With every member of Athens City Council up for reelection this November, Republicans and Democrats are already bracing for a dogfight over council seats in the county's largest city.
But last week, one current council member said she will not take part in the political fray.
Councilwoman Sherry Coon, D-2nd Ward, announced late last week that she will not seek another term.
Coon ran unopposed and was elected in 2007. An Athens High School graduate, she spent 20 years as a legal assistant to former Athens County Democratic Party chairwoman Susan Gwinn.
Coon also worked for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce prior to her election.
Following Coon's announcement, it didn't take long for one Athens Democrat to throw his hat into the race for Coon's seat.
Jeff Risner, 59, announced Friday that he will run for the Democratic nomination for Coon's 2nd Ward council seat.
I feel that my extensive work experience and education will be of great value to the council
Risner said in a statement.
A 26-year Athens County resident, Risner is an instructor of information technology and computer science at The University of Rio Grande. He is also president of the Ohio Plein Air Society.
I will be going door to door in the next several weeks to discuss issues of importance with my fellow citizens he said.
County Republicans hope to field a candidate to contest whoever wins the Democratic primary for the 2nd Ward council seat.
We've got a few people thinking about running for council said Pete Couladis, chairman of the Athens County Republican Party.
He added that it has been tough finding candidates to run for the council seats. Currently, all of the council's eight members are Democrats.
There doesn't seem to be much interest
Couladis said. A lot of it will depend on Athens' business community and if some of them decide to run.
1
News
Wesley Lowery
33118a.jpg
