♪♪ ♪♪ GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M JIM BURRESS, LOCAL HOST AND SENIOR PRODUCER FOR ALL THINGS CONSIDERED ON 90.1 WABE, WELCOME TO THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB LOUDERMILK-YOUNG DEBATE SERIES.

THIS IS THE DEBATE AMONG CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL POST 3 AT LARGE.

LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES, THEY ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, JACKI LABAT IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF A BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING FIRM.

RALPH LONG III IS A REAL ESTATE BROKER AND OWNER OF A REALTY COMPANY.

JODI MERRIDAY IS THE CEO OF DIPLOMACY INCORPORATED.

KEISHA SEAN WAITES HAS REPRESENTED DISTRICT 60 IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MS. WAITES IS UNDER THE WEATHER TODAY.

AND SHERRY WILLIAMS HAS WORKED WITH NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, GEORGIA STAND UP AND THE NEW GEORGIA PROJECT.

LET'S MEET OUR PANELISTS.

RILEY BUNCH IS A PUBLIC POLICY REPORTSER FOR GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

AND DONNELL SUGGS IS THE DEVELOPMENT REPORTER FOR THE ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE.

FOR COMPLETE RULES ON TODAY'S DEBATE, PLEASE VISIT THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB WEB SITE, THAT'S ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE ASKED A QUESTION BY THE PANELIST IS.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION.

DONNELL SUGGS YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION TO SHERRY WILLIAMS.

>> LAST WEEK YOU WERE A GUEST ON THE ADVANCING BLACK BUSINESS PAC FORM.

MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS TO BOLSTER A DIVERSE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND HELP PREEXISTING MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

BEING A FORMER BANKER AND A FORMER MORTGAGE LENDER, I AM EQUIPPED TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES SPECIFICALLY TO NAVIGATE THE REALM OF FINANCES.

I'M ALSO SET TO HELP THEM WITH POLICIES, NEW POLICIES, THAT WILL STREAMLINE THE PROCESS OF THEM GETTING THEIR BUSINESS LICENSE AND OTHER THINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO GET FROM CITY HALL.

RIGHT NOW, IT TAKES TOO LONG TO GET YOUR BUSINESS LICENSE AND TO QUALIFY FOR OTHER PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT THE CITY HAS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENS PERIODICALLY, JUST LIKE WITH THE PPE FUNDING, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE, FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO ACTUALLY NAVIGATE THE PAPERWORK AND GET THE FUNDING THAT THEY DESERVED.

SO I WANT TO STREAMLINE THAT PROCESS AND HELP THEM.

THANK YOU.

>> AND RILEY BUNCH, PLEASE ASK YOUR QUESTION TO RALPH LONG.

>> MR. LONG, YOU'VE SAID THAT INCOME INEQUALITY IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING ATLANTA, WHAT IS YOUR POLICY PLAN TO TACKLE WAGE DISPARITIES AND RECRUIT HIGHER PAYING COMPANIES TO THE CITY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

AS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY I BELIEVE IN BEING ACCESSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE, GIVING OUT MY NUMBER REGULARLY, I PLAN ON HAVING ANNUAL TOWN HALLS, PERHAPS THREE OR AS MANY AS IT TAKES IN DIFFERENT AREAS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW MY CONSTITUENTS IN PARTICULAR TO WHAT'S GOING ON, WHAT'S ON THE MENU WHAT'S COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

YOU CAN STAY INFORMED, AND I PLAN TO ANSWER QUESTIONS BY PEOPLE GIVING ME A CALL.

HAVING THAT EXPERIENCE AND BEING A FORMER LEGISLATOR GIVES ME THE EXPERIENCE TO DEFINITELY BREAK DOWN ANY QUESTION FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME AS THEIR CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL, POST 3 AT LARGE.

>> DONNELL SUGGS PLEASE ASK YOUR NEXT QUESTION TO JACKI LABAT.

>> MS. LABAT, UNDER THE RUNNING TAB ON YOUR CAMPAIGN WEB SITE, YOU STATE THAT YOU ARE QUOTE DISHEARTENED TO SEE THE CITY WE LOVE AND THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE LOVE BEING DIMINISHED.

IF ELECTED WHAT, IF ANYTHING, WOULD YOU DO ABOUT CORRECTING THAT?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, AND THAT IS INDEED WHY I'M RUNNING.

I HAVE LIVED ALL OVER ATLANTA, BORN AND RAISED IN SOUTHWEST ATLANTA AND MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE RAISED OUR FAMILY FROM WEST MIDTOWN TO BUCK HEAD TO MIDTOWN TO DOWNTOWN, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT OUR CITY HAS CHANGED AND THE WAY THAT PEOPLE VIEW THEIR SAFETY, IT'S PERSONAL, AND REGARDLESS OF STATISTICS, I THINK RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN A PIVOTAL TIME FOR ATLANTA.

WE NEED COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP.

MY PLATFORM, TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A BETTER ATLANTA IS NOT JUST A CATCH PHRASE, IT MEANS WHETHER WE'RE TALKING CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY,ED AFFORDABLE HOUSING, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT, OUR SENIORS, THERE'S NO WAY WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE CITY FORWARD WITHOUT SOME COMPROMISE AND WORKING TOGETHER.

PEOPLE DON'T FEEL SAFE.

ATLANTA IS IN A PIVOTAL JUNCTURE AND I FEEL I'LL BRING THE FRESH LEADERSHIP TO BRING ATLANTA WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

>> RILEY BUNCH ASK YOUR QUESTION TO JODI MERRIDAY.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST POINTS OF CONTENTION IS HOW AND WHEN CHILDREN SHOULD RETURN TO SCHOOLS.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO BOLSTER EDUCATION WHILE COVID IS STILL A SAFETY CONCERN?

>> MOST IMPORTANTLY WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE NOT ONLY THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN BUT THE SAFETY OF OUR EDUCATORS, QUINTESSENTIAL TO SUCCEEDING IN ATLANTA IS THAT WE HAVE A SAFE, HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND CONSENSUS BUILT COMMUNITY.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LISTEN TO PARENTS, ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, I ADDRESS 1,600 COMMUNITY-BASED CONCERNS FOLLOWING THE CHEATING SCANDAL TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE BELIEVED THAT THEY HAD A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND THAT THEIR VOICES WERE GOING TO BE HEARD, SO I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE CAN DO IS BUILD THE CONSENSUS COLLECTIVELY BASED UPON WHAT IT IS THAT TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND SAFETY IN TERMS OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS GUIDES US TO DO AT THE FOREFRONT OF ALL THAT WE DO, NEEDS TO BE KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE, PREPARING FOR THEIR FUTURE, AND ENSURING THAT THEY ARE TOP OF MIND IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES, THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST ROUND OF THE DEBATES AND THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW ASK A QUESTION TO AN OPPONENT OF THEIR CHOICE.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO ASK THAT QUESTION, 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND AND THE CANDIDATE WHO ASKS THE QUESTION WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL.

BY RANDOM SELECTION, JODI MERRIDAY YOU MAY ASK THE FIRST QUESTION TO THE CANDIDATE OF YOUR CHOICE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION OF JACKI LABAT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JOBS WERE DEFUNDED, MONEY SHIFTED AND CONSTRUCTION TAILORED BECAUSE OF PROJECTED CITY OF ATLANTA BUDGET SHORT FALLS.

HOW MUCH IS THAT SHORT FALL IN YOUR ESTIMATION, AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO BALANCE THE CITY'S BUDGET?

>> SO IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS IN TERMS OF THE SHORTFALL, AND I THINK THAT THE CITY'S RESERVES ARE ACTUALLY NOT WHERE THEY SHOULD BE, AND NOT WHERE THEY COULD BE.

I DO THINK THAT THE MAYOR'S PLAN, COUNTRY MAYOR, AND ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO UTILIZE FEDERAL FUNDING TO BALANCE THE CITY'S BUDGET AND THAT WE AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT PLACEMENT OF THOSE FUNDS IS WHERE IT SHOULD BE IN A TIMELY FASHION, AND WE SHOULD ALSO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.

I THINK WE NEED SOME SORT OF PORTAL AND A HUB.

I FIND TOO MANY TIMES IN TALKING WITH FOLKS ACROSS ALL 12 DISTRICTS OF THE CITY THAT THEY'RE UNAWARE.

THEY'RE SIMPLY UNAWARE.

