SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

​     Councilman Bryant to sponsor legislation removing breed specific language

Per City Council request from September 12, 2017; Councilman Don Bryant is sponsoring legislation to amend Mansfield’s breed specific component—section 505.03 which currently bans citizens from owning ‘Pit bulls’ in the City.

This new amendment removes that breed specific language.

Councilman Bryant is requesting final constituent input: comments, concerns, surveys, citizen petitions. You may send e-mails directly to me at: db@donbryant.com or leave information on his office voicemail service: (419) 971-3662. If you would like the councilman to return your phone call, please indicate that in your message.

A formal Safety Committee will be held on Tuesday, October 3rd at 6:30 pm in City Council chambers. If you wish to address the committee, please submit written testimonies by this Friday, September 29th by 3:30 PM. You may e-mail your statements or drop them off to the City Council office: 30 N. Diamond St. Mansfield, OH 44902 (3rd Fl).

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Dear Neighbor--

            In 2015, I launched a pilot project called, the Mansfield City Council Internship Program. This program was intended to expand access to our local government and to increase transparency. Having first-hand experience serving as the first intern to the Office of Mayor for the City of Mansfield from 2008-2010 and then, as an intern for U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown in Washington, D.C. also in 2008; I wanted to create a program to transfer my learned skills to other folks interested in serving our city, and our country.

            I’ve always had an interest to serve my country. However, because of illness and several major operations to remove a tumor on my neck; I was unable to join the United States Military. Thankfully, I have been able to serve in other ways and most recently, as a Member of the Mansfield City Council. Nevertheless, my service to the City of Mansfield spans nearly 10-years.

            It has been during this period of time that I’ve become familiar to the needs of our city and especially regarding the concern of attracting and retaining young people to public service. People should know that government service is not to be taken lightly. As government officials and employees, our job is to serve the people and to improve the quality of life for Mansfield residents. This is why once I took office, I promised transparency and access to city government. In addition to my presence on social media and through my website; I wanted to expand this access to an entire generation of people who have not had much experience in the real-world.

            The generation of people I’m speaking of are our young people. The Mansfield City Council Internship Program has served as a way to involve our younger generations into public service. I have brought forth two classes of City Council Interns and in process developed partnerships with The Ohio State University-Mansfield and Columbus and Ohio University. Additionally, I have allowed high-school students from Mansfield Senior High School job shadowing experience. Furthermore, each year, I participate on the career panel with The Ohio State University-Mansfield’s Career Introduction courses to provide college students with a basic understanding of the legislative process.  

            The Mansfield City Council Internship Program is an umbrella program for the entire City Council. There is no set standard curriculum required for the Council Members. I developed a curriculum for my office and I’ve entrusted it to the entire City Council for anyone to use if they want. But, each member of Council can do their own individual program if they choose. Members of Council have always had that option.

            I’m not playing around when it comes to getting our next generation of leaders ready for tomorrow. Young people must be prepared to lead—there’s no sugarcoating that.  Time goes by fast and it is my belief that the mission of training our young people is a priority. Although the program was originally developed for ages 18-24; it is NOT restricted to this age range. It could be available for any age group. Again, it's up to each individual Council Member, elected official, or department head. The bottom-line here is providing free education and experience for people who want it. NO COSTS TO THE CITY. 
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            Please find below: The Mansfield City Council Internship Program workbook and the Reflections completed by the 2017 Class of Mansfield City Council Interns. As always, feel free to reach out to me via phone or e-mail or through social media to with any questions, comments or concerns. 

Sincerely,

Don

PRIDE WEEKEND TO BE CELEBRATED IN MANSFIELD
July 20, 2017
 
By Kyle Weese and Olivia Hoppe, Legislative Assistants
 
MANSFIELD--The 2017 Mansfield Gay Pride Weekend will be taking place the weekend of July, 21st at Central Park in Downtown Mansfield. All are welcome to attend this event and enjoy in the festivities. The theme for Pride Weekend this year is: Tropical Paradise. Come with your best floral shirts, beach hats, and thong flip flops ready for a great day of fun in the sun. The first event of Pride Weekend is Mansfield’s very first Annual Pride Festival Kickoff Party.
 
This event will begin at 6:00 PM on the 21st, and end at 10:00 PM. The Kickoff Party will be hosted by Dj CRob from local Mansfield radio station Y105. The second event of the weekend is the third Annual Mansfield Gay Pride Festival. The festival will start at noon directly after the parade and will go until 9:00 PM.
 
The Mansfield Gay Pride Association encourages everyone to come as they are, assuring that it will be a completely fun and safe environment. There will be food, performances, karaoke contests, and even a kid’s area with a bounce house to keep children occupied. President of the Mansfield Gay Pride Association, Tom Rice, hopes this event will bring more members of the LGBTQ community out from the surrounding areas.
 
“Gay rights are something that isn’t particularly talked about in Mansfield” said Tom, and he's hoping this event can be the start of that discussion being more open. With the variety of activities planned for the weekend, there will be something to enjoy for everyone.

Kyle and Olivia are Legislative Assistants selected for the 2017 Mansfield City Council Internship Program under Councilman Don Bryant. Kyle is a Business major studying at Ohio University. Olivia is a History and Political Science major studying at The Ohio State University—Columbus.  

