The Best of Athens 2012 - People

Best Athens County Public Figure

Paul Wiehl

Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl has notched yet another victory in the Best Athens County Public Figure category, his fifth straight. In a bit of a zen twist, however, Wiehl also placed second in the negative category, Best Local (Current) Politicians that We Hope Will Go Far Away.

Our abiding hope is that we can get all of the Paul-lovers to square off against all the Paul-Haters (OK, Paul-Dislikers is a bit less harsh) in a Shuffleboard Battle to the Death (OK, let's dial back the harsh again; how 'bout "Battle to the Scraped Elbow"?).

Anyway, Paul does have a low-key style, which is an asset that can't be underestimated in this hot-bed of ideological intensity that's otherwise known as the sleepy little burg of Athens.

First runner-up goes to Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly, with the third-place honors going to former Ohio University President Charles Ping.

Other public figures with a decent number of votes, in order of placement, include Ohio House Rep. Debbie Phillips, Athens Law Director Pat Lang (a candidate for Congress), Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason, and Good Works Director Keith Wasserman.

After that, a few dozen local public figures received five or fewer votes.

Best local politician we hope will go far

State Rep. Debbie Phillips

With regard to going far, we know that state Rep. Debbie Phillips, the Democrat from Albany, already puts a lot of turns on the ol' odometer. But let's not be so literal. Phillips obviously has the support of her adoring public as well. She's the rep with the pep, and it's been said that if working hard were cool, Phillips would be Miles Davis. Facing re-election this coming fall, Phillips should be pleased that her stable of well-wishers remains strong well, at least strong enough to win Best of Athens.

Up second is Athens Mayor Paul "The Wiehl-d Thing" Wiehl, who won re-election himself this past fall. Wiehl started off as a scientist and can often be found in the bowels of the City Building, surrounded by beakers and bananas, conducting hair-brained experiments designed to promote the public good, and we thank him for it.

Placing third is Athens Law Director Pat Lang, who is running for U.S. Congress this season. Voters apparently think Pat can go Lang in the race! Hi Yo! A good pun is its own reword.

Best local politician we hope will go far away

Jimmy Stewart

Strictly speaking, Jimmy Stewart is no longer a working politician. After casting the decisive vote for Ohio Senate Bill 2, a wildly unpopular measure to limit public-sector union bargaining rights, Stewart, a state senator, saw the writing on the electoral wall and high-tailed it into a nice comfy job as president of the Ohio Gas Association.

Apparently some degree of animosity still lingers in the elephantine memories of our readers, however, who this year voted Stewart the politician they would most wish to see take an extended sojourn in a distant land. Him and the horse he rode in on.

First runner-up is Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl, who oddly enough also took the second slot in the category Best Local Politician We Hope Will Go Far, which is rather a positive category in contrast to this one, which is kind of a pimp-slap. He also placed first in Best Public Figure, which is more of a beauty contest.

Third place goes to Athens County Auditor Jill Thompson, though what she might have done to piss anybody off is a little hard to fathom. Maybe she messed up a lot of dog licenses or something?

Best Local News Media Person

Bob Beyette

The Athens NEWS has been shrouded in a black, soggy blanket of gloom since the results of this year's voting for Best Local News Media Person were tallied.

Once again, WATH/WXTQ radio news director Bob Beyette, on the strength of a shamelessly pandering get-out-the-vote campaign that appealed to the lowest impulses of the American public, has managed to rob Athens NEWS Editor Terry Smith of the honor that in any sane world would be his by divine right.

Smith has been inconsolable since learning that yet again, he must taste of the bitter fruit known as "first runner-up." He goes on crying jags, refuses to take any nourishment, and spends hours gazing out the window, muttering, "Why? Why?" You must be real proud of yourself, Bob.

Next in line was Chris Riddle of WOUB radio. These results are exactly the same as they were last year.

Other double-digit vote-getters include Fred Kight (WOUB), Jim Phillips (Athens NEWS) and Meredith Jensen (Athens Messenger).

Best veterinarian

Stephen Abfall

For this category, the Best of Athens Elections Board relaxed its usual rules to accept votes from poky puppies, fluffy kittens, darting goldfish, jumpy gerbils, and even the odd smelly ferret.

After we were forced to disqualify our original top two finishers, the dead but still beloved James Herriot, and someone our voters identified only as "Dr. Dolittle," first place went to Stephen Abfall.

He's the best doggone vet in the county, and we're not just horsing around. No kidding, he's the cat's pajamas. We know for a fact he would never tease a weasel; the weasel would not like it, and teasing isn't nice.

Second runner-up was Greg Allen, of Allen Pet Clinic in The Plains, followed by John Kroner, of Kroner Animal Care.

Also pulling quite a few votes was Erik Aanestad of the Athens Veterinary Clinic.

Best Local Entrepreneur

Art Oestrike

Ah, the entrepreneur. A figure of American legend. Bold, innovative, risk-taking. Altogether Ayn Randian. And who is the most entrepreneurial entrepreneur engaging in economic enterprise in Athens? Our readers assure us it's Art Oestrike, owner of the Jackie O's Brew Pub and Public House.

First runner-up is Brent Hayes, who has so many development projects and businesses going on locally, we can't keep track of them all.

