Former Commissioner Mariah Parker, District 2
2018 – 2022
Parker represented the E Broad, Peter Street, Lexington Road and Ben-Epps airport areas.
Parker announced their resignation as if it would be effective Wednesday, August 31, 2022, but their resignation was not officially accepted until September 8.
Parker’s Website
Graduate student in the department of language and literacy education at the University of Georgia.
Performs as hip-hop artist Lingua Franca. You can read or listen about her album “Bellringer” on NPR here.
BA in Creative Writing and a minor in Modern Languages from Warren Wilson College in 2012.
Master’s in Linguistics from the University of Georgia in 2017.
Primary Ballots: Mariah Parker takes Democratic primary ballots.
Inferred Party: Democrat.
Signature Policies
Transparency: Commissioner Mariah Parker was instrumental in moving commission work sessions to City Hall where they could be televised and recorded.
Economic Justice for District 2: During her 2018 campaign, Parker ran on a platform of economic justice. They promised to bring in jobs that pay $15 / hour and to provide start-up capital to local minority-owned businesses. Parker also stated that they would give “economic power back to the East Athens Development Corporation” and invest in jobs skills training programs.
Criminal Justice Reform: Parker pledged to end cash bail, which happened on June 4, 2019. She also promised to “deprioritize marijuana arrests and reduce sentencing for past offenders.” In 2021, Parker spoke out against the drug war and voted not to accept grant money intended to defray the cost of ACCPD’s participation in the Northeast Georgia Drug Task Force.
Voting Record
Approve TSPLOST 2023 Project List: YES
Appoint Public Safety Oversight Board: YES
Approve American Rescue Plan Framework: YES
Raise Commissioner Salaries: YES
Adopt Inclusionary Zoning Policy: YES
Adopt Complete Streets Policy: YES
Approve FY 2023 Budget: YES
Celebrate Pride Month and Juneteenth: YES
Approve 1010 Oglethorpe Avenue: YES
Begin Prince Avenue Road Diet Pilot: YES
Decriminalize Cannabis: YES
Approve the 100% Clean Energy Plan: YES
(More information about 2022 votes.)
Approve Apartments Near Airport: YES
Give Public Land for a New Parking Deck: YES
Approve Apartments off Lexington Road: YES
Approve Taser Contract: NO
Approve Linnentown Resolution: YES
Extend the Firefly Trail on original route: YES
Fund Athens Eats Together: YES
Delay Project Reset: NO
Approve FY 2022 Budget: YES
Approve Official Homeless Camp: YES
Establish Local Anti-Discrimination Protections: YES
Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine for ACC Gov Employees: YES
Install Downtown Public Restroom: YES
Fund Non-Police Crisis Response Team: YES
Change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day: YES
Approve AFDC to Run Eviction Prevention Program: YES
Establish a Law Enforcement Oversight Board: YES
Establish a Human Relations Commission: YES
Accept JAG grant: NO
Approve New Commission Districts: YES
(More information about 2021 votes.)
Accept Agreement with the Classic Center: NO
Support the Pre-Arrest Diversion Program: YES
Start a Community Energy Fund: YES
Declare State of Emergency, Banning Public Gatherings: YES
Order Athenians to Shelter in Place: YES
Urge Leniency for Rent and Mortgage Payments: YES
Refuse to Pay Attorney Bryan Sells: NO
Move Confederate Monument, Close College Square: YES
Establish Goal of Reducing Police Funding: YES
Adopt the FY 2021 Budget: NO
Make Masks Mandatory: YES
Resolve that Black lives matter: YES
Delay BLM resolution: YES
Start “parklet” pilot program: NO
Ban rentable scooters: YES
Establish West Downtown Historic District: YES
(More information about 2020 votes)
Reconsider Designating SPLOST Projects: YES
Accept $250,000 Settlement with Taylor Saulters: abstain
FY2020 Goals and Objectives: YES
Designate SPLOST Projects: YES
Expand ACCPD Vehicle Program: YES
Adopt the 100% Athens Resolution: YES
End cash bail for local ordinance violations: YES
Delay Bike Lanes on Hancock Ave: NO
Remove Mention of Classic Center Arena from SPLOST 2020: YES
Approve Final SPLOST 2020 List: YES
Pass Along State Legislative Requests: YES
Reorganize Animal Control: YES
Approve the Neighborhood Leaders program: YES
(More information about 2019 votes)
Move Work Sessions to City Hall: YES
Redesign Chase Street Corridor: NO
Update County Anti-Discrimination Policy: YES
Reject Concept Maps for Athens in Motion: NO
Adopt the Athens in Motion plan: YES
Protected Bike Lanes for Barnett Shoals: YES
Delay the Designation of SPLOST Projects: YES
(More information about 2018 votes)
Interviews
Parker was on the “Two Broads Talking Politics” podcast on September 25, 2019.
Election Results
Parker ran unopposed in 2020.
2018 Special Election (to replace Harry Sims, who ran for Mayor)
Mariah Parker – 50.4%
Taylor Pass – 49.4%
Mariah Parker – 50.4%