Athens Politics Nerd
@athenspoliticsnerd.bsky.social
Independent, progressive journalism for Athens, Georgia.
Polls are open in the election for two seats on the Public Service Commission. Get out there and VOTE!
Check here for APN's voter guide:
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-general...
Check here for APN's voter guide:
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-general...
November 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Polls are open in the election for two seats on the Public Service Commission. Get out there and VOTE!
Check here for APN's voter guide:
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-general...
Check here for APN's voter guide:
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-general...
Lexy Doherty, candidate for US Congress, is hosting a protest song open mic and karaoke event this Wednesday at Hendershots.
www.facebook.com/events/17757...
www.facebook.com/events/17757...
October 27, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Lexy Doherty, candidate for US Congress, is hosting a protest song open mic and karaoke event this Wednesday at Hendershots.
www.facebook.com/events/17757...
www.facebook.com/events/17757...
FINALLY we're seeing the ridership boost on Athens Transit that fare-free bus service was always expected to bring.
Article coming soon.
Article coming soon.
October 16, 2025 at 6:55 PM
FINALLY we're seeing the ridership boost on Athens Transit that fare-free bus service was always expected to bring.
Article coming soon.
Article coming soon.
Thinking about running for political office?
The Athens-Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "political leadership academy" on October 18 and November 1.
"Participants will gain professional training and insights on campaigning, fundraising, branding and other key aspects of civic engagement."
The Athens-Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "political leadership academy" on October 18 and November 1.
"Participants will gain professional training and insights on campaigning, fundraising, branding and other key aspects of civic engagement."
September 25, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Thinking about running for political office?
The Athens-Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "political leadership academy" on October 18 and November 1.
"Participants will gain professional training and insights on campaigning, fundraising, branding and other key aspects of civic engagement."
The Athens-Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "political leadership academy" on October 18 and November 1.
"Participants will gain professional training and insights on campaigning, fundraising, branding and other key aspects of civic engagement."
I was out today taking pictures of Flock Safety cameras taking pictures. Watching the watchers. It's all very meta.
September 9, 2025 at 8:07 PM
I was out today taking pictures of Flock Safety cameras taking pictures. Watching the watchers. It's all very meta.
Here is the 2-min video version of my article about the community garden the commission just approved:
www.youtube.com/shorts/xspXp...
www.youtube.com/shorts/xspXp...
September 5, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Here is the 2-min video version of my article about the community garden the commission just approved:
www.youtube.com/shorts/xspXp...
www.youtube.com/shorts/xspXp...
Athens is standing up today at the corner of Alps and Baxter for 'Workers over Billionaires,' part of a nationwide protest.
Pro-immigrant, pro-LGBTQ as well as anti-Trump and anti-fascist signs were also common.
Pro-immigrant, pro-LGBTQ as well as anti-Trump and anti-fascist signs were also common.
September 1, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Athens is standing up today at the corner of Alps and Baxter for 'Workers over Billionaires,' part of a nationwide protest.
Pro-immigrant, pro-LGBTQ as well as anti-Trump and anti-fascist signs were also common.
Pro-immigrant, pro-LGBTQ as well as anti-Trump and anti-fascist signs were also common.
ACC Commissioner John Culpepper wants to use TSPLOST sales tax dollars, which were intended to fund fare-free operations on Athens Transit through 2027, and use that money to buy fare-boxes again.
In the opinion of APN's editor, Chris Dowd, that would be a very bad idea.
youtube.com/shorts/w8UxL...
In the opinion of APN's editor, Chris Dowd, that would be a very bad idea.
youtube.com/shorts/w8UxL...
August 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
ACC Commissioner John Culpepper wants to use TSPLOST sales tax dollars, which were intended to fund fare-free operations on Athens Transit through 2027, and use that money to buy fare-boxes again.
In the opinion of APN's editor, Chris Dowd, that would be a very bad idea.
youtube.com/shorts/w8UxL...
