Athens politics nerd. Representatives from the Athens Homeless Coalition, Advantage Behavioral Health Systems, the Athens-Area Homeless Shelter and other agencies Feb 19, 2022 · The inclusionary zoning policy under consideration would require that rents in affordable units be kept affordable for those making at most 80% of Athens-Clarke County’s area median income for at least 20 years. sos. If approved, these new maps would fundamentally alter Athens’ political landscape, shifting a large number of Athenians to new commission districts. Fighting Crime – Johnson wants to keep Athens safe by better funding the ACC Police Department and helping fill officer vacancies. Before examining this guide, first check out your sample ballot at www. “Extremely high” levels of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were discovered in wells along Pittard Road and Star Drive on the northeast side of Athens. Bailey’s website Experience Bailey formerly served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County and is currently an attorney with Cook & Connelly focusing on personal injury and class action lawsuits. Local news. Join APN Athens Politics Nerd is an independent media organization in Athens, Georgia funded by people like you. APN takes a progressive view of the news, focusing on both Athens Politics Nerd. This came after two hours of public comment tilting strongly in favor of the plans. She represents Boulevard, Cobbham, Downtown, Rocksprings and Newton Bridge Road areas. They also selected a site for the proposed eastside library, approved construction of the Firefly Trail to Winterville and denied a cost-of-living raise for employees of the Sep 10, 2024 · The University of Georgia is facing a federal civil rights complaint for alleged anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian discrimination against their own Mar 11, 2025 · A branch of the Athens Regional Library System located in north Athens is often forced to close due to frequent water shutoffs in the area, causing inconsistent access to public services for hundreds of residents. Mike Hamby is commissioner of district 10 in Athens, Georgia. Despite the commission’s general agreement on and support for the resolution, negotiations with former residents have broken down. Nov 11, 2024 · The plan The ACC government won the $25 million federal grant – the largest such grant Athens has ever received – to improve safety on North Avenue back in 2022. In this article, APN’s editor will break down candidates of interest to Athens voters, providing information and analysis to help you decide who to vote for. 1,955 likes · 190 talking about this. Becoming a Member Supporter: For $2 a month, you’ll be invited to the APN Facebook forum. At the same time, our response to the pandemic as a society has proven that the problem can be managed, and maybe even eliminated, as long as we have the political will to get it done. Belief in a SPLOST Conspiracy – Before becoming a commissioner, Johnson sued the ACC government for allegedly taking SPLOST funds intended for an economically disadvantaged district and using them in another Nov 8, 2022 · Statewide results come from the Secretary of State via clarityelections. 5 percent higher than last year. Background: The 2019 panleuk scandal The ACC Commission assigned Internal Auditor Stephanie Maddox the task of investigating Animal Services, then called Animal Control, back in Houston Gaines (R) is state representative of the 117th district, which includes parts of Athens, Georgia as well as Jackson, Barrow and Oconee counties. She represents Green Acres, Cedar Creek, College Station Road and the Cedar Shoals Drive area. May 16, 2024 · Homelessness in Athens has reached a new high this year, according to the Athens-Clarke County Continuum of Care’s annual point-in-time count. gov so you know which candidates you have the option to vote for. Past Experience Clyde is a veteran of Kuwait and Iraq and owns a gun store in Athens. Apr 17, 2025 · The private ambulance company that serves Athens-Clarke and Oconee County has failed to live up to an agreement made between the ACC government and Piedmont-Athens Regional last year regarding transparency and response times. Sep 8, 2023 · UPDATE 10/2/24: Yes, Pittard Road has been poisoned. Read the article here. You can read more about this vote here and here. Feb 3, 2021 · Yesterday, Mayor Kelly Girtz issued a proclamation of recognition and “deep and sincere … apology” for Athenians displaced during the “urban renewal” period of the 1960s. Controversy Refusal to certify election results / support for insurgents Clyde voted against certifying the 2020 election results due to false rumors of election fraud. Marcus Wiedower (R) is state representative of the 119th district, which includes parts of Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties. " Athens Politics Nerd is an independent media organization keeping you up to date on local news and politics in the Athens, Georgia area. 2025 Local Election, Primary and Runoff2024 General Election2024 Local Election and Primary2023 Local Election Results2023 Special Election Results2022 Sep 1, 2022 · Residents of the Lexington Heights, Highland Park, Hidden Pines and Rosemary Place neighborhoods issued