DeKalb commissioners prepare to pick their peer

DeKalb commissioners tested the knowledge and qualifications of five candidates seeking to represent the southeastern part of the county.

The candidates were asked about their budgeting philosophies, the responsibilities of the commission, conflicts of interest, state laws governing the county, past work experience, consensus-building skills and key issues:

• Markus Butts, a member of the DeKalb Planning Commission, said he wants to make the region safer and promote public parks.
• Gina Smith Mangham, an attorney who ran for the DeKalb Commission in 2012, said she would work to change negative perceptions about the county and adjust to potential new cities forming.
• Kathryn Rice, the leader of a movement to form a city of Greenhaven, said she would seek collaboration on the commission and evaluate government spending priorities.
• Kenneth Saunders III, a member of the DeKalb Parks Bond Advisory Committee, said he's focused on sustainable growth, financial responsibility and public safety.
• George Turner, the president of the District 5 Community Council, said he would try to restore the public's trust in county government and be a responsible steward of taxpayer money.

Five candidates seeking to becoming DeKalb County’s next commissioner underwent public interviews for the position Tuesday, an uncommon process that aims to give 140,000 residents representation without an election.

Current DeKalb commissioners plan to vote next week on who will fill the commission seat representing the southeastern portion of the county.

The area hasn’t had a representative for more than a year and a half, since Gov. Nathan Deal appointed then-Commissioner Lee May to serve as the county’s interim leader, replacing suspended CEO Burrell Ellis as he faces criminal charges.

One by one, each of the candidates for the job sat at a table in the commission’s auditorium as commissioners interviewed them and about three dozen people looked on from the audience.

Commissioners asked the candidates about their qualifications, budgeting knowledge and consensus-building skills.

Political divisions on the commission have prevented the seat from being filled so far, but the board may act now that it has taken control over the selection process. Commissioners rejected two of May’s nominees last month, then gained sole authority to pick a temporary commissioner, as outlined under state law.

Residents in southeast DeKalb aren’t able to vote for a commissioner because May was elected to that post in 2012 and hasn’t resigned it, leaving the decision in the hands of the six remaining commissioners from across the county.

Whoever they pick will serve as a temporary commissioner at least until the end of Ellis’ retrial, which is scheduled to begin June 1. Ellis, who has denied wrongdoing, is accused of extorting campaign contributions from county contractors.