Categories
NewsNews Features

Teacher Audrey Hughes Challenges Commissioner Patrick Davenport in District 1

Commissioner Patrick Davenport.

Athens-Clarke County Commission races this year include just one in which an incumbent faces opposition—District 1, where science teacher Audrey Hughes is campaigning to take the seat held by one-term incumbent and entrepreneur Patrick Davenport.

But because of drastically changed district lines, the candidates are wooing a different electorate. Many of the District 1 voters who will cast ballots in the May 24 election voted in other districts two or four years ago. Odd-numbered districts are up for grabs this year; even-numbered districts go before voters in 2024, which means voters who’ve been moved from an even-numbered to an odd-numbered district will get to vote again for a commissioner after only a two-year gap, while those voters who’ve been shifted from an odd-numbered to an even district will have waited six years to vote for a commissioner by the time the 2024 election comes around.

The old District 1, the largest district geographically, encompassed a broad slice of eastern Clarke County, much of it rural and including the Winterville area. Now Winterville and much of the old District 1 are in the new District 3, which used to be made up of downtown and neighborhoods to the west. 

The new District 1 includes a chunk of the old District 1 in southeastern ACC, but expands to the north and slightly to the west to take in voters that had been in other districts, mainly District 8, where incumbent Carol Myers won’t be up for re-election until 2024, but also from other districts, including District 7, where incumbent Russell Edwards is one of three elected commissioners being forced out of office because they don’t live within the new commission district lines Republican legislators forced on ACC in this year’s legislative session.

Though most Athenians are in a new commission district, voters will still be voting at the same polling places they’ve gone to in the past, said Athens-Clarke Director of Elections and Voter Registration Charlotte Sosebee. The voter registration office plans to send out cards to every active voter telling them their new local and state districts—and every voter is in a new district of one sort or another, since state legislature districts have not only new lines but new numbers. If you don’t get one of those cards in the next few weeks, it could mean that you’ve been dropped from voter rolls, and you should contact the Board of Elections.

The old District 1 had a history of electing relatively conservative commissioners, and Davenport has followed in that moderate mold by sometimes siding with the commission’s more conservative members—Allison Wright, Mike Hamby and Ovita Thornton—such as opposing a plan crafted by progressives for spending more than $30 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan. But Davenport did not join those three in effectively endorsing the Republican redistricting plan that threw three of their more liberal colleagues—Edwards, Melissa Link and Tim Denson—out of office. He has also backed measures such as one pledging the county to convert to 100% green energy.

In replying to some questions posed by Flagpole, Davenport said the major issues facing Athens-Clarke are the same as when he first ran four years ago. “Poverty, affordable housing and building a better Athens,” he wrote. “These three issues can’t be solved within three years, also considering that COVID halted progress and made these issues worse. We have made some great strides, and we need to stay focused to make sure we reach the goal line.”

Asked to name some commission accomplishments he takes pride in, Davenport mentioned bringing redress to residents on Dunlap and Pittard roads who have been impacted by the county landfill and nearby industry, and a policy he wrote requiring the government and those who use Athens-Clarke facilities to use recyclable or biodegradable materials. “We have made tremendous strides towards equity; we have worked hard making Athens better. We have devoted countless efforts into affordable housing, youth development and improving our EMS response times. We have [a] $15 starting wage for county employees. East Athens is seeing signs of life again… There is still more work to be done, still more progress to be made, so why quit now?”

As a commissioner, Davenport is routinely in the news, but last September made the wrong kind of news when he was arrested for DUI. He subsequently pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, receiving a sentence of fines, a year of probation and 40 hours of community service. “I have to live with this burden for the rest of my life,” he wrote when asked for comment. “Pray for me and always love one another!”

While Davenport has the name recognition of the incumbent, Hughes is far from unknown in District 1, especially among parents and students in Clarke public schools. A teacher with more than 30 years of experience, Hughes brought national recognition to students at Hilsman Middle School with the success of a school-wide “Trash Hunger Campaign” in which students earned money for the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and UNICEF by collecting and recycling non-traditional items such as juice pouches and small appliances. Hughes taught science at Hilsman from 2012–2020; now she’s based at Clarke Middle School in a new role working with students and teachers at both schools.

Audrey Hughes

A native of Doerun in South Georgia, Hughes came to see Athens as a place of opportunity and hope in childhood trips here for academic competitions, the state science fair and 4-H activities. “Now that I am a resident, I see that some Athenians are left out of opportunities and seem to have lost hope,” she wrote. “I want to bring about positive changes that re-invigorate the Classic City and serve all the people that live here, especially those that feel like they have been forgotten and forsaken.”

