Smith ‘easing back in’ to mayoral duties after 8 weeks out of office
Robert Smith
Columbus Mayor Robert Smith is back to working at City Hall a few days a week after taking several weeks off recovering from a brief stint at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle Feb. 21 for an undisclosed illness.
“(I’m) easing back in,” Smith told The Dispatch Wednesday. “The doctor said for the next three weeks, I should try Monday, Wednesday, Friday, at least three hours a day. That’s what I’ve done.”
The mayor on Wednesday did not comment on the nature of his illness.
Smith, also campaigning for re-election against two opponents he will face on the June 8 general ballot, said he worked a handful of hours on Monday, including overseeing a meeting with city department heads. He also presided over Tuesday night’s city council meeting. He said he is working additional hours from home.
Turner beats Douglas in certified Ward 4 primary
By Dispatch Staff Report 4 hours ago
Marty Turner
Former Columbus councilman Marty Turner has been certified as the winner of the April 6 Democratic primary for Ward 4.
The election results were certified Friday with three affidavit votes added to the April 6 totals. All three votes went to Turner, who finished with 94 votes to 90 for his challenger, Pat Douglas.
Turner, who served on the city council from 2013-17, will now meet incumbent Pierre Beard, running as an independent, in the June 8 general election.
The June 8 election features the mayor’s race between incumbent Democrat Robert Smith and independent challengers Montrell Coburn and Keith Gaskin.
Smith staying in mayor’s race
By Dispatch Staff Report 2 hours ago
Robert Smith
In a statement he released through his campaign email, Smith addressed rumors he might drop out of the race due to an undisclosed health condition that hospitalized him briefly on Feb. 21. Since then he has been recovering from home, and Vice Mayor Bill Gavin, who represents Ward 6 on the city council, has led day-to-day city operations.
“Good afternoon. I want to take a moment to officially announce to the citizens of Columbus that I am not withdrawing from the mayoral race,” Smith said in his email. “Rather, I am again seeking re-election to the office of Mayor of the City of Columbus.”
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