Athens City Council members passed a resolution at their first meeting of the year expressing thanks and bidding adieu to a politician who served Athens for 16 years.
In early December, former Council President Jim Sands announced that after several medical complications he would be stepping down at the end of the 2014.
Sands served as a member of council from 1998 until 2012, when he began his term as president of council — serving a total of eight terms on the legislative body.
“I always found him to be very balanced,” Mayor Paul Wiehl said at the council meeting Monday evening. “I miss his presence because he did give us the long view, an Athenian view and a business view.”
Sands is an Athens native and a former owner of the Athens Flower Shop.
Councilman Steve Patterson, D-At large, said Sands not only served as a mediator and a voice of reason, but as a mentor.
“I certainly appreciated Jim… as someone I could go to,” Patterson said.
The resolution thanked Sands for his years of service.
Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-At large and future council president, added Sands would be receiving a copy of the resolution.
“Well, I can’t think of any better way to bring in 2015 than to thank Jim for his work,” Knisely said. “We’ll miss you.”
@emilybohatch
eb346012@ohio.edu
