Citizens Voice Concerns Over Redistricting Plans

Concerns over how Five Points is represented on the Athens-Clarke County Commission dominated the discussion at a public forum on redistricting held Wednesday night. 

Around 25 Athens-Clarke County citizens showed up to Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School Wednesday. Most voiced their opinion against any sweeping changes to County Commission districts. 

The citizens committee appointed by Mayor Nancy Denson held their third and final public input meeting, presenting two maps for public scrutiny. One map, “,” changes little about Athens-Clarke County's current districts, other than minor adjustments to reflect population changes since 2000. 

A second map, “Plan 2R,” is more sweeping in nature, and drew criticism from some attendees. That plan would find nearly half of Athens-Clarke County residents living in a new district. It would also combine the Five Points area into a single district. 

Clover Weller, who lives in Cedar Creek, questioned the need for dramatically new districts. 

“Plan 2R upsets almost 50% of the population,” she said. “I don't see the necessity of it.” 

Regina Quick, the Republican party's appointee to the citizens committee, defended plan 2R, which is a revised version of a plan she originally introduced, saying that the Five Points neighborhood, which is included in districts 4 and 7, as well as both superdistricts, is overrepresented on the Commission. 

Five Points resident Jeb Bradberry agreed. Bradberry, who identified himself as a Democrat, encouraged the public to be “open-minded and forward thinking” when evaluating Plan 2R. 

The current 4th District, which includes part of Five Points, was “gerrymandered from the get-go,” Bradberry said. “Regina is exactly right.” 

The ACC Commission is expected to vote on a preferred redistricting plan in October. That plan will be submitted to the Georgia General Assembly, who has the final say.