By Iris Virjee
After a period of keeping my announcement private while slowly overcoming my apprehensions, tending to formalities and requirements, and seeking advice from peers, I am now ready to reveal my candidacy for an At Large seat as an Independent member of Athens City Council. This was and is a daunting endeavor as a 24-year-old bartender, but I am confident that my academic and social experiences have prepared me to be not only capable, but uniquely valuable for this position.
Having completed my degree in Urban Planning just in time for the sudden onset of the chaotic circumstances weâve been facing, I opted for the (debatable) stability of the bar. While that year lacked tangible professional development, the time I spent at this job has solidified the familiarity that I have with this town and its residents. In the five-some years that I have lived in Athens, my adoration and appreciation of this regionâs culture and history has only grown.