City, County Races & Issues

Athens County Engineer

Jeff Maiden • Incumbent Athens County Engineer, running unopposed • Has served since 2013 • Born in Nelsonville, OH • Graduated from Ohio University in 1982 • Previously worked as a full-time design engineer and land surveyor

Athens County Recorder

Jessica Markins • Incumbent Democrat Athens County Recorder, running unopposed • Has served since 1994 • Attended Hocking College

ATHENS COUNTY SHERIFF

Rodney Smith • Incumbent Athens County Sheriff, running unopposed • Lives in Coolville, Ohio • Served as a sergeant in the Sheriff’s office and promoted to Lieutenant of Operations until 2009 • Served as a Lieutenant in the Patrol Division • Smith retired in 2013 after 26 years of law enforcement experience • Appointed as Sheriff in 2014

DID YOU KNOW?

George Washington spent his entire campaign budget on liquor served to voters. Buying votes with booze was a custom in England. Washington also was following a Virginia tradition where barrels of liquor were rolled to courthouse lawns and polling places on Election Day.

Via the National Constitution Center

Keller Blackburn, an incumbent Democrat living in Nelsonville, is running unopposed for Athens County Prosecuting Attorney. He has served as the Athens County prosecutor since 2013.

Blackburn graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in political science and later graduated from Cleveland State University's law school, where he was awarded the Editor of the Year on Law Review. After undergrad, he worked as a researcher with the Clinton administration in Washington, D.C., where he contributed new ideas for narrowing the “digital divide” in Appalachia. In 2009, he was awarded the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association Meritorious.

Additionally, Blackburn participates in foundations that encourage the public, specifically young people, to make healthy choices.

Athens County Treasurer

Ric Wasserman • Running as an unopposed incumbent Democrat • Lived in Athens for 33 years • Owns the Pigskin Grille as well as rental properties • Held the country treasurer position since 2018 • Worked extensively on the county’s Land Bank program

ATHENS CITY Ballot Initatives

Issue 1 is a proposed renewal of a 0.10% income tax levy for the next ten years. The revenue coming from this levy would be used to pay for street improvements in the city of Athens.

Issue 24 is a proposed sales and use tax levy of 0.25% for the next five years. The revenue coming from this levy would be used to make improvements to the 911 operating system.

Chris Chmiel, a Democrat, graduated from Ohio University, where he created and studied his own major, "Wholistic Transition to Sustainability." Chmiel worked in construction for the Community Food Initiatives. He also served on the Athens Board of Commissioners for two terms. In his first term, he helped the Athens-Hocking Recycling Center split off from AthensHocking Solid Waste District.

ATHENS COUNTY COMMISSIONER (CHOOSE 1)

Charlie Adkins, a Democrat, is the incumbent in the race for Athens County commissioner, a position he’s held for the past eight years. Adkins said his top priority is making sure Athens County emergency medical services are appropriately funded. He also wants to complete ongoing projects, such as the sewer project on U.S. Route 50 West. Adkins seeks to combat land pollution in Athens County.

Bill Hayes, an Independent candidate for Athens County commissioner, is an Ohio University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in zoology pre-med. Hayes wants to create more jobs in Athens County, “spread the wealth” and take advantage of natural resources and opportunities in the area. He seeks to increase tourism — particularly eco-tourism — in the region. Hayes also wants to make it easier for local entrepreneurs to start businesses.

Athens Clerk of Courts

Candy Russell • Running unopposed as the incumbent Democrat • Served as interim following Clerk of Courts Tina Willis' death in September 2019 and was officially selected in October 2019 • Worked in Clerk of Courts office for more than 12 years

Athens County Coroner

Carl Ortman • Running as an unopposed Democratic candidate • Graduated from Ohio University and later received a medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine • Served as interim coroner in 2014 after the incumbent Harold Thompson resigned

Pat Lang • Lang is seeking re-election for a term that began in 2014 • Prior to his position as judge, Lang served as city law director • Received his bachelor's in political science at Ohio University • While a student at Ohio University, he was elected to City Council, and The Athens Messenger believes he was the first student to be elected to that position • Received his law degree at University of Cincinnati College of Law

Common Pleas Judge (Probate/Juvenile)

Kenneth Ryan • Graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University • Earned master's degree at Ohio University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton • Current attorney and owner of Ryan Law Office Co., LPA • Has more than 11,000 hours of teaching experience and has been a lawyer for the past 13 years • Experience with numerous court dockets, including cases involving mental health • No prior official judicial experience • Wants to create a “broad spectrum youth program” to address problems facing young people of all ages

Zachary Saunders • Graduated from Ohio University • Earned a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan Law School • Worked as the assistant Athens County prosecuting attorney since 2015 • Wants to rehabilitate juvenile offenders to prevent the “school-toprison pipeline” • Has strong ties to several community organizations and four of the five school districts in Athens County • Would continue the court’s strong Court Appointed Special Advocates program if elected Time to Practice Flip the Page THENEWPOLITICAL.COM 16