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Blog posts by Blake Aued, Editor

Commission to Consider Curfew, Ban on Gatherings

Blog: In the Loop

The Athens-Clarke County Commission has called an emergency meeting at 5 p.m. today to consider a curfew and a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people.

If approved, the curfew will prohibit people from driving or going out in public between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. That includes streets, bars, restaurants, parks and any other public building or public place.

Because of the need for social distancing, rather than attend in person, citizens are urged to provide comments online and watch the proceedings on Charter cable channel 180 or online at YouTube.com/accgov.

By Blake Aued | March 16, 2020
First Coronavirus Cases Reported in Athens

Blog: In the Loop

Two people in Athens have been tested positive for coronavirus, according to an Athens-Clarke County commissioner.

Commissioner Russell Edwards told Flagpole that a public health official told him Saturday night about the positive tests, and posted that information on social media, which quickly spread.

Flagpole has not been able to confirm the report. When reached by phone, District 10 public health director Whitney Howell declined to comment.

Mayor Kelly Girtz was also unable to confirm the report. However, he said that given Athens' population and status as a popular destination for visitors, it was only a matter of time before coronavirus made an appearance.

"We just know that it's coming," Girtz said. He made similar comments earlier today in a joint statement with Athens' state legislators after a meeting with hospital officials.

By Blake Aued | March 14, 2020
Georgia Pushes Back Presidential Primary; Athens Legislators Issue Coronavirus Warning

Blog: In the Loop

Gov. Brian Kemp.

Georgia is postponing early voting in the Democratic presidential primary and pushing Election Day back from Mar. 24 to May 19 due to fears of voters and poll workers spreading coronavirus.

May 19 is also the date of Democratic and Republican primaries for seats in Congress and the state legislature, as well as nonpartisan local races such as the Athens-Clarke County Commission and Clarke County Board of Education.

Early voting will resume at some point before May 19, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In addition, Mayor Kelly Girtz, state Reps. Spencer Frye (D-Athens), Houston Gaines (R-Athens) and Marcus Wiedower (R-Watkinsville), and Sens. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) and Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville) issued a statement today saying that they except to see COVID-19 cases in Athens.

By Blake Aued | March 14, 2020
Update: UGA and CCSD Suspend Classes and More Coronavirus Cancellations

Blog: In the Loop

The University of Georgia announced today that it will be suspending classes for two weeks and told students not to come back from spring break or leave campus Friday.

From USG Executive Vice Chancellor Teresa MacCartney:

By Blake Aued | March 13, 2020
State Says Athens Can't Use Paper Ballots

Blog: In the Loop

Brad Raffensperger.

The State Elections Board voted today to sanction Athens-Clarke County for using paper ballots instead of the new voting machines the state recently sent Georgia counties.

After a hearing held at UGA that lasted nearly eight hours, the state board voted to require the Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections to cover the $2,500 cost of the investigation into the decision. The state board will also fine the local board $5,000 for each day it continues to use paper ballots.

ACC could have faced a fine of over $5 million—$5,000 for each of the more than 1,000 paper ballots that had already been cast.

By Blake Aued | March 11, 2020
State Will Hold Hearing on Athens' Use of Paper Ballots

Blog: In the Loop

Early voters in the presidential primary are currently using paper ballots after the ACC Board of Elections voted last week to ditch the state’s new voting machines.

The board voted 3–2 Mar. 3 (with chairman Jesse Evans, Willa Fambrough and new member Rocky Raffle in favor, and Charles Knapper and Patricia Till opposed) to switch to paper ballots for the Mar. 24 presidential primary over concerns that the new machines’ large screens don’t give voters enough privacy. State law requires counties to use the voting system provided by the state unless it’s “impossible or impracticable.” County attorney Judd Drake told the board it will have a hard time meeting that standard, and Director of Elections and Voter Registration Charlotte Sosebee said privacy can be provided.

By Blake Aued | March 10, 2020
Here's Who's Running for Office in Athens

Blog: In the Loop

The qualifying period to run for local, state and federal offices ended today. Here's a list of who's running in Athens. (D) and (R) indicate party affiliation; most local races are nonpartisan. Asterisks indicate incumbents.

Athens-Clarke County Commission

District 2: Mariah Parker*

District 4: Michael Stapor, Allison Wright*

District 6: Jesse Houle, Jerry NeSmith*

District 8: Andrea Farnham, Kamau Hull, Andrea Farnham

District 10: Mike Hamby*, Knowa Johnson

By Blake Aued | March 6, 2020
Tony Derricotte Named Cedar Shoals Principal

Blog: In the Loop

Antonio Derricotte will be the principal of the Athens high school where he graduated.

