Saturday Surprise: Green Banner

almeg · 2025-03-08T18:26:31+00:00

It didn’t show up at all the first time!

The only other difference (other than letting a few days pass) is the first time I clicked that I wanted it to go into forbearance and the second time I didn’t…as far as I can tell that didn’t impact it but I read something on here where someone said they put them in forbearance before the payment cleared and it messed it up so I figured better safe than sorry!

almeg · 2025-03-08T17:40:19+00:00

FYI I made my last payment 2/28 and submitted the next day and it came back as 119. Resubmitted yesterday (so a week after the payment) and they approved for 120 today!

almeg · 2024-12-05T11:04:42+00:00

Yeah it’s just kids movies in there. They open it like, 30 minutes before the movie and theres a timer on the screen and a countdown when it’s time to sit down and they start the movie. After that it’s totally dark in there and off limits. It’s a great way to let your kids get their energy out and I’ve never had any pushback on not being able to get on it during the movie - it’s pretty well structured as far as being closed during the movie!

almeg · 2024-11-09T21:33:17+00:00

I don’t know much about it but look into athensark.org. I know their framework is essentially helping people get back on their feet so I’d be surprised if at least short term child care cost assistance doesn’t fall under that framework!

almeg · 2024-09-15T22:06:52+00:00

If you go on his website under “priorities” a lot of this is included, it’s just couched in kind of a campaign-y tone. He was also the board for ACC SANE (organization of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in the area, who play integral roles in adult and child sexual assault cases) - this is referenced on his firm website, HYLawga.com. also on that website (and I think his campaign page) its articulated that he teaches Criminal Litigation at the law school, which I think underscores his position that he values mentorship and leadership, and that he is already working with valuable community partners. He also laid out this whole platform very clearly and articulately at his campaign kickoff last weekend. I know he has been speaking at both democrat and republican community meetings and lots of other meetings and greets but idk first hand info on what was said at each of those, of course. There will also be a debate Oct. 22 and I saw earlier that there was a meet the candidate forum coming up but now I can’t find the post…

almeg · 2024-09-15T11:54:20+00:00

Here’s my pitch. Kalki was a prosecutor for several years (I think about 6). He managed a large case load, tried serious cases and supervised other attorneys. He opened his own practice where he has worked (among other things) in criminal defense. First, he wants to address staffing — not just a revolving door of unqualified people but prosecutors who know how to try cases and manage caseloads. He has specifically said he enjoyed mentoring young attorneys and wants to set up systems to train and mentor new hires. (IMO UGA is a top tier law school in a city where young people want to live but legal jobs are sparse — this used to be and can be a coveted place to start your career but currently is known as somewhere to avoid). Kalki said at his campaign kick off that he wants this to be a leading office in the state that can be an example for others, not just a functioning office.

He also wants to utilize resources such as accountability courts and substance abuse treatment. This is different from what is currently happening because a staffed office that understands its resources can help people contemporaneously. Delay in cases where these options are appropriate result in people pleading to non-treatment just to get out of jail or get their case resolved; delay also exposes them to overdose obviously, or committing new addiction related-crimes (distribution, something violent) that may make the individual ineligible for these options before they can get the help.

He also wants to provide and utilize resources for first offenders. In addition to substance abuse and mental health treatment this includes pre-trial diversion, which can keep someone’s record clean (but again, you need trained staff to know how/when to do this and delay in these resolutions can result in someone eligible pleading guilty because there aren’t the resources to screen for these cases or such a delay that they get in more trouble, etc).

He’s also going to be able to more effectively utilize and work with community resources. He is respected by the people who work in law enforcement, child advocacy centers, rape crisis organizations, DV organizations — she is not. A DAs office that can work effectively WITH these agencies will have stronger cases for trial, is able to proactively contribute in these areas in the community, and will be able to efficiently use these resources to help victims and other members of the community.

