As a member of Athens City Council, I was a little surprised to see your front page stating council opposes the moratorium (City council opposes moratorium
Oct. 15). I may be mistaken, but I do not recall being polled by The Post on this issue.
The moratorium, being a voter-based initiative, is not a council item; my vote and stance on it are, as an individual, for the voting booth.
That being said, I would like to apologize for the pace of the development of the Athens Comprehensive Plan. As a member of the plan's steering committee representing the Westside Community Association, I must take some responsibility for its overrun in both time and cost. This, I believe, is one of the reasons stated for putting forth the moratorium. The only excuse that I can offer is that plans, by their nature, take time to make and to unfold. For more information about the plan, contact any of the steering committee members or visit the Athens City Web site for parts of the draft plan (http://www.ci.athens.oh.us).
The other reasons, both pro and con, pertaining to the moratorium are too complex to cover in this letter. I would not characterize this issue as a simple question of being for or against it. If you wish to learn more about it, feel free to attend the league of women voters' forum on Issue 2. It is to be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19 at the Athens Community Center, Room C.
-Paul Wiehl is a city councilman representing the First Ward. Send him an e-mail at wiehlp@ohiou.edu. 17
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