Let me begin by saying that I have not been prompted to write a letter to you for a very long time; however, the editorial in The Post concerning the overlap of city and university positions causing residents to question ethics really got to me.
My father always said to me, If you are not part of the solution
you might be part of the problem.
Most of the people they are referring to are duly elected by the citizens of the city of Athens, members of City Council who are trying to find solutions to the problems facing this city today that ultimately affect all of us.
I am sure that most of these representatives of Athens will tell you themselves that their overwhelming lust for power and the millions of dollars these positions pay per year is the reason that they spend their time and energy sitting in Council Chambers every Monday for hours of full session meetings or Committee meetings, as well as listening to constituents who call them at home or see them in public.
Fact: The legislative power of the City is composed of seven members, four elected by wards and three elected by the city at-large. The members are elected in odd-numbered years and serve a 2-year term.
The rules on running for council are clear and concise. If you think you can do a better job, I would encourage you to run for elected office. I would like to caution you, however, to make sure first that ' to be sure there is no accusation of conflict of interest ' you should not be a landlord or a tenant, employed by one of the major employers in the area, own property within the city, own a business within the city, provide any goods or services to the residents of this city, not engage in the purchase or sale of homes or property within this city or have children or grandchildren in any of the above categories and I am sure the list goes on to cover many more conflicts I didn't mention.
In fact, it would seem that the less interest you have in this city, the better a lawmaker and politician you may be for the city of Athens and the people you are going to represent. Melissa Knight writes from New Marshfield 17
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