Editor’s Note: This is the second in a five-part series highlighting different villages in Athens County.
Albany is undertaking a series of projects so that it has “the best infrastructure in the county” at a time when money is tight for the villages of Athens.
With water system, gas line and sewage system upgrades currently in the works as well as construction throughout the village, Mayor Tim Kirkendall said Albany would be at the top of the county in terms of a modernized infrastructure.
“We should be in pretty good shape,” Kirkendall said. “I (plan to) look for some more housing, as we’ve got some vacant land around that can be developed.”
The village of about 850 residents is made up of mainly senior citizens and is a lower-income community, said Kenneth Willoughby, former councilman.
“Out of all the villages in Athens County, it’s the best one to live in,” Willoughby said. “It’s a nice location, readily accessible to everything people need, and our administration really tries to give us a good quality of life.”
However, Willoughby said the connection between local government and residents could be improved. He added that the mayor does occasionally send out letters to keep residents informed.
“I think it needs a little bit of work,” Willoughby said. “I don’t really know how to go about doing so, but it’s an area that could stand improving.”
Kirkendall agreed this can be improved but said he believes it is difficult.
“We try to communicate the best we can, but it’s kind of a hard thing to do,” Kirkendall said. “Usually, if you have a council meeting, people won’t come unless they have some problem that affects them personally.”
As with other Athens villages, Albany’s day-to-day operations are difficult because of budget cuts from the state.
“It’s making it hard to run the village as far as that goes,” Kirkendall said. “That’s the biggest problem we have. They cut local government money that was a tax the state got and in return was sent to the villages. They cut that here about a year or two ago, and that’s made a difference.”
Kirkendall said he couldn’t reference how much exactly had been cut from his budget.
Albany’s crime doesn’t draw the same amount of attention from the Sheriff’s
Office as other villages. While the village has a part-time officer, Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly said his department is responsible for shifts the village is unable to afford on its own.
Former Albany Councilman Marco McVey said the village is fortunate to have a good policeman protecting the area and doesn’t have to rely on the Sheriff’s Office.
“I’d hate it if that’s what we would have to do,” McVey said.
Without much criminal activity to worry about, the village is focusing on bringing in businesses, yet it is having some difficulty doing so.
Although a new hardware store and restaurant have recently opened in the village, Willoughby said he doesn’t see much more happening in terms of economic growth.
“These are very tough economic times,” Willoughby said. “I grew up during the Great Depression, and this is as rough as I’ve ever seen it since those days.”
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