Five arrested in protest appear in court

by Stepfanie Romine
THE POST

Four of the five people arrested at an East State Street protest Tuesday appeared in court yesterday morning.

Arthur L. Gish, of 13206 Dutch Creek Rd.; Adam J. Mitchell, of 13611 Harmony Rd.; Matthew B. Peters, of Amesville; Stephen B. Rounthwaite, of 1422 Carriage Hill; and Richard E. Tomsu, of Shade, each were charged with disorderly conduct, according to court records.

Gish, Mitchell, Peters and Tomsu were arraigned in Athens Municipal Court by Judge William Bennett yesterday morning. They each pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct, according to court records. Rounthwaite has a court date set for today, according to court records.

The protest was sponsored and coordinated by Citizens for Responsible Development.

The men were arrested for persistent disorderly conduct, which is a fourth-degree misdemeanor that carries a maximum fine of $250 and up to 30 days in jail, said Athens Police Department Chief Richard Mayer.

The individuals arrested had blocked the entrance to the East State Street construction site twice, Mayer said. They stood in the way and blocked one entrance, then moved to another entrance.

"We were trying to prevent the trucks from hauling more dirt to fill up the flood plain," Gish said. "This arrest just makes me all the more energized."

Gish said he has been involved with the Citizens for Responsible Development for about a year, but he has been involved with the cause for almost three years.

"This is a part of a larger campaign," Gish said. "The important issues are removing the hills and building up the flood plain."

Tomsu said he is not an official member of Citizens for Responsible Development but is friends with many members and stands for similar beliefs. He is unsure whether his arrest will deter him from further protest.

"I am not sure I can give an accurate answer. I'll have to wait and see what the group has planned," he said.

Mitchell had not returned phone calls by deadline.

Rounthwaite and Peters were unable to be contacted.