What We’re Reading: Monday, July 7th
Welcome to What We’re Reading, a weekly rundown of the articles that caught our eye related to investing in our community or the things that make Athens great. We hope you enjoyed your July 4th weekend. Here is what we are reading as we get back to work:
The Bitter Southerner, an online weekly outlet for stories about the south, publishes this essay on the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. It tells the story of the process of founding the museum, and the museum’s approach to telling the story of the Civil Rights Movement as if the listener hasn’t heard it before (only 24% of Americans were 6 years old or older when Dr. King gave his “I have a dream” speech). Chuck Reece notes that the Center exists to “teach generations of southerners what doing the right thing really means.”
Flagpole reports another story of the Civil Rights Movement that many may have never heard. Blake Aued shares the short documentary If We So Choose, produced by Athens native Nicole Taylor, which tells the story of how the Varsity was the setting for the integration of Athens in the early 1960s.
ABH reports that there are vacancies available for Pre-K at Alps Road, Cleveland Road, Early Learning Center, Gaines and JJ Harris Charter for the following term. You can register your child for Pre-K at the Early Learning Center on Dearing Ext. or by calling (706) 357-5239. You can learn more about Georgia’s Pre-K program here.
ABH also reports that school supplies are being collected by Strong, Beautiful, and Godly Girls Inc. for students who are homeless, disabled, or facing other significant challenges. Donations are being collected until July 30.
Jim Thompson at ABH reports on the work being done by a collaboration of Athens-Clarke, Oconee, and Madison counties regarding transportation infrastructure. The projects remain in question as Congress struggles to pass federal funding for transportation projects across the nation. You can weigh in at three public meetings planned July 8th, July 22nd, and July 29th, and you can also find out more about the projects here.
The Tennessean reports this heart-breaking story of a couple married for 33 years that separated so that the wife could keep health insurance. The couple would qualify for Medicaid if Tennessee were to expand their Medicaid program, as allowed under the Affordable Care Act. Georgia faces the same decision on providing health insurance to our neediest. A report from the White House last week makes the case for expansion in Georgia, and we reported on Georgia’s missed opportunity here at Capitol Corner.
Got anything else we should be reading? Let us know!