COLUMBUS, Ohio — After 10TV hosted a town hall in the Hilltop, we took your concerns in the area directly to Mayor Andrew Ginther.
Hilltop residents have said they often feel ignored and left out by the City of Columbus.
Terry Roofe has lived in the Hilltop for his entire life. When he was growing up, he said it was a safe and family-orientated community. But, today he feels differently.
“I believe the city wants the Hilltop to fail,” said Roofe. “You dumped criminals, druggies, a bus station. Anything the city doesn’t want gets dumped on us. It’s almost intentional."
Christina Stanley also lives in the Hilltop and shares similar concerns to Roofe. She said when there is a problem, it goes unanswered.
“Problems get ignored for so long,” said Stanley. “It’s a lot of pointing fingers at each other."
On Wednesday, the City of Columbus held a celebration for the one-year anniversary of the Hilltop Childcare Center. 10TV showed theGinther a video of what neighbors had to say about how the city treats the Hilltop.
“Well, I certainly share his frustration and accept his criticism. I would point out the Hilltop Early Learning Center, investments along Sullivant Avenue and the new police substation. The other investments made in this neighborhood. We are working very hard to address the things he raised, and we will not stand for it,” Ginther said.
The mayor said the city will continue to invest in the Hilltop.
“But we are also going to work very hard with law enforcement and prosecutors’ office to hold people accountable,” said Ginther.