Responsive Government
As your Commissioner, I promise to respond to your concerns in a timely manner. I hope that you will never hesitate to bring something to my attention that needs government action.
A Family-Friendly Athens
Too many parts of our city do not welcome families. Our city’s infrastructure must be safe and serve citizens of all ages. It troubles me that the sidewalks downtown are in terrible condition, especially endangering seniors, children, and those with disabilities. I'm proud to play a role in pushing for the best possible redesign of downtown sidewalks that hopefully will come soon through TSPLOST funding. Also, Athens is missing out by providing little to no infrastructure for children in the downtown core. It seems we have surrendered downtown to bars and luxury student apartments. Where are the amenities for the tax-paying homeowners? With all the new tax revenue from the downtown apartments, it's past time we develop more downtown spaces for children and begin seeing more families downtown. In Five Points too, we must ensure that our sidewalks are safe with well-marked crossings. It is of utmost importance for commerce and fairness that our community have well designed infrastructure that serves all ages.
A Business-Friendly Athens
I co-own a small business with my wife and see every day how important the tourism industry is for Athens. Because tourists add funds to our local economy without demanding residential services, we need to do all we can to encourage tourism to Athens. That’s why I support a vibrant calendar of family-friendly events downtown, the district which so often forms visitors’ first impression of our community. Downtown must be the cleanest it can possibly be, and it must be welcoming to all people. Athens can become more of a Georgia destination. It already houses the State Art Museum and the State Botanical Garden. With more support, we could see more tourism and the more robust economy that comes with it.
Reform of Property Taxes and Fees
Property values in Athens have increased nearly 10% in the past year. That increase strains Athenians that live on a fixed income, most notably our retired and senior population. Our city should explore tax abatements for senior residents who may otherwise get priced out of their homes.
Neighborhood Preservation
Athens has historic preservation ordinances that allow established neighborhoods to protect architecturally significant homes from demolition. These policies were put in place and long-supported by District 7 residents Cardee Kilpatrick and Kathy Hoard. I intend to carry on the legacy of these Athenians by honoring Athens' historic preservation guidelines. It deeply troubles me that the existing preservation process sometimes drags on, requiring extension of development moratoriums. When a moratorium is passed, the government owes its citizens to act efficiently. Moratorium extensions reopen wounds and tend to contribute to further neighborhood division. I will work with citizens to ensure our government effectively manages the preservation process.
Spend Local Dollars on Local Law Enforcement
Athens-Clarke County does not need to be spending its limited resources on efforts to do the federal government’s job. I stand with those in our community who seek to end the policy of directing local law-enforcement dollars away from combating local crime by taking on immigration enforcement responsibilities which by law are the arena of our federal government.
As your Commissioner, I promise to respond to your concerns in a timely manner. I hope that you will never hesitate to bring something to my attention that needs government action.
A Family-Friendly Athens
Too many parts of our city do not welcome families. Our city’s infrastructure must be safe and serve citizens of all ages. It troubles me that the sidewalks downtown are in terrible condition, especially endangering seniors, children, and those with disabilities. I'm proud to play a role in pushing for the best possible redesign of downtown sidewalks that hopefully will come soon through TSPLOST funding. Also, Athens is missing out by providing little to no infrastructure for children in the downtown core. It seems we have surrendered downtown to bars and luxury student apartments. Where are the amenities for the tax-paying homeowners? With all the new tax revenue from the downtown apartments, it's past time we develop more downtown spaces for children and begin seeing more families downtown. In Five Points too, we must ensure that our sidewalks are safe with well-marked crossings. It is of utmost importance for commerce and fairness that our community have well designed infrastructure that serves all ages.
A Business-Friendly Athens
I co-own a small business with my wife and see every day how important the tourism industry is for Athens. Because tourists add funds to our local economy without demanding residential services, we need to do all we can to encourage tourism to Athens. That’s why I support a vibrant calendar of family-friendly events downtown, the district which so often forms visitors’ first impression of our community. Downtown must be the cleanest it can possibly be, and it must be welcoming to all people. Athens can become more of a Georgia destination. It already houses the State Art Museum and the State Botanical Garden. With more support, we could see more tourism and the more robust economy that comes with it.
Reform of Property Taxes and Fees
Property values in Athens have increased nearly 10% in the past year. That increase strains Athenians that live on a fixed income, most notably our retired and senior population. Our city should explore tax abatements for senior residents who may otherwise get priced out of their homes.
Neighborhood Preservation
Athens has historic preservation ordinances that allow established neighborhoods to protect architecturally significant homes from demolition. These policies were put in place and long-supported by District 7 residents Cardee Kilpatrick and Kathy Hoard. I intend to carry on the legacy of these Athenians by honoring Athens' historic preservation guidelines. It deeply troubles me that the existing preservation process sometimes drags on, requiring extension of development moratoriums. When a moratorium is passed, the government owes its citizens to act efficiently. Moratorium extensions reopen wounds and tend to contribute to further neighborhood division. I will work with citizens to ensure our government effectively manages the preservation process.
Spend Local Dollars on Local Law Enforcement
Athens-Clarke County does not need to be spending its limited resources on efforts to do the federal government’s job. I stand with those in our community who seek to end the policy of directing local law-enforcement dollars away from combating local crime by taking on immigration enforcement responsibilities which by law are the arena of our federal government.
