By Chris Rhodenbaugh
Organizing efforts continue. A group of interested participants met as the first Steering Committee on January 4 and agreed on a statement of purpose and planned some events for the next few months. Others are invited to help lead the group and help to organize the activities.
The group’s purpose is to provide a platform to learn about local and state issues, build relationships with elected officials that have the power to effect change, and cultivate community with neighbors in taking action on those issues.
The group, which originated from southeast Atlanta residents who volunteered for the recent presidential campaign, includes some 40 persons who knocked on doors for the Harris-Wallz campaign. There are 165 current members of the Facebook Group. Many who helped with the campaign would like to focus attention on the issues of greatest concern for voters in the south east quadrant of the City.
The group held a candidate forum for the Post 3 City Council runoff that brought out 40 participants to hear the two candidates discuss their positions on City issues. Many on the call said it helped them decide which candidate they would vote for. At this point there are no plans to endorse candidates but information gained through discussion and engagement directly with candidates may help individuals decide where to put their future efforts.
On January 16, the group held a forum with all the area legislators to discuss their plans for the current session. Participants had the opportunity to list three questions they would like asked at the forum. The most frequently suggested questions were: Affordable healthcare, affordable housing, equitable taxation, and spending on education and child care programs.
These state legislators participated in the forum: Sen. Nan Orrock (36th District), Sen. Elena Parent (44th District), Rep, Phil Olaleye (59th District), Rep. Saira Draper (90th District), and Rep. Kim Schofield (63rd District). Rep. Tanya Miller (63rd District) had a scheduling conflict.
A recording of the forum can be found on the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/996393888929965/posts/1096232562279430/ or directly on the Google Drive at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G2EMQEuX8vlET9YFG5ef_wwopEWy8xf5.
The group’s next program will focus on county government. Fulton Commissioner Mo Ivory will be the groups guest on February 20. She will help us understand what we should expect from county government and outline the work plans she has for her current four-year term. Go the SE Atlanta Neighbors Take Action Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/996393888929965 for the link to the zoom meeting and propose questions you would like to ask Commissioner Ivory.
