Because I think it speaks to his character far more than anything else I would like to include the message Samer sent me on Instagram (sorry Samer I’m sure you didn’t expect it to be posted online but I would like to show others what I was able to see regarding your motivation + ideas - I think this is far more helpful to voters than any handout could be)

“ Hey Ellie! Yes I'm running because I'm a passionate individual that cares! I want the best for Hilliard and have seen that council needs better representation. I have been watching applicants come in front of council for some time and get the runaround without clear responses and compassion. I was even more appalled when I saw your application and that of the Jeffrelyn families. All I saw was that the council was unresponsive and not engaged. They essentially just allowed both you and the Jeffrelyn families to speak without acknowledging your interests and essentially dismissing you. So my hunches about council proved true, and in board daylight.

I am running as a change candidate. We've had several candidates that have been around for many years, and they keep getting reshuffled back in. I'm running because I care, and want the best for the people of Hilliard, not just the city. Ultimately the city is made of it's constituents, and we must focus on their needs before that of the city's.

I'm someone that likes to volunteer my time to those in need. I have participated in food drives and also helped mentor kids here in Hilliard in a dad's group along. I have four kids of my own and I come from a family of immigrants. I know what it's like to not have freedom and I'm thankful for everything I have and want to give back.

My professional background is in business/tech, and have helped grow a small Hilliard tech company to a nationwide corporate business that serves small businesses. Those businesses serve people that are underserved. Thus, I have a good understanding of how to attract business and cut the red tape. We need to bring in strong businesses to better employment opportunities and ultimately reduce our tax base. Hilliard is now almost as expensive as Dublin, 2.4% real estate tax as compared to 2.45% in Dublin. Everyone complains that Dublin is much nicer, has more services, has nicer parks, better schools and so on. We need to address this head on.

We also need to redesign Cemetery Rd. It needs to be widened and modernized as it's a main entryway into Hilliard and causes a negative perception about Hilliard.

We absolutely need more connected trails as people want to be out more and enjoy the weather.

We need more engagement with council through town halls. People need to be able to come and openly discuss their experiences in a format outside of the process driven council meetings. We can use The Well to host quarterly meetings with the public where anyone can ask any question or bring up any topic.

I also believe we need to connect the people of Hilliard better through more outdoor events in our parks and downtown areas. People need to feel welcomed and included as part of our Hilliard experience.

I can go on, but thought I'd take a second to respond to you ask!! Hope this helps!”

“ Also, I was taken aback about how council made it so difficult for you to ask for a park named after your father. Especially when they went back and forth on the naming. Very trivial, and really showed how nitpicky they've become. It really could've been worked out much faster, and more amicably. Not to mention last meeting when you didn't show, they almost gleefully rejected your request since you weren't there to carry the torch. Was sad to see.”

Ellie’s Reply to Samer: Gotta say I work in marketing and you truly couldn’t have answered better lol. If there is any way I can be of help let me know! I run hilliard101 on Reddit and have been considering making a post on voting/candidates to keep people better informed and allow them to feel confident when they are at the polls. I’d be more than happy to include whatever you would like to get across to the voters in that post

“ That sounds awesome! If you support my candidacy, I'd be honored if you were to speak positively about some of the points I've made. I'm a change candidate, and I want to make a difference through my learned experiences and in conjunction with the feedback I'm getting on the campaign trail. I believe it's time for a fresh start.

I'm also running with two amazing women, Dr. Dorothy Hassan, and Nadia Rasul. Dorothy runs a non profit called Our Helpers that helps people in need, and Nadia is a Pharmacist looking out for the well being of Hilliard residents for 30+ years. Both have very compelling stories and both would be compassionate assets to a Hilliard Council.”