During the Oct. 4 regular session for the Athens-Clarke County Mayor Commission, more than 30 residents of District 2 took to the podium of room 205 to give public sentiments of anger towards Athens commissioners and Mayor Kelly Girtz in regard to the vacancy of a commission seat for District 2 and the affordable housing crisis in Athens. 

 

On August 31, Mariah Parker, former District 2 commissioner, resigned from her commission seat, leaving many local residents angry about the vacant seat and lack of representation these individuals are currently facing. 

 

Dr. Diana Elizabeth Dunston, MD FAAP, stepped up to the podium to speak out about the public outrage felt by many local residents since Parker’s resignation. Dr. Dunston said, “That’s why we need representation.  Mr. Mayor, you can’t refuse.” She concluded her statement by saying, “this commission has not been fair to the people.”  

 

Moments before the regular session, Dr. Cshynese Allen, president of Inner East Athens, spoke on the steps of City Hall during a demonstration that expressed public fury over the decision made by the Board of Elections and commission to hold a special election on March 21, 2023, instead of the Georgia midterm elections on Nov. 8, 2022. The demonstration was being held in order to pressure the mayor and the commission to move the date of the special election to fill the vacant commission seat as soon as possible.  

 

Public unrest and anger towards the commission and Board of Elections is being fueled by the ongoing housing crisis in Athens. Lisa Walker, a longtime Athens resident, said, “They promised they were going to rebuild, and they put them out. We’re tired of it.” 

 

As a proposed item to alleviate the housing issue, District 1 Commissioner, Patrick Davenport proposed the rezoning of zone 4555 Lexington Rd. and described it as a compromise between the existing neighborhood and the developer. This motion carried 6-3 with opposition from District 4 Comissioner Allison Wright, District 9 Comissioner Ovita Thornton and District 10 Commissioner Mike Hamby. The carrying of this motion will implement Opticos Missing Middle Scan. 

 

However, District 9 Comissioner, Thornton spoke out about her opposition to the motion stating that rezoning in Athens to accommodate for a higher density of housing solutions is a result of racism and gentrification. “I’m worried about the people coming in but I’m also worried about the people we’re m oving out,” said Thornton.