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Katie Klann
11.06.17
Noah Trembly has advocated for inclusivity and accessibility for years, and now he hopes to bring that experience and advocacy to Athens City Council.
Trembly, who has lived in Athens for 10 years and is running as an independent for an At-Large council seat, said he would bring a different perspective to council. Trembly is an advocate, an active community member and a person with a disability.
Trembly has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair and a communication device. Trembly said his experiences have taught him to approach problems from a different perspective.
“I’ve learned to overcome obstacles and problem solve,” Trembly said in an email. “Having faced many adverse issues both personally and professionally, I’ve learned to treat each issue as a goal rather than a problem.”
That personal experience would provide a new voice to city council, Trembly said.
“I actually think the current City Council (tries) to serve people with disabilities pretty well,” Trembly said in an email. “But I would definitely bring a different perspective to table.”
“I think the biggest issues with public transit in Athens are hours of operation and there’s not enough fixed routes for the general public.” – Noah Trembly
Trembly serves as the treasurer of the city’s Disabilities Commission and has been instrumental in the city’s sidewalk improvements, Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said.
“He led the charge on a couple different ways,” Patterson said. “He started this sidewalk assessment throughout various neighborhoods and the city, and identified a lot of areas where improvements needed to be made to sidewalks. He also was very active in looking at businesses in the City of Athens in terms of if they're (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible.”
Patterson said he wouldn’t endorse any candidates in contested races.
Trembly previously worked with Ohio University as an on-site educator and expert in augmented voice software, according to a previous Post report. Trembly said working at the university taught him how to work in administration and broadened his horizons.
“During my time at OU, I sat on various committees that made some important decisions on how the university should move forward with being an inclusive school,” Trembly said. “I felt that gave me experience of working with groups of people that brought different perspective to the table.”
Trembly hopes to use his perspective to promote a variety of issues, including environmental sustainability, better jobs and improved infrastructure.
“I would also like to see the city’s facilities to be powered with alternative energy and start looking at electric vehicles as we continue replacing our fleet,” Trembly said.
Trembly said he’s working with Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, which helps fund Athens Public Transit, to help improve accessibility.
“I think the biggest issues with public transit in Athens are hours of operation and there’s not enough fixed routes for the general public,” Trembly said in an email. “I know (Hocking Athens Perry Community Action) is working very hard to address those issues.”
Trembly said he felt he could do more to help the city of Athens if elected to city council than what he is currently able to on the city’s disabilities commission.
“I love this city and representing all the residents would be an honor,” Trembly said in an email.
Trembly is one of five candidates running for an at-large position on city council. The other candidates are Sarah Grace, incumbent Peter Kotses, incumbent Pat McGee and incumbent Arian Smedley.
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This story is part of a series of specially designed stories that represents some of the best journalism The Post has to offer. Check out the rest of the special projects here.