2021 Georgia Local Elections

2021 Local Elections Runoff

Doug has lived in the East Lake Community since 2002. He has been neighborhood president for three years, served on the neighborhood board for six years and founded and led the East Lake Farmers Market for six years.

Information on Doug's professional background is not available at this time.

Doug Williams' campaign for city council is his first entry into politics.

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Friends of Doug Williams 02

Friends of Doug WIlliams

Supports "expanding the development plan audit beyond the CDP plan, into all city agencies, and engaging our communities to identify challenges, goals, and plans for the future."

Plans to conduct a community performance review, gathering citizen input on how they believe the local government is performing currently and how and where to improve.

Wants to increase mental health services.

- Supports "expanding the development plan audit beyond the CDP plan, into all city agencies, and engaging our communities to identify challenges, goals, and plans for the future."
- Plans to conduct a community performance review, gathering citizen input on how they believe the local government is performing currently and how and where to improve.
- Wants to increase mental health services.

Public Services

Wants to require masks, take density precaution, encourage vaccines and provide tax incentives if necessary.

Plans to explore suing the governor for dereliction of duty.

Said, "\[w\]e need to make clear that we will only get on the other side of this pandemic by taking all precautions we can to improve health."

- Wants to require masks, take density precaution, encourage vaccines and provide tax incentives if necessary. 
- Plans to explore suing the governor for dereliction of duty. 
- Said, "\[w\]e need to make clear that we will only get on the other side of this pandemic by taking all precautions we can to improve health."

COVID

Wants to provide tax breaks for anyone living at up to 200% of the poverty line, particularly for seniors to age in place.

Plans to "make it much harder for the administration to shift funds from the agreed upon budget for vanity projects such as the pedestrian bridge to the Mercedes Benz stadium."

Wants to have more accountability in planning the budget, transparency in how it is spent and aggressive enforcement of government ethics laws, including felony charges for misusing funds, bribery and favoritism.

Supports publicly funding elections "to limit the ability of wealthy donors to buy a government that favors them."

- Wants to provide tax breaks for anyone living at up to 200% of the poverty line, particularly for seniors to age in place.
- Plans to "make it much harder for the administration to shift funds from the agreed upon budget for vanity projects such as the pedestrian bridge to the Mercedes Benz stadium." 
- Wants to have more accountability in planning the budget, transparency in how it is spent and aggressive enforcement of government ethics laws, including felony charges for misusing funds, bribery and favoritism. 
- Supports publicly funding elections "to limit the ability of wealthy donors to buy a government that favors them."

City Budget

Wants to increase affordable housing options for multifamily housing and promises "to make sure Atlanta has affordable housing for everyone, regardless of income."

Plans to provide housing for victims of abuse, the disabled and those with mental illness to decrease crime.

Wants affordable housing requirements for housing developments.

Plans to provide tax subsidies for housing below 50% area median income and provide tax breaks for developers only for properties that provide affordable housing less than 50% of area median income.

- Wants to increase affordable housing options for multifamily housing and promises "to make sure Atlanta has affordable housing for everyone, regardless of income." 
- Plans to provide housing for victims of abuse, the disabled and those with mental illness to decrease crime. 
- Wants affordable housing requirements for housing developments.
- Plans to provide tax subsidies for housing below 50% area median income and provide tax breaks for developers only for properties that provide affordable housing less than 50% of area median income.

Housing & Urban Development

Wants to repair the police's relationships with the community and with city hall and to hire more police.

Plans to partner with police unions to establish reforms and standards of practice, so police have a consistent set of expectations on operations and use of force. He said, "\[t\]he past year has done a lot of damage as expectations or \[sic\] Law enforcement quickly changed based on political expediency, leaving it unclear what might lead to a firing offense and what is acceptable behavior for an officer."

Wants to expand the Policing Alternative Diversion (PAD) program across the district.

Plans to "address the connections between gangs, drugs and the club scene that has made our nightclubs the center of our increases in crime."

