Jim Sands has been a consistent presence in Athens City Council chambers for the last 16 years as a councilman and — in more recent years — as the president of council.
But after months of absence, Sands announced his resignation last week, in an email to Clerk of Council Debbie Walker.
“He’s choosing to move forward with his life away from council,” Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, said at Monday night's City Council meeting.
Butler has been acting as president in Sands’ absence.
“I have been honored to serve the population of Athens and work with other elected, appointed and hired individuals who also serve Athenians,” Sands said in the email.
Sands cited various medical issues, which included a hospitalization in Columbus, as reasons for his resignation.
“Jim is priceless,” Butler said. “(He adds) a ton of institutional memory… and a lot of experience.”
Sands was elected to council in 1998 and was an active member until 2012, when he became president of council.
“I hate it (that Sands is resigning),” Jeff Risner, D-2nd Ward said.
Risner added Sands has been “great on council” and renowned for his ability to calmly handle situations.
“There could’ve been a riot and the house could be on fire and he would have been calm,” Risner said.
Also at the meeting were two prospective candidates for elected city positions.
Republicans Aaron Dauterman and Andrew Looker, both juniors at Ohio University, said they would be running for an at-large position on council and for mayor, respectively.
There has not been a Republican on City Council since 2003.
Mayor Paul Wiehl announced last week at council’s meeting he would “probably not be seeking reelection.” Later that night, Councilman Steve Patterson, D-At Large, said he would be running.
Looker, 20, said he considered running even before Wiehl made his announcement.
“I’ve seen a lot of things that aren’t as good as they should be right now (in Athens),” Looker said.
As a full-time student, Looker said if elected, he would continue on with his academics while maintaining duties as mayor.
Dauterman echoed this sentiment.
“Really, this is a part-time responsibility," Dauterman said. “It’ll be easy balancing going to school.”
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