[Georgia] Athens Organization Tries to Squash Poverty

from WNEG

Scott Myrick

"Partners for a Prosperous Athens" is working on a plan to combat poverty in Clarke County.

Last night the organization called citizens out to Cedar Shoals High School to get involved.

Community members joined committees to generate plans for action over the next six months.

Organizers expected around 250 people to attend the meetings. More than 750 actually showed up.

“It's going to be trying to get the whole community to tell us what they think the problems are, study them and come up with some recommendations that people are actually going to implement,” Red Petrovs, vice chairman of Partners for a prosperous Athens tells NewsChannel 32.

Athens transit provided a free bus route for people from low-income neighborhoods to get to the meeting, though no-one rode the bus.

Organizers say they'll hold town meetings in those areas to make sure they're included in discussions.