>>> HELLO, I AM LISA RAY, HOST OF MORNING EDITION ON W AVE, WELCOME TO THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB LOUDERMILK YOUNG DEBATE SERIES.

THIS IS THE DEBATE FOR CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR DeKALB COUNTY CDL.

LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES.

THEY ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

STEVE BRADSHAW IS THE DeKALB COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPRESENTING DISTRICT FORMAT.

LARRY JOHNSON IS THE DeKALB COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPRESENTING DISTRICT 3.

AND LORRAINE COCHRAN JOHNSON IS REPRESENTING DISTRICT 2.

LET'S MEET OUR PANELISTS.

KATHY COBBS COVERS ATLANTA FOR ROUGH DRAFT ATLANTA.

DAN IS THE HUNTER FOR THE CATERERS.

FOR COMPLETE RULES THIS PROGRAM PLEASE VISIT ATLANTA PRESS CLUB WEBSITE, ATLANTA PRESS CLUB.ORG.

TO START THE DEBATE, EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE ASKED ONE QUESTION BY A SPECIFIC PANELIST.

PANELISTS HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

DAN, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION TO LARRY JOHNSON.

>> THANK YOU .

COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, DO YOU THINK LOCAL MONEY SHOULD BE SENT SPENT TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN DeKALB COUNTY?

>> YES.

THANK YOU TO ATLANTA PRESS CLUB.

WE SHOULD BUT IT ALSO MEANS WE HAVE TO HAVE THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

THE FUNDING COMES TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH HUD AND THE WORK TO THE STATES SET UP A SUBSIDY.

DeKALB COUNTY NEEDS TO BE A COUNTY WHO WORKS WITH TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE HOUSING.

I WAS THE FIRST WANT TO PASS A WORKFORCE HOUSING ORDINANCE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA IN OUR COUNTY WHERE FIREFIGHTERS, TEACHERS, AND POLICE HAVE A PLACE TO GO AND WE BUILT IT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO DO IT.

WE ALL NEED TO COLLABORATE AND BE PART OF THIS TABLE BECAUSE HOUSING IS A RIGHT.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO HAVE.

I THINK THE COUNTY AS A CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, I WOULD BE THE ONE LEADING THE CHARGE TO BRING THESE PARTNERSHIPS TOGETHER.

WE DON'T NEED TO PUT ALL OF THE BURDEN ON DeKALB COUNTY TAXPAYERS THAT WE NEED TO WORK WITH OUR FEDERAL AND STATE PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS HAPPENING AND DONE IN DeKALB.

>> THANK YOU.

AS THE QUESTION TO MR. BRADSHAW.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT DeKALB COUNTY IS UNDERSERVED.

THE CEO, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS PRIORITIES FOR BRINGING ELEMENTS DO YOU SEE IN NORTH AND CENTRAL TO CATHETER MISSING IN SOUTH DeKALB?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY.

THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO DO IS REORIENT FROM NORTH DeKALB AND SOUTH DeKALB.

THEY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DRIVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALL OVER DeKALB COUNTY.

THE PROBLEM IS, UP UNTIL NOW THEY HAVE BEEN PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON NORTH DeKALB COUNTY.

THEY NEED TO BE REORIENTED.

I WILL APPLY TO LEVERAGES TO INCREASE THAT.

NUMBER ONE IS THE FUNDING, THE ANNUAL FUNDING THAT DeKALB COUNTY APPLIES TO DeKALB.

IT STARTED WHEN I FIRST TOOK OFFICE AT $750,000 A YEAR, NOW IT IS $1,750,000 A YEAR.

I INTEND TO TAKE IT TO $3 MILLION A YEAR WITHIN TWO BUDGET CYCLES.

THE SECOND LEVERAGE POINT IS THE BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

THOSE BOARD APPOINTMENTS ARE CO APPOINTMENTS.

