Decaturish, Candidate Q&A - Clarkston City Council

She has two elementary school-age children and lives in the Silver Oak neighborhood.

Krista owns a small business that sells sea moss products. She is a notary public and an ordained minister.

Krista Durant's campaign for city council is her first entry into politics.

As of August 23, 2023, Krista Durant did not have a website.

Natural Resources & the Environment

Supports inclusionary zoning, which requires a percentage of new developments to be affordable housing units.

Wants to consider rent control or stabilization measures to limit rent increases.

Supports stronger eviction protection measures to make housing more stable for renters.

- Supports inclusionary zoning, which requires a percentage of new developments to be affordable housing units.
- Wants to consider rent control or stabilization measures to limit rent increases.
- Supports stronger eviction protection measures to make housing more stable for renters.

Housing & Urban Development

Want to raise pay and provide better benefits, including signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and retirement plans, to recruit and retain police officers.

Plans to market Clarkston police department jobs on social media, local job boards, career fairs, and targeted advertising.

Wants to recruit police officers from local colleges and high schools.

Supports creating "a system for recognizing and rewarding outstanding performance...\[and\] showcase success stories and achievements within the department to inspire a sense of pride and accomplishment."

- Want to raise pay and provide better benefits, including signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and retirement plans, to recruit and retain police officers.
- Plans to market Clarkston police department jobs on social media, local job boards, career fairs, and targeted advertising.
- Wants to recruit police officers from local colleges and high schools.
- Supports creating "a system for recognizing and rewarding outstanding performance...\[and\] showcase success stories and achievements within the department to inspire a sense of pride and accomplishment."

Public Safety

Prioritizes "economic empowerment, education excellence, and equity and inclusion."

Believes that "balancing the diverse needs, interests, and resources of \[Clarkston's\] communities requires careful planning and strategic decision-making to ensure equitable growth and development for all residents."

Plans to focus on "visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to community service" when hiring the next city manager.

Wants to focus on taking care of the existing community over annexing new areas into the city.

- Prioritizes "economic empowerment, education excellence, and equity and inclusion."
- Believes that "balancing the diverse needs, interests, and resources of \[Clarkston's\] communities requires careful planning and strategic decision-making to ensure equitable growth and development for all residents."
- Plans to focus on "visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to community service" when hiring the next city manager.
- Wants to focus on taking care of the existing community over annexing new areas into the city.

Public Services

Transportation & Infrastructure

Krista Durant

As of September 3, 2023, Adrianna B. Danley did not have a website or publicly available contact information in order for us to send them our questionnaire.

As of August 28, 2023, Adrianna B. Danley did not have a website or any information online.

Adrianna B. Danley

LinkedIn

City of Clarkson, Councilman Awet Eyasu 

Awet is originally from Keren, Eritrea. He has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Asmara Eritrea. He also has a masters of arts in African area studies and history from the University of California, Los Angeles. He lives with his wife and four children in the Clarkston area.

Awet is a community organizer. He works for UNITE HERE. He also works for Freelance Consulting as a historian. Awet previously worked for the city of Clarkston as the vice mayor, New York Life Insurance, Vote Goal Organizing, Epiq, Sierra Club, Working America, DTI LLC, and UCLA Athletics.

Awet "Howard" Eyasu is currently a city council member representing the city of Clarkston. He was first elected in 2015 and has been in office for two terms.

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Wants to increase the amount of green space in the city.

- Supports the Clarkston Greenway project.
- Wants to increase the amount of green space in the city.

Believes that housing affordability is an issue and wants to attract more workforce housing projects.

- Believes that housing affordability is an issue and wants to attract more workforce housing projects.

Wants to offer hire pay, more benefits, and possibly reimbursement of college tuition to recruit and retain more police officers.

- Supports building a new police station.
- Wants to offer hire pay, more benefits, and possibly reimbursement of college tuition to recruit and retain more police officers.

Believes that Clarkston's biggest challenge is the "lack of easily accessible economic opportunities."

Wants to hire a city manager that is able to set the budget and execute policies set by the city council.

Supports Clarkston annexing the Memorial Drive corridor.

Wants to bring more businesses, including restaurants from diverse cultures.

- Believes that Clarkston's biggest challenge is the "lack of easily accessible economic opportunities."
- Wants to hire a city manager that is able to set the budget and execute policies set by the city council.
- Supports Clarkston annexing the Memorial Drive corridor.
- Wants to bring more businesses, including restaurants from diverse cultures.

Wants to improve infrastructure, create a master plan for a new park, and revitalize downtown.

Believes that DeKalb County schools are aging and that the buildings need to be renovated.

- Wants to improve infrastructure, create a master plan for a new park, and revitalize downtown.
- Believes that DeKalb County schools are aging and that the buildings need to be renovated.

