Since becoming a member of the Columbus City Council in January of 1999, Council President Michael C. Mentel has been a leader, helping to make Columbus one of the best cities in the U.S. to build a business and raise a family.

During his time in office, Mike has continually been a driving force in ensuring that our city�s police and fire have the best training, equipment and facilities available to keep the residents of Columbus safe. He has helped secure high-tech thermal imaging cameras for firefighters, increased funding to put more cops on the street in �hot spot� crime areas, and has led the way in providing rapid deployment equipment in high-accident areas for better emergency response. Mike has also championed the arrival of a new police-training academy. This multi-million dollar facility provides state-of-the-art training on current crime-fighting techniques and procedures. Mike has been a leader on fire emergency as well. He has pushed for the construction of several brand new fire stations and the modernization of older stations to ensure that the residents of Columbus have the best emergency response resources available to them.

Mike knows that the continued success of this city is due to its strong neighborhoods. He has been on the forefront of developing stronger ties and more collaboration between city government and area commissions and civic associations to ensure that the unique voices of the city are heard. In May of 2007, Mike helped assemble a panel of neighborhoods to find more efficient and effective ways of strengthening these organized residents. This is the first time Columbus City Council has ever taken such an action.

Mike is a public service leader beyond City Council as well. He has worked with the board of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Charity Newsies--a nonprofit organization that supplies low-income students with clothes--and the Shamrock Club.

Mike graduated from Bishop Ready High School, Capital University and Capital Law School. Mike, his wife, and their two children reside on the east side of Columbus.