As the Executive Board of Open Doors, Ohio University’s largest and oldest LGBT Student Union, we would like to publically thank Mike O’Brien for attending this week’s meeting. Mike is the first commissioner candidate in Athens County history to attend our meeting and speak one-on-one with our members about their concerns. In fact, he is one of only two county candidates to speak to our student group in recent Athens history, the other being Sheriff Pat Kelley during his first run for office. O’Brien’s demeanor was relaxed, gregarious and friendly, adding a warm and cheerful atmosphere to our meeting. All this aside, his point-blank statements and unapologetic progressive views at both our meeting and Tuesday’s candidate forum captivated us.
No candidate has been more public or unwavering in his support for the rights of our LGBT citizens throughout Athens County than Mike O’Brien. In the candidate’s forum on Tuesday night, Mike clearly stated his position on LGBT issues, “I support domestic partnership benefits for LGBT citizens in our county. When over 100 members of the fortune 500 already offer these benefits to employees, such a stance makes our county more attractive to perspective businesses, and it is simply the right thing to do." Mike further elaborated on this position during our general meeting Wednesday by saying, “I am intolerant of intolerance.” We fully support Mike O’Brien’s leadership and efforts to further the cause for equality throughout our communities and county.
Beyond the issue of LGBT equality, O’Brien’s stance on other issues also aligns with many of the concerns of our student body and local county residents. Many members of Open Doors, like other citizens throughout the county, want to see a swift end to the use of gassing in the local Athens County Dog Shelter. Mike O'Brien is the ONLY candidate to vow to do this immediately and to remove the gas chamber completely. At Tuesday’s forum Mike said matter-of-factly, “There is a clear solution to this problem, we need a no-kill shelter … in the meantime, we must immediately end this inhumane practice of gassing animals.”
This election is about crucial issues and concerns to Athens County residents. We are a unique community composed of a great diversity of people. As a veteran, former local business owner, OU alumnus, fourth generation veteran, former SEIU member, and a proactive progressive, Mike represents the diversity and uniqueness of our different communities and our county. We encourage Athens County to vote for Mike O’Brien for County Commissioner on March 6.
Michael Pistrui and Katie Meisky are the co-chairs for Open Doors.
