News
Cochran Appointed To Fill Remainder Of Gosney’s Council Term
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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Jennifer Cochran, one of the Democratic nominees for three at-large seats on Athens City Council on the November ballot, has been selected to fill the vacancy created by Elahu Gosney's resignation from Council.
Her selection was made Wednesday evening by the Athens County Democratic Party Central Committee.
Gosney resigned from his at-large seat earlier this month in order to relocate to Europe with his fiancee and explore job opportunities in scientific research.
Cochran, a licensed massage therapist, was one of three of the Democrats selected in the May primary election to face independent candidate Troy Gregorino in the general election. The other winners in the Democratic primary were incumbents Chris Knisely and Steve Patterson.
Athens City Council is comprised of four ward representatives, three at-large members and a president. Ward representatives Kent Butler, Jeff Risner, Michele Papai and Chris Fahl and Council President Jim Sands were all unopposed in the primary election and are unopposed in the November election. All current elected officials in the city of Athens are Democrats.
Athens County Democratic Party Chairwoman Kathy Hecht recommended to the Democratic Central Committee that Cochran be appointed to fill the remainder of Gosney's term, which ends Dec. 31.
Hecht said no one else was nominated for the position. She said she submitted the paperwork for Cochran's appointment to the Athens County Board of Elections on Thursday afternoon. She said Cochran will have to be sworn in before she can take office. It's unclear when Cochran will actually begin serving as an at-large Council member.