These are the candidates in the only Columbus Council race without an incumbent
Among the five seats on the 10-member Columbus Council up for election in 2022, District 7 is the only one without an incumbent in these nonpartisan races.
So now that early voting has started in advance of the May 24 election day, District 7 residents have less than three weeks to determine which of the four candidates will succeed Evelyn “Mimi” Woodson, who will complete 28 years on Columbus Council when her seventh term expires at the end of this year.
The Ledger-Enquirer presents this Q&A to help those voters decide. First, here are the bios the candidates submitted:
Lakesha Ashe
“I, alongside my husband are the owners of As He Leads, Justmyne, Alana’s Beauty Supply. I also hold multiple current licenses & certifications in the areas of Financial & Life planning (selling life, auto, health, & annuity insurance for multiple states), Holistic Life Coaching, and Advance Phlebotomy, which are all located in the District 7 community. In each of these companies, I have the opportunity to do what I’m passionate about: mental health, advocating, and educating. I’ve previously worked in the managed healthcare industry for over 19 years for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, advocating on the behalf of customers via Customer Service, Claims, and overall just assuring that each customer had a clear understanding of their coverage. I’m consistently listening, assisting, and advocating for anyone who desires my assistance. Education: Doctoral in Healthcare Administration, on target to graduate with PhD May 2023; master in Psychology, 2010; bachelor in Psychology, minor in Business Administration, 2009.”
Joanne Cogle
“I am a 41 year old, wife, mother, former educator, and small business owner. I have lived in Columbus for 14 years and my husband will be retiring after 20 years of military service this year. I currently operate CrossFit CSG, a fitness facility servicing the health and fitness needs of Columbus and TriColumbusGA, a race production company attracting athletes from across the country to Columbus and the surrounding areas.”
Sia Etemadi
“I originally moved to Columbus to attend Columbus State University. I then transferred to Auburn University to study Architecture. After receiving my BS in Architecture in 1984, I returned to Columbus and got my first job working as a draftsman at Brookbank Murphy and Shields. I later worked as a project architect with Hecht Burdeshaw Johnson on many projects in the community. In 1991, I started my own small business consulting with both home and small business owners on design and build projects throughout Columbus. I have been married for 37 years to my wonderful wife, Pat, who grew up in South Columbus and went to Baker High School. We have two terrific daughters, Olivia, who attends CSU, and Claudia, who attends Jordan High School. Having lived in District 7 and more specifically in the original Historic District for more than 40 years, I have a particular interest in historic preservation and revitalization.”
Juanita Taylor
“I am a retired Home Health Provider. Troy, Ala., is my home, and I moved to Columbus in 2015. . . . Attended Troy city schools, Troy State University, George C. Wallace Community College, Auburn University, Georgia Tech. She is a mother of two sons, 3 grandkids, 6 great-grandkids. Thirty-seven years ago I noticed a need in the community and acted to create a change. Juanita led over 60 parents in a coalition to provide transportation for the children in her community that lived two miles from their district schools. Also in 1990 she was part of a three-person team that helped to change the local Troy government from a three-seat council that didn’t properly represent the African American community better. Juanita is also the first African American to be appointed the chairperson for the Pike County Board of Registrars by the Governor of Alabama.”
Questions and answers
Here are the questions the L-E emailed to the candidates and the answers they emailed back, limited to 150 words per answer.
Why are you running for Columbus Council?
Ashe: “Simply put, I’m a part of a community that seeks a leader who desires to represent us in totality. There’s a lot of decisions that are being made on our behalf and the best way for me to do what I’m passionate about doing — listening, assisting, and advocating — I have to be a part of the group whose making these decisions on our behalf. Therefore, I decided to make the courageous decision to represent the District 7 community as their voice.”
Cogle: “I am running for City Council because Columbus needs a fresh perspective, to serve my neighbors in all corners of District 7. Columbus is a good place to live, but it can be a great place and I can see District 7 and city’s potential. I love Columbus and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I am willing to stand up and fight to make this a safer, stronger, and prosperous city.”
Etemadi: “I am running for City Council District 7 because I feel passionate about where I live. Columbus has provided me with a home and a family for more than 40 years. I’ve seen amazing changes in my neighborhood that grew out of neighbors helping each other and working together to improve the place where we live. I believe that model can translate to any neighborhood in this city and I would like to help make that a reality. I have also seen the challenges facing District 7 and the city. I feel a calling to help Columbus residents work together to overcome them.”
Taylor: “I have always been involved in my community, whether it’s with my church, the Boys and Girls Club, Safehouse Ministry, or the American Legion Auxiliary. Since moving to Columbus, I have lived on the South Side. I see so much opportunity in the area and the people. I’m committed to represent you 100%. I want to establish an open line of communication to keep citizens informed of all things going on in District 7. You cannot fight a battle that you aren’t aware of. I will be your eyes, ears and hands. I want to have town hall meetings for you to voice your concerns and opinions. I have a great passion and love for the people. I’m always available to answer your questions. If I don’t know the answer, I will find someone that does, this I promise.”
What are the most important issues in this election?
Ashe: “As I speak with the constituents in District 7 community, they often speak of the resilience in the areas of increased crime & decreased revenue support, and also the perceived lack of support for the entire District 7, which I feel are the most important issues of this election.”
