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The Democratic
and Republican
primaries are
July 31.
VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN
Maybe it's a good thing more races aren't contested this
year, because this may be the most confusing election we’ve
ever had. A mantra of Republicans and Democrats alike is that
voting is our solemn, God-given, patriotic obligation. Then, no
matter who's m power in Atlanta, they constantly shift elec
tion districts around to maximize their party's advantage, and
the voters can just be damned.
This year's damage happens to have been wrought by one
man, Rep. Doug McKttiip, with the rest of the delegation tag
ging along. Democrat-turrred-Republkan MeKiUip singtehand-
edly redrew every ACC commission district and every House of
Representatives district to further his own political agenda
over the expressed and considered wishes of our local citizens
and our local government.
Local voters in House District 117 have a unique oppor
tunity to step in and help vote McKiUrp out of office before
he can do any more damage to Athens-Garice County.
Unfortunately, for many Democrats in District 117 it will be
more important to cast a useless Democratic ballot on July 31
with no contested Democratic races on their ballot. They could,
instead, cross over and vote alongside District 117 Republicans
for local attorney Regina Quick, the honest though conserva
tive choice against McKiilip.
The other contested House race is in District 118, where
Democrat Keith Heard is the longtime incumbent, primarily
because the Republicans couldn't touch his district, since he
is African American. Instead, the Republicans have turned
House District 118 into a Democratic
ghetto, pushing as many Democrats
as possible out of the other districts
and into the 118th.
So, it's a pretty safe bet that
a Democrat will win the 118th,
although there are two young
Republican candidates vying in the
Republican primary for the right to run against the Democrat
in the General Election in November.
Heard's opponent in the Democratic primary is Spencer Frye,
who ran a good race in the last mayoral campaign but nar
rowly missed the runoff. This time around, Spencer is running
against Keith and painting him as out-of-touch with con
stituents and in the bed with special interests. It is true that
Heard lives in Atlanta, though he keeps a house here and tech
nically satisfies the requirements legislators wrote for them
selves. Spencer has raised some money, has already mailed two
foil-color flyers and has been out knocking on doors.
Regardless of where he lives now, Keith Heard grew up here
and is a successful insurance executive. It is tremendously
important to the black community here to have him in the
Georgia legislature. Patterns are changing, though, and what ,
used to be black East Athens has seen a lot of whites moving
in and blacks moving out—though a lot of those whites are
college students. The 118th has the white liberal enclaves of
Cobbham, Boulevard and Normaltown as well as the extensive
white suburbs on the east side of town. Will the 118th turn
out to be a black-white vote in the Democratic primary?
District 118 is even more interesting because of the two
candidates in the Republican primary, Carter Kessler and Chris
Pertera. Keep in mind that they are contesting for the privilege
of running against the Democratic candidate in the General
Election in the last remaining bulwark of Democratic voters
in Athens-Clarke County—in other words, a suicide mission.
But you have to start somewhere in politics, and more power
to them. Carter is a Ron Paul Republican at odds with his
local party: the outsider's outsider. Chris grew up here from
the age of 12, the son of Salvadorian-immigrant parents. He
went through the public school system and the University of
Georgia (with a degree in Romance languages) and works for
First American Bank battling credit card fraud. He is a leader in
the local Hispanic community, a fiscal conservative and what I
would have to call a moderate on social issues.
Mail-out voting has begun. Last day to register is Duly 2.
Early voting begins Duly 9. The Democratic and Republican pri
maries are Duly 31.
Get to the board of elections through the “’departments' 7 on
www.2thensdarkecounty.com, and all your questions will be
answered. (Or call them at 706-613-3150.)
Pate ^pCommoiw edilor@ffagpoie.com
THIS WEEK'S
NEWS & FEATURES
Athens Mews and Views
A Lscsifft fw Hstsses'-Hyoter i for Athwrs and a hatk~yj} far $o#t€ df fax
Athens Rising 6
What’s Up in Mew Development
Jack CrwffoY* offer to crsafe $ roaster piaa tor Athens ' icwid t» s&m
n a start®! point far a ixtutd asd nxtaww proem.
ARTS & EVENTS
Movie Pick ...11
Natural Mystic
Mtrley is the first official documentary «* the legend, and is surpmtngb honest
Ain't Misbeehavin' 26
Booger Hill lets It Bee
Soeger See Company jars fresh local honey for the Athens Farmers Market
MUSIC
Threats & Promises 12
Music News & Gossip
New single from Sapeftiester! Debut IPs from The Welfare liners and Muuy Bawl
American Music Festival. 15
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The day-long event features Packway Handle Band, Jim White and many more!
CITY DOPE ..
..4
RECORD REVIEWS
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CAPITOL IMPACT
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AWARDS SHOW RECAP
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THE CALENDAR!
IS
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WHICH COWES FIRST?
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ART AROUND TOWN
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ENDLESS SUMMER OF SPOA.
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MOVIE DOPE
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CLASSIFIEDS
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BEEKEEPING
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STREET EATERS
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EVERYDAY PEOPLE
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{SUM l musm Pvfr MeConmoas
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