FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Jesse Houle to run for Athens-Clarke County Commission

Community activist and organizer declares intent for District 6.

Athens, GA, February 12, 2020 – Jesse Houle is running to represent District 6 on the Athens-Clarke County Commission. The election will occur on May 19, 2020.

Jesse has worked alongside community partners for more than a decade to transform Athens. Houle is a musician, worker, community organizer, political strategist, and Operations Manager for local non-profit Nuçi’s Space who also co-founded Athens for Everyone and assisted progressive candidates in winning local and state office. Houle has collaborated to rally public support to defeat the 2013 curfew law, win living wages for ACC workers, expand public transit, and lead massive demonstrations against discrimination, ICE, and the Trump agenda.

“I intend to keep fighting for an Athens that works for everyone,” Houle said, “with an approach to leadership that centers listening and collaboration.”

Houle’s campaign platform focuses on economic and racial justice, green energy and infrastructure, transforming public safety, affordable housing, and “looping in” District 6 so residents there enjoy the same services as in-town neighborhoods. Specific proposals on Houle’s website include:

  • Explicit support for the Linnentown Project

  • Establish fare-free transit and expand service

  • Extend solid waste services to all of ACC

  • Hold regular town halls

  • Enact a Tenants’ Bill of Rights

  • Eliminate unpaid inmate labor

  • Rethink policing as social work with unarmed first responders trained in de-escalation

Most important, Houle contends, we want to rethink local government, making it more transparent and inclusive. “We are so close to having enough political will in City Hall to make real change in this community… To do so we need commissioners with a vision for change and courage to take action.”

“Leadership is about working with, not for,” Houle said regarding their value of deeply engaging communities to share power. Houle believes this approach can change the dynamics of City Hall, bringing shared governance into the public square and growing the political will to do big things. “We can end the cycle of poverty,” says Houle, “We are a wealthy community; it’s time to share the wealth.”

Jesse Houle’s Campaign Kickoff Party will be held Sunday, March 1st from 2 to 4 p.m. at Akademia Brewing Company, 150 Crane Dr, Athens, GA 30606. Learn more about Jesse Houle, their platform and how to get involved at jessforathens.com.

Contact:

706-395-5029
contact@jesseforathens.com
facebook.com/jesseforathens