Since taking office in 2014, no one has done more to shake up the Athens-Clarke County Commission than Melissa Link. Melissa does not stay quiet when she sees something in the community that needs attention. This is what makes Melissa stand out from the rest — her tireless efforts toward making our local government more responsive to the needs of all Athens residents — not just the wealthy and well-connected. During her first term, Melissa has quickly earned the reputation as Athens’ most progressive and active Commissioner. We need Melissa Link in office!

Named Elected Official of the Year in 2017 by Athens for Everyone, Melissa has consistently championed policies and programs aimed at reducing inequality and making our communities more vibrant and livable. This includes her unwavering support for strong nondiscrimination legislation paired with an Athens Civil Rights Committee, as well as her firm stance against development that benefits only wealthy and temporary residents. Melissa persistently promotes living wages, stronger environmental protection, affordable housing and major expansions of public transit and bike/pedestrian infrastructure. She actively engages with residents of District 3 to make in-town development more compatible with existing neighborhoods, and she is not afraid to bring issues to the attention of local government staff, ensuring that solutions are implemented.

Melissa’s transparent, inclusive and engaged approach to being an elected official is a breath of fresh air from the “behind-the-scenes” dealings that far too often characterize local government in Athens. She regularly shares updates and alerts with her constituents, while constantly advocating for more transparency and public input in our government’s processes. Melissa also knows that we need to stick our neck out sometimes, and resist conservative state policies or local staff members who say “it just can’t be done.” Melissa is determined to find a way and qualified to lead us along that path.

Athens needs Melissa Link’s experience, vision, and follow-through on the Commission. As the representative for District 3, she will continue to bring about a more open and transparent government, better platforms for community input, and the progressive policies that we need to transform our community into an Athens for Everyone.

You can learn more about Melissa on our website.

Pledge to vote for Melissa here!

Athens for Everyone
February 21, 2018

Check out our recap video here: https://athensforeveryone.com/2017-annual-meeting-video/

The 2017 Athens for Everyone Platform is as follows:

• Continue the Athens Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP) Campaign
• Expand Athens Transit Bus Routes
• $15 Minimum Wage and Living Wages for ACC Workers
• Athens Civil Rights Committee and Non-Discrimination Legislation
• Guaranteed Affordable Child Care and Universal Pre-K
• Repeal the Single-Family Ordinance and Start an Affordable Housing Campaign
• Independent Redistricting Committee
• Fare-Free Bus Service Every Day
• Establish a Network of Complete Streets and Support the T-SPLOST Referendum
• Decriminalize Marijuana in Athens
• Fee on Single-Use Plastic Bags

The Athens Elected Official of the Year Award went to ACC District 3 Commissioner Melissa Link for her consistent work on behalf of transparency and progressive policy. The Athens for Everyone Member of the Year Award went to Operations Coordinator Chris Dowd, who performs myriad indispensable tasks. The Laura Conroy Community Spirit Award, in honor of the late A4E member and Canopy Studio Instructor, went to Immigrant Rights Activist and 2015-16 A4E Board Member Beto Mendoza, who shares Laura’s commitment to ending all deportations.

A4E Board Member Adam Lassila gave an overview of ACC’s ten Commission Districts and their Commissioners, looking forward at the May 2018 local elections. The crowd cheered loudly for Melissa Link and Kelly Girtz, while booing Sharyn Dickerson, Diane Bell, Andy Herod, and Mike Hamby. Lassila also pointed out Regina Quick’s State House seat as the best chance for progressives to gain a Republican seat in the November 2018 election. State Senator and Atlanta mayoral candidate Vincent Fort was unable to attend due to last-minute changes to the legislative calendar, but sent in a video of support praising A4E’s efforts and committing to fighting for an Atlanta that works for everyone, as well.

Thank you so much to Wade Sheldon and Maureen Sheeran for their photography expertise! You can see their work at Wade Sheldon Photography.

Tuesday night, dozens of Athenians filled City Hall to show their support for a Living Wage to be paid to ALL County workers.

At the end of a very long Mayor & Commission voting session the once standing-room-only crowd had only gotten slightly smaller but more energized as they prepared to show support for the A4E-drafted ACC Living Wage Policy.

A4E Outreach Coordinator Jesse Houle started off by announcing our ongoing public petition for the Living Wage Policy, “We request that the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government ensure all County employees are paid a Living Wage. We ask that this ACC Living Wage Policy be set in accordance with the nationally-recognized MIT Living Wage Calculator. Currently, the Living Wage in Athens is $10.17 or greater per hour according to that calculator…I would like to emphasize part time and seasonal workers, this is about all County workers.”

Before finishing, Jesse addressed the people in attendance, “I would like to ask my fellow human beings in this room to raise your hands or stand to show that you are here in support of this ACC Living Wage Policy.” Almost every person in the room then stood or raised their hand (see Grady Newsource video below).

[youtube]https://youtu.be/7qok9jX_fFk[/youtube]

A4E Board Member Drew Hooks came to the podium next to emphasize how this policy could help the overall economic situation in Athens, GA. “This policy is something that can set an example for other employers in Clarke County” he stated, “including our largest employer, the University of Georgia.”

Linda Lloyd, the Executive Director of the Economic Justice Coalition, echoed the importance and feasibility of an ACC Living Wage Policy, “This 38% poverty rate we have here in Athens makes me sick. This is about families and living wages.”

Last to the podium was Athens for Everyone President Tim Denson. Tim began by reading the first goal listed in the ACC Economic Development Department’s 2015 Goals & Objectives:
Identify and recruit economic development opportunities that support and enhance Athens-Clarke County’s quality of life, increase the tax base, & provide opportunities for sustained, livable wages for workers.

“So what we are doing here tonight is we are identifying an economic development opportunity that will provide sustained, livable wages for workers”, Tim said.

“As of September 1, we have a minimum of 11 positions part-time or temporary workers making under $10.17 per hour.”, Tim said, referencing the Open Records Requests filed by Athens for Everyone. “There is a whole list of other season positions not counted here too that are also being paid under $10.17 an hour. Why do we feel like part time workers work is valued less? [Their work] is not less valuable.”

After the public comment section was over, Commissioner were given the chance for report backs and three of the ten Commissioners spoke favorably of the Policy. Commissioner Andy Herod was the first to mention the ACC Living Wage Policy:

“It’s a very important thing for us to set an example.”, Commissioner Herod said. “The question is does someone who works deserve to be paid a living wage for the amount of time that they are working? I think the answer to that question is yes. I would certainly be interested in us looking at that issue when it comes budget time.”

Commissioner Melissa Link echoed those sentiments, “We take very good care of our ACC full time employees and it’s high-time that we take care of our part-time employees. At the very least we can pay them a Living Wage.”

Commissioner Kelly Girtz also spoke his support, “I’m interested in a strong Living Wage floor for our employees, including our part-time employees.”

The Athens for Everyone Workers Rights Campaign plans on working with the Athens-Clarke County Government over the next few months to ensure that an ACC Living Wage Policy is in place moving forward. The A4E Workers Rights meetings are always welcoming to new volunteers with the next meeting happening on November 8 at 2pm at the ACC Public Library.

–Tim Denson

11/3/2015