Athenians will head to the polls in just over a month. Several local races will be decided during the June 9 primary. One candidate hoping for a chance to represent his district is Knowa Johnson.
“One of the first changes I would definitely like to see is a more participatory government,” Johnson said. “You know there’s part of our charter that says that the government supposed to go out of their way to make sure that people in underserved communities are part of the process and since I’ve been here, I haven’t seen a lot of that. So we just want to make sure that they all have a voice so we can understand exactly what’s going on in the community.”
The event planner and co-founder of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement is running for the District 10 Commission seat.
“I will be reaching out to my constituents, I will be having town hall meetings and newsletters and send out email blasts because I know who to engage with them and I know how to build an email list and engage through technology and encourage then to do the same.”
Johnson says he will also use low-tech methods of engaging with 10th district residents.
“And I will go through the district in different areas to make sure that people know who I am, my position and how our local government works.”
The AADM supported legislation to end cash bail for misdemeanors, the push for an office of inclusion in Clarke County, and to force area bars to post their dress codes in order to deter discrimination.
“I feel like a lot of the topics that we’re addressing, criminal justice reform, and affordable housing, you know there’s people in underserved communities that this affects.”
Johnson is facing incumbent Mike Hamby for the District 10 seat.