1. End the notion that we will always have high poverty in Athens. Some candidates and people in our government think we will never have a low poverty rate. We cannot make a difference until we actually believe poverty is not here to stay.

2. Focus on Education: (Specially within the community after school)

• Most businesses choose new locations based on an educated work force and the institutions in place to train the workers they need. Therefore, we must immediately put into action job training programs and plans to get workers ready for a new industry. The University of Georgia and Athens Tech are perfect resources. We have to create new training programs and enhance current ones.

• 27% of people choose the location they live based on the schools in that area. We lose millions of dollars in tax revenue as people move to nearby counties (with so call better schools) and come to work in Athens. This lost in revenue not only affects our local government, but it affects our local businesses as well. If we focus on improving our education system, we improve our economy at the same time.

• Preparing the next generation for good paying jobs. We often look at the immediate future and tell voters what they want to hear. Rarely do we invest in the future. Every single child we graduate from high school has a better chance of getting a job. They also have a better chance of going to college, which in turn allows them to get an even better job. If we invest in our children’s education now, we will not have to pay for their prison term in 10-15 years.

• Many of the other candidates claim the mayor should not get involved in educating our children. I strongly disagree. As mayor I will not have an opportunity to directly make policies that affect our schools, but I can enhance our community efforts to encourage and provide our youth with the tools and resources they need afterschool. Teachers cannot do everything to educate students, and some parents simply do not or cannot do enough to help. That is where our community centers, afterschool programs, and other youth engagement tools come into play.

• I have already proposed ideas, such as the promise neighborhood grant, that funds these types of initiatives. You can read about Athens winning the grant on my website. As a result of receiving the $500,000 planning grant, we stand to receive up to $100 million to fund after school and community programs. When I proposed the idea of going after the grant last year to local officials, not a single other candidate was involved. They all later offered their support for the program which grew into the Whatever it Takes initiative (learn more at WITAthens.org).

3. Jobs:

My plan to create jobs in Athens: Innovation Triangle. This plan will use all of the assets in our community to create jobs for every type of employee.

• Step one: Job Training and Research- Use our institutions for training purposes and attracting new businesses. For example, the Terry College of business has one of the best entrepreneur schools in the country. I have already spoken with the director about organizing training seminars for local businesses and new startups. New businesses could also partner with UGA for research opportunities and market studies.
• Step two: Focus on new high technology jobs and create a small business incubator in Athens. Major universities around the country with good business schools often partner with their local government to create free or low price office space for startup companies to establish their business and bounce ideas off each other. The concept is simply helping new businesses at their vulnerable startup stage. These new entrepreneurs have access to experts, (I.E. UGA Terry College of business) and each other. This type of environment has been proven to help new businesses succeed and expand. This also helps us keep those businesses in Athens. Technology firms and companies that require limited space are perfect for these types of environments.
• Step three: Service and manufacturing jobs. As we secure better paying jobs with new businesses opening and new industries coming to Athens, we will see our service jobs increase. These type jobs can offer living wages to low skilled workers, if the rest of the community has higher paying jobs and more money to spend. Manufacturing jobs will also follow our new industries and startup businesses. For example, TigerDirect.com is one of the largest online electronic retailers in the country. They just opened a distribution plant a few miles outside of Athens-Clarke County.

• The concept of the Innovation Triangle is that one sector sparks growth and development in the other. Each division builds on the next and creates jobs for the entire workforce.

• Step one: Job Training and Research- Use our institutions for training purposes and attracting new businesses. For example, the Terry College of business has one of the best entrepreneur schools in the country. I have already spoken with the director about organizing training seminars for local businesses and new startups. New businesses could also partner with UGA for research opportunities and market studies.

• Step two: Focus on new high technology jobs and create a small business incubator in Athens. Major universities around the country with good business schools often partner with their local government to create free or low price office space for startup companies to establish their business and bounce ideas off each other. The concept is simply helping new businesses at their vulnerable startup stage. These new entrepreneurs have access to experts, (I.E. UGA Terry College of business) and each other. This type of environment has been proven to help new businesses succeed and expand. This also helps us keep those businesses in Athens. Technology firms and companies that require limited space are perfect for these types of environments.

• Step three: Service and manufacturing jobs. As we secure better paying jobs with new businesses opening and new industries coming to Athens, we will see our service jobs increase. These type jobs can offer living wages to low skilled workers, if the rest of the community has higher paying jobs and more money to spend. Manufacturing jobs will also follow our new industries and startup businesses. For example, TigerDirect.com is one of the largest online electronic retailers in the country. They just opened a distribution plant a few miles outside of Athens-Clarke County.

The concept of the innovation triangle is that one sector sparks growth and development in the other. Each division builds on the next and creates jobs for the entire workforce.

We want to Refuel our economy, our schools, and our fight against poverty and crime.

You can help us Refuel Athens by texting “Voter” to 46786 for FREE GAS. Please tell your friends and family. Only Athens-Clarke County residents (or students) can participate in the Free Gas event.  On October 22, 2010 we will send a text to all the participants with the Free Gas event location.

Thanks for signing up. Let’s REFUEL ATHENS together!

Remember to Vote November 2^nd.

(Standard text Rates apply)

Glenn was excited by the news on Tuesday.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Athens to end our cycle of poverty and improve graduation rates. Our youth will not only have great teachers in school, but they will have the support they need in the community afterschool. This grant is an anti-poverty initiative and a stimulus for Athens.  Jobs will be created and services for children and parents will be increased. I congratulate all the wonderful people who made this happen.”

Glenn’s campaign has been actively reaching out to the citizens of Athens for weeks, inviting them to share their ideas for Athens’ future and starting a constructive conversation within the community about how to move Athens forward. “Effective leadership begins with effective communication,” Glenn said, emphasizing the benefits of his hands-on approach to winning the support of the people of Athens. “When we’re out in the community talking to people, you get a sense of what people want and need, and you get a feeling of the excitement that’s building around this campaign. This is only the beginning, and I am excited about where we will go from here.”

More updates soon to come.

• Implementation of a new city beautification program
• Address the issue of speeding in neighborhoods with many pedestrians and children.
• Ensuring sufficient street and neighborhood lighting to create safer and more enjoyable communities

Keep letting us know how you want to see Athens improved. Remember, you can submit your suggestions at www.glennstegall.com.

Stegall stressed the importance of considering the goals and needs of Athens citizens: “I’m running for mayor because I care about what the people of Athens think. I want people to tell me what their vision is for Athens, and I want to help make their vision a reality.”