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Repubmart!
Quick: how is a downtown Walmart like eliminating super
districts? Well, for starters, both are being forced down our
throats with little regard for what the people of Athens think.
What Athens people think has so far been irrelevant to the
developers who envision a big-box shopping mall downtown
or the Republican politicians who believe eliminating super-
districts will neuter our local government of its progressive
tendencies.
The Republican legislators took no part in the committee
that met all summer to come up with a local reapportionment
plan. Then Rep. Doug McKillip rushed in at the last minute
with a hastily drawn scheme, too late for it to receive for
mal consideration by the reapportionment committee. That
committee did take note that McKillip's plan eliminated the
superdistricts that provide dual commission coverage for every
citizen. The committee also acknowledged the late groundswell
Bill Cowsert
should be
ashamed of
himself.
suddenly demand that the commission act on superdistricts in
the next two weeks, because they intend to bring it before the
legislature. Hence the hurried convening of the mayor's citizen
committee to consider the pros and cons of superdistricts,
even though everybody feels that they're just going through
the motions and that the legislators intend to change our form
of government by fiat. (These are the same guys who sliced
and diced Athens to make a safe seat for Cowsert and then did
it again for McKillip.)
So, that's how Walmart and superdistricts are the same, and
that's why people should be as angry about one as they are
about the other. Both propose basic, fundamental changes that
will affect the life of every citizen, yet they are unilaterally
imposed for profit and politics without regard to the people
they profoundly affect.
The Selig company out of Atlanta is just doing what devel
opers do—putting together a package and recruiting retailers.
They don't have to ask whether or not we like it, but they do
open themselves up to an explosion of citizen opinion that
could at least have been ameliorated if wr had known what
was going on—especially when they spring a company like
Walmart on us at the last minute.
The developers can't necessarily be expected to understand
what Athens is all about, but the politicians represent Athens;
some live here. They know exactly what kind of town this is.
Bill Cowsert should be ashamed of himself. He has gone to
school here and marri* d here and practiced law here. Even
though he's a Republican, he has always been open to this off
beat community and the elements that make up its charm. Now
he has gone off to Atlanta and become a hardened Republican
ideologue with his eyes on higher office. McKillip we know
about: elected by Democrats, he flipped to the Republican
side. Williams is from Oconee County; Ginn lives in Madison
County. But all four have ganged up to disfigure our local gov
ernment, to make their bones with the Republican family in
Atlanta.
Walmart developers and Republican politicians: both would
destroy our Athens for their own gain. Their power-plays
exclude participation by citizens who could not only improve
their plans but could aid in their acceptance. There's a lot
to be said for new business downtown, especially one that
includes a grocery store. There's a lot to be said for eliminating
superdistricts. The main point is that nobody has been allowed
to say anything, and that's why we're shouting.
Meanwhile: Slackpole
Thanks to all who have sent in material for our end-of-the-
year, reader-written section, Slackpole. We still need more help
from you, so that we can slack off for the holidays. The dead
line is coming up fast: Monday, Nov. 28. See the ad over there
on p. 2.
Pete McCommons editor@flagpole.com
of opinion among African Americans that
eliminating superdistricts would enhance
their election chances. Accordingly, the
reapportionment committee recommended
that the mayor and commission take a
look at the feasibility of superdistricts.
Now the Republican legislators—
Sen. Bill Cowsert, Sen. Frank Ginn, Rep.
Chuck Williams and Rep. Doug McKillip—
THIS WEEK’S ISSUE:
[MEWS c§3 FEATURES
City Dope 5
Athens News and Views
Happy Holidays. Athens—we hope you enjoy your new huge downtown Walmart!
Athens Rising 8
What’s Up in New Development
Where has all the talk of development—and the lack of it—gotten us? Guess.
[VE1MT
Miscellany 9
Get Your Ath Together
This week news on the Stomp Out domestic Violence performance and the
“Occupy" ATHICA installation.
Movie Pick 11
Cease to Exist
Martha Marcy May Marlene sustains its enigmatic spell from the opening moments
to its chilling finale
Threats & Promises 12
Music News and Gossip
This week The Second Sons show. Julian Koster s X-mas tour and more...
Mixtape Wars 14
Drinking Songs: Hudgins vs. Venice Is Sinking
Bottoms up with Matt Hudgins and Venice Is Sinking Hiccup.
J LETTERS 4
| CITY DOPE 5
CITY PAGES 6
CAPITOL IMPACT 7
COBBLOVIATE 7
ATHENS RISING 8
MISCELLANY 9
ART NOTES 9
MOVIE DOPE 10
MOVIE PICK 11
FILM NOTEBOOK 12
THREATS & PROMISES 12
I
DAVID BAZAN 13
MIXTAPEWARS 14
BEARDS OF COMEDY 17
THE CALENDAR! 18
BULLETIN BOARD 24
ART AROUND TOWN 25
COMICS 26
REALITY CHECK 27
CLASSIFIEDS 28
CROSSWORD 29
WHOSE SCHOOLS? 30
EVERYDAY PEOPLE 31
EDITOR & PUBLISHER Pete McCommons
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Alicia Nickles
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner
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CIRCULATION Charles Greenleat. Nash Hogan. Jesse Mangum, Matt Shirley
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VOLUME 25
ISSUE NUMBER 46
A\vocut>on of
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