- Wants to repair the police's relationships with the community and with city hall and to hire more police. 
- Plans to partner with police unions to establish reforms and standards of practice, so police have a consistent set of expectations on operations and use of force. He said, "\[t\]he past year has done a lot of damage as expectations or \[sic\] Law enforcement quickly changed based on political expediency, leaving it unclear what might lead to a firing offense and what is acceptable behavior for an officer." 
- Wants to expand the Policing Alternative Diversion (PAD) program across the district. 
- Plans to "address the connections between gangs, drugs and the club scene that has made our nightclubs the center of our increases in crime."

Public Safety

Wants more funding for sidewalks, bike lanes, pathways and street repairs, possibly through a 1 cent per gallon sales tax on gasoline within the city.

Plans to establish community priorities for a districtwide walking and biking path, along with streetscape improvements.

Wants to prioritize the BeltLine Rail as a mass transit option.

- Wants more funding for sidewalks, bike lanes, pathways and street repairs, possibly through a 1 cent per gallon sales tax on gasoline within the city. 
- Plans to establish community priorities for a districtwide walking and biking path, along with streetscape improvements. 
- Wants to prioritize the BeltLine Rail as a mass transit option.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Wants to increase density and affordability in areas along mass transit while allow for single-family residential zoning and more protected tree canopy in other areas of town.

Supports inclusionary zoning while providing subsidies for low income and working class housing.

- Wants to increase density and affordability in areas along mass transit while allow for single-family residential zoning and more protected tree canopy in other areas of town. 
- Supports inclusionary zoning while providing subsidies for low income and working class housing.

Zoning

Doug Williams

Decaturish

Katie is president of the Kirkwood Neighbors Organization.

Katie is an outreach specialist for a marketing agency that connects companies and brands with nonprofits.

Katie Kissel's campaign for city council is her first entry into politics.

September 30th CCDR - Katie Kissel

04/30/2021 CCDR

06-30-2021 CCDR

Supports investing in "job training, creating policies that don't punish certain citizens for simply having less resources, and school quality should never be based on zip codes or redlining legislation from the past.​"

- Supports investing in "job training, creating policies that don't punish certain citizens for simply having less resources, and school quality should never be based on zip codes or redlining legislation from the past.​"

As of August 9, 2021, Katie Kissel’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "we must focus on smart density and incentivizing development that creates more affordable housing, not disappears it."

- Said, "we must focus on smart density and incentivizing development that creates more affordable housing, not disappears it."

Supports the construction of the BeltLine Rail.

Plans to improve sidewalks, fix potholes, improve rapid transit options and expand MARTA.

- Supports the construction of the BeltLine Rail.
- Plans to improve sidewalks, fix potholes, improve rapid transit options and expand MARTA.

Plans to change zoning rules to avoid pricing out low-income and working-class Atlantans.

- Plans to change zoning rules to avoid pricing out low-income and working-class Atlantans.

Katie Kissel

Personal Website

Ballotpedia

Liliana was born and raised in Atlanta. She has a bachelor's degree in anthropology and journalism. She was a board member for GloATL, Victory Fund, WinList and Georgia Equality and as Governor for Red Clay Democrats.

Most recently, Liliana served as Emergency Response Coordinator for Partners for Home during the initial COVID-19 outbreak, managing an operation that used vacant hotel space for individuals experiencing homelessness who were at high risk or had tested positive for coronavirus. She was also the Public Affairs Manager for Planned Parenthood Southeast.

Liliana ran for District 5's City Council seat in 2017 but was defeated.

31 December 2020

31 December 2020 Amendment

31 January 2021

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30 April 2021

30 September 2021

Wants to raise the minimum wage within the City of Atlanta to $15 "by lobbying the state to end its preemption laws."

Plans to partner with Atlanta Public Schools and local businesses to create more apprenticeship programs for students.

Supports the city's effort to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035 and plans to introduce public benchmarks on that strategy.

Wants to rewrite the city's tree ordinance to have stricter protections for the tree canopy.

Plans to provide greater education on recycling and composting.