I THINK THAT BUDGET INPUT NEEDS TO COME FROM ALL MEMBERS OF NPUs, ALL LEADERS ACROSS ALL 12 DISTRICTS IN THE CITY, AND I PLAN TO DO THAT.

THANK YOU.

>> AND JODI MERRIDAY, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR 30 SECOND REBUTTAL IF YOU CHOOSE.

>> I APPRECIATED YOUR ANSWER.

I'M CURIOUS AND WOULD MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THE NECESSITY OF THE COLLECTIVE GOOD BEING SERVED BY LOOKING AT AMERICAN RESCUE FUNDS, HOW WE RECEIVED THEM AND GENERATING REVENUE BY WAY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFIT-BASED INCENTIVES.

>> AND JACKI LABAT, IT IS YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION OF AN OPPONENT OF YOUR CHOICE.

>> THANK YOU, AND MY QUESTION WOULD BE FOR MY COLLEGE CLASSMATE, JODI MERRIDAY.

WITH RESPECT TO THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN ATLANTA, HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT THAT LAW IS SERVING OUR YOUTH, AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENT IF ANYTHING?

>> IT SERVES OUR YOUTH BECAUSE FAR TOO OFTEN THE CRIMINALIZATION OF ACTIVITIES LEADS TO THE DISPROPORTIONATE REPRESENTATION, PARTICULARLY OF YOUTH FROM OUR DISTRICTS 9, 10, 11 AND 12.

I THINK DECRIMINALIZING GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERVENTION.

I THINK IT GUIDES US IN THE DIRECTION WE NEED TO GO WITH OUR YOUTH PARTNERING BESIDE THEM, LOOKING AT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND REDIRECTING THEM BY WAY OF THE ITEMS WITH WHICH THEY ARE ENGAGED.

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.

DECRIMINALIZING ACTS LIKE MARIJUANA ALLOWS US AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE WE DON'T INCARCERATE INDIVIDUALS OR GET THEM ENGAGED IN THE SYSTEM UNNECESSARILY.

I DEFINITELY BELIEVE THAT THAT IS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION NOT ONLY WITH MARIJUANA BUT DECRIMINALIZING MANY OTHER ACTS THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY INCARCERATE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> AND JACKI LABAT, YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS IF YOU SO CHOOSE FOR A REBUTTAL.

>> THANK YOU.

QUICKLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWER, AND I JUST WANT OUR VIEWERS TO KNOW I FEEL PERSONALLY AS THOUGH THAT PARTICULAR ORDINANCE IS FALLING SHORT.

I THINK IT'S INCOMPLETE, I THINK WE ARE ENCOURAGING OUR YOUTH TO ENGAGE IN MARIJUANA SMOKING AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM LOCKED UP.

I DON'T WANT TO HAVE MASS INCARCERATION BUT WHAT I WANT IS FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO WORK AND I WANT OUR CITY AND GOVERNMENT TO WORK WITH EMPLOYERS TO FIND EMPLOYMENT FOR THESE YOUTH AND WAIVE THAT REQUIREMENT IN TERMS OF THE DRUG TESTING.

THAT I THINK WILL COMPLETE THE PROCESS.

>> SHERRY WILLIAMS, IT'S YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION TO A CANDIDATE OF YOUR CHOICE.

>> THANK YOU.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY QUESTION TO MY OPPONENT, JACKI LABAT.

I'M THE PERSON PEOPLE CALL WHEN THEY WANT TO GET THINGS DONE ACROSS THE CITY.

I FUNDED SIDEWALKS ON HAMILTON ROAD AND THE GREEN BRIAR LEG.

ARE YOU RUNNING ON YOUR HUSBAND'S NAME OR ARE THERE PROJECTS THAT WE ARE UNAWARE OF THAT YOU'VE ADVOCATED FOR AND HAD FUNDED FOR THE CITY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

ACTUALLY, I AM NOT RUNNING ON MY HUSBAND'S NAME.

ACTUALLY MY LAST NAME IS LABAT IS WELL AND HE STANDS ON HIS REPUTATION AND I STAND ON MINE.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING HIM UP.

I WANT TO APPLAUD HIM FOR DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB FOR THE CITIZENS OF FULTON COUNTY.

WITH RESPECT TO MY PLATFORM AND ACCOMPLISHMENTSES, I SPENT 25 YEARS AS AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT.

I WAS THE BRAINS BEHIND ME CEOs IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA.

I WAS THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT FOR MANY MANY YEARS.

I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO GO INTO PUBLIC SERVICE AND I DO BELIEVE THAT I HAVE A LOT TO OFFER IN TERMS OF INTELLECTUAL HONESTY.

I PIONEERED SEVERAL YOUTH ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES, AN ACTIVITY COMMUNITY MEMBER.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A MOM FIRST, AND THIS WILL BE MY FIRST FORAY INTO MY OWN PERSONAL, SELFISH POLITICAL CAREER BECAUSE IT SERVES ME AND NOT JUST MY FAMILY.

MY ENGAGEMENT HAS SURROUNDED MY KIDS AND HUSBAND OVER THE YEARS, THANK YOU.

>> AND SHERRY WILLIAMS, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A 30-SECOND REBUTTAL IF YOU CHOOSE.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I RESPECT YOUR ANSWER BUT I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT THERE'S A LOT TO BE DONE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND NOT BEING ENGAGED IN THE POLICIES THAT PEOPLE NEED TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE IS VERY DISCERNING AND THAT I WOULD HOPE THAT THE VOTERS WOULD CHOOSE SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN OUT IN THE TRENCHES MAKING SURE THAT THE QUALITY OF LIFE IS INCREASED.

THANK YOU.

>> RALPH LONG, YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND?

>> WOW, OKAY.

WELL, I'M GOING TO KEEP IT NICE.

MY QUESTION IS TO THE KEISHA WAITES WHO'S NOT HERE OF COURSE.

YOU WON REELECTION TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN NOVEMBER OF 2016 AND RESIGNED A FEW MONTHS LATER TO RUN FOR ANOTHER OFFICE.

YOUR RESIGNATION COST THE TAXPAYERS TO HAVE TO PAY FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL YOUR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEATS.

HOW DO YOU ASSURE THE PEOPLE OF ATLANTA THAT YOU ARE COMMITTED TO THIS WORK AND THAT YOU MERELY SEE IT AS A STEPPING-STONE TO THE NEXT POLITICAL OPPORTUNITY THAT COMES AVAILABLE.

>> AND SINCE KEISHA WAITES IS REPRESENTED BY AN EMPTY PODIUM, WE CANNOT GET AN ANSWER, BUT YOU HAVE A 30 SECOND REBUTTAL.

>> I'M A FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND I PRIDE MYSELF ON HAVING THE DIRECT CONNECT WITH PEOPLE.

I DON'T RUN FOR FRIVOLOUS GAIN OR POLITICAL GAMESMANSHIP OR TO INGRATIATE MY OWN SELF.

I RUN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BECAUSE I'M A PUBLIC SERVANT AND NOT A POLITICIAN.

I WISH WE HAD MORE PEOPLE ASPIRING TO RUN TO OFFICE WITHOUT A PARTICULAR AGENDA IN MIND.

>> AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR SECOND ROUND FOR THOSE WHO ARE JUST JOINING US, THIS IS THE DEBATE BETWEEN CANDIDATES FOR ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL POST 3 AT LARGE.

WE WILL NOW GO BACK TO THE PANEL TO ASK QUESTIONS TO THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE UNTIL WE RUN OUT OF TIME, AS POINT AS MODERATOR, I MAY ALSO ASK A QUESTION OF THE CANDIDATES AS I SEE FIT.

I WILL DETERMINE WHEN A REBUTTAL IS APPROPRIATE.

RILEY BUNCH YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.

>> MS. LABAT, VOTERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A RISE IN VIOLENT CRIME, AND A LOT OF ISSUES WE'RE SEEING IS THAT POLICY SOLUTIONS ARE REACTIVE AND NOT PREVENTATIVE, WHAT IS YOUR LONG-TERM PLAN TO ADDRESS THE RISE IN VIOLENT CRIME IN THE CITY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

SO I DO BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE MORE OF A FOCUS ON PREVENTION AS OPPOSED TO SOLVING CRIMES.

