Election Day is Every Tuesday
Another day, another election - December 2nd
Elections and run-offs continue to shape the future. If you live in Winter Haven, FL or Atlanta, GA you have elections on December 2nd.
Florida
City Commissioner Seat #4
Matthew Crowley - DEMOCRAT– Priorities: safe streets: protect renters from abuse and slumlords, create a tenant hotline, create a neighborhood infrastructure fund to repair roads, sidewalks and drainage, hire local contractors, incorporate shade trees and gardens, clean air and water: crack down on polluters, upgrade water and sewer systems, expand tree cover and green spaces, affordable housing: create community land trusts, covert city owned vacant properties into affordable housing, expand emergency rental assistance, fix current parks before expanding and an economy that works: create pathways out of homelessness, bring back cultural traditions like Ghouls Night Out, prioritize essential services without overtaxing citizens
Chad Davis – REPUBLICAN Priorities: Pledges to “DOGE” the city budget, will “Back the Blue” , hold the line on taxes and fees, solve problems including traffic and infrastructure
Georgia
City Council District 7
Thomas Worthy – Priorities: fixing traffic congestion and roads (reviving the Pothole Posse), safe neighborhoods, affordable housing and smart growth, a sustainable city – expanding trails, tree protection, and green infrastructure, aggressive code enforcement and stronger property maintenance standards, dedicated stream of funding for repairing sidewalks, targeted fixes to watershed systems bottlenecks and other measures to slow stormwater and improve water quality
Thad Flowers – Priorities: Transportation and mobility including enhanced transit access, link residents to schools, parks, employment, and the district 3 MARTA stations; Public Safety – support a fully staffed and well-trained competitively paid police and fire departments, find solutions to the unsheltered population; maintain zoning and neighborhood integrity by enforcing zoning and stream buffer regulations, will encourage appropriate density in commercial corridors; ethical government, expanding and improving parks, trails, and green spaces.
City Council District 11
Wayne Martin – Priorities: provide mentorship and resources to students, expanding housing, wellness and transportation for seniors; continue neighborhood foot patrols to increase visibility and build relationships with police and residents; creative ideas for increasing affordable housing while preserving neighborhood character; infrastructure improvements that prioritize pedestrians, cyclists and underserved neighborhoods; expand food equity, green space preservation and transparency and accountability
Nate Jester – Priorities: paths to homeownership, affordable housing, tax protection for longtime residents; funding to support entrepreneurs and job opportunities; investment in educational resources, youth programs, senior services and community partnerships; better infrastructure; responsive leadership
Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education
APS District 2
Tony Mitchell – Priorities: implementing restorative, not punitive, discipline practices; providing culturally relevant instruction; partnering with families and community based organizations to address barriers that keep kids out of school; invest in earlier access to education for children under five; create a leadership pipeline for students through job-shadowing, apprenticeships and internships, expanded dual enrollment and AP course access; ensure neighborhood voices are heard, create more opportunities for students and families to be actively involved in schools
APS District 6
APS District 8 At-Large
Kaycee Brock – Priorities: interventions for all ages and stages; college and career readiness; strong schools in every zip code
Royce Mann – Priorities: Literacy: expand science of teaching reading to all teachers, expand dyslexia screening, provide supports for students with reading disabilities, prioritize materials that are culturally responsive and tell diverse stories; Career Readiness: semester long life-skills course for all seniors focusing on personal financial responsibility, making healthy choices, and common adult responsibilities, increase CTAE offerings, prioritizing union apprenticeships, with to provide free public transportation for high school students so they can attend extracurricular activities and job trainings; Expand Fine Arts – support the creation of an Atlanta School of the Arts, establish a curriculum relevancy advisory council to review course offerings and curriculum materials; Support, Not Suspensions: hire more counselors, provide wraparound supports for families, prioritize healing and growth and not punishment or bandaid solutions; Fund Our Classrooms: eliminate expensive and ineffective programs, partner with businesses and organizations, advocate for increased funding from the state.
Remember, your vote is your voice and your voice is your superpower, but only when you use it!