The two candidates for Athens County commissioner are vastly different from each other. Republican Larry Payne is obviously the more polished of the two candidates ' sometimes almost too polished, giving off the air of a pandering politician. But he has promising ideas for encouraging growth in Athens County. Democrat Jim Pancake, on the other hand, seems very genuine, but some of his proposed policies are of questionable value or feasibility. Taking all this into consideration, The Post endorses Larry Payne for Athens County Commissioner.
Payne will be able to apply his experience on the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and with the Farmers' Market to his duties as commissioner. Boosting the economy in Athens is a major concern, and Payne is better equipped to create policies to both help bring new jobs to Athens and keep existing businesses in the area.
Pancake has proposed getting rid of the $15 piggyback tax on license plates, which goes toward maintaining county roads. But Payne is right to suggest keeping them. No one likes taxes, but no one likes potholes, either. As Payne has said, the piggyback tax is a fair user tax ' drivers are the ones paying, and drivers are the ones using the roads.
However, Payne should consider some of Pancake's proposals. A cat shelter, for example, is a worthy goal if the funding can be found. As for the dog shelter, workplace-stress training is not going to be enough, and Payne needs to take it a little more seriously.
Payne has stressed that he is for leadership with a we
and if he is elected, he should put that idea into practice. Cooperation will be the key to stimulating the local economy and making Athens County a better place for both residents and students alike.
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