Friday, April 14, 2000
Hamilton politician won't seek re-election
BY Earnest Winston
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — Saying he never expected to be a career politician, Vice Mayor Thomas Nye said under no circumstances will he serve on City Council after his term expires in 2001.
The 37-year-old councilman made the pronouncement during an emotional address at Wednesday's council meeting.
“I never expected to ... be here 20 years from now,” said Mr. Nye, who is serving his second two-year term. He said he will not run for council “even if the sky is falling and there's no one else running on the ballot.”
When his term expires, he said, he wants to focus on being “T-ball coach, father, husband and eye doctor.”
Councilman George McNally has suggested Mr. Nye, who served his first term as mayor, is upset that he lost the mayor's post to Adolf Olivas in November.
Not true, Mr. Nye said.
“It's been suggested repeatedly by Mr. McNally that I'm bitter about not being mayor. I have no interest in being mayor,” Mr. Nye said. The rumors, he said, are “really bogging down what council is doing.”
"To clear the air'
Mr. Olivas said Mr. Nye told him before Wednesday's meeting “he would appreciate my forebearance as he made a statement that might appear rambling, but he thought he needed to clear the air.”
The mayor said he appreciated Mr. Nye's statements.
Mr. Nye also said he will not become mayor, even if Mr. Olivas unexpectedly steps down during his term.
The vice mayor said he will not rule out future political office, but he has nothing in mind.
But in the meantime, he said he won't be a lame duck vice mayor.
“I'm going to be in there kicking and screaming from now until (2001). I'm not just going to sit on the sideline and collect a paycheck once a month,” he said.
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