I WANT TO APPLAUD THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ATLANTA POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD SOMEWHAT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SUCCESS IN DOING JUST THAT, BUT I DO THINK THAT IN TERMS OF OUR CITY ORDINANCES, IN TERMS OF NOT HAVING A MUNICIPAL JAIL THAT'S FULLY FUNCTIONAL, IT WAS A STARVE THE BEAST MODEL TO GET THAT JAIL EMPTY ON PURPOSE BUT I SAY THAT TO SAY WE NEED TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IN ATLANTA WHERE WE ARE NO LONGER AN OPPORTUNITY ZONE FOR VIOLENCE AND CRIME.

WE NEED TO STAFF OUR POLICE FORCE, AND WE NEED TO HAVE NOT JUST VISIBILITY BUT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BY OUR OFFICERS.

WE NEED PROPER TRAINING, AND WE REALLY NEED TO REBUILD THE TRUST WITH THE COMMUNITY BUT WE MUST SUPPORT FROM THE TOP DOWN IN OUR ADMINISTRATION, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY AND WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF OUR NEEDS ARE BEING MET, SAFETY BEING MET, SAFETY IS A PERSONAL FIELD.

>> DONNELL SUGGS, IT'S YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION.

>> MR. LONG.

>> YES.

>> YOU GAVE OUT YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER EARLIER.

THIS IS A PEOPLE KIND OF QUESTION.

WITH EARLY VOTING BEGINNING THIS WEEK, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THE PEOPLE WHO CALLED YOU IF THEY WERE TO CALL AND SAY I'M ON THE FENCE, I'M NOT SURE IF I NEED TO VOTE AT ALL.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM?

>> DEPENDS ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEY LIVE IN.

BEING A LIFELONG ATLANTA RESIDENT, I CAN SPEAK DIRECTLY TO ISSUES THAT ARE GERMANE TO THEIR SECTOR OF TOWN.

AND BEING A FORMER LEGISLATOR, I CAN THEN APPLY SOLUTIONS TO THEIR LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT, WHATEVER THEY NEED AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR CHOICES ARE.

I GIVE OUT MY CELL NUMBER BECAUSE ONE, I WANT TO DO THE WORK THAT IT TAKES.

IT TAKES WORK.

IT'S NOT A PRETTY JOB TO BE ELECTED OFFICIAL.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T -- I'M NOT ASPIRING TO BE WORSHIPPED.

I'M ASPIRING TO ACTUALLY BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY BECAUSE I'M FIGHTING FOR THE SOUL OF THE CITY.

SO ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

SO I WOULD SIMPLY TELL YOU BASICALLY, THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.

I WOULD LINE UP THE ACTUAL OFFERINGS OF THE STATE, THE ACTUAL COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT'S GERMANE TO YOUR PARTICULAR ISSUE IN MIND, AND MOST DEFINITELY, I WOULD ALWAYS ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR CIVIC DUTY.

THANK YOU.

>> AND I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT AND ASK YOU A QUESTION, HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE SOUL OF THE CITY?

>> RIGHT NOW WITH OUR MAYOR JUST INEXPLICABLY JUST STOPPING, THIS SEAT IS OPEN, AND WE WEREN'T PLANNING FOR THAT.

ATLANTA IS IN A CROSS ROADS RIGHT NOW, AND PEOPLE ARE WANTING LEADERSHIP AT A TIME WHERE CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL OR THEY WANT ANSWERS FROM THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND THEY WANT THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO STAY IN OFFICE AND PROVIDE THOSE ANSWERS DURING TOUGH TIMES.

WE HAVE A CLICKISH MENTALITY IN ATLANTA THAT NEEDS TO BE, I WOULD SAY PUT IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, AND WE NEED TO STRIVE FOR WHAT'S BEST ABOUT ATLANTA, AND THAT'S UNITY BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH, EAST AND WEST.

OUR BEAUTIFUL WEATHER, OUR CLIMATE.

LET'S REMEMBER THAT WE ARE A SOUTHERN CITY WITH THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

THIS IS ATLANTA AND WHEN I'M FIGHTING FOR THE SOUL OF THE CITY, I'M ALSO FIGHTING FOR THOSE LEGACY HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE BEING DISPLACED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF RISING PRICES.

I'LL FIGHT FOR YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> RILEY BUNCH, YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION.

>> DOCTOR, ALONG THE SAME VEIN, VOTERS AREN'T HAPPY WITH WHERE THE CITY IS HEADED.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT A POLICY DECISION THAT YOU BELIEVE WAS A MISSTEP AND WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

>> BUILDING CONSENSUS, I THINK, IS AT THE HEART OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT BY ELECTED OFFICIALS.

I DO NOT FEEL IN RELATIONSHIP TO COP CITY THAT THERE IS ENOUGH ENGAGEMENT OF CITIZENS AND INCLUSION OF THEIR VOICES IN THE FINAL DETERMINATION.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT A VOTER ENGAGEMENT MODEL THAT HAS OVER 425 PLUS THOUSAND PEOPLE.

HOWEVER, ONLY A QUARTER SHOW UP TO VOTE BECAUSE THEY HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE FACT THAT WHEN THEY SPEAK, THE ELECTED OFFICIALS HEAR THEM, AND CARRY THEIR VOICES AND NARRATIVES FURTHER.

I WOULD ENSURE THERE IS ENGAGEMENT IN ALL PARTS OF OUR CITY, EVERYONE'S VOICE HAVING A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

WITHOUT QUESTION I AM A VOICE FOR THE PEOPLE.

THAT'S MY LEGACY, MY RECORD, AND AS YOUR CITY COUNCIL PERSON, WHAT I CAN ASSURE YOU IS THAT I WILL REPRESENT AND REFLECT THAT TO YOU AS A MIRROR OF YOUR VOICES, AS A REPRESENTATIVE ON ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL.

>> AND JODI MERRIDAY, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION OF YOU.

THERE'S LONG BEEN THE NUMBER 2,000 FLOATED FOR THE OPTIMUM NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS IN THE ATLANTA POLICE DEPARTMENT ON THE FORCE.

RIGHT NOW IT'S CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN THAT.

WHAT NUMBER WOULD YOU SAY IS APPROPRIATE FOR POLICING THE CITY OF ATLANTA?

>> THE QUESTION OF POLICING IS A COMPLEX QUESTION.

I DON'T THINK IT'S A QUESTION WE CAN EXCLUSIVELY ANSWER BY NAMING THE OFFICERS.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT RESPONDERS, AND ALTERNATIVE DIVERSION PROGRAMMING AS WELL AS OUR PADS PROGRAMMING.

I THINK WE NEED ABOUT 300 RESPONDERS WHO ARE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS THAT CAN DEESCALATE MENTAL HEALTH ESCALATIONS, THAT CAN ADDRESS SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES AND PROVIDE WRAP AROUND SERVICES TO OUR CITIZENS.

THE IDEA OF ENGAGING POLICE OFFICERS MEANS WE WANT THEM DIRECTED TOWARDS ADDRESSING THE MOST VIOLENT AND HEINOUS CRIMES IN OUR CITY.

HOWEVER, WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT ALLOCATION OF 2,000, MY RECOMMENDATION IS WE BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT PROPORTIONALITY IN RELATION TO CRIME.

IF 2,000 IS A NUMBER, WHAT WE'RE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT IS 1,600 TO 1,700 OFFICERS AND 300 PERSON STAFFING PADS 24 HOURS A DAY.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. SUGGS IT'S YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION.

>> MS. WILLIAMS, YOU MENTIONED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND YOU WORK IN CERTAIN MINISTRIES AT YOUR CHURCH: MY QUESTION TO YOU IS HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR A MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL TO BE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITY IN ANY PARTICULAR WAY?

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

THE FOUNDATION OF ALL COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY, IS ROOTED IN OUR CHURCHES, REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOUR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION IS OR WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE, IT'S THE CHURCH THAT HAS ALWAYS FOUNDATIONALLY BEEN THERE FOR US DURING GOOD TIMES AND BAD.

AND THE CHURCH IS THE PLACE WHERE PEOPLE GO FOR REFUGE.

THEY KNOW THEY ARE NOT JUDGED AND OFTEN THEY DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH TONS OF PAPERWORK IN ORDER TO GET WHAT IT IS THEY NEED.

IT IS THE CHURCH THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR US OVER THE DECADES AND CENTURIES THAT HAVE ALLOWED US TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK TOGETHER AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES.