In the opinion of APN's editor, Chris Dowd, that would be a very bad idea.
youtube.com/shorts/w8UxL...
A tenants' union is starting up in Athens. Their first meeting is Sunday from 3-5pm at the library if collective organizing against bad landlords is something that interests you.
July 23, 2025 at 5:41 PM
A tenants' union is starting up in Athens. Their first meeting is Sunday from 3-5pm at the library if collective organizing against bad landlords is something that interests you.
Hamby also dropped a second last-minute budget proposal, updated to provide political favors for commissioners whose votes he needs.
The CDO is now endorsed by five commissioners: Hamby, Wright, Culpepper, Thornton, Fisher.
All he needs is Johnson or Taylor, and he'll probably get both of them.
The CDO is now endorsed by five commissioners: Hamby, Wright, Culpepper, Thornton, Fisher.
All he needs is Johnson or Taylor, and he'll probably get both of them.
June 10, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Hamby also dropped a second last-minute budget proposal, updated to provide political favors for commissioners whose votes he needs.
The CDO is now endorsed by five commissioners: Hamby, Wright, Culpepper, Thornton, Fisher.
All he needs is Johnson or Taylor, and he'll probably get both of them.
The CDO is now endorsed by five commissioners: Hamby, Wright, Culpepper, Thornton, Fisher.
All he needs is Johnson or Taylor, and he'll probably get both of them.
Budget showdown: Myers launches SPLOST counter-raid!
Myers has dropped a new proposal in the final days before the scheduled vote on the fiscal year 2026 budget that keeps tax rates even and uses about $300,000 less of the county’s fund balance reserve.
Myers has dropped a new proposal in the final days before the scheduled vote on the fiscal year 2026 budget that keeps tax rates even and uses about $300,000 less of the county’s fund balance reserve.
June 8, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Budget showdown: Myers launches SPLOST counter-raid!
Myers has dropped a new proposal in the final days before the scheduled vote on the fiscal year 2026 budget that keeps tax rates even and uses about $300,000 less of the county’s fund balance reserve.
Myers has dropped a new proposal in the final days before the scheduled vote on the fiscal year 2026 budget that keeps tax rates even and uses about $300,000 less of the county’s fund balance reserve.
A public input session is scheduled for tomorrow from 4-6 pm at the Foundry ballroom downtown about the proposed redevelopment of the Graduate hotel and nearby parking lots into student housing.
Public benefits include ~$8 million for affordable housing and an important sewer connection.
Public benefits include ~$8 million for affordable housing and an important sewer connection.
June 8, 2025 at 5:36 PM
A public input session is scheduled for tomorrow from 4-6 pm at the Foundry ballroom downtown about the proposed redevelopment of the Graduate hotel and nearby parking lots into student housing.
Public benefits include ~$8 million for affordable housing and an important sewer connection.
Public benefits include ~$8 million for affordable housing and an important sewer connection.
Commissioner Hamby has finally released the budget he's been working on in secret. Commissioner Myers calls it "wonderfully creative" but I suspect that's not exactly a compliment.
TL;DR Hamby is raiding T/SPLOST to give everyone everything we want. The cost will be unspecified T/SPLOST projects.
TL;DR Hamby is raiding T/SPLOST to give everyone everything we want. The cost will be unspecified T/SPLOST projects.
June 5, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Commissioner Hamby has finally released the budget he's been working on in secret. Commissioner Myers calls it "wonderfully creative" but I suspect that's not exactly a compliment.
TL;DR Hamby is raiding T/SPLOST to give everyone everything we want. The cost will be unspecified T/SPLOST projects.
TL;DR Hamby is raiding T/SPLOST to give everyone everything we want. The cost will be unspecified T/SPLOST projects.
The Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition is sponsoring a workshop on June 7 entitled Midwives of Justice: Hospitality and Resistance in an Era of Mass Deportation.