Cogle: “Our streets and neighborhoods need to be safer. We all want District 7 to be strong, now and in the future. Crime is on top of everyone’s mind and this is a multifaceted issue. While we continue to support our police force, we must support programs and projects that encourage our youth to stay off the streets. Our city must be cleaned up, our businesses must be supported better, and our government must communicate more effectively.”
Etemadi: “Increased Public Safety has to be the first priority. Citizens don’t want to live in fear and it is hard to attract businesses, tourists, or conventions to a city with a high crime rate. Hiring, training, and retaining police officers is one key to reducing crime. So is partnering with the right organizations to provide after school programs for children and at-risk young people while increasing the quality of our education so our children can find better jobs. Building up neighborhoods that are suffering from blight and neglect gives people a reason to stay in their neighborhoods and fight to protect them. Additionally, we should partner with programs that promote home ownership over renting to people of all incomes. If you own your home you are more invested in your neighborhood and all of these strategies are important components of increasing Public Safety.”
Taylor: “When considering the safety of the public, first and foremost, we must gain the trust and respect of our law enforcement. By giving this to them, we will receive it in return. Violence and crime in Columbus is one of our greatest concerns. At this time, it is out of hand. The more officers hired, means a greater opportunity to protect those who are vulnerable and in need of that protection. I pray the city can hire officers who are worthy of the confidence that citizens must place in them, and that both law enforcement and the public can reconnect. When crime is committed, prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, before it becomes an endemic crisis. Chief Blackmon and Sheriff Countryman are doing what is necessary to recruit qualified officers. However, we may have to turn up the fire to attract dedicated officers to serve and protect citizens.”
What sets you apart from your opponents?
Ashe: “I’ve lived in this same District for over 22 years. As a resident who lives, works, shops, dines, and owns multiple businesses in District 7, one thing I share with this community is the sense of camaraderie between the people who also have made District 7 their home over the years. I’m approachable, available, accountable, relatable and passionate about advocating on the behalf of all citizens of District 7.”
Cogle: “I have been involved in the growth of Columbus as a city from the day I moved here. Each neighborhood of District 7 has a different need and I am able to visualize the bigger picture. Inclusivity and equality are important to support the thriving parts of our district just as it is imperative we lift up and repair the parts of our district that are struggling and have been left behind. I share some of the same struggles as my constituents in District 7 and I am not afraid to stand up for what is right.”
Etemadi: “Over the course of my career I have worked with many people involved in the Columbus Consolidated Government from the Building, Engineering, and Fire Departments, to the Health Department and the Planning Division. I believe this experience positions me to be able to help citizens navigate a variety of challenges they may encounter in their day to day lives in dealings with the city government. I have also volunteered my time to serve on the Board of Historic and Architectural Review and the board of Historic Columbus Foundation. Finally, because I am semi-retired, I have the time to be out and about District 7 to visit with constituents, hear your concerns, and communicate those concerns back to the city through the city council. Contacting the city government or getting a concern addressed can be a challenge and I can help citizens navigate and improve their city government.”
Taylor: “What sets me apart from my opponents is that each one of my running mates has a business to focus on and maintain. The honest truth is that leaves less time to focus on the issues of District 7. I don’t have a business to occupy my time, so that gives me more time to focus on solving all the problems, issues, and concerns that the citizens of District 7 may have. I will be fully available to serve District 7 as your next councilwoman, without any distractions. I will serve with integrity, responsibility, and accountability. This I promise.”
What is one improvement or project that you would advocate for in your district?
Ashe: “This question is a no brainer for me. I will continue to do what I’m currently doing now: listening, assisting, and advocating as the voice for the District 7 community. Locating, developing, proposing, implementing programs to provide more youth activities & jobs in order to promote job training & skills for increased opportunities for growth and reducing crime.”
Cogle: “Communities and neighborhoods are the heart and soul of our city. We need to advocate for the revitalization of South Columbus. From parks and recreation for our youth to affordable housing and jobs for our residents, our citizens deserve to feel safe and have a government that is working for them. We need a city counselor who can create a long-term plan, support economic development, a sense of identity, address infrastructure needs, and foster pride for District 7.”
Etemadi: “District 7 is large and diverse with many varied needs. It is difficult to cite one project that would serve the entire district. But there are multiple current projects that are the types of projects I would support and expand. Elliot’s Walk will provide affordably owned housing on the Southside of Columbus. The 2nd Avenue Streetscape will provide a safer and more attractive way for people to enter our city from the north side. Also, focusing on Public Safety will enhance the standard of living for all our citizens. Even with the diverse needs in the District, what we all want is to be happy and safe in our homes and free to pursue our dreams. For that reason, I really want to represent my home District. My goal is to listen to and serve all of the constituents of District 7.”
Taylor: “I would like to see the city come together as a whole instead of being so divided. There are a lot of good things in our beautiful city, especially in District 7. When we come together as one we can achieve anything. I want to improve the quality of life for the citizens of District 7 by getting them options for better paying jobs, so they can provide for their families and enhance their economic growth in District 7. I’m a service-focused leader in helping communities come together, with an eye on solving problems and searching for more creative alternatives where there seem to be none.”
This story was originally published May 6, 2022 at 6:50 AM.