Asked to name major issues facing the community, Hughes said, “Athens-Clarke County has more needs than its tax base can support.”

With not only those living in poverty but middle-class citizens struggling, “We must find a way to expand our tax base,” she wrote. “[The] mayor and commission should work hard to recruit new businesses to create well-paying jobs, and to keep businesses already here… Athens is in crisis, and I want to work to find a viable solution.”

Hughes wants to see bus service extended to Barnett Shoals and Whit Davis elementary schools, and an expansion of the free ACC Lift services countywide to benefit people with physical challenges.

Hughes also pledges on her website to work for environmental protection, improving community safety and for “responsible taxation and spending.”

Like Davenport, Hughes sees affordable housing as one of the community’s hardest challenges. Remedies could include basing property tax rates on 2018 valuations, adopting ordinances to restrict short-term rentals and working with neighboring counties Oconee, Barrow, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe to shoulder some of the load. “None of those counties would be thriving without Athens taking the brunt of poverty in this area,” she wrote.

Voters can learn more about Hughes and Davenport on their campaign websites: patrickdistrict1.com for Davenport, audreyforathens.poliengine.com for Hughes. The deadline to register to vote in the May 24 election is Apr. 25, and early voting begins May 2.

Below are Davenport’s and Hughes’s responses to Flagpole‘s questions.

Audrey Hughes

FP: What made you decide to run for this office?  

AH: Athens-Clarke County is a community that I have been connected to since I was a little girl growing up in Colquitt County.  My family farmed for a living and I was active in 4-H, my church, and academic competitions.  I loved trips to Athens for the competitions, 4-H Day at Georgia games, and the state Science Fair.  Coming from the small town of Doerun, being in Athens meant opportunity and hope to me.  People were actively engaged in learning and supporting young people.  I felt welcomed, listened to, and challenged to think critically.  I would leave Athens feeling like I had the power to do anything.  The Athens-Clarke County that I see today does not present that to many people.  Now that I am a resident, I see that some Athenians are left out of opportunities and seem to have lost hope.  I want to bring about positive changes that re-invigorate the Classic City and serve all of the people that live here, especially those that feel like they have been forgotten and forsaken. 

FP: Why are you the better candidate?  

AH: There are many needs in Athens, and I am confident that as a commissioner I can work to solve some of these problems and help the people that live here.  First, I am actively engaged in District 1 through my volunteer efforts and established community connections, so I am aware of the issues facing citizens on the Eastside. Second, District 1 needs a representative who can work to make meaningful changes that make both common and financial sense. Third, as a teacher for the past 30 years, I will be able to provide a down to earth perspective and advocate on behalf of citizens in District 1 in a way that is well grounded in the realities of our community.  Finally, just like I have done with my students, I will work to engage the citizens in District 1 in ways that will help to improve our community and will work tirelessly to address their concerns.  If elected, I promise to serve the Eastside and all of Athens-Clarke County to the best of my ability and not give up if things do not go my way.  I will be thoughtful and reflective in my decisions, keeping my constituents informed and employing the same tenacity and dedication that I do in my daily work to the broader community. Athens needs to have hope that things can get better and I want to help bring that about in District 1. 

FP: What are the major issues facing Athens-Clarke now, and of those that the mayor and commission are able to address, can you tell me two or three specific pieces of legislation you’d like to see the commission and mayor enact?

AH: Athens-Clarke County has more needs than its tax base can support. Many Athens-Clarke County residents live in poverty and those that are middle class are also struggling. We must find a way to expand our tax base.  We need to work on ways to encourage businesses to stay here and work hard to recruit new businesses to locate here that can create well paying jobs. I would advocate that the Mayor and Commission reach out to state and federal government officials for help and advice dealing with our unique situation, as the smallest land mass county in Georgia with a large amount of nontaxable land.  Our property owners are paying higher tax rates than every neighboring county and most are struggling to get by. For example, a senior citizen called me and said she is living on her $875 monthly Social Security check.  Although her mortgage is paid,  her property taxes have skyrocketed. Each month she has to reserve $270 for property taxes and $95 for homeowner’s insurance, leaving her to live on $510 a month. Most Athenians are struggling to make ends meet these days.

Over half of all revenue in ACC is sourced from property taxes.  Less than 20% comes from sales taxes. In Athens-Clarke County there is enormous human need and very few property taxpayers to meet those needs. I have taught in high poverty schools for most of my career, so I see those needs. Athens is in crisis, and I want to work to find a viable solution.   

