I want to add my voice to those who are concerned about the derelict appearance of downtown Athens. I lived here back in the '80s and have only recently returned. The huge increase in the student population, apartment complexes, homes and shopping centers further and further out of the Athens area, and the continued growth of the UGA campus east and into downtown was all impressive. The saddest part of returning after 30 years was the downtown area.

It is understandable, with the huge student enrollment, that this area would go from serving Athenians to serving the student body. The shops, bars and eating places now all seem to cater to them, and the few older businesses like Heery's and Aurum are holding their own. But the ragged look to the buildings—occupied or not—should be addressed by the owners of each business.

The beer bottles and paper trash that litter the area could perhaps be helped by more trash cans, whether the city or individual business owners place them around. (Beechwood has trash receptacles almost every 20 feet.) I've seen city workers early in the morning cleaning up the night's debris, but a positive suggestion is more receptacles.

As to the urinating on the streets and sidewalks, which leaves a pungent, disagreeable odor to those downtown during the day, could the local bar owners and Athens-Clarke County commissioners work with UGA student leaders to be better citizens and respecters of the city? Could the mayor appoint a committee of downtown businesses, UGA students and community leaders to work together on helping to rehab the Classic City?

Finally, when the mayor recently mentioned that little can be done about the homeless and people begging for money downtown because constitutional rights are involved, couldn't social services be called upon to address each of those people's needs, instead of leaving them on street corners or huddled in doorways?