Let’s call this “big yellow taxi“ in reverse. Where once was a slab of asphalt, people will soon be singing! I hope to see you there at AthFrst 2026…

It was the deepest honor to announce February 12 as DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS DAY in Athens and honor the band from the stage of the Fabulous 40 Watt Club. LET THERE BE ROCK!

The best parts of judging another year of Plungefest for the Rotary Club of Athens were 1) hanging with Gaines Elementary student Brailan Henderson and 2) staying out of the water to competently perform my duties

Internal White House meetings going on, like, "Hopefully the racism will distract from the pedophilia which will distract from the killings which will distract from the pedophilia again which will distract from the economy which will distract from the pedophilia a third time"

Deeply grateful to spend time at the Winter Conferences of U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Mayors Innovation Project. From supporting our residents across the span of their lives, to supporting each other, to upholding our Constitution, it was a full and full-hearted week.

Stay safe out there, friends. Our crews, along with Georgia Power and others are mobilized and ready to assist. If at all possible, stay off the roads tonight and throughout the next two days.

You can still register for volunteer service for Monday January 19. In challenging times, a little hard work feels good. See you out there! accgov.com/mlkday

This week marks 30 years in Athens, when I moved into a little house on Church St open for whatever would come. My first long walk after arriving took me through Dudley Park. I’m walking through here again today looking forward to the next 30 years. Godspeed + love to you all ❤️

Come join hands tomorrow for kindness and human dignity.

Whether at the small town crossroads of Good Hope, Georgia with a thousand people gathered, or at a suburban parking lot outside Monroe, spending time near the monks on their Walk for Peace was the best way imaginable to begin 2026. More information at dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-pea...

Whether you want apple, pumpkin, or something stronger, our home wishes you the very merriest Christmas Eve ❤️

We couldn’t be more fortunate than to have Mike Thurmond running for Governor of Georgia. Mike knows clearly what life is like for Georgians across the state, and he knows the path to better jobs, education, healthcare and housing. #ilikemike

Love to Kay Giese’s family and friends this month upon her passing. She’ll bring a great sense of justice and grace to the great beyond, just as she brought to the courtroom as our former Municipal Court Judge.

The ACC 101 citizen's academy launches next year...we'd love for you to book a seat: accgov.com/7407/ACCGov-...

Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Mayor Kelly Girtz and Tuscaloosa, Alabama Mayor Walt Maddox have made a friendly wager for the 2025 Southeastern Conference Championship game on Saturday, December 6 between the UGA Bulldogs and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.

Happy Thanksgiving Athens 🍁 It was wonderful to see nearly 900 of you out at this year’s 8k Turkey Trot benefiting the Athens Area Council on Aging. With the calories already burned, let’s go fill that plate…

Vintage pop-top can among the creek bed debris. Pulaski Heights denizens have enjoyed their watery domestic beverages for generations.

The College Square Plaza construction contract is on the Mayor & Commission Agenda for approval tonight 11/18/25. Can't wait to hear you sing on that stage ❤️

Little signs of warmth, beauty, humor, and exuberance all over Athens this weekend. And no matter what else is true, I won’t forget to put roses on your grave.

Lovely profile of Athens gem Dexter Weaver in today’s AJC. When I spoke with him a few weeks ago he mentioned the prospect of some long-deserved travel…I hope he gets to enjoy the sky and sea of our town’s Mediterranean namesake soon ❤️ www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...

Wishing a wonderful Veterans Day to all who served. For a rich set of conversations with veterans, check out the After Action series, which you can stream online www.pbs.org/show/after-a...

Great to celebrate another 190 units of affordable housing at Athens Flats (next to Space Kroger). Looking forward to the next one, and the one after that…

Happy Halloween, friends! Dressed as a weary mayor wishing the whole city/nation/planet steers this thing out of the ditch.

Great times this week at Cedar Shoals HS and UGA’’s Music Business program…thanks for the warm welcome and great conversations y’all!

RUMPUS MAXIMUS!

