Struggle for water access in north Athens neighborhood is decades-long, says advocate
Nearing the end of a long commission meeting this week, several Athens-Clarke County residents stood up to voice concern for the situation in the Pinewoods Estates neighborhood. According to these Athenians, Pinewoods residents face intermittent access to clean water—sometimes going days without it.
Lizette Guevara is an Athenian who led the call for a solution from the commission Tuesday night. She is with Family Connection-Communities in Schools as the Neighborhood Leader of the J.J. Harris Zone, where many children from Pinewoods go.
Guevara sat down with WUGA’s Lara Dua-Swartz earlier this week to discuss the plight of these residents of north Athens.
At a hub for Athens biking community, gearing up to protect the Firefly Trail
Few images of Athens are more iconic than the Trail Creek Trestle, which appears on the back of band REM’s album Murmur. The trestle is one part of the old Georgia Railroad, now the site of a partially finished multi-use path called the Firefly Trail.
The trail lacks a three-mile stretch north of Winterville, where the government plans to use eminent domain to purchase land from property owners. This week, District 1 Commissioner Patrick Davenport moved to pump the brakes on the project over concern for the property owners—who he says are mostly elderly and do not want to see their land seized. The potential pause has led to outcry from those who want to see the trail finished.
Lauren Blais is the chair of the Athens in Motion Commission and a supporter of the trail. She sat down with WUGA’s Emma Auer at the nonprofit Bike Athens to discuss her concerns about the local government’s latest move.
Commissioner Patrick Davenport could not be reached for comment.
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce to hold nonpartisan program for future officials
The politically ambitious in Northeast Georgia now have a new resource. Starting this fall, the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce will invite participants to a series of nonpartisan informational events on running for office. David Bradley is President of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. He sat down with WUGA’s Alexia Ridley to discuss the program.
