Upper Arlington is gearing up for another round of civic engagement this November as seats on both the City Council and the School Board are up for grabs. In a democracy that prides itself on local participation, this election offers residents the chance once again to shape their municipal governance.
Serving on the Council and unable to run for an additional term due to term limits, Vice President Brian Close and Council Member Jim Lynch will be stepping down, leaving their seats open for contention. As reported by the City of Upper Arlington's government website, Council President Ukeme Awakessien Jeter is in the race to maintain her position for a second term. Having moved out of the community, Council member Kathy Adams has resigned, fueling the race with a total of five new contenders – John Cousins, Nic Fortkamp, Laura Oldham, Michael B. Stafford, and Benjamin Tracy – all filing for a chance to join the Council.
Upper Arlington also sets a clear boundary on how the race for influence can be monetarily fueled, capping financial or in-kind contributions to a candidate's campaign to $250 per calendar year from any individual, corporation, or organization, and cash contributions to no more than $100.
Meanwhile, on the educational front, two seats are available on the Upper Arlington School Board. Incumbents Lou Sauter and Nidhi Satiani are hoping to continue their service with their bids for reelection. They are joined by Francis C. (Kip) Greenhill, who is seeking election to what would be his inaugural term. The candidates' community experience and campaign goals can be accessed through their websites and social media, as the neighborhood gears up for Leadership UA’s Candidates Night on September 30, an event that will delve deeper into each candidate's vision for Upper Arlington's future.