COMMISSION, BUT ANYBODY SITTING ACROSS FROM ME WILL HAVE TO CONVINCE ME THEY WILL BE ORIENTED ON SOUTH DeKALB AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU.

WE GO TO DAN TO ASK A QUESTION TO LORRAINE COCHRAN JOHNSON.

>> LORRAINE COCHRAN JOHNSON I LIVE ON A STREET THAT HAS SEEN TWO WATER MAIN BREAKS THIS YEAR.

IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

I WANT TO ASK YOU IF YOU WERE ELECTED AS CEO, WHAT WILL YOU DO TO NOT ONLY IMPROVE DeKALB COUNTY WATERSHED IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS AROUND DeKALB COUNTY WATERSHED?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

I'VE HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING AS PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE'S CHAIR FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.

AS A RESULT OF THAT, WE HAVE INVESTED ONE $.4 MILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

FOR OVER FOUR DECADES WE DID NOT HAVE A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.

SO CONSEQUENTLY WE HAVE HAD TO WORK VERY HARD TO REMEDIATE, EXPAND AND ENLARGE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS YOU WILL SEE THERE WILL BE A HUGE TURNAROUND AND DeKALB IS ON TRACK TO MATERIALIZE GREAT RETURNS IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

MY COMMITMENT WILL BE TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND UPON WHAT WE HAVE BEGUN.

MANY MAY KNOW THAT WE ARE ALREADY UNDER A CONSENT DECREE THAT REQUIRES US TO TAKE SPECIFIC ACTION.

I WILL CONTAIN CONTINUE WITH WATER STRUCTURE, FINANCE AND LOANS AS WELL AS GEORGIA ENVIRONMENTAL ACT LOANS THAT WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT IS ALREADY BEGUN AND WE ALSO NOW HAVE A VERY DETAILED PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF WHICH WE HAVE NOT HAD.

OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE ONGOING.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST ROUND.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW ASK A QUESTION TO EACH OTHER.

THE CANDIDATES WHO ASK A QUESTION WILL ALSO HAVE 30 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL.

YOU MAY POSE YOUR QUESTION OF YOUR OPPONENTS.

LORRAINE COCHRAN-JOHNSON, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION IS ONE OF YOUR OPPONENTS.

>> YES.

MY FIRST QUESTION WILL BE TO COMMISSIONER STEVE BRADSHAW.

IT FOCUSES AROUND A RECENT ETHICS COMPLAINT THAT WAS FILED, AND IN THIS PARTICULAR COMPLAINT IT FOCUSES AROUND A PROPERTY AT 4549 ERSKINE ROAD THAT IS ADJACENT TO HIS PROPERTY.

THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY CAME BEFORE THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND AS A SITTING DISTRICT COMMISSIONER HE VOTED THE PROPERTY DOWN.

HOWEVER, UPON REVIEW, HE HAD BEEN WARNED BY THE ETHICS WARD THAT HE HAD BOTH A REAL AND PERCEIVED INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY BECAUSE IT ABUTTED HIS HOME.

I'D LIKE TO KNOW FROM HIM WHAT HE WILL DO IN THE FUTURE, OR HOW CAN WE TRUST HIM TO BE ETHICAL WHEN HE HAS FAILED TO DO SO PREVIOUSLY?

>> WELL ACTUALLY, THAT'S NOT TRUE.

BEFORE THAT CAME TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR A DISSOCIATION, I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE ETHICS DIRECTOR FOR A RULING ON THAT, AND SHE TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY NATURAL INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY, IT WASN'T A PROBLEM FOR ME TAKING ACTION.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THOSE FACTS CAME FROM, I WILL CALL THEM FACTS BECAUSE THAT IS INACCURATE IN TERMS OF WHAT TRANSPIRED.

>> DO YOU HAVE A REBUTTAL?

>> I DO.

