Athens Classic, Inc. has only been an organization for just over 6 months.
Athens Classic, Inc. is a 501(c)4 private, non-partisan, non-profit, community organization that was formed to impact three primary focus areas of our local government in Athens-Clarke County, specifically – Public Safety, Public Education and Public Health...and in general working to keep our Classic City, classic.
Significant shift is underway in the operation of our District Attorney’s office as a result of the election of Ms. Deborah Gonzalez as Western Judicial Circuit D.A. Five senior prosecutors and the newly hired Chief Assistant D.A. have already resigned, since January 1. Due to the pandemic, the circuit has a six-month backlog of cases awaiting trial and disposition.
Due in part to the ongoing political jockeying surrounding the creation of a Police Advisory Task Force to provide citizen oversight of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, our well-regarded Chief of Police Cleveland Spruill will NOT continue to serve as Chief of Police. More recently, Assistant Chief Jeff Clark has resigned.
Please review five (or one half) of the appointed task force in May 2020. No businessman, nor clergy, nor former law enforcement were appointed!
In December 2020, Mayor Girtz appointed the following commissioners to the Police Task Review Board. The results of the Police Advisory Task Force Town Hall Feedback Report was conducted on the ACC website in late December.
The survey asked three questions:
Do you believe these recommendations will improve community and police relations? Respondents could choose from seven responses raging from Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree (including a Neutral response.)
Do you support the proposed recommendations? Answer choices: Yes or No.
Do you have any questions or concerns about the proposed recommendations? This is an open- ended response for comments.
Answer
Count Percentage
Strongly disagree 291 68.63%
Disagree 65 15.33%
Somewhat disagree 13 3.07%
Neutral 13 3.07% Somewhat agree 5 1.18%
Agree 10 2.36%
Strongly agree 16 3.77% 84% disagreed with the formation of a Police Advisory Task Force Only 6.13% agreed with the formation of a Police Advisory Task Force 8. Review Board; *commissioners who (possibly) support our law enforcement officers. Contact each on AND other “police-friendly” commissioners.
Melissa Link 706-372-3382 DC/Md
Mariah Parker 502-396-9023 Ky
Patrick Davenport * 706-202-4339 Former Youth Minister
Allison Wright* 706-549-3518 Vet(?)
Tim Denson 706-372-0681 labor organizer
Jesse Houle 706-395-5029
Russell Edwards 706-6850-0878 Wash., DC
Carol Myers 706-296-1948 (Athens tech)
Ovita Thornton* 706-202-4437 supporter
Mike Hamby – Chairperson 706-338-3970 closing business
David Bradley, our president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce met with Mayor Girtz expressing their concern that the original task force was not a good cross-section of our community and Mayor Girtz noted, under the Chairman, Commissioner Mike Hamby, his committee will refine & redefine recommendations over the next several months in 2021.
Below please find 4 Athens Groups who are diligently working...and it’s not for common-sense government.
Athens For Everyone
Anti-discrimination movement
People’s Budget of Athens
Athens Area Democratic Socialistics of America
The machete attack incident last year in which the police officer was cleared of any wrong doing. ACC agreed to settle a law suit for $250,000. The Chief did not have knowledge of the settlement until afterwards. Discussion w/tenured police officer who told me – it was a “department morale killer. I’m just biding my time.”
PAC – it is our strong desire to fund a Political Action Committee to support non-partisan, like-minded, common sense, commissioner candidates. Note: The Election Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 will be held in 2022.
13. Please consider supporting Athens Classic, Inc with your time as well as your finances. Donate Link https://www.paypal.com/donate?business=SSBDFR2GDQJ36¤cy_code=USD Checks made payable to: Athens Classic, Inc. P.O. Box 225, Athens, GA 30603 Athensclassicinc@gmail.com Tax EIN# 85-2838367