ACC Commission

State House and Senate

District 1 Summary

Doug Lowry defeated James Garland in the November 7 general election 1,977 to 1,640.

James Garland 0 stars
Summary: James Garland’s stances are at odds with virtually all of Athens Grow Green Coalition’s positions on environmental and land use issues.
View questionnaire answers.

Doug Lowry
Summary: Doug Lowry is more focused on the local economy and poverty than on environmental issues, but he expresses an understanding that natural resources need to be protected, and he cites the need to balance the needs of the community as a whole with individual property rights.
View questionnaire answers.

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District 9 Summary

No candidate received more than 50% of the vote on November 7, so Kelly Girtz (3,185) and Alvin Sheats (2,735) will be in a runoff election on December 5.

Kelly Girtz
Summary: Kelly Girtz provides thoughtful, detailed answers to our questions on land use and the environment. He expresses a thorough understanding of the need to protect natural resources in order to maintain a strong economy and a healthy community, and he offers innovative approaches to affordable housing and open space protection.
View questionnaire answers.

*Chuck Jones n/a
Chuck Jones has withdrawn from the race; unfortunately the ballots were already printed. Since he declined to officially inform the Board of Elections of his withdrawal, his votes were counted.

Alvin Sheats
Summary: In 2002 we wrote “Commissioner Sheats has almost always voted the opposite of Grow Green’s positions. While he states that he is in favor of increasing the availability of affordable housing, he appears not to have given serious thought as to how to go about it.” Based upon his questionnaire responses this year, there is nothing new to add.
View questionnaire answers.

Ed Vaughan
Summary: Ed Vaughan expresses concerns about land use and environmental protection, but many of his public statements are plainly incorrect, and appear to betray a fundamental misunderstanding of the workings of local government.
View questionnaire answers.

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Mayoral Summary

No candidate received more than 50% of the vote on November 7, so Heidi Davison (10,163) and Charlie Maddox (6,725) will be in a runoff election on December 5.

Tom Chasteen
Summary: While Tom Chasteen’s questionnaire responses indicate that he is concerned about protecting natural resources, his voting record is inconsistent.
View questionnaire answers.

Heidi Davison (incumbent)
Summary: It is clear from her questionnaire responses and her record that Heidi Davison is committed to protecting ACC’s natural resources and environment, as well as affordable housing, and has a realistic approach. She understands the fiscal and public health and safety implications of land use decisions, and she has worked successfully to increase public involvement in government.
View questionnaire answers.

Richard DeRose n/a
Summary: Declined to participate

Charlie Maddox
Summary: Charlie Maddox’s questionnaire answers contain numerous thinly veiled attacks on local environmental groups, and echo the Chamber of Commerce’s position that such groups are “special interests” promoting a no-growth agenda. His solution for affordable housing appears to be to relax our development standards. The combination of his answers and his pro-development backers contradicts his claim to represent all citizens.
View questionnaire answers.

Andy Rusk
Summary: Andy Rusk's responses, as well as the content on his web site, betray a lack of understanding and thoughtful consideration of the environmental and growth issues facing Athens. Many of his statements are factually incorrect. For example, he suggests that Mayor Davison supported the proposed Enron power plant; that issue arose back in 2001, a year and a half before she took office.
View questionnaire answers.

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Senate District 46 Summary

Although Jane Kidd outpolled Bill Cowsert in Athens-Clarke County (10,576 to 5,547) Cowsert won the district 21,224 to 17,312.

Bill Cowsert (R)

Bill Cowsert’s answers to our questionnaire appear to reflect some ambivalence about environmental issues, particularly with regard to adequate stream buffers and inverse condemnation.

Jane Kidd (D)

As State Representative, Jane Kidd has been a strong advocate for the protection of Georgia’s natural resources and the environment. She clearly understands the issues and has innovative ideas about how to address them. She has twice received the Georgia Conservation Voters Environmental Leadership Award.

View questionnaire answers.

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Senate District 47 Summary

Mac Rawson earned more votes in Athens-Clarke County (4,175 to 2,711) but Ralph Hudgens won the district 24,650 to 13,318.

Ralph Hudgens (R, Incumbent) 0 stars

Ralph Hudgens, who did not return our questionnaire, was named to the Sierra Club’s 2006 “Dirty Dozen” list where he is described as “a consistent anti-environmental voice” who “has opposed any environmental protections, and supported bills that harm the environment and the property values of landowners…”

Mac Rawson, (D)

Mac Rawson clearly understands the importance of protecting natural resources. He is recognized for his work in water conservation and watershed management, and environmental protection and growth management are central to his campaign platform.

View questionnaire answers.

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House District 115 Summary

Doug McKillip won with 4,866 votes, with E.H. Culpepper second at 2,331 and Regina Quick third at 2,137.

E.H Culpepper (I)

E.H. Culpepper clearly is aware of the state’s environmental issues, although his suggested solutions in general seem somewhat vague.

Doug McKillip (D)

Doug McKillip’s responses to our questionnaire make it clear that protecting natural resources is a high priority for him. He demonstrates a thorough knowledge of Georgia’s environmental issues and how they impact our local area. He offers thoughtful and practical suggestions for tackling complicated problems.

Regina Quick (R)

Regina Quick appears to have a good understanding of environmental issues, particularly energy, but her responses don’t make it clear where she stands on other key issues.

View questionnaire answers.

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How we arrived at the ratings:
Grow Green mailed each candidate a questionnaire on issues of land use and the environment, which we scored based on agreement with our positions. We also examined voting records, campaign literature and Web sites, and public statements. The ratings are based on a combination of these factors. We made no attempt to evaluate the candidacy of challengers who did not return our questionnaire.

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