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Final Decatur forum featuring four commission candidates is Thursday

Decatur’s commission, front row l-r, Fred Boykin and Patti Garrett, back row l-r, Brian Smith, Tony Powers and Scott Drake. Boykin is retiring after 16 years on the commission, and his replacement—to be chosen from among four candidates— will mark the third new member (Smith and Powers are other others) in the last two years. Courtesy City of Decatur.
Decatur’s commission, front row l-r, Fred Boykin and Patti Garrett, back row l-r, Brian Smith, Tony Powers and Scott Drake. Boykin is retiring after 16 years on the commission, and his replacement—to be chosen from among four candidates— will mark the third new member (Smith and Powers are other others) in the last two years. Courtesy City of Decatur.
By Bill Banks
Oct 11, 2017

The final of three Decatur candidate forums featuring remarks from four commission candidates is 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at The Church at Decatur Heights, 735 Sycamore Drive, Decatur. The event’s hosted by the Decatur Heights Neighborhood Association.

Newcomers Timothy Martin, Kelly Walsh, Melissa Manrow and Betty Blondeau are running for the seat being vacated by Mayor Pro Tem Fred Boykin, commissioner since 2000. Patti Garrett, now in her eighth year (the last two as mayor) is unopposed and won’t appear Thursday.

Subjects for discussion include potential annexation, ongoing development, updating of the city’s transportation plan, doubling of the school system’s enrollment over the past decade, and the evolving relationship between commissioners and the city’s school board.

Although three school board seats are up for election, only Heather Tell qualified for the District 2A seat vacated by Bernadette Seals. Tell, who automatically wins the seat, also won’t appear.

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Bill Banks

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