“Planning” — as it applied to annexation and handicapped accessibility — proved to be a buzzword for at-large Athens City Council candidates at Tuesday night’s candidates forum.
The six candidates praised the current administration’s efforts to bolster town-gown relations and develop the city economy but called for greater protection of the city’s disabled population and a cautious consideration of annexation.
Throughout the city’s development of South Richland Avenue, in particular, the city needs to be cognizant of the needs posed by disabled pedestrians who need curb cuts, said Councilman Steve Patterson, D-at large.
“We need to do a better job of making sure our city is all-inclusive to everyone,” Patterson said.
Patterson and Democratic candidate Michael Bart, manager at Avalanche Pizza and local DJ, both pinpointed the city’s parks as areas that are especially concerning for disabled residents.
Democratic candidate Jennifer Cochran, a longtime Athens resident and massage therapist, said city officials should work more closely with property owners to encourage sidewalk maintenance throughout the city.
“I’d like the city to work more closely with property owners to ensure proper upkeep and repair of sidewalks and potentially putting in more sidewalks where there are none,” Cochran said.
Beyond infrastructural developments, Democratic candidate Ron Luce, executive director of the Athens County Historical Society & Museum, said he would be in favor of renovating the Athens city bus service to accommodate disabled riders.
“This should be part of our planning in everything we do,” Luce said. “I think that we have a public transportation system … that needs to be designed in such a way that takes care of people with disabilities.”
While enhancing handicapped accessibility in the city, officials should consider expanding the city limits to accommodate future economic growth, Luce said.
Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-at large, said she would take a cautious approach toward annexation in order to maximize the city’s economic potential.
“On the one hand, that is an interesting prospect for the city because … there is the potential for more income,” Knisely said. “Along with that, though, when you build and you build for businesses, you have costs that are far greater for the infrastructure.”
As the city considers corporation expansion, though, it must carefully work alongside county officials to coordinate tax and infrastructure changes, said Democratic candidate Michael McSteen, a web developer and owner of Athens Media Pros.
“You’d want to look into … how you work with the county on separating that tax base from them and bringing into the city,” McSteen said. “It has to be something you’d have to study and look at and see the cost-benefit.”
The forum was held at the Athens Public Library and was put on by the League of Women Voters of Athens County.
sh335311@ohiou.edu
