New ACC Commissioner Jerry NeSmith Shares His Priorities in Athens, Ga.

Jerry NeSmith writes:

I have three top priorities as commissioner--improved public safety, robust economic development and protection of the quality of life in our neighborhoods. More specifically....

I will continue to work with neighborhoods to identify and implement ways to reduce crime, protect neighborhoods from possible negative consequences from changes around them and create healthy communications between residences, businesses and local government.

I will work to improve the economic climate of Clarke County by identifying ways to make it easier to do business here, including changing ordinances that apply well to intown neighborhoods but may need changes in their application in the suburban, rural and industrial parts of our county.  I will  work to identify ways to improve customer service in the permitting processes.  I am committed to do these things without compromising our values for quality of life and protection of the environment.

I will support our police and fire services by protecting their budgets and providing them with the equipment that they need to serve us safely and effectively. As part of this, I will work with public safety officials and neighborhoods to improve communications and target specific issues and threats to our homes and citizens.

I will support the complete streets policy and providing a healthy infrastructure and environment for our citizens and our businesses, including concrete steps to improve our business corridors, downtown, our industrial zones, public transportation and telecommunications.

Making progress on any of these goals will require hard work by our government, our businesses and our citizens. 

I believe that Athens-Clarke County is ready to do this work.

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