Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

With a woman and an African-American in the top leadership positions. Democrats hope they can shore up two of the party's weaknesses in recent elections: c'oding support among women voters aggravated by the battle between Mark Taylor and Cathy Cox for the gubernatorial nomination, and decreased turnout among black voters. The party also has a Latino vice chairman, Virgilio Perez-Pascoe, to help connect with the state's fastest-growing demographic group. "I think women will come back," Kidd said. "I don't think they've trusted a lot of our elected offi cials, and we allowed that to happen. Trust is the big issue." There is no guarantee that the new leadership can dig the Democrats out of their deep hole. Critics contend that Kidd is a little light in elective experi ence (she served for only two years in the Georgia House) and from a family that has been away from the political limelight for a long while. "Jane seems to forget that her late father has been out of office for 44 years," a Republican lawmaker said. "The Vandiver name plays well, but only in a few places in North Georgia. Ernie is long forgotten in most places." For better or worse, Democrats have put the party's future in Kidd's hands. "All of us regret what happened with Mark [Taylor] and Cathy [Cox]," House Minority Leader DuBose Porter said. "All of us recognize we have to move on from that. I can't think of a better person to move on with." Tom Crawlord tcraw1ord@capitolimpact.net Jane Kidd * UPCOMING * ATHENS-IRE1 MEETINGS Please note*, times, dates and locations of some of these meetings are subject to change. Check back with local gov ernment websites for updates and infor mation on additional meetings. Feb. 8,5:15 p.m. Mayor & Commission Budget Goals Work Session—120 Dougherty St. Feb. 8,6:30 p.m. Board of Education—240 Mitchell Bridge Rd. Feb. 9 Deadline to return public comment sheets on Park-and-Ride project Feb. 13,5:15 p.m. Mayor & Commission Work Session—120 Dougherty St. Feb. 14,3 p.m. Hearings Board—120 Dougherty St. Feb. 15,12 p.m. Northeast GA Regional Development Center—Holiday Inn Feb. 16,11.45 a.m. Arbor Day Luncheon—Classic Center Feb. 19,7 p.m. Leisure Services Listening Forum—Memonal Park Feb. 20,5-.30 p.m. ACC Government Operations * Committee—City Hall Feb. 20,6:30 pjn. ACC Legislative Review Committee—City Hall Feb. 21,5:30 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission—120 Dougherty St. Feb. 22,7 p.ra. Mayor & Commission Agenda- Setting Session—City Hall Come Try The New Herschel Burrito... MQ PORK, Jalapeno Colesiaw on a Grilled Sundried Tomato Tortilla ! tor J 3 Great Locations! Nilledge tee. • Powntown * eastside cAk&'M&b mm q3qib Thurs, Feb 8 . Seminar: A WINE DRINKERS Journey "7PM $ 15 LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE please Reserve your SPOT Sat, Feb lO Bluebird Bitter Cask Ale 5pm $<4.50/pint Join us this Valentines Day www.aromaswinrbar.com 1235 S. Millcdgc Avc 706.208.0059 bob (SALON) .-.e row do 3fC4T S MOTHS extensions Visit ojr new weDsito www.bobsaion.com monaav-t-ida? <5 - 7 sc?u:day y 4 «98 to ; r dry stiee* C3*he r v- ga 3rtr>0t NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK % Lingerie • Bondage Accessories • Videos • Novelties Thigh High Boots • Games • Male Thongs • DVD’s MOST ADULT TOYS 20-50% OFF Restrictions Apply Homewood Shopping Center 706-546-4864 M-Th 10a-llp F-Sat I0a-12a Sun l-9p MEMBERSHIP Only $35 Per Month No Maintenance Fee • * 1 r JEWELRY ■ ART Circles of Love ■ free Valentine? ^UR.JCjUc’hwith aruj purchase •> ■ , , 125 E. CLAYTON ST. • DOWNTOWN • 706-546-8826 NEWS & FEATURES I ARTS & EVENTS I lyiOVIES I MUSIC I COMICS & ADVICE I CLASSIFIEDS FEBRUARY 7,2007 • FLAGPOLE.COM 7