Mara Zuniga

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor also hires the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and city department heads, such as City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation. 
- Most Georgia mayors are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

Athens

Public safety

COVID-19

Public transportation

Georgia

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Mayor

Buket Urgen

Walter Ley

Said, "I will be drawing on my successful entrepreneurship experiences to create and help bring in good-paying jobs to Athens, and actively extend support to small business over corporate dominance downtown."

Supports prioritizing hiring local residents over outsourcing jobs and creating job opportunities for Clark County School District youth after graduation.

Plans to establish Small Business Districts with tailored regulations to boost the local economy and create jobs.

Plans to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and regulatory restrictions to foster entrepreneurship.

Supports Athens' robust tourism industry, which facilitates economic growth to existing local businesses.

Supports commercial flights at Ben Epps Airport and railway transport from Atlanta to Athens.

Plans to "Require spending accountability from nonprofits receiving government funds."

Promises to "provide overdue transparency and answerability for taxpayer money."

Believes Athens has a "severe affordability crisis" with rising costs and local displacement due to "unmanaged growth."

Supports providing resources for law enforcement and corrections to ensure officer safety.

Wants to address Athens' opioid deaths, which are higher than the state average, by collaborating with local non-profits.

Plans to address sex-trafficking and organized crime.

Believes prompt improvements to infrastructure are essential for quality of life and safety.

Plans to advance transportation initiatives by investing in sidewalk extensions and intersection upgrades.

Plans to continue fostering Athens' status as a Tree City by implementing public tree protections and urban forestry measures.

Plans to promote environmental stewardship and clean energy plans aligning with efforts from the ACC Sustainability Office.

Wants to expand resources for urban beekeeping and butterfly sanctuaries.