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THE OLD CRYSTAL BALL
Welt. I can't tell you anything you don't already know. I'm
tcrced to write this without knowing the results of the election,
but you'll know them by the time you read these words.
For weeks, people have been speculating on the outcome,
and that's all I can do here. Given the heavily Republican majori
ties in their districts (State Senate District 46 was supersized
by Republican Ralph Hudgens with the tacit acquiescence of
Republican Bill Cowsert), I assume Democrats Mac Rawson, Jane
Kidd and Becky Vaughn are defeated. I am delighted to be proven
wrong. There could well be a runoff between Democrat Doug
McKillip and Independent E.H. Culpepper in House District 115.
I assume Kelly Girtz wins without a runoff in ACC Commission
District 9, and I can't call ACC Commission District 1, though I
hope Doug Lowry wins. *
My guess is a runoff in the mayor's race between incumbent
Heidi Davison and challenger Charlie Maddox. For all I know, there
could be a runoff between Charlie and Tom Chasteen, or Heidi or
Charlie could win it without a runoff. But a runoff between Charlie
and Heidi seems most likely to me.
A political campaign makes candidates get out and meet
people—at the very least at the numerous forums, debates and
rallies that punctuate the races. Journalists, too, are forced out
from behind their computers.
I've grown more familiar with
some of the candidates and
met some of them for the first
time. I certainly got to know
Andy Rusk better and enjoyed
spending more time with
Richard DeRose. Richard pretty
much focuses his campaigns on
the issue of biocontainment dangers emanating especially from the
University, but he is sincere and articulate and certainly not in it
for personal gain.
In the 16 years he has been in public office, I have from time
to time written negatively about Tom Chasteen's stands on various
issues, but he has never failed to greet me with a friendly hand
shake, and. as busy as he is. he always has time for a telephone
chat.
This time around. I've become acquainted with Charlie Maddox,
too, and I have to say to know him is to like him. If Charlie wins.
I'm sure he'll make a likable mayor, and if he's as clueless in office
as he has been in the race, I know others will handle the issues of
government as they have the issues of the campaign.
My greatest fear is that those guys behind the last-minute
right-wing smear against then-Mayoral-candidate Gwen O'Looney
are some of Charlie's biggest backers. They have been conniving for
power here during the last decade, and if Charlie wins, they'll be
trying just as hard to influence him. He's the good Charlie; they're
the bad Charlie. If he's mayor. Charlie will be like Steve Martin in
All of Me. as his bad side tries to dominate his good side.
The trouble with a mayor's race like the current one is that we
have a good mayor who started out with no experience in elective
office and through intensive on-the-job training has mastered the
details of local government. Anybody running against her has got
to convince us that he can do better, and of course part of that
strategy is to portray her administration as a failure*
Mayor Davison runs on a record of sound accomplishment—not
just promises—but those gains don't please everybody. Those
who are not pleased have thrown in with those who want to win
control of the government, and some strange bedfellows have
resulted. The bar owners still smarting over the smoking ban are
allies against Heidi with maverick Commissioner States McCarter, a
rabid foe of smoking in public places, even outdoor parks.
Republicans have reached out to African Americans, having
found in non-partisan elections a way around the awkward party
and class divisions that usually separate them. Tom Chasteen has
had to figure out a way to run against the government while being
an important part of it. Andy Rusk mobilized younger voters and
injected issues into the campaign that he hopes will influence the
government even though he dropped out of the contest.
Politics is alwy«s present; it just rears up into the forefront
during elections, but that's good. Those of us who have paid even
glancing attention have (earned a tot this fall, and here's hoping
that whoever is elected, we'll continue to demand solutions to the
problems that have been spotlighted.
I have felt all along that Mayor Heidi Davison is a very good fit
for Athens as we want it to be. She is smart and incredibly hard
working. She knows what's going on here, and she knows what's
going on in other cities facing similar problems to ours and trying
innovative programs. She has the skills and experience to give
us four more years of good leadership. Heidi gets Athens; I hope
Athens gets Heidi again.
Pete McCommons Editor & Publisher editor@llagpole com
I have felt all along that
Mayor Heidi Davison is a
very good fit for Athens
as we want it to be.
