A newcomer to the council arena but a dedicated resident of Athens, Deborah Phillips will bring a tenacious attitude and fresh perspective if elected to represent the 4th Ward for Athens City Council.
Many in the area feel that the 'town-gown' relationship in the city needs to be improved, and Phillips' problem-solving skills and training as a mediator will help quell the differences in opinion. Also, Phillips said she thinks residents of Athens should attend council meetings so they are knowledgeable about the topics of discussion and are able to voice their own views. A step in the right direction is to probe discussion between students and permanent Athens residents and encourage both to get involved with the community.
Phillips will go after the projects she believes in and realizes the importance of students to the City of Athens. More consistent code enforcement, a dissection of the nuisance party ordinance and knowledge of necessary work on the Campus Edge proposal are all reasons why Phillips is deserving of the 4th Ward seat.
Although Deborah Phillips has never run for office before this election, she has the dedication, determination and the knowledge about the City of Athens to effectively and efficiently carry out the duties of serving the 4th Ward. Bringing concerns such as code enforcement, rental properties, safety, the wellhead protection plan and the city comprehensive plan to the table, it is clear to see that the choice for 4th Ward City Council representative on Nov. 4 is Deborah Phillips.
Hed: Grim best choice for municipal court
William Grim's long and successful legal career makes him the best candidate to succeed the retiring Judge Doug Bennett as Athens County Municipal Court judge.
Grim has practiced law in Athens County for nearly 30 years and has served as an acting judge since 1985. He possesses a keen understanding of the key issues facing the county and has the experience to see that justice is served.
Grim plans to enact several reforms on the way the court is run. He wants to make the legal process quicker and more efficient by eliminating the dead time at the start of the court's day. With more than 6,000 cases heard each year, an efficient approach is needed. He also wants to make sure that $600,000 in back fines are collected, and will proactively look into alternatives for second-time offenders.
With his experience as the general counsel for the Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority and his teaching career in property law, Grim is highly qualified to face the plethora of landlord/tenant cases that make up a bulk of the court's docket.
William Grim has spent his entire career preparing for the position of Athens County Municipal Court judge, and his experience and knowledge make him the best choice for the job.
Hed: Edward Baum's knowledge and experience vital to city council
Incumbent Edward Baum needs to be reelected so his knowledge and experience can continue to be a boon to the City of Athens.
An Athens resident for almost 40 years, including eight on council, Baum understands the ebb and flow of government and is a fixture in the community. His current position as the Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Ohio University is a clear example of his deep understanding of the political scene.
Baum is an advocate of the comprehensive plan, and will continue to work towards the goal of maintaining a small-town atmosphere while providing the necessary entertainment and shopping options for residents. He is unafraid of facing the difficult issues that face Athens. For instance, Baum feels that it is important to at least look into combining the police and fire departments in order to make both more efficient. And, while understanding the need for student housing options, he is looking critically at the Campus Edge project to make sure that it does not cause traffic and environmental problems.
Understanding that any budget cuts are important, Baum will look into increasing recycling and monitoring council paper use. While seemingly unimportant, these little things put together can make a big difference.
Edward Baum is the right choice for Athens. With his sharp background and knowledgeable approach, Baum will work for all Athens residents.
Hed: Sexton offers dual perspective to city council
A fresh voice that speaks for all Athens residents is needed on city council, and Sarah Sexton, running for an at-large position, can provide this valuable perspective.
A life-long Athens resident and an Ohio University junior, Sarah's unique experience makes her keenly aware of the problems facing the two disparate populations of Athens. With feedback from both sides, Sexton can best understand the way to unify these distinct communities.
One of Sexton's goals is to make city council more visible to students. She plans to update the city's web page. Currently, Athens does not post agenda issues on its site until after council has discussed them. With more visibility on-line, more interested parties can be made aware of council developments before they happen. She also is interested in housing issues and is looking forward to fostering an environment where tenants and landlords can increase their communication and ensure they exist on an equal footing in the community.
There is a student void on city council, and Sarah Sexton is the best choice for students and residents alike.
Tampke's honesty and realism a must for city council
Dale Tampke's realistic approach makes him a good choice to retain his at-large seat on the city council.
Tampke has served on council for three terms, and his teaching and administrative experience inside Ohio University makes him sensitive to the needs of long-time residents, students and faculty members. His most important attribute is his honesty. He knows that belt-tightening is necessary in an economically unstable environment, and is not afraid to tell it like it is.
Tampke understands that grandiose and perfect planning is not feasible in today's political climate. Instead, he advocates the importance of the council setting and achieving feasible goals. He wants the city to drop its unachievable goals and instead focus on government's most important mission: looking for ways to make people's lives better.
His plans include implementing forgivable loans for residents to paint their homes in order to beautify Athens, and down-payment assistance for homebuyers. He sees the proposed nuisance party ordinance as being important to inspire conversation between residents and students.
Incumbent Dale Tampke is the right choice for Athens. His sensible approach to government along with his honesty make him the man for the job.
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