Buck Rinehart

Dana G. "Buck" Rinehart was born in 1946, and was the 50th mayor of Columbus, Ohio, from 1984-1992.

Having served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, Rinehart attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, earning an B.A. in Political Science. He later attended Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University, graduating cum laude.

Rinehart began his career as treasurer of Franklin County, Ohio, from 1976-1984. Rinehart also believed in the politics of shame. As County Treasurer he posted a sign at the county building listing the names of real-estate tax scofflaws, the "Dirty Dozen".[1]

He was persuaded by Republican Party insiders to run for mayor in 1983, to replace outgoing Republican mayor, Tom Moody (1972–1984). Rinehart narrowly won the election to become the 45th mayor of Columbus. He won re-election in 1987.

His term as mayor was characterized by an intense effort to distance Columbus, Ohio from its cowtown reputation (New World Center, 1986; convention center/arena complex, 1987; acquiring St. Louis Cardinals NFL football team, 1988), a downtown office boom, with the construction of many skyscrapers. The city also experienced a period of rapid growth and subsequent suburban sprawl.

In 1995, Rinehart pleaded guilty to DUI. He was sentenced to community service and a one-year suspension of his driver's license.

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