I AM ACTUALLY HOLDING THE DOCUMENTS AND IT SHOWS THAT YOU OWN THE PROPERTY DIRECTLY ADJACENT.

AND NONE OF THE DISCLOSURES OR DISCUSSIONS WITH EITHER THE ETHICS BOARD NOR OUR LAW DEPARTMENT DID YOU DISCLOSE THAT OWNERSHIP.

YOU ONLY REFERRED TO YOURSELF AS A RESIDENT, AND WHEN YOUR WIFE WROTE LETTERS DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL, SHE FAILED TO DISCLOSE YOUR OWNERSHIP AS WELL.

>> NOT TRUE.

>> MOVING ON.

LARRY JOHNSON, IT IS YOUR TURN >> THIS QUESTION IS TO COMMISSIONER BRADSHAW.

WHEN I FIRST JOINED THE BOARD IN 2003, THE NEW SERVICES WAS IN DISARRAY.

I VOTED A TIE-BREAKING VOTE TO BRING WALKERS INTO OUR AREA AND THAT WAS THE FIRST COMMISSION TO GET IN ON THAT ROAD.

YOU HAVE BEEN A CHAMPION FOR SENIORS IN THE EAST CENTRAL DeKALB SENIOR CENTER TO TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO HAVE, A SENIOR CENTER AND WORKING WITH FOLKS ON THE BOARD, YOU WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT AREA HAD SERVICES FOR OUR SENIORS THAT WE BOTH CHAMPION.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON.

WHEN I FIRST TOOK OFFICE, THERE WAS A REPORT THAT WAS HANDED TO ME REGARDING THE DISTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CENTERS THROUGHOUT DeKALB COUNTY, AND THERE WAS A GAPING HOLE WHERE MY DISTRICT WAS.

I WENT ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF CHANGING AND REVERSING THAT SITUATION.

WE TRIED TO GET GENERAL FUND ALLOCATION, THAT WAS TURNED DOWN.

WE DID NOT STOP, WE KEPT PLOWING THROUGH.

WE WOUND UP FUNDING THE SENIOR CENTER FROM HUD, AND HUD SECTION 108 LOAN, I TOOK $300,000 OUT OF MY DISCRETIONARY BUDGET.

THE SENIOR CENTER AND COMMUNITY CENTER IS EQUIPPED WITH A SWIMMING POOL WHICH I DON'T MIND SHARING WITH YOU ALL WAS QUITE A FIGHT AMONGST MY COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

BUT I THINK COMMISSIONER LARRY JOHNSON FOR BEING ONE OF THE FOLKS THAT STOOD WITH ME ON THAT MOMENTOUS DAY.

WE TOOK THAT VOTE, THE COMMUNITY CENTER IS OPEN.

WHENEVER I AM THERE, THE SENIORS IN THE COMMUNITY TELL ME HOW MUCH THEY LOVE IT AND HOW GRATEFUL THEY ARE TO ME FOR FIGHTING FOR THAT RESOURCE.

>> MR. JOHNSON, ANYTHING TO ADD TO THAT?

>> NO MA'AM.

>> MOVING ON, STEVE BRADSHAW, PLEASE ASK YOUR QUESTION.

>> YES, THANK YOU.

MY QUESTION IS FOR COMMISSIONER LORRAINE COCHRAN-JOHNSON.

COMMISSIONER, YOU HAVE BEEN PROMOTING YOURSELF AS A CANDIDATE OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, YET, DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHILE OTHER DeKALB COUNTY BUSINESSES WERE IN NEED, YOU TOOK COVID RELIEF FUNDS FROM THE CITY OF STONECREST FOR YOUR FAILED RESTAURANT.

MY QUESTION IS, WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT MONEY?

>> LET ME BE VERY CLEAR WITH EVERYONE THAT'S WASHING, AND I'M SO THANKFUL THAT YOU HAVE FINALLY TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THE QUESTION RATHER THAN DISCUSS IT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

I WAS NOT THE OWNER OF ANNIE'S CRAB KINGDOM.

