At Oxford City Council’s May 2 meeting, councilors focused on hot-topic issues surrounding the Oxford community and Miami University’s campus, including gun violence and Ohio Senate Bill 83.
Mayor Snavely declares June 2 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day
The councilors started off the meeting by officially addressing gun violence in communities around the country. They approved the motion to declare June 2 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day, where citizens will be encouraged to wear orange in recognition of the gun violence problem that faces America today.
“Gun violence is not a partisan issue, it is an issue for everyone,” Mayor William Snavely said.
Two students from Miami University’s Students Demand Action student organization were present at this week’s meeting to receive the printed proclamation signed by the mayor. They thanked the council for their dedication to acknowledging this issue within the Oxford community.
City Council pushes back against Ohio Senate Bill 83
The council then shifted to discussing how the newly formed Senate Bill (S.B.) 83 would impact Miami, and in extent, the Oxford community. S.B. 83 looks to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion training at Ohio’s public universities and will restrict the number of students from China who can come to public universities in Ohio. The council declared a motion to oppose S. B. 83 in support of diversity.
“Senate Bill 83 has tremendous unintended consequences state-wide, which is why I am hoping the bill does not make it out of the senate,” Glenn Ellerbe, a city councilor, said. Many councilors agreed with Councilor Ellebe.
The councilors worry that students may choose not to go to Miami if Ohio limits free speech on college campuses. This would indirectly affect the Oxford community because small businesses, vendors and landlords may all suffer from the unintended economic consequences.
“Miami’s livelihood is [Oxford’s] livelihood,” Councilor David Prytherch said. “If we make Ohio an unattractive place for students to go to school, they will choose to go somewhere else.”
The resolution, drafted by Doug Elliot in the City Management department, was supported unanimously by the council.
Council will meet again on Tuesday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Oxford Courthouse.
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