AJC/ACC Voter Guide - Local & Legislative Questionnaire

Ballotpedia: Sonya Russell-Ofchus

Sonya is from Peoplestown. She received her bachelor's in criminology from St. Leo University, She lives in Grant Park with her husband, Kevin, and they have two children and four grandchildren. 

Sonya owns and operates L'Amour Chic, a provider of private suites for beauty and wellness professionals. She previously worked as a US postal inspector, a special agent for the U.S. Department of Education, a probation officer, and police investigator and police officer for the City of Atlanta. 

Sonya D Ofchus previously ran for the Atlanta City Council At-large Post 2 in 2021, but did not win. 

As of March 23, 2024, Sonya D Ofchus’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Wants to promote business growth and job creation.

Said, "I will enhance government transparency to ensure your tax dollars are spent efficiently on intended services."

- Wants to promote business growth and job creation.
- Said, "I will enhance government transparency to ensure your tax dollars are spent efficiently on intended services."

Economy

Atlanta Civic Circle, Sonya Russell-Ofchus

Wants to have awareness campaigns in schools to teach youth about the consequences of violence and the importance of non-violent alternatives.

Supports reading enrichment programs and adding summer childhood learning centers.

Said, "Starting early for our youth is the answer to a lot of the issues we are having with our youth. Just going to school during the school year is not enough."

- Wants to have awareness campaigns in schools to teach youth about the consequences of violence and the importance of non-violent alternatives.
- Supports reading enrichment programs and adding summer childhood learning centers.
- Said, "Starting early for our youth is the answer to a lot of the issues we are having with our youth. Just going to school during the school year is not enough."

Education

Plans to introduce conflict resolution and interpersonal skills training to help youth manage conflicts peacefully tp reduce the likelihood of using violence.

Advocates for legislation that prevents minors and people with a history of violence to get guns.

- Plans to introduce conflict resolution and interpersonal skills training to help youth manage conflicts peacefully tp reduce the likelihood of using violence.
- Advocates for legislation that prevents minors and people with a history of violence to get guns.

Public Safety

Wants to create more housing choices for families.

Believes the city should help with relocation when tenants are displaced.

Proposes that developers are required to pay a fee for new commercial development and use those revenues to fund construction of affordable housing.

Said, "We have to assess what makes housing unaffordable in a specific area and what programs are out there to assist citizens who are at or below the area median income."

- Wants to create more housing choices for families.
- Believes the city should help with relocation when tenants are displaced.
- Proposes that developers are required to pay a fee for new commercial development and use those revenues to fund construction of affordable housing.
- Said, "We have to assess what makes housing unaffordable in a specific area and what programs are out there to assist citizens who are at or below the area median income."

Housing & Urban Development

Advocates for land use policies that encourage mixed-use development.

Plans to install more crosswalks,  extend pedestrian crossing times, create bus rapid transit lanes, reallocate vehicle space to bike lanes, introduce traffic calming and speed reduction measures.

Believes a transit-oriented approach will reduce car dependency by locating housing, jobs, resreations, sercices, and recreating in walk-friendly spaces with public transportation.

Candidate's website says, "Sonya Ofchus believes vibrant communities start with smart zoning, enabling sustainable density and walkable access to daily needs."

- Advocates for land use policies that encourage mixed-use development.
- Plans to install more crosswalks,  extend pedestrian crossing times, create bus rapid transit lanes, reallocate vehicle space to bike lanes, introduce traffic calming and speed reduction measures.
- Believes a transit-oriented approach will reduce car dependency by locating housing, jobs, resreations, sercices, and recreating in walk-friendly spaces with public transportation.
- Candidate's website says, "Sonya Ofchus believes vibrant communities start with smart zoning, enabling sustainable density and walkable access to daily needs."

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Sonya D Ofchus

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.