IF ANYONE CARES TO CHECK WITH OUR SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, AND HE IS MY BELOVED AUNT.

OF COURSE, MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY IN 2008 AND SHE IS VERY MUCH LIKE A PARENT TO ME.

I ASSIST HER IN ANYTHING SHE DOES.

THOSE MONIES THAT SHE APPLIED FOR WERE RECEIVED AND UTILIZED ACCORDING TO THE GUIDELINES ASSOCIATED WITH THE FEDERAL DISTRIBUTION.

TO QUESTION AS TO HOW THEY WERE USED BY HER RESTAURANT, BECAUSE THERE IS NO REASON TO QUESTION OR DOUBT THE USE OF THOSE FUNDS.

I WOULD ASK ANYONE, IF THEY HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, TO REVIEW THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

BEFORE ONE MAKES ALLEGATIONS, MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.

>> MR. BRADSHAW, DO YOU HAVE A REBUTTAL?

>> GROWING UP, I WAS TAUGHT TO BELIEVE THAT LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT SELF-SACRIFICE, WHILE OTHERS WERE IN NEED, YOU STOOD IN LINE 1st.

TO ME, THAT'S NOT RIGHT AND THAT'S NOT LEADERSHIP.

>> COCHRAN-JOHNSON, DO YOU HAVE A REBUTTAL?

>> I NEVER STOOD IN MIND OBVIOUSLY.

COMMISSIONER BRADSHAW DOES NOT HEAR WELL.

THE RESTAURANT IS ACTUALLY OWNED BY MY AUNT AND EVERYTHING THAT SHE HAS DONE HAS BEEN LEGAL AND ABOVE BOARD.

THERE IS NO CAUSE OR REASON FOR ANYONE TO QUESTION HER ACTIONS OR THE ALLOCATION OF THE FUNDS.

SHE IS A TAX REPORTING CITIZEN.

SHE WAS A RESIDENT OF STONECREST AND OWNED A BUSINESS THERE AND HAD EVERY RIGHT TO RECEIVE FUNDS BECAUSE ME BEING A COUNTY COMMISSIONER DID NOT PROHIBIT HER FROM APPLYING AND RECEIVING MONIES.

SHE WAS AT THAT TIME A LEGAL RESIDENT OF THE COUNTY AS WELL AS A BUSINESS OWNER.

>> AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR SECOND ROUND.

YOU ARE WATCHING THE DEBATE FOR DeKALB COUNTY CEO.

WE WILL NOW GO BACK TO THE PANEL TO ASK QUESTIONS TO THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE UNTIL WE RUN OUT OF TIME.

AS A POINT OF MODERATOR PRIVILEGE, I MAY ALSO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES.

I WILL DETERMINE WHEN A REBUTTAL IS APPROPRIATE.

CATHY COBB, YOU GOT THE FIRST QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.

>> THANK YOU.

MY QUESTION IS FOR MS. COCHRAN- JOHNSON.

IN TERMS OF EXPERIENCE ON THE DeKALB COUNTY COMMISSION, YOU ARE A RELATIVE NEWCOMER COMPARED TO YOUR OPPONENTS.

WHILE SOME MAY SEE THAT AS A REASON, HOW DO YOU POSITION YOURSELF AS THE BEST CHOICE FOR THE CEO JOB?

>> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION.

ALTHOUGH I AM THE JUNIOR MEMBER OF THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING THE POSITION OF CEO, I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT MY WORK DEMONSTRATES IT FAR HIGHER CAPACITY THAN OTHERS.

TIME IS NOT REQUIRED TO PRODUCE.

SINCE BEING ELECTED AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, IN MY COMMITTEE, THROUGH MANDATORY AUDIT, THE REVIEW OF CONTRACTS , OVER $3 MILLION THAT HAS RESULTED IN OVER $92 MILLION IN SAVINGS TO DeKALB COUNTY TAXPAYERS.

I HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ALLOCATED MORE THAN ONE $.4 BILLION IN FUNDING TOWARDS INFRASTRUCTURE.

BEYOND THAT, I HAVE CREATED 91 NEW HOMEOWNERS AS A RESULT OF BRINGING OPERATION HOPE TO DeKALB COUNTY AND WE HAVE AWARDED MORE THAN $22 MILLION IN DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND HOME LOANS.

GROUNDBREAKING LEGISLATION, INCLUDING OUR RADIO SYSTEM LEGISLATION THAT ADDRESSES AND REQUIRES MANDATORY VIDEO SURVEILLANCE FOR GAS AND SERVICE STATIONS.

I AM THE COMMISSIONER WHO WROTE THE BOX STORE ORDINANCE.

I HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF PRODUCING.

AND THAT'S WHAT DeKALB COUNTY NEEDS.

>> DAN WHISENHUNT, IT IS YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION.

>> COMMISSIONER BRADSHAW, 911 RESPONSE TIMES HAVE BEEN A POINT OF CONVERSATION RECENTLY.

THERE WAS RECENTLY A LENGTHY STORY WRITTEN ABOUT THAT.

IF YOU WERE ELECTED CEO, WHAT WILL YOU DO TO IMPROVE 911 AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES IN DeKALB COUNTY?

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE ALREADY .

THE FIRST THING IS WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO ENFORCE THE NONCOMPLIANCE FINES THAT AMR IS REQUIRED TO EXECUTE.

THEN WE HAVE APPROPRIATED ONE $.3 MILLION TO PURCHASE SEVEN NEW AMBULANCES AND IMPROVE COUNTYWIDE RESPONSE TIMES.

WE ARE APPROPRIATING TO $.2 MILLION INTO SPECIAL SALES TAX TO PRODUCE MORE REVENUE TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IT REQUIRES LEADERSHIP AND FOCUS.

I'VE GOT GOOD INTERFACE WITH THE MAYORS IN THE CITIES THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AND WE WILL WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO MAKE SURE THE 911 PROCESS IS ADDRESSED.

>> EARLIER WE HEARD COMMISSIONERS BRADSHAW AND JOHNSON HELPING THE SENIORS IN DeKALB COUNTY WHICH IS VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO BOTH OF THEM.

COMMISSIONER COCHRAN-JOHNSON, HOW WILL YOU HELP THE SENIORS OF DeKALB COUNTY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

>> YES.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS SOMETHING THAT IS , SHALL I SAY, PROBLEMATIC AT THIS POINT?

BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE AS ELECTRIC OFFICIALS MUST ADDRESS.

ONE OF THE ISSUES OUR SENIORS PROPERTY TAXES.

FOR MANY WATCHING, YOU MAY KNOW THAT 51% OF PROPERTIES SOLD SOUTH OF MEMORIAL DRIVE ARE NOT SOLD TO INDIVIDUALS, BUT LLCS, WALL STREET, AND PRIVATE INVESTORS.

CONSEQUENTLY, THIS HAS AN EFFECT ON OUR SENIORS.

SO, AS YOUR CEO, YOU CAN TRUST ME TO FIGHT UNDER THE GOLD DOME TO REPEAL THE LEGISLATION THAT CURRENTLY PROHIBITS BOTH RENTAL RATE CAPS AS WELL AS RENTAL REGISTRIES.

I WANT TO KNOW WHERE THOSE PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED IN OUR COMMUNITY, SO I CAN ASSURE THERE IS NO AFFECTS ON TAXATION FOR OUR SENIORS.

ALSO, I WILL EXPAND SENIOR HOUSING AS YOUR CEO.

