User:Jamathews1

Josiah A. Mathews (born June 14, 2008, Madison, Wisconsin) is a Community Activist and organizer. He currently serves on many boards and is actively involved in politics. He was a recent candidate for Lima City Council, losing to 6th Ward Lima City Council incumbent, Derry L. Glenn (2007). Josiah was the Allen County Democratic Party’s nominee for Allen County Commissioner in 2008. He replaced Democratic Candidate, Farley K. Banks late in the campaign season (August 2008). On November 4th, 2008, Josiah performed well in 2 ½ months by garnering 16,203 Votes. He received 36% of the vote losing to incumbent and Republican Dan Reiff who received 64% of the vote.

Josiah currently serves as a board member with LACCA (Lima-Allen County Council on Community Affairs). On the LACCA Board, Josiah serves on the planning and program evaluation Committee as well as the Human Resource and Fundraising Committees. Mr. Mathews serves the Lima City community on the Cheryl Allen Southside Community Center in which he is Chair of the Policy and Procedures (HR) Committee. He also serves on the fundraising and special committee to search for a new director.

Josiah Mathews was born in Dane County (Madison), Wisconsin to Ernestine Jones and Harrison Mathews, but was raised in Lima, Ohio. As a lifelong resident of Lima, Josiah has been very active and involved in community affairs. He attended Lima City Schools and Perry Local School District where he graduated High School from in 2001. He is a current student at the University of Northwestern Ohio where he is studying Business Administration. Josiah is a minister, member, and choir member of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Lima, Ohio-under the direction of Pastor Fayne Wise. He has served as the Youth Auxiliary President of the Northwestern Ohio Missionary Baptist Association (1999-2005) and 4th and 3rd Vice President of the Ohio Baptist General Convention Youth Auxiliary. Josiah was an overseas missionary to South Africa (Summer 1999).

Josiah has been featured in many local and national news publications highlighting his work politically and within his community. He has been influential in bringing new development to his community (IE: 60 new single family homes via New Lima, Inc. and Miller-Valentine Group-2004). Josiah is very busy and very active in the Lima Area and has gained notoriety as being one who cares about people and the growth of Lima, Ohio.