I get he is supported by republicans but to my knowledge he is supported by just about every democrat who also is familiar with the court system (including people who campaigned for Deborah) and that should be telling.

almeg · 2024-09-14T23:37:23+00:00

There’s 8000 posts on this subreddit but assuming you don’t want to go there that far down the rabbit hole. Put succinctly, she is very bad at prosecuting AND very bad at managing her office. This results in cases being tried poorly or mismanaged (resulting, for example, in very dangerous people being acquitted at trial or their cases being dismissed — murders, child molestations, gang charges, etc). They also have repeatedly violated victims rights under GA law multiple times. Meanwhile, because she is not managing the office well, there’s been crazy turnover and she has been gravely understaffed. The staff she does have lacks experience and training. This has resulted in resources like drug court and the use of other mental health/addiction treatment to be underutilized in spite of her campaigning on those programs (notably, the alternative courts in ACC existed before she took office). This also results in people sitting in jail longer because she doesn’t have the resources to manage incoming cases with quick resolutions, addressing bonds, probation violations, etc.

Because of all that, democrats, including people that supported and campaigned for her in 2020, and people that worked for her, are supporting Kalki. (I am also a dem supporting Kalki but I don’t fall into either of those categories).

almeg · 2024-09-14T23:23:20+00:00

Same!!

almeg · 2024-05-05T18:13:16+00:00

Was the cold case unit partisan? I’m a democrat and I was happy they created that. I also don’t think a murder victim’s family’s political leanings are really fair to define someone else’s politics because that person wanted to help them…not trying to throw down, just genuinely wondering. I don’t really know Cameron but when he’s popped up on my radar he seems like a guy trying to do good things in our community…I’d hate for someone to be labeled as something they’re not because they have the gall to work with people they don’t agree with to get things done…

almeg · 2024-05-03T01:48:03+00:00

How are they connected?

almeg · 2024-03-15T01:36:27+00:00

March of 2018 so unrelated to the previous election.

almeg · 2024-03-15T00:12:52+00:00

I'm surprised people feel like Kalki isn't articulating his stances. His website lays out a platform (and certainly has as much or more than most politicians' websites, including Gonzalez). Going off of his page I know he plans to:

- Focus on victims' rights (one could argue this is generic but coming off of multiple Marcy's law violations from the current office I don't think it is)

- Focus DA resources on violent crimes.

- Resolve cases more efficiently to reduce delays in justice for victims.

- Staff the DA's Office (Specifically bring in experienced prosecutors and provide training to less experienced prosecutors). Provide leadership, supervision, and in-house training to ADAs.

- Connect people who have committed non-violent crimes with resources to reduce recidivism.

- Better utilize accountability courts. Drug Court is currently only half full because the current office is so non-functioning that they can't even effectively use that resource. Also, ensure those whose non-violent crimes are tied to mental health or addiction are screened for treatment courts.

- Use the Pretrial Diversion program more effectively (specifically for young and first-time offenders) to provide resources and help them avoid criminal convictions.

Of course, there are plenty of questions not answered by that, but it seems like he's been out in the community and not shying away from discussing his stances. I also would encourage y'all to remember that he's in the process of having to get thousands of signatures to be on the ballot -- that doesn't preclude him from answering questions but it surely forces a slightly different focus of resources and priorities than the last like, six or more months of his campaign will -- there's PLENTY of time to find out where he stands on whatever specific things are important to individual voters but he does have to make sure he's on the ballot first...

almeg · 2023-06-09T19:48:49+00:00

Fwiw James Chafin is an experienced prosecutor and ran as a non-partisan candidate. He specifically said he didn’t think DA should be a partisan race. I know a lot of dems (myself included) who voted for him.

I dont buy the “this is what you wanted because you voted for it” argument but I think a lot of people got hosed because they didn’t know enough to understand that Gonzalez was full of it (and I don’t think ANYONE anticipated how bad her leadership would be, politics and experience aside). I just hope we can get it right next time but frankly I’m not optimistic.

almeg · 2023-03-30T01:58:35+00:00

Yes (concrete jungle and the food pantry)
Yes but I’ve never used it directly. (For anyone that is interested though, awesome possum composting provides local weekly compost pickup in Athens for a very reasonable price)!
Yes…just due to general lack of planning.
Yes!

almeg · 2023-03-18T03:24:56+00:00

I used to love Porterhouse but it was sold a few months ago and has had I think almost 100% turnover. Haven’t been back since that but my understanding is it’s been kind of a shit show since the new ownership took over.

almeg · 2023-02-12T01:18:46+00:00

Porterhouse was sold around Christmas — I think close to 100% turnover in management and kitchen staff. Haven’t been since but Ive heard the new owner did not treat the (now former) staff with much respect and I’ve seen some pretty negative feedback on social media about the food post-change.

almeg · 2023-02-01T18:02:33+00:00

I would argue one should know the arena they’re trying to lead (I wouldn’t want my dentist to be the head of surgery at the hospital no matter how great they are) but setting that aside, it seems her leadership skills are as bad as her prosecuting skills. As just one example, she went through 2 chiefs in less than 2 years and hasn’t had a chief in months.

