Columbus City Council members will interview candidates for two open council seats this week before a vote on January 10th. Those interviews will be held behind closed doors for the first time.
Voters last November approved a change in the city charter to allow executive sessions to discuss among other things, personnel issues. This week will be the first time city council members will use the change in the city's charter to go behind closed doors. Council members will vet 18 candidates out of 49 applications for the two open council positions. Councilwoman Charleta Tavares won a seat in the state Senate in the election. And Council president Mike Mentel resigned his position. Last month, council members conducted individual interviews with the applicants and each presented a list of up to four preferred candidates. Among those who applied is former councilman, Kevin Boyce who lost his election for a full term as state treasurer. Boyce left council in late 2008 after Governor Ted Strickland appointed him to the treasurer's position. Outgoing state representatives Dan Stewart and Marian Harris and Columbus City Schools board member Shawna Gibbs also turned in applications. This week all five council members will interview with the selected candidates behind closed doors.
