Senate.
Citing the desire to concentrate on on his legal career and spend more time with his family, Mental acknowledges his departure, along with Tavares, will leave five members of council who were originally appointed to office. And it leaves two openings for the all-Democratic council to fill. Mentel, though, says the timing is right. He talked with WOSU's Marilyn Smith.
Mike Mentel has served twelve years on Columbus City Council. He says he plans to continue to advocate for the homeless.