In the summer months, The Athens Messenger and an editor from The Athens News have called for the resignation of Athens County Commissioner Mark Sullivan. Despite charges levied against him by his estranged wife, we are not willing to take that step.
During the past 18 months, Sullivan pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after domestic disturbances in his home and was arrested for disorderly conduct at a bar in Nelsonville. Most recently, he has been accused of growing marijuana at his Millfield residence.
Together, all these incidences are still not enough to demand for his resignation.
The Ohio attorney general is still investigating these accusations, and it’s important to remember that, in America, a person is innocent until proven guilty.
With the marijuana accusations put aside, Sullivan’s sins consist of only isolated incidents stemming from what is clearly a rocky personal life. A few misdemeanors unrelated to his performance in a public office are not enough to ask a productive county commissioner to step down after 14 years of service.
By all accounts, Sullivan has done an outstanding job as a county commissioner. If the accusations do not affect his job performance, then there is no reason for him to abdicate his office based on misperceptions and hearsay.
Fellow Commissioner Lenny Eliason said Sullivan’s performance has not suffered because of the allegations and that, for now, there is no reason to step down.
There’s no question Sullivan has problems he needs to deal with at home. The repeated reports of domestic violence within the Sullivan home, as well as marital disputes that have played out in the media, are disturbing and have cast a negative light on his public office.
But before these incidents, Sullivan has maintained a clean record.
Sullivan is up for re-election next year. If the voters truly feel that the recent trouble in his private life has affected his public performance, then the polls will reveal so.
Meanwhile, the state’s investigation into the marijuana accusations remains ongoing. It’s not clear whether any of the most recent allegations leveled at Sullivan will be substantiated.
But until then, Sullivan owes it to his constituents to remain in the office he has held for more than a decade.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors.
Clarification: The Athens News’ editorial board did not comment on the issue. Instead, it was the opinion of Editor Terry Smith and not that of the entire newspaper.