Coming in close behind is Bob Satmary of O'Betty's Red Hot! hot-dog restaurant – now with two convenient locations in the uptown Athens area!

Others drawing decent numbers of votes include Jess and Jason Kopelwitz of Fluff Bakery, and Jade Mu of Lui Lui's restaurant.

Best Local Business Owner

Art Oestrike

In both business-oriented categories in this year's Best of Athens survey, Best Local Business Owner and Best Entrepreneur, Art Oestrike, the impresario behind Jackie O's Brew Pub and Public House, came out on top. Oestrike has come a long way since acquiring the former O'Hooley's, and expanding his business into the adjoining space that used to house Skipper's Pub (and before that, the Townhouse restaurant).

With Jackie O's, Oestrike matched O'Hooley's reputation as one of Athens' top live music venues, and then raised the stakes by adding the large Public House space for regular music acts every week. Not to mention, the hand-crafted beers offered by Jackie O's are plenty of reason to frequent the place even without live music.

First runner-up in this category goes to Bob Satmary, owner of O'Betty's Red Hot!, which just opened a second outlet in uptown Athens. Second runner-up is Jade Mu of Lui Lui Restaurant in the Station Project shopping area on the west side.

Best Community Volunteer

Keith Wasserman

In the new category of Best Community Volunteer, the winner by a small landslide is Keith Wasserman, head of the Good Works homeless shelter in Athens. Given that Wasserman runs the only facility for the homeless in a nine-county area, it's understandable that his work might be appreciated.

First runner-up goes to a couple, Jim and Sara Co.

Other runners-up include Lucy Stevens and the Nelsonville Public Library, and Rhonda Bentley, director of the Nelsonville Community Center.

Best Local Rabble-Rouser

Chad Kister

In the newly minted category of Best Local Rabble-Rouser, longtime local environmental activist Chad Kister takes top honors. Over the past two decades, Kister, a former OU student, has made the news dozens of times in Athens, perhaps most substantially for his consistent criticism of plans to coal-mine under Ohio University's old-growth forest in Belmont County, Dysart Woods. Kister also repeatedly slammed OU for actions and plans that he felt endangered the environment on the university-owned Ridges property.

Coming in second in this new category is local businessman Demetrios Prokos, with second place a tie between Donkey Coffee manager Steve Turrill and Athens NEWS Editor Terry Smith.

One popular response was something along the lines of "What the hell is a rabble-rouser?"

To answer that question, "Webster's New World Dictionary" defines the word as, "A person who tries to arouse people to anger, hatred or violent actions by appeals to emotions, prejudices, etc.; demagogue."

Yikes, not exactly a dictionary endorsement, though keep in mind that many critics described the founding fathers of this great nation as "rabble-rousers."

Most Annoying Athens County public figure

Roderick McDavis

In terms of annoying our readership, apparently Ohio University President Roderick McDavis takes the cake. And in fact, that's part of the problem. The well-known confectionary thief has been at it again, wreaking havoc at local weddings and birthday parties. OK, so we don't know that for sure. Perhaps he just talks during movies. Either way, whatever he's doing, it has worn on the affections of enough of our readers to hand him the questionable honor of Most Annoying Athens County Public Figure.

We suspect that to some extent, McDavis winning this category has something to do with him presiding over a big university that's experienced its share of (mostly) budget-related controversy over the past several years.

Coming in as second-most perturbing public figure is Susan Gwinn, the former Athens County Democratic Party chair. She wins despite the fact that she hasn't been in the public eye for more than a year. Can't you people move on, for crying out loud?

Third most annoying public figure, according to our readers, is Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason. Unsettling habits of drinking directly out of the milk container, sucking on his straw when his drink is finished and standing over others' shoulder while they read all contributed to this dubious distinction for Eliason. In fact, he's standing over my shoulder reading this right now.

Best local law enforcement officer

Sheriff Pat Kelly

Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly comes in with the big win for Best Law Enforcement Officer in this year's Best of Athens survey. Athens County criminals take notice and beware, the big dawg is out and he doesn't bark; he just bites. Kelly is like a hybrid of McGruff the Crime Dog, Joe Friday, Axel Foley, Lt. Frank Columbo and Harry Callahan. Make his day, if you dare, punks.

Pulling in second place for best law enforcement officer is Officer Rick Crossen of the Athens Police Department. For many years, Crossen has run the department's D.A.R.E. program. Crossen teaches kids to resist drugs and violence like no other.

Placing third is Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle, who was named the next chief a little less than a year ago and appears to be doing a fine job of it. He's certainly knows how to handle an interview, something that we couldn't say about well, never mind.

Best radio personality/DJ

Robin Barnes

When it comes to spinning the tastiest licks, Robin Barnes of WATH/WXTQ has no match according to Best of Athens voters. Barnes is the rise-and-shine disc jockey for FM Power 105 and she's got the hits to make every morning legit with choice selections.

Waking up and starting one's day to Barnes' voice is like being gently roused into consciousness by the power of love itself, her soothing tones dripping through the radio speakers like fresh coffee into a pot.

Mark Hellenberg of WOUB's "Crossing Boundaries" comes in second in this category. Hellenberg's tune-savviness produces a broad array of thigh-slapping goodness each evening for listeners. In third is last year's honorable mention, Chris Riddle, another WOUB disc jockey, known to always delight.