SO TO WORK WITH OUR CHURCHES, THAT'S WHERE WE GET A LOT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

PEOPLE KNOW THAT'S AN AREA THEY CAN TRUST.

PEOPLE THEY CAN GO TO AND NOT BE JUDGED AND IT'S IMPORTANT.

THANK YOU.

>> WOULD ANYONE CARE TO OFFER A REBUTTAL TO THAT.

>> NO.

>> I WOULD LIKE -- >> PLEASE, GO AHEAD.

>> IT'S NOT A REBUTTAL AGAINST T BUT THE CHURCH IS MOST DEFINITELY A PLACE AND WELCOME FOR ALL, YOU KNOW, NOT JUST THE CHURCH BUT TO BE AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY MEMBER THAT PEOPLE CAN GO TO, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEIR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION OR WHATEVER BELIEFS THEY ARE, A CITY COUNCIL PERSON HAS TO SPOKE FOR ALL PEOPLE, WHITE, BLACK, REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATIC, THIS IS A NOT PARTISAN RACE.

MAKING YOURSELF AVAILABLE TO ANYONE IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA IS MOST DEFINITELY FIRST AND POR MOUNT ON BEING ELECTED OFFICIAL.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'M ABOUT.

AND THAT'S WHY I WANT FOLKS TO VOTE FOR ME FOR ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL POST 3 AT LARGE BECAUSE I'M HERE FOR YOU, AND SO YOU CAN CALL ME DIRECTLY, AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION.

MY REALIZE BROKER BACKGROUND TEACH ME, I HAVE BEEN TRAINED ON FAIR HOUSING LAWS, AND SO ANY PARTICULAR PERSON, ANY SEX OR CREED OR WHATEVER CAN COME TO ME, AND I APPRECIATE YOU AND GET SOME ISSUES SOLVED.

>> JODI MERRIDAY.

>> I APPRECIATED YOUR ANSWER.

SPIRITUALITY IS AT THE SOUL OF OUR CITY.

I ALSO THINK WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE MISSED OPPORTUNITY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING UNITS.

I THINK WE HAVE TO CAPITALIZE, ORGANIZE, AND BUILD A REPOSITORY WHERE WE COLLECT ON A MONTHLY BASIS, WHAT THE INPUT IS FROM NPUs TO HAVE A MACRO VISION OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR CITY.

WE HAVE MISSED THE MACRO PICTURE.

THE ENGAGEMENT IS OFTEN NOT DERIVED FROM LOOKING AT WHERE WE ARE COLLECTIVELY.

SO IN ADDITION TO YOU TALKING ABOUT THE NECESSITY OF THE FOUNDATION OF CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES AND MOSQUES AND BEYOND BEING A FOUNDATION, IT'S ALSO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT WE REALLY CAPITALIZE UPON OUR NPUs AND OUR COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO GUIDE AND DIRECT US TOWARD WHAT WE SHOULD BE PRIORITIZING, THE OPINIONS THAT ARE THE MOST PROFOUND AND CONSENSUS-DERIVED.

>> JACKI LABAT.

>> YES, THANK YOU.

I DO WANT TO RESPOND, AND SAY I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION AS WELL.

I FEEL AS THOUGH COVID AND THIS PANDEMIC, WHICH IS ONGOING, BY THE WAY, I THINK THIS TIME LAST YEAR WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE POST-PANDEMIC.

IT'S IMPACTED IN A NEGATIVE WAY, THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY RESPONSE AND INVOLVEMENT IN CITY GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS.

WE HAVE ENDED UP WITH DAYS ON END OF PUBLIC COMMENT AND PEOPLE GET TONE DEAF QUITE HONESTLY, AND I THINK WE NEED TO FIND MORE CREATIVE WAYS TO ENGAGE IN PERSON, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND IF IT'S THROUGH OUR CHURCHES OUR CIVIC CENTERS, YOU KNOW, BEING INVOLVED AND HAVING A LAUNDRY LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS YOU'RE INVOLVED IN IS WONDERFUL.

WHEN YOU GET IN OFFICE IT'S ABOUT BEING ACCESSIBLE, BEING TRANSPARENT, RETURNING PHONE CALLS, ANSWERING E-MAILS WHEN THEY COME IN, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'LL GET WITH ME.

THANK YOU.

>> CAN I ADD TO THAT?

>> PLEASE.

>> I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT I APPRECIATE MY OPPONENT'S AGREEING WITH ME BUT I ALSO WANT TO ADD THAT THROUGH MY FOUNDATION AT THE CHURCH, I'M ALSO ENGAGED WITH SEVERAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND CHURCHES ARE CLEARINGHOUSES AND THEY ALSO REFER PEOPLE WHERE THEY NEED TO GO IF THEY CAN'T HELP THEM.

SO BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, I'M ALSO THE GO-TO PERSON FOR MUNICIPALITIES WHEN THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY REACH THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES, WE'RE IN A SOMEWHAT UNIQUE POSITION IN THAT WE ALL HAVE BEEN SO CONCISE AND WONDERFUL WITH TIME THAT WE HAVE TIME NOW TO ASK CANDIDATES, EACH CANDIDATE THE SAME QUESTION, SO FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE ROUND, EVERY QUESTION WILL BE TO ALL FOUR CANDIDATES.

RILEY BUNCH, IT IS YOUR TURN.

>> MR. LONG, I WANTED TO GO BACK TO A QUESTION I ASKED YOU PREVIOUSLY IN THE FIRST ROUND, I BELIEVE, AND GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT YOUR POLICY PLANS TO ADDRESS INCOME DISPARITIES, INEQUITIES AND WAGE DISPARITIES.

>> OKAY.

WELL, ONE, AN INCOME DISPARITY BEING I WOULD SAY STREAMLINING THE PERMIT PROCESS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS OR ENTREPRENEURS IN THE CITY THAT LIKE TO BE INVOLVED WITH BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUT THEY CAN'T BECAUSE THE PERMIT PROCESS ACTUALLY TAKES SO LONG THAT THAT DISQUALIFIES THEM OUT OF THE FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES.

THAT'S ONE.

HIGHLIGHTING AND BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR ATLANTA HOME-BASED GRANT PROGRAMS FOR BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE HAVE INVEST ATLANTA AND A FEW OTHER PROGRAMS.

THERE'S A MYRIAD OF OPPORTUNITIES LIKE I WAS SAYING IN MY QUESTION, AND PERHAPS I DIDN'T ROUND THIRD BASE ENOUGH THAT MAKING THOSE THINGS AVAILABLE, THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT'S AVAILABLE IS THE PROBLEM, ACTUALLY, BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD PROGRAMS THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS.

OUR GOVERNMENT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO THROW OUT THE BABY WITH THE BATH WATER BUT THERE ARE PARTICULAR THINGS, AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW ABOUT THEM FOR THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION, 770-616-2130.

I WANT TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO TELL PEOPLE.

>> AND JACKI LABAT, WE'LL GO TO YOU NEXT.

>> YES, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, AND FOR ME, BEING ENDORSED BY THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY MISAL PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES, MEETING WITH THEM, THIS FALLS INTO TWO CATEGORIES, IT'S THE HOURLY WAGE EARNERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A LIVABLE WAGE AND LIVE IN THE CITY LIMITS OF ATLANTA AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

I THINK WE HAVE TO TACKLE IT IN A MULTITUDE OF WAYS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOURLY WAGE EARNERS, WHAT ARE YOU MAKING, WHERE ARE YOU TRYING TO LIVE, WHAT COULD YOU MAKE IF YOU HAD ADDITIONAL TRAINING.

HOW DO WE GROW PEOPLE.

HOW DO WE WORK WITH CORPORATE PARTNERS TO GET JOBS FOR SOME OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND OTHERS WHO DON'T HAVE COLLEGE DEGREES, AND HOW DO WE GET INTO MORE VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR OUR YOUTH TO START THEM OUT EARLY.

THEY CAN PARTNER SHADOW.

I'M ON THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR LEAD, AND WE WORK WITH YOUTH TO SHADOW IN CORPORATE JOBS, AND THEY GET EXPOSED TO BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS THEY NEVER THOUGHT THEY WOULD STEP FOOT INTO.

WE HAVE TO PIVOT WITH SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND HAVE THEM REALIZE, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A VALUABLE COVID PANDEMIC BUSINESS MODEL, WE MAY HAVE TO HELP YOU PIVOT.

>> SHERRY WILLIAMS, WE'LL COME TO YOU NEXT.