- Wants to raise the minimum wage within the City of Atlanta to $15 "by lobbying the state to end its preemption laws."
- Plans to partner with Atlanta Public Schools and local businesses to create more apprenticeship programs for students.
- Supports the city's effort to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035 and plans to introduce public benchmarks on that strategy.
- Wants to rewrite the city's tree ordinance to have stricter protections for the tree canopy.
- Plans to provide greater education on recycling and composting.

Supports economic recovery strategies to bolster the state's small businesses and hardest hit industries (like the food service industry, hospitality industry, and the arts industry)

Supports expanding accessibility to the SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative and expanding the city's existing grants for BIPOC and legacy

Supports extending rent and mortgage assistance programs and hazard pay for frontline employees

Plans to work with local mutual aid partners to continue regular food distribution programs, supply drives for students, and clothing drives for struggling families.

Supports increased COVID testing, vaccine access, and PPE access for all Atlantans

- Supports economic recovery strategies to bolster the state's small businesses and hardest hit industries (like the food service industry, hospitality industry, and the arts industry)
- Supports expanding accessibility to the SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative and expanding the city's existing grants for BIPOC and legacy
owned businesses
- Supports extending rent and mortgage assistance programs and hazard pay for frontline employees
- Plans to work with local mutual aid partners to continue regular food distribution programs, supply drives for students, and clothing drives for struggling families. 
- Supports increased COVID testing, vaccine access, and PPE access for all Atlantans

Supports adopting participatory budgeting.

Said, "I will implement a benchmark system for city projects so that we can better monitor budgetary spending and ensure that projects are completed using the money that is earmarked for those projects."

Plans to encourage city departments to disclose their spending and budget in a public database.

Will advocate for an audit of key expense areas to look for inefficiencies and trim surplus budget expenses

- Supports adopting participatory budgeting.
- Said, "I will implement a benchmark system for city projects so that we can better monitor budgetary spending and ensure that projects are completed using the money that is earmarked for those projects."
- Plans to encourage city departments to disclose their spending and budget in a public database.
- Will advocate for an audit of key expense areas to look for inefficiencies and trim surplus budget expenses

Supports requiring Community Benefit Agreements for development projects and using tax protections for legacy residents.

Supports offering more low-barrier shelters, housing placement programs and wraparound services.

Plans to increase the number of units of affordable housing in Atlanta and address housing affordability across the spectrum, including workforce development and workforce housing, expanded services for our unsheltered population, and targeted tax credits and incentives

Supports building density along transit corridors and right

of ways and expanding soft density opportunities through Accessory Dwelling Units and R5 zoning

Plans to expand workforce housing for first responders and city employees

- Supports requiring Community Benefit Agreements for development projects and using tax protections for legacy residents.
- Supports offering more low-barrier shelters, housing placement programs and wraparound services.
- Plans to increase the number of units of affordable housing in Atlanta and address housing affordability across the spectrum, including workforce development and workforce housing, expanded services for our unsheltered population, and targeted tax credits and incentives
- Supports building density along transit corridors and right
of ways and expanding soft density opportunities through Accessory Dwelling Units and R5 zoning
- Plans to expand workforce housing for first responders and city employees

Plans to reach public safety staffing targets of 2,000 police officers and 1,600 firefighters.

Supports the Police Alternatives and Diversion Program and wants to create a Diversion Center in place of the Atlanta City Detention Center to take nonviolent offenders "out of the criminal justice system and provide them with the resources they need."

Wants to add a 24/7 mental health and poverty response team with specialized training into a Public Safety Department.

Supports providing de-escalation training for law enforcement officials and increasing community policing.

- Plans to reach public safety staffing targets of 2,000 police officers and 1,600 firefighters.
- Supports the Police Alternatives and Diversion Program and wants to create a Diversion Center in place of the Atlanta City Detention Center to take nonviolent offenders "out of the criminal justice system and provide them with the resources they need."
- Wants to add a 24/7 mental health and poverty response team with specialized training into a Public Safety Department.
- Supports providing de-escalation training for law enforcement officials and increasing community policing.

Plans to co-create equitable solutions to Atlanta's housing shortage, the climate crisis, and our population boom

Wants to "bundle pedestrian and ADA infrastructure with road resurfacing projects."

Supports using green infrastructure, like rain gardens and bioswales, to manage water runoff.

