Council Candidate Forum Cliff Notes Available Here

I watched the video of the Worthington City Council Candidate Forum (Sept 15, 2025) and have taken notes, boiled it down to the key take-aways and asked AI to organize it for me.

First we start with the candidate introductions, followed by the a series of questions to which each candidate responded.

City Council Candidate Intros

• Joycelyn Dong – Local resident, biomedical engineering background, cares for aging family; focus on small businesses, aging population, and future planning.

• Rebecca Herman – Incumbent; background in business/finance; action-oriented, Vision Worthington involvement.

• Edward Johnston – Lifelong resident, business owner (API Security Services); emphasizes business growth and senior needs.

• Glen Pratt – Retired public finance attorney; experience in funding community projects; focus on economic development and housing.

• Maria Ramirez – Architect/urban planner; public art coordinator; advocates for housing diversity and supporting local businesses.

• David Robinson – Incumbent; emphasizes democracy, public engagement, and comprehensive planning.

• Michael Sharvin – Real estate attorney, local resident with young family; wants vibrant public spaces and housing solutions.

Questions and Themes

How to improve community communication.

Candidates all agreed that digital alone is insufficient.

Suggested mailers, flyers, door-to-door, schools, festivals, town halls.

Other Comments

Joycelyn: creative youth outreach (ice cream social).

Edward: monthly town meetings, spotlighting issues.

How to promote ethics and integrity.

Shared emphasis on transparency, accountability, avoiding conflicts of interest

How to promote positive political culture and inclusivity.

Collaboration, respect, listening, compromise emphasized

Other Comments

Michael: find common ground by identifying risks/solutions.

David: build trust through honesty and transparency.

Business Attraction Challenges

Lack of commercial space (Joycelyn, Maria, Edward)

Development process seen as difficult, change zoning (Maria, Glen)

Upcoming opportunities on Wilson Bridge Rd. redevelopment and Huntley Tech Corridor (David)

I added more detailed information for this question because this question has the largest variety of answers.

What should we do with the UMCH property?

Glen Pratt

Litigation prevents immediate action, but planning should continue.

Supports using the 2014 focus area plan as a starting point.

Would like to see:

Senior/family homes with buffering from neighborhoods.

Transitional housing types: townhomes, patio homes, row houses.

Maria Ramirez

Worthington is landlocked; only 2% of land available for new development.

Emphasized housing crisis → site must address housing needs. Worthington must build housing.

Supports mixed-use along High Street, with housing emphasized.

Thinks site should “check as many boxes as possible” (housing + businesses + quality of life improvements).

David Robinson

Called it the “most divisive issue for 12 years.”

Community feedback (surveys, forums, online comments) shows broad consensus for significant public green space.

Believes decisions must reflect community will to avoid further division.

Supports a balance of:

Green space (community gathering area)

Commercial development along High Street

Some housing

Michael Sharvin

Acknowledged the site’s special history and pressure as a “fix-all.”

Warned it cannot solve all community issues (housing, commercial, public space) alone.

Wants balance between housing, office/commercial, and public uses.

Open to any plan with true community support.

Firmly against the current LC proposal.

Joycelyn Dong

Framed site around building “third spaces” (community gathering spots outside home/work).

Wants integration of:

Housing for all generations (aging residents, young families)

Economic development to support local businesses

Preservation of natural features, like the ravine on the property

Urged moving forward, noting debate has dragged on since her high school years

Rebecca Herman

Acknowledged litigation limits options; LC (the landowner) will retain control after litigation

Referenced 2015 LC proposal, which included multiple green/open space components

Highlighted Worthington’s design review and planning processes, which ensure community input and architectural quality

Emphasized public participation as essential in any eventual plan

Edward Johnston

Focused on practical needs and financial impacts

Stressed need for business development on site to strengthen tax base → helps keep senior property taxes down

Warned that without new business revenue, Worthington may face property tax increases to fund services

Closing Statements

• Dong: Focus on next gen, businesses, aging community.

• Herman: Highlighted council experience, budget management.

• Johnston: Only current business owner; running for one term; emphasizes action.

• Pratt: Brings finance/legal expertise, consensus-building.

• Ramirez: Collaborative leadership, resilient & sustainable Worthington.

• Robinson: Maintain Worthington’s unique culture; innovate, don’t imitate.

• Sharvin: Get things done; expand housing, create public spaces, thoughtful redevelopment.