a list of six demands to their landlord and property management company at a press conference in Lexington Heights on Wednesday. Bethel will be completely rebuilt. “Everyone who is part of Creature believes in it. Kalki Yalamanchili (I) is the District Attorney of the Western Circuit, which includes both Athens-Clarke and Oconee County, Georgia. He ran for Georgia Attorney General unsuccessfully in 2018 Commissioner candidate in Athens, Georgia, Sidney Anne Waters joined 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss her candidacy and why she decided to run for office following the murder of Laken Riley. May 30, 2024 · Commissioners Mike Hamby, Jesse Houle and Dexter Fisher have hashed out a budget agreement to fully fund the local government’s affordable housing investment How do I register to vote? When is the election? Where do I vote? Find the answers to these questions and other voter info for Athens, Georgia here! Jan 23, 2025 · First, the North Downtown Athens Project, also known as the redevelopment of Bethel Homes. Table of Contents Turnout Local / Nonpartisan Election Democratic Primary Republican Primary Turnout 1,173,598 voters participated in the Republican primary for US Senate statewide with 724,850 voters participating in the Democratic primary for the same office. At the announcement event, organizers emphasized the positive environment at their brewery and their intention to work collaboratively with management. He was the director of the Judicial Aug 18, 2021 · Athens-Clarke County’s Department of Animal Services, underfunded and badly mismanaged for years, has only recently begun to improve and is now on the road to recovery according to an internal audit of the agency. The Kelly Girtz is the mayor of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, inaugurated in 2019 with a mandate for progressive change after a wave election. Tim Echols (R) has served as Georgia Public Service Commissioner in district 2 since 2010. In other items, the commission Apr 14, 2025 · Athens’ legislative delegation State House District 120 – Houston Gaines (R) State House District 121 – Marcus Wiedower (R) State House District 122 – Spencer Frye (D) State House District 124 – Trey Rhodes (R) State Senate District 46 – Bill Cowsert (R) State Senate District 47 – Frank Ginn (R) A closer look: 2025 legislation in Mar 25, 2025 · UPDATE 4/1/25: The resolution in support of racial equity and economic justice passed in an 8-2 vote, with Commissioners Johnson and Thornton voting no. mvp. Pittard road residents say that industrial dumping of toxic chemicals has caused 31 people in their small community to contract cancer in the past Melissa Link is commissioner of district 3 in Athens, Georgia. Feb 28, 2024 · Athens Transit stopped charging fares at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby improving transit efficiency and relieving a financial burden on thousands of families. The Pinewoods Library and Learning Center is a public library located in a Hispanic neighborhood off US-29. Jesse Houle was the Athens-Clarke County Commissioner for district 6 from 2020 to January 2025. While there was broad agreement among the public Jan 9, 2022 · The Republican state legislators representing Athens have proposed a new set of ACC Commission districts, which they released in a joint statement last Thursday and have filed as House Bill 890. Charlie Bailey, Former Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Charlie Bailey (D) ran for GA Lieutenant Governor in 2022. He represents Timothy Road, Kingswood, Epps Bridge and Atlanta Highway areas. Feb 14, 2025 · The Interfaith Clergy Partnership of Greater Athens held a special meeting on Tuesday to better understand how new federal and state immigration laws may affect their congregations and the Athens community as a whole. Oct 16, 2022 · The 2022 midterm election takes place on November 8. Feb 9, 2025 · In a chaotic and tense meeting, ACC commissioners chose to delay making a formal statement of support for racial equity on Tuesday despite a large turnout of constituents who urged them to do more for the Black community in Athens. Russell Edwards is commissioner of district 7 in Athens, Georgia. Results from the runoff election on Sep 4, 2024 · The ACC Commission shot down a small funding request for a community organizing and empowerment program run by Family Connection-Communities in Schools of Athens in a split vote, casting doubt on the program’s future. In the Feb 22, 2025 · For over a month, the ACC Commission has fiercely debated the topic of housing and the benefits of building more homes in Athens. Jul 26, 2025 · Local news. com, as do the results from the runoff. Oct 18, 2024 · The Athens-Clarke County Commission is considering a franchising proposal that would reshape how trash is collected in Athens, limiting consumer choice but improving efficiency and potentially lowering costs. (If you’re wondering why there aren’t any blue rows, it’s because without Republican support, bills have no chance of passing in this state. He represents 5-Points, Milledge Circle, S. The rest of this article focuses on his race for commissioner: Signature Issues Economic Opportunity for Athenians — Hull’s platform focuses squarely on fighting poverty