ACC and the CORE Development Team will be hosting a drop-in session to learn about the 295 E. Dougherty Street redevelopment plan, which is currently on the Nov 4 agenda. ACC staff and CORE reps will be available to discuss project components and answer questions.

If you are a veteran in the Athens area, come to the Sunset Dr. VFW on Wednesday for resources and supports. Thanks for your service!

Showers lift at noon, so I’ll see you out in the street this afternoon at Porchfest 2025!

It was great to talk about history, memories, and the road ahead this week with Athenian authors Hattie Thomas Whitehead and Michael Thurmond. An inspiring night…they set a high standard for all of us. www.redandblack.com/athensnews/a...

Early voting for the two Public Service Commission races is underway. Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson will protect your pocketbook and our environment. If you are in Athens, parking is free at the Washington St Board of Elections office :)

Autumn garden + sentinel of the season

C’mon over to the Baxter St. library next Wednesday for a conversation with Hattie Whitehead and Mike Thurmond. We’ll talk about their books about Athens and Georgia history and the lessons they hold for today.

Mayors Innovation Project hosted a great summer meeting in Albuquerque last week with rich conversations about public safety, economic development, democracy and more. There’s nothing better than sharing with peers. Til the next time…

Thanks to Aiden Dowdy and Joshua Henderson for the great conversation this summer on Education Matters Network. Journalism is alive and well there! youtu.be/BY9uGxIq4K4?...

The Horizons summer camp participants were some of Athens’ best, and even gifted me with a new official portrait!

Grateful to gather with civil rights advocates this week to recognize the 35th anniversary of passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act. As President Bush noted upon signing “Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down.” www.redandblack.com/athensnews/a...

For the 1st time in Athens-Clarke Co. history, we reached mid-year in 2025 with NO murders. This has been a team effort with ACCPD, every community support organization, and every resident. We continue to strive for more improvements, but this is a huge accomplishment.

Applications for the 2025-26 Mayor's Youth Council are live...please encourage rising 10th-12th graders to apply by Aug 17. This is a great way to engage with peers, learn from those in local government, as well as meet with counterparts in other Georgia cities. www.accgov.com/youthcouncil

Y’know what keeps the economy going? People working, yo. And when ya have a place for your children to go, that helps keep that job intact. Hard to keep up with how deep in the big muddy we are now. apnews.com/article/trum...

Call Senators Murkowski and Collins. The health of millions and the survival of hospitals nationwide are at risk.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Star Spangled Classic last night, and especially to @accleisureservices for hosting. Happy early birthday, America. We love you!

God bless Jean Spratlin, both for her 51 years of service in City Hall, and for the best retirement request ever, allowing me to fulfill her decades of disgust for technology. flagpole.com/featured/202...

Delighted to introduce you to Bob Cowell, my recommendation for the next Manager of Athens-Clarke County. accgov.com/CivicAlerts....

As we celebrate Juneteenth, you might be interested in this collection of Georgia based Slave Narratives - an amazing number of them from Athens - transcribed by the Works Progress Administration, and archived here: drive.google.com/file/d/1AGEu....

Thanks to everyone who turned out in the rain Saturday to honor democracy and the rule of law. Whether you are concerned about the many decades of life ahead, or incredulous that the work you’ve done your entire life is being undermined, this ongoing effort is critical.

Sly, thank you for dropping your magic here on planet earth www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY_5...

Congratulations to Dr. Robbie Hooker on three outstanding academic years as Superintendent of the Clarke County School District. I’ll miss him enormously, but it’s good to know that he will be providing sound guidance to communities across the country in his next role.

Big ups to ACCPD and the entire community - Chief Saulters will be the first to say that this is a team effort with prevention efforts a critical element - for continuing to make this a safer place. Crime is down in Athens 18% YTD, on top of reductions in ‘23 and ‘24.

Great guy, great friend and Double Dog Charlie Bailey is the man to lead us to success next year and beyond. Congratulations brother! www.ajc.com/politics/dem...

It's that magical time of year when we prepare the budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026. I have transmitted my recommended budget to the Commission: www.accgov.com/DocumentCent...