Athens City Council has reached the outrageous conclusion that Ohio University should front about a quarter of a new ladder truck's cost.
The city has already saved $640,000 in order to replace a 22-year-old Athens Fire ladder truck, and is requesting money from the university after passing a resolution. Should the university accept, the contribution would consist of a $50,000 installment each year for the next five years, totaling $250,000.
Mayor Paul Wiehl reasoned that because about a third to half of all ladder truck calls are on university property, it necessitates a university contribution.
Of course a good many calls would be on university property. A majority of Athens' population is affiliated with the university. Without the university, Athens would lose its local economy.
Councilwoman Christine Fahl, D-4th Ward, said, When you look at other costs the city covers when it comes to the university
(only asking for $50 000) is extraordinarily nice of us.
But the extraordinarily nice thing the city should do is not to ask OU right now. The university's budget is in terrible condition and will soon be facing substantial cuts.
Ohio University is a public university in a city. It is not a private institution freely using public resources. It provides jobs for Athens residents. It should not need to provide ladder trucks.
In addition, the city cannot pick and choose what it thinks the university should start funding when Athens cannot cover the costs itself.
There have to be other options for receiving the necessary funds to purchase the $1.03 million truck - a price reduced from a previous estimate of $1.6 million. Council has already contemplated selling the old truck to a smaller municipality.
What bothers us most is students will have to foot the bill despite the fact they might not be living in Athens by the time the truck is purchased. It's ridiculous to request non-permanent residents pay for a service from which they will benefit for only a few years or not benefit from at all.
It is unfair to place a burden on students who happen to attend OU just when the city has decided to replace its fire truck.
Editorials represent the majority view of The Post's executive editors.
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Opinion
Students should not help Athens fund new fire truck
