At-Large candidates for city council face-off before primary

The Athens County League of Women’s Voters held a forum Tuesday night for the candidates running for the At-Large position for the Athens City Council in the Primary Election on May 5.Current At-Large Representatives Jennifer Cochran and, recently appointed, Michael Canterbury are running for reelection to their seats while Peter Kotses, Joan Kraynanski, Maxine Rantane and Alan Swank are running for office for the first time.The forum started with two-minute opening statements from each candidate, then they took questions from the media and opened it up to audience questions. The forum ended with each candidate giving a closing statement.Michael CanterburyCanterbury has lived and worked in Athens for almost 35 years and retired from the Athens County Engineer's Department. He is a certified bridge inspector with Ohio Department of Transportation and helped develop a GIS (geographic information system) for Athens County, along with several other things.“From these groups I have learned these skills: collaboration, policy development, being a good listener, and an eclectic approach to problem solving,” Canterbury said.He wants development, redevelopment and revitalization challenges to be carefully managed using sustainable bidding practices.“I will stand up for my convictions on city council and for the concerns from the citizens of Athens. I’m running to retain my seat… because I care and I have a passion for you, the citizens of Athens,” Canterbury said.When asked aout his strengths and weaknesses, Canterbury said, he is great at grant and contract writing, along with the ability to determine costs and proper procedure. Like several of the other candidates, he cited his weakness as overcommitment and running out of time to finish all the projects he wants to do.When asked about his stance on fracking, in light of the fracking ban being passed in the November election, and how would they react if someone were to try to challenge it, he said, “Yes, I am against fracking because I am concerned about our drinking water. Water is life.” But this wouldn’t extend into his role as council, he would defer to the law director to get the specifics about what they as council members could and could not do.When asked about roadway projects, the new pool and other infrastructure projects, he said it all starts with the plan: they have to take it one step at a time and have some patience, because there’s only so much money.In his closing remarks he thanked various committees and councils throughout Athens and Athens County and mentioned some of the various goals he has.“You vote for qualifications, you vote for experience, and I’d appreciate your vote on May 5,” Canterbury said.Jennifer CochranCochran has lived in Athens and Southeast Ohio all her life, except for when she was off volunteering as a Peace Corps and Americorps Volunteer. She has served on boards and community organizations throughout Athens, in addition to being a very active participant in community events.When asked about her strengths she said to listen and hear all sides of an issue. She said her weaknesses include being overly eager to the point she might step on a few toes and ditch proper procedure to get things done.When asked about fracking she noted her history with protesting and speaking out about environmental issues. She doesn’t see any bounds when it comes to banning fracking.“We will protect our rights no matter what. Any fiscal responsibility takes the back seat,” Cochran said.Cochran wants to review the Capital Improvement Plan and make sure they get all the grant money they can back into the city because those are the taxpayers dollars. She wants to invest in transportation and technology as well.In her closing remarks, Cochran made a plea for more sustainability, wellness and recreation brought to Athens. She would like to use her communication skills and project management skills to serve Athens.Peter KotsesA life-long resident of Athens, Kotses believes it’s an interesting perspective because not many people make a living in Athens and stay; they come and go.He feels the skill set he has gained from operating a business in a small town, along with all the volunteer work he has done, would make him a strong candidate for being on city council.He believes his knowledge about Athens is one of his main strengths and his weakness lies with his inexperience with specific governmental procedures.In regards to fracking, he said water protection is key. He also admitted that he doesn’t exactly know what to do legally, so in that case all the city entities would have to ban together to figure it out.When asked about the infrastructure projects in Athens, Kotses said the Engineering and Public Works Department is doing their best. He hopes to get more creative and apply for more grants and that no big failure happens in the meantime. He also thinks the city needs to revisit the master plan and do some updating.In his closing statements he said he believes council will benefit from all these goals and his experiences as a lifelong member of the community.“I want to thank the City of Athens for once again providing me with another experience. I am really indebted to this community and I would like to have the ability to serve on council,” Kotses said.Joan KraynanskiShe is proud of her family and of being one of the founding members of the West Side Community Association. Through this organization she worked on and supported many projects throughout Athens. She has served on the Board of Zoning Appeals, along with several other committees as well.“My work on the board and committees has strengthen my understanding of the Athens City Code, kept me informed of changing conditions in Athens and allowed me to develop a working relationship with city administration,” Kraynanski said.Her platform includes citizen-involved planning, protecting vital neighborhoods and supporting smart business.She recently retired and wants to commit her life to serving her community.When asked about her strengths, she said she is a competent mediator and can defuse a situation with ease. She noted a weakness as overcommitment as well.Kraynanski said she is completely opposed to fracking. She believes city council would work their butts off to fix fracking issues, always.She said the city needs a vision and the planning process for new infrastructure and projects needs to include a diverse group of people.Kraynanski finished by listing off some of her favorite things about Athens: food, coffee, beer, trees, walking, movies, theatres, and art. She emphasized Athens being a diverse and truly accepting community.Maxine Rantane Rantane has a long history of working for and in the city and the county of Athens. She helped launch the development of the bike path from Athens to Nelsonville, she worked at the Athens County Visitors and Convention Bureau, and serves on the city council’s transportation committee.Rantane shared her weaknesses as being very committed and time management. She noted her strengths as problem solving and integrity.When asked about fracking Rantane said she’s especially concerned with it within the city limits. “The city made it clear; I would listen to the citizens,” Rantane said.When asked specifically about the roadway projects and infrastructure in Athens, she said that they really need to catch up on the roads. She recognizes it takes time and suggested applying to more grants to help with the funding.Rantane suggests more maintenance and protection of the community, along with updating plans and continuing to implement the Essence of Athens Plan.In her closing remarks, Rantane talks about her experience and how she thinks it will benefit council and continue to service Athens.Alan SwankSwank came here for graduate school, one year turned into two, two into five, children and a couple of grandkids, and now it’s his home.“One of the things you’re probably wondering is, what have I done, what are the characteristics that I have today to show leadership?”His answer: his business experience, community involvement and passion for the issues.Swanks opening remarks went straight for the issues on the ballot, not about the fests or fracking, “... none of that really matters, unless we take care of one group in our community, and that’s the children.”When asked about his strengths and weaknesses he said sometimes he confuses trying with excellence, and said, “nobody fails on purpose.” He also said one of his goals for the year is to be more tolerant and that he looks at everything as an opportunity instead of a problem.Swank agreed with Canterbury when it came to the need for the law director to step in with fracking. He also wants to talk about renewable energy and the costs to the taxpayers.In regards to planning for the future, Swank wants to start with the new pool, the farmers market getting a permanent location, and more communication between the city and Ohio University. When talking about infrastructure, he talked about planning to take care of stuff after it’s built.In his closing statements he thanked his fellow candidates and talked about what could make Athens special in just one photo. He envisions a more revitalized community to be in those pictures in the future.