Student voters apathetic, could make a difference in local elections
By Samantha Pirc, Campus Life writer
November 5, 2007 | 3 p.m.
With the first Tuesday in November fast approaching and campaigns coming to a close, most Ohio University students will have one thing on their mind on Election Day: finals.
Although Ohio University students spend nine months out of the year living in Athens, the majority seems to feel disconnected and uninterested in city politics. Outside of political science majors or students involved in political organizations on campus, it is hard to find someone who is informed (and cares) about the local city elections.
“I’m sure [the elections] are important,” sophomore Bernadette Gallagher said, “but I don’t know why it matters to me.”
“I’m too worried about other stuff like tests and classes to worry about the elections,” sophomore Katherine Clement agreed. “The only way I think [local elections] affect me is with Halloween.”
Sophomore Amy Nordrum is registered in Athens but is not planning on voting in the elections.
“I’ve heard about them, but I don’t care,” Nordrum said. “I feel like I should, but I just don’t.”
A problem with students not voting in the upcoming elections is that, unlike Nordrum, many are already registered in their hometowns, making them unable to vote on Nov. 6 unless they gain an absentee ballot. Groups on campus try to promote Athens voter registration for students so that they become more involved in the community, but some still have reservations.
Gallagher said that she would never register in Athens because her two older siblings did so when they attended OU, and one was called down for jury duty during the summer.
Patrick Muhlberger, a sophomore and an out-of-state student from Maryland, is registered in his hometown, but he doesn’t vote there either.
“I don’t even know who my governor is,” Muhlberger said.
The few students on campus who are involved in politics, particularly in the local elections, feel strongly about getting their classmates to vote.
Drew Goland, a member of OU College Democrats, is involved in the campaign to elect Pat Lang as Athens law director. He said that although students may not realize it, they have much to gain from the local elections, especially when they live or are planning to live off-campus.
Goland pointed out that it is local officials, not the OU administration, that has a say in the code law and enforcement regarding landlords and rentals in the city.
“I think it’s almost insulting to the community for students not to vote here,” Goland said. “It’s like saying, ‘Yeah, I’m going to live here, go to school here, party here and have four of the best years of my life here, but I’m not actually going to take any stake in the community because I’m just using Athens to have a good time and pass through."
Patrick McFadden, a communications major who is also working on the Pat Lang campaign, agrees with Goland. He said that it is "above and beyond our civil duty, nay, our privilege to vote in the city we spend the majority of our year in," and students planning to live off campus have the most to gain by taking part in city elections and voting for the right people.
He cited personal experience and the experiences of his friends with bad landlords from a specific company as examples of why students should try and vote in city elections.
Here is a quick overview of the candidates running for election in Athens. Use it to become an informed voter or read through it to become a student who knows something more about the city than which bars on Court Street don’t card.
Candidates for city council at-large
Jim Sands, Democrat
Sands is a Democratic incumbent candidate who was born and raised in Athens. He graduated from OU and went on to serve four years in the U.S. Navy. A co-owner of the Athens Flower shop, Sands has served as a council member at-large since his first election in 1997.
Amy Flowers, Democrat
Flowers is also a Democratic incumbent candidate running for re-election. Flowers is from Morgan County and graduated from OU with a degree in political science.
Elahu Gosney, Democrat
Gosney is a Democratic candidate born and raised in Athens. He graduated from OU with a degree in biochemistry and is now enrolled in the doctoral program. He also works as a lab technician in a research lab on campus. Gosney has been a part of many progressive groups that promote social justice, including MoveOn.org, America Votes and InterAct.
Troy Gregorino, Independent
Gregorino is an Independent candidate who identifies himself as a “freethinking democratic socialist.” He is a graduate from Kent State University and is also a local musician and front man for the band The Jarts.
Cindy Johnson, Independent
Johnson is an Independent write-in candidate.
Candidates for Athens mayor
Paul Wiehl, Democrat
Wiehl is the Democratic candidate for Athens mayor. He began his public service by attending city council meetings for 10 years, questioning decisions and bringing attention to legal flaws. He served five years on the Zoning Board of Appeals and has served two terms on Council. Wiehl also worked as an OU scientific laboratory technician for 25 years.
Ed Baum, Independent
Baum is currently campaigning for this election as an Independent, although previously he has ran as a Republican. He is a retired OU professor of Public Administration with a doctorate from UCLA in political science. He has lived in Athens since 1964 and has an extensive resume of positions including eight years of service on Athens City Council, six years as director of the Center for International Studies at OU and four years as an administrative worker in a developmental program in Nigeria.
Candidates for Athens law director
Garry Hunter, Republican
Hunter is the Republican incumbent candidate seeking his eighth re-election, having served as law director since 1977. He advises the city council and oversees all city contracts, laws and resolutions. Hunter recently created controversy by sending out a mass e-mail to all OU students.
Patrick Lang, Democrat
Lang is the Democratic candidate for law director. An OU alumnus, Lang is currently assistant county prosecutor, and he served on city council from 1998 to 1999.