Athens Politics Nerd

29/01/2025

Some commissioners see the potential displacement of residents living at a trailer park on North Avenue as a metaphor for how growth in Athens could come at the expense of local residents more broadly.

But are these commissioners right to be concerned?

Athens-Clarke County has seen significant growth in recent years with more newcomers on the way. These talented individuals arrive by the hundreds or

29/01/2025

"U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked the funding freeze only minutes before it was scheduled to take effect. The administrative stay, prompted by a lawsuit brought by nonprofit groups that receive federal money, lasts until Monday afternoon."

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives.

28/01/2025

"Federal agencies 'must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance,' White House Office of Management and Budget acting director Matthew Vaeth said in the memorandum."

The White House budget office has ordered a pause on all federal grants and loans, according to an internal memorandum sent Monday.

27/01/2025

Live in the West Broad / Hawthorne area and care about how tax dollars could be spent to improve your community?

Attend one of two upcoming open houses hosted by the ACC Government (Feb. 4 and 6) OR fill out the online form here:
https://www.accgov.com/tads

23/01/2025

What has the local government done to help lower rents and encourage affordable housing in Athens?

What have they NOT done that they should be doing?

Let’s take a look.

What has the ACC Commission done to reduce rents and to protect and encourage the growth of affordable housing in Athens? And what have they not done that

22/01/2025

ACC Solid Waste is considering moving away from regularly scheduled leaf and limb pickup to an on-demand service.

Switching from regularly scheduled leaf-and-limb pickup to an on-demand service would keep the Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department from falling behind after major storms without adding to the budget, officials told ACC commissioners at a work session last week. Currently Athens is divided in...

21/01/2025

The mayor and commission meeting tonight has been rescheduled for Thursday at 6pm, due to the weather conditions.

21/01/2025

Both Senators Warnock and Ossoff voted for the Laken Riley Act which would strip constitutional rights from vulnerable immigrant populations like Dreamers, enabling Trump to detain and deport them.

12 Democrats help deliver a likely early win to President Donald Trump.

20/01/2025

Let's get some facts straight.

Trump is a felon.
Trump was found liable for sexual abuse (aka r**e).
Trump encouraged a violent mob to attack the US Capitol.

Some might be triggered by it, but it doesn't stop them from being facts.

16/01/2025

UGA students held a “march against Nazis” on Wednesday protesting a university employee, George Haynie, who has ties to the A***n Freedom Network, a neo-Nazi group.

Should Haynie be fired for his neo-Nazi ties? Opinions varied.

Students at the University of Georgia held a “march against Nazis” on Wednesday protesting a university employee, George Haynie, who has ties to the A***n

15/01/2025

UGA students held a protest today against a university employee who has ties to a neo-Nazi group. Video and article on the way.

14/01/2025

Big win for Athens!

"Senators Ossoff and Rev. Warnock are delivering $4.95 million to the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, which plans to install EV chargers across Athens, significantly increasing the number of EV chargers in the area."

Athens, Ga. — U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff today announced bipartisan infrastructure law funding to build more electric vehicle chargers in Athens. Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock are delivering Federal resources through the bipartisan infrastructure law’s Charging a...

10/01/2025

Stephanie Johnson’s inauguration marks the first time in Athens’ history when half of the city council or commission seats were held by people of color.

But will this historic milestone bring progress on issues like racial equity and affordable housing?

Former ACC Auditor Stephanie Johnson took her oath of office as ACC Commissioner on Tuesday in front of a large crowd who celebrated the occasion as historic.

09/01/2025

Athens Transit buses will not be running on Friday or Saturday (Jan 10-11) due to expected hazardous driving conditions. 🌨️

09/01/2025

The ACC Commission agreed to hand over $7,500 to Charles Hardy, former director of the First Step camp, and released their claims against him for mismanagement of camp funds.

They did so without receipts, only based on a handwritten note Hardy provided.

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

07/01/2025

The even-numbered commissioners were just sworn in. The first mayor and commission meeting of the year is underway.

07/01/2025

A new group 'UGA Against Hate' is planning a march on January 15 in protest against a neo-Nazi affiliated UGA staff member.