Local group asks Athens City Council to support Ohio Issue One

Photo via: TNP Staff

With less than one month until the General Election, members of a local nonprofit spoke at Monday’s City Council meeting to ask the council to pass a resolution in support of Issue One. 

“I feel like I'm watching towns like Athens being slowly scrapped for parts,” Chris Miles, a member of Indivisible Appalachian Ohio said. “I fear that I won't be able to [continue living in their hometown in southeast Ohio] unless voters like us can hold politicians accountable to fulfilling their promises for a brighter future and have our voices heard above those of out-of-touch political party bosses.”

Indivisible Appalachian Ohio is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization based in southeast Ohio. It works to provide resources and better government for counties in Appalachian Ohio. 

The organization is trying to build a brighter future for Appalachia, but that future looks different depending on the person.

Miles, who uses they/them pronouns, said they have watched residents of their hometown of Middleport leave because of a lack of opportunities. 

“It’s just a lack of opportunity in general–jobs, education,” Miles said. 

Issue One is a ballot proposal that would create the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission. The commission would be comprised of five Democrat, five Republican, and five Independent citizens for a total of 15 members. The current Ohio Redistricting Commission has seven spots, with four spots reserved for two Republicans and two Democrats in the Statehouse. The other three seats are reserved for the governor, secretary of state and auditor. 

How does Issue One play into their goal? Kellon Patey, another member of Indivisible Appalachian Ohio, said it balances representation in Ohio’s districts by putting the districts back in voters’ hands. Patey said the way the current districts are drawn drowns out voters’ voices.

“[It] chops up communities of color in cities so they can’t represent or they can’t elect representatives who stick up for their interests. Then it makes politicians who represent small towns so easy to win elections again and again,” he said. 

In other business: 

• The council passed the following ordinances:

• Ordinance 0-84-24 to amend the appropriation ordinance 130-23 and allow for an interfund transfer of $74,500 to repave the Hockhocking Adina Bikeway.

• Ordinance 0-86-24 to execute an employment contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

• Ordinance 0-87-24 to amend the Athens City Code to reduce the required lot size to build a home from 8,000 square feet to 4,000 square feet. 

• Ordinance 0-88-24 to amend the Athens City Code, which is related to Ordinance 0-87-24, and includes further details about property amenities, such as fences, terraces and walls. 

• Ordinance 0-89-24 to allow the mayor to enter into an annexation agreement with the Athens Township trustees for properties east of Cable Lane.

• Ordinance 0-90-24 to amend Title Seven and repeal ordinances inconsistent with the amended code.

• Ordinance 0-91-24 to amend Title 13 and repeal ordinances inconsistent with the amended title. 

• Ordinance 0-92-24 to amend the 2024 Appropriation Ordinance 130-23.

• Ordinance 0-93-24 to amend Ordinances 74-21, 116-22 and 36-24 concerning Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area hours of operation.