Decatur City Commissioner Candidates In Nov. 5 Election

DECATUR, GA — Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. for Decatur voters Tuesday, so there’s still some time left for those who are undecided to learn about candidates and make their selections. Races to watch in this 2019 election are the City Commissioners and Board of Education races, although the three school board candidates are all running unopposed. Patch sent a questionnaire for all of the county commissioner candidates. The ones who responded by deadline have been included. We will update the story as they respond.

Issues such as affordable housing, green space and transportation are just a few that commissioner candidates have promised to address if winning. Find you polling location online or call the election office at 229-243-2087.

Erin Braden

Erin Braden is running for the City Commissioner, District 1, Post B seat. She said one of her top priorities is expanding affordable housing.

PATCH: When it comes to affordable housing, what hasn't been done in Decatur that you would like to change?

EB: Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning, Tax Incentives, Impact Fees, Planning for Legacy Park, Utilization of the Decatur Housing Trust Fund and a Sustainable Senior Tax Exemption, to name a few.

One of my top campaign priorities is expanding affordable housing options, which is key to preserving our economic, racial and generational diversity. Decatur’s housing costs, whether for single or multi-family dwellings, have skyrocketed. There is no question that we need to bridge the housing gap, if we are to be the diverse, welcoming city to which we aspire. Building that bridge means stronger policies need to be enacted.

Housing policy options include mandatory inclusionary zoning to ensure that all new multi-family housing developments include affordable units, tax incentive to maintain existing affordable housing throughout the city and impact fees to help fund investments in long-term affordability as well as green space. Decatur has a Housing Trust Fund that can be expanded and utilized. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity with Legacy Park to structure an affordable housing plan that is viable. A sustainable senior tax exemption will allow those seniors most at risk to age in place. These efforts require strengthening partnerships with the state, county, the DHA, investors and non-profit and private housing developers.

We must be open to all new and forward thinking ideas. On the immediate horizon, my goal is to implement the soon to be presented recommendations of Decatur’s Affordable Housing Task Force.

PATCH: What's considered "affordable" varies depending on whom you ask. Can you elaborate on which families you would like to see benefit from expanding affordable housing and touch on why this is important to you?

EB: I want to live in a city where those who teach our children can afford to live, where those who serve us can call Decatur home and where our seniors can age in place. There is a crisis in affordability at every range under 100% of Area Median Income (AMI), which is about $79,000 for a family of four. The Decatur Housing Authority serves families up to 60% of AMI, but waiting lists are closed due to overwhelming demand. There is also a real shortage of affordable housing for low-income seniors. The Affordable Housing Taskforce will present recommendations on the income range we should target, which will likely include workforce housing for those in the 60%-80% range.

PATCH: What does you environmental plan for Decatur look like and how would it compare to other parts of the country?

EB: Strengthen Our Tree Ordinance, Require Environmental and Traffic Impact Studies and Fees, Encourage Alternate Means of Transportation, Develop Climate Action Plan.

I support the strengthening of our tree ordinances with stronger enforcement and higher penalties for violations. Decatur’s tree canopy is truly the soul of our city, and it is what sets us apart from many other urban core cities. I am overjoyed by the 22 acre permanent greenspace implemented at Legacy Park. I support increasing Decatur’s program to plant trees each year, and would like to expand that to encourage planting on private properties. We need to encourage the planting of long growth cycle trees indigenous to our geographic area.

In addition to protecting and growing Decatur’s green spaces, to be a sustainable community, we must find solutions to also address our carbon footprint, waste stream and stormwater run-off and stream buffers, use of single use plastics, and a host of issues affecting our environment. Environmental sustainability must be at the forefront of our planning, as we balance our desires with the needs of a healthy planet. As soon as legally possible, we need to require impact studies and impact fees with any new commercial development.

Decatur needs a Climate Action Plan. Cities are a huge contributor to climate change, and I support the City’s efforts at reducing our CO2 emissions in every way possible. We need more public education on the steps that we all can take to reduce our own CO2 emissions, and smart policies to encourage the use of alternate modes of transportation and sustainable practices throughout Decatur. I support the work of the Environmental Sustainability Board and the Active Living Board to encourage sustainable practices throughout our city, in transportation, building codes, energy use, waste management, and other arenas.

PATCH: What was the one thing that you witnessed or heard during your time in Decatur that motivated you to run for city commissioner?

EB: Over 16 years of participating in positive change in Decatur.

