Jerry NeSmith Defeats Ron Winders to Become the ACC District 6 Commissioner

Longtime Planning Commission member and Athens Farmers' Market co-founder Jerry NeSmith was elected to the Athens Clarke County Commission, District 6, defeating political newcomer Ron Winders handily.

"I look forward to serving my district and seeing if we can’t save Atlanta Highway and bring jobs in," said NeSmith Tuesday night.

The race for the seat vacated by Commissioner Ed Robinson at times grew personal and very acrimonious. Winders said the Planning Commission in general, and NeSmith specifically, functioned as roadblocks to businesses wanting to come to Athens Clarke County. He advocated doing away with the Planning Commission, which makes recommendations to the ACC Commission.

NeSmith countered that Winders didn't understand how various citizen groups work in the county.