Kent Butler will continue serving on Athens City Council as first ward representative for another term.
Butler won the first ward election against challenger Brian Cristi with about 80 percent of the vote.
Butler has served on city council for nearly 10 years. He was first approached by first ward constituents about running in 2008, when former Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl was leaving city council to run for mayor. He has held his seat in city council since then.
Butler is an Ohio University alum with a master’s degree in education in rehabilitation counseling. He is also the executive director of the Hocking Valley Community Residential Center, along with his position on city council.
He currently chairs the City and Safety Services Committee, which deals with city infrastructures and public safety services, and believes the main issues facing Athens are aging infrastructure and the opioid epidemic.
“I think we need to continue to engage and listen to community members about the direction they want to see their city grow,” Butler said in a previous interview with The Post.
Butler said he has become associated with “LGBT friendly and inclusive legislation” and making Athens more pedestrian and bike-friendly during his previous terms.
The first ward race was one of the few contested races in this year’s local elections. The first ward encompasses the west side of Athens.