and providing pathways for economic mobility. Since our focus is on the local government, that’s the focus of the lists Oct 2, 2024 · Acting Athens-Clarke County Manager Niki Jones has declared a local public health emergency after “extremely high” levels of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were discovered in wells along Pittard Road and Star Drive on the northeast side of Athens. Jan 7, 2025 · The ACC Commission approved an agreement with Athens First United Methodist Church to allow the demolition of the historic Saye building despite a flood of public comment in opposition. If only 10% of the units in a participating development Jan 19, 2024 · The ACC Commission is getting ready to crack down on short-term rentals like Airbnbs and VRBOs by passing a text amendment to the ACC zoning code next month. ACC Police Department Chief Jerry Saulters and ACC Sheriff John Q Williams took questions for about an hour on local law enforcement procedure and how it has changed recently due Mar 29, 2024 · Carol Myers is commissioner of Athens-Clarke County in district 8. These demands included new leases for all tenants at reduced rent. While National EMS has provided some of the requested data, it failed to include important performance metrics in its report to the ACC Commission. You can provide essential support for APN by dropping a few bucks in the tip jar here. The commission also discussed a planned Frank Ginn (R) is state senator of the 47th district, which includes some of Athens and Jackson county, Georgia as well as Madison and Barrow counties. The commission also decided on a transition for residents at the First Step homeless encampment, approved the schematic design of a $6. Advertise on Athens Politics Nerd! Options include website ads on the banner and sidebar, and video ads, including sponsored video. Patrick Davenport is commissioner of district 1 in Athens, Georgia. The emergency declaration has allowed Jones to speed up the process of transitioning ten homes in the area from wells over to Sep 19, 2024 · The Athens Downtown Development Authority has proposed a tentative concept for the redesign of College Square in downtown Athens. 5%) 2020 Runoff Athens: 46,275 votes cast of 78,148 registered voters (59. Dec 5, 2024 · After nearly two hours of public comment from dozens of speakers, the ACC Commission declared Athens a “safe haven” for the LGBTQ+ community in the face of national and state-level threats, particularly against the trans community. Dozens of Athens residents in these neighborhoods are facing displacement after Prosperity Sheriff of Athens-Clarke County 2021 – present John Q William’s website Signature Issues Raising Deputy Pay — Williams has been a strong advocate for raising the pay of deputies to help improve morale and equalize pay with that of police officers. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia has three representatives in the State House and two in the State Senate. Despite these benefits, it’s uncertain if the ACC Commission will allow Athens Transit to continue their fare-free policy. He represents East Athens, Winterville and Morton road areas. com, as do the results from Athens-Clarke County. Davis’ website Experience Davis runs a general civil and criminal law firm where he often advises government entities on ethics and compliance issues. Athens’ 1% Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) is a special tax that funds transportation projects in Athens. They did so against the advice of the ACC Planning Commission, a resident advisory body which has become increasingly irrelevant in recent months. The ACC Democratic party has called for Clyde’s removal from office due to his support for insurgents and promotion of false conspiracy May 1, 2022 · Athens, Georgia’s local election is the same date as the statewide primary — May 24. • Purple rows indicate a bill with sponsors from both parties. This started in 2019 when the local government, together with the Athens Housing Authority, purchased Bethel Homes from its absentee landlord, because the property was falling apart, literally. 2%) Oconee: 23,565 votes cast of 30,444 registered voters (77. ga. Some commissioners have argued that allowing housing development, even if unaffordable for most people, will tend to lower housing costs across the city over time. In Athens, 21,813 voters cast their Oct 5, 2024 · Deborah Gonzalez and Kalki Yalamanchili are both running to be the next District Attorney of the Western Circuit of Georgia, which includes both Athens-Clarke and Oconee County. 