New candidate in Athens-Clarke County 5th District Commission race emerges to take on Bailey

Athens Clarke County's coveted 5th District commissioners race just got hotter with the announcement by longtime Athens attorney and current A/CC Planning Commissioner member Dave M. Hudgins of his intention to qualify and enter the race against Flagpole and AthFest co-founder and former 40 Watt Club co-owner Jared Bailey.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am employed by Hudgins in his law practice in downtown Athens. In the past I have also worked with Bailey on the early AthFests and many freelance stories in the Athens Observer, Athens Banner-Herald, Classic City Live and probably a few dozen more publications I am forgetting about in writing about bands coming to Athens to play at the 40 Watt Club. 

Hudgins is married to his wife Jan, who owns Flowerland, and they have two grown children. He has worked on the lighting ordinance on the Planning Commission in his initial term there and represents the YWCO among many other clients in his 19-year practice. He ran for the Clarke County Board of Education unsuccessfully once previously in 1996.

He grew up in Athens-Clarke County and pitched for Clarke Central High School in 1975. He was awarded the Reader's Choice honor by the Athens Banner-Herald for 2008 in the category of attorneys.

            Dave Hudgins, 52, and a member of the Athens Clarke County Planning Commission, is pleased to announce his intention to qualify for the 5th District seat on the County Commission.
            “I have lived in the 5th District since I moved here with my family when I was 7 years old,” said Hudgins, “with the exception of some brief periods when I was in undergrad and law school.   I’ve seen our district change and grow over the years in a mostly positive manner, and I’ve involved myself in local government issues to the extent that I have a lot to offer the voters.”
            “The county faces difficult and challenging times, and we need someone in that seat that will use common sense and a reasoned approach to providing the services that the people deserve and have come to expect in a cost effective manner.   While my campaign is not fully organized, I look forward to keeping everybody up to speed in the months to come.”
            Hudgins is married to the former Janice Gecoma, and they have two grown children. He graduated from Clarke Central High School and has been practicing law in Athens for 19 years.           “I ask for your help and your vote,” and can be reached at 706-548-0085 or at itsjustdaveforthe5th@gmail.com.
 

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