Below
are minutes for the June 12, 2001, meeting of the Atlanta
Downtown Neighborhood Association. Notes were written by Wendy
Darling.
Thanks to Ritz-Carlton
Thanks to the Ritz-Carlton for their generosity in providing
the space and set-up for the meeting along with the bar and
brunch discount offers. It came in particularly handy to have
such a quiet, formal space to serve as a venue for our speakers.
Elected Officials and Candidates
The association was pleased to present the community with
local politicians looking to connect with Downtown residents.
Below is a summary of each speaker.
Robb Pitts,
City Council President and Mayoral Candidate
President Pitts presented himself as a former resident of
Downtown and a man with 24 years experience in public service.
Some of the themes President Pitts stressed:
- Atlanta is a good city but not a "great" city and not
a "world-class" city but if we work at it, we can raise
it up to the level of greatness. From traveling around to
other cities, Mr. Pitts has concluded that one thing "great"
cities have is a 24-hour Downtown where people live, work
and play. He would like to see that same type of environment
fostered in Downtown.
- As mayor he would probably be up against a major fiscal
crisis. As chair of the City finance committee, he knows
enough about the City's budget to know that it's possible
the City could soon go bankrupt!
- He believes in the importance of a strong working relationship
between the mayor, the City Council president, the City
Council, neighborhood groups, and business.
- As mayor, he would take a stand and DO things because
the way the City is set up, it's the mayor who has the real
power and so a strong mayor can really make things happen.
- As mayor would face up to the enormous racial divide that
has opened and is growing ever wider. "Very few decisions
made within City Hall in which race is not a factor." Wants
to change that.
- When asked what he would do to generate new revenue for
the City, he said he had two main ideas: 1) $1 surcharge
on tickets in City's entertainment venues and 2) selling
of naming rights on City facilities (e.g. Scitrek, Civic
Center, etc.) Both initiatives would generate money for
the General Fund. Other revenue could come from some staff
cuts at the City and of course more efficient use of funds.
- With regard to the Hannover project on Centennial Park
Drive, which fizzled out when developers balked at affordable
housing requirements, he says he supports the idea of affordable
housing and simply would not allow the City to give in when
developers suddenly expected the City to bend the rules.
- He says that while he glad that he was able to move operation
of Woodruff Park over to Georgia State, he is distressed
by the "interference" coming in from certain City and county
officials, who won't let the people at GSU do what they
need to do in order to improve the park, which several Downtown
residents said was looking even worse since GSU took it
over.
- With regard to the homeless, said: "While I am very sensitive
to the homeless, I must admit that I am more sensitive to
residents" who pay taxes.
- Claimed that "if Giuliani can clean up Times Square, we
can clean up Woodruff Park and Downtown."
To contact President Pitts: Call 404-330-6035; Fax 404-658-7551; Email rpitts@ci.atlanta.ga.us
Debi Starnes,
City Councilperson and Candidate for Re-election
Councilperson Starnes, Downtown's representative in City
Hall, talked about current work as well as her campaign to
run for another term. Some of the things Debi mentioned:
- She likes to get things DONE.
- Since most of the City's homeless are in her district,
she's done a lot of work on homelessness. She sees some
progress in that there is now a full range of services available
but what is really needed is for those who need treatment
to be brought in and for Fulton County and the State of
Georgia to start doing their job and providing care of the
people who need treatment for their mental health and subtance
abuse problems. City residents pay tax to Fulton County
so that money should be used properly.
- With regard to the police department, she feels the discussion
shouldn't always be the number of officers
but rather how they are deployed. She strongly supports
community policing.
- Retailers will really start coming to Downtown and succeeding
when there are enough people. Right now we are on our way
but still have a ways to go. However, hopefully Downtown
will pick up the way Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and other
intown neighborhoods have. It just takes time for momentum
and critical mas to build.
To contact Councilperson Starnes: Call 404-330-6038; Email dstarnes@ci.atlanta.ga.us
Bill Costa,
Candidate for Atlanta City Council Post 2 at
Large
Mr. Costa, a resident of Midtown, has lived in the Atlanta area for most of his
life and currently works in the hospitality industry as director
of a food manufacturing facility. Mr. Costa is running for Candidate
for Atlanta City Council Post 2 at Large. Tow of his main goals
are to build a healthy relationship between local government
entities -- city, county and state -- to work together to work
on issues that cross borders and affect everyone. He stressed
the need for "creative solutions to complex problems." To contact Bill Costa: Email electwilliamcosta@hotmail.com
Ceasar Mitchell,
Candidate for Atlanta City Council Post
1 at Large
A former resident of the Muse's, Ceasar Mitchell is a practice
real estate attorney running for Atlanta City Council Post
1 at Large. Mr. Mitchell was born and raised in Atlanta and
loves the city, especially Downtown. One of Mr. Mitchell's
thoughts on Downtown is that while building a 24-hour neighborhood
is great, it's important to be sure that the neighborhood
remain livable for residents who have to put up with, for
example, noise.
To contact Mr. Mitchell: Call 404-753-8618 or email ceasar13@bellsouth.net.
You can also write Ceasar on Council Committee; P.O. Box 93772;
Atlanta, GA 30377. |