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Awet "Howard" Eyasu

Charles has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Kennesaw State University, a master's degree in school psychology from the University of Tennessee, and a PhD from the George Washington University. He lives in the Glendale Rowes neighborhood.

Charles is a psychologist. He has worked in metropolitan area and rural school districts, and he is licensed in Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, and the District of Columbia. He used to be a graduate research assistant.

As of October 12, 2023, Charles B. Jenkins did not have a website or publicly available contact information in order for us to send them our questionnaire.

Said, "Clarkston could prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship, implementing eco-friendly initiatives such as renewable energy, green infrastructure, and waste reduction programs."

- Said, "Clarkston could prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship, implementing eco-friendly initiatives such as renewable energy, green infrastructure, and waste reduction programs."

Said, "I will continue to advocate for the availability of affordable housing options, considering the unique needs of Clarkston."

Wants to work with developers to include affordable units or collaborate with housing organizations to create more affordable housing.

Supports inclusionary zoning, where developers designate some of their units for affordable housing, and community land trusts, where land is owned by a nonprofit organization and leased to residents at affordable rates.

Wants to expand rental assistance programs or create new programs to provide financial support to low-income individuals and families.

- Said, "I will continue to advocate for the availability of affordable housing options, considering the unique needs of Clarkston."
- Wants to work with developers to include affordable units or collaborate with housing organizations to create more affordable housing.
- Supports inclusionary zoning, where developers designate some of their units for affordable housing, and community land trusts, where land is owned by a nonprofit organization and leased to residents at affordable rates.
- Wants to expand rental assistance programs or create new programs to provide financial support to low-income individuals and families.

As of August 28, 2023, Charles B. Jenkins did not have a website.

Wants to create a mentorship program that connects local young people with professionals in the community.

Advocates for the city to do a comprehensive assessment of the mental health needs of the immigrant and refugee population in Clarkston.

Supports providing mental health services to individuals with limited English proficiency through interpretation services or multilingual resources.

Wants community workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns to destigmatize mental health issues and promote positive mental health.

- Wants to create a mentorship program that connects local young people with professionals in the community.
- Advocates for the city to do a comprehensive assessment of the mental health needs of the immigrant and refugee population in Clarkston.
- Supports providing mental health services to individuals with limited English proficiency through interpretation services or multilingual resources.
- Wants community workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns to destigmatize mental health issues and promote positive mental health.

Said, "I will continue to advocate for reliable and affordable transportation options that connect our immigrant and refugee community to essential services, employment centers, and educational institutions."

Wants to improve public transportation routes, expand bike lands, and improve pedestrian walkways.

Supports more community centers and gathering spaces in Clarkston.

Promises to "prioritize the maintenance and improvement of existing infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, streetlights, and public facilities."

- Said, "I will continue to advocate for reliable and affordable transportation options that connect our immigrant and refugee community to essential services, employment centers, and educational institutions."
- Wants to improve public transportation routes, expand bike lands, and improve pedestrian walkways.
- Supports more community centers and gathering spaces in Clarkston.
- Promises to "prioritize the maintenance and improvement of existing infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, streetlights, and public facilities."

Charles B. Jenkins

Dean is originally from Virginia. He has an associate's degree from Northern Virginia Community College in commercial photography and an associate's degree in general studies from Georgia State University Perimeter College. He currently lives with his wife, Susan.

Dean is a superintendent. He works at Couch Construction services where he has been for eight years. He is also a campus engineer at The Museum School of Avondale Estates where he has been for eight years. Previously, he worked for the City of Clarkston, Tubing Operations for Humanitarian Logistics, CD Partners, and Kendall and Murff.

Dean Summer Moore previously served as city council member of Clarkston from 2010 to 2018. He previously ran in 2018 and 2020 and did not win.

As of August 28, 2023, Dean Sumner Moore’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Decaturish, Dean Moore running for City Council to protect Clarkston’s neighborhoods

Supports "protecting Clarkston’s neighborhoods, both single family housing and multi-family dwellings, with historic preservation, zoning and code enforcement."

Wants to regulate the inventory of multi-family and rental properties in the city.

Wants to make homeownership in Clarkston more affordable.

Plans to "improve the housing conditions for the tenants in those apartments through incentives and enforcement, and potentially a landlord-tenant commission."

Supports helping "apartment owners develop better management teams to maintain better living standards for the tenants."

- Supports "protecting Clarkston’s neighborhoods, both single family housing and multi-family dwellings, with historic preservation, zoning and code enforcement."
- Wants to regulate the inventory of multi-family and rental properties in the city.
- Wants to make homeownership in Clarkston more affordable.
- Plans to "improve the housing conditions for the tenants in those apartments through incentives and enforcement, and potentially a landlord-tenant commission."
- Supports helping "apartment owners develop better management teams to maintain better living standards for the tenants."

