Athens State Rep Houston Gaines is calling for a legislative investigation into text messages that came to light this week: in an exchange from January, Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Tim Denson sent texts to follow Commissioner Mariah Parker, talking about keeping so-called conservatives off a newly-formed public safety civilian oversight board.
Denson. who is leaving the Athens-Clarke County Commission for a seat on the Clarke County School Board, said this week said he “regrets” the wording of the texts.
Republican Gaines says the Commission should reopen the Board application process and reseat Board members.
Following is an exchange of texts between Denson and Parker. Warning: explicit language…
Tim Denson: Y’all should jump on that spreadsheet for D Vr and put in your recommendations. (Commissioner) Ovita (Thornton) put in some weird shit and otherwise it’s just me and (Mayor) Kelly (Girtz).
Mariah Parker: what did OT do???
Denson: ovita placed a bunch of tens for random people, and then she voted for some people who she wasn’t even in the interview for
Denson: 1 do feel confident that we are going to end up with a good Board. Try to make your math work so the “conservative” people don’t make it.