Two council seats to be decided by vote

by Camden Easterling
Staff Writer

For Athens City Council candidates, Tuesday's election will be either a competitive race or a guaranteed seat. Voters have a choice of five candidates for three At-Large positions, while three candidates for other ward representatives run unopposed.

Five men are competing for the three At-Large positions. Democrats Jim Sands and Dale Tampke and Republican Ed Baum are city council members running for re-election. Independent Paul Wiehl and Democrat John Knouse are new to this year's city council race.

Many candidates are interested in working toward a comprehensive plan for the city's future. Sands and Tampke both said they are interested in working on such a plan. Tampke also said he wants to focus on quality housing and ensuring responsive city services.

Baum said he also will concentrate on finishing plans the council is working on, such as updating the zoning code and developing a plan for the city's growth.

After sitting in on council meetings for the last seven years, Wiehl said he is running because he is concerned with the direction in which the city is headed. He said he will focus on issues that relate to the city's development, such creating a well-head protection plan to prevent water supplies from contamination.

Knouse said he is interested in bringing a wider range of issues to city council's attention. He also wants to focus on the effects Wal-Mart will have on the community.

Republican Mike Worley and Democrat Kathy Hecht are vying for the First Ward position.

Worley served on city council from 1998-2000. He said he is running again to make sure the issues of the west side of the city are represented accurately.

Newcomer Hecht said she wants to have a voice in city council, particularly on development issues and their effect on the community.

Nancy Bain, D-1st ward, Carol Patterson, D-2nd ward, and Gary Van Meter, R-4th ward, each run unopposed.