Good Works Columbus: November 4, 2024
All things voting, tree planting, All Aboard Ohio meetings and advocacy toolkit, and more
Intro
Hi everyone, happy Monday and happy November! We have a longer newsletter today so be sure to check out all the opportunities and links. Tomorrow is a big day so be sure to vote “YES on Issue 47” if you haven’t already. If it’s your first time here, welcome to Good Works Columbus, a newsletter designed to give you small actions to take to make Columbus a better place.
The federal government is giving out another round of free COVID tests, you can sign up to get them here:
If you have an upcoming event or a link you’d like to share for the newsletter, feel free to send suggestions. And if you know someone who might enjoy Good Works Columbus, forward it to them and tell them to subscribe here.
Things you can do in person
Vote! 🗳️
If you haven’t already voted, make sure to get out tomorrow to cast your ballot. Tomorrow all COTA buses are free if you need a ride to the polls. Check out Senator Meow’s newsletter for a voter guide; if you missed it check out here along with their explanations and breakdowns.
GOTV 🗳
Tuesday, November 5 10am-5pm
Join Columbus Stand Up in an election day, get out the vote campaign. You can join in person at Mahogany Media Group Office (921 E Main St) or you can join virtually here.Short North Civic Association General Meeting
Thursday, November 7th 6-7:30pm
Thompson Community Center (1189 Dennison Ave)
Council member Lourdes Barroso de Padilla will be joining the meeting to discuss transportation both citywide and in neighborhoods. Come join the meeting to share your thoughts on street safety, traffic speeds, and accessibility to non-automotive users.Plant trees at Pathways Park 🌳
Saturday, November 9 10am-2pm
Pathways Park, 4475 Sunbury Rd (North Entrance)
Come support our efforts to make our space at Pathways Park healthier and more enjoyable for all as we plant trees along the Alum Creek Trail.Recycle your yard signs ♻️
Did you get a “Yes on Issue 47” yard sign or another political sign and need to recycle it? On November 9th from 8 a.m. to noon, there will be an election sign collection event held in the parking lot at the Bill McDonald Athletic Complex located at 4990 Olentangy River Rd. in Columbus. Can’t make it that day? There are a couple other drop off locations at the Board of Elections and SWACO.Recycle your pumpkins 🎃
Columbus residents can compost their pumpkins instead of throwing them away, helping to reduce landfill waste and support a greener city. Drop- Off Locations and Times:
Alum Creek Convenience Center - 2100 Alum Creek Dr. | Tues-Sat, 10am-6pm
Georgesville Convenience Center - 1550 Georgesville Rd. | Tues-Sat, 10am-6pm Stephen Lennon Refuse Collection Center - 4260 Morse Rd. | Mon-Fri, 8am-12pm & Sat, Nov. 2 & 30, 8am-12pmTransit Columbus November meeting 🚍
Tuesday, November 12 7pm-8:30pm
Columbus downtown library, 96 S Grant, Meeting Room 1A
Want better public transit options and safer streets? Come join Transit Columbus at their monthly meeting.Cranksgiving Columbus 2024 🚲
Saturday, November 16th 10am-2pm
Combustion Brewery: 2971 North High Street Columbus, OH 43202
How does Cranksgiving work? Simple. Cranksgiving is a free event for anyone with a bike and a desire to do good. Show up on two wheels, and we’ll hand you a list of Thanksgiving food items to purchase for the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resource Center Food Pantry. You'll then ride to local grocery stores, buy whatever you'd like to donate, and carry it by bike back to the food pantry. You can then return to our ride start/finish, Combustion Brewing, for some post-ride socializing and fun! We'll have a prize for the person who hauls the most donations by weight and a raffle for all participants!World Day of Remembrance
Sunday, November 17th 1-2pm
Washington Gladden Park, NE corner of Broad St. at Cleveland Ave.
The annual World Day of Remembrance will be held at Washington Gladden Park at the NE corner of Broad St. And Cleveland Avenue’s at 1 PM to 2 PM November 17th. We will remember victims of traffic crashes; call for more action in data driven solutions like road diets to prevent loss of life and serious injury; and to call for better treatment of traffic crash victims.Capital Line Community Meeting 🚲
Wednesday, November 20 5:00-6:30pm
Downtown Innovation Lab: 139 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Join Downtown Columbus, Inc., MKSK, WSP and the City of Columbus to hear about the future Capital Line. You’ll have the opportunity provide your input on how this project can be a win for businesses, residents and visitors alike. Refreshments will be provided. You can RSVP here.
Things you can do online
Support Gateway Film Center United 🍿
The Gateway Film Center staff have formed a union - Gateway Film Center United. We are a dedicated group of employees who believe in the power of film to unite a community and provide opportunity and support to the filmmakers who inspire us. Earlier this week, we went public with a letter requesting voluntary recognition from the GFC Administration: President Christopher Hamel, Vice President Grace Cole, and Manager of Human Resources Chase Brown. We are asking the community to support our unionizing efforts.
Please join us as we call upon Gateway Film Center to recognize our union GFC United, formed with AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) Ohio Council 8, without delay and begin the process of negotiating our contract in good faith.Ohio Rail Development Survey 🚂
Check out All Aboard Ohio’s Advocacy Toolkit for this survey and the ODOT survey below.The Ohio Rail Development Commission is developing an update to its State Rail Plan.
The Ohio State Rail Plan update will provide current information on Ohio’s rail system and its role in the statewide transportation system, review passenger and freight rail issues and potential investments and opportunities, and establish the Commission’s goals and objectives for Ohio’s rail network. An updated State Rail Plan will help ensure that Ohio remains competitive for federal discretionary grant opportunities.
Sponsor a set of bike lights 🚲
Bike Lane Uprising is raising money to fund 200 more sets of bike lights for people in Columbus. Fund a set for just $14 and help them reach their goal.NHTSA Pedestrian Safety Feedback 🚘
Right now you can comment on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s proposal for regulating cars and trucks for pedestrian safety. Submit a comment and show your support for making it safer to be a pedestrian.ODOT Transportation Survey 🚍
We are requesting your participation in ODOT’s Transportation Preference Survey. We need feedback from people all around Ohio on emerging transportation topics like electric vehicles, connected and autonomous vehicles, walking, biking, transit, working from home and many others.All Aboard Ohio meetings 🚂
Want to get more involved in getting passenger rail to Columbus and learn about the benefits of Bus Rapid Transit from local experts? Attend the statewide All Aboard Ohio meeting on Zoom this Saturday, November 9th at 10:00. RSVP here.
Save the date for the Columbus chapter meeting this month.
Columbus Chapter MeetingSaturday, November 16 at 10:00 am
Grandview Heights Public Library
(~10-15 minutes) Columbus Park Plan 🌳
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is initiating the process of developing its next 10-year Vision Plan. This update will provide a vision and roadmap for the future of recreation programming and services, parks, facilities, trails, waterways and open space planning that scales the city’s recreation and parks system equitably to match Columbus’ place as the 14th largest city in the U.S. This plan will also serve as a guidebook for the department’s programming, development and policies to drive quality-of-life improvements for all Columbus residents.
Take the survey to shape the future of play, parks and open space!
In Case You Missed It
LinkUS Engagement Survey (2 minutes)
Mark up the Vision Zero Columbus map. Have a close call walking, biking, or getting around town? Do you know a dangerous intersection that can be improved? Help identify these spots on the Vision Zero map.
Have a great day everyone!