My decision to run for city commission is a natural evolution of my 16+ years of civic service to the Decatur community. There is some hard work ahead of us. Collaborative leadership is a sign of strength and the better avenue to create positive change. People in Decatur who have worked with me know that I bring a collaborative leadership style to all my work. I envision Decatur’s future as a model city leading the nation in thoughtful, balanced growth that preserves our green spaces and works to enhance Decatur’s character as an equitable, welcoming community.

PATCH: All candidates start out with brilliant ideas. Of the issues that you've highlighted in your platform, which do you feel confident that you could tackle first if you win, and why?

EB: Affordable Housing. No one person can solve any of these issues, we need to work together on creative solutions. As I explained in question #1, the crisis in affordable housing is one of my top priorities. By acting on the recommendations from the Housing Task Force, we have an opportunity to bring more affordable housing into Decatur. I am passionate about maintaining our city’s diversity and working to be inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. Expanding affordable housing options is an important part of sustaining that diversity.

There are many elements that go into creating and maintaining a vibrant community, which require balancing interdependent, often-competing concerns and priorities. As a commissioner I will focus on all of the issues we face. I look forward to the 2020 Strategic Planning Process, and to implementing our shared vision for Decatur.

George Dusenbury

George Dusenbury is running for the City Commissioner, District 1, Post B seat. He said one of his top priorities is pausing major new development and focusing closely on the city's transportation, green space and stormwater infrastructure.

PATCH: Which issue do you plan to address first if you win the seat? Why is this one a top priority?

GD: My first priority will be to push for a pause and plan. Pause major new development; plan for the transportation, greenspace and stormwater infrastructure needed to maintain the integrity of our residential neighborhoods and the quality of our school system.

Addressing development is my top priority because it is stressing our city’s infrastructure and impacting our quality of life. School enrollment has increased 44% since 2013. We have built 980 new apartments since 2015, and another 500 are under construction. Only 21 of these 1500 apartments are affordable housing. Traffic is a growing challenge - not only the congestion but the cut-through traffic in what were formerly peaceful neighborhoods. And we continue to lose precious tree canopy. It is time to pause and plan

A pause would allow the commission time to establish a task force that would study this issue and make recommendations, which should include mandatory inclusionary zoning (requiring major developments to include affordable housing). A pause also would allow for us to develop the traffic, parking, stormwater, pedestrian safety and greenspace infrastructure we need to accommodate any new growth.

PATCH: What was the one thing that you witnessed or heard during your time in Decatur that motivated you to run for city commissioner?

GD: I was motivated to run for city commissioner after witnessing all of the development in Decatur. Five years ago, before the development happened, I would walk across surface parking lots from our home to Kroger. I knew that 600 apartments were planned for my neighborhood, but did not see the parks or other infrastructure needed to serve those buildings – and the people who would live there. I began advocating for a downtown park to serve all those homes without yards, and ended up founding the Downtown Decatur Neighbors to advocate for a plan to address the traffic, parking, pedestrian safety and greenspace needs that large developments would bring.

While we had some success with parks, crosswalks and sidewalks, we were unsuccessful in getting the City to develop a master plan for accommodating the coming growth. Those 600 apartments have been built. So have another 370. More than 500 are under construction. And we still do not have a plan for providing the infrastructure needed to preserve and enhance our quality of life – or provide greater affordable housing options. Some talk about a strategic plan as though it were a master plan, but these are not at all the same things. We need a master plan now.

I am running for Commissioner to better advocate for these issues.

PATCH: In what ways do you believe your collective governmental experience has prepared you for this seat? What skills are you able to transfer into this position and how would you direct them to the issues?

GD: I have spent 25 years working on transportation, housing, environmental and sustainable development issues at the federal, state and local level. I ran Congressman John Lewis’s legislative department, as well as his Atlanta office. I led the City of Atlanta’s Parks Department, an agency approximately the same size as the City of Decatur government. I also have led three nonprofits – Park Pride, Journey Men’s Shelter and the Georgia Field Office of The Trust for Public Land.

My work for Congressman John Lewis provides a depth of policy experience and understanding of best practices on the challenges currently facing Decatur. As his District Director, I worked with local governments, non-profits, the state government and business leaders to implement transportation, housing and development solutions. As Parks Commissioner, I learned how government works, how to understand and develop a $30 million government budget, what government does well, and what government does not do well.

As a non-profit leader, I worked with governments, dozens of communities and civic leaders to develop sustainable solutions that improved neighborhoods. I worked in both the poorest and the most affluent communities in Atlanta, listened, collaborated and found common ground for improving public spaces and people’s lives. No current commissioner or candidate has similar professional experience or perspective.