Derricotte, one of two acting co-principals at Cedar Shoals High School, has been named principal at Cedar Shoals High School by interim superintendent Xernona Thomas. The Clarke County Board of Education approved the move at its Thursday meeting.

"Mr. Derricotte is student-focused and values collaboration," Thomas said in a news release. "I am confident he and the Cedar Shoals team will work very well together to set high expectations and provide strong academic instruction and support for students."

By Blake Aued | March 6, 2020
Early Voting Is Now Underway in Athens

Blog: In the Loop

In-person early voting for the Democratic presidential primary started Monday at the ACC Board of Elections (155 E. Washington St.) and will expand to four other locations later this month.

Office hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for Wednesday, Mar. 18, when the office will stay open until 7 p.m. The Board of Elections will also be open from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 14 and 1–5 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 15.

The week of Mar. 16–20, voters can also cast ballots at the ACC Library (2023 Baxter St.), the Cooperative Extension Office (275 Cleveland Road), the Miriam Moore Community Center (410 McKinley Drive) and room 103 in the basement of City Hall (301 College Ave.). The first three sites will be open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., with City Hall opening at 8 a.m. All four will stay open until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Mar. 18.

By Blake Aued | March 3, 2020
Commissioner Allison Wright Will Run for Re-election, Draws Opposition

Blog: In the Loop

Allison Wright will run for a third term on the Athens-Clarke County Commission, she announced today.

Wright, a medical illustrator, has represented District 4, the Five Points area, since 2013.

In her announcement, she took partial credit for a number of initiatives during those seven-plus years, including fare-free transit for children, seniors and the disabled; affordable housing; police body cameras; and addressing discrimination at downtown bars.

She said she wants to continue to expand transit, provide training on discrimination and sexual assault to bar employees, and address poverty and the aging population.

By Blake Aued | February 26, 2020
Athens Gets Grant to Help Lure Airline

Blog: In the Loop

Athens-Clarke County has received a $750,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to help bring commercial air service to Athens Ben Epps Airport.

An airline hasn't flown out of Ben Epps since 2014, when Congress cut the Essential Air Service subsidy for small airports.

County officials are currently negotiating with American Airlines to fly 50-passenger jets twice a day between Athens and Charlotte, according to Commissioner Jerry NeSmith, who serves on the Airport Authority. ACC is also offering other incentives, such as no landing fees for the first year.

"I'm confident we can convince them to do this," NeSmith said.

By Blake Aued | February 24, 2020
Commissioner Jerry NeSmith Announces Re-election Bid

Blog: In the Loop

As expected, Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Jerry NeSmith will be running for re-election, he announced today.

NeSmith has represented District 6, the Atlanta Highway area mostly outside the Loop, since 2013.

"The Sixth District has become more economically stable," he said in a news release. "We are at the threshold of a renewed Sixth District that is ripe for commercial redevelopment. Neighborhoods in District 6 remain very healthy, overall, with active citizen participation in business/neighborhood issues, county activities and policy-making."

By Blake Aued | February 24, 2020
Interim Principal Appointed at Chase Street

Blog: In the Loop

Whitehead Road Elementary assistant principal Laura Kraus will serve as interim principal at Chase Street Elementary through the end of the school year, Clarke County School District interim superintendent Xernona Thomas announced today.

Kraus will replace Nikki Hittle, who abruptly resigned Monday.

"As a strong instructional leader who understands the importance of building a collaborative culture, Mrs. Kraus enjoys and values making connections with students and families," Thomas said in a news release and note to parents. "I am confident in her ability to lead the Chase Street Elementary community until a permanent replacement is selected."

By Blake Aued | February 20, 2020
More Departures at CCSD as Chase Street Principal, Clarke Middle Band Director Resign

Blog: In the Loop

Photo Credit: Chase Street PTO

Chase Street Elementary School.

A tumultuous year for the Clarke County School District continues as the new principal at Chase Street Elementary School and the popular band director at Clarke Middle School both resigned within the past week.

Nikki Hittle, whom former superintendent Demond Means hired to lead Chase in August, resigned today effective immediately. Interim Superintendent Xernona Thomas did not give a reason in a news release.

