Athens is a unique place.
That is especially evident to someone in my shoes. I was born at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital and have lived in Athens my entire life. I am the son of a university professor and counselor (also, soon-to-be city council member).
I take classes at Athens High School and Ohio University. That gives me a taste of both sides of every issue that affects Athens and OU, ranging from national politics to whether OU should help the city pay for a new fire truck.
Growing up in Athens comes with some special experiences. For starters, local high school students such as myself see the effects of alcohol and drugs every weekend on Court Street.
We grow up seeing events such as Halloween draw tens of thousands to Athens, causing massive headaches for local law enforcement and the “townies.” We constantly hear a townie opinion that OU and its students cause a drain on local resources.
But at the same time, we get to encounter an incredible college experience from a very young age.
Growing up in a college town teaches one many lessons, as well as providing opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else (such as writing a column in a college newspaper as a high school/college student).
Kids in Athens also get to prepare themselves for college life in a way many cannot. We can experience what it’s like to be in college by taking post-secondary classes and get a taste of the college social life.
Because of those things, I felt I could offer a perspective on life in Athens that is sometimes difficult for both sides to see and understand.
That is the goal of this column: to educate both OU students and Athenians on local issues, the ways they affect both groups and why each should care.
But before I get into any of those issues, I think it is important to start by talking about some facts many students — and even some Athenians — might not know about Athens and the surrounding area.
The first stunning — and most often forgotten fact — is that Athens County has a poverty rate slightly more than 30 percent. Many that live in the City of Athens forget that as they are mostly insulated from it by one of the biggest employers in Southeast Ohio.
Without OU, Athens would be yet another Appalachian town suffering from the decline of mining and manufacturing. And here’s another interesting fact: The ratio of OU students to permanent Athens residents is almost one-to-one. Does that mean that students should have a larger say in local government?
Another problem that accompanies that are the challenges a student population brings to Athens. Should OU contribute more to the city because of its population? Or should the culture the students bring Athens be enough to pay off those challenges?
The students bring a unique sense of culture and activity to OU which includes cherished Athenian events without which the city wouldn’t be the same.
OU and the City of Athens have a relationship that might be tense at times but is crucial for the survival of both parties.
Will Drabold is a junior at Athens High School enrolled in Ohio University classes and a columnist for The Post. Have any town-gown issues? Email Will at dd195710@ohiou.edu.
