Rival Nelsonville city councils meet, making the city’s future more uncertain
By: Haley Richardson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Two opposing city councils met in Nelsonville this week in different locations and at different times, each claiming to be the rightful government.
The reason for the rival meetings is because the charter council repealed the ballot initiative, known as Issue 23, in August, citing the lack of a transition plan. That repeal has been challenged in court, but a judge has yet to rule on its validity, which allowed Issue 23 candidates to remain on the November ballot.
During their Monday night meeting, the candidates elected in November under Issue 23 met for the first time to establish their council. The group consisted of Lynn Bishop, Wes Henderson, Jessica Hollenbaugh, Sue Powell and Glenn Smith, with former city manager Joe Scherer serving as clerk.
Despite being elected under Issue 23, the group began the meeting by saying they were the legitimate charter council. Powell said the November ballot did not specify they were running as Issue 23 candidates. She said they were certified by the Athens Board of Elections as having won City Council seats.
The charter is the document that established the government Nelsonville has been operating under for the past 30 years.
Having laid claim to being the rightful charter council, the group then repealed the ordinance that repealed Issue 23. What this means, according to the group, is they will now operate under the new statutory government called for under Issue 23 going forward.
The group also appointed former longtime city law director Garry Hunter as law director.
It is unclear how the group will enforce its repeal of the ordinance or pay themselves and the newly hired law director, as they do not currently have access to the city’s accounts or City Hall.
Powell also said the group’s decision not to hold the meeting at City Hall was to maintain a level of professionalism.
“If we went to City Hall, there’s a chance that the council that’s still there or still performing as council would try to have us arrested,” Powell said.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday night, the charter council from last year held a special meeting to fill vacant seats on the council and elect executive officers.
Those vacancies were caused when two council members’ terms designated only for the month of December ended.
Former Council President Cameron Peck was reappointed to council and as council president. Local business owner Charlotte Beach was appointed to fill the other vacancy.
Councilmember Amy Hollenbaugh was appointed council vice president.
The council still has several vacant positions to fill, namely the law director, auditor and treasurer. Without a law director, the council was unable to go into executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters during Tuesday night’s meeting.
Tonight, the council will meet again to appoint a law director.
(Editor’s Note 1/8/26 11:43 a.m.: This story has been updated to reflect that Glenn Smith’s first name is not spelled Glen.)