City, don't take away one of Athens' most positive assets

To the Editor:

Citizens of Athens, I am writing to express my disappointment regarding the treatment of Brown Town and other similar Do-It-Yourself spaces. I have personally attended numerous shows at Brown Town as well as other houses and can say confidently that these spaces are essential to the Athens community.

Furthermore, I have worked with many individuals from all levels of city government as an Ohio University community assistant. I understand the unique and often strained relationship between the city of Athens and the students of OU.

I understand that it is frustrating to concerned citizens when students treat the city as their playground for four years and then depart, leaving behind a mess for someone else to clean. However, I can say with certainty that the individuals creating DIY music spaces in their homes, while some may be students, are a different breed than those who burn couches, disrespect city authority and have little understanding of their impact on the community.

In fact, the DIY community in Athens and the Athens city administration and neighborhood associations share a common enemy. The goal of the DIY spaces in question is to combat this kind of mindless behavior and to create an inclusive, accountable community. This goal is one that extends beyond the individuals who created these spaces. It is the hope of these individuals that the spaces and community fostered by them will endure in Athens for decades to come. I have seen people of all kinds at Brown Town; there I have eaten chili with the mayor; I have seen an original play with young children; I have danced with students and their parents; I have enjoyed political discussions with permanent residents outside of the professional realm; and I have heard music by people from all over their country.

None of this would have been possible without the drive and dreams of the Action Committee. With all of the characters coming in and out of Athens all the time, people around the country are bound to take notice of our unique and wonderful town. However, for too long we have let irresponsible, un-invested students speak the loudest.

Athens is more than home to Ohio University; it is more than Halloween. For once, our city has a voice that is speaking to people from all over, and the message is an active, inclusive community. People are noticing. Please do not take away the most positive contribution that has been made to our home for a long time because of misplaced blame and city code formalities.

Hillary Brown
Ohio University graduate 2009
North Congress Street
Athens