Episode Details

In this fast moving conversation the Beacon hosted sitting Council members Andy Teater and President Tina Cottone to discuss their latest Democratic primary campaign. (links direct to candidate web pages)

Editor’s Note: Both candidates made clear prior to the April 10th interview they felt that they could not make any statement or answer questions pertaining to the ongoing litigation involving the City and Noor Islamic Cultural Center / Britton Parkway Holdings Inc - referring us to ongoing public minutes and records for the City position.

A partial list of topics covered:

Collaborative Campaigning

Tina and Andy discussed how Democratic candidates in Hilliard have coordinated campaigns since 2019, sharing resources and building coalitions—while still competing for limited council seats.

Aging in Place Initiative

Tina detailed her creation of Home in Hilliard, a nonprofit delivering senior services like home check-ins and light chores —an effort rooted in personal experience and supported by local grants and partnerships.

Housing & Growth

Both candidates acknowledged the ongoing / perpetual challenge of residential development and voter concerns. They expressed interest in continuing to build to diverse housing options while trying to balance affordability, zoning restrictions, and public input.

Transparency & Public Engagement

They addressed the growing need for better communication on development decisions, supporting early outreach and engagement with the process. Andy discussed his decision to transition from Republican to Democrat and these designations relative utility in local politics. Jordan briefly put the spotlight on ideas like neighborhood-based planning with budget participation to boost consistent resident involvement on a full range of issues.

From Mayor to Manager

Teater praised the transition to a city manager system, crediting it with improving efficiency, staff collaboration, and empowered responsiveness at City Hall.

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We hope you’ll continue to join us for this series of candidate interviews where we speak to those involved right up to election day - offering a unique platform for voters to get to know their potential and present representation at the city level.We thank you for your support!