>> I WOULD SAY IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH THE INCOME DISPARITIES, WHAT I WOULD DO FIRST AND FOREMOST WOULD BE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE TRAINING AVAILABLE FOR CURRENT JOBS THAT ARE IN DEMAND, AND ALSO TO HAVE A PIPELINE OF JOBS THAT ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE.

WE KNOW WHAT JOBS ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE.

WE KNOW THE ONES THAT ARE IN HIGH DEMAND RIGHT NOW.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S A DISCONNECT.

YOU HAVE A WORK FORCE OVER HERE, AND YOU HAVE JOBS OVER HERE.

IT IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE FOR ATLANTA TO BE THE TAIL OF TWO CITIES.

AFTER ALL, THIS IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WE ARE THE JEWELS OF THE SOUTH.

WE HAVE TO USE BEST PRACTICES FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE THE MODEL FOR THE NATION, AND NOT THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE NATION.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT THE RIGHT PERSON WHO IS ALREADY INVOLVED IN POLICY AS MYSELF.

SO THAT'S WHY MY ELECTION IS IMPORTANT.

THANK YOU.

>> AND FINALLY TO JODI MERRIDAY.

>> THE COMMITTEE FOR BETTER ATLANTA IDENTIFIED EQUITY, IT'S QUINTESSENTIAL TO HOW WE MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD.

IT'S A PRIORITY, AND ADDRESSING INCOME INEQUALITY REQUIRES THAT WE LOOK AT SYSTEMIC AND INSTITUTIONAL INEQUALITIES, STARTING WITH, OF COURSE, EDUCATION.

I AM ENDORSED BY THE GEORGIA WORKING FAMILIES PARTY AS WELL AS THE COMMITTEE FOR NEW GEORGIA BECAUSE I WILL PRIORITIZE ADDRESSING NOT ONLY INCOME INEQUALITY BUT THE NECESSITY OF QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA AND THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

I THINK WE THEN HAVE TO LOOK AT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMMING.

WE LOOK AT SYMPTOMS RATHER THAN SOURCES OF CHALLENGES IN OUR CITY.

I WILL GET TO ROOT CAUSES.

I WILL BUILD CONSENSUS, AND BEYOND LOOKING AT THOSE DISPARITIES, I WILL INTRODUCE CONCEPTUALLY A NECESSITY FOR THE INCREASE IN THE LIVABLE WAGE THAT CAN BE EARNED AND THE ONE THAT IS PAID TO ENSURE THAT WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT INCOME INEQUALITY, WE ADDRESS IT.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION, AND START WITH SHERRY WILLIAMS.

THE CITY COUNCIL IS A NONPARTISAN RACE, SHOULD IT BE AND DOES PARTY AFFILIATION MATTER.

>> I THINK WITH CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, CITY COUNCIL SHOULD REMAIN NONPARTISAN.

WE NEED TO GET TO WHAT THE PEOPLE NEED VERSUS WHO LIKES WHO AND PARTY AFFILIATION.

I THINK IT ALLOWS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER WITHOUT HAVING THOSE LABELS AND IT IS, AGAIN, WHY MY ELECTION IS SO IMPORTANT.

I'VE WORKED AT THE GEORGIA STATE CAPITOL.

I'VE WORKED AT CITY HALL AT THE CAPITOL.

I'VE WORKED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

I'VE WORKED FOR NINE REPUBLICANS, AND FIVE DEMOCRATS, AND THEY WERE ALL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN: I ALREADY KNOW HOW THE I HAVE ADVOCATED AT THE CITY, AT THE STATE, AND AT THE ATLANTA REGIONAL COMMISSION AND AT MARTA IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH THESE POLICIES, AND WHEN YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT TO DO AND YOU'VE ALREADY FUNDED PEOPLE, THEN I CAN DO MORE TO HELP MORE PEOPLE ACROSS THIS WONDERFUL CITY BY THE MODEL FOR THE NATION.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT, AND NEXT WE GO TO JODI MERRIDAY.

>> WE HAD A NATIONAL MOMENTUM THAT ALMOST DESTROYED OUR NATION, AND IT WAS ABOUT PARTISAN POLITICS, DEEPLY PROBLEMATIC.

ATLANTA IS A CITY TOO BUSY TO HATE.

WE SHOULD REMAIN NONPARTISAN.

OUR CITY IS FULL OF INTELLECTUALS AND VOICES THAT ALTHOUGH THEY MAY DIVERT IN REFERENCE TO OPINIONS, WE BRIDGE AND BUILD TOGETHER EVERY DAY WITHOUT CONSIDERATION FOR THAT PARTISAN COMPONENT.

SO I ABSOLUTELY ADVOCATE YET AGAIN FOR THIS RACE TO REMAIN A NONPARTISAN RACE.

I THINK IT'S ALSO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT THE QUOTE UNQUOTE TEAM OF RIVALS THAT ABE LINCOLN TALKS ABOUT.

JUST BECAUSE I DON'T AGREE WITH YOU DOES NOT MEAN THAT I HAVE TO THEN HAVE DISCORD AGAINST YOU.

I THINK IT'S OUR COLLECTIVE GOOD THAT IS SERVED WHEN WE IMPLORE EACH OTHER TO BE DEMOCRATIC, TO BE INCLUSIVE, AND TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE LISTENING TO EACH OTHER.

>> RALPH LONG.

>> YES, IT SHOULD BE NONPARTISAN.

I'M ACTUALLY RELIEVED ABOUT THAT.

AS A FORMER LEGISLATOR, I SERVED PROUDLY AS A STRONG DEMOCRAT, AND STILL A STRONG DEMOCRAT BUT I FOCUSED ON THE WHOLE POT, 179 OF MY COLLEAGUES AND ALL 56 SENATORS, AND I THINK THAT THAT EXPERIENCE WILL BE MOST DEFINITELY BENEFICIAL WHEN I CAN WALK ON THE CAPITOL FLOOR TO HELP EASE THE PAIN OF WHY BUCKHEAD WANTS TO SECEDE FROM ATLANTA.

I TALKED TO FORMER REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS WHO ARE PROMINENT IN BUCKHEAD, AND PROUDLY SPOKE AND SAID, HEY, WE COULD BE ON THE SAME TEAM WITH THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.

LET'S REACH OUT TO THOSE FOLKS, IF BUCKHEAD WOULD GIVE US A CHANCE TO PROVIDE THE CONSTITUENT SERVICE TO GET OUR ACT TOGETHER TO WORK FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTA.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, I DON'T LIKE IT WHEN PARTIES MEDDLE IN NONPARTISAN RACES BECAUSE BEING NONPARTISAN LIKE THIS ALLOWS FOR A PURE OPPORTUNITY OF SERVICE FOR CONSTITUENTS, AND I'M REFRESHED AND RELIEVED AT THAT OPPORTUNITY, AND THAT'S WHY I THINK I'M THE BEST CANDIDATE, HAVING THAT EXPERIENCE AND CAN BRIDGE THE GAP AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AS A UNIFIER.

>> AND JACKI LABAT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT CITY COUNCIL RACES AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS SHOULD BE NONPARTISANMENT THAT'S ONE OF THE BEAUTIES OF MY CAMPAIGN.

THIS CAMPAIGN FOR ME JUST SORT OF CAME UP NATURALLY, AND IT WAS BECAUSE I HAVE SO MUCH SUPPORT ACROSS THE CITY FROM BANK HEAD TO BUCK HEAD TO WEST MIDTOWN, TO EAST ATLANTA.

PEOPLE OF ALL RACES AND BACKGROUNDS.

PEOPLE ACROSS PARTY LINES.

I'M A UNITER, AND I DO BELIEVE THAT WE CAN BE HERE ALL DAY LOOKING FOR AN ELECTION WHERE IT WAS WON BY 100% OF THE VOTE ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, AND WE'RE JUST NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

I THINK WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS FIND COMMON GROUND.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE WILLING TO COMPROMISE, AND I THINK WHETHER YOU'RE DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN OR OTHERWISE, WE HAVE BEEN VERY POLARIZED LATELY.

NOT JUST IN ATLANTA BUT AS MY COLLEAGUE SAID, NATIONALLY AND BEYOND.

IT'S TIME WE BRING ATLANTA TOGETHER, WHICH AS I SAID, TOGETHER WE WILL BUILD A BETTER CITY FOR ALL OF US.

THANK YOU.

