[Emeritiassoc] Second Town Hall meeting Thursday

[Beverly Flanigan]

Fellow emeriti,

The next Athens Town Meeting will be held on March 12th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm,
in rooms A, B, and C of the Athens Community Center. The larger venue will
accommodate many more people, much more comfortably.

The enthusiastic response from the community at the February 5th Town Hall
Meeting helped the Comprehensive Plan Review and Advisory Committee gather
important input and direction to move the Athens City Comprehensive Plan
forward.

The March 12th meeting will feature:

--A report back on the input received on the
Comprehensive Plan

--A brief overview of the process on informed community
action that we hope will come out of the first two Town Meetings

--Small group discussions on ways to help implement
the plan and address other city and related county issues


Below is a list of possible topics small groups will discuss at the March
12th meeting. Topics with an asterisk (*) next to them are part of the
city's comprehensive plan.

>From the February 5 Town Hall Meeting:

ENVIRONMENT
Preserving/adding green space, trees, and native species (*)
Reducing pollution
Educating the public about the environment
Increasing food security
Preserving viewsheds (*)
Reuse and recycle

TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Improving bicycle transportation (*)
Improving pedestrian transit (*)
Improving mass transit (*)
Improving streets, roads, and parking (*)

HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
Promoting the arts in Athens (*)
Preserving historic areas (*)

HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS
Diversifying housing (*)
Improving code enforcement (*)

UPTOWN AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Promoting tourism and improving Athens' image (*)
Guiding/monitoring redevelopment of existing sites (*)
Improving the business and development code (*)


Topics added by the City Council and the Town Meeting Planning Committee:

INFRASTRUCTURE
Updating sanitary sewers and storm drains
Improving wellhead protection and water transport systems
Improving communication systems delivery (including towers)
Improving energy policy and delivery

OTHER
Improving communication between government and citizens


We invite you all to participate in this Athens community discussion!

Beverly Flanigan
Town Hall planning committee
594-8813