Sidney Waters, also known as Mama Sid, is originally from Gadsden, Alabama, where she grew up on a chicken farm and was the daughter of a milkman. She attended Jacksonville State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree. Sidney is married to Jim Waters, with whom she has a family, including children and grandchildren. They reside in Athens, GA, where they have lived since 1977.

Sidney Waters is a restaurant owner and a former member of the Clarke County Board of Education, where she served for 12 years. Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree from Jacksonville State University.

Sidney Waters served on the Clarke County Board of Education for 12 years after being elected to represent District 8 in 1996. 

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Mama Sid's support for East Athens goes beyond education. Over the past four decades, she has sponsored numerous local programs, including little league baseball teams and the Cedar Shoals Band, demonstrating her dedication to the community's children and families."

- The candidate's website says, "Mama Sid's support for East Athens goes beyond education. Over the past four decades, she has sponsored numerous local programs, including little league baseball teams and the Cedar Shoals Band, demonstrating her dedication to the community's children and families."

Public Services

As of April 23, 2024, Sidney Waters’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

The candidate's website says, "Her advocacy led to significant improvements in East Athens schools, including the construction of a new Cedar Shoals High School, Fine Arts Building, and gymnasium."

Said, "During the pandemic, Athens was shut down, and schools remained closed for 18 months, impacting our youth's education and social development. We need to prioritize programs for our youth, ensuring their well-being and future prospects."

- The candidate's website says, "Her advocacy led to significant improvements in East Athens schools, including the construction of a new Cedar Shoals High School, Fine Arts Building, and gymnasium."
- Said, "During the pandemic, Athens was shut down, and schools remained closed for 18 months, impacting our youth's education and social development. We need to prioritize programs for our youth, ensuring their well-being and future prospects."

Education

Supports bolstering public safety by fully staffing and training law enforcement, filling responder vacancies, enhancing surveillance, and increasing protection in vulnerable areas to address crime concerns in Athens.

- Supports bolstering public safety by fully staffing and training law enforcement, filling responder vacancies, enhancing surveillance, and increasing protection in vulnerable areas to address crime concerns in Athens.

Public Safety

Opposes high-end apartment approvals in East Athens, citing loss of green space, increased traffic, and lack of affordable housing due to rising property taxes; advocates for equitable housing and public utilities for all Athenians.

- Opposes high-end apartment approvals in East Athens, citing loss of green space, increased traffic, and lack of affordable housing due to rising property taxes; advocates for equitable housing and public utilities for all Athenians.

Housing & Urban Development

Said, "My opponent's voting record shows consistent support for projects like expanding bike lanes, the Firefly Trail, and a $314,000 downtown toilet... Meanwhile, businesses are closing in East Athens, and many are leaving for more business-friendly counties."

Believes projects like expanding bike lanes, the Firefly Trail, a $314,000 downtown toilet, the mall redevelopment, and outdoor arena expansion benefit a select few.

- Said, "My opponent's voting record shows consistent support for projects like expanding bike lanes, the Firefly Trail, and a $314,000 downtown toilet... Meanwhile, businesses are closing in East Athens, and many are leaving for more business-friendly counties." 
- Believes projects like expanding bike lanes, the Firefly Trail, a $314,000 downtown toilet, the mall redevelopment, and outdoor arena expansion benefit a select few.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Facebook

Sidney Waters

Carol has a doctorate in education from the University of Georgia. She resides in Athens and has two daughters. She held several positions in organizations, such as on the SPLOST advisory committee, and is current chair of the Legislative Review Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee, amongst others.

Carol is a retired teacher and dean from Athens Technical College,  

Carol Myers is the County Commissioner for District 8. She was elected to this position in 2020, and has served one term. She also served as mayor pro tem in 2022. 

Said, "Ensure that we build a quality Eastside library. The new Eastside Library received SPLOST funding in 2020 and is currently in the site-selection process!"

Plans to have the Eastside library built with SPLOST funding from 2020. 

The candidate's website says, "Support African-American businesses and community efforts, and acknowledge historical injustices. Linnentown Resolution, approved in 2023, changed a street name and approved $2.5 million for Memory and Justice Committee!"

Supports African-American businesses and community efforts. 