>> ALL IN AGREEMENT.

DONNELL SUGGS.

>> MY QUESTION IS FOR DR. MERRIDAY.

DR. MERRIDAY, AS GRADUATE OF AN ACCU AND A LONG TIME EDUCATOR, I WANTED TO ASK HOW IMPORTANT IS ON CAMPUS SAFETY AND A MORE HEIGHTENED POLICE PRESENCE IN THE AUC.

>> AGAIN, YOU THINK IT'S NECESSARY TO HAVE AN INCLUSIVE VISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

ON THE HBCU CAMPUSES AND BEYOND.

I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE AS WE'RE LOOKING AT SAFETY, SOME OF THE VICTIMIZATION PARTICULARLY OF WOMEN IS HEIGHTENED BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 24.

IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, 47% IF NOT HIGHER OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS OCCUR TO YOUNG WOMEN DURING THAT AGE.

I KNOW BEING ON FACULTY AT SPELMAN COLLEGE, CLARKTON UNIVERSITY, AND GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY PROVIDED A LEVEL OF INSIGHT TO ME AND TO THE NECESSITY OF BEING SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAFE, THAT THEY FEEL SAFE, AND THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT PROGRAMMING FOR TITLE 9 AS WELL AS OTHER MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT HARMED BY ANY KIND OF ASSAULT OR VIOLENT CRIMES ON THEIR CAMPUS.

SO FROM HBCUs TO THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA, I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT ALL QUALITIES OF SAFETY AND ENSURE THAT WE ARE SECURE, THAT ALL STUDENTS ARE SECURE AS WELL AS FACULTY AND STAFF.

>> JACKI LABAT.

>> YES, I DO BELIEVE THAT AS WE LOOK AT HBCUs AS WELL AS THE COLLEGE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE, WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE PANDEMIC, AND WE NEED TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX BECAUSE ALL OF OUR STUDENTS HAVEN'T EVEN RETURNED TO CAMPUS.

AS THEY DO RETURN TO CAMPUS, WE NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT NOT JUST YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY BUT YOUR PHYSICAL SAFETY AND YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING AS WELL, AND WE NEED TO INCENTIVIZE AND ENCOURAGE OUR INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR KIDS.

I DO THINK WE SHOULD BE ANCILLARY SUPPORT SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT ATLANTA BECAUSE SO MANY OF OUR KIDS ARE NOT ON CAMPUS, AND THEY'RE IN HOUSING THAT MAY BE SHARED, APARTMENT COLLEGE HOUSING AND SO FORTH.

AND THEY NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND MAYBE IT SHOULD NOT ALWAYS BE THE POLICE.

>> RALPH LONG.

>> YES, MY BROTHER IS THE CHIEF OF POLICE AT A MAJOR UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, AND I'M GLAD HE'S THERE.

YOU KNOW, OUR KIDS NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO STUDY WITH THE PEACE OF MIND.

YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED WHAT COMES ON THE CAMPUS TO DISTRACT THEM OR WHAT COMES ON THE CAMPUS TO HURT OUR KIDS, AND A LOT OF EMPHASIS IS PUT ON PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING WRONG DOING, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO PROTECT.

THIS INCLUDES APS OR ANY OTHER MUNICIPALITY OR ANY OTHER KIND OF RULE.

WE NEED TO REALLY, REALLY REWARD AND PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO ASPIRE TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND EVERYBODY'S QUALITY OF LIFE.

THAT'S WHAT I MEAN WHEN I'M FIGHTING FOR THE SOUL OF THE CITY.

TOO OFTEN ARE THE FOLKS WHO ARE DOING THE CRIMES GET TOO MUCH ATTENTION, AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING WANTING TO HAVE BUSINESSES, WANTING TO DO BETTER, AND TO ASPIRE FOR THINGS THAT ARE DISTRACTED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE DISORDERLY.

I REALLY THINK THAT'S A GREAT THING, HAVING PUBLIC SAFETY ON CITY COUNCIL OR ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

THANK YOU.

>> AND FINALLY, TO SHERRY WILLIAMS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

THERE IS A NEED TO HAVE POLICE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

HOWEVER, I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL IN KNOWING THAT WE DON'T NEED MORE GUNS ON CAMPUSES.

MAYBE WE NEED TO LOOK TO PARTNER WITH THE CAMPUS POLICE TO HAVE A PROGRAM OF SAFETY AMBASSADORS.

THERE IS A NEED BECAUSE STUDENTS WALK AROUND CAMPUS ALL TIMES OF NIGHT AND DAY, SO IF THEY HAD AN ESCORT SERVICE THAT WAS AROUND AND IT WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO SEE BETTER WHAT IS GOING ON, AND WE NEED TO GET TO THE ROOT OF WHY PEOPLE ARE COMING ON THE CAMPUS, AND WE NEED TO HAVE A STRONGER GANG POLICY, AND WE NEED TO HAVE A STRONGER GUN POLICY BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET TO THE ROOT OF THESE PEOPLE COMMITTING THE CRIMES ON CAMPUS AND OFF IS TYPICALLY, ESPECIALLY VIOLENT CRIMES, ROOTED IN THE FACT THAT WE DON'T HAVE STRONG ENOUGH POLICIES AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT IMMEDIATELY.

AND IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE WITH MORE POLICE OFFICERS ON CAMPUS.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, AND THAT IS IT IS THE CITY COUNCIL'S JOB TO WORK WITH THE MAYOR AND SOMETIMES THAT GOES VERY SMOOTHLY.

OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAYOR OF ATLANTA, WHOEVER THAT PERSON MAY BE?

JACKI LABAT, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> GREAT QUESTION, AND THANK YOU.

I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

YOU MAY NOT WANT TO GO HOME AND SIT DOWN AND INVITE THAT PERSON OVER TO YOUR HOUSE, BUT I THINK THAT HAVING A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAYOR, WITH YOUR FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS, WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES WITH THE STATE AND WITH FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS IS JUST CRITICAL.

I MEAN, RELATIONSHIPS AND OFTEN TIMES IT'S CONVERSATIONS THAT AREN'T EVEN HAD ON CAMERA.

IT'S CONVERSATIONS THAT AREN'T IN FORMAL MEETINGS.

IT'S BEING ABLE TO MEET IN THE MIDDLE AND KNOW THAT YOU MAY HAVE TO COMPROMISE ON A PORTION OF EITHER YOUR PERSONAL BELIEFS OR YOUR AGENDA.

FOR US, OUR WHOLE DISTRICT, WE ARE REPRESENTING ALL 12 DISTRICTS, AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO MEET IN THE MIDDLE ON POLICIES THAT WILL MOVE THE CITY FORWARD, AND THAT GOES FOR THE MAYOR AND EVERYONE ELSE.

>> SHERRY WILLIAMS, WE'LL COME TO YOU WITH THAT SAME QUESTION NEXT.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO HAVE A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAYOR.

HOWEVER, WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE AS PEOPLE ARE, AND SOMETIMES THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

WHILE IT'S IMPORTANT IT'S NOT ESSENTIAL.

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT THERE IS RESPECT AND THERE IS COURTESY INVOLVED BECAUSE THERE IS OFTEN TIMES WHEN WE DON'T AGREE, BUT WHAT WE DO NEED TO AGREE ON IS THAT THE BEST IS DONE FOR THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTA, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE UNDER SERVED AND DISENFRANCHISED.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP IS BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL, WE ARE ALL TO BE ELECTED TO REPRESENT AND SERVE, AND THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE, WHETHER THERE IS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP OR NOT.

AND AS A PERSON WHO IS THE GO-TO PERSON, WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO GET THINGS DONE, BOTH INSIDE CITY HALL, OUTSIDE CITY HALL, AND ACROSS THE METRO ATLANTA, I'M KNOWN AS A UNIFIER.

I'M THE PERSON THAT'S INVOLVED IN ENGAGEMENT, SO I WOULD BE THE PERSON WHO WAS THE CORRECT ONE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, WHETHER THERE'S A GOOD RELATIONSHIP OR NOT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND RALPH LONG, YOUR RESPONSE.

>> YES, WHENEVER YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE A COALITION, IT'S A TREAT, JUST LIKE UP HERE WITH MY COLLEAGUES RIGHT HERE, WE ALL GET ALONG, AND I FEEL THAT WHOEVER THE WINNER IS I CAN MOST DEFINITELY CALL THEM TO ACQUIRE SOMETHING AS LONG AS IT'S FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

I'M WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR OR THE MAYOR IS AN AWESOME TREAT WHEN YOU GUYS CAN BE ALIGNED AS LONG AS IT'S ETHICAL.

