Latest news with #Gonidakis
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
In shadow of DEI order, Columbus honors Black Americans
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The headline reads 'Identity Months Dead at DoD' on this January 31 memo from the U.S. Department of Defense. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued the memo just days into his tenure. The memo declared all 'cultural awareness months' including Black History Month, would no longer be sanctioned using Department of Defense resources including time and money. The reasoning for the ban on 'identity months' was given as, 'Efforts to divide the force – to put one group ahead of another – erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution.' New Albany church under investigation for sexual abuse Meanwhile, the City of Columbus celebrated Black History Month with the City Council hosting the annual celebration and James Preston Poindexter Awards Tuesday night in front of a packed council chambers. 'It's really important for us to think about the past and honor the past as we think about how we're going to move forward as a together, as a community in the future. When we see things that are not of our values happening at the federal level, it is even more of a reason to double down on our values here at home. And who are we in Columbus? We are folks who honor and celebrate our rich history. We know that African American history is Columbus history,' Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month. He signed similar proclamations during each year of his first term from 2017-2020. 'Our president cares deeply about the African American population in our country. He received more votes from the minority community than any Republican president in the history of this country,' said Republican strategist and licensed attorney Mike Gonidakis. 'What we're seeing, though, is, Americans gravitating to the idea that DEI, diversity, equity and inclusion programs — not those words, but those programs — have been prostituted and polluted to do just the opposite of what they claim to do.' Gonidakis is referring to the Executive Order from President Trump on Jan. 20. The latest memo removes any 'observance' of identity-based holidays including Juneteenth, Pride Month, and Black History Month from the Department of Defense. Former NBC4 meteorologist Jym Ganahl dies at age 76 'The Department of Defense put out a memo saying that they're not going to use taxpayer dollars anymore on identity months, and they listed a whole handful of them. But make no mistake, Black History Month is alive and well. It should be celebrated by all Americans. Not just here in Columbus, but Ohio and all 49 other states for the contributions African Americans have made. Regardless if you're a Democrat or Republican, honoring Black History Month is the right thing to do,' Gonidakis said. But, Gonidakis said, 'This is just one federal agency that's done it. This case, the Department of Defense. And they said specifically like, look, we need to have a unified military that has each other's backs. So when we're fighting the enemy, we are a unified military, a unified nation. That's why they did that. But the other federal agencies didn't do that. It's only one agency, the Department of Defense. President Trump is celebrating Black History Month and all the other countless federal agencies, as they exist right now, are still celebrating. That is just one agency which is unique, defending our lives and our freedoms every day thought that it would go in a different direction.' The move at the Pentagon has been linked to Trump's pushback on DEI issues. 'What DEI does, unfortunately, in its current form, is judges people by the color of their skin. We shouldn't have that. We should be judging them by their performance, the content of their character as MLK said,' Gonidakis said. Columbus settles with ATF agent for $1.8 million Hardin said Tuesday that no matter what the federal government is doing, the local government will continue to pursue its mission for the City of Columbus. 'I think what is going to be very important. However, what we have seen over the last couple of weeks, and I think for the next several years, is that Columbus values shine bright. When there is darkness, only light can push back on that. And I think that's what Columbus is. That's what we are. We need to inspire the next, generation of leaders and let them know that they are African Americans, that they now stand on their shoulders, and that they can use that to spring forward. So, remembering our history is critically important,' Hardin said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
One name tops pundits' short list for Ohio lieutenant governor
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio is without a lieutenant governor now that Jon Husted is a U.S. Senator. Husted's appointment to Washington came just two weeks ago, and now Gov. Mike DeWine needs to pick someone to fill the post. '[The lieutenant governor] just has to be ready at a moment's notice if the governor's incapacitated for any reason whatsoever,' Republican strategist Mike Gonidakis said. 'It's a very important constitutional office. However, the direct impact it has on everyday Ohioans' lives is very limited. That's why they seek other opportunities in state government.' How Ohio's next lieutenant governor will be picked While the lieutenant governor does not have many direct constitutional requirements, Gonidakis said whoever is chosen for the job will be able to craft their position. 'In the past, we've seen Lt. Gov. Husted, now senator, he was in charge of workforce development,' Gonidakis said. 'We've seen former lieutenant governors have other cabinet agency positions.' Both Gonidakis and President and CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Derrick R. Clay said there is one person they think is the frontrunner for the job. 'It makes sense if Director [of the Ohio Department of Development] Lydia Mihalik is selected for that role,' Clay said. 'She has been particularly strong for the business community throughout Ohio. If there was anybody that I think could just jump into the job, understand the needs of the business community in Ohio, it would be Director Mihalik.' Dr. Amy Acton, who helped lead Ohio's early pandemic response, joins 2026 governor's race 'I really think it's going to come down to Miss Mihalik,' Gonidakis said. 'The governor sees her as a strong leader, someone that we can all work with and would do a great job for the state of Ohio. I don't believe any current statewide office holder would be on any shortlist, nor do they want it because they have their own paths.' A spokesperson for Mihalik at the Department of Development said they are 'unable to comment on unofficial matters and would refer any additional questions you may have to the Governor's office.' DeWine's office said there is no update about the pending appointment at this time. Clay said he would like to see whoever is appointed, even if it is not Mihalik, take on economic development from day one. 'New initiatives are going to be a little bit more difficult to get off the ground,' he said. 'So, I'm hoping that the lieutenant governor, whoever that person is, comes in and continues the good work that that this administration has been doing for the business community and sets the new administration up for even bigger and better things.' DeWine does get to appoint someone, but his pick will need to be approved by the Ohio House and Senate. Attorney General Dave Yost announces bid for Ohio governor '[DeWine] is not going to put someone up for confirmation that wouldn't be able to get through the House and Senate,' Gonidakis said. 'We have a budget that has to get to the governor's desk by July 1. I don't think [lawmakers] are going to spend a lot of time or capital on this as long as it's a good, solid, proven individual, male or female.' 'We asked the governor, 'Can you run the name or two by us before it gets announced,'' Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said. 'Starting off, we would certainly give deference to the governor. But I don't want my members to be surprised, and I ask my members, please don't hold a press conference and say you think you'd be a great lieutenant governor. That would perhaps disrupt the process.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
