Which office are you seeking?
Chairman, Fulton County Board of Commission
Name of District:
District 7, At-Large
What is the demographics?
All of Fulton County
Why did you enter politics?
After volunteering in various campaigns, including Carl Stokes and Leroy Johnson, I became aware of the impact that one can have as an elected official on the lives of others and the betterment of our community.
What challenges are municipal governments facing?
In Fulton County, we are spending more in revenue than we are taking in on tax dollars, permits and related fees. During the “great recession” we dipped into the county reserves to make ends meet. Our reserve level is the lowest it has been in 15 years. Deficit spending puts the county’s bond rating at risk. If our bond rating is lowered, that means it costs us more in the bond market to build roads, libraries and other major investment projects. The county’s deficit spending is the single most important challenge facing Fulton County.
Name the top three priorities you will address in your district if elected?
- Financial Accountability
- Public Safety/Criminal Justice
- Health and Human Services, including Grady
- Implementing the Library Bond Referendum
- Providing regional leadership by attending and participating in the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Ft. McPherson Redevelopment Authority and other boards as required by the county’s charter.
What steps will you take to ensure you meet these goals?
- Financial Accountability – implement budget reforms, audit reforms and an independent auditor who has the power to audit “at will”.
- Public Safety/Criminal Justice – reduce the inmate population and get the county from under the Consent Decree.
- Health and Human Services – work with the state in expanding Medicaid, push for state and local funding of Grady Memorial Hospital, and seek a dedicated funding stream for the indigent citizens of Fulton County.
- Libraries – ensure that the Library Facility Master Plan is implemented and that we return to full-time hours and adequate staffing levels.
What are the key components of your political platform?
Leadership is the defining issue in this election for Fulton County. Because of my experience in city and county government, I will bring much needed leadership to Fulton County. There is a need to reform how county government operates and manages its financial assets. As chairman, I would champion reducing the inmate population, implement budget reform and financial accountability, implement the mandates of the library bond referendum, work with the state in expanding Medicaid and ensuring that Fulton County is at the table to articulate and negotiate its regional positions for the county. Additionally, I will work cooperatively with our municipalities to restore trust in county government.
What has changed about delivery of government services to its constituents? Do you agree or disagree with the change(s)?
Transformation in government service delivery is taking place around the world. Leading governments are shifting from a programmatic model of service delivery to a citizen-focused model where service delivery is focused on people, not programs. Governments are realizing that more efficient service delivery can dramatically improve public sector value. Yes, I agree with the change.
What is your perspective on sales tax?
Sales tax revenue assists local governments in providing services to its citizens. For Fulton and DeKalb Counties one percent of the sales tax is used to support MARTA with limited federal money and no financial support from the state. Sales tax revenue is usually dedicated to specific uses rather than general expenditures.
How important is political experience to effectively perform the office you’re seeking?
Political experience is very important. Because of the change that will occur in Fulton County during this election, a strong proven leader with demonstrated skills in leading is necessary to move the county forward. There will be three new county commissioners with no county government experience at all. At this crucial point in Fulton County, a strong leader is required. A similar position to the Chair is President of the Atlanta City Council. As Council President, I was responsible for guiding the budget process through City Council, for breaking tie votes on key issues when necessary and guiding resolutions and ordinances through the City Council. Further, the President of Council was responsible for making key committee assignments – which requires an ability to work together with your fellow councilpersons.
What type of innovation, technology included, do you believe the government needs to consider?
Fulton County keenly needs to stay on top of technological advancements and innovations.
Name three of your political accomplishments?
Raising consciousness of my colleagues on fiscal responsibility
Created an independent auditor for the city of Atlanta and duplicating this in county government.
Involvement of international growth in city, county and state governments
Who are your political role models and/or allies?
Maynard Jackson, Andrew Young, Leroy Johnson and John Kennedy
Define public servant.
A public servant is a person who holds a government position by election or appointment. It is very important that an elected public servant ensures that the public’s money is spent as efficiently as possible and that programs are provided effectively, without discrimination or prejudice, with transparency and without waste of money or resources. It also involves working with the private sector, the community, other governments, and the public as a whole to ensure that public policy is introduced for the betterment of the whole.
Are M/WBE (Minority and Women-owned Business) certifications important? Why or why not?
Yes. Certifications are important to insure that minorities and women have an opportunity to become prime contractors and sub-contractors with governmental entities on small and large projects and services. According to the Office of the Secretary of State, women-owned businesses are the fast growing sector and are “job creators.”
Do you think public/private partnerships are effective? If yes, provide an example.
Yes. Public/Private Partnerships are a mechanism by which to provide additional funding, management and oversight on project and to move it forward faster than the county managing the project alone. It is a contractual agreement between a government entity and a private partner. This model works! An example used by the county is at Charlie Brown Airport: The Fulton County Aviation Community Cultural Center (ACCC) scheduled to open Thursday, May 15, 2014, will be a 16,200 square foot facility located on the grounds of Fulton County Airport – Brown Field along Fulton Industrial Boulevard at 3900 Aviation Circle, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30336. Initiated by a community advisory group in 1999, the project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“the Stimulus Fund”) and approved by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in 2010.
Designed as a community gathering place, the ACCC will be managed by the Fulton County Department of Arts & Culture in partnership with a number of County, public and private entities, and it will focus on three areas of programming:
Aviation: careers in aviation training opportunities, educational resources, historical and contemporary flight-related exhibits
Community: a large Multipurpose Room available for civic meetings, events and activities along with a 10,000 square foot Outdoor Plaza and Green space.
Cultural: visual art exhibitions, public art installation, summer camps, visual art and dance instruction for children, teens and adults.
What is your perspective on privatization of government entities?
Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not work. As a councilman at-large with the City of Atlanta, the city “privatized” the water department and attempted to operate it as a private utility – like we have for electricity and natural gas. As you know, it was a fiasco and the city had to take over the management of water and sewer services. The problem with privatization is that you are a “non-profit” service and converting it to a “for profit” enterprise. This often means costs increases to the city consumer if those costs cannot be offset by lower administrative costs. However, an example of where privatization can work is in trash pickup. There are examples in metro counties where this has worked. As an elected official, in order to privatize any government service I would want to see the “bottom line” and proof that there is a cost savings to the residents of Fulton County.
Complete the following sentences:
I am the best candidate because…
I will provide strong proven leadership during a difficult transition period for county government.
I represent my constituents because …
I am responsive to the needs of the residents of Fulton County as an “At-Large” Commissioner. I have learned to be equally as sensitive to the needs of North Fulton County, the Central City and South Fulton. All have their own unique needs.
The leadership books that have inspired me are Profiles in Courage By John Kennedy and Black Leadership: Four Great American Leaders and the Struggle for Civil Rights by Manning Marable.
The two quotes/affirmations that I live by are… “Do unto other as you would have them do unto you.”
