COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus City Council voted unanimously to appoint Otto Beatty III to the vacant District 7 seat as former councilmember Shayla Favor becomes Franklin County Prosecutor.
“I take nothing for granted,” Beatty said moments after council voted him to the seat. “We had over 40 people that applied and then 30 were brought forward and then 10 finalists, some of them that I know well, some of them that I’ve worked with in the past, and it’s exciting to me that we have so many dedicated citizens who are willing to, to step up. And so, I’m just excited.”
City Council took applications for the open seat through early December. Then, 10 finalists were invited to a public hearing where they pitched themselves to the public.
District 7 covers most of Downtown Columbus, German Village, Franklinton, Italian Village, Victorian Village and Short North neighborhoods.
Council President Shannon Hardin addressed the appointment after the vote.
“Congratulations, Councilmember Beatty,” he said. “We wanted a council member who would be ready to address the biggest issues facing our city on day one and in that view of this council, that is housing. Otto is someone who not just has strong ties to the neighborhood, he has used his background in real estate, business, and law to mentor others who similarly want to learn to be a part of the solution. Even though Otto is new to council, he is not new to service.”
Beatty, stepson of Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), has served on the City of Columbus Downtown Commission, North East Area Commission, and as Commissioner of the City of Columbus Development Commission.
“My predecessor, Shayla Favor, was the leader on council in that area, and we actually worked together to bring some housing to the Near East Side outside of a high school, all affordable units,” said Beatty, an entrepreneur, attorney, and real estate investor according to his City Council application.
He is focused on making an immediate impact in area housing.
“Thirty years ago, when I came back to Columbus, 1994, ‘93, and I got out of school, I was able to get my first apartment, and within a couple of years, I was able to get my first home,” he said. “Nowadays, many of our young professionals that want to be in Columbus, they’ve done all the right things. Nowadays, they can’t do that type of thing. They might be living in the basement. They only aspire to get that first home as a young adult.
“I’m hoping in the area of housing that we can open up opportunities for all the citizens and not just those, you know, young professionals, but older adults who may be struggling with those things, such as property taxes and changing neighborhoods, and then also the unhoused,” he added.
Beatty had previously said he would not seek election for the District 7 seat this November, a position he reiterated after the appointment.
“Public service is a gift but it’s a temporary gift,” he said. “You’re going to devote your energy, your time, and your effort to doing the best that you can for the constituents.”
Beatty was sworn in shortly after the council meeting Monday night.
Beatty’s appointment comes the same day his predecessor Favor announced the members of her team to aid in her transition to the county’s prosecutor’s post.
