The moratorium issue on Athens' upcoming ballot has sparked citywide attention and has received opposition from both local Democrats and Republicans.
The moratorium, if approved, would prohibit most development on undeveloped space in Athens for the next 18 months.
Supporters of moratorium, also know as Issue 2, say its passing is necessary to put some city plans into place. They say the futures of the city's comprehensive plan and Wellhead Protection Plan could be jeopardized by more development in Athens.
Opponents of the issue strongly disagree. I think there's some unanticipated outcomes that would come from passing Issue 2
said Athens City Councilman Dale Tampke, D-at-large.
General revenue funds to the city would be drastically cut, he said, because of the lost income tax from construction workers' salaries. For that reason, Tampke said, I can't support it.
It is important that citizens of Athens know the moratorium did not come from City Council, said Councilwoman Sarah Sexton, D-at-large.
The moratorium came from citizens and council did not propose or approve Issue 2, Tampke said.
Sexton said that while she understands supporters' sentiments regarding plan development, she does not support the moratorium.
As a student I'm concerned with student housing she said.
Sexton said that with such little off-campus housing available in Athens, students are forced to compete with each other for a place to live. Passing the moratorium would prevent new student housing from being built, and more student housing would improve the quality of housing by forcing realtors to compete for tenants.
The Athens County Republican Party's Central and Executive Committees also recently announced their opposition to Issue 2.
After hearing presentations from both supporters and opponents of the moratorium, the committee voted unanimously to oppose the issue, said Republican Party Chairman Pete Couladis.
The moratorium sends the message to business that
'We don't want you to come here. Stay out of Athens. We don't want jobs. We don't want growth
' he said.
Couladis also said the moratorium even appearing on the November ballot is already hurting business in Athens because people are holding back on attempting to obtain building permits as a result of the possibility of the moratorium.
Passing the moratorium would also hurt Ohio University students, Couladis said, because there would be no new jobs in Athens for students to work part time.
Couladis said the local Republican Party encouraged the Athens County Democratic Party to take a stand on the issue, in hopes the two groups could work together on the issue. But Amy Flowers, the executive director of the Athens Democrats, said the group is focusing on other campaign issues.
We're not getting involved. We're working to get John Kerry elected
she said.
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Jessica Forrester
