Proposed local ordinances aimed at tackling discrimination in Athens bars was approved by part of the Athens-Clarke County Commission on July 21 and will be voted on by the full commission as early as September 6, the Athens Banner Herald reports.

The amendments seek to eliminate three methods of discrimination used in some bars in the downtown area, especially against gay patrons: the use of private events, uneven application of dress codes, and outright denial of entry into an establishment.

Violation of the proposed amendments could result in the suspension or permanent revocation of an establishment’s alcohol license.

Prejudicial business practices in Athens were brought to the attention of the county commissioners largely through a University of Georgia student government survey, through which multiple students related personal stories of being profiled and denied admission to various bars.

In January, the university’s student-run newspaper, the Red and Black, reported on several of such stories, which detailed students being kept from entering bars because of sexual orientation and skin color.

If the ordinances pass, local businesses will be required to post their dress code so that it is “visible and legible within ten feet of any entrance.” Also, the legislation mandates equal application of a dress code to all patrons.

In addition, all special events hosted by a bar must be formalized with a written agreement between the establishment and the sponsor, and, as with the dress code, there must be a posted notice of the private event visible no more than ten feet from any entrance.

The proposal was met with mixed feelings Thursday. Commissioner chair Andy Herod called the group of ordinances “an avenue with real teeth” in dealing with discrimination.

Some, such as local activist Mokah Jasmine Johnson, were less impressed.

“It’s just specifically dealing with bars,” she said. “I don’t think it going to be enough to protect [minorities].”

Some changes were made by the commission to the amendments before they were approved. Members requested that the legislation require posted signs indicating dress code and private events be visible from outside the bar and include contact information for a city attorney in the case a patron wishes to file a complaint.

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Two Georgia Bulldogs found themselves named to the preseason First Team All Southeastern Conference at the recent SEC Media Days, putting them amongst some of the most promising players in the Southeast.

According to the Athens Banner-Herald, running back Nick Chubb and offensive lineman Greg Pyke were both named to the list, which is voted on by top members of the college football media prior to each season.

Pyke, the six-foot-six, 313-pound senior, has started 23 games at the University of Georgia and is expected to be an anchor on the Bulldog’s offensive line. Pyke, who started ten games as a right guard last season, is moving to right tackle during the offseason.

Star running back Nick Chubb also found himself on the list, which is good news for the junior who ended last season early after going down with a season-ending injury against Tennessee in October.

Chubb tore three knee ligaments in Knoxville but is expected to return healthy for the first game of the upcoming season.

Chubb rushed for 747 yards and seven touchdowns in the five games before his injury.
UGA’s two first team selections rank it sixth in the fourteen team conference, and second best in the Eastern Division. Alabama boasts the most selections in the SEC with seven, and Tennessee has the most in the East with three.

In addition to Chubb and Pyke, four other players wearing red and black were named to the second and third all conference teams.

Brandon Kublanow, a two-year starter at center, and Dominick Sanders, the safety who intercepted eight passes last season, were both named preseason Second Team All-SEC.

The program’s third team selections were linebacker Lorenzo Carter and kick returner Isaiah McKenzie.
Carter recorded nineteen tackles and forced two fumbles in the 2015-16 season.

McKenzie returned five kickoffs or punts for a touchdown last season, tying the school’s all-time record.
A complete list of the preseason All-SEC selections can be found here.

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Hundreds of people gathered in Athens on Sunday for a Black Lives Matter rally held outside Athens City Hall.
 
Speakers urged respect, both for African Americans and for police, according to an article in Flagpole Magazine.
 
“All the people who want the violence and killing to stop, we need to come together, because we don’t want this to happen in our community,” Mokah Jasmine Johnson, a teacher and hip hop promoter who organized the rally said, according to the article. “We don’t want police officers killed out of vengeance. We don’t want young black men shot down.”
 
Thousands also marched in Atlanta over the weekend as well has others in Baton Rouge, LA and St. Paul, MN.
 
“A handful of police officers, including Athens-Clarke County Deputy Chief Justin Gregory, watched the rally from afar. They weren’t armed with riot gear, as police in other cities have been, and no one was arrested,” the article reads. “It’s all about the Constitution, their First Amendment rights,” Gregory said. “I’m just here to make sure they have what they need.”
 
Athens-Clarke County Deputy Chief Justin Gregory said it’s about respect. Talking to each other honestly. He believes Athens can set an example for the rest of the U.S.  

“Johnson and Clarke County NAACP President Alvin Sheats also had some advice for black men when dealing with police. ‘Respect the officer,’ Sheats said. ‘Respect the law. Be polite and have your ID out if you're pulled over, he said.’”

Johnson told Flagpole that the solution is threefold and includes people from different backgrounds coming together to talk – with respect and love. She also said part of the solution is to vote.

“The people in authority, the only reason they have authority is we give them that authority,” hip hop artist Versatyle the Wildchyld told the Flagpole. “There’s an economic component, too. Broderick Flanigan, an African American painter, circulated through the crowd distributing flyers urging people to boycott Walmart and fast-food restaurants and support black-owned and locally owned businesses.”

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A master plan for downtown Athens that officials are discussing includes the addition of an open-air amphitheater for the northeast Georgia city.
 
If not an open-air amphitheater, then perhaps an enclosed arena instead.
 
WSB-TV reports that Paul Cramer, executive director of The Classic Center downtown, is proposing that an enclosed arena be considered.
 
“Cramer raised the idea of an enclosed arena during a recent meeting of The Classic Center Authority, the board that oversees the existing downtown convention and performance space, the news station reports.  An enclosed arena would get more use than an open-air amphitheater,” Cramer said.

The amphitheater is a prominent feature in the master plan, which is a document prepared as a guide for the development of the downtown area for the next couple of decades. The plan, which was prepared by University of Georgia professor Jack Crowley, along with help from UGA students, and with considerable public input, cost the city $30,000. It was funded by the Athens Downtown Development Authority.

The master plan was formally accepted by Athens-Clarke County commissioners in 2014, and a commission committee has been working to implement aspects of the proposal.

“In the plan, the amphitheater is located near The Classic Center, on county-owned property above Hickory Street in the eastern end of downtown Athens, facing the North Oconee River,” the article reads. “The plan envisions the amphitheater constructed in stages, with an initial capacity of 1,500 to 2,500 people under covered seating, and hillside seating for an additional 2,500 people. Possible future expansions, based on use of the proposed amphitheater, could bring the seating capacity to as many as 10,000 people.”

Cramer contends that an enclosed arena would get more use than an open-air amphitheater.
“Cramer said Tuesday that, in his view, an arena would represent a better opportunity than an amphitheater for Athens to truly lay claim to its reputation as a center for music. And, Cramer said, an arena could host a wider variety of events than an amphitheater, bringing people and their dollars into town from communities beyond Athens for events such as cheerleading and gymnastics competitions.”
Cramer said his view is that the amount of revenue generated would be "significantly higher with an arena than an outdoor amphitheater.

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