Councilwoman Simi Barnes Deserves Credit for Standing on Principle

District 1 finally has a representative who is willing to stand on her convictions, even when standing alone.

On Tuesday morning, the Columbus City Council voted 7-1 to hire former interim councilor Tyson Begly as the city's next city manager, filling a position that has remained vacant for more than a year. While the vote itself was not surprising, what stood out was the lone dissenting vote cast by newly elected District 1 Councilwoman Simi Barnes.

To be clear, this is not an argument against Tyson Begly. By all accounts, Begly possesses significant private-sector leadership experience, having served as a consultant, chief financial officer and chief executive officer. He also spent 14 months serving on the council after being appointed to fill the unexpired term of former Councilor John House.

The real question is not whether Tyson Begly is qualified. The real question is: Why now?

After leaving the city manager's office vacant for more than a year, why would Mayor Skip Henderson and a majority of council members decide to make one of the most significant administrative appointments in city government just seven days before voters select a new mayor?

That question was raised by both Councilman Travis Chambers and Councilwoman Simi Barnes during Tuesday's meeting.

Chambers ultimately voted with the majority, but he openly expressed concern that appointing a city manager one week before the runoff election could create what he described as a "mismatch from day one" between the incoming mayor and the city's chief administrative officer.

Barnes went even further.

She urged the mayor to withdraw the nomination and allow the next administration to participate in a decision that will have long-term consequences for the city. Calling for a more transparent process, she questioned whether such an important appointment should be made by what many citizens would view as a lame-duck administration.

For that position alone, she deserves credit.

It takes courage to cast a vote when you know the outcome has already been decided. Barnes understood that her vote would not stop the appointment, yet she voted according to her conscience rather than political convenience.

Citizens should appreciate elected officials who are willing to ask difficult questions instead of simply going along with the crowd.

There are still questions that deserve answers.

What happened to the advisory committee that Mayor Henderson appointed to provide input into the city manager selection process? According to conversations I had with two individuals connected to that effort, the committee reportedly met only once. If that is accurate, what role did the committee ultimately play in the selection process?

Why was the decision delayed for more than a year, only to be brought forward one week before a mayoral runoff election?

Why not allow the incoming mayor—whether Isaiah Hugley or Joanne Cogle—to have meaningful input into selecting the individual who will oversee the day-to-day operations of city government?

Every mayor deserves the opportunity to build a leadership team capable of implementing his or her vision for the city. Most citizens would likely agree that if the roles were reversed, few elected officials would welcome having such a significant decision made for them days before taking office.

The timing of this appointment inevitably raises questions. Fair or unfair, it creates the appearance that decisions are being made behind closed doors and that political considerations may have influenced the process. In government, perception often matters almost as much as reality.

Tyson Begly may ultimately prove to be an excellent city manager. Time will tell.

But good government is not just about the final decision. It is also about the process used to reach that decision.

On Tuesday, Councilwoman Simi Barnes reminded citizens that sometimes leadership means standing alone, asking uncomfortable questions and voting your conscience even when you know you will be outnumbered.

District 1 should be proud to have a representative willing to do exactly that.