I have not lived in Decatur nearly as long as Erin or anyone else who is on the commission, and I see that as an asset. I would bring a unique perspective to the commission, informed by working on relevant issues professionally in economically, racially and otherwise diverse communities across metro Atlanta. My experience defines who I am and would allow me to effectively engage in finding solutions to the challenges confronting Decatur.

PATCH: Affordable housing is one issue that's been discussed over and over again. How would you address it and what's the biggest difference between you and your opponent's solution?

GD: First, I believe that we have to have a discussion about what our goals are for affordable housing. Are we looking to keep seniors and the working class in their homes? Are we looking to create new affordable units? More senior housing? More housing for working class families – or the lowest income individuals? Unfortunately, Decatur is a relatively small city with limited financial resources and limited land for building new affordable housing – so we must identify the priorities in which we will invest.

Second, since the campaign began, I have advocated for mandatory inclusionary zoning (which requires large developments to include affordable housing) as one part of solving the affordable housing puzzle. Inclusionary zoning can target specific types of affordable housing, achieving policy goals. I was the first candidate to suggest inclusionary zoning (in my answers to the Decaturish questionnaire and during the Decaturish debate).

The reason that I first advocated for inclusionary zoning is that I have worked with affordable housing for many years – something else that distinguishes me from my opponent. Working on parks requires that you engage communities and make investments that improve people’s lives. This holistic approach incorporates other issues, like pedestrian safety, transportation – and affordable housing. This is an example of why I believe that, should I become a commissioner, my experience outside of Decatur would contribute to more thoughtful discussion and better decisions by the city.

PATCH: What's something unique about you that many people don't know?

GD: In high school, I co-founded and was co-president of the A-Team Fan Club (the popular, but cheesy 1980s TV show). We published three newsletters and hosted our meetings at a local pizzeria, attracting as many as 30 people on a Tuesday evening school night. I was, and continue to be, a geek.

Lesa Mayer

Lesa Mayer is running for the City Commissioner, District 2, Post B seat. She said her top two priorities are affordable housing and safe transit.

PATCH: What motivated you to run for office?

LM: I love Decatur and want it to remain the diverse, welcoming, thriving community that has been my home for the past 16 years. We are rapidly losing our diversity and many of the aspects of our city’s character that make it charming and unique. I am running to represent the neighbors who have felt detached from the decisions that are being made in the city. I intend to bridge the disconnect in the communication between the city and its residents, drive meaningful and productive conversation and push for changes through action that will preserve our diversity and encourage smart, common sense growth.

PATCH: As a mother, you have firsthand experience with the school system. What's working and what's not, and how would you help improve it?

LM: We have an outstanding school system with teachers, staff and Administrators who are passionate, talented and dedicated. I am grateful for their hard work and for the care that they provide our children every day. That being said, we still face challenges with some students- specifically some students of color and some students with special needs- not receiving the same quality of educational experience as other students. It is imperative that all students within our school system receive an equitable experience and that all of our students feel safe and valued. I am very optimistic that the two individuals being elected to the School Board this term, along with the one incumbent being reelected, will work closely with existing School Board members and our Superintendent to solution these issues. As Commissioner, and most importantly, as a parent of two children in the school system, I will continue to remain involved in supporting our schools and driving for continued improvement.

PATCH: How will your professional experience as a third party risk manager for a large financial institution serve you as commissioner?

LM: As a Third Party Risk Manager, I am responsible for oversight of certain vendor relationships within our bank. I help to assess the risk of potential services to be provided by these vendors to ensure that they are risks that we even want to take on. Once we move forward with a vendor relationship, I am responsible for helping to ensure that our vendors provide us with what they are supposed to provide, with the quality that we expect, within the timelines that we expect them and for the agreed upon cost. Reviewing contracts, contingency plans and billing, as well as implementing cost saving initiatives, is also an important part of my role as a Third Party Risk Manager. Accessing the risks, evaluating viable alternatives, reviewing contracts and understanding spend are all skills that will certainly be leveraged as Commissioner.

PATCH: Name two issues that you'd make priority and explain how you'd address them.

LM: The lack of Affordable Housing options in Decatur is an issue that requires bold, swift action. As development and growth continues in our city, we must preserve our diversity. This includes diversity of age, race, gender and ability. There should be residential options affordable to our teachers, our seniors, single parents who want to be able to keep their kids in the school system, individuals who work in the city and even young professionals who are looking for a place to live that is convenient to Marta and shopping. I will push for the adoption of mandatory Inclusionary Zoning and the use of all available tools that will make these options possible.

