At the end of Friday’s first senior class meeting at Athens High School, students who are at least 17 years and 10 months old were given the opportunity to register to vote. Twenty registered, and 27 signed up to learn more about working at an election site (which requires that an individual to be at least 16). It was great to see young democracy in action. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)
The City of Athens sent out a notice this week that is is experiencing elevated levels of haloacetic acids in the drinking water (see below). This is the second time this year the City has issued such a notice.
This is a problem with organic matter (grass, leaves, etc.) interacting with chlorine during the water disinfection processing. I’ve been told the City is talking with AMWA about trying to get the intake valve at the lake moved deeper, to avoid getting so much organic matter sucked up in the first place, but that would be expensive so I’m not sure that is going to happen.
The City is also looking to rearrange some of the steps of the disinfection process so that the organic matter gets taken out of the system before the chlorine is added … but that takes state approval and you know how government red tape can be.
Athens ISD started the 2016-17 school year by welcoming a wonderful group of new teachers and administrators. Of the 39 teachers and four administrators, 20 percent are returning, having previously been employed by the district, and several are graduates of Athens High School. Hornet Nation looks forward to a great year with all its educators. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)
Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator
Athens ISD board members voted unanimously Monday night to adopt the anticipated new rate for the 2016 tax year. An additional 24 cents per $100 of taxable property value will be reflected on October’s AISD tax bill.
“I’m pleased to report the tax rate increase is exactly as it was represented to the public,” said AISD Chief Financial Officer Randy Jones. The tax increase results from the $59.9 million bond proposal approved by Athens ISD voters in 2015. The resulting construction projects will unfold over the next two years.
Pictured, from left, are Thanasis Kombos, Athens Community Development Manager; Jess Laird, President of Athens Economic Development Corporation; Ken Geeslin, Henderson County Commissioner Precinct 4; Steve Grant, Athens Airport Advisory Board; Jerry Don Vaught, Athens Mayor; Charles Tidmore, Athens Airport Advisory Board; Sen. Robert Nichols, Texas Senate District 3; David Fulton, TxDOT Aviation Director of Aviation; Robert Jackson, TxDOT Aviation Regional Planner; Philip Rodriguez, Athens City Manager. (Courtesy photo)
City of Athens press release
On Aug. 15, the City of Athens hosted the second meeting of the Airport Planning Advisory Committee (APAC), as part of the ongoing Athens Municipal Airport master planning process. During the meeting, the committee discussed the first four chapters of the master plan draft, including the introduction, inventory, forecasts and facility requirements sections. The committee was also joined by special guests, State Senator Robert Nichols and David Fulton, Director of Aviation for TxDOT Aviation Division.
Garver Engineering facilitated the APAC meeting. Garver presented data and information that offered a confident outlook for the Athens Airport, predicting substantial airport demand growth in the future. Garver also stated that the airport service area of Athens Municipal reaches beyond Athens and includes the majority of Henderson County, as well as parts of Van Zandt and Anderson counties.
