I am writing this short letter to clear up a few points that were made in a recent letter to the editor, in The Post, where Paul Wiehl was labeled as an anti-student candidate for mayor. This simply is not true! Paul lives in a mixed student/long-term residential neighborhood, unlike Ed Baum, who has few students as neighbors. Paul works with students every day in his current job at the university. Paul has many students who are supporting him for mayor and many more who are helping with his campaign.
It is doubtful that the students whom support Paul really care who loves Halloween more, Ed Baum or Paul. These are students who care about the quality of life here in Athens and believe in sustainable growth for our city. In other words, they understand the need for providing good quality student housing, but believe we can do this in a sustainable manner ' without sacrificing aesthetics or environmental integrity. Most of Paul's supporters, I would contend, do not advocate clear-cutting forests, leveling hillsides by moving 100,000 tons of dirt, to build mega apartment complexes.
I don't know if Paul loves Halloween or not, though I have been his friend and neighbor for 28 years. To me this is a pretty trivial point. What I do know is that Paul's main concern in regards to Halloween is the cost to the taxpayers. Paul would like to see Halloween become fiscally neutral. Paul likes the idea of having a beer garden during the event. Maybe the profits from selling beer could offset the extra money needed for overtime pay for city employees. Paul Wiehl is a very flexible person and a great problem solver. He would certainly be open to suggestions from students on this subject and has stated that he would like to see the university play a more active role in planning Halloween.
One thing I do know is that Paul would never try to stop the Halloween party. Paul is not stupid! In fact, one of the main reasons I am supporting Paul Wiehl for mayor is because he is one of the most intelligent people I know. He is like a walking encyclopedia when it comes to knowing and understanding the city's codes, the new comprehensive plan and the many complexities of how the city operates. We are so lucky to have Paul Wiehl running for mayor. Please check out his Web site at paulforathens.org to find out for yourself what he stands for.
Linda Hiller is a former City Council representative for Ward 1 and a resident of Athens.
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Letter to the Editor