THIS WEEK’S ISSUE:
NEWS <§s FEATURES
How Many Modes Make “Multi?” 6
A Look at Athens’ New Transportation Center
Yes. Athens' new Multi-Modal Transportation Center is more than just a new
city bus station. So why can't you catch a bus out of town from there?
ARTS & EVENT
Dreamweaver: Art Rosenbaum 15
A Retrospective of the Local Renaissance Man’s Work
With a 50-year career in art, Rosenbaum's work gets a long-
overdue showmg at the Georgia Museum of Art.
Theatre Notes 19
Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind!
On the boards this week: The Man Who Came to Dinner. Dreamgirls, The House ot Blue Leaves and more.
mush©
COVER DESIGN by Kelly
featuring a photograph of
Perpetual Groove by James Harris
Bridges, Not Walls 26
Perpetual Groove Settles Into Its New Status As An Athens Band
The Southern jam-band heavyweight makes its home-away-from-home its
home and aims to connect more deeply with the community.
Venice Is Eating 28
When On Tour, The Gastronomers Of Venice Is
Sinking Will Put Anything In Their Mouths
From fast food to curious snackery, the tastebuds of the local pop band have tried it all.
Too Smooth to Die 29
Greg Dulli Makes The Twilight Last
The former Afghan Whigs frontman and his band The Twilight Singers
are touring in support of the new album Powder Bums.
CITY PAGES 4
MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION CENTER 6
CHEESY SONGS 7
OUT THERE! 8
ATHENS CHORAL SOCIETY 13
ART NOTES 14
ART ROSENBAUM 15
MOVIE PICK 16
MOVIE DOPE 18
THEATRE NOTES 19
ABC 20
ABC0ATL
PERPETUAL GROOVE .
VENICE IS SINKING...
TWILIGHT SINGERS...
REDUX NATION
RECORD REVIEWS ...
THAT BEAT IN TIME...
THREATS & PROMISES
COMICS
REALITY CHECK
CLASSIFIEDS
E0IT0R t PUBLISHER Pete McCommons
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR l PUBLISHER Alicia Nickles
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner
MANAGING E0IT0R Margaret Moore
ADVERTISING SALES Anita Aubrey. Melinda Edwards. Jessica Pritchard
MUSIC EDITOR Chris Hassrotis
CITY E0IT0R Ben Emanuel
CLASSIFIEDS. DISTRIBUTION & OFFICE MANAGER Emily Waldron
AD DESIGNERS Ian Rickert. Kelly Ruberto. Kristen Bacn
ILLUSTRATOR Jason Crosby
CARTOONISTS Cameron Bogue, Joe Havasy, Jake Hebert. Missy Kulik, Jeremy Long. Clint McEIrdy.
Drew McKercher, KJon Waldnp
ADOPT ME Special Agent Cindy Jerrell
ABC Chris Hassiotis. Ben Emanuel
WRITERS Michael Andrews. Michael Barthel. Greg Benson. Hillary Brown, Liz Conroy, Emerson Dameron.
Joe Dennis, David Eduardo. Gordon Lamb. Charley Lee, Beth Sale, JeH Tobias. Leah Weinberg. Brandon Waddell,
Drew Wheeler. Elise White
CIRCULATION Charles Graenleaf, JoJo Glidewell, Roy Coughlin. Clayton Aucom, Zack Haas, lee Sarrell
WEB DESIGNER lan Rickert
ADVERTISING INTERNS B.ian McErearty. Ashley Allen
EDITORIAL INTERN Catherine Reagan
OFFICE l MUSIC INTERN Evan Levine
CONTACT US:
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MAILING ADDRESS: P.0. Box 1027, Athens. GA 30603
EDITORIAL: (706) 549-9523
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ARTS ft EVENTS: outthere@flagpole.com
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LETTERS: letters@flagpole com
MUSIC: music@flagpole com
MUSIC LISTINGS: abc@flagpole com
WFB SITE: www flagpole com
VOLUME 20
ISSUE NUMBER 44
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NOVEMBER 8, 2006 • FLAGP0LE.COM 3