YOU CAN DEPEND ON ME TO ISSUE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS BECAUSE IN ORDER TO COMBAT THE ISSUES WE ARE SEEING, WE WILL NEED TO BE STRATEGIC IN BRINGING DEVELOPERS TO THE TABLE SO WE ARE ABLE TO CREATE MUCH-NEEDED VALUABLE SENIOR COMPROMISE THE POSITION OF OUR SENIORS WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO MOVE OUTSIDE THEIR COMMUNITIES OR DUE TO SENSITIVE INCOMES.

>> THANK YOU.

KATHY, YOU HAVE THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> MY NEXT QUESTION IS FOR MR. JOHNSON.

AS YOU THINK ABOUT THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF YOUR PREDECESSOR DURING HIS YEARS AS CEO, WHAT WOULD YOU CONTINUE AND HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THE PERCEIVED WEAKNESSES?

>> I THINK OUR CEO MICHAEL THURMOND IS AMAZING, ONE OF THE THINGS I ADMIRE IS HOW HE BROUGHT THE SEWER TO THE SIX FLOOR AND HIS OFFICE, HE GAVE IT PRIORITY AND MADE IT A CABINET LEVEL OPPORTUNITY.

I WOULD DO THE SAME THING IN TERMS OF HAVING AN OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

OUR WORK WITH THE CDC, AND OUR WORK WITH THE CDC AS WELL AS THE LOCAL HOAs, SERVICE UPLIFT AND CONNECT THE DOTS TO MAKE THOSE THINGS HAPPEN.

THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK I LEARNED FROM HIM THAT WOULD BE A PRIORITY TO MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE PEOPLE FIRST AND YOU CONNECT THE UNCONNECTED AND SERVE THE UNDERSERVED.

I WILL MAKE THAT A STRONG PRIORITY AS WELL AS MAKING SURE I STAY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY BY HAVING THE TOWN HALL MEETINGS.

I WILL CONTINUE TO CONNECT AND BRING OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS OUT TO THE STREETS TO MAKE SURE THE SERVICE DELIVERY IS ON PAR.

>> DAN, YOU HAVE THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> COMMISSIONER LORRAINE COCHRAN-JOHNSON, IF YOU ARE ELECTED CEO WILL BE YOUR APPROACH TO RECYCLING AND SERVICES IN DeKALB COUNTY?

FROM ME AS YOUR CEO TO ENSURE THE SERVICE IS RENDERED.

YOU MAY BE FULLY AWARE THAT DURING THE COURSE OF THE PAST 30 DAYS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FOR WELL OVER A YEAR , IN DeKALB COUNTY WE HAVE COMMINGLED OUR SANITATION AND OUR RECYCLING DUE TO A SHORTAGE IN OUR SANITATION DEPARTMENT OF WORKERS.

AS YOUR CEO YOU CAN DEPEND ON ME TO HIRE THE NECESSARY WORKERS TO DELIVER THE SERVICE AND NOT ACT IN A COVERT MANNER.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE THAT WE, AS ELECTED OFFICIALS OPERATE OUR DEPARTMENTS WITH INTEGRITY.

DESPITE RECEIVING OUR NUMEROUS CALLS AND EMAILS FROM RESIDENTS, WE WERE TOLD THAT WE DID NOT SEE WHAT WE SAW.

AFTER I CALLED FOR AN AUDIT, IT WAS DETERMINED WE HAVE CO- MINGLED THOSE ITEMS.

I WANT TO AS CEO, LOOK FOR EXPANDED WAYS TO UTILIZE OUR RECYCLING MATERIALS.

THERE ARE SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND I'M VERY EXCITED TO KNOW THAT WE ARE ALSO BRINGING ONLINE A CENTER TO RECYCLE HARD MATERIALS THAT CAN UTILIZE THEM.

>> COMMISSIONER BRADSHAW, WHAT HOW YOU FIX IT?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BROKEN IS OUR SERVICE DELIVERY.

OUR SERVICE DELIVERY IS NOT GOOD.

