Student to join Nelsonville City Council

by Ben Grabow
Staff Writer

An Ohio University student is Nelsonville’s newest council member.

Michael S. Elliott, a senior criminal justice major and resident of Nelsonville, was elected by the Nelsonville City Council last night to fill a seat that has been vacant for 27 days. The decision was made in an executive session at the end of the council meeting.

Elliott, 22, said school should not interfere with his responsibilities as a councilman.

"I graduate in June, and I have only one more quarter of school," he said. "School shouldn’t be an issue."

Thomas Steenrod's resignation last month left the open position on the council. Councilmen chose Elliott from five other applicants vying for the empty seat.

"All six were excellent applicants," Council President Clinton Stanley said. "I encourage them all to apply again in November."

Doug Bentley, one of the applicants, agreed with the council’s decision.

"I plan to support him as I do all my other council members," he said.

But not all the councilmen agreed with the decision. Councilman Bill Wend expressed concerns about Elliott’s lack of experience because he is still in school.

"He was not one of my top picks. I thought we should go with experience," Wend said. "But I support him tonight."

The councilmen listed the six applicants in order from those they most supported to those they least supported, Councilman Greg Smith said. The councilmen then used a point system to determine which applicant had the most support.

Elliott said that in his first few weeks as a council member, he plans to help tackle current sewage problems. These problems were among other issues discussed at last night’s meeting.

Council discussed resolutions to repeal a surcharge on water bills and to increase sewer rates by 10 percent. The resolutions would help pay off an $800,000 loan from the Environmental Protection Agency to repair sewage facilities, City Manager Mark Fiorello said.

The council also discussed Jim Runyon’s request to have his property rezoned for a lumberyard.

A final decision on the sewage issue and Runyon’s request is scheduled for the council’s next meeting Feb. 26.