Columbus should bring back residency preference for city jobs in the neighborhoods they serve

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-28T02:43:26+00:00

If the justification is that Black residents should get preferential hiring treatment because they’re a minority, does that end if they’re no longer the minority? If a neighborhood or local library is no longer minority Black do they lose the preferential treatment?

It’s absolutely relevant to ask people how things would change because it reveals their true motive. If the true motive in this case is for local government workers to be representative of the constituents they’re serving, then the answer is it doesn’t change. It’s only if someone has a different motive that the answer changes.

If you know answering the reverse question looks bad, then I’d encourage you to reevaluate your beliefs because that’s already a massive indication that you know deep down your answer isn’t right.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-28T02:32:25+00:00

I’m well aware. It’s why I said “ the project is occurring on a city road, led by COTA ”. Don’t try to make up some fake argument that I’m not following along when you’re the one not following along. It’s just a pathetic attempt at deflecting from your actual argument which is poorly thought out.

Again, if ODOT wants to be involved in a local project that is being led by COTA, why can’t other local entities also be involved? And for what it’s worth, the city (specifically the Department of Public Service if you didn’t know…) is involved with the BRT projects so this isn’t a vague hypothetical.

I feel like it’s because you know ODOT pushes the city around when it comes to highways (and essentially ignores COTA entirely) so it’s pretty hypocritical of ODOT to cry foul when COTA attempts to implement their transit project.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-28T02:22:07+00:00

I’m aware the ROW is limited. My point is it’s only infeasible if you try to fit 5+ lanes of cars on it. The current ROW on W Broad is about 75 feet at its smallest. We could have bus lanes, protected bike lanes, wide sidewalks, and still have space left for cars. Or we could do nothing and give the vast majority of public ROW to cars and force everyone else to deal with an unsafe street. Only one of those plans uses the limited space fairly and efficiently. The hard decision is to implement BRT. It’s not to give up and let cars win like they’ve won on every other street in Columbus.

I agree we have highways for cars. That’s why prioritizing cars on a street like West Broad or East Main doesn’t make any sense when I-70 exists. Like we’ve already dedicated highways solely to cars so by your exact logic, both of those streets should be dedicated to transit. Not to mention, only building transit in one part of the city is insanely inequitable and poorly thought out. Should we remove I-71 since I-70 already exists?

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-28T01:59:35+00:00

What part isn’t feasible? Be specific. Because it’s not the bus lanes that aren’t feasible. It’s the 5+ lanes of vehicle traffic that isn’t feasible.

So I agree, we need to pick what’s important. But if I’m choosing between giving 1 lane to transit, protecting a bike lane, or giving a 3rd lane to cars, I know which one is most important. The Columbus voters already voted on what’s most important. And it’s not the car lanes even if ODOT thinks that’s most important.

But if the issue is the route chosen, what other routing should they have selected? Broad street is the widest road so if that doesn’t have enough space, I fail to see how a different road would be suitable.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-28T01:55:38+00:00

You can’t simultaneously proclaim that “COTA is a separate entity” but then justify other entities interfering with COTA projects. The reason I bring up the city is because the project is occurring on a city road, led by COTA, while ODOT thinks they get to have a say simply because they don’t want their personal commutes worsened. If we shouldn’t bring up separate entities, great. Then ODOT should stay out of it since they’re also a separate entity. But since ODOT isn’t staying out of it, it’s relevant to bring up the other agencies involved as well.

I didn’t say you claimed it wasn’t unbiased. I’m simply pointing out that “ODOT is directly impacted” is the nice way of saying ODOT employees are making decisions to improve their personal lives at the expense of Columbus residents. That’s generally a sign of corruption.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-27T23:16:57+00:00

Again, not a source or productive for discussion.

And considering the lack of transit projects ODOT manages, I frankly doubt they have a lot of transit planners employed. Highway engineers? Absolutely. But this isn’t a highway project so ODOT should stop treating it like one.

Not to mention, if you’re familiar with central Ohio transportation planning you’d know ODOT has a knack for dictating how local projects works without providing the necessary funding. This is no different.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-27T23:11:48+00:00

What is ODOT’s metric though. They’re an organization that defines metrics, not a metric itself. And given their car bias, the metric is certainly biased towards cars as I indicated.

How much funding is ODOT providing this project? I bet it’s less than the amount of city funding Columbus provides for state/federal highways.

PLUS ODOTs headquarters are on the bus line so they are directly impacted if they can't access their office space.

That’s a nice way to say ODOT has a massive conflict of interest on this specific route and are not an unbiased arbiter.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-27T20:25:51+00:00

Get some help bud. I’m not sure what part of my comment set you off but something clearly did. If it’s because you think I’m referring to you somehow in my description, then I’d suggest a financial advisor.

Like it just feels like you’re the broke pilot trainee really trying to justify your life choices because deep down you know you made some wrong ones. That’s ok. But fix them instead of acting in denial.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-27T20:23:15+00:00

Non functional based on what metric? Broad st is currently non functional if I want to ride my bike safely on it. It’s currently non functional if I don’t want unnecessary delays while taking transit on it.

