Background

Read this editorial in Wednesday’s Columbus Dispatch titled “Teamwork needed: Central Ohio’s cities would benefit from job-poaching ban."

It explains that “In December, leaders from Columbus and nine suburbs reached a tentative agreement to recruit only new jobs and to focus on joint efforts to attract businesses to the region.” The city councils of each city, though, have to sign on, and that’s where they are having problems. Dublin pulled out first. Then Westerville, Whitehall and Canal Winchester said that they won’t participate without Dublin. Now folks in Upper Arlington, Reynoldsburg, Bexley, and Hilliard are reconsidering.

See the following Dispatch articles for additional background information:

• May 6: “Job-poaching pact in jeopardy”
• March 22: “12 local leaders join pact to not job-poach; final call is councils’”
• March 21: “Columbus, suburbs announce no-poaching agreement”

The League's new position on regional planning and land use includes “Encouraging cooperation among government entities.”

Action Needed

Contact your city government and encourage members of council to cooperate. Even Columbus residents can write their mayor to commend him for putting this agreement together and urge him to hold firm.

If you live or work in one of the following cities, contact City Council and urge members to cooperate with the agreement:

• Bexley City Council
• Canal Winchester City Council
• Dublin City Council
• Hilliard City Council
• Upper Arlington City Council
• Reynoldsburg City Council
• Westerville City Council
• Whitehall City Council

If you live in Columbus, contact Mayor Michael Coleman to commend him for putting this agreement together and urge him to hold firm.

Be sure to forward this action alert to friends, family, and colleagues.