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MY PLATFORM

A Better...Safer...Stronger DeKalb that Thrives

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World-Class Infrastructure

The foundation of a thriving community is its infrastructure. My plan includes a comprehensive transportation network incorporating regional transit, 21st Century technology and continued improvements to our water system. The $284 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan that DeKalb received from the EPA  is a great example of local leadership leveraging resources from the federal government to make necessary upgrades and improvements to our water system. This loan will save DeKalb over $60 million and create over 200 local jobs. As a county, we must focus our efforts on a global approach which includes crafting recommendations for legislation to improve the quality of life for residents of the district and county. This strategy includes rebuilding our roads, shoring up and replacing bridges, establishing walking/biking trails, making our communities walkable with additional sidewalks and incorporating rail. Rail is a direct path to sustainable, environmentally-friendly communities.

 

Results You Can See:

  • $100,000,000 investment in infrastructure improvements in District 3, including the pavement of all roads, sidewalks and park improvements

  • $7.2 million contracted to clean the buildup of grease, this includes the removal of oil along the more than 5,000 miles of water and wastewater pipes

  • $4+ million for Candler Road Senior Center.

  • $4 million for Ellenwood Library

  • Glenwood Sidewalks:

    • Phase I ($2 million) from I-20 to Candler Road

    • Phase 2 ($5 million)  from Candler Road to Columbia Drive

  • Walking Trail named after former First Lady Michelle Obama (from Panthersville to Moreland Avenue).

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Innovative Economy

An innovative economy stresses entrepreneurship and novel ideas.  To continue to grow our economy, we must educate our workforce and entrepreneurs to meet the needs of the 21st Century. We must increase manufacturing, urban farming and technology-driven jobs for DeKalb County. DeKalb must think globally, act regionally and plan locally. The international relationships and resources I have developed during my two decades as Commissioner of District 3 will be instrumental in organizing placement and development tours for domestic and international corporations interested in establishing a presence in DeKalb County. These relationships are vital to building strategic partnerships that promote job creation and cultural tourism opportunities. Another priority for my administration will be to promote economic development incentives which aid in development to underserved and marginalized communities. Programs such as incubators for emerging entrepreneurs and start-up businesses are also a wise investment for our community and a key component of an innovative economy.

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 Results You Can See:

  • Creation of the East Metro and Conley Commercial Improvement District

  • Initiated the First Source Jobs Ordinance

  • Completed study analyzing DeKalb Industrial Parks

  • The Atlanta Gas Light Regional Headquarters is located in District 3

  • Blackhall Movie Studios ($70 million investment)

  • Georgia State University Level 1 Research Institution

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Healthy, Livable Communities
(Social Determinants of Health)

DeKalb must work to meet and exceed the standard of being a “Healthy, Livable Community” for people of all ages and abilities. A healthy, vibrant community has, at its core, components that promote healthy living, and the arts. We must become more strategic with our respective budgets and refuse to balance the budgets by cutting funding for arts programs vital for a thriving community.

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 Results You Can See:

  • Porter Sanford Performing Arts & Community Center

  • Intergenerational Center at Exchange Park

  • Grady Health Clinic at Kirkwood

  • Supporting the $165 million Grady Hospital expansion

  • $575,000 Gresham Park improvements

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Public Safety

Public safety is one of the cornerstones of a thriving community. We should focus on a combination of community-oriented policing and crime prevention. There is a growing body of evidence that focused deterrence is the most effective strategy for reducing violent crime in a community. Most criminal activity is highly concentrated in terms of the people committing crimes, the locations where crimes occur and the time period during which most crime takes place. We should focus on identifying these in our community and mobilize law enforcement, social services and community stakeholders to effectively fight crime in our community. In order for law enforcement to be effective, it must be viewed positively by citizens. Community policing programs that help to establish trust between law enforcement officers and the community, such as walking police patrols and bicycle patrols, allow for more positive engagement and interaction between officers and citizens. It is also crucial that we work to establish positive relationships between our youth and law enforcement. I will work to increase programming such as the PALS (Police Athletic League) Plus program, which provides mentorship, instruction of conflict resolution skills, youth sports and educational field trips, all of which give local police officers the opportunity to engage positively with our young people. 

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  Results You Can See:

  • Initiated the bonus for public safety personnel

  • Key vote on 3% pay increase for sworn police, fire and medical examiner employees

  • Pushed and secured funding for the new south precinct headquarters

  • Voted to implement tuition reimbursement for sworn police and fire employees up to a maximum of $5,000/year

  • Voted to implement 3% cost of living adjustment

  • Voted to implement a holiday pay incentive

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