Don't Call It a Comeback: We haven't heard the last of state Rep. Doug McKillip, R-Athens. Fresh off a 63-vote loss to fellow Republican Regina Quick, he may be eyeing a return to office somewhere down the road—and not necessarily in Athens. Flagpole caught up with him last week for what appears to be his first interview since the day after the July 31 election.

The three-term lawmaker, a lifelong Athenian, recently put his Five Points house on the market. While his social life in the liberal neighborhood is probably not what it once was during his days as a Democrat, McKillip says he might stick around and run in Athens again someday, if an opportunity presents itself. Or, he might pack up and move if a seat opens up somewhere else.

Doug McKillip

"I guess it's fair to say I'm open to everything," he says. "At 42, I'm not done with public service. I think I still have a lot to offer... I would definitely look at folks around who aren't running or who are running for something else."

This is total speculation, but state Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, is an oft-mentioned candidate for higher office. U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss is sure to draw tea party opposition in 2014, which could open up another seat. Almost every statewide post is up for grabs in two years, so if any incumbents step down, the ensuing musical chairs will leave even more open seats. Maybe Paul Broun gets caught with a hooker. Who knows?

McKillip's connections in Atlanta, his fundraising ability and the likelihood of Quick running afoul of both the GOP leadership and her Democratic supporters mean he'd stand a good chance of winning his seat back, if he chose to go that route. After all, the circumstances of this year's primary aren't likely to repeat themselves. About 1,500 people in the district who'd never voted in a Republican primary before—most of them likely crossover Democrats angered by McKillip's party switch and abortion bill—picked up GOP ballots.

"I'm going to take a stab at it—pretty few voted for me," he says. "But that's OK. That's politics."

He says he's in no rush to make up his mind and is focused right now on an upcoming family vacation to Disney World. He'll make a decision on his political future in the next year or so, he says. He harbors no ill will about the nasty tone of his race against Quick or his slim margin of defeat. "It's a full contact sport," he says. "We did what we wanted to do."

And, yes, he still says the political flip-flop that spun more heads than Magic Mountain was sincere. "I'm a Republican," he says. "I feel at home here. That's not going to change."

Expect More of This: Land planner Jon Williams asked the Athens-Clarke Planning Commission last week to let him tweak the plans for a small, long-dormant subdivision off Cleveland Road. "We all know what's going on a half-mile down the road," Williams said. "It could be an opportunity for some workforce housing."

And so it begins. The new Caterpillar plant in Bogart, slated to open late next year, is going to lead sprawling new development of all types if we're not careful. The planning commission rightfully recommended approving Williams' request on Thursday, but others won't be such easy calls.

A developer withdrew two rezoning applications last week for a drive-through restaurant and a convenience store near a residential neighborhood across Highway 78 from Caterpillar. Those commercial developments were slated for residential lots that homeowners in a partially-abandoned subdivision had expected to host a swimming pool and other amenities. The Athens-Clarke Commission held strong last Tuesday, but they'll be sorely tempted to approve similar requests that encroach on neighborhoods, lest they be labeled anti-business.

Sculpt Local: Oh, and the commission also unanimously approved a $150,000 sculpture for the Classic Center atrium that's scheduled to open by March, hopefully signaling the end of the wailing and gnashing of teeth over public art during discussions about the new jail last year. Public art, especially in public places like the Classic Center, is a worthwhile expense that makes our city more attractive and creates jobs, as an Athens Area Arts Council study set to be released today will no doubt reveal. It would have been nice, though, if the Cultural Affairs Commission turned to one of the many talented local artists here in Athens, rather than hire somebody from the faraway land of Missouri.

A Public Service Announcement: This is extremely last-minute, but it should be of interest to the legions of local policy wonks, both amateur and professional. The think tank Georgia Forward is holding its annual conference today and Thursday at the Classic Center, covering topics like transportation, health care, poverty and economic development. An agenda is at georgiaforward.org. Walk-up tickets are $175 or $125 for nonprofits. If that's too rich for your blood, I'll be posting dispatches to Flagpole.com.

In addition, the Athens-Clarke Water Conservation Office is looking for volunteers to help clean up Athens waterways during the annual Rivers Alive event on Oct. 6. For more information, visit www.handsonnortheastgeorgia.org or call 706-613-3615.