OUCD | Current Candidates

2005 ATHENS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES

Amy Flowers - At-Large, Athens City Council

Amy Flowers, a native of Morgan County, is a 19 year-old Ohio University senior majoring in political science. She currently serves as president of the Ohio University College Democrats and as the Executive Director for the Athens County Democratic Party. Flowers managed the Democratic Party headquarters during this year?s presidential election. Current Athens City Councilwoman, Sarah Sexton, an Ohio University senior, grew up in Athens and was a key leader in the successful effort to get Ohio University students to vote in the 2004 election. She has endorsed fellow Ohio University student Amy Flowers for her At-Large seat.

Carol Patterson - At-Large, Athens City Council

Carol Patterson, serving her third term as Athens City Councilmember for the 2nd Ward, will seek the At-Large council seat being vacated by Tampke. Patterson chose to run citywide because so many of the projects she has worked on affect the entire city. She currently chairs the Arts and Recreation Committee, and she lists the parking garage renovation, the crafting of the Wellhead Protection legislation, and the creation of the Athens Municipal Arts Commission among her proudest achievements in office. She also chairs a task force to coordinate bus transportation between the university and the city.

Jim Sands - At-Large, Athens City Council

Incumbent At-Large Councilmember Jim Sands is seeking re-election. Sands was born and raised in Athens and graduated from Ohio University before serving in the U.S. Navy for four years. He taught elementary school for 12 years and is the co-owner of the Athens Flower Shop. Sands has served as Athens City Councilmember At-Large since his first election in 1997. Jim is involved in a number of community groups, including the Dairy Barn, the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and the Athens Foundation.

Paul Wiehl - 1st Ward, Athens City Council

Wiehl, who represents the 1st Ward on Athens City Council, is a 21-year resident of the City of Athens. Former Chair of the Athens Zoning Board of Appeals, he currently serves as Co-Chair of the Athens Westside Community Association. Paul is concerned about preserving the aspects of the City of Athens that we cherish while crafting a better city for the future.

Bojinka Bishop - 2nd Ward, Athens City Council

Bojinka Bishop will be seeking the 2nd Ward seat. She is an Associate Professor in the Scripps School of Journalism and holds the Sloan Professorship. Bishop serves on the Board of Directors of the Athens Area Mediation Service and has been a member of the board for the International Association for Public Participation. She studied at the University of Michigan where she received her Bachelor?s degree in English Language and Literature and Master?s in Environmental Communication. She also received a Certificate of Advance Studies in Dispute Resolution at the University of Denver. As the director of public affairs for the American Water Works Association (AWWA), 1990-96, she directed public communications programs including media relations, public participation, and strategic initiatives. Bishop says, "I would bring to the council and community expertise in public participation, land use planning and water issues." She is the mother of three children, Sarah, Logan and Nancy and she is grandmother of twins and triplets.

Nancy Bain - 3rd Ward, Athens City Council

Nancy Bain represents the 3rd Ward on Athens City Council. She has helped to guide the City through various projects as it has grown. Bain currently serves as the Chair of the City Services Committee. Nancy is a professor of geography at Ohio University. Bain has served as the voice of experience on Athens City Council since her first election, in 1985.

Debbie Phillips - 4th Ward, Athens City Council

Debbie Phillips is the 4th Ward Representative on Athens City Council. She was first elected to City Council in 2003 and is a member of the finance, city services, recreation, and communications committees. Debbie is the Executive Director of the Ohio Fair Schools Campaign and has previously served on the Boards of the Athens Area Mediation Service and the League of Women Voters of Athens County.

Bill Bias - City Council President

Athens City Council President Bill Bias is seeking re-election. Prior to being elected as President of Athens City Council in 2001 and in 2003, Bias served as Athens City Treasurer for four years and as a council member At-Large for eight years. He is the Executive Director of Hickory Creek Nursing Center.

Mary Ann McClure - Athens City Treasurer

Athens City Treasurer Mary Ann McClure is seeking re-election. She was first elected in 2001 and then re-elected in 2003. McClure is a member of the Southeast Ohio Women in Networking and owns MS Accounting. She has been a resident of the city of Athens for over 30 years and graduated from Ohio University with a political science degree.