Plans to conduct an energy vulnerability assessment to understand where the city's energy infrastructure is weakest and in need of immediate assistance.

Supports the completion of the BeltLine Rail and expanding MARTA.

Promises "to reduce parking requirements along transit corridors to encourage alternative transit usage."

Promises to hold city offices accountable to their 2016 Climate Action Plan to meet the city’s 100% clean energy target by 2035

- Plans to co-create equitable solutions to Atlanta's housing shortage, the climate crisis, and our population boom 
- Wants to "bundle pedestrian and ADA infrastructure with road resurfacing projects."
- Supports using green infrastructure, like rain gardens and bioswales, to manage water runoff.
- Plans to conduct an energy vulnerability assessment to understand where the city's energy infrastructure is weakest and in need of immediate assistance.
- Supports the completion of the BeltLine Rail and expanding MARTA.
- Promises "to reduce parking requirements along transit corridors to encourage alternative transit usage."
- Promises to hold city offices accountable to their 2016 Climate Action Plan to meet the city’s 100% clean energy target by 2035

Supports upzoning to multi-family (up to 12-plexes) and mixed-use along transit corridors and major thoroughfares

Plans to expand R5 zoning throughout the city in order to legalize granny flats and accessory units, and provide avenues

Commits to to working directly with each neighborhood to develop a neighborhood master plan, so that with the input of the community, strategic plans can be made for how many units of housing need to be built over the next 20 years and where these units will best fit within the existing landscape

- Supports upzoning to multi-family (up to 12-plexes) and mixed-use along transit corridors and major thoroughfares
- Plans to expand R5 zoning throughout the city in order to legalize granny flats and accessory units, and provide avenues
for soft density within neighborhoods
- Commits to to working directly with each neighborhood to develop a neighborhood master plan, so that with the input of the community, strategic plans can be made for how many units of housing need to be built over the next 20 years and where these units will best fit within the existing landscape

Liliana Bakhtiari

SEAA

Mandy has a bachelor's degree in biology and environmental studies and a law degree from Emory University. She also has a master's degree in environmental management from Duke University. Mandy is on the boards for East Lake YMCA and Emory University Law School's Environmental Law Clinic. She was also an organizer of the environmental community for Rev. Raphael Warnock's Senate campaign. She lives with her husband and son live in East Lake.

Mandy is president of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEAA). She previously worked as the organization's Vice President of Policy and Operations. Before she began working with the SEAA, she was as Atlanta's first Director of Sustainability under mayors Kasim Reed and Shirley Franklin.

Mandy Mahoney's campaign for city council is her first entry into politics.

June 30, 2020 CCDR

Dec 31, 2020 CCDR

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Amended 123120 CCDR

September 30 2021 CCDR

April 30 2021 Report

Oct 25 CCDR 2021

mandyfordistrict5@gmail.com

Supports the installation of more parks, playgrounds and trails.

Plans to make Atlanta a more sustainable city and address climate change through supporting the use of clean energy.

Said, "\[t\]he city has a responsibility to proactively develop programs and policies that improve economic mobility and shrink the racial wealth gap."

Plans to invest in community-based businesses that need startup and growth capital.

- Supports the installation of more parks, playgrounds and trails.
- Plans to make Atlanta a more sustainable city and address climate change through supporting the use of clean energy.
- Said, "\[t\]he city has a responsibility to proactively develop programs and policies that improve economic mobility and shrink the racial wealth gap." 
- Plans to invest in community-based businesses that need startup and growth capital.

Wants "clear, consistent, and transparent public health policies that follow federal guidelines."

Said, "\[t\]he most immediate challenge is to create a safe and healthy environment that supports the industries hit hardest by the pandemic."

Believes that the city needs to stop returning federal funding and needs to get the maximum funding possible to fund city projects.

Wants to partner with the Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Central Atlanta Progress, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Georgia Restaurant Association to support their businesses.

