Student-specific questions took center stage at last night’s Athens mayoral debate as the candidates made their stances known via forum for the second time this election season.
Republican challenger Randy Morris and Democratic incumbent Paul Wiehl answered a series of 10 questions last night in The Front Room at Baker University Center.
A panel of OU students, including a representative from The Post and members of Student Senate, posed the questions to the candidates in front of a crowd of about 25.
The panel touched on possible public safety improvements; both candidates said they were in favor of increasing lighting both on and off campus.
The candidates also discussed student involvement with government, each stressing different approaches.
City government belongs to everybody,” Wiehl said. “Getting involved is just what you want to do. Students can do it at anytime; the doors are open.”
However, Morris said efforts to increase student involvement should come from city government officials.
“There ought to be a reaching out to students with things like monthly meetings with the mayor with Student Senate or other organizations, or opening a lunch with the mayor,” Morris said. “The mayor needs to be more in tune with (student) issues, and there needs to be an outreach.”
Morris spoke out on his support of Issue 2 in his closing statements. If Issue 2 is voted down Nov. 8, it will repeal Ohio Senate Bill 5, which limits the collective bargaining rights of public workers.
“Issue 2 will either be a pass or a fail based on the votes from the people of Ohio, and the next mayor is just going to have to deal with it,” he said. “So please remember these are two things you’re voting on; they are not connected in my opinion.”
In Wiehl’s closing remarks, he said he has given his best over his last four years as mayor and asked student voters to give him another four to work with.
“I feel I’ve done a good job in terms of relations with the university; I stand up for the city,” he said. “I’m doing my best and will continue to do my best over the next four years as mayor.”
jj360410@ohiou.edu
