Last Thursday Governor Brian Kemp signed the controversial HB 890 into law, creating a new commission district map that moves the majority of Athens residents into a new commission district.
The map was endorsed by the four Republican members of Athens’ local legislative delegation, with the sole democratic representative Spencer Frye opposed.
Supporters of the bill say that the districts are more geographically compact and create additional majority minority districts, while its critics have called the map disruptive and an example of gerrymandering.
The map also draws Commissioners Tim Denson, Russell Edwards and Melissa Link into new districts, making them ineligible to run for re-election in May.
Jeanne Davis filed this report.
