News
Mayor Paul Wiehl Announces Intentions For Next Term
By: Tori Knueven
Posted on:
Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl will not run for another term in office.
Wiehl officially announced his intentions for his second term in office be his last term as mayor at the Athens City Council meeting on Monday night. Wiehl was elected in 2008 and then he was reelected in 2012. Before becoming mayor, Wiehl was a member of Athens City Council for four years.
When asked about his decision to not run Wiehl said, “If you watch those geese going across the sky in a V formation… the lead goose is not always the lead goose, sometimes it switches over. It’s time for another goose to take the lead.”
In reaction to this announcement, Councilmember Steve Patterson says he intends to run for mayor in the next election. Before running for Athens City Council At Large, Patterson was an Ohio University professor and is a veteran of the United States Air Force. Patterson says he intended to run for mayor, but did not want to run against Wiehl.
Also at the meeting, Councilmember Chris Knisely read an ordinance to increase pay for elected officials by 2% every year. The elected officials included in the pay raise include the Mayor, Auditor, Members of Council, the President of City Council, Treasurer and Law Director. All raises take place after the next election.
Positions such as Mayor, Auditor and Law Director are all full time positions. Members of City Council, the President of City Council and Treasurer are part time positions.
This year, Mayor Wiehl will make $77,376.00, but by 2019 the salary of the mayor will be $84,570.42.
Also, a proclamation at the City Council meeting means this Thursday will be Athens Bulldog Football Day. The Bulldogs are playing in the Division III championship game against Toledo Central Catholic that night at 7:30 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Wiehl encourages Athens residents to wear green and gold to show support.
Two ordinances are now officially adopted after the City Council meeting. The highly contested trash ordinance was adopted. This reiterates that trash containers must be kept out of street view or residents risk an increased $50 fine. The ordinance begins June 1. Also, the City of Athens will be tobacco free with the other ordinance adopted at the meeting. Ohio University will be tobacco free next year and now the city joins with their own ordinance.