Find out Bagel Street Deli’s newest menu item ... PG 6 Read about softball’s successful weekend ... PG 7 Timothée Chalamet visited Athens over the weekend ... PG 16 STUART’S OPERA HOUSE NELSONVILLE, OH
APRIL 5TH | 8 PM 20% OFF WITH CODE: OUYAGODY20
VOLUME 115, ISSUE 26
APRIL 1, 2025
THEPOSTATHENS.COM
New candidates running for 3 open City Council seats
Ohio Issue 2 supports local infrastructure ELIZABETH TALAGA | SLOT EDITOR
ZOE WEYAND | FOR THE POST With the May 6 primary election approaching, three Athens City Council members have decided not to seek reelection, leaving their seats open for new candidates. The departing members are Solveig Spjeldnes, D-1st Ward; Jeff Risner, D-2nd Ward; and Micah McCarey, Councilmember at-large. McCarey is giving up his seat to run for president of the Council, and Spjeldnes and Risner are retiring from the Council altogether. Megan Leah Almeida, Andrew Guidarelli and Anthony Jacobs are running as Democrats for the 1st Ward Council. Jacobs is an Ohio University alumnus with a background in construction management and electrical distribution. Currently, he is working with the city on a street beautification project. Jacobs said if elected, he aims to focus on infrastructure improvement and protecting businesses and citizens affected by construction work. “The biggest thing I’ve seen with the citizens around the city is folks are really
getting fed up with the way that some of the construction management is happening around here,” Jacobs said. “We need greater transparency, so that’s my goal as councilman, if elected.” Jacobs also plans to involve students and faculty in construction planning. “We’ve got the university right here, and the civil engineering department … there are great minds there and we could just ask them their opinions,” Jacobs said. John Adams Staser, a Democrat, is running unopposed to replace Risner as 2nd Ward Councilor. Staser is a professor at within the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, focusing on chemical and biomolecular engineering. Staser also works within the Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment. Finally, four Democratic candidates are running for three seats as councilmembers at-large. Incumbents Jessica Thomas and Beth Clodfelter are running for reelection, as well as new candidates Ari Faber and Paul Isherwood. Faber is the acting executive director of United Campus Ministries and has previously run for the Ohio Senate.
In a debate Wednesday, Faber explained his priorities as council member would be affordable, quality housing and infrastructure investment, including better communication from the Council about upcoming construction projects. Faber would also like to host drop-in office hours to allow citizens to voice any community concerns. Isherwood is a former social studies teacher on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Along with Faber, Isherwood also works on the co-create housing initiative. Isherwood said he strives to make Athens a place where developers want to build more affordable housing. He wants to start programs to support the creation of more local businesses, including a buy local program, tax credits for small businesses and a local business digital directory. All candidates expressed their support for more affordable housing developments and local businesses.
Ohio Issue 2, the Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment, is on the ballot to issue up to $2.5 million in general obligation bonds for local infrastructure improvements if passed May 6. The bonds would be limited to $250 million per year for 10 years, funding the State Capital Improvement Program, which helps local governments through loans and grants for public infrastructure projects. The amendment allocates 56.7% of funding for roads, 18.3% for water supply, 13.9% for wastewater management, 6.8% for bridges and culverts and 4.3% for stormwater utilities. According to the Ohio Ballot Board, the amendment aims to protect public health, create jobs and enhance Ohioans’ economic welfare by improving infrastructure. Dan Troy (D-Willowick) told the Statehouse News Bureau the issue will not involve local property or income taxes. Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) said although the funding is not new, it is important to support the systems Ohioans rely on each day. “It is crucial we find ways to support local public works projects in Ohio that will not only improve the quality of our communities but also create economic growth and provide new job opportunities for Ohio workers,” Craig said to WTVG. Ohio lawmakers say this amendment could provide 35,000 construction jobs. At the March 17 City Council meeting, Mayor Steve Patterson urged support for tax-free municipal bonds to save citizens money and further local infrastructure projects that previously funded the Athens City swimming pool, the fire station headquarters, and the parking garage. Infrastructure projects selected for funding are chosen by 19 regional public works integrating committees consisting of local officials. ET029322@OHIO.EDU
ZW211923@OHIO.EDU
Voters to decide on 0.3% income tax increase for city services AVERY ST.GEORGE | FOR THE POST Athens residents will vote May 6 in the Primary Election on a new tax reform, Issue 3. If passed, the levy would increase income taxes by 0.3% per year in the City of Athens and would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. The additional taxes would provide funding for safety services such as the police and fire departments. The ballot also dedicates the tax toward “general municipal operations,” including street improvements and public transportation.
Issue 3 would raise taxes from 1.95% to 2.25% of annual income if a majority of voters approve the measure. In a meeting Dec. 16, Athens City Council discussed whether to put the levy on the ballot, according to a previous report by The Post. Some council members felt the additional cost was too high to place on the citizens of Athens. Others, including Mayor Steve Patterson, supported the levy, stating it would help fund essential
city services. “Let’s look at the four levies that just passed this year and last year and the last five years, and I look at my property tax has increased over $1,400,” Aaron Thomas, Board of Zoning Appeals member and Athens resident, said. “We are still one of the poorest areas in the entire state of Ohio.” Councilmember Jessica Thomas also said the tax increase would burden residents, stating that it would be a $120 a
year increase on a $40,000 income and a $210 a year increase on a $70,000 income. This measure will appear as Issue 3 on the ballot, and residents can start early voting April 8 at the Athens County Board of Elections. The polls will be open May 6 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. @AVERYSLIFE365 AS781522@OHIO.EDU