Brannen Goddard Executive John Hunnicutt met SafeAmerica CEO Len Pagano this Friday and evaluated ways to make Athens 'a model' for Georgia by year 2050. Mr. Hunnicutt - who grew up in Athens with Mr. Pagano - heard that the East Metro communities (from Gwinnett to Barrow, Oconee, Jackson and Clarke) may consider new ways of developing things 'together.' A key tactic also considered: helping make future electric passenger trains that can run from Atlanta to Athens and then to Charlotte, North Carolina. Another question discussed: can a futuristic regional airport be built with drones 'flying passengers' by 2035 or 2040.
Mr. Hunnicutt will be in further private discussions and will invite high-level executives from Athens, Atlanta and other top-level cities to see how making Athens "the best in 2050." Others internationally - such as Energy Globe Foundation (in Vienna, Austria) - will also be invited to discuss this. And, Dixie Pre-Cast CEO, Franklin Brown, who chairs  Operation Lifesaver - will also discuss this (and will be invited to host Norfolk Southern and CSX in a conversation with its Board of Directors). SafeAmerica will consider more discussions this spring and fall - with a potential 'Fall Forum' being planned in Atlanta.
"There's a lot you'll hear and see in media," Pagano observed. "First off, we'll study what can be done to make the Athens area a 'model' for Georgia cities." Pagano added that more conversations will be scheduled with Mayor Kelly Girtz to study what 'should be' done in the next 25 years.  "I'm impressed with Mayor Girtz - and how Athens can lead new transportation," Pagano added. "We'll continue chatting with Brannon Goddard that impressively builds major commercial areas across the U.S. and around-the-world."     

Athens-Clarke County Commissioners have again tabled action on plans to redevelop the Georgia Square Mall property on Atlanta Highway in Athens. A vote on tax allocation district funding for the multi-billion dollar proposal that had been scheduled for last night has been pushed back to March 7, when Commissioners could decide on the plan to demolish much of the Mall structure that went up in the early 1980s, replacing it with a mix of retail, residential, restaurant, and office space.
There is budget talk today at City Hall: Athens-Clarke County Commissioners begin budget reviews with the heads of the County’s independent agencies in sessions set to begin at 5:30 this afternoon in Athens.
More talk about the Prince Avenue corridor is on tap for today in Athens: the Prince Avenue Corridor Improvements User Group convenes at 3 o’clock this afternoon. The group is working on enhancements funded by transportation sales tax dollars.
The Clarke County Courthouse areas that remained closed Tuesday—Municipal Court and parts of the first floor—are reopening today, marking the end of a week-long effort to rid the building on East Washington Street of bedbugs that were found on Tuesday of last week.
The Gainesville City School Board has voted to spend more than $3 million to provide laptops for upwards of nine thousand students in schools in Gainesville.
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Tim Bryant hosts Classic City Today, 6-10 weekday mornings on 98.7FM & AM 1340 WGAU in Athens.

David Okech, a professor in the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work, established the Center on Human Trafficking Research & Outreach in 2021. He said in an email to The Red and Black that he developed his interest in the subject during a trip with his students to Ghana. During this time he worked alongside his students at a residential care facility for girls and women at-risk of trafficking

​Okech told The Red and Black that CenHTRO’s goal is to address gaps in the measurement of human trafficking’s worldwide prevalence and implement evidence-informed interventions. “CenHTRO is a collaborative, cross-disciplinary, and international research hub in the global effort to combat human trafficking,” Okech said.

André Gallant, the director of communications for CenHTRO, said in an email to The Red & Black that they do not save people. Instead, they focus on finding the regions and industries human trafficking is taking place within, how often and why it is happening and how to effectively stop it. 

Okech and his organization are taking an incredibly holistic approach, using law, sociology, public health, political science, and statistics to help combat human trafficking. The amazing work done Okech is an inspirational example of how dawgs can not only give back to their community but to the world.