It will be at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church from 9 am to noon. The workshop will be run by Anton Flores from Casa Alterna.
It will be at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church from 9 am to noon. The workshop will be run by Anton Flores from Casa Alterna.
June 2, 2025 at 6:37 PM
The Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition is sponsoring a workshop on June 7 entitled Midwives of Justice: Hospitality and Resistance in an Era of Mass Deportation.
It will be at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church from 9 am to noon. The workshop will be run by Anton Flores from Casa Alterna.
It will be at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church from 9 am to noon. The workshop will be run by Anton Flores from Casa Alterna.
Commissioner Carol Myers has made the first budget proposal for this year.
She proposes raising taxes 0.1 mils to better fund:
-The ACC Library
-Public defenders, DA, Tax commish, courts
-ACCPD, FD, Sheriff
-The Food Bank and Keep Athens Clarke County Beautiful
Also, AFFORDABLE HOUSING!
She proposes raising taxes 0.1 mils to better fund:
-The ACC Library
-Public defenders, DA, Tax commish, courts
-ACCPD, FD, Sheriff
-The Food Bank and Keep Athens Clarke County Beautiful
Also, AFFORDABLE HOUSING!
June 2, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Commissioner Carol Myers has made the first budget proposal for this year.
She proposes raising taxes 0.1 mils to better fund:
-The ACC Library
-Public defenders, DA, Tax commish, courts
-ACCPD, FD, Sheriff
-The Food Bank and Keep Athens Clarke County Beautiful
Also, AFFORDABLE HOUSING!
She proposes raising taxes 0.1 mils to better fund:
-The ACC Library
-Public defenders, DA, Tax commish, courts
-ACCPD, FD, Sheriff
-The Food Bank and Keep Athens Clarke County Beautiful
Also, AFFORDABLE HOUSING!
Indivisible GA-10 held a May Day rally outside Piedmont today for workers rights, unions, raising the minimum wage, enforcing child labor laws and efforts by the Piedmont maintenance workers to unionize. @indivisiblega10.bsky.social
#MayDay2025 #UnionStrong
#MayDay2025 #UnionStrong
May 1, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Indivisible GA-10 held a May Day rally outside Piedmont today for workers rights, unions, raising the minimum wage, enforcing child labor laws and efforts by the Piedmont maintenance workers to unionize. @indivisiblega10.bsky.social
#MayDay2025 #UnionStrong
#MayDay2025 #UnionStrong
There's a protest against Donald Trump and Elon Musk, part of a national movement, TODAY at city hall at 3 pm.
April 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
There's a protest against Donald Trump and Elon Musk, part of a national movement, TODAY at city hall at 3 pm.
The local government will be hosting information sessions about the new future land use map, which is comprehensively updated only once every 20 years.
March 28, 2025 at 4:35 PM
The local government will be hosting information sessions about the new future land use map, which is comprehensively updated only once every 20 years.
Reposted from that other website:
"ACCGov's own Solid Waste Director Suki Janssen wrote a children's book about vultures, and it's now featured on Sandy Creek Nature Center's Storybook Trail! Go enjoy a nice walk in the woods while reading through 'There Goes The Neighborhood.'"
"ACCGov's own Solid Waste Director Suki Janssen wrote a children's book about vultures, and it's now featured on Sandy Creek Nature Center's Storybook Trail! Go enjoy a nice walk in the woods while reading through 'There Goes The Neighborhood.'"
March 26, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Reposted from that other website:
"ACCGov's own Solid Waste Director Suki Janssen wrote a children's book about vultures, and it's now featured on Sandy Creek Nature Center's Storybook Trail! Go enjoy a nice walk in the woods while reading through 'There Goes The Neighborhood.'"
"ACCGov's own Solid Waste Director Suki Janssen wrote a children's book about vultures, and it's now featured on Sandy Creek Nature Center's Storybook Trail! Go enjoy a nice walk in the woods while reading through 'There Goes The Neighborhood.'"