6 Chad Lowery is a member of the Athens GOP, a real estate investor and a former candidate for a two-month term on the ACC Commission representing district 6. Nov 4, 2020 · Results for Federal Offices Results for State Offices Results for Local Offices Amendments and Referenda Turnout 2020 General Election Athens: 51,773 votes cast of 76,504 registered voters (67. The annual point-in-time count tallies people experiencing both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness as well as the total shelter capacity Apr 30, 2024 · How did Athens’ state representatives vote? Legend Row color • R ed rows indicate a bill sponsored by Republicans only. The commission also voted in favor of a permanent concrete barrier protecting the bike lanes on Prince Avenue and for a new development of 60 cottages at 215 Tim Denson serves on the ACC Board of Education in Athens, Georgia from District 5, which includes the Forest Heights, Boulevard and Homewood Hills neighborhoods. Dexter Fisher serves on the ACC Commission as representative of District 5, which includes the Homewood Hills, Forest Heights and Moss Side neighborhoods. They might even be required to go as low as 60% of the area median income, depending on how many affordable units they build. Dec 27, 2024 · In case you missed it, a controversy has developed around George Haynie III, manager of the UGA College of Engineering's machine shop on campus. It was heralded by US Senator Jon Ossoff as a “historic” investment that Dec 19, 2024 · The ACC Commission passed a resolution calling on the Georgia legislature to allow cities and municipalities across the state to adopt a new voting system for local elections. Tiffany Taylor is Commissioner of District 3 in Athens, GA since 2023. May 22, 2024 · Uncontested races Most judge positions, ACC Commission Districts 4 and 10 as well as Board of Education Districts 4, 6 and 8 were uncontested. Apr 14, 2024 · On Wednesday, March 27, one of the two candidates for the Athens-Clarke County District 6 Commissioner race, Stephanie Johnson, threatened to file a restraining order against Chris Dowd, the founder Who are the candidates running for election in Athens, GA? What do they stand for? Let's review the local, state and federal elections coming in the next election cycle. We like our jobs and really Lexy Doherty was the Democratic nominee running to represent District 10 in the US House of Representatives in 2024. Feb 5, 2025 · Envision Athens, a local nonprofit organization, brought together representatives from nine service providing and law enforcement agencies last Thursday for a summit dedicated to understanding and addressing the problem of homelessness in Athens. Milledge, Westview and Riverbend areas. Aug 8, 2022 · Many low-income tenants in Athens are facing displacement at the end of August after Prosperity Capital Partners, a Florida-based investment company, Georgia is represented by two US Senators and Athens by two US Representatives: Apr 28, 2024 · Athens, Georgia’s local election is the same date as the statewide primary — May 21. Dozens of people took the podium at city hall to speak out for racial justice, affordable housing and other topics. Former residents are calling for a resolution that recognizes the wrong that was done to them and calls for redress. The Dec 27, 2024 · In case you missed it, a controversy has developed around George Haynie III, manager of the UGA College of Engineering's machine shop on campus. Mar 7, 2025 · At their meeting on Tuesday, ACC Commissioners approved an extensive and complex housing development off Barnett Shoals Road, blocked the permanent commercial May 21, 2024 · Jeff Davis, candidate for GA Appeals Court Jeff Davis is running to be a judge on the Georgia Appeals Court in 2024. Jan 16, 2025 · Students at the University of Georgia held a “march against Nazis” on Wednesday protesting a university employee, George Haynie, who has ties to the Aryan Mayor Paul Walton of Hull, Georgia ran in the Democratic primary for the US House of Representatives, District 10 in 2022. 7%) Oconee: 25,399 votes cast of 30,071 registered voters (84. The district includes all neighborhoods off Timothy Road and the Beechwood neighborhood off Alps Road. Bill Cowsert (R) is state senator of the 46th district, which includes most of Athens, Georgia as well as Oconee and Walton counties. Commissioners Patrick Davenport, Allison Wright, Dexter Fisher, John Culpepper, Ovita Thornton and Mike Hamby voted against approving $38,062 for a 4% cost-of-living adjustment 990 Followers, 53 Following, 186 Posts - Athens Politics Nerd (@athenspoliticsnerd) on Instagram: "Independent, progressive journalism for Athens, Georgia. Jul 26, 2025 · Results come from the Georgia Secretary of State's website for both the primary and the primary runoff. APN takes a progressive view of the news, focusing on both Apr 3, 2024 · Commissioner Dexter Fisher called out Mayor Kelly Girtz publicly in March, chastising him at an unrelated budget meeting for letters he wrote to the US State Department supporting refugee resettlement in Athens. Specifically, Girtz apologized for the creation of two urban renewal districts, one centered on Baxter street and the other on College avenue, which displaced hundreds of Black Athenians and resulted in the “loss Sep 8, 2024 · At their meeting last Tuesday, the Athens-Clarke County Commission blocked a proposed housing project off Lexington Road by allowing the developer to withdraw their request under the strong threat of a rejection. Linnentown was a Black community off Baxter street where high-rise UGA dormitories such as Jun 10, 2025 · In a long meeting packed with agenda items last week, the Athens-Clarke County Commission approved a massive new housing development off Atlanta Highway, possibly the largest ever approved in Athens’ history. She represents parts of east Athens and all of Winterville. 