John Eaves Ph.D., Chairman, Fulton County Board of Commissioners recently joined Lens on Atlanta and is among the first local politicians to participate here.
I met Commissioner Eaves about three years ago at a youth conference at Kennesaw State University, and interviewed him for a video podcast I created about the event.
We've managed to stay in touch over the years and he even hired me to work on a couple of video projects.
I want to thank Commissioner Eaves for anwering the following questions and look forward to future conversations on Lens on Atlanta.
AC - Please share how you decided to get involved in Fulton County politics, and what made you decide to run for Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners?
JE - Like many who enter politics, I did so out of a desire to serve. There are approximately 1 million people who live in Fulton County and millions more who visit, recreate and do business here. The opportunity to make this government better, to improve lives and to effect change spoke to me and was aligned with my career as an educator and my years as Regional Manager for the Peace Corps.
AC What causes are you passionate about and how are you working to affect change?
JE - Strengthening the relationship between Grady Hospital, the Fulton County Health Department, and other health care providers so that the health delivery system of Fulton County is made more efficient and better responds to the needs of our most vulnerable residents. I am also passionate about strengthening the public safety of residents by reducing the high the recidivism rates of ex-offenders.
AC - What accomplishment are you most proud of?
JE - I am most proud of leading the fight to change the governance structure of Grady Hospital as well as being a champion of MARTA with the extension of the 12th Amendment of the MARTA Act.
AC - What are some of the biggest challenges your constituents are facing?
JE - We are facing the same big three as many nationwide: A weak economy, foreclosures and public safety. Despite these conditions, I believe we are long on hope because Georgia has a history of innovation. We have international centers of learning and research right here. We have nationally recognized museums right here. We have pieces to rebuild; we just have to put them together.
AC - If someone wants to get involved in local politics what would you suggest?
JE - Volunteer. As a volunteer you learn about working for a cause greater than you, how to work together and about service. Those are all components of working in local politics.
AC - Is there anything that you'd like to add?
JE - My service as Chairman is guided by the conviction that we must create a better Fulton County for all that live, work and play here. Fulton is large and there is room to be more efficient, effective and transparent. I am committed to these principles and look forward to partnering with my fellow Commissioners and our municipal governments to continually improve all of Fulton.
You can visit Commissioner John Eaves' Ph.D. profile here.
The 18-member Transition Team is co-chaired by former Atlanta City Council President Lisa Borders and Attorney Lawrence Ashe, the Chairman and a partner with Ashe Rafuse & Hill.
Borders and Ashe worked with Reed to develop a team that represents the diversity of Atlanta from gender to geography and a mixture of experiences and backgrounds. The members include an array of constituencies, interests and skill sets.
"It is vital that all of Atlanta be represented, as we build our city teams and find the right departmental leaders. I chose Transition Team members who I trust will have the best interests of Atlanta as a central guiding principle when they make recommendations to me. I am focused on moving Atlanta toward prosperity and progress," Reed said.
The Reed Administration Transition Team includes: Ashe, Borders, Henrietta Antoinin, Claire "Yum" Arnold, Stephanie Blank, Charlie Fleming, Sonya Halpern, Charles Huddleston, Phil Kent, Lt. M. Scott Kreher, Rafael Maldonado, Elisabeth Omilami, State Senator Nan Orrock, Alicia Philipp, Tara Perry, Yvonne Robinson, Beth Schapiro, and Lani Wong.
"Lawrence and I are privileged to work with such a thoughtful, committed and experienced group. The people selected link communities across the city, and their expertise spans the issues we will face. I am particularly encouraged to see that Mayor Reed has engaged so many women to participate in this transition," Borders said.
Reed also announced the members of two key search committees charged with interviewing and making recommendations on the city's new police and fire chiefs.
The Atlanta Police Department Chief Search Committee will be chaired by Georgia State University Police Chief Connie Sampson, who will serve with Rev. Joanna Adams, Lou Arcangeli, Rosel Fann, Rev. Walter Kimbrough, Lt. Scott Kreher, Robin Loudermilk, Kyle Keyser, Tiffany Williams, Philip Rafshoon, Irene Richardson, Earl Williamson and Dave Wilkinson.
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Search Committee will be chaired by Cobb County Chief Sam Heaton, who will serve with East Point Deputy Chief William Ware, David Allman, Professor Bahareh Azizi, Marcia Bansley, Johnny Dixon, Vonda Henry, Charles Johnson, former State DHR Commissioner Jim Martin, Helene Mills, Hon. Mary Norwood, and Ken Prince.
"We've worked hard to find folks who have not only a clear concern for our community, but also a real desire to ensure the city's success. We are ready now to get to work and assist Mayor Reed in finding the best and brightest to help run our city," said Ashe.
I had the opportunity to attend the inauguration ceremony for Atlanta's new Mayor Kasim Reed.
Though I planned to video some of the event, I found that the quality of my trusted cell phone wasn't good enough from where I was sitting.
A packed crowed filled the Atlanta Civic Center to first listen to the soulful sounds of the Howard University Choir. I used Twitter to share what I saw and heard.
The swearing in ceremony included newly elected municipal judges, Atlanta City Council members, City Council President Caesar Mitchell followed by Kasim Reed.
Click here to read the full transcript of his inaugural speech.
Reed pledged to get right to work, and afterwards spoke about the key issues at the monthly Kiwanis Club of Atlanta meeting where he made his State of the City Address.
Meanwhile, City Council President Caesar Mitchell went right to work as reported by Maria Saporta.
When I moved to Atlanta in 2006, Shirley Franklin has just been elected so this will be my first experience with a new city administration.
The key issues facing the city are: finances; water; education; crime; and transportation. I currently don't live in the city, but all eyes tend to focus on the Atlanta since it's the capital, and the main economic engine for the state.
I just ran across a great post from Tom Crawford who shares a historical perspective about the significance of the Atlanta run-off election for Mayor between Kasim Reed and Mary Norwood.
from Blog from Democracy
Atlanta made history in 1973 when Maynard Jackson was elected the first black mayor of a major southern city. The majority black populace has elected black mayors ever since, although the changing demographics have made it possible for a white candidate like Norwood to have a realistic shot at winning.
Some of the metro area's favorite bloggers have a meeting of the minds on the GaPoliticalPodcast.
In this episode Joseph Gellerman (DoraBlog), James Williams (GiftDrift), Rusty Tanton, Jason Pye (PeachPundit) and Catherine Smith (BlogforDemocracy) share their thoughts on the upcoming Atlanta Mayoral runoff between Kasim Reed and Mary Norwood.
And speaking of the Peach Pundit, blogger Buzz Brockway wants your help. He's looking for questions for Atlanta's runoff candidates.
He doesn't say if the questions are for a blog post or part of a debate, but check out the post if you have any burning questions.
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