Athens is growing quickly and many in District 1 love the space and peacefulness in the rural portion of the county.  In order to protect the charm of living on the Eastside while meeting the needs of area residents,  I will propose that we extend the Athens Transit route to include a bus stop at both Barnett Shoals Elementary and Whit Davis Elementary Schools. In addition, our fellow citizens who are physically challenged would greatly benefit from free ACC Lift services, so I would advocate to expand that service throughout ACC and especially for those who live in rural areas not currently served by the regular Athens Transit routes. I would also propose that properties in the rural areas of ACC that have not been provided the same level of services as the more urban parts of town (eg: sewer, transit, etc.) which were promised under the 1990 unification plan be assessed differently to reflect the reduction in access to services.

FP: If elected, do you plan to take a sabbatical from teaching?

AH: If elected, I would not take office until January of 2023. I will use the time in between to assess the time commitment and make adjustments as needed. In general, I think it will be important to continue working as an educator. It will keep me close to my constituents and help me serve them better. 

FP: What should or can the commission and mayor do to alleviate the affordable housing crisis and skyrocketing land and house prices here?

AH: Housing prices are skyrocketing nationwide. Athens-Clarke County can’t solve this crisis alone. However, we can help people that live here get some relief from the escalating cost of living in a home.  While we await the market to level out, we can do these things:

Base property tax rates on 2018 property valuations and assessments. This would provide immediate relief to renters and property owners by lowering the overall cost of housing. Some American Rescue Plan funds could be used to fill the gap due to loss in tax revenue while the housing market levels out.

There are also many investors that don’t live here buying properties to serve as short term rentals. That is driving costs up. The Mayor and Commission could establish ordinances restricting short term rentals.

Work with neighboring counties to share some of the load of providing affordable housing.  Oconee, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, and Oglethorpe Counties could do their part. They are larger in land mass and they all benefit from Athens and the University of Georgia. None of those counties would be thriving without Athens taking the brunt of poverty in this area. Athens is a kind and caring community. We need our neighbors to love and help Athens.  

Patrick Davenport

FP: What decided you to run for reelection in the newly configured District 1?

PD: Why quit now? We have made tremendous strides towards equity, we have worked hard making Athens better. We have devoted countless efforts into affordable housing, youth development and improving our EMS response times. We have $15 starting wage for county employees. East Athens is seeing signs of life again. Residents are getting more involved with local government and the amount of new businesses that are investing in Athens is phenomenal. There is still more work to be done, still more progress to be made so why quit now?

FP: Why are you the better candidate?

PD: I am actually from Athens, born and raised in East Athens. My family is here as well as my friends. Yes, I have made some mistakes but it is undeniable that District 1 is the best district and that I love my home town. I will continue to work with others, even those who don’t agree with me politically. I have done my best to listen and to represent the silent voices and those in need. To give up the progress that we have made now would be detrimental. I would like to finish the race. Also, the amount of support from the broad spectrum of folks racially, economically and politically helps keep me moving forward. 

FP: What are the most urgent issues facing Athens-Clarke now, and of those that the mayor and commission are able to address, can you tell me two or three specific pieces of legislation you’d like to see the commission and mayor enact?

PD: Honestly, the most urgent issues facing Athens-Clarke County are the same as they were when I ran. Poverty, affordable housing, and building a better Athens. These complex issues can’t be solved within three years also considering that COVID halted progress and made these issues worse. We have made some great strides and we need to stay focused to make sure we reach the goal line. Also, there are things we need to do better. 

We need to continue to work on housing which is complex. For the homeless and those looking to buy/rent.

We have to work with our state legislators to help ease the burden of rising property assessments. 

Finish our homeless strategic plan, protecting/growing our greenspace, and enhancing our service delivery.

FP: What actions of the mayor and commission from your first term are you proud of being a part of, and why?

PD: I am proud of working with Commissioner Ovita Thorton to bring redress to the people of Dunlap and Pittard Road. Also, with the help of staff and the attorney’s office, I wrote a policy that requires ACC government and those seeking an event permit to only use recyclable  and biodegradable material. There have been so many improvements that we have made to our community that there are a lot to be proud of, like our creation of the human relations committee and PSOB. 

FP: What should or can the commission and mayor due to alleviate the affordable housing crisis and skyrocketing land and house prices here?

PD: Continue to work with our state legislators. Potentially lowering our millage rate to offset increased assessment cost, and more housing stock to drive down housing cost. 

FP: Any comment on your DUI arrest, for which you have done community service, or anything else you’d care to mention?

PD: I have to live with this burden for the rest of my life. Pray for me and always love another!

RELATED ARTICLES BY AUTHOR