Wants to raise pay and increase benefits for police officers.

Said, "I would ask the city manager and chief of police to make it one of their goals to instill a sense of pride and a feeling of community in each of the members of the department."

- Wants to raise pay and increase benefits for police officers.
- Said, "I would ask the city manager and chief of police to make it one of their goals to instill a sense of pride and a feeling of community in each of the members of the department."

Supports raising the minimum wage of the area.

Wants to increase the tax base of the city which would "support public projects and financial survival of the city."

Plans to prioritize professional management skills, experience in public administration, an ability to set goals, make plans, and get results when hiring a city manager.

Said, "The schools are in dire need of improvement."

- Supports raising the minimum wage of the area.
- Wants to increase the tax base of the city which would "support public projects and financial survival of the city."
- Plans to prioritize professional management skills, experience in public administration, an ability to set goals, make plans, and get results when hiring a city manager.
- Said, "The schools are in dire need of improvement."

Wants to minimize vehicular traffic in the city and enhance alternative forms of transit such as biking, walking, and public transit.

Plans to improve parks and pedestrian infrastructure in the city.

Wants to make Clarkston a "bucolic oasis of walkable neighborhoods with a central business district serving the community" with a "ring of interconnected parks and alternative walking paths to access various parts of the city."

- Wants to minimize vehicular traffic in the city and enhance alternative forms of transit such as biking, walking, and public transit.
- Plans to improve parks and pedestrian infrastructure in the city.
- Wants to make Clarkston a "bucolic oasis of walkable neighborhoods with a central business district serving the community" with a "ring of interconnected parks and alternative walking paths to access various parts of the city."

Dean Sumner Moore

City of Clarkston, Debra Johnson

Debra Johnson is originally from Conyers. She has an associates degree in health information technology and is a certified coding specialist. She currently lives in Covington. She has two children and five grandchildren.

Debra is a hospital medical inpatient coder.

Debra Johnson is currently a city council member representing the city of Clarkston. She was first elected in 2019 and has been in office for one term. She is also the vice-mayor of the city of Clarkston.

As of August 28, 2023, Debra D. Johnson did not have a website or any information online.

Said, "my top priority is to address the pressing need for affordable housing across various economic classes."

Believes that "It's essential that we develop inclusive policies to ensure that all residents have access to safe and affordable homes as our community continues to expand."

As a city council member, she supported the first multi-use development in the Clarkston town center.

- Said, "my top priority is to address the pressing need for affordable housing across various economic classes."
- Believes that "It's essential that we develop inclusive policies to ensure that all residents have access to safe and affordable homes as our community continues to expand."
- As a city council member, she supported the first multi-use development in the Clarkston town center.

Supports looking into "competitive compensations packages to attract and retain top talent in law enforcement."

As a city council member, she worked with the police chief to expanding partnerships between the department and colleges, high schools, and neighboring jurisdictions.

As a city council member, she supported raising police officer pay and wants to make sure that "our police department remains strong and capable of keeping our community safe."

- Supports looking into "competitive compensations packages to attract and retain top talent in law enforcement."
- As a city council member, she worked with the police chief to expanding partnerships between the department and colleges, high schools, and neighboring jurisdictions.
- As a city council member, she supported raising police officer pay and wants to make sure that "our police department remains strong and capable of keeping our community safe."

Supports open government, and said "I've held community meetings where all residents can voice their opinions and concerns."

As a city council member, she helped create funding for businesses to help them improve.

Plans to prioritize teamwork, strong leadership, ability to gain trust, listening, and communications skills when hiring Clarkston's next city manager.

Wants Clarkston to be "a hub of economic opportunity, offering a diverse range of businesses, job opportunities, and affordable housing options to residents of all backgrounds."

Wants to consider annexation "strategically" by focusing on annexing "areas that promote economic growth, facilitating the development of business and housing opportunities."

- Supports open government, and said "I've held community meetings where all residents can voice their opinions and concerns."
- As a city council member, she helped create funding for businesses to help them improve.
- Plans to prioritize teamwork, strong leadership, ability to gain trust, listening, and communications skills when hiring Clarkston's next city manager.
- Wants Clarkston to be "a hub of economic opportunity, offering a diverse range of businesses, job opportunities, and affordable housing options to residents of all backgrounds."
- Wants to consider annexation "strategically" by focusing on annexing "areas that promote economic growth, facilitating the development of business and housing opportunities."

Wants to make city infrastructure more well-connected and modern.

Supports using SPLOST funds to improve the city's appearance.