- Wants "clear, consistent, and transparent public health policies that follow federal guidelines." 
- Said, "\[t\]he most immediate challenge is to create a safe and healthy environment that supports the industries hit hardest by the pandemic." 
- Believes that the city needs to stop returning federal funding and needs to get the maximum funding possible to fund city projects. 
- Wants to partner with the Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Central Atlanta Progress, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Georgia Restaurant Association to support their businesses.

Promises to implement participatory budgeting for the district's discretionary funds "on day one" to restore community trust and get resident and business input on district projects.

- Promises to implement participatory budgeting for the district's discretionary funds "on day one" to restore community trust and get resident and business input on district projects.

Plans to create a revolving loan program to provide funding at low interest rates to affordable housing developments within the city, use unused city property for affordable housing and come up with clear metrics for affordable housing development and preservation.

Said she "believes in equitable and affordable housing for all."

Wants to allow neighborhood residents and legacy homeowners to age in place and not be forced out of their homes by unaffordable taxes.

Plans to work with communities to create "meaningful affordable housing options," especially for police officers, firefighters and teachers.

- Plans to create a revolving loan program to provide funding at low interest rates to affordable housing developments within the city, use unused city property for affordable housing and come up with clear metrics for affordable housing development and preservation. 
- Said she "believes in equitable and affordable housing for all."
- Wants to allow neighborhood residents and legacy homeowners to age in place and not be forced out of their homes by unaffordable taxes. 
- Plans to work with communities to create "meaningful affordable housing options," especially for police officers, firefighters and teachers.

Wants more police, more consistent training, more specialized community programs, high pay for the police and improved 911 response times.

Plans to "work to responsibly fund the Atlanta Police Department while increasing accountability and ensuring our city supports critical services outside of the criminal justice system."

Supports making sure "citizens can reenter society with access to adequate resources and support."

Wants to recruit police from Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta University Center and Atlanta Technical College.

- Wants more police, more consistent training, more specialized community programs, high pay for the police and improved 911 response times. 
- Plans to "work to responsibly fund the Atlanta Police Department while increasing accountability and ensuring our city supports critical services outside of the criminal justice system."
- Supports making sure "citizens can reenter society with access to adequate resources and support."
- Wants to recruit police from Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta University Center and Atlanta Technical College.

Said that "it is critical \[to her\] that we have safe, reliable roads, sidewalks, bike corridors, and MARTA access points."

Wants to improve and expand streets, buildings and utilities in a way that is sustainable and economically efficient.

Plans to create a transportation system that works for all ages and abilities.

Wants to improve pedestrian, public transit and cycle infrastructure by repairing existing sidewalks, adding new sidewalks, building new bike lanes and multi-use paths, enforcing existing bike lane regulations and improving connections between public transit stops.

- Said that "it is critical \[to her\] that we have safe, reliable roads, sidewalks, bike corridors, and MARTA access points."
- Wants to improve and expand streets, buildings and utilities in a way that is sustainable and economically efficient. 
- Plans to create a transportation system that works for all ages and abilities. 
- Wants to improve pedestrian, public transit and cycle infrastructure by repairing existing sidewalks, adding new sidewalks, building new bike lanes and multi-use paths, enforcing existing bike lane regulations and improving connections between public transit stops.

Wants more flexible zoning laws to allow for more affordable housing by "support\[ing\] the diversity of housing needs that we have while preserving the historical significance of certain neighborhoods and properties."

- Wants more flexible zoning laws to allow for more affordable housing by "support\[ing\] the diversity of housing needs that we have while preserving the historical significance of certain neighborhoods and properties."

Mandy Mahoney

Sam was born and raised in Atlanta. He has a bachelor's degree in economics from Morehouse College, a master's degree in business administration from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University. He is the director of the PATHS Foundation and a community board member at Hughes Spalding Children's Hospital. He lives with his wife and two children in Glenwood Park.

Sam is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Grand Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Chairman of the Atlanta Association of Convalescent Aged Persons, Inc. He was the Chairman and CEO of the Fulton Atlanta Land Bank Authority and one of the first Mayoral Appointees to the Westside Tax Allocation District Advisory Board. While in high school, he co-founded one of the largest minority-owned sound, lighting and stage companies in the southeast.

