Candidate’s Biographical Sketch

Tom Wildman
179 E. Maynard Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43202
District: #2

Length of time living in the University Area:

Number of years as a resident or years involved with the neighborhood:

Occupation:

Commissioner Statement – Please state in 200 words or less, what particular experience and qualifications you can offer the University Area Commission. Please write information about your issues, concerns, goals for the neighborhood, personal information, etc. This section will be limited to 200 words.

Thomas Wildman is a stout supporter of student involvement in community issues. He is an advocate of neighborhood social, cultural, environment and historic preservation. He is a co-founder and Director of the Olde  North Columbus Preservation Society, a neighborhood organization devoted to preserving the environment  and cultural integrity of Olde North Columbus [Lane Ave to Cliffside Dr. Olentangy River to Silver Dr.]. From this platform, he has introduce Olde North Columbus to the City of Columbus and the City of Columbus to Olde North Columbus, receiving funding for neighborhood projects such as twice a year community-wide street sweeping, stronger police presence, regular refuse and bulk pick-up, graffiti removal, new Tuttle Park entrance ramps at Hudson St. and Dodridge St., pocket parks, street trees, handicap ramps with decorative low retaining walls on most streets, commercial node improvements, safety lights and school crosswalks around neighborhood schools such as Medary Elementary School.

Thomas Wildman has made great strides in trying to re-unite the neighborhood of Olde North Columbus (a community founded in 1803 and established as a town in 1842). Thomas Wildman believes it is the We and not the me, that rebuilds our communities. (statement exceeded 200 words)

UAC Committees/Positions – If a current or past commissioner, please list the committees that you serve on and any positions you hold or have held in the past with UAC.

Thomas Wildman is completing his third term on the University Area Commission, having served as First and Second Vice President, and the Historic Preservation Committee Chair in his second term. He is presently finishing out his second year as the Chair for the Code Enforcement and Environment Committee. In the past nine years he has sat on every University Area Commission Committee at least twice and has consistently sat on the Code Enforcement Committee, Safety Committee and Zoning Committee. In addition, he has sat on COTA's Light Rail Advisory Board, the University Area Code Enforcement Task Force Legislative Committee, the Mayor's Neighborhood Leaders Group, the Regional Neighborhood Network Conference, Columbus Police Department Neighborhood Safety Group, University Area Safety Committee and the Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund Advisory Board for Olde North Columbus.

Community Involvement/Education/Occupation – Provide a list of community activities, positions in other groups, educational background, etc.

Thomas Wildman has been a Olde North Columbus resident in District 2 since 1986. He, his wife and their two daughters currently live at 179 East Maynard Avenue and have been restoring a house on East Blake Avenue. Thomas is recently retired from the Ohio Historical Society, where he worked for over 20 years. He currently spends much of his time looking into neighborhood concerns, helping his wife rear their children and starting his own Home Restoration Business. His wife is an Osteopathic Radiologist, who is completing her Fellowship at Children's Hospital here in Columbus. Both he and his wife are graduates from the College of Wooster, studied overseas and have attended Ohio State University.

Thomas Wildman has a great devotion to his community. He has served with the Indianola Middle School Advisory, The Family Center, Glen Echo South Civic Association, Medary Elementary Butterfly Garden, Findley Avenue Community Watch Collaborative and the Olde North Columbus Blockwatch boards. He is a recipient of two City of Columbus recognition awards, presented for his efforts in exposing neighborhood crime and in having co-sponsored numerous neighborhood festivals.