Resources for District 9: During her 2018 campaign, Thornton pledged to fight for resources and infrastructure for her district. She has often made good on this promise. For example, she pushed for a multi-use path from Pinewoods to JJ Harris elementary, streetlights for Freeman Drive, repairing the North Ave bridge and a park on the north side among other priorities. With the exception of the park, funding for these items was included in TSPLOST 2023.
Opposition to stormwater fee increases: Thornton has opposed stormwater fee increases in the past. She feels that the fee can be difficult for some homeowners to afford.
Criminal justice reform: Thornton has promoted record expungement for minor offenses and bail reform efforts.
Skepticism towards social programs: Thornton has consistently voiced skepticism about government efforts to address poverty and homelessness. She tried to delay an eviction prevention program, repeatedly opposed the creation of a plan to reduce homelessness, voiced opposition to food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic and voted against the creation of a sanctioned homeless encampment. While she sometimes ends up voting yes on these programs anyway, her doubt in the sincerity and effectiveness of government action is consistent.
Approve student apartments near Lay Park: YES Extend the ban on new data centers: YES Approve the future land use map: YES Regulate data centers: YES Approve North Avenue road diet: YES Build judicial center downtown: YES Start affordable housing trust fund: NO Approve FY 2027 budget: YES Authorize new sales tax referendum: NO Block ban on “urban camping”: YES Allow tiny houses: YES Keep accessory dwelling units banned: YES
Approve settlement with Charles Hardy: YES Delay racial justice resolution: YES Approve “The Shoals” housing development: YES Speak out against dissolving the ACC Board of Elections: NO Allow the demolition of the Saye building: NO Reject / proclaim support for racial equity and economic justice: YES / NO Approve roundabout at W. Hancock and W. Broad: NO Purchase electric vehicles: YES Approve Gaines School Road townhomes: NO Approve ADDA agreement allowing student apartments downtown: NO Approve FY2026 budget: YES Allow community garden for Triangle Plaza: NO Authorize fire station on Old Lexington Road: absent Moratorium on new data centers: YES Limit short-term rentals in multifamily zones: YES
Fund the Athens Homeless Coalition / Salvation Army: YES Raise the Stormwater Fee: NO Approve the Leisure Services Master Plan: NO Regulate Short-Term Rentals: YES Block Townhomes in Green Acres: serving as mayor pro tem Approve Low-Barrier Homeless Shelter: serving as mayor pro tem Overturn Restrictions on Public Comment: YES Fund Athens Achieves: NO Approve FY 2025 Budget: YES Approve Workforce Development Plan: recusal Construct the Firefly Trail to Winterville: NO Living Wages for Neighborhood Leaders: NO Reallocate ARPA Funding: NO Block North Ave Roundabout & Road Diet: YES Reject Trash Franchising: YES Proclaim Athens as an LGBTQ+ Safe Haven: NO Urge State Legislature to Allow Ranked Choice Voting: YES
Delay Barber Street Improvements: YES Approve Mall Redevelopment: YES Restart the Eviction Prevention Program: NO Recognize the Firefighter’s Union: YES Approve the FY 2024 Budget: Abstain (!), YES Ban Indoor Vaping: YES Start Delinquency Prevention Initiative: YES Place Public Safety Monitor in Auditor’s Office: YES Accept Affordable Housing Investment Strategy: YES Accept Plan to Reduce and Prevent Homelessness: YES Reject Pet Registration: YES Close First Step Encampment and Extend Hotel Voucher Program: NO
Approve TSPLOST 2023 Project List: YES Appoint Public Safety Oversight Board: abstain Approve American Rescue Plan Framework: NO Raise Commissioner Salaries: NO Adopt Inclusionary Zoning Policy: YES Adopt Complete Streets Policy: YES Approve FY 2023 Budget: YES Celebrate Pride Month and Juneteenth: NO Approve 1010 Oglethorpe Avenue: NO Begin Prince Avenue Road Diet Pilot: YES Decriminalize Cannabis: NO Approve the 100% Clean Energy Plan: YES Create Homelessness Plan: NO Authorize Eminent Domain for Firefly Trail: NO Change Planning Department Work Plan: NO Recognize Firefighters’ Union: NO Allow Accessory Dwelling Units: NO Keep Three Lanes on Prince Avenue: absent
Approve Apartments Near Airport: NO Give Public Land for a New Parking Deck: NO Approve Apartments off Lexington Road: NO Approve Taser Contract: YES Approve Linnentown Resolution: YES Extend the Firefly Trail on original route: NO Fund Athens Eats Together: YES Delay Eviction Prevention Program: YES Approve FY 2022 Budget: NO Approve Official Homeless Camp: NO Establish Local Anti-Discrimination Protections: YES Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine for ACC Gov Employees: YES Install Downtown Public Restroom: NO 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: absent Establish a Human Relations Commission: absent Accept JAG Grant: YES Approve New Commission Districts: abstain
Accept Agreement with the Classic Center: YES Support the Pre-Arrest Diversion Program: YES Start a Community Energy Fund: YES Declare State of Emergency, Banning Public Gatherings: NO 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: NO Adopt the FY 2021 Budget: YES Make Masks Mandatory: YES Resolve that Black lives matter: YES Delay BLM resolution: NO Start “parklet” pilot program: YES Ban rentable scooters: YES Establish West Downtown Historic District: NO (More information about 2020 votes)
Reconsider Designating SPLOST Projects: YES Accept $250,000 Settlement with Taylor Saulters: YES FY2020 Goals and Objectives: YES Designate SPLOST Projects: NO on the judicial center, YES on the rest 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: YES Remove Mention of Classic Center Arena from SPLOST 2020: NO 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)
Tracy Smith — 51.2%