UPDATE: Troy Gregorino, booking manger for a local coffee shop, will challenge three Democrats for council seats in the fall. For The Post's interview with Gregorino, click here.
In a primary election in which only one race had any opposition, Athens voters selected three Democratic candidates to be on the November ballot to represent the city at large on Athens City Council.
Jennifer Cochran, a licensed massage therapist in the Athens area, along with incumbents Steve Patterson and Chris Knisely, will face off against any Independents that might decide to run over the summer. If no one challenges the three Democrats, Cochran will be the city's newest council member.
"I've knocked on a lot of doors, talked to a lot of people," Cochran said, adding that she thinks her experience working on County Commissioner Chris Chmiel’s election campaign contributed to her win Tuesday. "It's a real community effort."
She said the university and the city have an "interdependent relationship," and that as a council member, she'll want to broker better relationships with students and the city's permanent residents.
Of all the races on the ballot, only the at-large representatives on council faced any opposition from new prospects. The four council members who represent the city's wards ran unopposed, as did Council President Jim Sands. Athens Treasurer Mary Ann McClure also ran unopposed.
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UNOFFICIAL RESULTS:
Members of council at large:
Voters were asked to vote for not more than three. The three candidates with most votes get the Democratic Party's nomination for a spot on the November ballot.
Michael Bart
318 votes ... 12.66 percent
Jennifer Cochran
422 votes ... 17.60 percent
Chris Knisely (incumbent)
618 votes ... 24.60 percent
Ron Luce
406 votes ... 16 percent
Michael McSteen
208 votes ... 8 percent
Steve Patterson (incumbent)
520 votes ... 21 percent
For our profile of the candidates, click here.
Trimble Local School District Tax Levy:
An increase of 5 mills for "general permenant improvements" to start in 2014.
For the levy: 361 votes ... 48.92 percent
Against the levey: 377 votes ... 51.08 percent
Because of a close count in the unofficial results, stick with The Post for any updates regarding the levy's passage.