THE REASON I KNOW THAT IS BECAUSE I HAVE A PERSON IN MY OFFICE WHO HANDLES CONSTITUENT SERVICE ISSUES.

THAT IS MY PRIMARY JOB.

I WILL BET YOU 80 TO 90% OF THE CALLS THAT COME INTO MY OFFICE WHO ARE DEALING WITH CALLS FROM CONSTITUENTS WERE TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED FROM THE DEPARTMENTS AND FAILED TO GET THE SATISFACTION THAT THEY NEEDED.

THEN THEY TURNED TO THEIR COMMISSIONER FOR HELP TO GET THAT RESOLVED.

I AM HAPPY TO DO, BUT IT SHOULDN'T TAKE THAT.

I AM GOING TO EMBARK UPON A MASSIVE PROGRAM RETRAINING ARE FOLKS IN THE WAYS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE.

SO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING FOR THIS GOVERNMENT, WHEN THEY INTERFACE WITH THIS GOVERNMENT IT IS PROFESSIONAL, IT IS HELPFUL, IT IS TIMELY.

AND PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEIR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AT THAN AT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER LEVEL.

YOU AND KATHY, YOU HAVE THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> THIS QUESTION IS FOR MR. BRADSHAW.

AS YOU LOOK AT OTHER COUNTIES SURROUNDING DeKALB, THEIR SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES, ARE THERE ANY INITIATIVES YOU WOULD LIKE TO DUPLICATE TO MAKE DeKALB COUNTY A MORE DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY?

>> MY FRIEND, CHAIRWOMAN NICOLE LOVE HENDERSON WHO IS AN ENDORSER OF ME AS A SIDE NOTE HAS A REGULAR MEETING, A VERY INFORMAL MEETING ON A MONTHLY BASIS, BUT ALL OF THE FOLKS IN HER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OR ECONOMIC FACING ENTITIES.

IN DeKALB COUNTY WE WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT THE CHAMBER, THE CID HEADS, JUST BRINGING THE FOLKS AROUND ON A REGULAR BASIS TO TALK ABOUT, STRATEGIZE ABOUT AND WORK TOWARDS AN ELEMENT THROUGHOUT DeKALB COUNTY.

I THINK THAT IS A GREAT MODEL.

I AM FULLY CAPABLE OF AWARE AND HAPPY TO TAKE GOOD IDEAS WHEN THEY COME FROM OTHER PLACES.

THAT IS AN IDEA I WILL FULLY EMBRACE AND EXECUTE HERE IN DeKALB COUNTY.

>> THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTIONS.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

STEVE BAD STEVE BRADSHAW YOU GET THE CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

MY NAME IS STEVE BRADSHAW AND I'M RUNNING TO BE THE NEXT CEO OF DeKALB COUNTY.

I AM A SOLDIER, CORPORATE SALES EXECUTIVE, AN ADJUNCT COLLEGE PROFESSOR, COUNTY COMMISSIONER, HUSBAND, FRIEND, AND ALL-AROUND GOOD GUY.

I DO NOT SEEK THIS OFFICE FOR MYSELF.

I AM SEEKING THIS OFFICE BECAUSE I LOVE DeKALB COUNTY.

I WANT TO SEE US PROSPER GOING FORWARD.

I AM ALSO SEEKING THIS OFFICE IN RESPONSE TO ALL THE NORTH DeKALB, CENTRAL DeKALB, AND SOUTH DeKALB WHO HAVE ASKED ME TO SEEK THIS OFFICE.

THEY LOVE DeKALB COUNTY AS I DO, THEY HAVE OBSERVED THE WAY I HAVE CONDUCTED MYSELF IN OFFICE FOR THE LAST 7 1/2 YEARS AND HAVE MADE THE DECISION THAT MY BRAND OF LEADERSHIP IS WHAT WE NEED AT THE NEXT LEVEL IN DeKALB COUNTY.