The candidate's website says, "Advocate for the 100% Clean Energy Resolution, including its commitment to equity and local green jobs. Approved the passage of the 100% Clean Energy Plan in 2022!"

Plans to advocate for the 100% Clean Energy Resolution. 

- Plans to have the Eastside library built with SPLOST funding from 2020. 
- Supports African-American businesses and community efforts. 
- Plans to advocate for the 100% Clean Energy Resolution. 

The candidate's website says, "Supported unionization of ACC Firefighters, only the 2nd unionized force in Georgia"

Supported the unionization of ACC Firefighters, which is the second unionized force in Georgia. 

The candidate's website says, "Support existing Eastside businesses, and encourage more to locate here."

Support local businesses and wants to attract outside businesses. 

The candidate's website says, "Work hard at the local level to reduce the poverty rate in Athens."

Wants to lower the poverty rate in Athens.

The candidate's website says, "Advocate for more ambitious state and federal programs to make the economy work for lower and middle income Athenians."

Plans to advocate for more state and federal programs, aiming to uplift middle and working class Athenians. 

- Supported the unionization of ACC Firefighters, which is the second unionized force in Georgia. 
- Support local businesses and wants to attract outside businesses. 
- Wants to lower the poverty rate in Athens.
- Plans to advocate for more state and federal programs, aiming to uplift middle and working class Athenians. 

As of April 23, 2024, Carol Myers’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The candidate's website says, "Reform criminal justice system so fewer young people get trapped in the school-to-prison pipeline; create more productive options for youth."

Plans to adjust the criminal justice system, in an effort to reduce youth incarceration  rates by implementing options aimed to keep youth productive. 

The candidate's website says, "Enhance community policing efforts that build trust between neighborhoods and police officers."

Wants to improve community policing that which citizens develop stronger relations and trust with local law enforcement. 

Wants to combat youth violence with an alternative that aims to provide them with a feeling of purpose and belonging.

- Plans to adjust the criminal justice system, in an effort to reduce youth incarceration  rates by implementing options aimed to keep youth productive. 
- Wants to improve community policing that which citizens develop stronger relations and trust with local law enforcement. 
- Wants to combat youth violence with an alternative that aims to provide them with a feeling of purpose and belonging.

The candidate's website says, "Advocated for Strategic Plan to Address and Prevent Homelessness including expansion of Homelessness Coalition and funding for Eviction Prevention programs"

Advocated for an initiative aimed to address and Prevent Homelessness by implementing a Homelessness Coalition and funding for Eviction Prevention programs. 

The candidate's website says, "Re-evaluate zoning ordinances to encourage more affordable housing."

Wants to re-evaluate zoning ordinances, as she believes it may lead to more affordable housing.

The candidate's website says, "Work with homeowners to encourage energy efficiency and clean power use, and make this affordable for low-income households."

Plans to collaborate with homeowners to encourage energy efficiency and clean power use, and designate an "affordable" rate for low-income households. 

- Advocated for an initiative aimed to address and Prevent Homelessness by implementing a Homelessness Coalition and funding for Eviction Prevention programs. 
- Wants to re-evaluate zoning ordinances, as she believes it may lead to more affordable housing.
- Plans to collaborate with homeowners to encourage energy efficiency and clean power use, and designate an "affordable" rate for low-income households. 

The candidate's website says, "New Residential Traffic Management Program, an equitable program for making community roads safer and more comfortable for residents and pedestrians"

Implemented a New Residential Traffic Management Program aimed to make community roads safer and more comfortable. 

The candidate's website says, "Dedicated funds for infrastructure and social issues"

Plans to allot funds for infrastructure and social issues. 

Plans to "Move forward with the newly adopted Athens in Motion Bike and Pedestrian Plan."

Wants to install a "Vision Zero" goal of achieving zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Wants to develop a Bike Share program for the Athens community.

- Implemented a New Residential Traffic Management Program aimed to make community roads safer and more comfortable. 
- Plans to allot funds for infrastructure and social issues. 
- Plans to "Move forward with the newly adopted Athens in Motion Bike and Pedestrian Plan."
- Supports free buses in Athens.
- Wants to install a "Vision Zero" goal of achieving zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
- Wants to develop a Bike Share program for the Athens community.

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LinkedIn

Carol Myers

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.