To commemorate the Bexley Community Foundation’s 10th Anniversary, they are hosting a virtual celebration to recap the past decade and highlight their immense impact on the Bexley community. In 10 years, they’ve donated over $3.5 million to various projects, programs, and community-wide events. Visit www.bexleycommunityfoundation.org/10years to see how you can get involved!
Thank you, Bexley Community Foundation, for a decade of immense impact. You are a fantastic community partner!
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mayor Ben Kessler
bkessler@bexley.org
Lori Ann Feibel, Bexley City Council President
lfeibel@bexley.org
Protecting Equal Rights to Housing Opportunity in Bexley
BEXLEY, OHIO September 23, 2020 – At the September 22nd meeting, Bexley City Council passed Ordinance 28-20, further protecting citizens’ rights to equal housing opportunities in Bexley. Veterans, recipients of disability payments, households with rental assistance vouchers, and anyone with other types of public or private sources of payment are protected from discrimination on the basis of source of payment when seeking rental housing.
Landlords can apply screening criteria regarding tenant history, credit scores, and can charge security deposits as personal finance protection. Chapter 637.01 of Bexley’s codified ordinances now defines “Source of Income” as “lawful income derived from wages, social security, supplemental security income, all forms of federal, state, or local assistance payments or subsidies, including rent vouchers, child support, spousal support, and public assistance which can be verified and substantiated.”
Bexley code section 637.02 now states that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person to refuse to sell, transfer, assign, rent, lease, sublease, finance or otherwise deny or withhold housing accommodations from any person because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, source of income, familial status or military status of any prospective owner, occupant, or user of such housing accommodations.
Bexley City Council President and Ordinance sponsor Lori Ann Feibel stated, “This historic piece of legislation will help Bexley in our steadfast efforts to become an increasingly welcoming community. We may be a landlocked city with little potential for new builds, but we pride ourselves in the progressive problem solving that drives our policy making. This addition to our fair housing laws is a reflection of Bexley’s passion for equity and desire to provide more opportunities for everyone to join our community.” Mayor Ben Kessler stated
“we’re dedicated to supporting safe, quality housing across all income abilities, and this is one of several meaningful steps we’re taking towards that goal. Bexley is a historic, walkable community that has a passion for education and lifelong learning, and we want our city to be within reach to all who wish to call Bexley home.”
While the City of Bexley is the first to pass source of income legislation in central Ohio, there are at least six other cities in Ohio that have adopted source of income protection legislation, including Cincinnati, Lindale, South Euclid, University Heights, Warrensville Heights, and Wickliffe. The City of Bexley reaffirms its commitment to being a welcoming community for all, and will continue to explore and enact policy reforms to expand the quality and availability of affordable housing to all residents and individuals.
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A first-ring suburb of Columbus, Bexley is known for its historic and close-knit neighborhoods, its highly ranked public school system, its classic and walkable Main Street environment, and the prestigious private school system located within its borders.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mayor Ben Kessler
bkessler@bexley.org
Lori Ann Feibel, Bexley City Council President
lfeibel@bexley.org
Protecting Equal Rights to Housing Opportunity in Bexley
BEXLEY, OHIO September 23, 2020 – At the September 22nd meeting, Bexley City Council passed Ordinance 28-20, further protecting citizens’ rights to equal housing opportunities in Bexley. Veterans, recipients of disability payments, households with rental assistance vouchers, and anyone with other types of public or private sources of payment are protected from discrimination on the basis of source of payment when seeking rental housing.
Landlords can apply screening criteria regarding tenant history, credit scores, and can charge security deposits as personal finance protection. Chapter 637.01 of Bexley’s codified ordinances now defines “Source of Income” as “lawful income derived from wages, social security, supplemental security income, all forms of federal, state, or local assistance payments or subsidies, including rent vouchers, child support, spousal support, and public assistance which can be verified and substantiated.”
Bexley code section 637.02 now states that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person to refuse to sell, transfer, assign, rent, lease, sublease, finance or otherwise deny or withhold housing accommodations from any person because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, source of income, familial status or military status of any prospective owner, occupant, or user of such housing accommodations.
Bexley City Council President and Ordinance sponsor Lori Ann Feibel stated, “This historic piece of legislation will help Bexley in our steadfast efforts to become an increasingly welcoming community. We may be a landlocked city with little potential for new builds, but we pride ourselves in the progressive problem solving that drives our policy making. This addition to our fair housing laws is a reflection of Bexley’s passion for equity and desire to provide more opportunities for everyone to join our community.”
Lori Ann Feibel, Bexley City Council President
While the City of Bexley is the first to pass source of income legislation in central Ohio, there are at least six other cities in Ohio that have adopted source of income protection legislation, including Cincinnati, Lindale, South Euclid, University Heights, Warrensville Heights, and Wickliffe. The City of Bexley reaffirms its commitment to being a welcoming community for all, and will continue to explore and enact policy reforms to expand the quality and availability of affordable housing to all residents and individuals.
Mayor Ben Kessler stated “We’re dedicated to supporting safe, quality housing across all income abilities, and this is one of several meaningful steps we’re taking towards that goal. Bexley is a historic, walkable community that has a passion for education and lifelong learning, and we want our city to be within reach to all who wish to call Bexley home.”
Ben Kessler, Mayor of Bexley
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A first-ring suburb of Columbus, Bexley is known for its historic and close-knit neighborhoods, its highly ranked public school system, its classic and walkable Main Street environment, and the prestigious private school system located within its borders.
The Green Bexley Clean-Up Day is on Saturday, September 26th from 8:00 to 11:00 am! This is an annual opportunity to properly dispose of items you no longer need or want. We ask that you please wear a face covering at all times!
On September 26th, the following vendors will be on site:
We are in need of a few volunteers in the morning! If you are interested in helping out, please click here for a sign up link. We’ll provide coffee and breakfast along with any PPE you’ll need to stay safe during the event!
If you are interested in picking up litter around the city, we will have litter pick up supplies (grabbers, vests, and gloves) available for use at the drop-off site on Delmar Drive. These are available at a first-come-first-served basis.
Friday, September 25th from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in Library’s Parking Lot
Did you know that September 15 – October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States? September 15 is the starting date as it is the anniversary of independence of five Hispanic countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, who all declared independence in 1821. Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, 18, and 21, respectively.
Next Friday, September 25 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm, we’ll be having a socially distant food truck celebration in the Bexley Public Library parking lot!! Joining us will be Dos Hermanos (Mexican food. Order ahead available!), Empanadas & More (Puerto Rican and Dominican food), and Barroluco (Argentinian food). While you wait in line to buy (and take home) your meal, you’ll get to hear music from the 5-person mariachi band, Mariachi Guadalajara!
More events to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month are in the works! Stay tuned!
The Kids’ Green Bexley Boot Camp will consist of a series of 6 weekly, Saturday morning events to educate children on various topics relating to the natural world and sustainability. Children can attend a single class, or sign up for any that are available in their age range. All classes take place from 10:00 – 11:00 am, and they are outdoor, in-person events that require masks and social distancing! We ask only one parent attends per student, and students who are able to independently social distance and wear masks at all times do not require a parent to be present.
The program offerings cover a wide variety of topics – including beekeeping, bird watching, whales, dolphins, plants, and more! To view a full program listing, including event descriptions and dates, please click here. To register for a class, please click here. All programs are limited to 8 participants.
The cost to participate is only $5/class, thanks to a grant to Green Bexley from the Bexley Community Foundation!
