Edward Baum

EDUCATION: (AthensCountyVotes.org)

• Ph.D., UCLA, Political Science

OCCUPATION: (AthensCountyVotes.org)

• Retired professor of public administration and political science at Ohio University still teaching part time.

BACKGROUND ON ED: (AthensCountyVotes.org)

• Eight years on Athens City Council.
• Have studied and taught about local government for 40 years.
• Have held administrative positions: deputy administrator of a developmental program in Nigeria for four years; director of the Center for International Studies at Ohio University for six years.
• Past President of Civitan International, an association of over 1,000 local community service clubs.
• Policy analyst at the Department of Defense for six months in 1993.
• Have taught workshops on strategic planning, problem solving, communication, conflict management, and change.
• Chaired the Athens Comprehensive Planning Steering Committee for two years and was a member for an additional two years.
• Member of the Athens County Regional Planning Commission for six years.
• Currently co-chair of the housing task force for the County Comprehensive Planning Steering Committee.
• Trained mediator and currently board member and treasurer of the Athens Area Mediation Service.
• Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
• Director, Southeast Ohio Chair Volleyball Tournament.
• Immediate past co-chair of the Near Eastside Neighborhood Association.
  

ISSUES:

• Budget & Economy: Supporter of Smart Growth (Baum's Website); Believes in "balanced" development and believes addressing the city's code enforcement and zoning are focuses for improving development in Athens; Does NOT think city should be involved in helping local businesses obtain grants and believes the function should be conducted by the Economic Development Council and the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce; Would like to see more volunteer assistance in the city (The Athens Messenger)

• Crime/Drugs: No information.

• Education: Improve communication between OU and the city by holding more frequent meetings and discussions to inform one another of actions that will affect the other (AthensCountyVotes.org); Will push for the renovation on existing buildings on OU's campus to ease the demand for growth, instead of building new buildings and expanding in to green space; Wants better, clearer channels of communication between the city and the university (The Post)

• Environment: Advocate of recycling and other environmentally friendly practices; Wants to create park spaces for all to enjoy (The Post)

• Jobs: No information.

• Principles & Values: No information.

• Welfare & Poverty: No information.