Podcast
AthChat
Hosted by Drew Abney and Russell Edwards · EN
A podcast for anyone who wants to join the conversation about what's going on in Athens, Georgia. Local and state politics, culture, and good living.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
AthChat: Episode 43: Mayor Kelly Girtz comes on the pod. We discuss Tuesday evening’s election results and the upcoming runoff elections.
2w ago01:07:51Tap to summarizeOn the 43rd episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with Athens-Clarke County Mayor, Kelly Girtz. We discuss Tuesday evening’s election results and the upcoming runoff elections.Check out our merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ *the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.
Transcribe →AthChat: Episode 42: District 10 County Commissioner, Mike Hamby, comes on the pod. We discuss Mike’s views on compromise and getting things done, homelessness in Athens-Clarke county, and his thoughts on the mayoral race.
Apr 3001:20:18Tap to summarizeOn the 42nd episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with District 10 County Commissioner, Mike Hamby. We discuss Mike’s views on compromise and getting things done, homelessness in Athens-Clarke county, and his thoughts on the mayoral race.Check out our merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ *the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.
Transcribe →AthChat: Episode 41: Candidate for County Commission District 5, Rick Stanziale, comes on the pod. We discuss Rick’s multidecade service to Athens-Clarke County, his vision for density and growth, and his leadership style for making change.
Apr 1600:52:14Tap to summarizeOn the 41st episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with candidate for County Commission District 5, Rick Stanziale. We discuss Rick’s multidecade service to Athens-Clarke County, his vision for density and growth, and his leadership style for making change. *note that we had an audio issue, so there is a hard cut around 4 minutes into the episode. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!Check out our merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ *the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.
Transcribe →AthChat: Episode 40: Candidate for County Commission District 5, Kimberly Bennett, comes on the pod. We discuss the interrelated issues of affordable housing, homelessness, and student housing.
Mar 3100:53:39Tap to summarizeOn the 40th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with candidate for County Commission District 5, Kimberly Bennett. We discuss the interrelated issues of affordable housing, homelessness, and student housing. We also chat about the relationship between the public and developers and how to best create community spaces for everyone.Check out our merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ *the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.
Transcribe →AthChat: Episode 39: Candidate for Governor of Georgia, Jason Esteves, comes on the pod. We discuss Jason’s journey from middle school teacher to gubernatorial candidate, his vision for Georgia, and how he plans to win.
Mar 2800:23:50Tap to summarizeOn the 39th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with candidate for Governor of Georgia, Jason Esteves. We discuss Jason’s journey from middle school teacher to gubernatorial candidate, his vision for Georgia, and how he plans to winCheck out our merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ *the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.
Transcribe →AthChat: Episode 38: Mayoral Candidate, Tim Denson, comes back on the pod. We discuss Tim’s platform for Athens, how he would run commission meetings (Robert’s Rules!), and what his campaign is doing to win in May.
Mar 1901:15:28Tap to summarizeOn the 38th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with Mayoral candidate Tim Denson. We discuss Tim’s platform for Athens, how he would run commission meetings (Robert’s Rules!), and what his campaign is doing to win in May.Check out our merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ *the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.
Transcribe →AthChat: Episode 37: District 5 Commissioner Candidate, Craig Topple, comes on the pod. We discuss Craig’s interesting path to living in Athens, his work as a pastor, and his motivations to be a community builder on the County Commission.
Feb 1900:55:13Tap to summarizeOn the 37th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with District 5 Commissioner Candidate, Craig Topple. We discuss Craig’s interesting path to living in Athens, his work as a pastor, and his motivations to be a community builder on the County Commission. Check out our merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ *the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.
Transcribe →AthChat: 2nd Debate Edition!: Candidates for Mayor of Athens-Clarke County joined Drew and Russell *in the big theatre* at Ciné for a two-hour debate. The room was packed again. The debate was lively. It was another great night in Athens.
Feb 802:00:11Tap to summarizeOn the 36th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards moderated the second Athens Mayoral Debate. Topics included the housing affordability, road safety, immigration policy, homelessness, student housing, community engagement, taxation, community funding, transparency, community engagement, environmental sustainability, zoning changes.You can also find a recording of our livestream here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C6xNi5vQ7/ Check out our merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ *the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Format of the Debate02:51 Candidate Opening Statements09:00 Housing Crisis in Athens15:05 Policy Decisions for Growth20:48 Road Safety Concerns27:50 Immigration and Community Relations35:57 Addressing Homelessness40:35 Addressing Homelessness in Athens46:09 The Role of UGA in Housing51:58 Student Housing Dilemma57:57 Zoning and Housing Affordability01:07:01 Taxation and Community Funding01:20:54 Budget Priorities and School Funding01:24:36 Community Engagement and Representation01:25:03 Trust and Accountability in Leadership01:30:15 Youth Activism and Protests01:32:14 Housing Collaboration and Community Needs01:35:06 Environmental Sustainability and Growth01:42:06 Revenue Streams and Project Management01:45:38 Affordable Housing Solutions01:50:44 Closing Statements and Future Vision
Transcribe →AthChat: Episode 35: District 7 Commissioner Candidate, Ed Tolley, comes on the pod. We discuss Ed’s long history in Athens, his 50-year+ law career, and his reasons for running for commissioner
Jan 2900:54:01Tap to summarizeOn the 35th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with District 7 Commissioner Candidate, Ed Tolley. We discuss Ed’s long history in Athens, his 50-year+ law career, and his reasons for running for commissionerCheck out our merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ *the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.
Transcribe →AthChat: Episode 34: District 5 Commissioner Candidate, Zander Mason, comes on the pod. We discuss Zander’s roots in Athens, his vision for the county, and how he is differentiating himself from the three other candidates in D5
Jan 2201:01:15Tap to summarizeOn the 34th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with District 5 Commissioner Candidate Zander Mason. We discuss Zander’s roots in Athens, his vision for the county, and how he is differentiating himself from the three other candidates in D5.Check out our merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ *the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.
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