Safe transit for all residents and visitors to Decatur, whether you walk, bike or drive, is extremely important to me. Traffic has become a real problem in Decatur that must be addressed, while the need to develop and promote the use of alternative transit methods is more important than ever. Implementing smart growth practices, understanding the needs of commuters into, out of and around Decatur and implementing plans to provide safe and efficient routes for all of our commuters is a priority.

PATCH: What's something unique about you that many people don't know?

LM: I am music lover to my core. My close friends and family call me “the human jukebox.” I know a surprisingly extensive catalogue of songs, most of which are from the 70’s and 80’s.

Phillip Wiedower

Phillip Wiedower is running for the City Commissioner, District 2, Post B seat. He said affordable housing and "smart development" are the two biggest issues he seeks to address in Decatur.

PATCH: Can you recall the exact moment you knew you should and would run for office? What triggered it?

PW: Like many of my neighbors, I was surprised to hear Brian Smith was choosing not to run for a second term and wondered who would step up to take his place. I received a phone call while I was out on a Tuesday evening asking me to consider running. I indicated I would think about it, but I did not believe my family would support the idea. When I came home and discussed it with my family, everyone was in full support. Ultimately, my involvement with the community over the last 15 years as PTA President and the Safe Routes to school champion, participating in Decatur 101 and the Citizens Police Academy, and an active member of CAPS and the Zoning Board of Appeals provided the experience I believe is needed to serve as Commissioner.

PATCH: Name two issues that you'd make a priority and explain how you'd address them?

PW: First, I would like to see us take measurable action on affordable housing. Creating and maintaining affordable/workforce housing is an extremely complex issue, and there is not a single solution that will solve it. We need to look at multiple solutions, including mandatory inclusionary zoning and possibly revising some of our existing zoning ordinances, to create more opportunities to develop affordable housing options in our city.

Second, having smart growth in our city. We are not going to stop people from wanting to move to Decatur, and the town is going to continue to grow. However, we can control the type of development we have to ensure it is reflecting our community's values and culture. I will evaluate any new development or city project to understand the impact on our infrastructure, schools, and the environment.

PATCH: How will your professional experience prepare you to serve as a commissioner?

PW: I have spent my entire professional career in customer-facing roles such as Business Analyst, Account Manager, and currently lead the Project Management Office (PMO) for my company. In every position, it is incumbent that I listen to my client's needs and determine the best way to help them achieve their goals. I will take the same approach as City Commissioner by listening to the community as the city faces new challenges in the future.

PATCH: Why do you feel qualified to serve as a commissioner?

PW: I am qualified due to my professional experience and a long history of volunteering. My involvement with the community goes back nearly 15 years when my wife Tabitha began teaching at Glennwood Academy as a 5th-grade teacher. While our kids were attending College Heights, I served as PTA President and the Safe Routes to school champion. After moving to Decatur, I wanted to become more involved and therefore participated in Decatur 101 and the Citizens Police Academy. I continue to be an active member of CAPS, and I am currently serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

PATCH: What's something unique about you that many people don't know?

PW: My family and I love Disney World and visit whenever we can, and I am a huge fan of Science Fiction (movies and books).

Chris Gagnon

Chris Gagnon is running for the City Commissioner, At-large seat. One of his top priorities is addressing the city’s infrastructure.

PATCH: Why did you choose to run At-large?

CG: Our city commission has made some very controversial decisions over the past several years that has put it at odds with many of its residents. In just 18-months traffic has increased dramatically as the city shrinks our roads even as we add high density apartments, developers are scraping houses and trees to build $1.2M McMansions throughout the city and the commission purchased a large piece of land we couldn’t afford via deficit spending with no plan or money to develop that land without additional deficit spending. These projects happen rapidly with very little deference given to opposing views. Once the city makes a decision they stop listening and simply vote.

With 3 seats being contested, the 2019 election presents an opportunity to change the majority on our commission but only if all three races had change candidates running. I originally qualified for District 1. It became apparent by the third day of qualifying that District 1 and District 2 both had qualified change candidates, but nobody was running against the incumbent for the At-Large seat. My switch to the At-Large race was made to give our city an opportunity to choose three fresh voices.

PATCH: What are some of the biggest issues or concerns residents have about Decatur and how specifically do you plan to address them? Can any be solved in your first term if you win?

CG: Our city has ignored infrastructure maintenance in favor of large, dramatic, controversial projects. We have major stormwater drainage issues, terrible traffic and deteriorating sidewalks. My plan is to shift our policy priority back to infrastructure. These are projects we can afford and can make considerable improvement in a short period of time.