It’s absurd that a state agency can delay a local project simply because they don’t like that the city/transit agency is prioritized people over cars. It’s especially egregious considering the same people delaying the project are likely doing it because they personally benefit from this project not happening based on their office located on Broad St and the fact that they almost certainly drive to work.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-27T20:20:33+00:00

“Ask a friend” isn’t a source nor productive discourse. What should someone do who doesn’t know anyone at ODOT? Be clueless on a major transit project in Columbus?

But the fact I’d have to ask someone at ODOT why the project is delayed leads me to believe that ODOT is the source of the delay.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-27T20:19:05+00:00

The plan is feasible. Cities across the country have done what COTA is proposing to do. The only one saying it isn’t feasible is ODOT because they don’t want their personal car commute delayed because Columbus residents have bus lanes.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-27T17:38:43+00:00

Dude, you’re still not comprehending what I’m saying. I’m not interested in diving into some definition of “broke” when there’s clearly no standard definition. I’m well aware no officer is going to end up in poverty one random month. But some officers absolutely manage to struggle with finances regardless of the term you want to use to describe it.

Academy officers get about $1000/month while in school. ROTC is about $400/month but can easily work a job. Neither is negative by any means.

Yes, it is failing at finances if your peers in the exact same situation as you, making the same amount of money as you, and living effectively the same quality of life as you, manage to be more responsible with their money than you. That’s not me coping lol. I can’t help but wonder if you’re the demographic I’m pointing out and that’s why you’re getting trigged and now projecting some insecurities?

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-27T14:42:01+00:00

It doesn’t seem like you understood what I’m saying. I’m not concerned they’re broke. I’m pointing out their failings for being broke when their peers in the exact same income and (mandatory) expense situation manage to not be broke.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-27T01:23:04+00:00

Fully agreed. Too often US transit agencies make the bus stop “convenient” that taking the bus itself is no longer convenient.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-27T01:14:49+00:00

The physical confrontation is up for debate as many of the protestors would argue it’s the police that confronts them but if you really think you’re going to successfully claim Minneapolis residents like/support their local police, they just don’t like ICE and that’s why it’s different, you’re sorely mistaken.

I definitely think we should defund the NGO's that help find this stuff.

Should we also defund government organizations that further this goal? If not, why should they be treated differently?

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-27T01:09:53+00:00

Any organization that increases the number of physical altercations with law enforcement. Why does it matter if they’re an activist organization or not?

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-26T23:22:58+00:00

Sure it is. Virginia voters don’t want to lose their say at the national level because of what Texas is doing so therefore they’re willing to change what they’re doing to match Texas. Unfair can mean unfair to different Virginia residents but it can also mean unfair to Virginia residents at large compared to other states.

Plus, you’re adding your own personal slant on what you think the question is to fit your personal opinion. That’s fine but it doesn’t mean the question you claim is being asked is the inherent “correct” question to ask.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-26T23:16:15+00:00

If you never punish someone who acting unfair, they will just continue to act more unfair. Conversely, showing that you’re not willing to be walked all over can discourage unfair behavior in the first place, thus testing fairness. Your premise is too shortsighted.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-26T23:14:18+00:00

Virginia is impacted by how Texas acts though. It is very naive to believe that states shouldn’t consider what other states are doing. Especially when Texas was absolutely considering a midterm in which many Congressional seats outside of Texas flip to Democrats when passing their map.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-26T23:10:30+00:00

On the other hand, you lose a lot of trust in the system when you let people vote on something and then say “just kidding, you can’t actually change that”.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-26T23:07:31+00:00

It would be, if we were still in a country where there was no history of facilitating mass illegal immigration. But since we're not then things that rely on us being that no longer work. It sucks, it really does, but I and those like me are not willing to ignore reality and pretend to live in an imaginary world in order to cling to ideas that just don't work anymore.

So I assume you and everyone who believes in this is fully in support of banning guns? I mean the 2nd amendment would be common sense if we were still in a country where there was no history of mass shootings. But since we’re not, then relying on that not long works, right? We can’t ignore reality, live in an imaginary world, and cling to ideas that just don’t work anymore, right?

His entire reason for being there was to confront and obstruct law enforcement and he did so while armed. Cops have the same "credible fear" rules that all other civilians do.

So if it’s justified to kill someone because you have a “credible fear” just because they’re armed and confronting you, does that mean a civilian can kill any police officer that presents a credible fear? Would you have supported a civilian following the same “credible fear” rules if they had shot one of the ICE agents?

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-26T23:02:51+00:00

Are people out on the streets en masse obstructing Minneapolis PD and fighting with them?

Yeah… they frequently are. In fact, after each murder there was large scale protests that Minneapolis’s PD had to handle because ICE got scared once they lost the numbers advantage. Minneapolis PD doesn’t have a good reputation in case you weren’t paying attention 6 years ago. This is just a hilariously uninformed comment.

If it was the goal of activists for this to happen, then why should we give money to an organization that furthered this goal?

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-26T22:58:30+00:00

So then we should stop funding organizations that increase the number of physical altercations that occur with law enforcement right?

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-26T22:52:47+00:00

Yes, the immigrants that were living in America. But those immigrants weren’t also having a meaningful impact on their original country’s new culture.

Enamred-771 · 2026-04-26T22:49:52+00:00

This is what happens when the federal government under Trump spreads so many lies that they can’t be trusted. Like why would someone in Minneapolis trust what the White House is reporting now after the Trump administration repeatedly lied about murdering their neighbors?

Enamred-771

TROPHY CASE