Incumbent city council members win reelection, keep Democratic hold

Incumbent city council members gathered at Jackie O’s with friends and family Tuesday evening to wait for, and later celebrate, their reelection in the Athens County General Election.

Steve Patterson accumulated the highest number of votes at 988, while Christine Knisely and Jennifer Cochran won their seats with 980 and 925 respectively. Independent candidate and newcomer, Troy Gregorino, lost with 328 votes. 

“You campaign hard through the primary as well as through the general election, and you campaign right up to the very end. So, you are always anxious as you are waiting for the results coming in,” Patterson said. “If you go into these things totally confident, thinking that you are going to win, that’s when you’re probably not doing something right.” 

All three re-elected council members are eager to work together on development and infrastructure of the city and sustainability.

Knisely is excited about continuing some of the long-term projects she has been working on with council.

“I think some of the other exciting projects have been working with the county as we consider the possibility of extending the sewer system, because that’s a major health issue," Knisely said. “And also, working with the university to make it… an integrated community.”

Cochran has been an interim council member since At-Large Rep. Elahu Gosney resigned in June of this year. 

“Of course I am still the most junior person on city council, but its nice to have had a bit of a head start and know what I am doing,” Cochran said. “I appreciate the support of all of those who voted for me and I look forward to getting to work now.”

Along with the reelection of Patterson, Cochran, and Knisely, all three issues on the ballot passed. 

Issue 1 is a levy that will help to continue financing the Athens County Emergency Medical Service.

Issues 2 and 3 are part of the Electrical Aggregation Program that will allow the city to purchase electricity with the citizens of Athens and, according to city officials, cut down the cost of electricity for everyone.

“From what I’ve heard, I think turnout was fairly light today,” said Debbie Quivey, director of the Athens County Board of Elections. 

Voter turnout was at 17.37 percent, less than one-third the turnout in 2012 during the presidential election and almost half the turnout in the 2011 general election.

“If you’d have been in here at 6 o’clock…it was hopping,” Quivey said. “But overall…it has been a pretty quiet day.”

Quivey spent Monday night at the board of elections getting ready for the big day with deputy director of the board, Penny Brooks. 

“We usually spend the night before the elections getting all the cards and routes ready, they start around 4 o’clock. The first poll worker called at 2:30 a.m,” said Quivey. 

“None of the issues or the people I was voting for, I was strongly passionate about, but I think it’s important to practice your right to vote,” said Krista Mobley, a 21-year-old Ohio University student from Medina County.

“And I only voted for the things I knew about. I didn’t know, or I didn’t hear an extensive amount about [the issues], I just have a general understanding.” 

Despite the unchanged outcome of leadership in city council, all three re-elected members are ready to get started.

“I was very happy to be re-elected for another two-year term and that the citizens of Athens have spoken and trusted me with another two years to help,” said Patterson.