Politics
Politics

Businessman Tommy Smith wins Forest Park council seat; mayor’s race heads to April 16 runoff

By Tammy Joyner
March 20, 2013

Former mayor pro tem Sparkle Adams will face local attorney David Lockhart in an April 16 runoff for mayor of Forest Park based on election results posted Tuesday night.

Voters were more decisive when it came to filling the Ward 1 seat vacated by Adams. Businessman Thomas “Tommy” Smith Jr. beat homemaker Kimberly James for the job. The special-called election was held to replace Mayor Corine Deyton who resigned last fall for health reasons.

About the Author

Tammy Joyner covers local government in Clayton, Fayette and Henry counties.

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Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, the FAMU Marching 100 head drum major, stands at attention ahead of the halftime performance at homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 18. 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. At many historically Black colleges and universities, the marching band is as popular on campus as the football team. (Tia Mitchell/AJC)

She’s the first female head drum major at FAMU, and she’s from metro Atlanta

As head drum major, Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede is something of a celebrity on FAMU’s campus. For the first time in its history, a woman leads the 340-member Marching 100.

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Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, the FAMU Marching 100 head drum major, stands at attention ahead of the halftime performance at homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 18. 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. At many historically Black colleges and universities, the marching band is as popular on campus as the football team. (Tia Mitchell/AJC)

She’s the first female head drum major at FAMU, and she’s from metro Atlanta

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Can Michael Thurmond be Georgia Democrats’ fixer?

Why the PSC election next month is an early test for Democratic momentum

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Housing affordability is the top concern for metro Atlanta residents, according to a new survey. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Metro Atlantans sour on housing affordability, pessimism is growing, poll says

The economy ranked as the top issue facing metro Atlanta last year, supplanting crime for the number one spot. This is the first year housing affordability has been an option.

DeKalb schools superintendent pleads not guilty to federal charges

Devon Horton has resigned from his role as DeKalb County superintendent, He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges stemming from his previous job in Illinois.

See video police say shows ex-PSC candidate Durand take Georgia Power secrets

Patty Durand has long criticized Georgia Power for concealing information under the cloak of trade secret about various initiatives and requests of state regulators.