Thank you for your time and I deeply appreciate your interest. As someone who is interested in others' biographies and histories, I felt compelled to reciprocate.

From these pages I aim to inform you of many issues I feel are important to ACC, and why I am running for the District 1 Commission seat. The Clarke County Commission needs new blood and new ideas. We need jobs and affordable housing. District 1 is a diverse combination of industry and business, powered by people. Even though we have gained a few businesses, we have empty retail space where commerce should be. I would like to see 'Green,' LEED compliant hospitality rooms in our
district, as well  as future construction, including ACC government remodeling or new  construction.Throughout the year, there are numerous business meetings, conferences, football traffic, airport commuters and visitors who arrive in District 1. Providing quality services near the airport would also provide permanent, year-round jobs.

We should expand our public transportation, open more possibilities in activities and recreation for Youth, Elderly and persons with disabilities. Our public schools should encourage and develop in ways which continue to evolve in even more student input and participation, higher graduation rates and provide greater local employment opportunities. I support growth and industry, working in unison with the ground-breaking, hands-on efforts which helped produce the laws which protect our waterways, flora and fauna.

There are many concerns and issues facing District One. Several I  focus on are the following:

1: To maintain its’ character and prominence. 2: Develop and encourage ‘Smart Growth’ business and industry, succinct to (number 1). 3: Expand our public transportation grid in order to have options for commuters to help alleviate (most assuredly) the growth to come; especially essential in to many citizens with disabilities and/or those without personal transportation; without overly compromising (1 & 2). 4: Further develop our Parks/Recreation program (and Leisure Services), one which is encouraging to our Elderly community and families. The way I see it, we have a ‘sleeping giant’ of a recreation industry which would, with good sense applied, supply beneficial year-round employment.

There is 5, 6, 7, 8 and more. Important point: communicating ideas and needs. There are multiple ways to achieve this. One idea on my mind a while is a quarterly published “Your Community News.” Citizen input regarding family news and events, updates on ACC government matters, home and garden tours and news; such as who recently grew the three pound tomato! Coupled with A quarterly District ‘Meet-Up’ …but where and what you ask? Read on!

District 1 encompasses a vast stretch of land, unlike in-town neighborhoods where there may be a mere twenty paces to the next house. If we built a well placed community pavilion, it would avail itself as a gathering place for neighborly contact and discussion; pot-luck dinners, your child’s guitar recital or a story-telling, holiday activities and bazaars, east side Farmers’ Market. A welcoming respite for ACC citizens and out-of-town visitors as well. Developing local business industry does not necessarily mean laying asphalt, brick and mortar.

I share the opinion with many in my district of our need to remain vigil in regard to our green spaces and long-established farming community. Within District 1 lies diverse wildlife, lakes, ponds and streams; critical components of our watershed. And other than a swathing of similar areas in ACC, it is nearly unique to Athens. There is an historical farming industry, contiguous to areas in three surrounding counties of the same nature. There are proven and copasetic methods of construction and industry which can (and do) work in unison to protect these important resources. My concerns for the ‘gateway to the east,’ are in part, the very reason I moved to District 1 eight years ago.

The recent fire at J & J Chemical Company in District 1, indicates our need to establish a notification system to warn citizens of hazardous conditions. Recently, ACC PD announced a program, Nixel, where you can sign up a residence to receive email and text notification if a crime is reported at that address.

I propose a similar alert - response system in the unfortunate event of future occurrence; be it reverse phone, email or text messaging. With an established Federation of Neighborhoods, and varying neighborhoods, a rotation 'call back point person' would be prudent.

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