- Wants to make city infrastructure more well-connected and modern.
- Supports using SPLOST funds to improve the city's appearance.

Debra D. Johnson

Laura has a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Tennessee.

Laura is a program director for clinical education. She works at the Emory School of Medicine, where she has been for eight years. She previously worked at Sevananda Natural Foods, the Bolton Group, BB&T Payroll Services, Delta Global Staffing, and the Weather Channel.

Laura Hopkins is currently a city council member representing the city of Clarkston. She was elected in 2019 and has been in office for one term.

As of August 28, 2023, Laura C. Hopkins did not have a website or any information online.

Decaturish, Canddiate Q&A - Clarkston City Council

Wants to create more opportunities for home ownership.

Said that rent is "a long-term poverty generator" and that "it is the investors that are driving up home prices."

Supports the city government setting up land trusts to help people afford homes and keep those homes affordable beyond the first few years of ownership.

- Wants to create more opportunities for home ownership.
- Said that rent is "a long-term poverty generator" and that "it is the investors that are driving up home prices."
- Supports the city government setting up land trusts to help people afford homes and keep those homes affordable beyond the first few years of ownership.

Said, "Our police force has a full capacity of only 22 officers, and we are well on our way to being there now."

- Said, "Our police force has a full capacity of only 22 officers, and we are well on our way to being there now."

Supports rank-choice voting for city council.

Plans to prioritize experience, leadership, competence, and empathy when hiring the next city manager.

Wants more employment opportunities in Clarkston.

Said, "It is important not to look at annexation as just a means to getting more tax income because the return to those residents in services should be equivalent to their taxes. Growth for the sake of growth is the mindset of a cancer cell, but I support mindful growth."

- Supports rank-choice voting for city council.
- Plans to prioritize experience, leadership, competence, and empathy when hiring the next city manager.
- Wants more employment opportunities in Clarkston.
- Said, "It is important not to look at annexation as just a means to getting more tax income because the return to those residents in services should be equivalent to their taxes. Growth for the sake of growth is the mindset of a cancer cell, but I support mindful growth."

Wants to preserve parks and other public spaces.

- Wants to preserve parks and other public spaces.

Laura C. Hopkins

Mark has a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Alabama.

Mark is a founder and principal consultant. He works at Leadersolve, where he has been for five years. He previously worked at One Collective, the City of Clarkston, and Sears Management.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Clarkston elects new councilman in special election

Mark Perkins previously served as city council member of Clarkston from 2021 to 2022 after winning a special election.

As of August 28, 2023, Mark W. Perkins did not have a website or any information online.

Supports "a diversity of housing options."

Wants to "gently increase our density and enlarge our city's boundaries in the coming years" in order to make housing more affordable.

- Supports "a diversity of housing options."
- Wants to "gently increase our density and enlarge our city's boundaries in the coming years" in order to make housing more affordable.

Said, "the best way to increase recruitment and retention of police officers is to encourage the recruitment and retention of good leaders."

Wants to improve city facilities and provide higher pay and more benefits for police officers.

- Said, "the best way to increase recruitment and retention of police officers is to encourage the recruitment and retention of good leaders."
- Wants to improve city facilities and provide higher pay and more benefits for police officers.

Wants "to rebuild trust between the city, residents, and our neighboring communities by ensuring that gaps in staffing and leadership are filled in our police and other departments."

Believes that a challenge facing Clarkston is "aggressive annexation by our neighbors."

Supports "creative, collaborative partnerships between the city, businesses, and non-profit organizations that are innovative and set an example in how they work together and make the community a better place for everyone."

Advocates for looking into annexing south towards Memorial Drive, east towards Ray's Road, and west and southwest towards North Decatur and Valleybrook Road.

Wants more mixed-used development in downtown Clarkston and more gathering spots for the community.

- Wants "to rebuild trust between the city, residents, and our neighboring communities by ensuring that gaps in staffing and leadership are filled in our police and other departments."
- Believes that a challenge facing Clarkston is "aggressive annexation by our neighbors."
- Supports "creative, collaborative partnerships between the city, businesses, and non-profit organizations that are innovative and set an example in how they work together and make the community a better place for everyone."
- Advocates for looking into annexing south towards Memorial Drive, east towards Ray's Road, and west and southwest towards North Decatur and Valleybrook Road.
- Wants more mixed-used development in downtown Clarkston and more gathering spots for the community.

Wants to improve infrastructure, make the community more walkable, and upgrade parks.

Supports improving space in Milam Park with a space for outdoor events and a splash pad.

- Wants to improve infrastructure, make the community more walkable, and upgrade parks.
- Supports improving space in Milam Park with a space for outdoor events and a splash pad.

Mark W. Perkins

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 