Sam ran for the Georgia State Senate for District 36 in 2002 but did not advance to the runoff.

April 30 2021 Disclosure amended

June 30 2021 Disclosure

October 25 2021 Disclosure Report

September 30, 2021 Disclosure Report

Plans to adopt standards that would properly assess the effectiveness of a new tree protection ordinance.

Supports outlawing the use of plastic bags and straws in the city and expanding Atlanta's use of renewable energy.

- Plans to adopt standards that would properly assess the effectiveness of a new tree protection ordinance.
- Supports outlawing the use of plastic bags and straws in the city and expanding Atlanta's use of renewable energy.

Promises to work with public school officials to coordinate how best to get back to in-person learning and "would \[partner\] with private benefactors that would be willing ... to help in providing learning devices, internet access, food and other resources."

Said, "during the height of the pandemic last year, I helped steer over $1,000,000 in relief funds for small businesses in mostly distressed areas to sustain this vital part of our local economy."

- Promises to work with public school officials to coordinate how best to get back to in-person learning and "would \[partner\] with private benefactors that would be willing ... to help in providing learning devices, internet access, food and other resources."
- Said, "during the height of the pandemic last year, I helped steer over $1,000,000 in relief funds for small businesses in mostly distressed areas to sustain this vital part of our local economy."

Said, "I would like to see more transparency and a managed ... participatory process involving citizens."

Supports raising property tax rates while increasing homestead exemption levels.

Plans to "look for special collections and additional assessments from car renter, hotel and motel visitors and additional ad valorem collections from corporate properties and owners of properties assessed above $100,000."

- Said, "I would like to see more transparency and a managed ... participatory process involving citizens."
- Supports raising property tax rates while increasing homestead exemption levels. 
- Plans to "look for special collections and additional assessments from car renter, hotel and motel visitors and additional ad valorem collections from corporate properties and owners of properties assessed above $100,000."

Promises to "spend time learning about the detailed processes, issues and policies around use of City owned parcels, cadastral

- Promises to "spend time learning about the detailed processes, issues and policies around use of City owned parcels, cadastral
maps and paper streets."

Wants to explore non-law enforcement violence protection programs, like community intervention teams and mentorship programs for at-risk youth.

Supports getting rid of aggressive policing tactics, like stop and frisk or "those typically used that involve contacting, stopping, searching large numbers of people indiscriminately without probable cause."

Against "enforcing laws in ways that criminalize people for their poverty or lack of housing."

Plans to collect data on police activities broken down by demographics of individuals involved in the incidents and make police misconduct records public.

- Wants to explore non-law enforcement violence protection programs, like community intervention teams and mentorship programs for at-risk youth.
- Supports getting rid of aggressive policing tactics, like stop and frisk or "those typically used that involve contacting, stopping, searching large numbers of people indiscriminately without probable cause."
- Against "enforcing laws in ways that criminalize people for their poverty or lack of housing."
- Plans to collect data on police activities broken down by demographics of individuals involved in the incidents and make police misconduct records public.

Said, "significant investment is required if \[MARTA\] is to reach deep into the metro area's wealthiest white suburbs while improving how it serves historically Black neighborhoods of our city."

Plans to implement two funding options for infrastructure improvement: "an impact fee ... that is assessed on new, larger commercial developments in lieu of a general tax payment ... \[and\] a continuation of TSPLOST."

- Said, "significant investment is required if \[MARTA\] is to reach deep into the metro area's wealthiest white suburbs while improving how it serves historically Black neighborhoods of our city."
- Plans to implement two funding options for infrastructure improvement: "an impact fee ... that is assessed on new, larger commercial developments in lieu of a general tax payment ... \[and\] a continuation of TSPLOST."

Said, "\[zoning\] changes require the utmost sensitivity and respect for those directly affected so as not to be too abrupt and disruptive despite efforts to address wrongs of the past."

- Said, "\[zoning\] changes require the utmost sensitivity and respect for those directly affected so as not to be too abrupt and disruptive despite efforts to address wrongs of the past."

Sam Bacote

- 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. 

Passes laws and regulations for your city.

Atlanta City Council Member, District 5

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (5)

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