As with all principal hirings, Chase's Local School Governance Team—made up of teachers, parents and community members—will provide input into the new principal. In the meantime, Executive Director of Leadership Development Rachel Williams will support assistant principal Allison Niedzwieki, Thomas said.

"I am confident our teachers and staff at Chase Street Elementary will continue to serve our students and maintain a focus on instruction," Thomas said.

By Blake Aued | February 17, 2020
Houle, Hull Enter ACC Commission Races

Blog: In the Loop

Jesse Houle.

ACC Commissioner Jerry NeSmith will have a challenge from the left this year, as progressive activist Jesse Houle announced they're running against the District 6 incumbent.

Houle was part of Occupy Athens and one of the cofounders of Athens for Everyone, the group that grew out of Commissioner Tim Denson’s failed 2014 mayoral campaign and later helped elect a slate of progressive candidates to the Mayor and Commission. Houle is also a musician, operations manager at Nuci’s Space and a fixture at the podium during the commission’s public comment periods.

By Blake Aued | February 14, 2020
Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central Named AP Honor Schools

Blog: In the Loop

In spite of the board of education being an ongoing reality TV show, there is some good news coming out of the Clarke County School District. Both Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals are among the 255 Georgia high schools to be named Advanced Placement Honor Schools for 2020.

In addition, Clarke Central was one of 70 high schools named an AP School of Distinction, meaning at least 20% of students took an AP exam, and 50% of those scored a three or higher. Three is generally the minimum score to receive college credit.

Cedar Shoals was named an Access and Support School, where at least 30% of AP students identified as black or Hispanic, and 30% scored a three or higher.

By Blake Aued | February 13, 2020
Brian Patterson Says He's Ready to Take Over as DA

Blog: In the Loop

Chief assistant district attorney Brian Patterson said he's ready to take over for his boss, Ken Mauldin, and run no matter when Gov. Brian Kemp calls an election.

Mauldin recently announced his resignation, which will make Patterson the interim DA effective Mar. 1 unless Kemp appoints someone else in the meantime.

By Blake Aued | February 9, 2020
Gonzalez: Kemp Should Call Special Election for District Attorney

Blog: In the Loop

Deborah Gonzalez.

Western Circuit District Attorney Ken Mauldin announced earlier this week that he's resigning. No big deal, right? He wasn't going to run for re-election anyway. So Gov. Brian Kemp appoints someone who gets beaten by the favorite in the Democratic primary, Deborah Gonzalez, in November.

Well, not so fast. An obscure law passed in 2018 means that there will be a special election in November for district attorney, not a regular one. That means no Democratic primary in May and a nonpartisan "jungle primary" where every candidate is on the November ballot together. Which means a likely runoff in January if a Republican gets in the race—and Democrats don't turn out for runoffs.

Still, to Gonzalez, it's better than the alternative: If Kemp waits until after May 3 to appoint someone, the election gets pushed to 2022.

By Blake Aued | February 7, 2020
District Attorney Ken Mauldin Is Resigning

Blog: In the Loop

Ken Mauldin, the district attorney for Clarke and Oconee counties, is resigning effective Feb. 29, he announced today.

Mauldin had already said he would not run for re-election this year, but had planned to serve out the end of his term. However, he said in a news release that he's had a change of heart.

By Blake Aued | February 5, 2020
What Did Antwon Stephens Do With All the Campaign Cash He Raised?

Blog: In the Loop

Antwon Stephens.

A newly appointed Clarke County Board of Education member never disclosed what he did with $100,000 he reported raising to run for mayor in 2018, and is under investigation for potentially violating federal campaign finance law as well.

Antwon Stephens raised money to run against U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Gainesville) this year despite being ineligible to serve in Congress because he won’t turn 25, the minimum age, until June of 2021. When Collins became President Trump’s chief defender in the House impeachment hearings, actress Alyssa Milano and prosecutor-turned-pundit Preet Bharara tweeted links to Stephens’ ActBlue fundraising account to their millions of followers.

According to a letter from the Federal Election Commission to Stephens’ campaign treasure, Ty Kelley, dated Jan. 26, he failed to file a statement of organization in a timely fashion. In addition, he has not filed any reports disclosing his campaign’s donors and expenses, although the most recent deadline was Friday.

Stephens also did not file any campaign finance disclosures for his mayoral campaign since Jan. 31, 2018, the Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections confirmed. In that report, Stephens stated he had raised $102,396 and had $88,695 on hand.

By Blake Aued | February 4, 2020