IF IT'S NOT ETHICAL AND IT'S NOT FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF PEOPLE, THAT'S WHEN I'M GOING TO BREAK COURSE.

THAT'S WHEN I'M GOING TO BREAK AWAY.

IN ATLANTA, WE HAVE SOME RUBBER STAMPERS AND SOME PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY RIDING COAT TAILS AND THEY MAKE DEALS BEFORE ELECTIONS ARE EVEN WON, AND THEN NO MATTER WHAT, LEGISLATION COMES DOWN THE PIPELINE, WHETHER IT'S BENEFICIAL TO CONSTITUENTS OR PEOPLE, YOU HAVE RUBBER STAMPERS WHO ACTUALLY GO ALONG WITH THE GET ALONG GANG, AND THAT'S WHEN IT GETS OUT OF HAND.

WE MUST BE INDEPENDENT AND PASS LEGISLATION THAT'S FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF THE CONSTITUENTS THAT WE TAKE AN OATH TO SERVE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, AND JODI MERRIDAY.

>> YES, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAYOR.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE 15 OTHERS THAT COMPRISE PRECISELY WHO ADVANCES THE VOICES OF OUR CITIZENS FORWARD.

ALTHOUGH, WE ARE ELECTED AND WE'LL BE ON EVERY BALLOT CITY WIDE, WE ARE REPRESENTING DISTRICTS NINE, TEN, ELEVEN AND TWELVE.

I'VE SPENT 30 YEARS OF MY LIFE LIVING IN THOSE TWO DISTRICTS, TEN AND 11.

I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLE IMPORTANT EVERY CITY COUNCIL PERSON REFLECT THE VOICES OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

WHEN YOU SPEAK OF THE MAYORS, THE MAYOR IS ONE, THE CITY COUNCIL IS 15.

WHAT I WOULD BE LOOKING TO ADVANCE IS WHAT I THINK IS A MURMUR THROUGHOUT OUR CITY WHICH IS THAT OUR CITY COUNCIL HAS GOT TO BE COMPRISED OF PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT THE VOICES OF THEIR COMMUNITY, AND I WOULD BE A VOICE FOR DISTRICTS 9, 10, 11 AND 12, INCLUSIVE OF ENGAGING EVERYONE CITY WIDE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY.

>> THANK YOU, RILEY BUNCH, YOU MAY ASK A QUESTION.

>> I THINK WE WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THE BUCK HEAD RECESSION MOVEMENT.

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THE THE CITY OF ATLANTA AND WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO REMEDY WHATEVER OUTCOMES.

>> AND WE'LL START WITH SHERRY WILLIAMS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

I WAS JUST CANVASSING IN BUCKHEAD ON SUNDAY, AND THE PEOPLE THAT I TALKED TO IN BUCKHEAD, THEY ACTUALLY ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF THE SECESSION.

AND BECAUSE IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO THE CITY OF ATLANTA FINANCIALLY.

IT'S ACTUALLY NOT A GOOD IDEA.

THERE'S STRENGTH IN NUMBERS, AND RIGHT NOW BUCKHEAD'S NUMBER ONE ISSUE IS CRIME.

GUESS WHAT, FOLKS, THERE'S CRIME ALL OVER THE NATION.

THERE IS CRIME ALL OVER THE STATE.

SO IF WE WANT TO DEAL WITH THE CRIME PROBLEM, WE NEED TO DO IT WORKING TOGETHER WITH 21st CENTURY POLICING, AND WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CRIME IN BUCKHEAD IS ACTUALLY BEING AMPLIFIED BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE VOICE TO DO.

SO THERE IS CRIME GOING ON ALL OVER THE CITY.

WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING.

WE WANT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE WANT BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBORHOODS, AND WE WANT THRIVING NEIGHBORHOODS, AND WORKING TOGETHER THE ENTIRE CITY WE CAN MAKE IT SAFER TOGETHER, NOT COMING APART.

THANK YOU.

>> RALPH LONG.

>> YES, MY PLAN OF ACTION IS TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO BUCKHEAD CONSTITUENTS AND OFFERING MY INFORMATION AND TAKING CARE OF THE CONSTITUENT SERVICE ISSUES THAT THEY HAVE IN REGARDS TO CRIME, SANITATION IS ANOTHER ONE, PICKING UP REFUSE.

WE ALL KNOW THAT THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE, AND TALKING DIRECTLY TO THE VOTERS.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, THERE'S SOME DIVISIVE POLITICS GOING ON THERE TO TRY TO PULL BUCKHEAD AWAY.

THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE I CALLED IN BUCKHEAD WANT TO STAY FOR THE SAME REASONS THAT MY COLLEAGUE MENTIONED BEFORE.

AND THOSE FOLKS ON PARTISAN SIDES THAT WANT TO DIVIDE OUR CITY, WE'RE GOING TO GO AFTER THOSE FOLKS, NO MATTER WHO WINS OR NOT.

IF WE DON'T WIN, WE'RE GOING AFTER THOSE WHO ARE DIVISIVE IN OUR CITY.

BUCKHEAD IS A TREAT, WHEN I WAS DOING BAD IN SCHOOL, I WENT TO BUCKHEAD AND GOT MY GRADES TOGETHER BECAUSE I SAW THE HOUSES.

APPRECIATE YOU, LOVE YOU BUCKHEAD.

>> JODI MERRIDAY.

>> I HAVE A LONG MEMORY.

I DON'T SUPPORT THAT BUCKHEAD WOULD SECEDE.

I STARTED OUT AT WEST MANOR, AND COLLECTIVELY IT WAS DETERMINED THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE BUSSED TO THE NORTH BECAUSE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS LEGACY.

I ATTENDED SUTTON MIDDLE SCHOOL TO COME BACK AND ATTEND FREDERICK DOUGLASS HIGH SCHOOL.

I'M PART OF A DREAM THAT STARTED IN ATLANTA 40 OR 50 YEARS AGO AROUND INCLUSION.

BUCKHEAD'S SECESSION LOOKS LIKE EXCLUSION.

IT LOOKS LIKE PEOPLE ARE LEAVING WHO DON'T HAVE A LONG MEMORY OF THE VISION FOR INCLUSION OF THE CITY.

I DON'T SUPPORT IT, AND I DON'T THINK THE MAJORITY OF BUCKHEAD DOES EITHER.

I THINK THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE MOVED HERE FROM OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE SOME OTHER ALTERNATIVES FOR WANTING TO LOOK AT TAKING BUCKHEAD AWAY FROM THE CITY OF THE ATLANTA.

ATLANTA IS BUCKHEAD, BUCKHEAD IS ATLANTA.

IT TOOK US A LONG ROAD TO GET HERE.

WE NEED TO STAY STEADY ON OUR COURSE TOGETHER.

>> JACKI LABAT.

>> YES, THANK YOU, AND THIS IS A POPULAR AND GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK THAT THE BUCKHEAD CITY MOVEMENT QUITE HONESTLY IS SIMPLY JUST DIVISIVE.

I THINK THAT IN LOOKING AT THE FEASIBILITY STUDY THAT WAS PUT OUT, IT'S VERY CURSORY, AND THAT WHEN YOU LOOK THROUGH THE DETAIL, THEY SPEAK TO CONTINUING TO PARTICIPATE IN A PARTNER WITH ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN SOME CAPACITY, AND FULTON COUNTY IN TERMS OF THE LIBRARY.

I THINK THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO JUST LIKE LOOK AT THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, AND SAY THAT RELATIONSHIPS MATTER.

AND IF YOU DO SOMETHING SO DESTRUCTIVE TO ATLANTA PROPER, WHAT TYPE OF RELATIONSHIPS, I HAVE HEARD OF SISTER CITIES, I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE WHAT WE SEE.

WHAT TYPE OF RELATIONSHIPS DO THOSE IN A BUCKHEAD CITY FEEL THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE AS THEY TRY TO MANEUVER IN MUNICIPALITIES, ATLANTA PROPER AND BEYOND.