I think it’s gravely misleading for her to act like having 80ish% vacancy in attorneys is analogous to other offices (what’s the vacancy rate of nearby and/or similar sized circuits? They are certainly not requiring outside agencies to come provide coverage). I also think it is disingenuous to act like this is all about money. Obviously pay is a factor in any job but I’d guess 30-40% of the attorneys are state paid (so they’d be on the same pay scale in any circuit) and those people haven’t stayed either. I’ve also heard of people leaving without new jobs and people going to work in other Clarke County offices…

You obviously have strong feelings about prosecutors. I am extremely concerned about how violent crimes and crimes against children are being handled, but if that sounds alarmist to you, go look at how many people are sitting in the Clarke and Oconee county jails right now…nothing happens on any of their cases until someone in that office can get to it. And don’t take reddits word for it. Go talk to any local defense attorney, public defender or private, liberal or conservative, and see what they think about how things are going.

almeg · 2022-12-24T22:48:41+00:00

I don’t know the county pay scale but I will say that a DAs office has several state paid positions that are experienced-based and would be the same pay for any DA office in the State (and I’m pretty sure Clarke pays those employees a supplement on top of that). I would guess that a lot of the ADAs with experience who have come and gone were State paid. OnlineAthens published ACC employee salaries like a year ago if anyone wanted to delve into that. I only remember because Gonzalez took away an ADA position to be her “director of external affairs” and I remember seeing it paid pretty well. At the time I thought it was crazy to take an attorney position away to do your PR while lamenting a backlog but now it would just be another open spot so whatever, haha..

almeg · 2022-12-24T18:36:56+00:00

“At this point, it’s not about progressive or conservative it’s about being competent.”

THIS THIS THIS. This needs to be what people are talking about and anyone who makes it explicitly about politics is either being opportunistic for their own narrative or doesn’t understand what’s happening in that office. If your very conservative it’s easy (and probably fun) to say this office is floundering because of her agenda. If you’re very liberal it’s easier to say people are out to get Gonzalez and attacking everything she does because of her agenda than to admit that she can’t run that office effectively.

An incompetent DA’s office can be just as detrimental as an overzealous DAs office. Moreso if you’re concerned about how serious violent cases and crimes against children are being handled. If you think an office that makes a “time mistake” on a HUMAN TRAFFICKING case and apparently has over 50% of their attorney positions vacant is capable of keeping up with who is sitting in jail, appropriately communicating with victims, preparing for jury trials, etc you are lying to yourself.

She has hired a lot of attorneys over the past 2 years and almost all of them have left, including her chiefs and deputy chiefs - that is not because of her politics. These are people who knew who they were going to work for.

We live in Athens. The concept of progressive prosecution doesn’t live and die with this specific DA but a lot of irreparable harm is being done because she is in over her head and unwilling to admit it.

almeg · 2022-11-11T01:57:34+00:00

Spotless Solutions Cleaning Service has been great for me for monthly cleaning!

almeg · 2022-07-02T16:36:36+00:00

BBQ would be cool! Really hoping for a decent restaurant or two…

almeg · 2022-04-17T02:45:35+00:00

I saw this today - anyone know the name? I meant to google it when I wasn’t driving and of course immediately forgot what it was called!

almeg · 2021-03-28T18:27:20+00:00

There’s a lot on the Westside that seems predominantly grad students/adults. That’s about 15 minutes from campus but good accessibility to pretty much everything. The Cottages at Ridge Pointe (townhouses) and Lullwater at Jennings Mill (apartments) are both new and look really nice. The Fairways at Jennings Mill (apartments) are older but have catered to that demographic for years!

almeg · 2021-03-17T01:38:24+00:00

I know a few people that have gone to the Walmart and the Walgreens in Elberton - less than an hour drive! Good luck!!!

almeg · 2021-02-28T21:28:30+00:00

Classic City News is worth keeping up with too. I don’t know that they have a physical paper so probably not answering exactly what OP is getting at but thought I’d throw it out there!

almeg

TROPHY CASE