The recent letter by Professor Chuck Overby needs a response.
Only in the People’s Republic of Athens would someone be attacked and denigrated for their military service.
If Overby is ashamed of his military service, so be it. He is not among the 99 percent.
Most of us veterans — the 99 percent — are not ashamed of our military service.
But, there is more to Overby’s mindless attack on Randy Morris.
We had a military man as mayor a few years ago.
The late Col. Donald Barrett was elected mayor of Athens in 1972 and served us well during his tenure in office. Mayor Barrett was recognized by Republicans, Democrats and independents as a good man and an effective mayor.
He was very helpful to me when I was first elected to City Council in 1975. We worked well together, and he was not a threat to our “beautiful little democracy.”
I don’t recall Professor Overby warning us back then of the dangers of having a retired colonel as mayor. In fact, there is another candidate for city office this year who is a retired Air Force officer.
Steve Patterson is running for City Council. Does the good professor think Steve Patterson is a danger to our city because of his military service? Where are the letters attacking Steve Patterson?
Maybe Professor Overby believes that being a veteran and a mayor — who happens to be a Democrat — is fine, but being a Republican mayor makes one a danger to our “beautiful little democracy.”
Pete Couladis is the Athens County Republican Party chairman and a former U.S. Army officer.