Athenians are fed up with the Trump administration's attacks on education, science, our democracy and the rule of law.
I went to an absolutely packed town hall meeting last night and a protest held by the United Campus Workers of Georgia today at the arch.
Video to come! For now, I have photos:
I went to an absolutely packed town hall meeting last night and a protest held by the United Campus Workers of Georgia today at the arch.
Video to come! For now, I have photos:
March 19, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Athenians are fed up with the Trump administration's attacks on education, science, our democracy and the rule of law.
I went to an absolutely packed town hall meeting last night and a protest held by the United Campus Workers of Georgia today at the arch.
Video to come! For now, I have photos:
I went to an absolutely packed town hall meeting last night and a protest held by the United Campus Workers of Georgia today at the arch.
Video to come! For now, I have photos:
From ACC Gov:
"ACCGov is seeking qualified candidates to fill terms on important policy-making boards. Deadline for receiving applications is Friday, April 4. Applicants must be Athens-Clarke County residents."
Apply here: accgov.com/boards
"ACCGov is seeking qualified candidates to fill terms on important policy-making boards. Deadline for receiving applications is Friday, April 4. Applicants must be Athens-Clarke County residents."
Apply here: accgov.com/boards
March 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
From ACC Gov:
"ACCGov is seeking qualified candidates to fill terms on important policy-making boards. Deadline for receiving applications is Friday, April 4. Applicants must be Athens-Clarke County residents."
Apply here: accgov.com/boards
"ACCGov is seeking qualified candidates to fill terms on important policy-making boards. Deadline for receiving applications is Friday, April 4. Applicants must be Athens-Clarke County residents."
Apply here: accgov.com/boards
Support Dignidad Inmigrante En Athens today by buying some delicious Mexican food at lot F-13 in Pinewoods off US-29.
March 1, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Support Dignidad Inmigrante En Athens today by buying some delicious Mexican food at lot F-13 in Pinewoods off US-29.
The Phi Kappa Literary Society is hosting a debate this Thursday about rainbow capitalism -- is it a net detriment to the LGBTQIA+ community?
This debate will be held in Phi Kappa Hall on north campus at 7 pm on February 27, this Thursday.
This debate will be held in Phi Kappa Hall on north campus at 7 pm on February 27, this Thursday.
February 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The Phi Kappa Literary Society is hosting a debate this Thursday about rainbow capitalism -- is it a net detriment to the LGBTQIA+ community?
This debate will be held in Phi Kappa Hall on north campus at 7 pm on February 27, this Thursday.
This debate will be held in Phi Kappa Hall on north campus at 7 pm on February 27, this Thursday.
@indivisiblega10.bsky.social held a protest outside city hall on Presidents' Day today calling for enforcement of the rule of law, support for the US Constitution and the restoration of the balance of power between the judicial, legislative and the executive branches of the federal government.
February 17, 2025 at 9:26 PM
@indivisiblega10.bsky.social held a protest outside city hall on Presidents' Day today calling for enforcement of the rule of law, support for the US Constitution and the restoration of the balance of power between the judicial, legislative and the executive branches of the federal government.
Homeless service providers in Athens are determined to get creative on tackling homelessness even as the problem continues to get worse.
The main barrier they're facing isn't funding, compassion or even mental health challenges.
It's a lack of housing.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/state-of-hom...
The main barrier they're facing isn't funding, compassion or even mental health challenges.
It's a lack of housing.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/state-of-hom...
February 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Homeless service providers in Athens are determined to get creative on tackling homelessness even as the problem continues to get worse.
The main barrier they're facing isn't funding, compassion or even mental health challenges.
It's a lack of housing.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/state-of-hom...
The main barrier they're facing isn't funding, compassion or even mental health challenges.
It's a lack of housing.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/state-of-hom...