Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown announced that she will resign within the next few days.
Brown will retire from county government after serving as a Franklin County commissioner for over 14 years. She says the pandemic made her realize she wants to spend more time with her loved ones.
“It became clear my mom is 92 and I don’t know how much longer I’m gonna have her around,” Brown said.
Brown was most recently reelected in 2018. She will serve through the end of this week, with her retirement becoming effective at the end of the day on Friday, May 14.
“I couldn’t really do this job the way I think it needs to be done and at the same time do what I wanted to do with a mom who’s in Cleveland that I couldn’t see for a year because of the pandemic and a daughter who’s got continuing medical challenges,” Brown said. “I could not continue doing those caregiving things the way I wanted to and do the job of serving our residents in the way they needed to be done.”
Brown said in her 14-and-a half years as a Franklin County commissioner, she is most proud of her work on what she calls “smart justice” reforms.
“Getting them the help they need so they don’t get caught in criminal justice activity and help them get the real help they need,” Brown said. “Whether it’s mental health counseling, whether it’s drug treatment, things that they really need.”
Brown and her husband, Eric, have two daughters and three grandchildren. Eric serves on the Columbus City Schools board.
The remaining commissioners will likely appoint an interim replacement in the coming days. By the end of June, the Franklin County Democrats will appoint a permanent replacement to finish Brown’s term.