We have many other issues to address from affordable housing to a growing lack of diversity. These are incredibly important issues that will receive attention, but they are going to take time and participation from the government, private industry and private citizens to solve. We don’t have to tackle projects one at a time so we will make progress on all fronts, but the infrastructure issues can be solved and felt much more rapidly.

PATCH: As a father, how do you hope to connect with other families in the district?

CG: I have seven daughters; five of my own and two bonus daughters through marriage (I don’t personally care for the term step-daughter). I’ve been a father for nearly 25-years and have been involved in this community for 11 of those years. Decatur is a very family-friendly city and when you have kids your community radiates outward from your children’s schools. We still have three kids in our schools and are connected to families through the schools, athletics and extracurricular activities. I would hope my experiences as a local parent connects me with other families I haven’t met. I’m certainly happy to connect our experiences and share my unique view of the world.

PATCH: What do you believe sets you apart from your opponent?

CG: We have very different backgrounds and approaches to the At-Large seat. I believe the nature of this seat should provide a check and balance to our city government. This seat should not be afraid to walk against the current of the commission to assure that every voice was heard and every angle considered prior to a vote. This is not how our commission has been operating. My opponent has never voted ‘no’ on any proposal during his entire term of office. His record shows that he votes based on the will of the commission, regardless of the desires of his constituency.

I believe the At-Large seat should represent the will of the people, even if this slows down decisions. We do not elect a Mayor in Decatur so there is no other check and balance that we can rely on as citizens. This seat requires a majority vote from the entire city to be elected. The role should be taken more seriously and should not serve as a rubber stamp to a small group of city bosses.

PATCH: What's something unique about you that many people don't know?

CG: I’m a pretty open book so there aren’t many things I don’t put out there. I own five custom combat lightsabers, I’ve played drums since 4th grade, I played lead ukulele in the College Heights dad-band several years ago. My wife Marcel and I love costumes, we do DragonCon, watch football, race fast cars, fly helicopters, go to raves, heavy metal concerts and whatever else strikes our fancy on a slow Tuesday night. We’re just your average family with seven daughters and a desire to live as much as possible in our short time on this planet.

Tony Powers

Incumbent Tony Powers is running for re-election as the City Commissioner, District 1, Post B seat. One of his top priorities is addressing affordable housing.

PATCH: You've been serving since 2015. What's one resolved issue or area of improvement that you're most proud of?

TP: In 2015, one of the biggest issues in the city was tax relief for our senior citizens. I worked with our Dekalb delegation to get the senior exemption on the ballet for citizens of Decatur to approve. The City purchased the former United Children’s Methodist Home in 2017 and we have successfully annexed the property into the city, completed a comprehensive master plan for the property, and renamed it Legacy Park.

In 2108, the commission launched a nationwide search to replace our long term City manager who retired. After screening more than 100 applicants, we hired her former assistant and Decatur resident Andrea Arnold.

PATCH: If re-elected, what other issues will you address?

TP: I am proud to have helped create Decatur’s Affordable Housing Task Force. Lack of affordable housing is an issue that Decatur faces, as well as many other communities. We have an opportunity to take their recommendations and implement them into policy. This will hopefully provide small incremental solutions that work here in the city.

PATCH: Why do you want to run again?

TP: The last four years, I have worked on behalf of some wonderful people in the city. We have updated a number of long-term plans and laid a foundation for a beautiful 77-acre addition to the city. I have gotten to work with a professional and talented group of city administrators.
I have been constantly amazed at the care and dedication exhibited by our police and fire department and public works department. I built my professional career delivering a high level of customer service and I am proud of what our city departments do for our citizenry.

PATCH: What have you learned since your first time campaigning for this seat? Looking back on what you thought it would take to serve, and now four years later, are there any insights or lessons?

TP: There are incredible people in the City of Decatur who willingly provide their knowledge and expertise to a wide variety of appointed boards and commissions. The are a valuable resource as we tackle many issues in our community. I believe my biggest takeaway has been the amount of time serving the community away from City Hall. There’s more to being a commissioner than just the public meetings and ribbon cuttings. There are region wide initiatives, municipal organizations, other elected groups that we collaborate with and it can make juggling my full time job difficult. While I may often rely on city staff for information prior to meetings, I don’t have a personal staff.

PATCH: What's something unique about you that many people don't know?

TP: When I started at Intown Ace 35 years ago, I only planned on working over that summer.

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