4% Feb 16, 2021 · The mayor and commission has passed the long-awaited Linnentown resolution, recognizing and apologizing for acts of “institutionalized white racism and terrorism” committed by the city of Athens and the University of Georgia against former Linnentown residents during the period of urban renewal. Become a Supporter. Jan 9, 2025 · The ACC Commission approved a $7,500 settlement with Charles Hardy, former director of the First Step homeless encampment, to reimburse him for some personal Mokah Jasmine-Johnson, activist and founder of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) and the Athens Hip-Hop Awards, ran for State House, District 120 in 2022. He was the executive director of the State Bar of Georgia from 2014 to 2021. Voting yes to allow the demolition: Davenport, Wright, Fisher, Johnson, Culpepper, Myers, Hamby John Culpepper has served as the ACC Commissioner of District 7 since 2023. Independent media based in Athens, Georgia. 990 Followers, 53 Following, 186 Posts - Athens Politics Nerd (@athenspoliticsnerd) on Instagram: "Independent, progressive journalism for Athens, Georgia. Ovita Thornton is commissioner of district 9 in Athens, Georgia. May 6, 2021 · Homelessness and housing insecurity is an enormous problem in Athens, Georgia, which has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nov 13, 2024 · TSPLOST 2026 The ACC Commission has tentatively decided how they would like to spend $140 million earmarked for transportation projects over the next few years, if a special sales tax is re-approved by voters. Others argue that the economic theory of supply and demand may not apply to the Athens housing market Apr 28, 2019 · With roundabouts on Tallassee Road, Whitehall Road and one now being planned for Broad Street, Athenians might be asking themselves, “Why roundabouts?” Spencer Frye (D) is state representative of the 118th district, which includes about half of Athens Clarke-County, Georgia. Georgia Politics. National policy. The original plan included a multi-use path, stormwater improvements, green space and public transit enhancements with a roundabout added a bit later. At the end of the commission meeting on February 4 Oct 8, 2023 · The ACC Commission has come together in a nearly unanimous compromise to approve an affordable housing investment strategy and a plan to reduce and prevent homelessness. He is a member of APN. Mental Healthcare for Inmates — When Armor Healthcare failed to provide adequate care at the ACC Jail, Williams switched providers and was . Girtz wrote letters to the US State Department in 2022 and 2023 on behalf of Bethany Christian Services, a Christian organization offering foster care and adoption services. In this article, APN will break down candidates of interest to Athens voters, providing information and analysis to help you decide who to vote for. It was last approved by voters in 2022 and Local News and Analysis Mayor and Commission Meetings Community News School District News University News State News and Politics State Legislation Dec 30, 2024 · Every year, APN reviews the top 5 best and worst news stories we covered that year. 386 people experiencing homelessness were surveyed on January 24, which is 12. Athens Politics Nerd is an independent media organization keeping you up to date on Athens, GA news. Athens Politics Nerd is an independent media organization keeping you up to date on local news and politics in the Athens, Georgia area. It’s often favored by third parties because it allows voters to choose a lesser May 25, 2022 · These election day results come from clarityelections. She represents North Athens, Pulaski street and Newtown areas. Ranked choice voting is a system that allows voters to select candidates in order of preference, rather than choosing only one to support. They represented West Athens, Mitchell Bridge Road and the Georgia Square Mall area. APN takes a progressive view of the news, focusing on both the mayor and commission and protest movements alike. Help APN continue covering local news and elections for the Athens area! Please consider becoming a member or giving a one-time donation via PayPal. He is next up for re-election in 2022. Despite the potential benefits of the plan, commissioners are likely to reject it unless they hear positive feedback from their constituents soon. Feb 10, 2020 · Linnentown was a black neighborhood in Athens that was razed in the 60s during urban renewal. " He ran for Athens-Clarke County Commissioner for district 8 earlier that year, but lost to Carol Myers. Johnson’s website Signature Issues Fighting Discrimination — Johnson began her activism in 2016 to end discrimination, downtown and throughout Athens. Most elections on the ballot are discussed in Feb 11, 2025 · At their meeting last week, the ACC Commission established a new partnership with the Classic Center to encourage development around the Akins Ford Arena. ) Vote color • Votes (yes or no) colored red indicate that Jan 16, 2023 · The Brewing Union of Georgia will represent production, maintenance and taproom employees at the brewery once fully formed and recognized by Creature Comforts. Furthermore, some of Andrew Ferguson (D) ran to represent District 120 in the Georgia House of Representatives in 2024. yyrim qywuw dcve dsyjr fzkdby xjxx adhk kzvmxd lmanret yzdxjvt