Paul Wiehl first looked toward the mayoral seat before 2008 while he was sitting on the Athens Zoning Board of Appeals, in a position appointed by former Mayor Ric Abel.
Wiehl would defeat Abel, an 11-year incumbent, in the 2008 Democratic primary and win the general election.
Today, Republican challenger Randy Morris is sitting in a similar position on the Athens Commission on Disabilities, a spot appointed by Wiehl.
Morris, a 29-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, says his political career did not start with his spot on the commission but rather his unsuccessful run for City Council in 2009, when incumbent Christine Fahl defeated him for the council’s 4th Ward seat.
However, he said he has eyed the mayoral position since 1994, when, as an Ohio University professor, he heard former Mayor Don Barrett share his story of post-military political success.
“At that time … (Barrett) came to our Air Force ROTC events and told me he had been mayor of Athens after he retired from the Air Force (and that) he was very successful,” Morris said.
Despite the seemingly familiar appointment storyline, both Wiehl and Morris said they consider it a non-factor.
“I think that if they have an interest and there is a spot, then why not?” Wiehl said, addressing Morris’ spot on the commission. Wiehl added that he felt Morris has been a valuable asset and a well-engaged member on the commission.
The almost-friendly attitude between the candidates comes from a gentleman’s agreement of sorts to focus on the issues heading into the November elections, Morris said. Both have expressed interest in running a clean race and keeping the well-being of Athens a priority, he added.
“We’re running a good race. There are positive and then there are negative campaigns — democracy works better when the positive comes out,” Wiehl said.
“The good part about having an opponent is that it enables you to have good dialogue and articulate your positions."
ld311710@ohiou.edu
