Incoming DeKalb Commissioner Jester gets to work

Incoming DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester promised to bring accountability to the county as she met with her fellow commissioners for the first time Friday.

Jester was spending the day learning how to use voting machines, setting up her county email, taking an ID badge photo and going through orientation.

"We have a lot to do together -- lots of work," Jester said as she stood with the rest of the board. "My big ideas are about bringing disclosure and accessibility overall to the constituents in District 1."

Jester won a runoff election Tuesday to replace former Commissioner Elaine Boyer, who resigned in office and pleaded guilty to charges that she defrauded taxpayers of $93,000.

Jester outlined a seven-point plan on her campaign website that includes removing Boyer’s staff members from the county’s payroll, creating a website that shows her office’s spending, reducing the size of government and speaking out against corruption.

She'll likely be sworn into office Monday, in time for her to attend her first weekly DeKalb Commission meeting Tuesday.

Commissioner Larry Johnson welcomed Jester to the board.

"She thinks she’s a neophyte, but since she’s served on the school board, she understands about public policy," Johnson said.

Jester will represent more than 140,000 residents in Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, Dunwoody and surrounding areas.