SO I STAND READY, WILLING, AND ABLE TO WAKE UP EVERY DAY WORKING TO MAKE DeKALB SAFER, CLEANER, WITNESS FRIENDLY, AND MORE INCLUSIVE.

MY ASK TODAY IS THAT YOU VOTE FOR ME AND THAT YOU BELIEVE IN STEVE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN YOU.

I THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LARRY JOHNSON, PLEASE GIVE YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> DeKALB COUNTY, YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF EARLY VOTING.

WE MADE A PATH AND WALKED IT TOGETHER.

THE PATH IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE GREAT HOUSING AND WE JUST DON'T PUT OURSELVES IN THE COUNTY JAIL FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

THAT IS NOT THE PLACE FOR THEM.

WE WILL HAVE THE BEST TRAINED , BEST EQUIPPED POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WE LOCK UP VIOLENT CRIMINALS, BUT WE ALSO TAKE CARE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, CREATE LIFE SKILLS, CREATE THE TYPE OF PROGRAM THEY NEED TO HAVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE MADE A DIFFERENCE.

WE HAVE A PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, $15 MILLION.

WE PUT SIDEWALKS AND AS A TIE- BREAKING VOTE TO BRING THOSE THINGS TO SOUTH DeKALB AND CENTRAL DeKALB.

YOUR CEO LARRY JOHNSON WILL BE ON THE STREETS TO CONNECT TO THE UNCONNECTED AND SERVE THE UNDERSERVED.

LJ FOR A CEO.COM.

I NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR PRAYERS.

YOU HAVE DONE IT SIX TIMES, I HAVE BEEN ELECTED SIX TIMES AS YOUR PRESIDING OFFICER.

I AM GOING TO BRING INTRAGENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP TO MAKE SURE DeKALB IS PROSPEROUS AND BUILDING BETTER, STRONGER, AND SAFER.

WE WILL DO IT TOGETHER UNITED.

THANK YOU.

>> LORRAINE COCHRAN-JOHNSON, IT IS YOUR TURN FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> YES.

I STAND BEFORE YOU AS THE JUNIOR MOST INDIVIDUAL SEAT OF DeKALB COUNTY CEO.

I CAME TO YOU IN 2018 UNDERFUNDED, UNLIKELY AND UNDERESTIMATED.

AT THAT TIME, I HAVE BEEN ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF DeKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA.

I HAVE CREATED LEGENDARY LEGISLATION THAT HAS GARNERED US NATIONAL ATTENTION IN BOTH THE NEW YORK TIMES AS WELL AS CBS SUNDAY MORNING.

WHEN I STOP THE PROLIFERATION OF DOLLAR STORES IN OUR COMMUNITIES WITH MY BOX STORE ORDINANCE.

WHEN AND WHERE I HAVE SEEN CORRUPTION, I HAVE ADDRESSED IT.

WHEN I WROTE OUR VENDORS BILL OF ETHICS, I PUT PEOPLE ON NOTICE WHO DO BUSINESS WITH DeKALB, THAT IF YOU DO BUSINESS IN DeKALB, YOU WILL DO GOOD BUSINESS.

SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE CREATED NEW HOMEOWNERS.

I HAVE ADDRESSED THE ISSUES AND I HAVE BEEN THE INDIVIDUAL WHO STANDS BEFORE YOU WITH SOLUTIONS.

AS A RESULT, I AM YOUR 2022 AND YOUR GEORGIA ACT CHAMPION OF THE YEAR FOR 2023.

VOTE LORRAINE FOR CHANGE.

>> THANK YOU CANDIDATES AND PANELISTS.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR PROGRAM.

WE WOULD LIKE TO REMIND VOTERS THAT EARLY VOTING BEGINS APRIL 29th.

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, MAY 21st.

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

WE'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB AND GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOR ARRANGING TODAY'S PROGRAMMING.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB DEBATES, VISIT ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.COM.

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