Several generations of Columbus mayoral administrations will come together for a special panel discussion next week. Representatives from five administrations, including four former mayors, will reminisce about successes and challenges they faced, along with what was going on in the state and world while they were in office.
Dubbed “Legacy of Leadership — Our Mayors Remember,” the conversation will take place on September 11 at 6 p.m. at The Commons.
Heritage Fund is the presenting sponsor for the free event that will have open seating, food and a cash bar. A hospitality hour will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. where attendees can grab drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
The panel will include Nancy Ann Brown-Poynter, the city’s first female mayor, former Deputy Mayor Sherry Stark, representing the Stewart administration, former Mayor Fred Armstrong, former Mayor Jim Lienhoop and current Mayor Mary Ferdon.
John Foster of White River Broadcasting will be the moderator — he’ll ask questions up until about 7:30 p.m. and then there will be time at the end for audience questions.
Mayor Mary Ferdon said the idea came after seeing the interest the public had in a panel discussion she, former Mayor Jim Lienhoop and CRH Executive Vice President Julie Abedian took part in regarding the pandemic earlier this year at Mill Race Center.
“We were very surprised — there was a large group there and they were very interested in learning the immediate history of how our community dealt with the pandemic,” Ferdon said. “And then earlier this year, I was thinking that we’re fortunate that we have a number of former mayors and leaders currently still living in Columbus. They have a lot of history — when I talk with them individually, I hear great stories, talk about problems and challenges, and wouldn’t it be really interesting for the community to get the chance to have all of them, as many as possible, in one place, and have the opportunity to ask questions, as well as hear their war stories.”
There will be 38 tables set up in The Commons, one for every mayor in the city’s history. Each one will have bits of information about the former leaders put together by a volunteer with the Bartholomew County Historical Society, Ferdon said.
“People will really be amazed at where they come from and the jobs that they held. Many of them were not born in this country, they maybe came from a different country. Some served eight years, some only served a year or two — so it’s really across the board.”
The tables are sponsored and that money will go toward Heritage Fund’s Mayor’s Government Scholarship.
“Columbus has a real appetite for history, so our goal is to fill The Commons and we hope that people are able to join us,” Ferdon said.
