Speech to the 2025 Continental Breakfast (4.12.25, Davis-Shai House, Heath, OH)

Before I begin, I want to thank everyone responsible for this opportunity to speak to you

today.

My favorite president is Franklin Delano Roosevelt. One of his greatest quotes –

enunciated as the nation was reeling from the Great Depression – was that “the only thing

we have to fear, is fear itself”. This inspirational declaration of war against panic signaled

to the world that, under FDR’s leadership, the United States was going to be bold in

confronting the systemic problems which created the conditions for the economic turmoil

that he inherited.

Unfortunately, the lessons of that era have faded into a distant memory as the cost of

living continues to climb - unabated – while wages lag far behind. This has served to

increase the number of people slipping into poverty; including the rise of those who are

unhoused (which, according to Reuters, has a total population in the United States of

771,000, a dismal record). The erosion of our safety net – paired with the gradual

destruction of the public’s trust in our institutions since the 1960s – has arguably paved

the way for the rise of Trumpism.

Unlike our current president, I was raised to be compassionate to all; especially the

unhoused. During my childhood I experienced homelessness a handful of times. So, I

know what it’s like to hit rock bottom, and I know first hand that there is no one

explanation for why people end up on the streets. Life happens to all of us, and when the

worst occurs, it is incumbent upon the community to make sure that no one is left behind.

What is not helpful is when local governments follow the cruel example of those at the

top by demonizing a group of struggling people. From comparing people to a “dark

cloud” - like the current majority leader on Newark City Council once did – to spreading

a lie suggesting that dozens of unhoused people are being bussed into the area; such as

what my opponent has led many in Newark’s Second Ward to believe. After robbing the

unhoused of their humanity, these so-called local “leaders” then criminalized the state of

homelessness in cities like Newark. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I take inspiration from

the “Mandalorian” series in saying “this is NOT the way”.

Rather, I wholeheartedly take serious the creed once shared by former Secretary of State

Hillary Clinton that it “takes a village”, and I don’t think that such is or ought to be

limited to a person’s upbringing. Instead, it is a call for the community to stand together

to ensure that our collective is strong, and that no individual is forgotten. I believe that

our community can turn the tide and lead the world in showing that compassion will

outperform cruelty every time. Empathy for the challenges of our fellow humans is the

right way to live, not just govern.

While I love how beautiful the city of Newark looks, I condemn the lack of attention paid

to the needs of Newark’s working families. What good is beautification if it becomes

unaffordable to live here? Development should be accompanied by considering how to

make it work for the people who live here in addition to making it appealing for the

people who will consider living here.

While my optimistic predisposition may incline me to agree in perpetuity with FDR’s

words opposing “fear”, I must disagree, at least to some extent. You see, in this era of

political upheaval, one man rose to power by using anger and fear to his benefit. In light

of this environment, I declare that we must fear complacency above everything else.

This is because our silence or inaction in the wake of the destruction of decency, ethics,

morals, and even the rule of law will spell the end of the Republic. I may be a candidate

for City Council in a small city, but defeating the rise of neo-fascism will require our

participation and activism against injustice at every level, and we would be remiss if we

forgot the words of former House Speaker Tip O’Neill when he said that “all politics is

local”.

The fight for our democracy can not succeed unless we make a difference in places like

Newark and Licking County. We must reject the politics of bigotry and division, of fear-mongering and of cruelty. We must combat complacency by getting motivated into

organizing together and with working families while seizing control of the narrative once

and for all.

Never in my life have I ever felt more confident that we are on the right side of history.

Now, let’s not miss our opportunity to return power to the people, starting with Election

Day 2025. Thank you.