The 10 candidates to represent southeast DeKalb on the county commission are emphasizing job growth, business development and community improvement during public appearances before a June 16 special election.
They each made their case to about 100 people during a candidate forum at the Stonecrest Library on Tuesday, one of seven of these events leading up to the election.
Southeast DeKalb, which includes more than 140,000 residents, has lacked full representation since July 2013, when Gov. Nathan Deal appointed then-Commissioner Lee May to serve as the county's interim CEO.
The common theme among the candidates was the need for the region to attract more business opportunities.
Bringing business into the area would create jobs, reduce commute times, raise family incomes and improve quality of life, the candidates for the District 5 seat said.
But the candidates offered different solutions to the problem. Some said a better public education system was the answer, others are seeking industrial development, and several wanted greater political efforts to recruit companies.
Here’s a brief look at some of the candidates’ comments during the forum:
- Gregory Adams, an Emory University police officer, said he would bring accountability to the county government and fight for the southeast DeKalb community.
- Harmel Deanne Codi, a former DeKalb County employee, said economic development starts with improving graduation rates, and then crime rates will fall and employment will rise.
- Jerome Edmondson, a call center owner, said he would emphasize transit such as building rail along Interstate 20.
- Gwen Russell Green, a school librarian, said current businesses in the area need to be held accountable for their appearance, which would help improve the community's reputation.
- Vaughn Irons, the CEO of a property development company, said he would work to connect citizens with jobs that fit their skills.
- Mereda Davis Johnson, a former DeKalb magistrate judge, said investigations of government corruption need to be concluded before businesses will locate in the region.
- Gina Smith Mangham, an attorney, said she would provide leadership to recruit businesses such as solar farms.
- Kathryn Rice, the leader of an effort to form a city of Greenhaven, said she'd promote development because the district is strategically located between Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and the Port of Savannah.
- Kenneth Saunders III, a technology consultant, said the region should work to build an amphitheater or convention center.
- George Turner, the president of the District 5 Community Council, said he wants to aggressively market the area's untapped space for business growth.
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