local government
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Environment
Q&A: Nix Spearheads Clean Energy Plan for County
Ramsey Nix recently started a position in the Athens-Clarke County Sustainability Department as an education consultant. She has previously advocated for the use of electric school buses and solar panels in the Clarke County School District. Q: You’re relatively new to your job with Athens-Clarke County. What has been the…
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2024 Election
Jackson County Seniors Advocate for Property Tax Cuts with 3 Items on Nov. 5 Ballot
Some Jackson County senior citizens are pushing for tax relief following a three-year effort by residents out of the Cresswind Community. Three bills on the ballot Nov. 5 could reduce the amount of property taxes seniors would have to pay in coming years. HB 1003, HB 1004 and HB 1461…
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2022 Election
‘Queer People Shake $#*! Up’: LGBTQ Representation in Government and the Driving Force Behind It
The LGBTQ Victory Fund, founded in 1991, is the only national organization dedicated to electing openly LGBTQ people to all levels of government in an effort to “achieve and sustain equality.” The Victory Fund provides campaign, communications and fundraising support to LGBTQ candidates nationwide, while its sister organization, the LGBTQ…
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Athens-Clarke County
More Than Books: Libraries Are Community Centers
The automatic sliding doors open with a whoosh. Books are neatly stacked on the hold shelves, waiting for readers to come and retrieve them. The stairs take you up to rows upon rows of books of all different sizes, some skinny, some wide, some heavy tomes. Bright lights illuminate…
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In-Depth
How Madison County Residents Successfully Lobbied Legislators Over Pollution Concerns
The law-altering conversations about air pollution in Georgia did not originate in the Capitol building chambers that hosted them. They started between a group of friends in a living room in the small Madison County town of Colbert, Georgia. Eight months of lobbying later, Governor Brian Kemp’s signed a…
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In-Depth
Watkinsville Mayor Resigns, Walks Out Of City Hall During Council Meeting
Watkinsville Mayor Bob Smith announced his resignation, effective immediately, during the March 17 council meeting. Soon after, Smith posted an official statement to his mayoral Facebook page outlining how he came to this decision. It was a shock to everyone in the meeting, including the council. I think if we…
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Athens-Clarke County
Warnings No Longer Guaranteed: Athens-Clarke County Noise Ordinances Evolving
Athens-Clarke County operates under strict noise control ordinances. In the past, officers have been able to exercise some discretion when it came to the enforcement of these ordinances and often gave warnings before issuing a ticket. Because of the changing composition of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, this policy may…
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Athens-Clarke County
Athens-Clarke County Experiences Shortage of Affordable Housing for Workforce
More than half of the members of the Athens workforce are unable to afford median rent, according to the Athens-Clarke County Workforce Housing Study. This study was created to support and maintain workforce housing in Athens as well as find and resolve issues with current housing stock. According to the…
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Northeast Georgia News
Bogart City Council Election Candidates
By Jordynn Abernathy The time is here! Elections for Bogart City Council are tomorrow and they are looking to fill two seats. These are all of the qualifying candidates that will be on the ballot. All have stressed the importance of transitioning from septic tanks to a downtown sewer…
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Athens-Clarke County
Upcoming Local Government Meetings
By Kalyn Wilson Here’s a look at which county government meetings are happening this week. Monday, November 2nd: Barrow County is having two public hearings for the FY2016 Millage Rates at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Commission Meeting Room, and a Special Called Meeting afterwards at 7 p.m.. Jackson…