Office of City Council At-Large
City of Mansfield
 
Councilman Don Bryant

MEMORANDUM

TO:  All City Employees, Elected Officials
 
RE:  2017 Mansfield City Council Internship Program (MCCIP)
 
 
This year, the program will begin on Tuesday, June 6th.  The MCCIP utilizes a ‘team-mentorship’ concept whereas interns will be working with multiple people and departments throughout the City. This is a teaching and learning program that is geared toward providing interns with the functional knowledge to how our city government works. Thus, interns are not allowed to engage in political activities. The program duration is 10-weeks or minimum of 35-40 hours total. Each week will have a different theme and interns are expected to complete a variety of interviews with community leaders and city officials. This is where the “team-mentoring” concept comes into action.
 
Interns will spend time with department directors and other elected officials throughout the city.
 
Out of the 34 applicants, I’ve selected (2): Olivia Hoppe and Kyle Weese.
 
Olivia is an 18-year-old student at The Ohio State University; she is studying history and political science. Kyle is a 19-year-old student at Ohio University studying business administration and is attending college on a full-academic scholarship. Kyle has no plans to run for office but wants to be a lawyer one day. Olivia on the other hand, says she does want to run for office one day to “make the world a better place.” She states issues such as gender equality and fairness for all people; are very important things to work toward.
 
Thank you to all department heads and elected officials who responded to my requests for team-mentoring. You are appreciated!

This an issue that demands transparency surrounding decisions being made. People want to know what's being done to address animal control. Can we create a new municipal animal control officer position? Councilman Bryant releases his notes on the issue on animal control. The memo below provides background information to the issue and what's needed moving forward. 

Bryant says, "It's important that we don't blame the City, we don't blame the County and especially the Dog Warden. We need to collaborate, pool resources and move forward together without playing the blame game. I'm confident this issue can be addressed; but it cannot be done without the help of the Mayor, Law Director, Finance Director, City Council and the County Commissioners working together."
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The 1st Annual Mansfield Winter Classic is taking place December 1-3, 2017 in Mansfield, Ohio at Mansfield Senior High School’s Pete Henry Gymnasium. The Classic is a 2-3 day event full of basketball, fun activities and opportunities to showcase your school and to support the ongoing mission in promoting good sportsmanship. 
 
Mansfield Winter Classic visionary, Christen Lee; is a former Mansfield Senior High School basketball player who lost his mother Evern in 2016 to cancer. Lee says there were always people at his house growing-up, and that his mother loved to go above and beyond to make sure everyone felt at home. Christen, who went on to play college sports; said even in college, his mother made sure to always keep an extra room available for his friends when they drove through Mansfield. Some of these friends include professional basketball players Romeo Travis and Antonio Graves and Akron Fab Five elite—Dru Joyce III; just to name a few people.
 
“My mom believed that everyone could evolve through love and that love has the power to build bridges and connect people to great opportunities in the world. This is a lot to what the Mansfield Winter Classic is about. The Mansfield community loves basketball, many of my friends play professional ball and I love it too. It’s for the love of the game and for those that evolve through it,” Lee stated.
 
Councilman Bryant, Mansfield Senior High School Principal Jose Hernandez and Mansfield City Schools Athletic Director Skip Fulton, have all agreed to serve as hosts of the Classic.
 
“It broke my heart last year to learn of the passing of Chirsten’s mother. His mother and my mom were actually both patients at the same cancer treatment hospital in Chicago,” Bryant said.
 
“I know he and his mom were very close and overall, I know Christen’s heart. He wants to do something that represents his mom’s love for the community and something that is meaningful to our young people. This classic represents the love he has for the city, for our young people, and for the game of basketball.”  
 
Bryant says he has worked with Christen for 7-months to help him develop the Classic.
 
“Christen was in a deep state of grief when we started working on this project. He had a huge vision for this Classic. I was committed to help lift him up to the best of my ability. I rarely see the type of determination and spirit that Christen has demonstrated through working on this project. He’s lost over 90 pounds through daily workouts and changes of diet and has met with me every week since September to make sure this project comes to life.”
 
In addition to general operation costs, ticket sales will go toward supporting the following health initiatives.
 
1.   Cancer Support Services (people going through chemotherapy/other intensive cancer treatments)
a.      Bottled Water
b.      Blankets/Throws
c.      Wig and hair supplies
d.      Makeup
e.      Meal cards
 
2.    Annual donation to Ronald McDonald House (Cleveland)
 
3.   Annual donation to Wounded Warriors Project: Combat Stress Recovery Program
a.       PTSD
b.      TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury
 
Currently, the Mansfield Winter Classic is recruiting teams throughout Ohio to participate and hopes to have a list of invitees formalized by May 5th. For more information on the Mansfield Winter Classic contact Christen Lee: christenlee42@gmail.com

The people of Mansfield are an inspiration to me as a Councilman and as a citizen. Attached is my 2016 Progress and Legislation Annual Review detailing all of the bills/new laws passed this year that are considered to be progressive. Thank you all for a great year. Let's continue to Move Opportunity Forward. Happy New Year and let's make 2017 an even stronger year! 

Best,

​Don

Dear Neighbor,

Please find attached, your copy of the 2017 temporary budget. This legislative item is expected to pass tomorrow night at City Council. If you have any comments or concerns, you are welcome to participate in tomorrow's public comment session during Council. City Council begins tomorrow at 7 pm.

Respectfully,

​Don