Athens

     Nestled at the foothills of the Smokies and convenient to the Ocoee and Hiwassee rivers, outdoor recreation has always been a major form of entertainment for Athenians.

     Closer to home, the Athens Regional Park anchors the city's recreational activities, while the newly-renovated Veterans Memorial Park (formerly Sunset Park) is now the city's premiere park.

     A new Southeast Tennessee Trade and Conference Center is also under construction at the Regional Park and its 8,536 square-foot, 480-person capacity Phase I section has been operational since the end of 2001. Eventually a 110,00 square-foot, 8,900-person capacity facility is envisioned and future development of the center will be overseen by its Board of Directors, created in June 2002.

Government

     The city of Athens is organized by the city manager-council form of government and operates on an annual budget of about $13 million.

     The elected City Council consists of five members, with one of those five selected by the Council to serve as mayor. Each Council member serves a four-year term.

     The City Council includes Mayor John Proffitt, Vice Mayor Bo Perkinson, and Council members Shannon Alvey, Hal Buttram and Dick Pelley.

     The 10 main city departments each have a director or supervisor who deals with the day-to-day operations. All of the main departments may be reached at 744-2710, and hours for the general office operations are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

     The departments include:

     City Manager's office: Mitch Moore, city manager. The city manager oversees all departments and works with the City Council. Moore can be reached at 744-2702.

     Finance Department: Brad Harris, finance director. The finance director oversees all financial matters, collection of taxes, issuing business licenses, refuse billing, purchasing and budgeting. Harris can be reached at 744-2712.

     Police Department: Chuck Ziegler, police chief. The department enforces all laws and is charged with the protection of lives and property in the city. Ziegler can be reached at 744-2730.

     Communications: Chuck Ziegler. The department oversees the city's 911 dispatch center. The center can be reached at 744-2720.

     Fire Department: Bob Miller, fire chief. The agency fights fires and makes fire inspections and makes suggestions on how to prevent fires. Miller can be reached at 744-2760.

     Public Works: Shawn Lindsey, public works director. The department constructs, maintains and cleans streets. Other main duties include garbage pick-up and disposal, correcting drainage problems and animal control. The city's largest department, professional and administrative engineering work are also duties. The department can be reached at 744-2745.

     Community Development: Harold Hunter will be community development director until his retirement on Aug. 20. The office enforces zoning, structural codes and community development activities, as well as applying for and directing government grants. The office can be reached at 744-2750.

     Parks and Recreation: Austin Fesmire, director. The agency conducts a comprehensive leisure services program for all groups and ages as well as developing and maintaining the city's park system. Fesmire can be reached at 744-2704.

     Personnel: Rita Brown, director. The office implements the city's personnel policies and handles payroll, insurance and other benefits for city employees. Brown can be reached at 744-2703.

City of Athens website: www.cityofathenstn.com