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1. Global warming claims all hot air, says speaker at OU2. Police chief: City can’t stop parties before they start3. OU student charged with raping 17-year-old4. For most, the journey to Nine Fest seemed worth it5. Parties spun by OU alums have bootie-shakers raving6. Is another oil and gas land-rush starting in Athens?7. High St. student renters take on big local landlord8. Tanning parlor fights to get back into uptown Athens storefront9. Oak and Mill fests mellow down easy10. Landowners’ group renews leasing pitch11. City Council acts to ban ‘fracking’ in water supply area12. Wal-Mart asks judge to grant store win in shoplifter’s lawsuit13. Electric blue skies, May warmth frame music fest14. OU and city officials urge better fest behavior15. Pills defeated relative when no other drugs could do it16. David Alan Jones17. Local developers hoping to revive struggling hotel18. Festering fests; down, down deep; and the Golden Rule19. Hall of Fame baseball coach calls it a day at OU20. Nine Festers enjoy the sun and music, without the mud
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Home / Articles / Editorial / Letters / Your position on S.B. 5 should have nothing to do with mayoral vote
Wednesday, October 26,2011
Your position on S.B. 5 should have nothing to do with mayoral vote
To the Editor:
Whether you are for or against Senate Bill 5/Issue 2, that has absolutely nothing to do with selecting a mayor to lead Athens. And I'm tired of hearing opponents of S.B. 5 use this as a reason not to vote for Randy Morris.
Morris has publicly stated, regardless of his stance on the issue, that he will support the decisions of Ohio's voters. He has no more say on S.B. 5 than you or I do. It has no bearing on how capable he is to lead the city of Athens. Nor does it make Paul Wiehl any better of a leader.
So far, I've seen no solid arguments for re-electing Wiehl. Apparently, neither did the Athens NEWS in its "damned with faint praise" endorsement. And from the letters to the editor, I see that Wiehl goes to the Farmers Market and is against fracking. You could say the same about Randy Morris, on both accounts.
What we need in Athens is a LEADER – someone who can make critical decisions and build relations with his staff, citizens (residents and students), and Ohio University. Morris already has plans to improve Athens. He wants to work with the university to open Bobcat Lane. He wants to improve and repair city streets. He wants to improve building code enforcement and clean up the city. He wants to work with local business owners to grow jobs and the economy. Morris is a take-charge man of action. (Not indecisive, as Wiehl has criticized himself for being.)
Are you really going to pass up an opportunity to improve Athens, to see what solid leadership can do for us citizens, all because of an issue where Morris' vote counts no more than any of ours does?
Vote how you want on S.B. 5, but don't let this state issue affect your decision about local leadership.
Kim
Barlag
East
State Street
Athens
Also in Letters:
Forest Service apparently on verge of allowing oil-gas leasesWhat good does Ohio University provide to Athens community?City just encourages drunk-fests by closing traffic, recognizing eventsLet’s hope that climate change denial evaporates into stupidityFor decency’s sake, Time Warner, bring back Columbus CBS!Mitt Romney and Palmer Fest celebrants have much in commonWhy is city discriminating against people who want to rent out homes?Health commissioner is ignoring a lot of hard data that questions fluorideIf you’re disgusted by banking folly, you can express yourself locallyCity Council right to challenge state law on fracking regulation
to repeat. Indicating his position on Issue 2, Morris displays his level of respect (or rather lack of) public employees and unions. If you don't respect your workforce, progress will be limited, contrary to your claims.
Under Wiehl, police and firefighter positions have been CUT: http://www.athensnews.com/ohio/article-32802-city-balances-budget-by-cutting-shifting-positions.html. Wiehl is just paying lip service to gain your votes.
Morris has stated that he will work to add needed positions back to strengthen fire and police. Which shows more respect for our union first responders?
OHIO,
Paul is suppoprtingthe area workers, even if positions needed cut, he doesn't violate the unions rights to collective bargaining. randy has stated something about adding positions while supporting Issue 2, seems a bit confused!
Respect? Paul has earned it, and continues to do so. Which side of his mouth will Randy speak from next? He can't really be on both sides of the issue.
Randy Morris, as quoted in the ANEWS on October 5: "It doesn't matter if I support it or not, or if Paul supports it or not; the voters of Ohio are going to make a decision, and we as mayor, whoever wins, will have to adapt to that."
He is right of course. It doesn't matter; it's up to the Ohio voters and whoever is mayor will have to deal with it. How though that gets translated as Randy "lacking" respect for public workers is beyond me.
Have a look at how much Wiehl respects firefighters, not to mention the safety of the citizens of Athens:
http://www.athensmessenger.com/news/local/article_25e5de24-fce5-11e0-894e-001cc4c002e0.html
SEVERELY UNDERSTAFFED, may have to close a firehouse. Fire Chief has asked for more people for years.
Real respect.
Also, I think you might be confused about what Issue 2 is really all about. It may give the city more money to spend on Firefighters, public employees, etc. not less. "b", you're believing the hype about SB 5 and not the truth. Do a little more digging, I think.