Carla Clark | For The Republic Jerone Wood speaks after winning the primary during the Democrat watch party for the primary at Bartholomew County Democratic Headquarters in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
In his second term as a member of the Columbus City Council, Councilman Jerone Wood, D-District 3, is unapologetic when asked about missing nearly half of the city council meetings, attending only 13 out of 23 so far in 2024.
That’s because, according to Wood, his absences were due to serving as head coach of the Columbus East High School boys track and field team, coaching an eighth-grade basketball team at South Decatur Jr./Sr. High School and attending his children’s activities.
He told Republic reporter Brad Davis the following: “For the most part, I’ll miss most practices in order to not miss meetings. But if there’s a game, I’m the head coach, so I can’t miss those,” Wood said over the phone. “As far as my kid’s events, both my daughters are involved in sports, cheerleading and things of that nature. If I can make them—because a lot of time, because of my other engagements, I can’t even make those events— so if I can make those, I do everything in my power to make sure that I’m present at all those events.”
Wood said he also lets those in the city know in advance if he’s unable to attend and that his schedule was similar during his first-term as a council member. “From what I’ve experienced, it’s understood. They all know that I’m involved in the community with all these different things, they all applaud me for that. So it’s something that hasn’t been an issue in the past,” Wood said.
Some of the votes Wood has missed this year include a resolution to accept United Way’s Homelessness Initiative proposal on April 16, one to consent to the Columbus Redevelopment Commission’s purchase of the former Sear’s Building and adjoining parking lot for $4.2 million on May 21, as well as the first reading of an ordinance to annex 261 acres southeast of the city limits on July 16. The latter vote ended up being 4-3. Wood attended the second reading on Oct. 1 and voted no, deadlocking the count 4-4 after Jay Foyst, R-District 6, had to abstain.
On Oct. 15, with Wood absent, the council voted 8-0 to approve the second reading of an ordinance establishing the city budget for next year.
The most recently missed meeting for Wood was on Dec. 6 when a project agreement to allow the five-story, 120-unit Rubicon development at 11th and Washington streets was approved. The vote on the project agreement and the first reading of an ordinance to authorize a $6.4 million loan to the project’s developer were both 5-2. Wood was not there to vote. District 3 residents had no one voting about how they felt about that issue, about city spending in 2025 and other issues.
Being absent from council meetings may not have been an issue in the past, but it’s time to make it an issue now.
Candidates for public office, and those elected for public office, should know that they are entering willingly into an obligation that is serving the public, and in this case, serving the constituents of a city council district. Part of the job description of a city council representative is that they are representing their district constituents when they comment during meetings, when they vote on city matters and when something needs to be remedied within the district that is brought up by their representative.
None of this can happen if your councilman isn’t attending meetings.
The absences are also a concern in that there is no record of how Wood stands on various issues he doesn’t vote on.
It should be noted that city council members are paid an annual salary of $16,464 for 2024, which they receive whether they attend meetings or not.
In terms of the attendance of other members, council members Elaine Hilber, D-District 2, Tom Dell, D-at-large and Josh Burnett, R-at-large have not missed any council meetings. Council members Chris Bartels, R-District 1, and Kent Anderson, R-District-4, missed two meetings, with Miller and Grace Kestler, D-at-large, each have missed one.
It’s time for Wood to re-examine his priorities and whether he has enough time to adequately represent District 3 residents, because it appears he is not by missing so many council meetings.
Being on the city council is not an “honorary” position. It’s supposed to be work, and it’s supposed to be difficult, time-consuming and a priority for those elected to the position. Missing meetings and crucial votes and not being involved in discussing issues at the public meetings is not the way to serve the public as a city councilman.
Wood needs to move his city council responsibilities to the front of his “to-do” list, rather than “if it’s convenient,” if he wants to continue in public office. Or three years from now, voters need to be reminded to change it for him, replacing him with someone who is committed to attending all city council meetings, not just those that fit into a busy personal schedule.
