01.24.2007
City Council welcomes two new members
By John Cropper - The OSU Lantern
The Columbus City Council swore-in two new members Monday night after a month-long review of 31 applicants, one of which was Ohio State Undergraduate Student Government President Ryan Fournier.

The two new members, Andrew Ginther and Priscilla Tyson, took their seats after being selected by the remaining council members.

Ginther left his job at the Columbus Board of Education to accept the position. Tyson was the executive director of City Year Columbus before she accepted.

Andrew Ginther

"I have no doubts that the 21st century will be Columbus' best and brightest," Ginther said.

The former school board member has held government positions in the past, first as a legislative aide in the Ohio Senate, and also as coordinator of a statewide violence-prevention program.

Council member Tyson spoke primarily of her forthcoming duties and her service obligations to the city.

"I've served (Columbus) in many ways in the past, and now it's time for me to serve in a new capacity," Tyson said.

Priscilla Tyson

According to the statement, Tyson has been involved with community organizations for the past 29 years and left a career of primarily social work to take her position on the board.

Ginther and Tyson both received their committee designations. Ginther was appointed as chair of the Safety Committee and Tyson was named chair of the Recreation and Parks committee - a position formerly occupied by outgoing council President Matt Habash.

The two vacancies on the board were created when Habash and council member Mary Jo Hudson both announced their resignations last month.

Habash has returned to his job at the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. Hudson was appointed to director of the Ohio Department of Insurance, where she started earlier this month.

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