Another candidate joins District 8 race

There is another candidate in the race to replace Andy Herod on the Athens-Clarke County Commission: Herod, who represents District 8, says he is not running for re-election in 2020. Carol Myers says she will run. The retired teacher is the second announced candidate for the east-side Commission seat: therapist Andrea Farnham kicked off her campaign earlier this year.

From Carol Myers…

“I’m running because I care about the Eastside, and I want to make it thrive,” said Myers. “I want my children and grandchildren--and all of us and our families and friends--to have a bright future here on the Eastside and throughout Athens. That’s why I’ve spent years as an active community advocate--listening, asking questions, building partnerships, getting things done. I’ll be a strong voice for the Eastside, for all of Athens.”

Myers is a longtime Eastsider, mother and grandmother, retired teacher and administrator at Athens Tech, and she is—and has long been—a tireless and effective community leader on a range of issues.

She is currently chairperson of the Athens in Motion Commission. She was a leader of the successful 100% Athens Renewable Energy Initiative. She’s been active with Envision Athens, the Bike Pedestrian Master Plan Citizen Committee, the SPLOST Citizen Advisory Committee and Bike Athens. She’s advocated for a just criminal justice system, for more investment in local infrastructure and for improved emergency ambulance service.

For Myers, this commitment to advocacy for the community comes from her personal background. She’s lived in the Athens area for 35 years, and on the Eastside in District 8 since 1995. She’s an educator. She started as a teacher and then became as Dean of General Education at Athens Technical College, where she worked for 30 years, always putting students first.

Myers is a mother. Her daughters, Clare and Anne Saunders, went to Athens Montessori, Cedar Shoals and Classic City High Schools. She is now a grandmother with a two-month-old grandson. And she's an avid cycler, whose has ridden across the country.

“I decided to run because I still have more to give to my community,” Myers said. “I was in a very fortunate place to retire from Athens Tech at a young age. After four years going through some life transitions and riding my bike a lot, I’m ready for more.”

Myers is earning strong support from her fellow Eastsiders. Bill McClain, who lives in the Meadow Creek subdivision, says: "Carol cares about Athens. She's a long-time resident of the Eastside with a proven history of hard work for the community. I am pleased to vote for Carol because I know she will represent the Eastside and all of Athens well." Mary Mathews, another Eastside resident says: "I will vote for Carol! I've known her since our now grown kids were tiny toddlers together. She's brilliant, brave and devoted to our community. She's a fantastic listener."

Myers has launched a campaign website,VoteMyers.com, and a Facebook page as well, both of which contain more information about her platform and her supporters.

She is already knocking on the doors of voters, recruiting volunteers and organizing fundraisers.