In tomorrow’s Democratic primary, we endorse Kent Butler as the candidate for Athens City Council’s First Ward.
Butler is running for his third term as the west-side ward’s representative, hoping to continue his soft-spoken presence on the council.
With two terms of experience, Butler has Andrea DeMott beat in that sense, but experience is not everything. Butler knows the issues; he does his research well. He’s developed a rapport with council members and the city’s administrative staff. It is his knowledge and relationships that push him ahead of DeMott.
On top of his experience, Butler has not narrowed his focus to one central issue. DeMott seems to be on a crusade against “slum lords” whose delinquent rentals have led to the smaller problems such as litter and noise troubling the First Ward.
Butler will take the time to listen and understand all the issues — not a singular problem. He can see multiple ways to tackle obstacles, think it through and then take the best route to the solution.
Both support the recent noise compromise proposed by Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle. Butler, however, has offered some suggestions: reducing punitive repercussions; steeper fines to serve as a deterrent; and keeping 10 p.m. the weekday starting time for enforcement of the noise ordinance.
We agree that punitive repercussions need to be lessened to prevent students’ receiving jail time for a simple noise violation. But though steeper fines might deter the problem, there has to be a better way to reduce the volume of violations.
The candidates both had illuminating statements on the lighting problem, but it was Butler who shined bright. He acknowledged that more and better lighting is only a bandage and not the cure-all. As more solutions, Butler recommend increasing the hours of Ohio University’s Safe-T Patrol team so escorts are available past 2 a.m. and installing more energy-efficient lighting.
Butler also pushed for stronger economic development, stating that the city needs to improve on how it deals with development. It is not challenging to get development through; the challenge comes in following all the regulations such as one parking spot per bed for any residential project. Butler proposed more flexibility and reaching out to the university to stimulate growth.
In the race of Butler v. DeMott, Butler ends up with our endorsement for his experience, his knowledge and his solutions.
Endorsements represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors.
