There are many important issues for students to consider on their ballots this November.
Issue 2 is polarizing; there is little doubt. Issue 3 has its detractors and supporters, and I will leave everyone to make their own decisions on both.
The race that ought to play a little closer to the students’ hearts here in Athens is that for Athens mayor. Randy Morris is a popular local running against the incumbent Mayor Paul Wiehl. This important race requires diligent deliberation, and from my standpoint, there is only one logical choice.
Having worked with the city on a number of student issues ranging from the noise ordinance to the fire truck as a member of Student Senate, some officials in the city have a tendency to cast local issues in a light that pits city interests at odds with student interests.
Though the city did wind up changing the noise ordinance in a way that works better for students, it took years and a minimum of two energetic student initiatives to show the city that student opinion would not just fade away.
I applaud the decision to amend the law, though I am still at a loss for what took so long.
Randy Morris has just announced a visible student-outreach directive for his campaign. This is the first directive from a candidate for local office that I have seen in my years as an Athens resident and student of Ohio University.
This is exactly the sort of attention that student issues have needed all along. Though Morris himself is a permanent resident and will doubtless represent the permanent-resident population in a way that will make any Athenian proud, his foresight regarding student outreach is both refreshing and lucid.
Given his extensive experience in the armed forces and private sector and given his advocacy since his arrival in Athens, there is not a doubt in my mind that Morris will make a capable and effective mayor who will give all Athenians a fair hearing.
I urge students to get engaged in the process and do their research.
I am confident that when they do, they will come to the same conclusion that I have in favor of Randy Morris for Athens mayor.
Christopher Wimsatt is a senior studying political science, treasurer for Ohio University Student Senate, political director for Ohio University College Republicans and the executive director of KNOW Noise Task Force.