I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT THERE'S A GROUP OF VERY REPUTABLE DISTINGUISHED BUCKHEAD ATLANTA YANS WHO ARE OPPOSING THIS AND SPEAKING UP, AND AGAIN, I THINK WE JUST NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND A NEW ADMINISTRATION WORKING WITH BUCKHEAD WILL TAKE US WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

>> WE ARE STARTING TO RUN SHORT ON TIME BUT WE DO HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE QUESTION AS LONG AS WE ALL AGREE TO KEEP OUR ANSWERS PRETTY SHORT, ABOUT 25 SECONDS.

AND I'LL ASK THE QUESTION, AND THAT IS WE KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS ARE COMING TO ATLANTA IN THE COMING DECADE.

WHAT DOES ATLANTA AS A CITY NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR THE ONSLAUGHT OF NEW RESIDENTS AND JACKI LABAT WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT'S WONDERFUL IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF LONG-TERM VISION.

I THINK WE NEED TO DO MANY THINGS.

WE NEED TO HAVE A SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM COVID RECOVERY PLAN.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR SPENDING.

WE NEED TO BOLSTER OUR RESERVES.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOUSING IN THE CITY, WE NEED TO LOOK AT MULTI-TIER LEVELS AND KNOW WHAT POPULATION OF ATLANTA WE'RE TRYING TO TARGET AND ASSIST.

>> SHERRY WILLIAMS, 25 SECONDS.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE CANNOT GROW AND BE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE IF WE DON'T HANDLE THE ISSUES THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT HAS TO DO WITH TRANSPORTATION, THAT ALSO HAS TO DO WITH TRANSIT.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MOVE PEOPLE ACROSS THIS CITY BY EXPANDING MARTA, AND IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE OVERALL.

THANK YOU.

>> RALPH LONG.

>> WE NEED TO DO WHAT I WOULD CALL AN INCOME FEASIBILITY TRAJECTORY STUDY, AND THAT'S BASED ON THE INCOME OF EACH PERSON OR INCOME STUDIES OF PEOPLE MOVING TO ATLANTA AND EXAMINING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY SO ATLANTA BECOMES A CITY FOR ALL, NOT JUST THE WEALTHY.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

WE'RE LOSING AND I'M FIGHTING FOR THE SOUL OF THE CITY.

>> AND FINALLY, JODI MERRIDAY.

>> TO BE PREPARED WE HAVE TO IMPROVE TRANSIT AND TRANSPORTATION.

MARTA, RENEW ATLANTA, THE INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE AIRPORT, WE HAVE TO ADDRESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PREPARE TO HOUSE ALL OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL BE COMING TO OUR CITY.

AND WE HAVE TO BE SURE THAT VISITORS AS WELL AS RESIDENTS ARE SAFE AND SECURE BY ADDRESSING PUBLIC SAFETY AS WELL AS CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTIONS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL NOW HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

JACKI LABAT, YOU GET THE FIRST CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TODAY.

THIS IS ACTUALLY WONDERFUL.

PLEASE BEFORE I FORGET, I ALWAYS DO, VISIT MY WEB SITE WWWJACKI LABAT.COM, I'M A NATIVE ATLANTAN, BORN AND RAISED IN SOUTHWEST ATLANTA, ATTENDING AN HBU.

I HAVE RAISED MY KIDS ALL OVER THIS CITY.

WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW IN ATLANTA IS A UNITED VISION.

WE NEED COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP.

WE NEED NEW FRESH ENERGY, WE NEED SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF WHO CAN TOUCH ALL 12 DISTRICTS BECAUSE WHILE WE HAVE TO RESIDE IN 9, 10, 11, AND 12 TO QUALIFY, OUR NAME IS ON THE BALLOT ALL ACROSS THE CITY.

I WILL PRIORITIZE EACH DISTRICT, AND FOCUS ON WHERE THIS PARTICULAR POST 3 AT LARGE IS HOUSED BUT I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE TO BE CANDIDATES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR ALL PEOPLE, SO PLEASE, IT'S HARD TO GET OUR POINTS ACROSS IN THESE LITTLE SOUND BITES BUT INVITE ME OUT, I HAVE BEEN ACROSS ALL 12 DISTRICTS AND I'LL ZOOM WITH YOU, JACKIFORATLANTA.COM.

>>> I'M JODI MERRIDAY, I WROTE THE GRANT THAT LED TO ATLANTA BECOMING A CITY OF SERVICE, SERVED AS PROJECT MANAGER FOR CENTERS OF HOPE AND DEESCALATED 1,600 CONSTITUENT CONCERNS FOLLOWING THE CHEATING SCANDAL.

I'M NOT A POLITICIAN.

I'M A PUBLIC SERVANT, AND I LOVE ATLANTA.

MY 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN CRISIS TESTED LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED, RESTORING, PUBLIC SAFETY AND REFORMING CRIMINAL JUSTICE, FUND ASKING BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND IMPROVING ROADS AND TRANSIT ARE MY TOP THREE PRIORITIES.

I HAVE BEEN RANKED WELL-QUALIFIED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR A BETTER ATLANTA AND ENDORSED BY THE GEORGIA WORKING FAMILIES DEPARTMENT, THE COMMITTEE FOR GEORGIA, ATLANTA REALTORS ASSOCIATION AND THE ATLANTA COMMERCIAL BOARD OF REALTORS AND THE BLACK SLATE BECAUSE MY PLATFORM REPRESENTS THE ISSUES MOST IMPORTANT TO ATLANTANS, LET'S WIN TOGETHER.

>> SHERRY WILLIAMS, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> I'M THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION.

I WAS ASKED TO RUN BY MY FRIENDS BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE WANT THINGS DONE, THEY COME TO ME.

BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT I'M DOING ACROSS ATLANTA AND SPECIFICALLY WITH MARTA WITH G DOT, WITH THE ATLANTA REGIONAL COMMISSION AND WITH CITY COUNCIL COMBINED WITH NONPROFITS, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET SIDEWALKS FUNDED AND GET TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY PROJECTS DONE.

AS A NATIVE ATLANTAN, I'M SERIOUS ABOUT ATLANTA'S FUTURE.

A GRADUATE OF CHARLES LINCOLN HARPER HIGH SCHOOL AND A MEMBER OF THE HISTORIC EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH.

I'M EXTREMELY INVOLVED WITH ALL 25 MPUs WITH THE ATLANTA PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD AND ALL ACROSS THE CITY AND THE STATE.

BEING THE TALE OF TWO CITIES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE.

I NEED TO BE AT THE HELM.

I WILL FIGHT FOR ATLANTANS, THE SAME WAY I FOUGHT BREAST CANCER ALL FOUR TIMES.

I WILL NOT GIVE UP, WHEN IT LOOKS BLEAK.

>> AND RALPH LONG YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR YOUR FINAL STATEMENT.

>> MY NAME IS RALPH LONG, I'M A FORMER STATE LEGISLATOR, A HUSBAND, A FATHER, AND WHEN I WAS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE I CLEANED UP MY AREA, I CLEANED UP METROPOLITAN PARKWAY.

I CLEANED UP SYLVAN HILLS, I LED THAT AREA INTO WHAT IS THE AMAZING COMMUNITIES THAT THEY ARE TODAY.

I TAKE NO MESS.

I'M NOT PART OF THE GET ALONG GANG.

I'M GOING TO WORK AND BUILD COALITIONS TO KEEP BUCKHEAD FROM SECEDING.

I'M GOING TO WORK WITH MARTA AS I HAVE BEFORE TO CONVEY THE IMPORTANCE OF MARTA.

I'M GOING TO ANSWER THE PHONE, NOT JUST BECAUSE I'M ELECTED, YOU WON'T HIDE, I'M NOT GOING TO HIDE.

I'M GOING TO ACTUALLY FOCUS ON POTHOLES, STOP FINES, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND THE ISSUES GERMANE TO CITY COUNCIL.

I'M GOING TO EXPAND SIDEWALK COVERAGE IS ANOTHER THING, AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO GO TO MY WEB SITE AT WWW.RALPHLONGIII.COM OR CALL ME TO HEAR MY IDEAS 760-612-2130, THANK YOU.

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO REMIND VOTERS ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 2nd.

EARLY VOTING HAS ALREADY BEGUN.

OUR THANKS TO THE CANDIDATES AND TO OUR PANEL OF JOURNALISTS.

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR ARRANGING TODAY'S DEBATE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB AND ALL OF THE DEBATES THEY WILL HOST THIS ELECTION SEASON, VISIT ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG.

I'M JIM BURRESS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB LOUDERMILK-YOUNG DEBATE SERIES.

♪♪