Heidi Davison announces her candidacy for Athens-Clarke County Mayor

June 26, 2006

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It is with great excitement that I announce my candidacy for re-election as Mayor of Athens-Clarke County. My vision of Athens embraces what I believe to be our collective vision of Athens - a place where our children can become the very best of who they are, a place where those of us in our middle years can find meaningful work and can discover ample opportunities for service and recreation, and a place where our retirees can enjoy the relaxed lifestyle they so richly deserve after years of hard work and involvement in the community. My professional and volunteer life has always been a reflection of my commitment to that vision and to this community.

In reviewing all the letters, speeches, questionnaires, and other materials from my 2002 campaign, I am proud to say that I have been true to my principles throughout all the tough issues and hard-won progress of the past four years.  I invite you to visit the archive section of this web site and judge for yourself.  As you browse through my new campaign materials, you will find that while the issues may be new, my vision for Athens has not changed.   

I gratefully acknowledge the assistance that I have received from your participation.  Four years ago, we worked together to putout community vision into action.  Much has been accomplished but much work remains and we cannot afford to be complacent and risk losing all that we’ve achieved together.  The assets that make Athens a wonderful place to live and work - vibrant neighborhoods, natural resources, cultural and leisure amenities, thriving local business, and good infrastructure - need to be protected and supported.  I pledge to campaign just as hard, or harder, than before.  I feel a deep sense of responsibility to you all to do my very best to help keep us moving forward on this path to which so many of you have dedicated yourselves.  At the same time, I will not shirk my duties, and will continue to serve Athens-Clarke County as Mayor to the best of my ability for as long as you will have me.

Athens has been my home since moving here in 1973 as a college student. I married a wonderful man, Al, who has lived here since he was 10 years old. Over the years, we have shared a life that has been enriched by living in a place where we feel safe, have a sense of shared responsibility, are connected to our neighbors and the larger community, can enjoy a multitude of activities - both cultural and leisure - to feed our souls and increase our connections, and can contribute our unique gifts and talents where they are most needed.

I want this for each and every one of you; and I want to ensure that Athens remains a unique and quality community for those of us who are living here now and for those who come after us. How we realize this vision is up to us individually and collectively - and with my leadership in the Mayor's chair, I am working every day to ensure that each of us can contribute to making that vision a reality.

The Mayor and Commission cannot do their work alone, nor should they. Our community needs a Mayor who is responsive, inclusive and fair, invites and appreciates citizen and government employee participation, is respectful of fellow commissioners, vigorously seeks out diverse, is willing to bring issues forward for discussion, nurtures new and emerging leadership, and is enthusiastic in the role of Athens' ambassador. These characteristics, which embody the kind of leadership I have demonstrated and pledge to continue to provide, are instrumental in creating a local government that is responsive to its citizens.

I am proud to call Athens my home. I invite each of you to join me in continuing to work towards the vision of making our community a place where each of us can create lives that are deeply satisfying for our children and ourselves and for our friends and neighbors.

It would be an honor and pleasure to serve as your Mayor for another term. I come to the task prepared and experienced and with a strong desire to ensure that Athens continues to be a unique and quality community. Please feel free to contact me to share your vision of Athens and any concerns you may have. I look forward to hearing from you.

I ask for your help, support, encouragement, and your vote on November 7th.

Warmest regards,
Heidi Davison

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