A resounding chorus of “Congratulations, Coach!” echoed in the packed Tony’s Tavern after news broke that Steve Patterson secured a Democratic nomination in last night’s primary for an Athens City Council at-Large seat, joining incumbents Christine Knisely and Elahu Gosney.
Newcomer Patterson, an Ohio University psychology professor and Faculty Senate member, garnered 652 votes, or 24.89 percent.
“It feels great,” Patterson said. “It makes all of the campaigning worth it.”
Offering strong jobs to OU graduates so they will stay in Athens needs to be a goal for council, Patterson said. Strengthening the city’s infrastructure is also essential to developing the economy, he added.
Knisely received 662 votes, (25.27 percent), and Gosney, an OU graduate student, secured his position as a Democratic nominee with 635 votes, (24.24 percent), according to the Athens County Board of Elections.
As part of his plans for council, Gosney said he would continue focusing on promoting green energy to push Athens to the forefront of green technology.
“There are things that Athens can do better,” said Gosney. “We can always do better.”
Council needs to work toward greater student involvement with local politics, Knisely said, adding that the upcoming budgetary cuts should be a focus for the city.
All three nominees said they had respect for the candidates who lost and hope their former opponents remain involved in Athens politics.
Maxine Rantane, a 30-year Athens resident and owner of the Athens Bicycle Shop, received 313 votes (11.95 percent), according to the Board of Elections.
“I am disappointed that I lost,” Rantane said, “but I think the right people won.”
Nate Hall, a third-year OU student and president of Ohio University College Democrats, totaled 233 votes (8.89 percent), according to the Board of Elections.
Hall said now that the primaries are over, local Democrats must come together.
“We have to shift from competing against each other to presenting a united front for Mayor Paul Wiehl’s campaign against Randy Morris,” Hall said.
Ibriham Alassaf, also a third-year OU student, received 125 votes (4.77 percent), according to the Board of Elections.
Because no Republican candidates filed to run for the at-Large seats and the deadline for independents has passed, the three candidates who won Democratic nominations tonight might be uncontested in the November election.
Primary results will not be officially certified until May 19, when the Board of Elections counts provisional and absentee ballots.
“I’m really excited,” Patterson said. “I am tied into this city and the entire community. I plan on dying here.”
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